Another beautiful day. Everyone is getting into the camp routine. Only the second full day of signups and everyone remembered to sign up for an activity which was great. The sailboats were out in full force and our new sunfish made it’s maiden voyage.

The first laundry came back after lunch and I am sorry no one got pictures of the boys carrying their full bags of laundry — next week!

In addition to the regular activities, there was a 13 + under tennis match at home and a 12 + under soccer match at a near by camp.

After dinner, we had a free evening which included a Twilight League match between Thundercougarfalconbirds and the Trash men; Ultimate Frisbee, Soccer, Tennis, Basketball, Canoeing and Boating and numerous other activities.

It’s almost 8:30 and everyone is in their cabin, ready for bed. From my office, I can hear stories being told in Mallards and Eagles. Looking forward to another great day tomorrow.

P.S. Just a reminder that the BunkNote replies are only for the international campers. We continue to encourage the written letter in hopes it will not become extinct.

Also, when we take pictures, some campers gravitate toward the camera while others seem to shy away. We try to get a good mix every day in hopes of getting everyone in one or two pictures at least over a week. If you are not seeing your son at all, please drop us an email (info@campt.com) and we will seek him out. Thanks.

Morning Sign-ups

Monday morning the sun was shining and the whole day was a picture perfect Maine summer day. The sailboats and swim docks were finally very busy.

Right after breakfast, the Crows and the Ravens left on their camping trips. The Crows traveled to The Forks, Maine where they will go whitewater rafting on Tuesday and the Ravens traveled to Lake Umbagog for 3 days of canoeing on a gorgeous undeveloped lake. Both cabins will return on Wednesday.

Monday morning was the first day of sign-ups. After breakfast, during the morning announcements, the activities that will be open are announced. The campers then chose their activities on their way out of the barn. Signups happen again after lunch. Activities that were open today were sailing, wood shop, riflery, archery, tennis, handicrafts and soccer. The climbing wall was open during the afternoon free time.

Monday evening we had the first Twilight League game between Udder and Six Bucks.

Watching the Twilight league game

The morning started off a little damp but it was our first day with no rain! The Sunday schedule is a bit different. The morning bell rings at 7:45 rather than 7:15 and breakfast starts at 8:30. Cabin clean up is longer, the bed sheets are changed and extra time is spent cleaning under the beds, behind the trunks, etc. Everyone also has to write a letter home – this week’s letter was actually a postcard with cabin pictures.

We were all inspired by a great chapel talk about being open to change and willing to try new things and at the end of chapel, we actually saw blue skies! The afternoon was busy with lots of activities open including archery and sailing. It was great to see the sailboats on the lake!

Late afternoon, it looked like it might rain but it held off and we were able to have our weekly Council Fire outside.

This morning we woke to a beautiful sunny summer day!

Lighting the fire at Council Fire

There was a thunderstorm at 2 AM and it poured rain.  We kept our fingers crossed that was the end of the rain and it seemed that way when the bell rang at 7:15 this morning.  But it was a cruel trick as the skies opened once again as we all headed to the barn and it poured all through breakfast. Again, schedules had to be adjusted and instructional swim became Wolf Over the Hill on the field ( I don’t think the boys complained about that).  But by lunch, the skies were starting to clear and although the sun hasn’t come out yet, the rain has stopped and it has promised to come out tomorrow.

At the end of lunch, we had the Twilight League Skits which are always entertaining.  The Twilight League is a after dinner softball league. Every camper is “drafted” onto a team and each team has all age groups.  It’s just for fun and the fun begins when the coaches perform skits and announce the teams.  This year’s teams are:  Thundercougarfalconbirds, Six Bucks, The Ed Pickering Experience, Toxic Terrors, Wohelo’s Favorite Team, Shakleton’s Dogs, The Trashmen and Udder Madness.   Ask your son which team he is on.

Tonight would be our first cabin cookouts but it’s too wet to be cooking outside  so we are headed to the barn for our cookouts.

Sunny day tomorrow!

Unfortunately, the skies didn’t brighten on our first full day.  It  rained pretty much all day but it couldn’t dampen the campers’ spirits.  There were smiling faces everywhere.    We usually use the first 2 days for orientation of the activities but we did have to change the schedule as it was too cold for instructional swim and too wet to open archery or tennis.  No wind and lots of rain put an end to sailing also.  It is on days like this that our counselors’ and program director’s experience really pays off.  For those activities we couldn’t open, they were able to keep it fun with crazy games in the hall and barn.  Of course the rain couldn’t stop Friday Candy!

The campers really didn’t seem to mind the rain.  Everyone was busy and happy and seemed content to just to be here.

Checking out the Sailing Docks on a rainy windless day

Despite the weather, we had a great opening day and many people believe that a rainy opening day means great weather the rest of the summer!  It was wonderful to see returning faces and exciting to meet new ones.  The boys quickly got settled and were off, making new friends, playing basketball,  soccer or games around the cabin.  A hardy group went swimming.  There were tours of camp for the new boys and then we all met for dinner which was followed by a meeting in the hall. At the meeting, we met the new counselors, heard details about some of the activities and plans for the summer  and sang some songs.  Then it was off to the cabins for cabin meetings and bed.  Everyone was tired after  a long day.

The counselors are here and busy getting camp ready for opening day.  Yesterday, they did one of the most difficult tasks – putting in the docks.  At the end of last summer, the docks were stored on Beginner’s Beach.  Yesterday, they had to carry each piece into the water and some of them are very heavy.  The pieces are then assembled and then floated over to Main Dock area where the final assembly occurs.   With the docks assembled, we are just about ready for the campers to arrive and we can’t wait!!!  See you all soon.