“We laughed so hard”

July 13, 2024

Ten boys are departing today and last evening we gave them the same “love-in” treatment we afforded those who went home a week ago. “Time really flies, and especially when you are so busy with loads of things to do,” allowed Mike, in a rare “self-kudo” moment albeit much deserved.

In my cover image, you can see Will, wearing a #23 shirt, who had asked his entire Kiln Cabin to stand up. “We laughed so hard,” he reported and I cannot think of a better tribute for a boy to make about his first foray into the unknown territory of camp.

What a gorgeous evening we had yesterday. I was an easy target for Nathan to invite to narrate a tour of Lake Tarleton in the Ferrari boat. That’s Nathan’s name for our Super Air Nautique which has been employed nearly all day long this session in taking boys wake-surfing.

This time, however, we were taking pleasure cruises, and when we returned to the dock to find still more boys hoping for a ride, we decided to do a second tour.  A few lads came on both excursions and one Andrew Kats took over the docent chores, entertainingly aping my narration of the first go-around.

What beautiful views and colors we encountered, including a prediction that a Great Blue Heron might be lording it over his domain from one of the several very dead but very prominent trees along the shoreline.

You are spoiled creatures.  Four photo albums await your observation and they all reveal Kingswood in microcosm. Sara, of course, should work for Sports Illustrated as her pics are fabulous as always.

It is Sara, too, who captures all the photos taken by the counselors and keeps adding to the “Assorted” album for the week. That’s actually Mt. Kearsarge shown in several photos most recently contributed.

Yes, we arranged to hike this mountain with the intermediate girls from Camp Waklo.  Remember the seniors had their dance a few days ago and this excursion was a sop to those kids who just missed the invitation list.

Meanwhile, closer to home, we offered a hike up Mt. Piermont.  The trail starts at camp and is somewhat rugged with the aptly named “Elevator Shaft” offering a steep ascent to the summit ridge.

I keep meaning to write an entire blog on the resurgence of hiking in the past couple of post-Covid summers.  I’ll try to do that soon as I have plenty to say on the subject.

Another nice day beckons and there a number of sports games scheduled with neighboring camps.  But I could overhear the administrative types plotting for lots of alternative choices for those fellows who prefer less competitive settings.