On the Fly
July 9, 2023
Yesterday was Baker Valley Tournament day, called BVT day for short. Kingswood hosted the baseball games while Pemi and Moose were the venues for basketball and soccer. I forget where the Ultimate Frisbee tournament for the 15 year olds was played, but I do know that we won all three of our matches, and handily. Frisbee games are our strongest suit, to be sure.
It sounded to me like we were a tad better than 50% winners for the day but it was hard to tell given that immediately upon the conclusion of their games, boys hopped right into the “on the fly” programming here at their “home away from home.”
Indeed, youngsters generally adapt nicely to life at camp and become quite comfortable in their camp “skins” once we get into or complete week #3. 21 days is the magical formula for near 100% customer satisfaction. You can bet that I’ll be returning to this theme now and again during the next few days as today is #15.
The subject line of today’s blog, “On the Fly” references the creative and effective manner in which Mike, Nathan and other camp leaders organized the day for the “non-competitors” in the BVT games. With set rosters, coaching assignments and transportation plans all set beforehand, it would be easy to assume that the day was organized well in hand.
Take a look at my latest photo album and you will see a large contingent of boys in the council circle at about 9:30 yesterday morning. Mike opened the proceedings with the question, “What would you like to see the counselors sponsor this morning?” It did not take long for a good list of options to be generated. Nathan passed out a shuffled deck of Tubing cards and you can see that Javier drew #17. In truth, that number was the 10th lowest and he got to go, albeit last.
You cannot win at Kingswood by being there first. Some guys are good at manipulating so that they get to the front of the line. No matter, if they draw a high number they go on the “wait list” and get to go if there is time, or, if not, they can go first on the next go-around. It works that way for nearly everything here at Kingswood and boys are not only inured to it but enjoy the lack of pushing and shoving caused by such fair-minded procedures.
Sara got some good basketball photos during the morning games for her album along with some marvelous shots of boys at the rope swing across the lake from camp in the afternoon. I sat in a lawn chair placed in the lake and got cooled off while observing the return of the ropers. They had had a blast and many of the boys were delighted with the turn of events for the day – some good competition in one segment followed by something easy and relaxing (and not usually available at home) in the ensuing segment.
On the fly planning allows for such outcomes.
This morning features another Deep Clean block of time followed by cabin meetings and then full camp meeting at high noon. The counselors tie up the tether balls, high on the poles, for these Sunday routines and I love it when the boys surrender to the inevitable tasks at hand.