The rhythms of camp life

It's hard to believe the 2nd session is already half over... which means we're about to hit the closing stretch of the 2021 summer. It's about this time that many of our special events, which campers are always particularly excited about, start to get added into the routine, and it feels like camp starts to race toward the finish line. So, it's important to look back at the days during the summer when everything is simply in a rhythm, and time seems to stand still (if it's considered at all).

Each morning and afternoon, campers get to sign up for the activities they want to pursue, whether it is to go for an award, to try something new, or just to do something fun with a friend. As the new campers in our 2nd session have learned, we have a variety of activities that have their own system of awards that offer attainable goals for a camper of any age. Archery, for example, begins with the "Little John" award, which is available to the youngest two cabins, the Mallards and the Eagles. As campers get more skilled, they can progress through the more demanding awards. But in each case, campers are empowered to take the initiative to begin going for an award, challenge themselves at whatever level they are at, and ultimately get rewarded for dedication and a willingness to learn. We also have plenty of opportunities for pursuing other interest, like working on a handicrafts project, playing chess with a new friend, or taking out a canoe for an afternoon of fishing.

In addition to our typical, regularly scheduled activities, we had a couple of fun events this week. There was a 5 on 5 basketball tournament pitching the Green Team against the Gray Team. Since we are not competing against other camps this summer, we've had a bunch of intra-camp Green/Gray games, which may bring out just as much healthy competitive spirit, if not more! Every boy is assigned to one of the two teams, and they are on that team for their entire Timanous careers. It's been fun to have more opportunities to play for our teams, in addition to the traditional games of Capture the Flag. Another hit was volleyball, held down at Beginners Beach, as well as "Boogie Castleball", which to the best of our knowledge is essentially dodgeball where you have to dance every time you aren't otherwise throwing or dodging!

The natural camp rhythms extend to life beyond our shores. The photos above are from our Katahdin and Rangeley Lake trips from last week. We are eagerly awaiting pictures and stories from our trips that just got back over the past couple of days. Our 2nd session upper bunkline campers journeyed to Mt Blue State Park, and a group of our oldest campers returned just a few hours ago from the 5 Day canoe trip to Aziscohos Lake. The early reports from the 5 Day are that the weather was unbeatable, filled with bluebird skies and clear waters. A highlight was a surprise, sunrise paddle, breaking camp before dawn in order to enjoy breakfast on a secluded island, before pressing on to the next campsite. As a counselor shared after returning, the community and culture of the 5 Day group was simply unparalleled, which exemplifies how tight a bond can form when you're out in the wilderness with a group of Timanous campers.

Our 2nd half lower bunkline campers got to go out on a trip of their own, on an overnight canoe trip to Hawthorne Point. While they were confronted with rain on their first night, they awoke to a bright dawn and a taste of what a Timanous camping trip is all about: being out in nature and having a joyful experience with each other, no matter what the weather or other circumstances bring. When they move up the bunkline and make it to Crows, these boys may even get to go on to a future 5 Day camping trip of their own. This is perhaps the most important rhythm, one that spans years and keeps campers coming back, summer after summer.