Final Week Musings
If you have followed the weather it’s been a hot one here this week. Thankfully our tree cover and elevation keep it 5-8 degrees cooler than even down the mountain in Ft Payne or Chattanooga. Still, we have been very aware and giving more water breaks in all activities. And reminding boys at every meal to hydrate. And of course, Rest Hour is intentionally placed after lunch, from 1:30-2:30, during the hottest part of the day. This afternoon we are suspending regular activities in favor of what Richard is dubbing Waterpalooza. Every age group will get wet, whether in the pool or river, or on a slip and slide with sprinklers.
Saturday night the Alpine boys made us proud crooning for the ladies at Camp Desoto. Special performance by our Hunters, the youngest boys, and our Second Year Chiefs, especially brought down the house. The Hunters longstanding tradition is to sing Little Bitty, of Alan Jackson fame. Of course it’s rewritten with Alpine lyrics. The crowd of girls screams and oohhs and awwwws at these our tiniest campers. Our Chiefs typically write a song to commemorate their time and this one did not disappoint. They rewrote the lyrics to Don McLean’s American Pie, a sad but hopeful poem about their years at camp. More than a few tears were spotted in the gym.
Last night we had a campfire ceremony to honor our 2nd year chiefs. 44 last year campers is the most in Alpine history. Together they total 300 summer terms camping at Alpine! We called out each boy, his hometown, and his years at camp. Their counselors assign each camper a character trait, something they have seen or witnessed in these older campers. And we ascribe those attributes to them in public at the ceremony, the chiefs hearing them for the first time. Several of their counselors told me it led to a very meaningful devotional time last night.
Tonight will be our last “regular” night program. Age groups will be scattered all throughout camp playing spotlight and capture the flag and extreme 4 square, among others. Tomorrow night we’ll have our Final Banquet program in the gym, a special camp tradition for sure. We will hand out activity awards for many of the term ending tournaments and competitions.
Speaking of which, so many activities have been participating in final competitions this week. Disc Sports is participating in the Alpine Masters, played on our 18 hole tree course.
Tennis classes have been whittling down to the finals for each age group in the Alpine Open. It’s fun to watch cabins and friends out on the courts cheering on their buddies in these hard fought matches.
On the other end of the spectrum, Minor Sports is hosting a Petanque tournament. It’s a gentlemen’s game and collared shirts are encouraged :) Petanque is Bocce Ball, we just like the “fancy” term better. The last two teams standing will play the finals tomorrow during Store period on the Dining Hall lawn. There is usually quite a large crowd of onlookers.
Many other competitions are taking place around camp. Climbing awards will be given. Alpine’s strongest man will be named from among the older campers who take physical training. Team sports will give awards for sportsmanship. Several other activities will give awards for non competitive traits like integrity and humility.
Tonight Carter and I will host our Chief 2 campers at our home for a steak dinner and fellowship. I’ll fire up the large grill this afternoon and cook about 80 ribeyes. I particularly love asking them about their trip on the Appalachian trail and hearing the various tales.
I also love this last week for the ease of pace that camp takes on. Boys are comfortable. Friendships are secure. It feels like this is the reason we host a month term. Camp feels like home at this point, the good and the bad. Counselors have built strong relationships with their campers and can speak into their lives in unique ways.
Tomorrow we ask for no visitors in camp. We have some special activities planned for the morning and some cabin times in the afternoon. We’ll also take care of some of the necessities like packing and doling out lost and found.
Parents, we look forward to welcoming you Friday morning at 7:30 when the gates open. As a reminder, if you plan to stay and walk around camp with your camper, please move your car to a designated parking area, as directed by our staff, to make room for more luggage loading near the cabins.
Thanks for reading, Glenn
