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Category Archives: Summer Camp Report

“The Talk”

Heading into our last week at camp, it is time we had “the talk.” The topic is: Camp Sickness. Yes, it is true. We warn you the majority of your campers will surely exhibit symptoms of this Realm-old illness. Watch signs include: crying, sad demeanor, loss of appetite, and random dancing at meals. While we assure you the symptoms will dissipate, a sure-fire cure is to encourage your camper to stay in touch with their camp family. We have emailed you the 2012 Camp Directory already (and it can also be found online under “Forms and Documents” on your CampMinder Account).  However, the best medicine of all is to enroll your camper for Summer 2013!

Sweet dreams from the Realm.

Summer Camp Report – Big Awards

While all our campers are stars, we do recognize a few campers with what we refer to as our “Big Awards.”

Here is the list of awards and winners for summer 2011:

Service:
Adam Szewczyk
Alex Bloch
Cielle McDermid

Sportsmanship:
Samantha Milstein
Marjorie Kozloff
William Smiles
Grant Wasserman

Big Bowl (person who lights up the room):
Jake Sherman
Natalie Zimmerman

Cup (Master Camper/Master Ladies and Gentleman):
Callan Goldman
Lily Napach
Matthew Podl

The list of Specialty Awards (best in camp and most improved) will be posted in tomorrow’s WoodChuck …

Sweet dreams from the Realm.

Summer Camp Report – Founder’s Day

As the weekend comes to an end, I want to share some special moments from last night, today and tonight.

Last night’s special memory:
Campers and staff arrived to the Playhouse last night for Song Night wearing two shirts. Their team color shirt was on the outside, the other color shirt was worn underneath. Why, you ask? Because as soon as the score was announced, the shirts came off, and colors no longer defined nor divided us.

This morning’s memory:
One of my favorite Green and White traditions is the burying of the hatchets. When captains pick their jellybean, and the team’s color is established, Color War Tzar Dick Roberts hands each captain the hatchet the color of the opposing team. Once the war ends, a notch is cut into the winning team’s hatchet, they are exchanged and buried. Literally. Each group captain assists with the process by throwing in a shovel-full of dirt.

Tonight’s memory:
This evening we celebrated our founder Andy Friedman’s birthday. As is tradition, on this special “Founder’s Day,” each group presents a gift to camp, and the administration honors first-year campers, third-year campers and staff, five-year campers and staff, ten-year campers and staff; and, tonight we paid tribute to a staff member celebrating twenty years in the Realm, Executive Chef Nicky Boehm.

In life, we believe it’s important to remember and honor your roots. Founder’s Night insures that we all take a moment to pause and give thanks to the man who made Robin Hood a reality.

It is also important to celebrate people’s commitment and love to a place we all cherish. It is these long-standing relationships that continue the legacy. From generation to generation, our culture and traditions remain steadfast. Nicky embodies Robin Hood. She got married in The Realm, raised her son Kris here, and adapted her cooking as times and facilities changed. Nicky has served we estimate over 15,000 people in her tenure. That’s a lot of bellies she has filled – not just with food, but with love. Thank you Nicky for your exquisite culinary skills, your fantastic leadership, and your devotion to the Realm.

After a “lazy morning”, a relatively quiet afternoon, team cookouts (steaks for the White Team; burgers and dogs for the Green Team), the day finished early and we look forward to a wonderful night’s sleep with perfectly cool temperatures.

Sweet dreams from the Realm.

Summer Camp Report – Day Six in the Realm

Our 15 & Under Boys Basketball Team was at the court this morning at 7:30am preparing for our big rival game tomorrow night against West End. The first of two games this summer will be played in “The House,” which is what West End is referred to. All of senior camp will be there cheering on our boys!

After breakfast, three camps came into Robin Hood for a Girls 15 & Under Basketball Tournament. All the courts were in play all day, and three Robin Hood teams were represented in the tournament. Our Saxons and Scribes greeted the guest players, and helped with scoring and refereeing the games. It was a seamless tournament and all the girls played with terrific heart and soul.

The Archers left mid-morning for a climb up Chocorua via the Chapney Falls Trail. After their climb and a picnic lunch, the boys enjoyed a special outing to Ben & Jerry’s to celebrate one of the camper’s birthdays. The group set-up camp outside of North Conway and cooked a hearty dinner over their campfire. We look forward to seeing the boys back in the Realm after breakfast tomorrow.

Squires also enjoyed a day and night in the White Mountain region, leaving camp early this afternoon for a mountain trip and sleepover. These boys climbed Baldface around Emerald Pool, and then headed to their campsite for dinner and sleeping. The group was really excited for their adventure!

At the Robin Hood Stables our riders enjoy both riding and stable management. They help with grooming and feeding the horses, and of course enjoy riding our furry friends. When our horseback riders return to camp, one of the first places they go is to the Stables to see which of their equine friends have returned. Returning this summer are Blue, JD, Gidget, Joey and Lily. New to the Realm this year are Spirit, Rudy, Davinci, Roxy and Aztec.

Those of us in camp tonight enjoyed Nicky’s BBQ chicken dinner, with fresh corn on the cob, homemade potato salad, coleslaw and cornbread. Our vegetarians enjoyed amazing stuffed portabella mushrooms and BBQ Kale! Thanks, Nicky for a delicious finish to the day.

Wishing you all sweet dreams from the Realm.