Nuanced Camp
July 11, 2024
The camp leaders have been consulting their phones every half hour, it seems, for the past day or so. We are in a weather pattern that is uncertain and an abundance of caution has dictated some program adaptations on the fly.
The lifeguards were instructed not to allow any boats to go out during general swim and a “hold for weather update” adorned the after-dinner sponsorship board during the indoor picnic.
No bad weather at all came to us during these yellow flag occasions but this is how we do things here at camp. Camp is a long haul, you see, and we can afford to dictate the pace. But, I was so pleased to see the mad rush by the counselors to offer evening sponsorships once the delay was lifted. This is “nuanced camp” at its best.
However, the slowdown did allow for viewing of the European soccer semi-final game between England and Netherlands to be showed live. When England broke the tie in the last minutes, a roar came up in the Great Room. Our English staff were exuberant but not everyone was so excited.
Witness James in the green shirt surrounded by his English camp friends. (July 11) A Scot, James announced that he pulls for two teams, Scotland and anyone who is playing England. With our many Spaniards at camp, Sunday’s final match should be a doozie—and I mean here on the Kingswood grounds.
I thought that Sara’s album of July 10 was of particular nuance value. Scroll through the photos slowly, even if you know your son is not pictured. What you can do is to glean the environment he finds himself in at this moment.
You can tell that most of the boys now are fully adapted to life at camp. Most campers exude confidence and contentment. Their body language gives it away. And those smiles, well they are the genuine thing and you know it!
The boys adore their counselors, almost to the person. And that guidance remains in place, even if it is not quite as much needed as it was three weeks ago. With the exception of those boys who just arrived at camp at the start of Week Three, the others are nearing that 21 day “magic moment” when nothing will bother them, to include rain, bugs or a “six” lake of hurricane proportions.
Truth be known, we still need rain badly, the bugs seem to have lessoned (as they nearly always do after July 4th or so) and we are expecting mostly gentle breezes for the foreseeable future. Nevertheless, we will maintain our countenance.