Posted by: Logan Landry

Morning Hustle & Flagpole

DING! DING! DING! DING!

Wake up. Roll out of bed. You pull on a long-sleeve shirt to fend off the morning chill, and slide into close-toed shoes to keep you upright as you stumble toward the lodge, still half-asleep.

At the coffee station, counselors are already fueling up. Over at the gaga pit, early-bird campers are already chasing the ball. It’s the calm before the storm.

We gather at the flagpole. Salute… At ease. Today is Fort Day for inspection, and the morning air is crisp, carrying a beautiful, rebounding echo across the campus:

“Birch Rock, let’s eat!”

Inside, we’re greeted by Eddy’s legendary taco omelets with papas fritas. Morning announcements blast through the room. Let’s go!

The Fort Build & Morning Activities

The mission: Build the ultimate fort. The demand is high, the resources scarce:

  • Need more blankets.
  • Need more push pins.
  • Need more bed frames.
  • Need more forts!

Meanwhile, the rest of the camp is a bustling hive of activity. Bikers are biking, archers are shooting, and badges are flying. But today, everyone signs up for swimming. It’s Friday, which means the Relay Race—a theater of serious competition and ultimate glory for the victorious teams.

Then comes free time: Magic: The Gathering duels on the porch and general swim in the lake. Water is splashing everywhere until the whistle blows:

“Buddy up! 1… 2… 3… 4… 5… 6… 7. SWIM WITH YOUR BUDDY!”

Everyone is accounted for. Safety first, always.

Pizza, Rest, & Masterpiece Engineering

DING DING… DING DING…

  • 15 minutes to rest period.
  • 10 minutes to rest period.
  • 5 minutes to rest period.
  • 2 minutes…

Rest period. Suddenly, all is quiet. The gentle rustle of book pages turning. The distant sound of counselors snoring. A collective moment to breathe and reflect.

Then… LUUUNNNCCCHHH! It’s Pizza Friday—the undisputed favorite day of the week.

  • Going up for seconds.
  • Going up for thirds.
  • No more pizza. (Cue the dramatic tears).

Lunch announcements hit, and the energy is palpable. Everyone is hyped.

Now, it’s time for a second cleanup and a chance to perfect those forts. We’re talkin’ next-level engineering: making a drawbridge out of a mattress and some rope, and building secret rooms. We made them awesome.

Afternoon Re-Up & The Big Prep

The afternoon flies by with more activities. Kayakers are kayaking, canoers are canoeing, and everyone is putting in the work.

To reward the grind? Snack time. Orange Creamsicles. Zingy, creamy goodness on a stick. Recharged and refreshed, we’re ready to push through the rest of the day.

But as the sun starts to dip, whispers of “the dance” begin to spread. In the wash house, the upper campers are shaving. Out come the clean khakis and the crisp Birch Rock tees. Campers are quietly practicing their dance moves in the mirrors.

But first: dinner. Italian sausage nestled in the fluffiest buns. Condiments are squirting everywhere—watch out! Don’t get mustard on that clean uniform. Eat quick, because the vans are already assembling at the bottom of the driveway.

A final splash of deodorant, a last-minute tooth brushing, and we’re piling into the vans. Destination: The Arcadia Garden Party.

The Dance vs. The Safari

In the vans, the music is bumping and the vibes are meticulously curated. Still, a few nervous butterflies flutter among the campers. Calm down, boys. You got this.

Meanwhile, back at camp, Lower Camp is embarking on a legendary Safari Tour. What, no way?! Yes, way. Counselors are dressed up as wild animals, making wacky noises in the woods. Roars of laughter echo all the way across the lake.

Back at the Arcadia Garden Party, the night is winding down. The DJ plays Stairway to Heaven for the final slow dance. If you’re going to do a shirt swap, you’d better do it now.

Lights Out

We pile back into the vans, recounting every single hilarious, awesome moment of the dance on the ride home.

By the time we arrive, Lower Camp is already fast asleep. The upper campers creep quietly back to their cabins, slipping into their sleeping bags.

Time for bed. Lights out. Just the sound of whispering rounds, heavy eyelids, and campers falling asleep—already dreaming of doing it all over again tomorrow.

Goodnight, Birch Rock.