Activities in Full Swing

Glenn Breazeale | Jul. 12, 2016

Yesterday began our first camp activities of the term.  Everyone was ready to get into the routine of camp. Boys and their counselors thrive on routine. Funny thing is, in a few days, you could poll the campers and ask what day of the week it is. Many would have no clue. And that’s not a bad thing. At camp it doesn’t matter what day it is, we are going to play and have fun! And it actually allows for much freedom within the ordered framework of camp.

On Sunday each age group had a chance to sign up in the gym and create a schedule.  It is like old timey registering for classes in college where you would go from one booth to the next signing up for what you want to take and when.

Boys get to choose their own activities.  They think about what they might need (boots, swimsuit, etc) and then show up to that activity on time.  They couldn’t name this, but for a child there’s a great amount of satisfaction in that kind of independence. Even for my own children that kind of responsibility is a stark difference from our normal life at home. We plan and pack everything they will need for each activity and school day. Not bad, that’s what we do as parents. That’s why camp is so good for them. It’s good practice for one day when we won’t be around to make sure everything is just right.

Boys sign up for 10 activities, plus each age group does team sports.  We use a snaking schedule that is hard to explain but allows for variety in the order.  Yesterday we participated in periods 1,2,3 in the morning.  Then 4 and 5 in the afternoon.  Split of course by a recharging lunch.  After lunch a much needed rest hour (maybe they wrote that letter home!).  Then a quick snack at the Store.

Today 6-10.  Tomorrow, 11, 1,2,3,4. And so on.  In this first rotation counselors spell out safety rules and other guidelines and then let the boys try out the activity.  Tennis worked on forehands and backhands to assess boys’ skill levels.  Mountain biking set up cones in the road and practiced emergency stops among other maneuvers.

The Project Adventure (ropes course) starts out with team building games and low initiatives to help bond the group.  Maybe the best place to be the last few days was Little River (and the pool a close second).  Boys jumped in the cool, clear waters for the first time, in life jackets.

This morning as boys rolled out of bed an unmistakable smell greeted many. Bacon! Literally you can smell it wafting down the road. It hit me as I walked from my house to the office for my early morning meeting. It puts an extra bounce in everyone’s step as they head to breakfast, a crowd favorite. Served with French toast and syrup on the table, we enjoy together. At every breakfast we also provide a cold breakfast bar. Greek yogurt, granola, blueberries, bananas, and usually several other types of fruit are available.

Thanks for reading and good night,

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.