Chill

June 24, 2005

For the Wipflers and several other camp administrators, arrival to camp was about 30 days ago. There was substantial agreement among us that this, finally, was the year when boys would elect not to go into the water until July. Mother T was still ensconced in her winter jacket.

This is a timely moment for me to suggest you read these daily blogs in tandem with observing the photos that are posted by my daughter, Sara, a professional photographer you should have hazarded a guess on already.  She also does a swell job of haggling the counselors to take pictures of events where she is absent, such as sunset paddles out on the lake and hiking trips into the White Mountains. I see she already has commenced that album, which you need to check from time to time to find the newest additions.

Sure enough, every camper, counselor, support staff person, administrator and wobbly emeritus director found their way into the chilly, not cold,but exhilarating lake at some point in the day. So good!

The swelter of yesterday promises a return today.  In relative terms, we are in great shape as a fresh breeze off the lake from the north seems to make it seem much cooler than what the thermometers tell us. Rob and Mike took the extra precaution just now at breakfast to remind the boys to wear sunblock (reapplying every so often) and drinking loads of water. No need to mention it again.

One theme I am going to stress all summer is the collective excellence of the staff. We spent two weeks of meetings and training sessions to help them be ready and raring for the campers’ arrivals. “Are you nervous,” I asked several of them and got the identical reply every time, “Not much, but I surely am excited,” Check those photos and decide for yourself how engaging the counselors have been to your sons in the first 24 hours.

Mike Wiff has several folks who work with him on scheduling issues. We seldom “stand pat” on what appears on the calendar. “Pivot” is the Kingswood word to describe those adaptations which are essential to a happy camp. Yesterday afternoon, they offered three blocks of activities – labeling them “Active,” “Waterfront” and “Chill.” That plan was met with applause.

After dinner, just about every craft we have was checked out as a massive “sunset paddle” parked out in the middle of the lake. Go to the staff photo album to get a sense of the good vibes going on.