Lemon Meringue False Indigo

June 29, 2025

 

I’ll take a shot at an analogy. About a month ago, when we first got here, the Head Gardener at Kingswood noticed the very short growth of our beloved indigo plants that adorn the Dining Room gardens. “Puny, this year, I guess,” thought I. Now look; Burgeoning as always, just like we suspect your sons will do at camp. And, while some of that growth might be “false,” as in it won’t seem to last, we’ll argue that the camp experience for boys sets them up for sustained advancement towards the good as time marches forward.  (End of lecture, NOT. Stay tuned.)

Right Now

The camp got to sleep in for an extra half hour and breakfast came at 8:30. As is my norm, I take pix of the kids coming down to the Dining Room and post them as a RIGHT NOW. Go look. I did not capture everyone, naturally, but I got you a good feel for the mood of this joint, which right now is rather jubilant.

Pemi Day Followup

Yes, we had a fine day with Camp Pemi and this old director was pleased by how many of the contests were close finishes, with the all-important good sportsmanship prevailing, and especially in those hectic final moments of tension. We can depend on Pemi and they can depend on us for this.

Last evening we met as a full camp in the council fire to offer kudos for those deserving lads. After the coaches reported on the games, the campers got to offer praise to those they felt were deserving. One boy stood up and remarked that while he was just a spectator, he was impressed with the great coaching and the way the players responded to it. I thought Mike might call on 5 or 6 boys, but he let it go into the dozens of commentaries. It was a wonderful camp moment.

 

DEEP SCRUB DAY

Campus Clean Up Responsibilities and Sunday Meeting Topics

 

Sunday Morning Schedule:

 

8am – Reveille and Polar Bear

8:30am – Breakfast

9:30 – 11:00am – Deep Clean/Scrub (see below)

11-12am – Cabin Meeting (See below) and Activities

12pm – All Camp Meeting

 

Deep Clean/Scrub includes the following:

 

• Changing sheets and pillow cases
• Organizing trunks (folding clothes, etc.)
• Cleaning / Sweeping under beds
• Clipping fingernails and toenails (as needed)
• Health check with nurse
• Water bottle cleaning (we have scrub brushes for bottles of all shapes and sizes)
• Guides and CITs – deep clean of bathroom
• Campus Clean-Up Duties (see below)

 

Cabin	Venue / Area
Bubbler	Clean up the Bubbler area Pick up lost and found and bring it to the shelf under the dining room steps. Search for trash in the Bubbler area
Hilly 1	Clean the Main Lodge porch – sweep the porch, pick up any lost and found (and bring it to shelf under the dining room steps), and organize the chairs and benches
Lakeview	Clean up the Council Fire area Pick up lost and found and bring it to the shelf under the dining room steps. Search for trash and smooth out the rocks
Fieldside	Organize the baseball shed on Mem Field Pick up lost and found on Mem Field and bring it to the shelf under the dining room steps. Search the woods around the field for lost baseballs
Fireplace	Clean up the picnic area – hang up lifejackets, bring Lost and Found to under the Dining Hall steps, and pick up trash.
Kiln	Clean up the parking area in front of the office and the areas near the PUNO / shower area Pick up lost and found and bring it to the shelf under the dining room steps. Search for trash
Pines	Clean up the following areas on Pines Field: volleyball area, bleachers, around tetherball, the field in general, and under your cabin (collect balls). Pick up lost and found and bring it to the shelf under the dining room steps. Put gear away (in the boxes or in the war room)
Hilly 5	Clean up the Game Room – sweep the floor, pick up (and put away) ping pong paddles and balls
Sports Shed	Organize soccer and lacrosse shed Pick up any trash on soccer field Search woods for lost soccer and lacrosse balls Pick up all lost and found on or near the soccer field and bring it to the shelf under the dining room steps.
Hilly 4	Sweep the Dining Hall steps and clean the Great Room
Roadside	Pick up lost and found across 25C (Freedom Field, basketball court, tennis court) and bring it to the shelf under the dining room steps. Organize baseball shed on Freedom Field
Waterfront	Clean the lifejacket shed, making sure all lifejackets are hung up correctly Organize paddles (kayak, paddleboard, and canoe) Pick up lost and found from the boating beach and bring it to the shelf under the dining room steps.
Guides	Organize Lost and Found – divide into two sections: L&F with names and L&F without names. Create a list of all L&F with names to share at the next meeting / meal; display all L&F without names.

 

Sunday Cabin Discussions – 6/29/25

 

Cabin Meetings should focus on cabin life –

• How is clean up going? rest hour? bed time? What are some challenges of living in a cabin with 6-22 other people?
  • IF APPLICABLE: Review cabin “points of emphasis” – how are things going?
• What makes someone a good friend or a good cabin mate?
• Cabin kudos – specific examples of good friend or good cabin mate?
• What have veteran campers done to welcome new campers and make them feel welcomed and included?
• Highlights from the previous week; something new each person tried / did this week; events or activities people are looking forward to;