Schoder: Do you have a favorite announcement that you remember?
Beamer: Sandy's Capture the Flag announcements were wild. Jimmy Banta has made some all-timers. I remember he sang the entirety of Styx’s "Come Sail Away" to announce Sunday Sailing at Wohelo. Any announcement having to do with Mills and Co. gets me.
Beamer: Sandy's Capture the Flag announcements were wild. Jimmy Banta has made some all-timers. I remember he sang the entirety of Styx’s "Come Sail Away" to announce Sunday Sailing at Wohelo. Any announcement having to do with Mills and Co. gets me.
Counselor announcements are a favorite part of camp for many. Pictured here is a Mills and Co skit, a multi-year series of announcements, the lore of which keeps growing.
Schoder: What counselor do you admire?
Beamer: I’m not sure if he’s back this coming summer, but Anderson “Spoon” Lynch. He was, in my opinion, one of the best counselors to come through camp in the last 20 years.
Schoder: Everyone loves Spoon. Tell me more.
Beamer: He had the energy of an 8 year old and the reliability and responsibility of a Head Counselor. You know, you get those guys who were sort of just born with it. He didn't need to be coached. He made mistakes, but he owned them. He made it so much easier to be a counselor in Mallards.
Then, you know, I admire Jimmy Poulin. He is the hardest working man in camp and has given his life to Timanous. I admire Livy Coe’s unbridled confidence and honesty. I admire Ash Wall, but so does everyone else.
Schoder: Where do you spend most of the day around camp?
Beamer: Mallards, beginner’s swim, running, and archery. Those have been my main gigs for many years and I love ‘em.
Beamer: I’m not sure if he’s back this coming summer, but Anderson “Spoon” Lynch. He was, in my opinion, one of the best counselors to come through camp in the last 20 years.
Schoder: Everyone loves Spoon. Tell me more.
Beamer: He had the energy of an 8 year old and the reliability and responsibility of a Head Counselor. You know, you get those guys who were sort of just born with it. He didn't need to be coached. He made mistakes, but he owned them. He made it so much easier to be a counselor in Mallards.
Then, you know, I admire Jimmy Poulin. He is the hardest working man in camp and has given his life to Timanous. I admire Livy Coe’s unbridled confidence and honesty. I admire Ash Wall, but so does everyone else.
Schoder: Where do you spend most of the day around camp?
Beamer: Mallards, beginner’s swim, running, and archery. Those have been my main gigs for many years and I love ‘em.
In addition to being the Head of Mallards, Beamer was the Head of Archery for many years.
Schoder: What's your favorite chapel song and why?
Beamer: The Weight. I don't know if this is even true, but I remember hearing that Congo named his dog Jack because of the song. And, I don’t know, I think I like The Weight because you like The Weight [laughs]. I also enjoy the freedom to choose whichever of the notes you want to sing on the triad of “Put the load, put the load, put the load right on me.” It’s really become one of camp’s favorite songs over the years.
Schoder: That brings me to chapel–you have had some all-time great chapels.
Beamer: I'm proud of my chapels. I remember loving Ash Walls's chapel where half the camp faced the other half, Quaker style, and, as the spirit moved them, they rose to speak and thank others. I like chapels that reinvent the form of a chapel.
Schoder: You’ve had several that broke form and I am fond of all of them. One I think that has really stuck with a lot of people was your “Forever a Boy” chapel. What was the message of that one?
Beamer: I remember quoting Antoine de Saint Exupéry, the author of The Little Prince. And he said something like, “All grown-ups were children once, but few of them remember it.” The chapel was about remembering as you grow to preserve the wonder that you had as a kid and that and that vulnerability that came with it.
Beamer: The Weight. I don't know if this is even true, but I remember hearing that Congo named his dog Jack because of the song. And, I don’t know, I think I like The Weight because you like The Weight [laughs]. I also enjoy the freedom to choose whichever of the notes you want to sing on the triad of “Put the load, put the load, put the load right on me.” It’s really become one of camp’s favorite songs over the years.
Schoder: That brings me to chapel–you have had some all-time great chapels.
Beamer: I'm proud of my chapels. I remember loving Ash Walls's chapel where half the camp faced the other half, Quaker style, and, as the spirit moved them, they rose to speak and thank others. I like chapels that reinvent the form of a chapel.
Schoder: You’ve had several that broke form and I am fond of all of them. One I think that has really stuck with a lot of people was your “Forever a Boy” chapel. What was the message of that one?
Beamer: I remember quoting Antoine de Saint Exupéry, the author of The Little Prince. And he said something like, “All grown-ups were children once, but few of them remember it.” The chapel was about remembering as you grow to preserve the wonder that you had as a kid and that and that vulnerability that came with it.
Beamer in the chapel choir.
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Beamer giving chapel in the Barn on a rainy day.
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Schoder: What unusual skill has camp given you?
Beamer: That's a great question. I would say evaluating whether a fire will die or kindle very early. There are many times where people say, “Wow, so pretty. That fire is going!” and I’m thinking give it two minutes, it’s a goner.
Schoder: You've been up and down the bunkline as a counselor. You were the Head of Crows for a bit, but for the last many years you've been the Head of Mallards with Congo. What do you love about being the Head of Mallards?
Beamer: There's a real privilege to being the person responsible for the first impression that a seven or eight-year-old has of camp. There's a great degree of fun and responsibility and pressure that goes into that.
We talked about my “being a boy” chapel, and that’s the most evident with the Mallards. It is so refreshing. They live in the moment and there’s so much wonder about everything. I also love the way you can spend a summer getting to know a Mallard and you can already picture their path up the bunkline and the experience they’re going to have. You know, “Oh, he's got the bug. He's going all the way to Crows.” I've had Mallards who have become counselors with me in Mallards–that’s super cool.
Schoder: You have the privilege of working with Congo every day in Mallards, what do you think his greatest skill is with that age group?
Beamer: I mean, Congo is wonderful. I can't imagine running a Mallards cabin without him. He's unruffleable. He meets every Mallard where they are, takes their feelings seriously, but also can diffuse, or distract, or redirect their physical and emotional energy in helpful ways.
Schoder: What do you think your greatest skill with them is?
Beamer: I think mine is organization and accountability. Be where you are, do what you're supposed to be doing at the right time in the right place. Getting them accustomed to a routine that includes the fact that you are responsible for things in your life. It's the first time for almost all these kids to be responsible for things, and it's so flooring and jarring for them and I’m good at helping them through that process.
Beamer: That's a great question. I would say evaluating whether a fire will die or kindle very early. There are many times where people say, “Wow, so pretty. That fire is going!” and I’m thinking give it two minutes, it’s a goner.
Schoder: You've been up and down the bunkline as a counselor. You were the Head of Crows for a bit, but for the last many years you've been the Head of Mallards with Congo. What do you love about being the Head of Mallards?
Beamer: There's a real privilege to being the person responsible for the first impression that a seven or eight-year-old has of camp. There's a great degree of fun and responsibility and pressure that goes into that.
We talked about my “being a boy” chapel, and that’s the most evident with the Mallards. It is so refreshing. They live in the moment and there’s so much wonder about everything. I also love the way you can spend a summer getting to know a Mallard and you can already picture their path up the bunkline and the experience they’re going to have. You know, “Oh, he's got the bug. He's going all the way to Crows.” I've had Mallards who have become counselors with me in Mallards–that’s super cool.
Schoder: You have the privilege of working with Congo every day in Mallards, what do you think his greatest skill is with that age group?
Beamer: I mean, Congo is wonderful. I can't imagine running a Mallards cabin without him. He's unruffleable. He meets every Mallard where they are, takes their feelings seriously, but also can diffuse, or distract, or redirect their physical and emotional energy in helpful ways.
Schoder: What do you think your greatest skill with them is?
Beamer: I think mine is organization and accountability. Be where you are, do what you're supposed to be doing at the right time in the right place. Getting them accustomed to a routine that includes the fact that you are responsible for things in your life. It's the first time for almost all these kids to be responsible for things, and it's so flooring and jarring for them and I’m good at helping them through that process.
Beamer with the Mallards in the second half 2023.
Schoder: Do you have a favorite spot at camp?
Beamer: Mallard's Head Counselor area for the view of the Bonfire and the breeze that comes in off the lake. Close second would be Table Seven, which I think is the best physically located table in the Barn.
I also like the hill of Plains Road. I go on lots of runs and coming up that hill with camp on your right never gets old.
Beamer: Mallard's Head Counselor area for the view of the Bonfire and the breeze that comes in off the lake. Close second would be Table Seven, which I think is the best physically located table in the Barn.
I also like the hill of Plains Road. I go on lots of runs and coming up that hill with camp on your right never gets old.
Beamer with campers Josh Sibblies (L) and Harry Good (R) after a run up the hill to camp's entrance.
Schoder: We've talked a good amount about practical things camp teaches. How about positive qualities that you feel camp has instilled in you?
Beamer: I think camp may have been the first place where I realized that I could give myself to something larger than myself, and that it was to my benefit. It would feel good to do so. Throughout a decent amount of my life I’ve gone through long phases where “it's all about me.” But there was some time in there that I realized that being involved in a community benefits you as an individual. I teach that now in English class, and it's a hard paradox to understand that you have to join something greater than yourself to actually have a fully realized sense of self.
Schoder: I think you've hit on camp's number one thing, which is, at least in my opinion, that if you dedicate yourself to becoming the supporting character for everyone, you ironically become the main character. That the most popular guy is the most helpful guy. That following the values of generosity, helpfulness, and selflessness, and on down the Hall of Fame is what is rewarded rather than what’s “cool.”
Beamer: Yea, and as a part of that, camp has made me a better friend. I keep in touch with my camp friends after the summer and just taking the time to check-in has made my life much better.
Schoder: Changing topics, I feel like you have a lot of underrated Horse Races. Some of the greatest of all time. What is your favorite one that you've done?
Beamer: Let’s see, let me recap…I did “See Suitcase Run,” “Snake Eyes,” you and I did “Beam and Schodes Excellent Adventure,” “John Champagne,” “Crazy Chester,” “The Unbearable Lightness of Beam,” “French Press,” and “Moving Target.”
I guess I'm pretty proud of “Snake Eyes” because it was so bad that it was funny. It was merely for the opportunity to roll two dice and say the words, “Snake eyes.” I've never won a Horse Race and I don't know that I ever will [laughs]. I'm a proud member of the single digit vote tradition–the Grant Burgess tradition.
Beamer: I think camp may have been the first place where I realized that I could give myself to something larger than myself, and that it was to my benefit. It would feel good to do so. Throughout a decent amount of my life I’ve gone through long phases where “it's all about me.” But there was some time in there that I realized that being involved in a community benefits you as an individual. I teach that now in English class, and it's a hard paradox to understand that you have to join something greater than yourself to actually have a fully realized sense of self.
Schoder: I think you've hit on camp's number one thing, which is, at least in my opinion, that if you dedicate yourself to becoming the supporting character for everyone, you ironically become the main character. That the most popular guy is the most helpful guy. That following the values of generosity, helpfulness, and selflessness, and on down the Hall of Fame is what is rewarded rather than what’s “cool.”
Beamer: Yea, and as a part of that, camp has made me a better friend. I keep in touch with my camp friends after the summer and just taking the time to check-in has made my life much better.
Schoder: Changing topics, I feel like you have a lot of underrated Horse Races. Some of the greatest of all time. What is your favorite one that you've done?
Beamer: Let’s see, let me recap…I did “See Suitcase Run,” “Snake Eyes,” you and I did “Beam and Schodes Excellent Adventure,” “John Champagne,” “Crazy Chester,” “The Unbearable Lightness of Beam,” “French Press,” and “Moving Target.”
I guess I'm pretty proud of “Snake Eyes” because it was so bad that it was funny. It was merely for the opportunity to roll two dice and say the words, “Snake eyes.” I've never won a Horse Race and I don't know that I ever will [laughs]. I'm a proud member of the single digit vote tradition–the Grant Burgess tradition.
Beamer as John Champagne with other counselor horses in 2023
Schoder: What's your favorite camping trip?
Beamer: I thought it was the Five Day, and we did it a billion times together, but it's not the Five Day. I think that my favorite trip has become the trip to Mount Blue State Park. It’s gorgeous. Not only the privacy of the campsite itself, but there’s the most incredible swimming area, and you can see all the stars at night and get an amazing sunrise.
Schoder: Favorite camping trip meal?
Beamer: Uh, soup extravaganza.
Schoder: [laughs] What’s that?
Beamer: Maybe John Douglas knows better than I do–I think he was on the trip. I just got a bunch of canned soups: cream of mushroom, minestrone, chicken noodle, and tomato soup. Or so I thought…until I realized that I had grabbed tomato sauce instead of tomato soup.
I thought, you know, I'd be revealed for the charlatan that I was. But campers, I remember, remarked about how chunky the tomato soup was. And they loved it. They'd never had it prepared like that. And I was like, yeah, definitely chunkier. You know, so, soup extravaganza is the thing for which I think in the older camp craft crew I am remembered.
A couple of years ago, I did a Greek theme where we had pita filled with lamb, olives, and artichoke hearts. It was very Mediterranean. And I remember Bob gave me the funniest look when I asked for tzatziki sauce for the trip. A look that made me think we would be going into the woods tzatziki-less. But I remember as I was packing the morning of the trip and he put a big jar next to me and said, “Here’s your tzatziki.” And I was like, “Wow, thank you, Bob.”
Schoder: Bob is the best. What’s something you love about Bob?
Beamer: Bob remembers, Bob remembers things. And I think that although he says he loves us, he also has quite a talent for showing us that he loves us by remembering small things. He remembers what we ask for for camping trips, he shows us where to find things in the kitchen, he keeps track of everyone’s food needs, all while having the patience of a Buddha.
His daily active love, of course, is cooking three square meals for us. There's no denying or doubting that he gives more of himself to camp than anyone else on a daily basis.
Schoder: I remember one time as a young counselor, I had missed laundry day and he just did my laundry for me and I didn't even ask him. He saw that my laundry bag hadn't made it and he's like, “Hey I did your laundry, it’s folded next to the kitchen.” I was in awe.
Beamer: That's Bob. Yep.
Schoder: Is there an odd job you've ever done around camp that you remember?
Beamer: Commander Corn. Very proud of that odd job. Years in the making. Inherited it from Dave Suitor himself.
Schoder: Can you explain Commander Corn for those who don't know?
Beamer: Sure, yeah. So Commander Corn is a role during Point Cookout in which one coordinates the cooking of all the shucked corn such that it can be transported out to the Point while still hot and delicious. And it requires simply a mastery of time…and an indifference to being burned by boiling water. The job is a whole lot of waiting, and then a whole lot of action. I like it very much.
Beamer: I thought it was the Five Day, and we did it a billion times together, but it's not the Five Day. I think that my favorite trip has become the trip to Mount Blue State Park. It’s gorgeous. Not only the privacy of the campsite itself, but there’s the most incredible swimming area, and you can see all the stars at night and get an amazing sunrise.
Schoder: Favorite camping trip meal?
Beamer: Uh, soup extravaganza.
Schoder: [laughs] What’s that?
Beamer: Maybe John Douglas knows better than I do–I think he was on the trip. I just got a bunch of canned soups: cream of mushroom, minestrone, chicken noodle, and tomato soup. Or so I thought…until I realized that I had grabbed tomato sauce instead of tomato soup.
I thought, you know, I'd be revealed for the charlatan that I was. But campers, I remember, remarked about how chunky the tomato soup was. And they loved it. They'd never had it prepared like that. And I was like, yeah, definitely chunkier. You know, so, soup extravaganza is the thing for which I think in the older camp craft crew I am remembered.
A couple of years ago, I did a Greek theme where we had pita filled with lamb, olives, and artichoke hearts. It was very Mediterranean. And I remember Bob gave me the funniest look when I asked for tzatziki sauce for the trip. A look that made me think we would be going into the woods tzatziki-less. But I remember as I was packing the morning of the trip and he put a big jar next to me and said, “Here’s your tzatziki.” And I was like, “Wow, thank you, Bob.”
Schoder: Bob is the best. What’s something you love about Bob?
Beamer: Bob remembers, Bob remembers things. And I think that although he says he loves us, he also has quite a talent for showing us that he loves us by remembering small things. He remembers what we ask for for camping trips, he shows us where to find things in the kitchen, he keeps track of everyone’s food needs, all while having the patience of a Buddha.
His daily active love, of course, is cooking three square meals for us. There's no denying or doubting that he gives more of himself to camp than anyone else on a daily basis.
Schoder: I remember one time as a young counselor, I had missed laundry day and he just did my laundry for me and I didn't even ask him. He saw that my laundry bag hadn't made it and he's like, “Hey I did your laundry, it’s folded next to the kitchen.” I was in awe.
Beamer: That's Bob. Yep.
Schoder: Is there an odd job you've ever done around camp that you remember?
Beamer: Commander Corn. Very proud of that odd job. Years in the making. Inherited it from Dave Suitor himself.
Schoder: Can you explain Commander Corn for those who don't know?
Beamer: Sure, yeah. So Commander Corn is a role during Point Cookout in which one coordinates the cooking of all the shucked corn such that it can be transported out to the Point while still hot and delicious. And it requires simply a mastery of time…and an indifference to being burned by boiling water. The job is a whole lot of waiting, and then a whole lot of action. I like it very much.
Beamer as a young counselor waiting in line for corn at Point Cookout. Little did he know he would command that corn soon.
Schoder: Alright, final question! Why do you come back to camp?
Beamer: So many reasons, but I’ll just say the first one that comes to my head. I come back to camp because it's a wonderful balance of feeling comfortable and adjusted and challenged at the same time. As many have noted before, because very little changes at the place, it's a good opportunity to take stock of what has changed, which is you. At camp, I'm very conscious of the ways in which I have either remained the same or that I am changing. And I don't think all change is good. I'm not saying that that's the goal. I don't think all stasis is bad, but it's a comfortable and safe place in which to reflect upon yourself and your growth.
Schoder: Great answer, it's one of the things I love about coming back as well.
Well that's it! Thanks for doing this.
Beamer: Of course, it's been fun. See you up in Raymond in a few weeks.
Schoder: See you then!
Beamer: So many reasons, but I’ll just say the first one that comes to my head. I come back to camp because it's a wonderful balance of feeling comfortable and adjusted and challenged at the same time. As many have noted before, because very little changes at the place, it's a good opportunity to take stock of what has changed, which is you. At camp, I'm very conscious of the ways in which I have either remained the same or that I am changing. And I don't think all change is good. I'm not saying that that's the goal. I don't think all stasis is bad, but it's a comfortable and safe place in which to reflect upon yourself and your growth.
Schoder: Great answer, it's one of the things I love about coming back as well.
Well that's it! Thanks for doing this.
Beamer: Of course, it's been fun. See you up in Raymond in a few weeks.
Schoder: See you then!
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Beamer and Schoder, lifelong friends who first met as Eagles in 2002.
