We had another Fabulous Friday here in the Realm. Everyone stayed in camp today as we intentionally left it open in case we needed to switch our Beach Day due to rain.

All activity areas were buzzing. The ski boats ran non-stop, people were riding horses, making projects at arts and crafts, playing field sports and practicing for our annual show that will take place tomorrow evening in the theater… So You Think You Can Dance! I saw a few of them and they are spectacular! Stay tuned for pictures tomorrow night!

This evening we hosted the largest number of guests ever at our weekly Shabbat service. I love listening to the kids talk about what they are thankful for and reflecting on their week here at camp. The reflection will continue tomorrow as we celebrate Robin Hood Gives Back Day. We will listen to our guest speaker and then help raise money through various events here on camp and we will finish by making some gifts in Arts and Crafts to send to the children affiliated with her charity. I don’t want to give away the theme so I will stop here – you will read more about this in tomorrow’s edition of the Woodchuck. Until then – sweet dreams from the Realm.

Good evening from the Realm! Beach Day is fast approaching and the energy level hasn’t missed a beat.

This morning our two youngest boys groups experienced a mock Green & White break as the boys woke up early, were divided into two teams, and played and participated in various activities to gain their team points. As is Green & White tradition, the teams were silent during breakfast and a few campers were able to participate in a cracker eating contest in front of the entire camp. The teams played a team sport for the first period and then during the second period the teams split up and designed a flag that displayed their team names. Finally, both teams yelled a cheer during lunch while a few campers participated in a spelling bee and trivia contest in front of camp. It was a wonderful way to give the campers a taste and preview of the real Green & White experience which is right around the corner!

In other news, the Shires spent the afternoon go-karting and playing mini golf at Whitelake Speedway while the Foresters played a different mini golf course. Great afternoon of hanging out with friends off camp!

Sweet Dreams from The Realm

Greetings from the Realm!

Shire Group Leader played head coach today at our 13 & under and 15 & under in-house basketball tournament against Forest Acres. The Shires and Bards teamed up  and the energy on and off the court was absolutely contagious! Following a spirited pump-up filled with music and smiles, the girls took to the court to bring home a 22-18 win! Every girls camp group was in the audience cheering for the team with signs and, of course, classic Robin Hood-styled cheers and chants. It was quite the morning!

The rest of the day was filled with awesome activities and out-of-camp excursions: Scouts and Tumblers took their swimming tests down at the waterfront, the Quills played intense rounds of Gaga, Squires and Archers rallied on the tennis courts… we sent out campers of all ages on an optional mountain hike on Rattlesnake, and our Yeomen and Lancers had a crazy fun trip to play knockerball!!

Evening activities included scavenger hunts, pontoon boat rides during a gorgeous sunset, pajama jumping, backward scavenger hunts, and challenges between different groups — it was a gorgeous and fun-filled night. After sunset, camp began to wind down as we all headed to our cabins; the stars appeared, the air chilled, and once again we geared up for another wonderful day in the Realm…
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Sweet dreams from us all!
Julia Gilban-Cohen

Yesterday after a morning of intensives we sent our oldest boys and girls groups to a Sanford Mainers baseball game in Sanford, Maine. As usual, the campers enjoyed your typical baseball food as well as some good baseball on a Sunday evening.

While those groups enjoyed evening baseball, camp held its first annual 3k road race before dinner. Around 40 kids and staff members participated and we had a raucous and supportive crowd at the finish line! Congratulations to Archer Colton Stratman for winning the race! Next week, we will be sending many campers to the surrounding town of North Conway to participate in a 5k road race titled Tunnel to Towers. The race was created to honor the life of Stephen Siller, a New York City firefighter who lost his life on September 11, 2001. The race happens to fall on Robin Hood Gives Back day as we will spend the day thinking about and reflecting upon what it means to give back and to live a life of charity.

Girls Camp held its annual Secret Summer Sister (SSS) campfire where every girl in girls camp, including staff, chooses another girls name out of a hat secretly and then has a week to give them notes or presents. Then, next campfire each girl reveals who they had as a Secret Summer Sister.

Goodnight from the realm!