We have this fabulous application called SLACK that allows the staff and administration to communicate with one another 24/7.  So many gorgeous photos have been put up on the Photos page of Slack.  Accordingly we are able to download them to files and then upload them into the albums on the Campanion stream which is available to all of you.  I cannot tell you how much these pixs reveal about camp.  Yes, I can; a lot.  One can always “say cheese” and induce a smile out of somebody.  Loads of our photos, however, show boys and staff in action.  Most assuredly, seeing is believing.  For you parents, it is almost as good as being here.  Enjoy.

Speaking of “reveals,” yesterday afternoon we all assembled in the Council Circle for the announcement of the 2022 Kingswood Touch Football Tournament.  Well over half the camp, campers and counselors, are participating in this annual tradition.

At that meeting, boys not only learned what team they are on (Hilarious team names to be revealed once I figure out what they are and, in some cases, how to pronounce the name!) but were thrilled with Rob and Mike Wiff’s reveal of team shirts for the players.  There are five sets of shirts, all reversible from a dark side to a light side, thus enabling us to have ten teams playing at the same time.

Both Sara and I attending the concurrent five games last night after dinner.  Somehow we missed one team photo and will get it next time we have games.  The event lasts all session and “elimination” games don’t happen until the last week.

Last  night’s games featured younger and older boys alternating possessions.  You can see from my (low quality) action photos that the junior versus junior sets were nevertheless quarterbacked by older campers and staff.  We’ve added flag belts – the ball carrier is not “down” until his flag is pulled.  I chuckled as Ezra  Farber-Drabkin weaved his way past several attempted flag snatchers to make a big gain.

By the way, everyone has agreed ahead of time to run this tournament in the traditional Kingswood manner of good sportsmanship and clean mirth.  Yes, the boys know what that last phrase means even though we have not used those exact words just yet.  We will.

Lastly, I had my most enjoyable A -Block observation in quite some time yesterday afternoon when I was a passenger on the Ski Nautique as boys learned how to wake surf.  CJ Pearce is the only camper to date who needs no instruction and there he is giving the thumbs up after finding the sweet spot in the wave where one can toss the rope and just ride it out.

Take a look at those smiles on boys’ faces.  Inflation might be draining the camp bank account but the sheer enjoyment exhibited by those kids made it all totally worthwhile.  Lastly – a huge kudos to counselors Nathan and Amanda Marvelle, whose calm demeanor, clear instruction and perfect boat maneuvering were crucial to the five successful outcomes from six efforts.  Very very good camp.