Fun First Week

I’m writing this on Saturday night, at the end of a full and fun first week of camp. The last few days have been sunny and warming each day. I would call yesterday and today our first hot days of the summer. But even in saying that, it’s usually about 5 to 8 degrees cooler up on top of Lookout Mountain than down in the valley. And the tree canopy we enjoy provides a respite for many activities.

I also love our variety of activities offered. Some are full sun, highly active, like tennis or Team Sports. Others are much more “chill” as the boys say, allowing for a bit of shade and some down time. Crafts and Wilderness are good examples. Boys need both. Pinecraft is a new, low key activity for younger boys in it’s second year. It meets on a shaded porch and focuses on working with hands on Legos or other various building block type items. There are supplies for drawing. Still other activies provide some safe risk or challenge. Climbing and our ropes course are perfect examples here. Our mantra for activites is each class should be safe, fun, and teach a skill.

I’m a huge fan of Jonathan Haidt, a social pyschologist and professor at the Stern School of Business at NYU. I’m currently reading his newest book, The Anxious Generation, which compiles lots of research about why so many of our teens are struggling (spoiler, the tiny computers in their hands are not helping). His general thesis is that we have over protected kids in the real world while under protecting them in the virtual world (i.e. smart phones, internet, video games). He ably coalesces various research and articulates it clearly. One of his findings: “Children need face-to-face, synchronous, embodied, physical play. The healthiest play is outdoors and includes occasional physical risk taking and thrilling adventure.” Sounds like camp to me!

Yesterday at lunch Richard announced a Block Period afternoon. Periodically, he’ll throw in these special activities as a break from the regular routine. We suspend our normal activity schedule and each age group gets to enjoy some age group and cabin activities together. Some cooled off at our Waterfront while others played Floor Hockey in the gym or Jedi Ball on the field. Jedi Ball is a variation of dodgeball where, you guessed it, Jedi knights, ala Star Wars, are allowed to free those who have been tagged on their team for new life.

Today’s meals have been some of my favorites. For breakfast we were greeted with hot serving bowls of oatmeal, with brown sugar on the side. Scrambled eggs and spicy link sausage accompanied. And always for breakfast the cold bar is available with cereals, granola, yogurts, and bananas. Milk and OJ are staples on every table each morning. Grilled chicken, steamed broccoli with melted cheese, mashed potatoes, and a green salad fueled us up midday. At my age I try not to always eat dessert but I couldn’t pass up the apple granola crisp at lunch. We just finished a fine supper of pulled pork BBQ, baked beans, french fries, and a chocolate cookie for dessert.

Now I’m sitting on my screened porch, just across the road from the gym where the entire camp is enjoying a movie night. After a full week of activity this is a much needed respite and a fun Saturday night tradition. The gym is completely quiet except for the sounds of the movie, even the oldest boys dialed in to the classic animated version of Robinhood.

Tomorrow will be a day set apart. We’ll sleep a bit later, worship together at camp, and enjoy some cabin activities. The highlight will probably be the cold watermelon Richard will slice on the field late afternoon.

Thanks for reading and good night for now, Glenn