Posted by: Birch Rock Camp

In the words of camper Zeviah H., today was about “skill, determination, and the power of friendship.” While reflecting on the day at dinner, his “quick quote” struck me as a perfect way to sum up the first day of activities for second session.

On skill – From the waterfront to the top of the hill, campers develop skills under the careful instruction of our dedicated staff. At the waterfront, our swim staff carefully evaluated each camper’s strokes to assign them to leveled groups for daily instructional swim. Over at campcraft, campers learned to wield knives and axes and stoke small fires. Beyond these hard skills, they learn to respect and appreciate the danger these tools present and come to use them with control and precision. Down the path at Nature, campers learn to identify native flora and fauna. Up the field, staff coach campers on the tennis court, the archery range, and the soccer pitch. They harness skills developed at home, teach new games, and instill a sense of purpose
and dedication to mastery. Skills at Birch Rock come not only from the twenty-odd activities we offer. They come from “Manner Meister” at the dinner table, from reading each Rest Period, and from introducing ourselves one-by-one in front of the whole camp.

On determination – For the first day of activities this session, an impressive number of badges were awarded to campers. On the field, Ben L. and Ryker W. earned their Williams (Junior Lacrosse) and Alden W. earned his Jr. Volleyball. Down at the waterfront, Louis A. earned his Otter (Junior Kayaking), eagerly flipping his boat over and demonstrating how to safely recover it. The blustering wind kept some kayakers off the water, and Eton M., Ewan D.,
and Luke H., decided to carry a kayak all the way from the lakeside to the top of the hill and back. Together these three trudged up the hill and back, earning a hearty applause from the crowd at dinner.

On the power of friendship: Friendship at camp is rooted in our motto “Help the Other Fellow.” With new campers arriving, our full session boys leapt into action to help them feel at home on our hillside. From learning to make beds “the Birch Rock way” with four hospital corners and a dust cover, to remembering to keep shirts tucked, and finding their way around camp, new campers all found friendship and comradery in their first day here at camp. Our tradition of highlighting a “super camper” every day reflects the power of friendship in our community and today’s recipient, new camper Ramdel R. has embodied this helpful and happy spirit in his first day at camp.

Best Bed: Oracle B.
Best Cabin: Dogpatch (Runner Up: Eagles Nest)
Super Camper: Ramdel R.