Competition Heats Up

Glenn Breazeale | Jun. 23, 2015

As I write this boys are right across the road from my house, in the gym, singing their hearts out.  They are preparing for a grand evening in Desoto’s gym on Saturday night, singing our favorite Alpine tunes.  Will Walker, who is heading up our Glee Club this year, has written a new song.  Desoto’s PO Box in Mentone is 432.  Cleverly, he’s taken the Taylor Swift hit, 22, and made a few tweaks.  Instead of “I’m feeling 22” it’s “PO Box 432”.  They practiced it tonight.  I was in a meeting and missed hearing it.  Carter tells me it’s impressive.  And when I walked in the gym just after they’d sung it, two boys made a point to tell me how much they love it.  I’m pretty sure the girls will too.

Tuesday has brought us more sunshine and heat.  All your boys are faring well in the heat.  Water is offered at every period.  In addition, a camp favorite is the Powerhouse.  We built the powerhouse a few years ago.  It’s a small building that houses ice and dispensers for Powerade.  The Powerhouse is open during activities and provides some sweet refreshment and electrolytes.

This morning a group of Braves and climbing counselors adventured out for a day of climbing at Sandrock village, guided by our friends at the Adventure Guild.  Cabins 4 and 5 rappelled at Desoto Falls, taking turns in the morning and afternoon.

Activities throughout camp are beginning final competitions.  In tennis, the Alpine Open is well underway.  Each class competes in a single elimination tourney.  I believe the winners of each class will get to compete against other winners, in their age group.  In Disc Sports the Alpine Masters has teed off.  It’s a multi round competition culminating in the presentation of the Green jacket at Final Banquet (we really found a green sports coat at a thrift store).  The jacket is worn for pictures and then returned for another year.  We may not have as many azaleas but the competition as almost as intense as the real deal.

Physical training is busy timing mile runs, attempting to find First Term’s fastest man (at least in the mile).  I ventured to horseback this morning in time to witness some exciting competition.  Several warriors trotted their horses (two in the ring at a time), through a course of cones and barrels.  Points were given for time and also precision around the cones/barrels.  We have some solid riders!

This morning French toast and bacon greeted lots of happy campers and counselors.  Speaking of which, one of the favorite Glee club songs, that I believe we’ll be singing Saturday night, is “Say It’s French Toast”.  It’s to the tune of “Say It Ain’t So” by Weezer (Google it and you’ll know exactly which song!).  It’s catchy and the boys love singing it.

Tonight for dinner Gail made chicken spaghetti with buttered toast, green salad with tomatoes and ranch dressing.

This is the best part of the term in my opinion.  Friendships have been cemented.  Many boys who didn’t know each other 2 weeks ago are like brothers now.  As I walked down the road this evening I passed two boys, tennis rackets in hand, chatting away.  They were so into the conversation that they didn’t even notice me.  One is from Alabama and one from Mississippi.  They probably wouldn’t have met anywhere else.  I talk or email on almost a weekly basis with friends that I met during my time as a camper and counselor at Alpine.

We’ll sleep well tonight after a full day.  And tomorrow we get a break from the routine for the most anticipated day of the term - Mountain Day.  Full report on that in the coming days!

Thanks for reading and good night for now,

Glenn

Glenn Breazeale
Glenn Breazeale

Like his own father, Glenn grew up as a camper at Alpine for six summers, coming from Jackson, MS each summer. He has served on staff at Alpine since 1997, working full time as Assistant Director from 2003 to 2005 and Director since 2006. Prior to that he gained experience serving in various capacities including cabin counselor, Head Counselor, Head of Project Adventure (Ropes course), Horseback instructor, and Program Director. Glenn’s love of camping and his desire to preserve the traditions of Alpine drew him back to camp to offer young boys the same opportunities he experienced. He met and fell in love with Carter during a Square Dance with Camp DeSoto.