Hi from the Realm! 

It was another hot one today, but that didn’t bother anybody. Kids were still out on the fields and in the lake all day. 

We are one day away from our parent’s visiting day, and we cannot wait to meet everyone! The kids are so excited to share their second home with you all. However, not everyone’s parents are able to come up to Freedom and see their kids. Nevertheless, we made it possible for all kids to be able to see and talk to their parents. Today we set up ipads all around the office, and kids whose parents aren’t able to attend visiting day were able to zoom into a call with their kids. The zoom calls were an excellent alternative for the kids whose parents are not coming, and we are so happy that it was such a success! Campers were walking out of the office with huge smiles on their faces after sharing some memories and stories with their families about their summer so far. 

It looks like it will be a fantastic day tomorrow for PVD. However, it will be hot and sweaty, so wear lots of sunscreen and drink a ton of water. We are so grateful and excited that parents visiting day has returned since our last one in 2019. We hope you are all as eager and excited as we are for you to come to this magical place.

See you tomorrow! 

Greetings from the Realm!

It has been a very hot and steamy last couple of days here in Freedom. The Saxons and Scribes (and I tagged along as well) got to escape and head to Ogunquit yesterday for some sun and surf…not to
mention some boardwalk fare. A great time was had by all! We came home last night to a dance in the barn. Our annual pickleball tournament is under way as is our Camper/Staff tennis tournament with many matches being played yesterday and today. Great traditions! But aren’t they all.

We cannot wait to see everyone Saturday for PVD. We have a lot to share with you including memories of the summer so far, accomplishments, A&C projects, new friends, our new pickleball courts and our new whiffleball field. Also be on the lookout for our new “little free libraries”. We have partnered with that company to provide a service for our campers to have a book exchange. We stocked them with books we thought everyone would like including over 40 Newberry Award books. There is one on boys’ camp and one on girls’ camp. Saturday is truly going to be a great day! Many of you have not been here in a couple years and even more of you have not been here at all for a PVD. Make sure to stop and say hi.

Finally getting a little rain this afternoon. The grass certainly needs it, but it doesn’t slow us down. Only good weather from here on out. As Dick Roberts would say, “Think Blue!”

See you soon

It was a hot one today! The temperatures were in the 90’s, a perfect beach day. So off went the
Saxons and Scribes to Ogunquit, Maine. I got reports of a giant game of Spud on the beach
followed by ice cream. They did get a chance to cool off in the ocean. The water temperature
was 57 degrees! Still lots of campers managed to swim and body surf in the ocean, while a good
many relaxed on the sand.

And enjoying Minions: The Rise of Gru movie in an air-conditioned movie theater were the
Yeoman, Shires and Foresters.
The Bows went on pontoons all morning to their delight, while the Archers went on a couple of
pontoons to the main lake where they played and swam at a sandbar most of the afternoon in
the shadows of Mount Chocorua.

A group of boys in the Yeoman and Lancers climbed Mount Sentinel with a spectacular view
from the top. This was a challenging hike and we were so proud of our hikers. The boys
couldn’t wait to get back to camp and jump in the lake!
This evening, we have a DJ dance party with lots of themes. Each group is coming dressed in
their costumes and this place is rockin! Campers will certainly sleep well tonight!

Sweet Dreams from the Realm.

We finally got the rain we needed yesterday and today we sent out our Quills and Bards to Ogunquit for a gorgeous beach day today! We had a most honorable judge visit today with his family and while giving them the tour, it was so amazing to walk around watching all the action on camp. Sailboats flying across the bay, paddleboards, canoes and peddle boats both racing about and some just lazing on the water enjoying the sun. Our water skiers, wake boarders, knee boarders and new banana boat tubers were holding on with pure joy in Lake Ossipee.
The Shires played an intense game of ultimate frisbee – they seemed to be getting ready for Green and White. The Saxons played a great game of volleyball, while the Tumblers tried to mimic last night’s home run derby at the Blitzball field. Dingers were going out left and right!
The Archers were competing on the pickleball courts like they are ready for the US Open! At the homerun diamond, the Arrows and Lancers (at different times) were playing great softball games. As usual, the Yeoman were on the basketball and volleyball court playing like crazy. At the waterfront, the Jugglers were playing waterpolo while the TP’s were bouncing on the
trampoline at Senior Waterfront. Though it was hot, the tennis courts were still very busy today with both clinics and competition (it’s tournament time). There are some new targets up at Archery including a baseball target and a balloon on the turkey which one of the Jester’s popped!
As parents will be coming this weekend, campers have been very excited to introduce them to their counselors and group leaders. There are projects being completed in the woodshop and arts department and lots of goals being met all over camp.
As the sun sets again on Robin Hood, know that kids are happy, exhausted and can’t wait for tomorrow. Sweet Dreams from the Realm.

What a few days it has been up here! Two nights ago for the first time in a long while I went to the West End basketball game with our 15U team. This team is very special to me. A few of the players’ fathers were my campers who I coached 37 years ago at the same camp. Going back to our arch rival’s home court brought back memories for me – both good and bad. CRH has taken its licks in this often one sided rivalry. But our boys came to play and after a few minutes of nerves we won by 40 points. Watching their campers scream and yell brought me back to the first must see West House game in 1984. We made it to the finals – in spite of my coaching and after a call to Director John Klein and Program Director David Solomon who is now my partner and camp co- owner. The entire senior camp arrived to cheer us on in the finals. They barged through the door in the middle of warm ups and help cheer our boys to a win I will never forget.

Today at camp we had some much needed rain that lasted from lunch until bedtime. We were still able to send 2 groups to the beach and 3 groups to the movies this morning. This is our first more than 10 minute sprinkle since camp started. That’s great news for our campers but awful news for our grass. You will see for yourselves this Saturday. Today’s rain allowed us to relax this afternoon. Of course as only we can at camp – the afternoon was filled with ping pong tournaments/indoor movies and outdoor games on our athletic fields. Dinner tonight was a giant dance party in the dining hall.

Our four oldest groups just left for the bowling alley we have rented twice a week since pre-camp. We are getting the kids and staff out of camp but in a controlled environment. We rent the entire movie theater before they open to the public for a 9am screening. Beach days are now 2 groups at a time unlike past summers where the entire camp went at once. We also test every employee of the other establishments we rent out. It has gotten the kids a much needed sense of the old days while allowing our staff, who we chauffeur in our vans, to also control their days and nights off. This summer has been about taking our foot off the brakes a little while testing enough to allow me to sleep at night.

Without sounding political after having the Governor at the Realm last Friday I follow Ronald Reagan’s great quote – “Trust but verify …..”

See you all Saturday for the first visiting day since 2019….

Woody