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Category Archives: Summer 2015

Founder’s Day 2015

Camp’s a buzz with Green and White energy.  Campers are back from excursions and they know that color war can break at ANY minute!  We resumed regularly scheduled activities today with double canoe trips for the Squires and Quills, lots of team sports including softball, ultimate Frisbee and basketball, gaga tournaments, Danish long ball, and more.

Today is a special day in The Realm… it’s our founder’s birthday.  Andy Friedman is remembered and honored today at camp.  Tribute was paid all day in many ways.  Of course, we sang happy    birthday to Andy first thing this morning at breakfast.  Campers continued working on, and finishing, their Founder’s Day presents throughout the day.  Our Art and Woodshop teams have been working with our groups to gift camp with useful and memorable items.

Decked out in Robin Hoods, dinner began with a bang!  Literally, Chuck fired a cannon during flag lowering to get campers excited for the night.  As we began grace, our Saxons and Scribes came running through the dining hall, decked in Green and White.  The campers went crazy… was this the moment they’ve been waiting for?  Running and dancing through the dining hall, our oldest campers jumped on stage and chanted FAKE BREAK!  This was not it…

Group leaders and the “brass” served our camp family a delicious dinner of chicken kebabs, twice baked potatoes and corn on the cob.  Another stellar and delicious job by Yensi and his crew.  As dinner was ending, a storm warning was in effect.  Campers began to say that Green and White was breaking and that DC and Woody created the storm as a way to break color war!  This is how much they have Green and White on the brain.

We all headed up to the Chuck Illig Theater to celebrate and honor Andy and his band of merry men and women.  Tonight was a night to look back on the history of Camp Robin Hood and honor those milestone moments for campers and staff.  Gifts were presented to the camp and DC and Woody recognized campers and staff for different milestones.  Our first year campers receive a Robin Hood waterbottle.  DC mentioned the importance of this milestone in a camper’s life and how it often doesn’t get the attention it might deserve.  A first time camper, unsure of what Camp Robin Hood is truly about, has their life forever changed with one summer in The Realm.  That deserves to be acknowledged and celebrated.  We are so proud of those campers who have been given that recognition.  Our third year campers receive a Robin Hood banner and our fifth year campers receive a coveted five year shirt!  One of the biggest gifts of the night went to our 10 year campers and staff members.  10 years of commitment to this magical place and we are so happy that they continue to return home to The Realm year after year.

A HUGE shoutout to Steve Rupp, our Riflery Specialist, for his 25th year at Camp Robin Hood.  Steve is an integral part of the success at Robin Hood and is a model staff member.  He never asks for anything, is always on time, has what he needs, lets those who work under him, and the campers who come to his activity, shine above all else.  He is a true leader at Robin Hood and we look forward to many years ahead with him in our family.

Tonight we also recognized Chuck Illig’s 50th summer at Robin Hood.  He is the longest serving member in the history of Camp Robin Hood.  He embodies Camp Robin Hood and all that it stands for.  He loves the kids and the staff and has impacted thousands of campers and their families throughout the year.  He is humble and grateful and we are so lucky to have him in our lives.

A great night ended with all groups singing our goodnight song and bets on when Green and White would break…

Until tomorrow… Sweet Dreams from The Realm.

The Gang’s Back Together!

After a week of campers traveling around the New England area it is so nice to have everyone back at camp.  Sunday began with our lazy breakfast.  Tumblers, Jesters, TPJs and Squires all sat at our Saxon and Scribe tables and led the campers who had rolled into breakfast, at their leisure, in songs and cheers.  What a sight to see… our youngest campers are naturals!

The day was absolutely gorgeous… hot, sunny and filled with games and activities.  With half of the camp still out on excursion until dinner, the rest of camp took advantage of having all of their favorite activities at their disposal.  Girls who are heading to Camp Robindel for their annual tennis tournament were on the courts, Friars took part in a serious game of softball at the Homerun Diamond.  All groups in camp were able to ski, tube, wakeboard, sail, canoe, kayak or paddle board.  It was just tons of fun throughout the day.

By dinner, our Bows, Archers, Quills, Yeomen, Saxons and Scribes had all returned with smiles on their faces from their amazing trips!  The dining hall was in full swing with Saxons and Scribes leading cheers, campers dancing on benches, evening activities being planned, and of course, SUNDAY SUNDAES!!!!!

Boys camp decided to have group evening activities, with groups playing Danish Long Ball on the quad, kickball and gaga tournaments, camper hunts and more.  Girls camp hosted a campfire on the beach where three of our Scribe campers gave their “Scribe Speeches.”  A taste of what’s to come at the end of the summer, these three girls stood up and spoke about what camp has meant to them and gave advice to those campers looking up to them and thanks to those who have helped them along their journey at Robin Hood.  It was beautiful moment.  Years at camp have given them the confidence to write and present these intimate feelings they have and it’s amazing to see them share it with future generations of Scribes.

Tomorrow is a BIG day in The Realm!  It’s Andy Friedman’s birthday… Founder’s Day.  We will celebrate Andy’s life and reflect on the legacy of Camp Robin Hood that he’s left us that each one of our campers and counselors are a part of.  Groups will present gifts to the camp in honor of him and we will be reminded how lucky we are to be a part of something so special.  As the Scribes of 2015 so perfectly stated in their song…

2-0-1-5
Keeping Andy’s dream alive
Best Friends from the start,
We’ll never part,
Our love won’t fade…

Sweet Dreams from The Realm

Five Weeks and Going Strong

As I sit along the shore of Lake Ossipee watching our Bards enjoying a game of Greasy Watermelon with the sun setting, I can’t believe we’ve been here for five weeks already!  Our last two groups have set off on their excursions and by tomorrow evening the entire camp will be back in the dining hall.  One BIG HAPPY FAMILY!

Bows and Archers pulled out early this morning and set out in different directions, set to meet up shortly for an evening activity.  Bows headed to Whale’s Tale water park and had a beautiful, sunny day.  They enjoyed waterslides and wave pools, a lazy river and more.  With the chance of rain, we had to “THINK BLUE” and it worked!  The weather held up and they spent the whole day splashing around before heading to their campground to set up camp and cook dinner!

Archers headed off to Monkey Trunks in Weirs Beach for a morning of high ropes courses and adventure.  They headed out for a picnic lunch on Lake Winnipesaukee and went to Kellerhaus, an ice cream shop over 100 years old, for a cool treat.  After ice cream they headed for bowling and arcade games at FUNSPOT before heading ot their campground to cook dinner before their evening activity.  Both groups are meeting up for a drive-in movie tonight at one of the few New Hampshire Drive-In theaters.  Minions or Inside Out… we’ll have to wait for them to come home to know what they’ve decided.

Our Quills continued their trip by heading to Hampton Beach a day of relaxation before mini-golfing and heading to Prescott Park for an outdoor showing of Peter Pan, The Musical.   Yeomen went to Attitash Adventure and had the most incredible time.  A pizza lunch was brought in before finishing up with their mountain coasters, water slides, zip lines and alpine slides.  A dinner at Applebee’s before heading to an evening of mini-golf was a great way to end the day.

Camp is getting fuller every day with more groups returning home to The Realm.  The lake was a buzz with boat rides, sailing, paddle boarding and canoe/kayak and the fields are filling up with soccer and softball.   Open Tennis during third period and the woodshop and art shack are busy with Founder’s Day gifts being made.  All in all, it was a busy and productive day in and out of camp.  We can’t wait to see what tomorrow will bring.

Until tomorrow… Sweet Dreams from The Realm!

Another Day, Another Trip!

This week has been all about excursions and today is no exception.  First thing this morning, our Saxons and Scribes headed out to Cape Cod for a weekend of relaxation, surfing, and fun with friends.

Our Quills and Yeomen headed off on a two night, three-day excursion starting with the Quills heading to Attitash Mountain for a adventurous day of alpine sledding, mountain coasters, water slides, zip lines and more.  After a day on the mountain it was time to head to their campsite and make a delicious steak and baked potato dinner before heading out for ice cream!  Yeomen went Tandem Kayaking down the Saco River, headed to an indoor amusement park for laser tag and then set up camp before making their way to a drive-in movie for their evening activity.  Both groups have been checking in throughout the day with rave reviews of their time away from camp!

Our Junior Campers woke this morning to sunny skies and enjoyed a Robin Hood-esque feast at their campground.  Breakfast burritos, cereal, eggs and fruit were on the menu before heading out to Cranmore Aerial Park where kids enjoyed ropes courses throughout the day and a pizza lunch!  It’s amazing how adventurous our youngest campers are.  They were amazing and had the best time camping out and trying new things over the past two days.

Tomorrow our last two groups head out on their excursions.  Bows and Archers are in for a real treat when their vans leave before breakfast.  I’d tell you more, but you’ll just have to wait.

Senior camp is back in action with the return of our Bards and Friars.  Camp is getting fuller and by Sunday evening all groups will be in the dining hall for dinner.  We are so happy to see our campers bonding while traveling throughout New England and exploring new sights and adventures.  The last few weeks of camp are sure to be even more memorable because of it.

Until tomorrow… Sweet Dreams from The Realm.

Out of Camp Fun for Everyone

Four more groups headed out of camp today on their excursion. Tumblers, TPJ’s, Jesters and Squires all made their way out of camp for a day of fun and adventure. Our youngest campers went to Storyland! This amusement park is perfect for them! With interactive play stations, water rides, fairy tale characters and more, our campers had the so much fun.  Jesters and Squires headed out to Whale’s Tale water park, a perfect destination for them. With a lazy river, wave pool, splash pad, waterslides and more, they enjoyed a great afternoon of fun in the sun!

Just as the campers were heading out of their respective theme parks, the rain came pouring down. As they arrived at the campsite, it subsided and the campers enjoyed a fajita dinner before heading back out to see Minions at the local movie theater! Tomorrow is sure to be a great day for our Junior campers with a forecast of 82 degrees and “brilliant sunshine!”

Lancer and Arrow groups spent their last day of excursion deep sea fishing and tubing down the Saco River, respectively. They headed home after their day and both the boys and girls groups had an amazing time over the past three days! We are so happy they’re home safe and happy!

Friars and Bards went White Water Rafting today down the Deerfield River. Both groups enjoyed a nice dinner out and will head out tomorrow for their last day of excursion and will be home for dinner! We miss them and can’t wait for them to come home.

Camp continues with all activities available to those who are still in the Realm! Open range at archery, open courts at tennis and mountain biking trips allow for campers to choose some alternative activities besides what’s on their schedule.

Tomorrow we say goodbye to our Quills and Yeomen, as well as our Saxons and Scribes. We can’t wait to tell you what they’ll be up to in the upcoming days.

Until tomorrow… Sweet Dreams from The Realm