The Spirit of Camp!
What happens when 150 boys from all over the world converge for summer of fun, learning and growth? Only summer camps can provide this type of experience, and Chewonki has been offering its own unique camping experience for 95 summers. The past week has been filled with excitement, energy, and yes; rain. However, the wet weather has yet to put a major dent in our spirits. At times it has even energized our community and provided new opportunities to get really wet and dirty. What could be more fun?
We came together as a community last Tuesday evening and met in the barn to share songs, introductions and a few of our basic safety policies. After this brief meeting, campers returned to their cabin for a cabin candlelight, allowing them to get to know each and their counselors, as well as set some goals for the summer. Wednesday was a day for activity tours and previews as well as check-ins and screenings at the health center. Wednesday night was Cabin Night for the Herons and Ospreys, while the Puffins and Owls participated in their respective group night. Several of the Ospreys and Herons ventured out on their overnight campouts at the southern tip of our peninsula. Thursday was our first day of our activities and we were able to enjoy an afternoon of sunshine. Activities progressed through Friday and Saturday with more sunshine. The highlight had to be the beautiful Saturday afternoon down at our waterfront as the tide was high- a perfect afternoon for boating activities and cliff jumping! The tides set up perfectly, allowing us to swim across the creek and scamper up the rope to the top of the cliff. Shouts of joy were heard all over the waterfront as campers took the plunge for the first time in 2009, following in the footsteps and splashes of hundreds of campers through the years. I hope you have seen some of the photos up on our website.
Saturday night was our first Campfire of the season, and Sunday morning saw us gathering as a community for our first Sunday Service. I was impressed with the level of comfort our campers displayed at each event. Normally, our campers tend to be cautiously reserved at the first Campfire and Sunday Service. However, it was clear at these two events that our campers are comfortable with each other and feel that they can get up and speak or perform in front of the entire community. What a gift that we are able to share with each other! Sunday night was our first game of Capture the Rocks on our lower mud bowl, formerly our lower field. The heavy rains and mud only added to excitement and sense of adventure. Our teams of Sags and Hocs dashed around the field, slipping and sliding their way through the mud and creating an absolute challenge for our very capable laundry staff. Be prepared for some very dirty t-shirts at the end of the season! Needless to say, it was a joyous evening and a huge boost of enthusiasm during this rainy stretch.
We postponed our first trip to Popham Beach on Monday for later in the week due to cold and cloudy weather. Fortunately, we were able to fall back on our activity program. As I write on Tuesday, campers are once again engaged in their second block of activities. I must compliment our outstanding staff as their enthusiasm has carried the day. Thanks to their efforts, it could be sunny, snowy or wet. Our campers would still be having a blast!
A Few Administrative Details
Camp Photos on the Internet
We have started to place many photos on the internet. Visit http://www.flickr.com/photos/chewonki/collections/ to view the photos. Please visit frequently to see what is happening in camp, and be patient if we aren’t always able to put up new photos.
Mail & Packages
As you know, our campers do not have access to write to you by email. Hopefully you’ve received a first letter or two, and you have had a chance to send a letter. We still believe in the value of a hand written letter at camp and encourage parents and family to send letters through the mail as much as possible. There is something very special about holding a letter in hand written by family member when you are far from home. However, if a unique situation warrants an email, we are able to print your emails. Please send camper emails to dpalen@chewonki.org, and we’ll deliver it to their mailbox.
Please do not send any food or candy in camper care packages. Our campers enjoy a healthy and balanced diet that supports their busy schedules. Food and candy attract animals to our cabins, and can create unwanted jealousies between cabins. We will confiscate any food or candy that is sent as campers open their packages in the presence of their counselors.
Visits
Visitors for campers are welcome, but we do ask that you avoid visiting during the first and last five days of your child’s stay. Please call ahead to plan your visit so that we can be sure your child isn’t out of camp on a trip. We have a “Tent Day” (an all-camp field trip) almost every week, as well as cabin wilderness trips and other special events that may take your child away from camp. Once you visit camp, please be sure to check-in at the camp office, sign our visitor log, and stop by to say a quick hello if you have a chance. Tent days are scheduled for July 7, 13, 24, 29 and August 4.
Thank you for sharing your children with us. The next three weeks promise to be a time of tremendous fun, excitement and growth. We are thrilled to be providing a meaningful summer experience. Please be in touch with any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Garth Altenburg,
Director, Chewonki Camp for Boys
What happens when 150 boys from all over the world converge for summer of fun, learning and growth? Only summer camps can provide this type of experience, and Chewonki has been offering its own unique camping experience for 95 summers. The past week has been filled with excitement, energy, and yes; rain. However, the wet weather has yet to put a major dent in our spirits. At times it has even energized our community and provided new opportunities to get really wet and dirty. What could be more fun?
We came together as a community last Tuesday evening and met in the barn to share songs, introductions and a few of our basic safety policies. After this brief meeting, campers returned to their cabin for a cabin candlelight, allowing them to get to know each and their counselors, as well as set some goals for the summer. Wednesday was a day for activity tours and previews as well as check-ins and screenings at the health center. Wednesday night was Cabin Night for the Herons and Ospreys, while the Puffins and Owls participated in their respective group night. Several of the Ospreys and Herons ventured out on their overnight campouts at the southern tip of our peninsula. Thursday was our first day of our activities and we were able to enjoy an afternoon of sunshine. Activities progressed through Friday and Saturday with more sunshine. The highlight had to be the beautiful Saturday afternoon down at our waterfront as the tide was high- a perfect afternoon for boating activities and cliff jumping! The tides set up perfectly, allowing us to swim across the creek and scamper up the rope to the top of the cliff. Shouts of joy were heard all over the waterfront as campers took the plunge for the first time in 2009, following in the footsteps and splashes of hundreds of campers through the years. I hope you have seen some of the photos up on our website.
Saturday night was our first Campfire of the season, and Sunday morning saw us gathering as a community for our first Sunday Service. I was impressed with the level of comfort our campers displayed at each event. Normally, our campers tend to be cautiously reserved at the first Campfire and Sunday Service. However, it was clear at these two events that our campers are comfortable with each other and feel that they can get up and speak or perform in front of the entire community. What a gift that we are able to share with each other! Sunday night was our first game of Capture the Rocks on our lower mud bowl, formerly our lower field. The heavy rains and mud only added to excitement and sense of adventure. Our teams of Sags and Hocs dashed around the field, slipping and sliding their way through the mud and creating an absolute challenge for our very capable laundry staff. Be prepared for some very dirty t-shirts at the end of the season! Needless to say, it was a joyous evening and a huge boost of enthusiasm during this rainy stretch.
We postponed our first trip to Popham Beach on Monday for later in the week due to cold and cloudy weather. Fortunately, we were able to fall back on our activity program. As I write on Tuesday, campers are once again engaged in their second block of activities. I must compliment our outstanding staff as their enthusiasm has carried the day. Thanks to their efforts, it could be sunny, snowy or wet. Our campers would still be having a blast!
A Few Administrative Details
Camp Photos on the Internet
We have started to place many photos on the internet. Visit http://www.flickr.com/photos/chewonki/collections/ to view the photos. Please visit frequently to see what is happening in camp, and be patient if we aren’t always able to put up new photos.
Mail & Packages
As you know, our campers do not have access to write to you by email. Hopefully you’ve received a first letter or two, and you have had a chance to send a letter. We still believe in the value of a hand written letter at camp and encourage parents and family to send letters through the mail as much as possible. There is something very special about holding a letter in hand written by family member when you are far from home. However, if a unique situation warrants an email, we are able to print your emails. Please send camper emails to dpalen@chewonki.org, and we’ll deliver it to their mailbox.
Please do not send any food or candy in camper care packages. Our campers enjoy a healthy and balanced diet that supports their busy schedules. Food and candy attract animals to our cabins, and can create unwanted jealousies between cabins. We will confiscate any food or candy that is sent as campers open their packages in the presence of their counselors.
Visits
Visitors for campers are welcome, but we do ask that you avoid visiting during the first and last five days of your child’s stay. Please call ahead to plan your visit so that we can be sure your child isn’t out of camp on a trip. We have a “Tent Day” (an all-camp field trip) almost every week, as well as cabin wilderness trips and other special events that may take your child away from camp. Once you visit camp, please be sure to check-in at the camp office, sign our visitor log, and stop by to say a quick hello if you have a chance. Tent days are scheduled for July 7, 13, 24, 29 and August 4.
Thank you for sharing your children with us. The next three weeks promise to be a time of tremendous fun, excitement and growth. We are thrilled to be providing a meaningful summer experience. Please be in touch with any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Garth Altenburg,
Director, Chewonki Camp for Boys
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