The morning hours are the most structured part of a Kingswood day.  Boys select three activities — one each for the waterfront, teamsports, and individual choice.  Clinics run from 9:30 to 12:30, with short passing times between the periods.  “Don’t be afraid to fail at Kingswood,” is the clinic mantra, as boys are encouraged to try new things — all in a supportive environment where the fun is in the doing, or trying!  This is the main reason we do not bother with patches, ribbons, emblems, and trophies at this place.  Name one kid who wants camp to be like school?

I got around for just a few minutes yesterday morning during the first round of clinics of the session.  Yes, the waterfront had Jay’s orientation as first order of business, but soon thereafter boys were doing the swim test (20 laps and 5 minutes tread water) and even attempting the most important water ski skill of them all — “Don’t use the dock as a crutch when attempting to put on the skis in deep water, as you will be out in the lake,” hollered the instructor.  When one rower got close to a loon, instructor Ray added an impromptu “loon call” element to his clinic.  The loons, by the way, had a successful second clutch (eggs incubated) and they are quite noisy and happy of late.

I was additionally struck by the intimacy and one-on-one instruction ratios that predominated.  Good camp, all of it, and we even had an overnight band of showers to dampen the dust and feed the gardens.  As I got up this morning, my first thought was that hikes would surely be going out today and I was correct.  They are off to Mt. Adams and Mt. Moosilauke — two of New Hampshire’s best treks.