Director’s Reports

A Hole in Zero

July 3, 2026

A HOLE IN ZERO

July 3, 2026

Funny thing that we were just talking about how little we at Kingswood go out into the public these days. The reason might surprise you. Several years ago on this very date, the main road from camp was closed in both directions due to washouts from heavy rains. We knew we were locked in for several days, the annual trip to Woodsville for the parade and fireworks being an impossibility.

We quickly rallied, however, and scheduled our own parade of sorts right here on the Kingswood grounds. Everyone had a blast and the tradition was born to do events like July 4, the North Haverhill Fair and the Whale’s Tale at home here at camp.

Yesterday afternoon, the counselors, led by Drew Vaanasse, set up the Kingswood slip ‘n slide down the steep embankment next to the council circle and kept it going for a few hours. Boys found the lines much shorter than at Whale’s Tale and they got longer and faster runs.

Acrobatics, too, were part of the occasion as gyrations deemed safe by the counselors were performed. The event did not conclude until there was but a minute or so left in general swim so that the grimy sliders could wash off in the lake.

We still send the good golfers to the Bradford course now and again, but we have an 18 hole short course here at camp that is just as much fun and equally as challenging. Greens are not maintained, naturally, but there are two painted rings around each cup. Subtract one stroke if you hit your ball into the inner ring and two strokes if it goes into the cup.

I was watching as Finn chipped his second shot into the cup, for a zero! The potential course record is not zero, but minus 18. Think about that might you?

The point is that boys like the events going on at camp and many are eager to take shorter trips like the day trips to Frankenstein Cliffs and Indian Pond. The former departed before breakfast while the latter shoved off late in the afternoon.

To be completely clear, please know that fishing and hiking trips are heavily promoted as we want boys to have adventures off the grounds and especially in natural environments. “You’ll be back in time for…” is an oft-repeated refrain. I really envy the youthful zeal demonstrated in abundant portions on those excursions.

Lastly, you can check the pix in my album taken from the Marsh water fountain, which is also known as the Bubbler. 42 years ago the estate lawyer father of one of my students at Landon practically gave up his practice to make sure I got this camp. The fountain is dedicated to his memory and folks like Sara and me keep it properly maintained.