It has been a great first week.  In addition to getting around to the various activities at camp, units took the time to write their Unit Code of Conduct.  The Code is a list of guiding principles, created by the campers, that the unit will use in it’s interactions with each other.  They refer to this Code when issues arise within the Unit.  Below are excerpts from the various Codes.  The recurring theme is respect – a great foundation.

Archers (3/4th graders)

  • Respect our area and our forests
  • Be truthful – play by the rules
  • Always participate

Mariners (5th graders)

  • “knock, knock” before you enter a tipi
  • Laugh often and smile at others
  • Stick together in every sense of the word
  • Put forth your best effort

Vagabonds (6th graders)

  • Think before you speak
  • Recognize and appreciate differences
  • Encourage others and push yourself

Voyaguers (7th graders)

  • Re-evaluate judgements
  • Follow your own beat
  • Make a place for belonging

Wayfarers (8th graders)

  • No body image put-downs, camp is not about that
  • Respect ourselves, our unit, our counselors
  • Perseverance – give it your all
  • Be healthy

Troubadours (9th graders)

  • Be open minded – walk in others shoes
  • Set a good example for younger units
  • Keep it down at night
  • Be inclusive

Explorers (3/4th graders)

  • Respect sleeping people
  • Clean up after yourself
  • Pay attention to everyone and everything
  • Stay in seats at meals

Rangers (5th graders)

  • Ask before doing
  • Treat others like they’re the best person in the world
  • Make friends
  • Meet people from different places and walks of life

Pioneers (6th graders)

  • Everyone deserves to be listened to
  • Respect space, privacy and property
  • Respectful language
  • Assistant Unit Leaders – take your job seriously (campers rotate into a leadership position)

Foresters (7th graders – To be posted)

Islanders (8th graders)

  • Listening is often more important than speaking
  • The Unit comes first
  • Respect the staff and your fellow campers

Mountaineers (9/10 graders) – revised after further discussion

  • Be conscious of your actions and how they affect others
  • Be able to laugh at yourself
  • Embody the spirit and values of camp

Tomorrow we will be celebrating Independence Day.  In the morning Units will be making pies, building milk-carton boats, and preparing their booths for Carnival.  The afternoon will start with a 2 mile Fun Run around the property, some of us participating, the rest of us cheering!  Then it’s down to the waterfront for several all-camp activities, including canoe racing between the younger units and kayak races with the older campers.  Then we will launch the milk-carton boats from the waterfront float and hope for a bit of an off-shore breeze to bring them in.

Dinner will be picnic style featuring salmon BBQ’d down on the beach!  120 pounds of fish will be consumed along with potato salad, baked beans, etc.  Then it’s on to Carnival, where each Unit will host a different booth.  Not all the themes have been finalized as of this entry but the Mariners will have a Message Booth, the Pioneers will be Fortune Telling, Vagbonds will create Marker Tatoos and the Voyageurs will host a historic favorite, Apple on a String.  This is a very festive day and very tiring.  So breakfast on Wednesday will be an all-camp Sleep In.  No bells, no setting tables.  Just a buffet style breakfast that you can attend to not, dressed or in PJ’s, very informal.   The rest of the week will be regular activities, including the second overnight.
Time flies on Johns Island.  The end of the week brings us to the departure of our youngest campers!  The campfire Friday night will be in their honor.   Older units will prepare for their 5-day trips, going over gear, packing food, fitting bikes.

The Camp community is pretty small during the third week, with the youngest campers back home and oldest out of trips.  Check back next week to see what’s being planned.