Activities!

Glenn Breazeale | Jul. 10, 2017

The first Monday of a term always arrives with much anticipation. All the necessary requirements (cabin photos, health checks, etc) have been checked off. Nothing now to do but have fun. And go to First Period! This morning at 9:20 your campers trotted out of cabins, post cabin clean up of course, bound for first period. Some had tennis rackets in hand, others clad in boots and jeans. Carter and I stand at the bend in the road (centrally located) “directing traffic”. Smiles abounded as boys gleefully took off in the direction of their first activity. The sun shone abundantly too, a welcome backdrop after all the rain we received at the end of First Term.

Disc golf classes practiced different tosses with their partners. Fly fishing classes learned basic casting skills in a grassy spot near their hut. Team sports jumped right in with a little kickball. Each age group participates in team sports as a group.

By the way, if you’re new to Alpine, a few definitions for reference in my blogs. And will help you as you write and receive letters. Each age group has a name: Rising 3rd and 4th - Hunters Rising 5th - Trappers 6th - Scouts 7th - Warriors 8th - Braves 9th - 1st year Chiefs 10th - 2nd year Chiefs

We have two tribes, Cherokees and Mohawks. Well, three really. The staff are Apaches. Cherokees wear red and Mohawks blue.

Our water activites at the river (waterfront, canoeing, and paddleboard) enjoyed their first dip in Little River. One nice advantage of all the rain we’ve had is that our river is flush and clear and a deep beautiful green. Project adventure, our ropes course activity, starts with team building games and challenges to build trust and rapport that will be necessary once they take on the high course. Horseback classes covered rules (very important with horses!) before getting a chance to ride in the rings for a bit. We have several new horses this summer with great names - Apache, Spruce, Tupelo, Buck, and Trooper. Enrollment for horseback hit an all time high this term which thrills us.

Ask your camper in a letter what activities they signed up for. We encouraged them to tell you in the letter they were supposed to write home yesterday. Sunday is always letter day, specifically to home. They pick 10 activities plus team sports and rotate through 5 each day. Boys love the idea of getting to choose what they do, independently of parents (no offense - my girls do to!) And they get themselves to each activity, with their friends, and with the necessary items needed. And they do it remarkably well.

For lunch today we ate hamburger steak, lima beans, mashed potatoes, and rolls. Chicken spaghetti awaited us tonight along with green salad and toast. Every lunch offers a salad bar for counselors and campers alike, with mixed greens, spinach, and an abundance of healthy toppings and dressings.

Tomorrow’s forecast is for blue skies, low humidity, and no rain, just like today. We are enjoying every minute of this good weather!

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.