Tomorrow is our two week anniversary here at The Realm. It has been amazing watching all the kids grow together and form a common bond with each other and CRH.  What started as 16 different groups is now 16 families. Your children have all tried new adventures and accomplished many things, all while reaching heights they never thought possible.  That to me is the best part of the “sauce” here – we like to call it our “secret sauce”….

A few highlights of today and last night –

This morning I announced an optional Junior Camp mountain trip at breakfast.  Twenty-six kids ran up to the head table with giant smiles. All our campers from Yeoman and Quill down have now climbed a mountain and so we were finally able to offer an optional hike. Our Saxons and Scribes have climbed three mountains, totaling 11,000 feet to qualify for the Mt. Katahdin trip next week. To me, that is what camp should be about – taking advantage of our surroundings. Back to the Junior Camp trip – when the vans pulled back in after 6 hours the doors flew open and the kids burst out and ran to join their groups – they needed to get right back to work Robin Hood style!

Last night DC and I took the junior campers to the Sanford Mainers Game at the stadium in which Babe Ruth played his last professional game. The kids met and asked the players questions before the game. Listening to the chatter in the seats was so much fun for me. They were sharing stories of home and talking like brothers and sisters. When we reached the camp sign every van and bus broke out singing the camp alma mater. It was so sweet to hear and watch.

All day the theater was rocking with groups practicing dance rountines for the big show Saturday night. Boys and girls put everything they had into  the routines, working as one unit towards a common goal.  Boys who have never seen a dance are now producing them — I promise that you all can see them on PVD weekend!

Whether climbing a mountain or dancing in front of 450 people, our campers accomplish feats most kids aren’t able to do at home.

This place is magical, as it has been since 1927. I cannot thank you enough for sharing your children with us.

Sweet dreams from The Realm,

Woody