Posted by: Logan Landry

Today’s blog follows one of the four “cores” of Birch Rock, the containers of camp energy. The core awoke with the first bell, and glided over the serene, still morning air directly over the lodge. From its overhead perspective, it witnessed campers eagerly checking the bulletin board for any updates to the crossword, world cup scores, and weather. Staff were quickly grabbing coffee and heading back out to chat with the campers about their nights. “How were rounds?”, “Did you sleep well?” Just a few of the questions that floated up into the core’s area of awareness as it took in the bright sun. The core witnessed some delicious breakfast casserole being scooped onto plates, and announcements and clapping that followed the meal. The energy from the lodge invigorated the core, and it felt ready to take on the day.

In the morning, the core drifted between the field and the waterfront. It witnessed Simon M. getting his Deckhand badge, and Eton M. getting his GOB (General Ordinance Boating, the Jr. Boating badge), before following Julian M. from all the way across the lake back to the docks, earning him his Duck. On the field, the core saw the sweat pouring from Marshall B. as he earned his Hobart, the Sr. Lacrosse badge. At first rest, the core shuttered its awareness and took a well deserved break, gently feeding on the positive energy emanating from its protectorate. 

In the afternoon, the core smelled the Moistmakers (turkey sandwich with stuffing and cranberry sauce) on the campers plates, and saw through the campers eyes as Kenny and Luis engaged in an epic round of shadowboxing.

The core took particular note of the tennis court, where three campers, James W, Alex B, and Nevin R all earned their Jr. Tennis badges followed them up and down the driveway for their hill sprints. The core could feel the intensity of these campers and the effort they were putting in to succeed. 

Suddenly, the core felt a disturbance. A trial was afoot. The BRC Court opened with its first case, Hilton V. Dogpatch, an attempt to restore justice from the truck-related brutality that was done under the guise of the “Midnight Phantom”. A jury was assembled, oaths were sworn, and the Honorable Judge Luis Galvez took the bench. In the end, through undeniable evidence, the core (and camp) was convinced that it was in fact Gustavo F. and Bandy D. working together to impersonate the Midnight Phantom and wreak havoc on the Hiltonites trunks. Arrests were made, Mirandas were read, and the core could feel peace returning across campus as justice was restored. 

After a dinner of meatloaf, the core could feel its brethren converging on Birch Rock. What was once split in four, now become one singular, electric, energy pulsing up on the field. Tim Ferraina took to the crowd, wildly chanting his name, dealing high five like his life depending on it, and channeled the energy of all the cores to announce tonight’s evening activity – FOUR CORE! The crowd exploded, all four cores descending from the ethereal plane to ignite a night of overwhelming fun and foolishness upon the Sanderson field. 

The core finished the game, felt the vibrations of a hearty “Hit the Hay”, and ascended back into the atmosphere to witness another Birch Rock day tomorrow.

Best Bed – Ollie B

Best Cabin – Cabin 8

Supercamper – Bandy D