Taking It Easy

July 6, 2005

There is a huge difference between having a low-key schedule for a day and a surrender! Even Sara acknowledged that she did not take a single photo yesterday and instead took time to chase her five-year-old about the grounds. “That was no day off,” she grumbled just now at breakfast. She’ll be out there this afternoon, guaranteed.

Even though yesterday was BVT day, a host of tournaments with camps in the area, you could tell that either (a) we were a tired bunch after that full-court-press of a day on July 4, or (b) the older boys were saving their energy for the soiree with the ladies from Camp Lochearn that happened last evening.

Regarding (b) above, I was not present at the party but did get quite a chuckle out of the spit and polish gleam to the boys at dinner. “Dances force them to take showers,” acknowledged nurse Lisa A. Clever thinking.

I guess you are stuck with my photos for your dose of camp for the moment. A large group of boys enjoyed a lazy afternoon on the porch observing a soccer match of European consequence. A roar went up when Real Madrid scored a goal.

The temperatures rose gently but steadily throughout the afternoon and by 4:30 there was indeed a reasonable draw to general swim.

And, what about that tied-up tetherball I keep taking pictures of? I could open “Camp Tetherball,” offering no other activities and make a killing. The lockdown is designed simply to get campers to do other things, although it only takes one tall boy and a garbage barrel to flip the script. Yes, we eventually give up the ghost on tetherball play.

Today is “Deep Scrub” Sunday. I don’t think the clean-up routine has changed since last week. See “Lemon Meringue False Indigo” for the particulars. Funny thing: I did not consult with Mike and Rob on the cabin discussion topics, but I see from below that paying attention to one’s energy level is an important camp takeaway.

Sunday Cabin Discussions – 7/6/25

Today’s Meeting should focus on the difference between school fatigue and camp fatigue. Camp is not school! At school, we lose energy working on homework, projects, papers, etc. At camp, we lose energy running around and doing tournaments, games, and activities. Discuss this idea and the following questions:

1.  How do you know you are getting tired? What are the signs?
2.  What strategies do you use to keep your camp energy strong? How do you “recharge your battery” during the session?
3.  How do you choose between two activities you want to do? Does your energy level play a factor?
4.  Talk about some specific strategies for managing the heat as well as maintaining your energy throughout the session.

Many 5-weeker campers arrive today, some of whom are brand new to first session. Even though they are veteran Kingswood campers, they are nervous about the start of this camp season –
Why? What can you do to help them?

Kudos are a great way for counselors to report what’s happening at camp – trip reports, game and tournament highlights, and notable performances in clinics. But we also want to provide an opportunity for recognition for “good deed doers” – people who help out and make camp better without being asked to do so. Anyone want to recognize another camper or counselor for going above and beyond the call of duty?