Although we have only been in camp a week, in some ways it seems like much longer. So much has happened in such a short time and now everyone knows the routine. Camp opened last Thursday and the campers, old and new spent the next 3 days going through orientation.  Each cabin went as a group to riflery, archery, sailing, and woodshop.  The boys were also evaluated for swimming levels and started right off in instructional swim.   By Monday, we were ready to start sign-ups. The boys can now choose their morning activities after breakfast and their afternoon activities after lunch.  In addition to the activities mentioned above, activities that have been open include: soccer, tennis, nature, handicrafts, canoeing and boating, kickball, lacrosse, water-skiing, and the list will continue to grow each week.  With a full week completed, everyone has now experienced "Friday Candy", "Jimmy Buffet", "Laundry Day", "Council Fire", and "Sunday Letters" just to name a few of our regular weekly events.

Three cabins went out on their camping trip this week. The Crows left on Monday for a 4 day trip which included a hike up Bald Mountain and culminated with a white water rafting trip down the Kennebec River. To view the photos taken by the rafting company, please click here.  The Hawks left Wednesday morning to canoe down the Songo River, through the lockes and into Sebago Lake where they camped  right on the shores of the lake, returning to camp Thursday morning. The Eagles left Thursday morning, following the same route the Hawks had taken and returning Friday morning.

Last Saturday night, the Twilight League teams were announced with the Twilight League skits.  The entire camp is divided into 8 softball teams, each coached by a group of counselors.  The games which are played after dinner (hence the name "Twilight League") are just for fun and the teams consist of campers from all cabins. The counselors always come up with very creative names for the teams and introduce them with the skits.  Team names this year include "Slow Campers Everywhere", "Bad Robot", "Lost on a Mountain in Maine", "No Baloney", "The Wasp", "Loveseat", and "Call It What You Like".  Ask your son his team's name.

(Some of you might recognize the name "Lost on a Mountain in Maine" as a book title.  It is the true story of a 12 year old boy that was lost on Mt. Kathadin about 60 years ago. He spent 9 very long days finding his way down the mountain.  We are really excited that boy, Don Fendler, will be coming to camp later this summer to talk about his experience!!)

Other special activities this week included building the bonfire (which may be the largest I remember). We hope to burn it on the 4th of July, weather permitting.  This afternoon while I sit in my office trying to get this page completed, the first games of "Capture the Flag" are being played!  I wish you could hear the excitement!

We are really off to a great start. The first few days of camp were pretty cold with temperatures of 49 degrees one night and we had our share of rain. But recently, the days have been just perfect with slightly warmer temperatures each day.