“FORE THE FUN OF IT”

July 3, 2025

This morning, I awoke to the sounds of voices on Mother T and remembered that the Lake Swim was scheduled for early today so long as the lake was flat. Eamon K. took that sunrise photo that was time-stamped at 6:39 AM. Audry was on the beach two hours later when A. Kats “stood up” to stop the time clock. Oliver B. had finished his breakfast by this time, having done the approximately 1 ½ mile loop in something like 24 minutes. I am confident that more photos of this traditional event will appear in the albums.

Before the campers arrived, the Wipfler boys, Liam especially, along with Scott S. designed a “back nine” to our “Caymen Course.”  I was really excited about this pitch and chip layout as it replacates several common situations on the real golf course where players typically blow up their scores.

Hats off to counselors Jake W. and James Mc. For adapting some rules to make the game fun and challenging for all. The three campers got to play from the position of their choice after hitting while the two counselors had to play alternate shots on one ball. They shook hands on #18 with the campers the champs. Once camp settles down, as it always does by week three, I will spend some time myself on this diabolical track.

Yesterday we tried to take it easy for a bit, while not always accomplishing that goal. But so many boys showed up to build walking sticks that Don had to hold a raffle. Several lads were as giddy were they to have won the national lottery.

Not mentioned in this space so far, I inform you now that we have some terrific athletes this session. We’ve won at least 4 BVT (Baker Valley Tournaments) to include 9’s basketball, 11’s soccer and 15’s Ultimate Frisbee. Indeed, we stress sportsmanship and team play over championships, and I am all ears to these values being dwelt on by the coaches in their reports. Happily, I can tell you, my ears are burning!

Sara got some nice pix yesterday during the wakesurfing clinics. At the end of her sequence, you can see the instructor, Nathan M., demonstrating how one can drop the rope and ride the wave, doing maneuvers as he does so. The clinic campers were holding the rope still, but it won’t be long until they, too, drop it and start the real fun of mounting the pinnacles. “Look mom, no hands.”

PS: I have been getting feedback about using boys’ full names in these blogs and photo albums.  Pasted below are the rosters for today’s sports games with parts or most of the last names cut out.  First is the U-10 soccer and the second two are the U-13 charges.What a world we live in.