You know when you’re on vacation and everything is better when the sun is out? We have a 49 day vacation here at the Realm and today was a homerun! We started the day loading 29 Saxons and Scribes, 8 staff members and a nurse, into 3 vans at 6:45am. They were nervous to say the least. I told them this was the first step in their magical journey this summer. They are our oldest campers and the leaders of Robin Hood’s 88th summer.

Revile went off at 8:00am to sunny skies and warmer temps. The energy was electric as the kids were ready for a BIG day. This morning was our first day of intensives. We ran 4 speed boats and all our new KyPads were in full use. I love to sit and watch the waterfront in action. There’s music playing, kids laughing, all here without any screens!!! Imagine that?! I really believe that the ability to play and interact without screens is vital today. Since this is Day 3 of the summer – our kids have just started to adjust to walking around with their necks up. They walk and talk – not text. They engage with verbal skills and are creating new, life-long friendships. Overnight camp’s were created in the 1900’s to get kids out of the city and away from the disease that came with hot summer days. I believe that camp today serves even a bigger purpose – children need to disconnect and interact. They need to play outside in games that they make up. This morning at 7:15 – 20 junior camp boys were outside their bunks shooting hoops, swinging on swings and playing card games. All this happened under the eyes of our staff but the children were in charge – making up rules and dealing with issues. The way life used to be, the way life ought to be.

As the sun was shining in The Realm today, campers started their day in activities that they chose. Our intensives are designed to allow campers to focus on one specific activity for five days, an hour per day. They might choose a sport they are hoping to improve upon or try something completely new. The most important thing is that these kids are where they want to be. Tennis, Volleyball, Lacrosse, Field Hockey, Sailing, Drama, Fitness, Dance… the list goes on and on, and our campers were active and having fun.

As the day went on, double booking found both our Bows and Foresters at the Home Run Diamond. This is a very popular spot on camp as the girls were scheduled for a Softball clinic with Me and the boys were eager to work for a coveted spot on the Home Run Derby plaque. In true Robin Hood fashion, there was only one way to settle this conflict – with a good old-fashioned challenge. There, in the Gaga pit by the HR Diamond, the Bows challenged the Foresters to see who would, in fact, play on our softball field! The Bows, girls who have completed 5th Grade, put up quite a fight against our second oldest boys group! With the boys using their less dominant hand, the Bows showed that they are not a group to mess with. It was far from a blowout, as the Bows made it to a one on one final round where the Foresters took home the prize. It was like Day 3 of Green and White….

As we walked the bunk line tonight – I saw nothing but happy smiling faces. None bigger then ours….

Thank you so much for sharing your kids with us!
–Woody

Life is made of magical moments.  The key is recognizing them.  For when you do – and pause and take it in – it smells fragrant, looks dazzling, sounds musical and is beyond delicious.

Our job as camp directors is to make sure your children are safe.  Happy.  Active.  Inspired to try new things.  Excited to make new friends, and strengthen existing bonds.  But just as important in our mission is to move our campers to take it in.  Breathe in the fragrant pine.  Cherish a pink-tainted, purple and red sunset.  Dance to the dining hall cheers.  Relish a rainy day for the mud offers a different kind of fun.    Our mission is to encourage that pause.  That quiet moment where you honor and celebrate the magical moments in life, and in the summers – in the Realm.

The buses pulled in as Chuck dropped his hand down, bringing them to a halt while conversely catalyzing the start of what will be Chuck’s 50th summer as Head Counselor.

Kids sprinted off from states including Illinois, Ohio, Florida, California, New York, Massachusetts,  …. And then the vans pulled in bringing children from – as Dick would say  -“across the pond.”  We have campers from England, Japan, Italy, Spain, France and Kuwait.   (Please forgive me if I have left any states or countries off the list!)

Friends reunited, new members of the Robin Hood family were welcomed.  Staff led everyone to their cabins, and our summer began.

Dinner was alive.  Yensi and his staff made a spectacular pasta feast, complete with an overflowing salad bar and moist, delectable fudge brownies for dessert.

With a perfect temperature and blue skies, groups engulfed every corner of camp in lively evening activities.  The sound of children sings through our trees once again. As tradition would have it, DC, Woody and the Brass will make their way through the bunks to sing the Robin Hood goodnight song and wish everyone a good night’s sleep.

And that, my friends, will be yet another magical moment for us…

With gratitude and warm greetings from The Realm.