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From The Director’s Desk

Greetings from Freedom, NH and the end of a another warm, sunny and wonderful day in The Realm of Robin Hood.

We are winding down Day #5 and I feel like the more things change, the more they stay the same.

Camp is off to its usual energetic beginning – the dining hall is bursting with energy as the girls sing, the boys chant and everyone dances.  16 laps have been completed and our beautiful waterfront is in full gear.  The arts departments are busy and are the perfect activities after your children have participated in land sports or water activities.  One of my favorite things to witness in the first few days of camp are old friendships reuniting and new campers making friends and joining the CRH family.  A sense of belonging and community is an important part of the Robin Hood experience.  While we do have some homesick campers,  it is generally dissipating as they become more comfortable with their surroundings.

What has been interesting to observe is the evolution of our Intensives Program and individual instruction.  We are a traditional, general camp with a focus on independence, confidence and relationship building.  Over the past several summers, a few parents have asked us to help prepare their children for fall sports and/or extracurricular activities. From that came Intensives and then a few private lessons.  Today at rest hour, children were receiving private instruction in Field Hockey, Basketball, Soccer, Dance, Gymnastics, Volleyball and of course Tennis.  We had a camper working with our personal trainer, who also taught an abs class before dinner.  This afternoon, our children who play ice hockey at home attended an open skate in North Conway.

Although only a handful of campers participate in private instruction, I have never believed children need to stay home or attend specialty camps to prepare for fall sports or to improve in their chosen endeavors.

We thank you for sharing with us your fabulous children.  We are focussed and committed to making this summer safe, fun and one from which they will have lifelong memories.

Sweet dreams from The Realm,

DC

Intensives have Begun

Another beautiful day in The Realm. Camp was humming with the excitement generated by the first day of intensives. The tennis courts were bouncing, as were the basketball courts. Drama Heather had campers acting, singing and role playing in our theater! We had campers busy at arts and crafts with jewelry making and ceramics. The woodshop was alive with campers beginning their projects. This week we are also lucky to have a special activity offered – wood engraving and painting. The waterski department was flooded with enthusiastic skiers and boarders eager to improve their skills. Our campers have begun a week of commitment and fun!

The Jesters and Squires climbed two of the mountains in the White Mountain range. They were surely determined to get to the top as today was an especially hot day in New Hampshire! They were all happy when they got home and were ready to relax a bit!! The Archers spent their evening at the waterfront on our new water jungle gym bouncing and sliding and climbing the night away. The Saxons and Scribes spent the night preparing for our fourth of July carnival Our TPJs went on their first fishing expedition and managed to catch three fish – this will be a day to remember!

All in all, it was a hot but busy and gratifying day in The Realm. Our campers made sure to seize the day and make the most of all this magical place has to offer.

Sweet Dreams from The Realm,

The Brass

A Place Called Freedom

Traditions ….

We are all about history and traditions here at the Realm… For 89 summers children have escaped the cities and the pressure of the school year to a place called Freedom.

Today was filled with old traditions and new challenges for all our campers. A few HIGHLIGHTS-

This morning I challenged the Tumblers and TPJ’s to race up Green Mountain. We have opened the summer with this trip since the 70’s. Our littlest campers – some 50 strong – enjoyed the attention and the day spent with their personal sherpas, our oldest campers the Saxons and Scribes. I promised the winners ice cream and I can report that the girls beat the boys by 2 minutes! The girls however had 1/10 of a mile less to hike as they went up a different trail. We called it a tie and let both groups enjoy the homemade ice cream together. I can also report that the kids were so happy and proud of what they accomplished.

We also finished our 16 laps today at the waterfront – that swim test has been around for over 50 years. Today we were visited by an alumnus who was last at camp 51 years ago. His wife was so happy to finally put a face on the place after 40 years of stories. He told me in spite of all the new buildings the place feels the same. He said we have the trees, the pine needles and the greatest waterfront in the world. He remembered swimming his 16 laps years ago.

As we have done for many years the boys and girls had the first campfires of the season tonight. Boys camp has the Saxons and TPJ’s building the fire and introducing each other to the entire camp after spending the day hiking. Girls camp has a great tradition also – the scribes visit every bunk while linking arms. The girls join the parade while singing “If I had a Hammer” finishing the long walk at waterfront. It was a amazing sight as the new campers already 3 days into their first summer smiled and took in the special moment.

We are so lucky to spend our summers together at the Realm as tens of thousands of others have done before us. DC and I feel like Peter Pan every day. We have been blessed with the privilege of being the sherpas for all your kids. Thank you so much for sharing them with us.

Sweet dreams from the Realm,

Woody

Exquisite Beginning

Good morning from CRH!  It was a beautiful sunny start and our young campers  were up early  to take it all in.  Flag raising saw the assemblage of well over 300 campers and their staff ready to fly the red, white and blue as well as our new RH flag.  Then group by group we headed into the dining hall  for a breakfast of pancakes, sausage, oatmeal, delicious fresh fruit, and a variety of cereals.  We headed back to the bunks afterwards for cabin clean-up and to get ready for an action-packed day.

All groups made it to the waterfront at some point to attempt their 16 laps so they can take advantage of all the water sports including kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, water skiing, tubing and canoeing.  Other activities campers enjoyed today included arts and crafts, woodshop, soccer, basketball, baseball, gaga.

The Realm was filled with the sound of children playing and laughing and our camp was once again alive.  Now, the stars are bright and the air is crisp.  Reveille has played and the bunks are quiet.

Campers are undoubtedly having sweet dreams as we get ready for another magical day in The Realm.

Sweet dreams from The Realm,

Chuck

327

327: That was the number torn down in the dining hall in front of hundreds of screaming campers, overjoyed that the countdown since August 13, 2015 is officially over. We all know that every day in The Realm is beautiful, but today was exceptional. The sun shone down upon our campers as they ran into each other’s arms, caught up with old friends, made new friends, and marched into the dining hall hand in hand for dinner. We had the privilege of celebrating our first camp birthdays, accompanied by the parade around the dining hall and the Camp Robin Hood birthday song. This is a tradition I can remember from my first summer as a Tumbler of 1998. Robin Hood has always been steeped in tradition, and it’s amazing how whether it’s 327 days later or years later, we get such comfort from these traditions. 89: That is the number of summers that children have experienced the magic in the trees. We cannot wait for our first full day tomorrow.

Sweet dreams from The Realm,
Emily