Nights at Alpine

I thought I might give you a window into our evenings here at Alpine, at least a typical one. There are plenty of exceptions and special events! At around 6:15, our program director, Roderick Russ, rings a bell calling everyone to Retreat. It’s an old timey camp tradition - think of all the cheesy camp movies you’ve ever seen. We stand in formations as cabins, recite the Pledge of Allegiance, and hear announcements about our night plans from Roderick and the head counselors. Cheers erupt in each section as he announces the various games and plans for each age group.

Then we make our way to the Dining Hall where Mrs. Gail and her team always have a warm, fresh supper prepared. Tonight’s fare: red beans and rice with sausage, cole slaw, and a green salad. She always has alternatives for boys who may be on the choosier side.

Now as I type this the entire camp, sans me, is gathered in the gym singing songs at the top of their voices. That’s right, 300+ boys, many of them teenagers, are voluntarily singing and laughing and having a ball. Glee Club after dinner has been a tradition at camp dating back to the beginning as far as I know. Old Appalachian tunes like Rocky Top and Will the Circle be Unbroken are always appreciated. Some time in the 1980’s counselors began taking more current, popular tunes and setting them with Alpine lyrics. Back in my days as a camper it was You’re my Desoto Girl (Brown Eyed Girl, Van Morrison) and Cabin #3 (Yellow Submarine, The Beatles). Many have been written over the years. Some have stood the test of time. Sweet Home Lookout Mountain, to the Lynyrd Skynyrd classic stands out. As does Say It’s French Toast to Weezer’s Say It Ain’t So. Counselors love attempting to write the next hit each summer!

In just a few minutes Glee Club will dismiss and boys will make their way to their Night Programs. Most nights we spread them out all over camp playing games by age group. Boys do so much better being active than spectating a few guys playing one game on the field.

Tonight the Hunters (our rising 3rd and 4th graders) will play some whiffle ball on the field. They’ll also get a turn, a few cabins at a time, to check out our indoor climbing facility, our Bouldering Barn. Our Trappers (rising 5th) are playing Spotlight near the Canyon cabin area. If you’re unfamiliar it’s a game of sneaking from the “base” to a designated spot to ring a bell or turn on a light. Of course, counselors are stationed throughout the area with flashlights, ready to “spotlight” you and send you back to base and start over. And there’s always an elaborate story told by one of our creative counselors, made up completely on the spot, about what is at stake and what must be saved!

The Scout age group (rising 6th grade) is competing in Ultimate Kickball, an Alpine hybrid of kickball, played in the gym, with nonstop action and base running. The Warrior age group (rising 7) have been given the run of the sand volleyball courts and a game near there called 9 Square in the Air. 9Square is a hybrid between volleyball and the old traditional playground game, 4square. There are quite literally 9 squares of PVC pipe in the air, probably 3X3’, supported by PVC standards. Each participant occupies a square, with a line of boys waiting to get in. The goal is to keep the ball volleying in the air and not let in land in your square. There’s a distinct order to the 9 squares, like the old playground game, with the goal to move to the 9th or King square in the air.

Braves (rising 8th) are enjoying an evening of Extreme 4 square on the tennis courts. Think 4 square but with giant squares and 2 teammates per square. The 1st Year Chiefs (rising 9th) are competing in a rousing game of Capture the Flag, a camp favorite. This one you probably remember - two teams, occupying distinct territory, are attempting to steal the flag from the other side without being tagged and sent to jail. And our last year campers, the 2nd year Chiefs, are playing Jedi Ball. Jedi Ball is an Alpine variation on dodgeball where each team has a Jedi with a light sabre (ahem, pool noodle). If you get tagged you are not out but must sit where you got tagged and not participate. That is, unless you Jedi bravely comes and tags you with his pool noodle, I mean light sabre, and brings you back to life.

So that’s how we entertain 300+ active boys each night, playing to their heart’s content. It makes me tired just typing all of that, but boys can’t get enough of it. And credit goes to our amazing program team and counselors for handling all of the logistics and planning to pull this off each night!

In a few minutes Roderick will call everyone to cabins to quiet down, brush teeth, and get ready for bed. Before hopping in bed counselors will gather their cabins for a devotional and time of prayer.

Thanks for reading and good night for now, Glenn