Today is a “Sleep-In” breakfast – casual buffet, come in your pj’s or don’t come at all.  It was a busy July 4th (although it felt a bit like January 4th) and everyone is happy to get a few extras hours of sleep.

The day started with Pie Making, Milk Carton boat construction and Carnival booth building.  Each Unit made 2 pies of their own choice.  There were many with the Red/White/Blue theme, some baked- some not, and many variations of the ‘mud pie’, either in name or appearance.  There was no shortage of creativity.

Afternoon activities began with a Fun Run around the property, then down to the beach for Canoe and Kayak races.  Due to strong breezes the Canoe race was cancelled (younger campers are paddlers).  Then the Waterfront staff launched the Milk Carton boats.  With the strong easterly wind the boats actually MOVED.  There is some debate as to which Unit actually won – the Islander boat was the first to actually make shore, but the Woodsmen boat covered the greatest distance.  It may have ended up in Canada if it hadn’t been pulled from the water!   Dinner was a salmon bake with all the fixings – potato salad, baked beans, garlic bread and watermelon.  It was delicious.

Then it was off to Carnival!  Booth themes  included:  Life Advice (Mariners), Marriage (Rangers), Friendship Bracelets (Archers), Pet Rock Making (Vagabonds), and Face Painting (Foresters).   Pies awards were announced – pies were eaten.  The evening came to a close with the youngest units hearing stories told by Bill Holm at the craft shop and the older units watching the movie filmed at camp last summer.  As you can see, the Sleep-In breakfast today was well deserved.

Looking Back

We have been together for a week and it has been packed with activities.  After a day of orientation to all the departments as well as seeing our camp nurse, Units started their regular schedule last Wednesday.  Thursday everyone went out on the first overnight of the summer.  As is traditional, the weather was questionable and tarp shelters were the first thing to be constructed when Units arrived at their destination.  Some Units went off island – Troubadors and Islanders spent the night on Stuart Island, Mountaineers rowed Hunt canoes to Satellite Island and the Wayfarers hiked into the Helsell property on Orcas Island.  All the other Units stayed closer to home on Johns.  Fires were built, dinner cooked, songs sung, and Codes of Conduct (more later) worked on.  The anticipated rain did not materialize and everyone came back dry.

Part of our program is to have all Units develop a Code of Conduct during the first week.  This document becomes the guiding principles for the Unit during their time together.  Our staff write their own Code during staff training.  It helps everyone focus on the fact that sharing space and time together requires some thought and preparation.  Below are excerpts from the various Codes.

Explorer (9/10 year old boys)

  • Listen
  • Let others live
  • Only throw things at the waters edge, facing the water, with nobody in the water.

Woodsmen (9/10 year old boys)

  • Don’t leave the tipi before the wake-up bell
  • Respect each other’s belongings
  • No sticks higher than the waist

Rangers (11 year old boys)

  • Have a positive attitude
  • Everyone is equal
  • Encourage each other

Pioneers (12 year old boys)

  • Group goal – to create a strong community
  • Be nice and respectful to others and their wishes
  • Listen to others

Foresters (13 year old boys)

  • Follow the Golden Rule – for people and property
  • Listen the first time
  • Treat this island as if it’s the last island on earth – take pictures, leave footprints

Islanders (14 year old boys)

  • Be punctual
  • Respect the Unit
  • Don’t be a jerk

Mountaineers (15/16 year old boys)

  • Respect
  • Responsibility
  • Remodel

Archers (9/10 year old girls)

  • Being nice is contagious
  • The Golden Rule rules
  • Like ME for who I am

Mariners (11 year old girls)

  • No secrets about others
  • Let everyone in your tipi or no one
  • Accept everyone’s differences

Vagabonds (12 year old girls)

  • Venture out of your comfort zone
  • S’More smiles, please
  • New friends ROCK!

Voyageurs (13 year old girls)

From the 5-B’s:

  • Be Respectful – space, others, property
  • Be Nice – include
  • Be Honest – open, truthful

Wayfarers (14 year old girls)

  • Be open minded
  • Be a good friend
  • For every negative thing, think of 10 positive things

Troubadors (15/16 year old girls)

  • Branch out – reach a hand out
  • Share ideas without judgment
  • Talk it out – Walk it out

As we begin our second week Units are looking forward to a full schedule of activities.  The four oldest Units have made their selections for Big Trips (5-day coed trips during the 3rd week) and will find out which trips they are on by Wednesday.  Our youngest campers will be out and about, making the most of their last 5 days with us.  A campfire in their honor will be held Saturday night.

I’ll post again next week and get you caught up.