Wet Weather Streams and Muddy Fields

One positive for all the rain we’ve received in the last week (and month really) is it sets up a boys’ paradise of exploring and playing. Wet weather streams flow windingly through camp, running in culverts underneath roads and into drainage ditches, all making their way downhill towards Little River. While intended as a solution to storm erosion and road washout, they serve a higher purpose here at camp. During Store period boys raced their empty Coke cans on these temporary rapids. Our Wilderness classes have been building forts and dams in and around the streams all day in activities.

We got a soaking rain during lunch today that rendered most of the fields too wet for safe play. So our PA Games and Minor Sports activities also enjoyed time racing homemeade boats in these rapid streams. Waterfront classes even got in on the action, as Little River was a bit too high after the rain for swimming. Several counselors declared these impromptu activities the most fun of the term and boys agreed.

Flag football classes took a break from the pigskin and played rousing, muddy games of kickball on our soccer field. You may unpack some muddy clothes when the boys get home (scratch that, you will unpack muddy clothes) but I can guarantee the pure joy boys had today is well worth it. In today’s world of ever present screens and increasingly busy organized sports, boys need a chance to play and get muddy and make up games. Play is the work of childhood. It’s where they learn how to relate to one another, in person, without an adult overlooking and supervising every move. The counselors were there, of course, keeping boys safe and stepping in as needed. And of course screens and sports bring us so many good things in our kids lives! But a break every now and then is much needed. And don’t worry, most of that mud will be washed out by now, as I type this during shower period, where every camper is required to take a shower before supper.

This morning’s breakfast was a crowd favorite, French toast and bacon, accompanied by our usual breakfast bar with fruit, granola, cereal and milk. There’s even a Glee club song about this meal, an ode to the love of French toast at Alpine, sung to the tune of Weezer’s “Say It Ain’t So”. “Say it’s French toast, Mrs. Gail don’t be a heartbreaker!”

Lunch arrived just in time to beckon us under cover from the coming rain. Thankfully no rain today brought any thunder or lightning so it hasn’t really slowed us down. And the hardest of the rain happened during lunch and rest hour. For lunch, our crew served hamburger steak and gravy, scalloped potatoes, green beans, and a green salad with chopped tomatoes and ranch dressing. Rainbow sherbet was met with cheers coming out for dessert.

I ventured up to our fishing pond today, after hearing tales about big fish being caught. Turns out they were true. Rain stirs up the pond and makes the bream eager to eat. Plenty of boys caught multiple bream and several even caught nice bass. I’m told that one camper caught a 5 pound bass earlier this morning.

Horseback worked on controlling their horses in the ring, turning around makeshift barrels while walking the horses. I talked to one camper who had ridden a horse for the first time yesterday and was excited to head back up for round 2.

Pinecraft continues to rise in popularity, created as a new activity only 3 years ago. They are now meeting for the first time in their new home, a freshly renovated log cabin just south of the Dining Hall. This log cabin is one of the 3 oldest buildings on property, over 100 years old. Along with the Tree House and Store, the other 2 original cabins to the property, it received a top to bottom renovation this year so it will last another 100 years, Lord willing. Pinecraft is a creative, slower paced activity, a nice change of pace from some of our sports and outdoor activities. Boys have a chance to play with Legos, blocks, Lincoln Logs, and all sorts of tactile objects in Pinecraft, all the while reenergizing in between more active classes.

I ducked into my house to give you this quick update while the boys are showering. I need to say goodbye for now and make my way up to the Dining Hall for dinner. Thanks for reading, Glenn