For sure, we will never put boys into harm’s way on purpose. But, to cancel trips due to rain, temperatures, or fog would ruin the chance for kids to have an adventure of a lifetime. Three trips went out — before, during and just after the inclement conditions described over the past day or so. All came home safely and with mostly deliriously happy campers. I am proud of the pix and captions that follow:
Going from last to first, here is a shot taken just a couple hours ago. Scott has come down to play reveille, only to discover a returning canoe trip through the morning fog.Now you can see them better.Approaching the canoe ropes are the vanguard of troops who spent the night at our favorite on-lake campsite that we call Sunset Point.Peter and Xan…Henri, Thomas and Michael…Will and Nick…and the rest of the fearless paddlers.Yesterday, we basically busted the forecast, as it took most of the day for those drying breezes to arrive.These boys got a taste of the unpredictable power of the mountains. “It should clear as you hike along,” I told the boys who trekked to the open summit of Mt. Moosilauke.Wrong I was, as the summit conditions were raw and 25 boys had to huddle into the summit rocks to have any comfort eating lunch. Nonetheless, Miles, Wiley and Luke were among the 100% of those who “hiked with an attitude,” (the non-complaining Kingswood imperative.) Many of these same boys are going back into the hills again today, a gorgeous day arriving one day later than predicted!However, two days ago, during the height of the heavy rains, this group of men insisted that a one-hour paddle to an island in the middle of Squam Lake was well within the range of our attitude of sticking it out!Somehow, their campsite looks serene, despite the pelting rains.The parents of these boys can be very proud…as the boys could not stop talking about their mighty adventure.Give credit to Todd, now in his 25th summer at Kingswood. This guy is the master of running a great trip, irregardless, as my students would say! Great camp.
