Healthy Play
I read an article today online entitled “Let Your Kid Climb That Tree” by Henry Abbott. He talks about the dire consequences of idleness and how much children need physical movement every day as a part of healthy development. He quotes a startling statistic by the WHO that 81 percent of adolescents worldwide do not get enough physical activity. Many simply don’t have access to woods, fields, and open spaces. Further, the Aspen Institute’s Project Play initiative sadly states that “free play is all but a thing of the past.” So again, thank you for giving your boys the gift of camp. As I type they are playing games on the fields, spotlight in the woods, and other various activities in the gym and tennis courts.
After shower period and before dinner, boys have a little free time, with counselors around supervising. I walked by Hunter Hollow (where our youngest boys live). Several sat on a cabin porch making up card tricks. Two boys kicked a soccer ball, playing a made up game of 1v1 soccer. Several boys played in the dirt (yes, after they showered). Many venture up to the game areas and play ping pong or tetherball. Free play is the work of childhood. It’s where they pick up social cues and learn how to navigate disagreements. Creativity and wonder abound. This morning I walked to the Mountain cabin area, where our Warriors and Braves live. I had the joy of doing some cabin checkins. Carter, and Thomas, and other head counselors, and I like to do these mid term. We give the counselors a break and simply go spend a few minutes with the cabin to find out how their term is going. It’s always encouraging and often hilarious to hear stories from the term. I most enjoy hearing all the nuggets they’ve picked up in devotionals from their counselors. But anyway, as I walked, I passed a boy with a tiny frog in his hand. “Look, it’s letting me pet it”, he said. He offered for me to pet it but I politely declined.
Now, in stark contrast to my stories from today, yesterday evening boys donned their finest collared shirts for the Alpine Desoto dance! Our younger boys boarded buses bound for Desoto just before supper. Desoto hosted them for a BBQ supper al fresco followed by games and singing and line dancing. We returned the favor and invited the older girls to join us here for dinner and some square dancing. Our own counselors Sam Gould and Bobby Welsh taught some good old fashioned line dances and square dance moves. They also enjoyed spending some time on the tennis courts playing yard games and socializing. A fine time was had by all!
Thursday brought our once a term out of camp adventures - Trip Day! Early Thursday morning we boarded 9 buses bound for destinations all over the Southeast.
The Hunters (rising 3rd and 4th grades) loaded their bus for a day full of fun activities in Chattanooga. First stop: Rock City, atop Lookout Mountain in Georgia. Our good friends, the Chapins,have been providing memories in this iconic Southern spot for generations. From there it was down the Mountain to Coolidge Park on the banks of the Tennessee River to enjoy some Chick-Fil-A sandwiches. The Hunters then spent the afternoon rock climbing at High Point Climbing & Fitness, and finished the afternoon by watching an IMAX movie adjacent to the Tennessee Aquarium. After their IMAX experience, the Hunters enjoyed some delicious pizza from Mr. T’s Pizza, a local Chattanooga favorite, and headed home. By the way, High Point is one of the largest indoor climbing gyms in the country with a multitude of walls belayed by auto belay devices for ease of use.
The Hunters weren’t the only ones who had a full schedule of trip day plans. The Trappers (rising 5th) took off to Atlanta. First stop: the College Football Hall of Fame. While I’ve never been, I heard great reports of interactive exhibits and hands on games. After also enjoying a Chick-Fil-A sandwich, the Trappers headed to tour the World of Coke. They were able to open happiness as they entered the vault of the Coca-Cola secret formula, got a behind the scenes glimpse of the bottling process, and were able to taste different soft drinks from around the globe. If you have a Trapper, be sure to get his thoughts on the Italian drink Beverly. From the World of Coke, they walked next door to the Georgia Aquarium. The boys were amazed at the big size of the whale sharks and beluga whales. And they took in a live sea lion show, viewing some amazing tricks and acrobatics of these creatures. After the aquarium, the Trappers enjoyed a delicious pizza dinner on the way home at Pizza Hut in Cartersville, GA.
The Scouts (rising 6th) spent the day in the Great Smokey Mountains of Tennessee as they enjoyed their day at Dollywood, seeking all sorts of fast thrills. Rides like the Tennessee Tornado and the Wild Eagle were sure to provide a rush of adrenaline. For those wanting more chill vibes there were plenty of games and entertainment to enjoy. Food passes were prepurchased for enjoy meals from one of the many concession restaurants in the park.
It was off to white water raft for our older age groups. The Warriors (rising 7th grade) headed to the Nantahala River for their rafting trip. After enjoying a sack lunch, they were briefed with safety instructions and off they went. The Nantahala is near Murphy, NC and is a perfect beginner rapids course. The river is cool and refreshing and Nantahala Falls, at the end, provides a big thrill. On their way home they enjoyed a piping hot pizza dinner at a park provided by a local pizza restaurant in Murphy.
For the Braves (rising 8th) and first year Chiefs(rising 9th), it was down the Ocoee River. They enjoyed floating down the river, surfing the rapids, and riding the waves. The Ocoee is a dam controlled river of the TVA with more adventurous runs. After their rafting run, they headed to The McCallie School in Chattanooga for some swimming and Mr. T’s pizza.
Our Chief 2’s were probably the most thrilled to be back at camp after their 4 day adventure out. They reported being tired but a good sort of tired. And most agreed it was a lifetime memory. Most even said they enjoyed the food on the trail!
Today has been a full day of normal activities on a beautiful, not too hot, partly cloudy day. We are thankful for this acreage of wooded and field laden land that God has given us so that boys can play and enjoy his creation. Tomorrow we’ll enjoy a much appreciated late wake up call before reuniting at the Dining Hall for Mrs. Gail’s Sunday morning pancakes!
Thanks for reading and good night for now, Glenn
