I am sorry for not having posted an entry earlier.  The days are so busy and just flying by, it’s  hard to keep up with everything!

Weather wise, we’ve had some beautiful days and it is picture perfect today.  It warms up during the day but the nights are cool which is perfect for sleeping.  Sunday, we had a lot of rain but it’s hard to complain about one rainy day!

Saturday morning, a group of 40+ campers and counselors headed to our neighboring town of Casco to take part in the annual 4 mile Casco Day Road Race.  The race started at 9:30 and it was warm for the runners but not as hot as it’s been in past years.  Timanous had a pretty amazing showing.  Everyone from Timanous finished in under 41 minutes and our campers swept the top 5 spots in the 14 to 16 camper division; came in 2nd,4th, & 5th in the 13 & under division (our campers were 11, 9, & 11 years old respectively); had 5 runners in the top 25 with our first runner (camper) finishing 3rd over all!!  The runners all had the chance to enjoy some of the fair food when the race was over with fried dough and french fries being some of the favorites (they do have great french fries).

Saturday afternoon was a regular afternoon with lots of activities (archery, soccer, handicrafts, kayaking, riflery, sailing, tennis, and campcraft).  The hall was also open for campers who wanted to watch the Olympics.    Saturday dinner was the last cabin cookout of the year as this Saturday, we will all enjoy our annual Point Cookout.

Saturday night, we had Horse Races in the hall.  You’ll have to ask your sons but the “horses” are counselors who dress in a costume or theme to match their horse’s name and “race” against 5 other counselors.  The campers place bets with the prizes being candy bars.  It’s a fun evening and the counselors came up with some very clever horses.

Saturday night, it rained hard while we were sleeping but luckily, it had stopped by the time the bell rang as we had our all camp picture scheduled for that morning.  Everyone came up wearing a clean uniform and we were able to get some great pictures before breakfast of the entire camp and second session cabin pictures.  Just as the last picture was being taken, the rain started again and was on again/off again the rest of the day.   Hopefully, we will have the picturs from the photographer shortly and  I will post them on Shutterfly.

It was still raining when it was time for chapel so we had our first indoor chapel of the summer but it didn’t lessen the message Hunter was sharing in his chapel talk.

During quiet hour, the head counselors played the senior counselors in soccer and the campers were allowed to leave their cabins to watch.  It was great fun with only a few minor injuries!

Wohelo swimmers came to Timanous Sunday afternoon to compete in a dual swim meet just for fun.  It was pouring rain for most of it but everyone still had a good time.  It continued to rain off and on for the rest of the day, through free swim, free time and right up until dinner so Council Fire was inside also.

Monday morning, a group of soccer players left for one of our neighboring camps where they will take part in a 2 day soccer tournament (returning to Timanous when not playing) and a group of tennis players went to another neighboring camp for a 13 & under tennis match. Other than that, it was a regular day.  Mondays are laundry day so everyone brought their dirty laundry up when they came for lunch and it will be back on Tuesday after lunch. Monday night was a free evening and several campers had the chance to go for  a motor boat ride on Panther Pond.  The Crows cabin went to Wohelo for their Council Fire.  They had written a song for the occasion which they performed for us during dinner — it was great — we hope to still get it on tape as we weren’t prepared last night.

Today is just beautiful — warm with a strong breeze making it a bit challenging for some of the sailors.  The soccer players from yesterdays tournament left to play again today.  It is a normal day for the rest of us but there won’t be many more so the campers are taking advantage of having the chance to work on awards or  projects.  We have a couple big things later in the week including Junior Granddaddy Gorilla which has the campers busy trying to find the perfect hiding spot.  This afternoon, campers with sisters or cousins at Wohelo will visit them for free time and dinner.

Please don’t forget to let us know if you want us to ship your camper’s trunk/baggage or if we don’t have their flight or bus information.  The end of camp is coming much too quickly and with so many special events this next week, these last days will fly by.

Although other parts of the country are still hot, the temperature has changed in Raymond.  Thursday was cooler and mostly cloudy.  We had some heavy rain Thursday night while everyone was sleeping and so far, Friday remains overcast.

The Acadia and white water kayaking trips returned Thursday afternoon.  Both trips were “awesome” with good weather and lots of adventures.  Pictures from the Acadia biking trip have been posted along with some additional pictures from the Katahdin trip.  The kayaking pictures will be added shortly.   Thursday afternoon, a group of second session campers from the lower bunkline left on a camping trip and will return Friday morning.  The 5-day trip will also return on Friday and it will be great to have everyone back in camp!

Thursday, one group of campers went to a neighboring camp for a tennis tournament (picture below) and a second group went to a sailing regatta.  For everyone who remained at camp, it was a regular activity day with archery, kayaking, nature, riflery, wood shop, tennis, waterskiing, 12 & under soccer practice, canoeing & boating, baseball, handicrafts, sailing, basketball.  Also during free time, magic cards in the barn and the USA women’s soccer match was being shown in the hall — sounds like enough to keep busy!!

It was chilly both mornings making those morning dips a little tougher for those who are still Polar Bears (dipping every morning)!  Tuesday, it was sunny most of the day but we had a few showers in the morning and again that evening.

Two camping trips left Tuesday morning.  A group going white water kayaking in New Hampshire left before breakfast.  They will spend 2 days on the river and return late Wednesday afternoon.  The second group left after breakfast for Acadia National Park where they will spend 2 nights and will bike the Park’s bike trails on Wednesday.   With 3 trips out of camp (34 campers and 11 counselors) , the dining room is much quieter.

A group of sailors left during breakfast for an all day regatta at a neighboring camp.  Hopefully they had better wind then we did here at Timanous.

Tuesday evening, with everyone lined up for flag lowering and with little warning, the skies opened and there was  torrential rain — everyone ran for the barn to wait it out.

So far, Wednesday  looks like it will be rain free and there is a great breeze so the sailing should be very exciting this afternoon!

A group of tennis players left after breakfast to attend a tennis tournament at a neighboring camp.

Wednesday's Tennis Players

Sunday was another beautiful day.  We had a great chapel talk from Alex Wheelock and I will be posting it along with last weeks hopefully later today.  Sunday afternoon was so busy with two groups of campers going to Little Wohelo, one to play tennis and the other archery.  Two other groups went to Big Wohelo, one for sailing and one for tennis.  Everyone who went to Wohelo, also had the chance to go for a swim in Sebago Lake.  In additin, a group of Wohelo campers came to Timanous to play soccer.

The twelve campers and 4 counselors leaving Monday on the “5-day” camping trip, took a practice canoe paddle and then did some packing for the trip.  Everyone else got to chose between archery, the climbing wall, handicrafts, rilfery, sailing, wood shop, tennis and water skiing.

Sunday evening, we had  our regular Council Fire which for the second session campers completed a full week of events .

Monday morning, the 5-day group was up early, had breakfast and left for the Aziscohos before our regular breakfast.  For the rest of us, it was a regular morning but right now, I am listening to the sounds of the entire camp playing an exciting game of Capture the Flag!  It is the first game for the second session campers and everyone seems to be having a great time!

It’s going to be a busy week with 3 more camping trips going out later this week.

Friday and Saturday were beautiful days. Warm and sunny during the day with a great breeze and cool at night.

Friday morning was a normal day with the exception that we had “game day” instead of instructional swim with a greased watermelon down at the swim docks. Both the Pleasant and Katahdin Mountain trips returned by lunch.

Friday afternoon was Friday trips.  One group went to the Maine Wildlife Park in Gray where they saw lots of birds, a moose, deer, a black bear, racoons, and a fisher cat.  Another group climbed Rattlesnake Mountain while a third group went by boats (sail, kayak and canoe) to the other end of the lake.  A small group stayed at camp to compete against a neighboring camp in an informal riflery match. Everyone returned to camp  in time for Friday Candy followed by free time.   After dinner, we all  went to the hall to watch a movie.

Saturday was a busy day.  All of the regular activities were available but in addition,  Saturday morning, we hosted a tri-camp swim meet and after lunch a group of campers traveled to a neighboring camp for our first ever Ultimate Frisbee competition.   Also, the first games in the lower bunkline whiffle ball tournament were held and plans are under way for the Timanous Cup ( a in camp sailing competition).  Saturday dinner was cabin cookouts and then a free evening that included  a Twi-Light League match between the Shack Gnomes and the Hippos.  The campers had the option of taking a dip before bed but it had cooled down enough that not many chose to do so.

Tuesday night, it rained hard while we were sleeping but by the time the morning bell rang, the sun was out again.  The air had changed and thankfully it wasn’t as muggy but by mid-morning, it was still pretty warm.  10 campers and 4 counselor left right after breakfast for Baxter State Park where they will camp for 2 nights, climb  Mt. Katahdin on Thursday and return to camp on Friday.  It looks like they will have perfect weather.

It  was a regular morning activity wise with the addition of a 10 & under Baseball practice, 12 & under and 15 & under tennis practice, and beginner water skiing.

In the afternoon, there was the regular activities  (riflery, archery, handicrafts, sailing, wood shop, nature, canoeing & boating), and a home tennis match against a neighboring camp, regular water skiing and practice for an Ultimate Frisbee competition to take place later this week.

As it was Wednesday, dinner was “Jimmy Buffet” – always one of the most popular meals of the week. As always happens before Jimmy Buffet,  the campers and counselors gathered at the bottom of the barn steps to answer Dave’s trivia questions – a form of crowd control.  The first cabin to answer the question correctly goes into the barn to help themselves to the food.  It was a great night for sitting outside to eat and plenty of food for everyone!

The Twilight League game Wednesday night was Bravehearts again the “No Eyed Deer” .

The air changed again during the night and Thursday morning was sunny, dry and cooler – just perfect!  But not too cool as there were still a lot of campers and counselors who chose to take a dip when the first bell rang. We had a typical Thursday morning breakfast with lots of cereal choices, toast, fresh fruit, and then, as is the Thursday morning “tradition” -  donuts!

A group of 7 second session campers left after breakfast with there counselors on a camping trip – they will be climbing Pleasant Mountain and spending the night on the shores of the Saco River.  In addition to the regular activities, there was 10 & under baseball practice in the morning with a home game in the afternoon; 15 & under basketball practice in the morning and an away game in the afternoon.  Right now, out my window,  I am watching sailing practice  — all of the sailboats including one of the sunfishes — it’s really a beautiful site as there is a great breeze and the boats are moving quickly across the lake.

It’s going to be a great night for a free evening and another Twilight League game (“Where’s Ebs?” vs. “Level 5″) !

We woke to an overcast and slightly cooler day which was a relief after the last 2 days.  The new campers were definitely ready to start the activities but first had to complete an orientation period in woodshop and riflery.  With that done, there were able to chose their activities during the afternoon free time and will be able to sign up for their activity choices on Wednesday.

A group of sailors spent the day at a neighboring camp for a regatta.

The weather was a little unsettled as the day went on.  We had a few brief showers and it became very muggy in the afternoon.  By dinner, the skies were quite dark and thunder could be heard in the distance.  It looked pretty ominous at flag lowering so the free evening plans were quickly changed to an evening in the hall where was a lot of singing and some other fun entertainment.  When it was time to return to their  cabins, the skies had cleared slightly and although it was too late for regular dips, they had the option of a  “bucket dip” which is the next best thing to a regular dip  and still a good way to cool off before bed.

We were thrilled to see that the loon who had been sitting on her egg for so long and that we doubted would hatch as the entire nest had been underwater earlier this summer, had her baby out swimming today.  The mother was very vocal all day and I’m not sure if it was to announce the baby or to warn all of us to stay away.  It will be fun to watch them over the next weeks.   I also saw a bald eagle circling high above camp today. He had been spotted by others in the past weeks but it was the first time I had seen him.  That too is pretty exciting as it appears that he is living in the area.

On Wednesday, the new campers will be part of the regular program and chose their activities.  Already, they have been a great group, asking lots of questions and they are eager to try everything and to learn the camp routine.

With only the full time campers here on Sunday, it was a slightly quieter day.  We had a normal Sunday morning which means a late sleep,  a  longer cabin clean-up, Sunday letters and chapel but we mixed it up in the afternoon.  The campers were divided in two groups.  Each group spent one activity period tubing (if they wanted) and one period playing “The Human Board Game”.  Both were a lot of fun.  We then all enjoyed “Make Your Own Sundaes” with a choice of 4 ice creams from the Mosquito.

Sunday evening, we had  a Counselor Talent Show — there were lots of singers, musicians,  jugglers, and other various performers. There is a lot of hidden talent in this group!  The evening ended with a quick dip which was a great ending to a very hot day!

Monday, everyone was excited for the arrival of the second session campers, most of whom arrived right after lunch.  They include an equal number of new and returning campers and by dinner, everyone was here.  The new campers started their orientation this evening and will finish up tomorrow morning.

We continue to have hot weather and hope for a break in the next day or two.

The last few days have been very busy as the first session came to an end.  It is hard to believe three and a half weeks have passed since Opening Day. Here’s a quick recap of the last few days.

Wednesday evening, Danny the Barber, who has been cutting campers’ hair for over 30 years at Timanous, and his assistant arrived for  mid-summer hair cuts.

Thursday was a typical camp day with regular activities in both the morning and afternoon which gave many of the first session campers the opportunity to finish up awards or projects.   Beginner water skiing was popular and there was a lot of cheering from Beginner’s Beach when some of the campers got up on skis for the first time.  The Mallards and the Falcons returned from their camping trips Thursday morning, both having had successful and fun trips.

A small group of sailors went to the first sailing regatta of the summer  Thursday afternoon.  There was also a  15 & under baseball game and a 10 & under soccer game with neighboring camps.

Friday afternoon was all about having fun.  Up on the field, we had an enormous water slide, a huge obstacle course and a dunk tank.  It was such a hot afternoon, the counselors didn’t mind getting dunked!  The first session campers also had the opportunity to go tubing (full time campers will go tubing on Sunday).  And of course there was Friday Candy!

Many of the first session campers parents arrived on Saturday to pick up their sons.  They were invited to tour camp, watch their sons in their activities and join us for lunch.   Everyone then crossed the road for our weekly Council Fire (normally held on Sunday evening), after which the first session campers departed.  We were sorry to see them leave as they were truly a fantastic group but look forward to their return next summer!

After Council Fire, the full time campers headed straight for a swim which felt great as Saturday was one of the hottest days of the summer.  We then all gathered for an all camp cookout followed by a free evening.   There were games on the field and the sprinklers were turned on to help keep everyone cool.  The dip before bed was the 4th swim of the day but on a hot day, the lake is the best  place to be.

Just when we thought the weather couldn’t get any better, it did!  Today, Wednesday, is just a little warmer than the last few days with a great breeze.

On Tuesday, the Herons returned from their trip to Pleasant Lake and the Hawks left for Sebago Lake.  Both the Hawks and Falcons returned today having had “awesome” trips.  I hope to post the Falcons pictures a little later but the Herons and Hawks are posted. I will say that some cabins take more pictures than others.

There was a 10 & under home kickball game on Tuesday and an away 5K road race and away 12 & under soccer game on Wednesday.

This morning, we had a buffet breakfast starting at 8 A.M.  The earlier risers were in line waiting when the doors opened but others slept late and ate towards the end.  In addition to all the other activities, there was beginners’ kayaking and beginners’ water skiing this morning as we hope all first session campers will have a chance to try everything they wanted to before the session ends.  It is really hard to believe there are only 2 full days left before they leave!

The Mallards left this afternoon on their trip.  Everyone is lining up for Jimmy Buffett — a double buffet day!!  It’s going to be a great night for a free evening and I’m guessing dips before bed.