Sunday mornings are a change of pace at Kingswood.  Pasted below are the boys’ orders for the morning, followed by an essay by Bob & Rob —  not quite ready for publication under our blog title “Camp 101,” (the number of camp summers the two of us have under our belts.)  The associated photo album, as predicted, contains more photos taken yesterday by Sara, that are superior to the ones I take.  It is a gorgeous day today and lots of action will resume this afternoon.

DEEP SCRUB DAY:  SUNDAY July 5, 2015

CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST  8:00AM TO 9:30AM:  Kitchen closes promptly at 9:30

EXTRA CABIN CLEANUP CHORES 9:30AM TO 11:00 AM
• Pick up trash in a wide circle around the cabin.  Little pieces of trash are an eyesore.
• Reorganize your trunks.  Move different clothes to the top and try to wear them
• Remove gear and completely sweep under all beds.  You will find missing items as well.
• Get all dry clothing off the line.  Air out all wet clothing and keep an eye on the weather.  Bring back inside before any rain comes along.
• Change sheets and pillow cases.  Air out sleeping bags.
• Take a shower, use soap and shampoo; clip nails, comb hair, clean clothing

BUBBLER, FIELDSIDE AND LAKEVIEW: CONCENTRATE ON THE CABIN CLEANUP CHORES LISTED ABOVE.

CAMPUS CLEANUP CHORES  9:30AM TO 11:00AM
Each cabin is assigned an area or building in camp.  Please  clean up and tidy that place as if special company were coming today.  Trash and Lost & Found are key things to attend to.  Sweeping, raking , moping etc is up to you.  Shupe will give you extra credit for any obvious effort to really make the place look terrific.

• SPORTS SHED:  Soccer field and shed
• KILN: Mem Field
• FIREPLACE:  Nature Building
• ROADSIDE:  Across the road; Baseball, Basketball and Tennis
• HILLY 1:  War Room
• PINES: Pines Field.
• HILLY 5:  Main Lodge –
• HILLY 4:  Picnic serving area
• WATERFRONT:  Beaches and Marina
• GUIDES:   Mail Room and vans
• BARN:  VISIT YOUR ASSIGNED CABIN AND HELP WHERE NEEDED

CABIN MEETINGS 11:00AM TO 12:00 NOON
Please come to Camp Meeting ready to offer the best thoughts that came out of your cabin meeting today.  Campers and counselors may comment.

TODAY:   Discuss strategies to employ when coping with new situations, such as going away to camp for the first time.  Analyze the adjustment period.  Kudos for sportsmanship during Pemi Day or any other sports event this week.

CATHOLICS MEET AT THE VANS AT 9:30

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RUNNING A SUCCESSFUL CABIN MEETING AT CAMP

You have to be on your A game mentally to conduct any serious conversation with your kids.  Start by being very firm.  Insist that all boys assume the same posture – sitting on a bench, laying on the grass etc.
Embarrass guys who try to make a sham of it.  “That’s about the most intelligent thing I could ever hope to hear from you,” is a fair reply to a jokester.  Why this negative thought at the outset?  You must be on guard for a slow start and have “lines” ready to employ right away.  One put-down is usually sufficient to put an end to any nonsense!
Re-articulate good points made by the boys.  That means that you say the same thing he just said, but in your words.  This tactic gives credit to the original speaker while emphasizing the status of your approval.  You can be just as good at re-articulation as anyone, so long as you are keen to the idea.  Funny comments that can be re-articulated into important points are also accepted.  “So-and-so looked like a wounded rhino when he got kicked in the shin.”  First, the kids will laugh, but with your assistance, the speaker can get back to the idea that his buddy was brave, or sportsmanlike.  Works every time.  Keep the meeting going the full assigned time.  Permit no suggestion to move on to a game or other activity.  End the meeting by thanking the boys for their attention, pointing out specific kids for their especially useful commentaries and tell them you look forward to more discussions with them.  Below are some general talking points you can use to keep any conversation alive.

• Let’s talk about the good and bad things of the past week
• What are your continuing expectations of being at camp?
• What changes would you recommend to the program?
• What are some of your hobbies outside of camp?
• Why is camp different  from (or similar to) school?
• Tell a story about a very “good camp” event.
• Vote on the following statement (Your choice) on a scale of 1 to 10, 1 meaning you are quite unhappy about the situation described in the statement to 10, meaning you are thrilled.  Examples:  You are making friends; you are adjusting to camp life; you think about family and home but it does not bother you as much any more; you like camp activities; vote on camp happiness now that you have been here for 7, 14, or 21 days.
• Some people think that your happiness at camp must be earned.
• Let’s think of a great report regarding this meeting that one of us can make at full camp meeting coming up next.
• Everyone think of a statement of praise he could make on another boy or counselor if we have the chance to do it at full camp meeting.  Sportsmanship and friendship examples are better than achievement kudos.  Why?
• Let’s talk about the camp’s rules:  Are they strict?  Should we accept them?  Are there better ones we could suggest?
• What about the freedoms we have at camp?  Are they not free enough, too free, or just about right?  Name some you would add or subtract.
• Name some responsibilities we have at camp.  Is it good to have some things we must do?
• What is a bully?  Why do some guys act like big shots?  What can you personally do about a boy who insists on being cruel to you?
• To make a friend, you have to BE a friend.  What are some strategies you can employ here?
• “Cabin dynamics” are very important at camp?  Who can define the term?
• Sharing is a great human trait.  Why do more of it than less?
• Foul language is a sign of a guy who cannot express his true feelings or views very well.
• Let’s conclude by listing all the reasons why our camp is a great place to spend one’s summer.