Independence Day is a big celebration here at camp, and the day was packed with all kinds of special activities and traditions. The fun kicked off at breakfast, when our kitchen staff treated us to fresh cinnamon rolls with frosting and red and blue berries on our plates. You know it’s Fourth of July when the food is red, white, and blue!
Following the meal, our camp directors announced the schedule for the day and encouraged us to reflect on the historical and cultural dichotomies represented in the song we’ve traditionally sung at camp on Independence Day morning, “This Land is Your Land,” which was originally written by Woody Guthrie as a satirical parody. We took a moment to consider the full lyrics of the song and the critique they contain before singing them. Our music staff then led us in singing “This Land is Your Land,” and we all formed a long parade line through the Lodge, down the steps, and onto the lawn below the flagpole.
One camper from each unit participated in our camp color guard and led the whole camp in the flag-raising ceremony.
Gathered below the Lodge steps, we watched as selected campers from each unit formed our camp color guard and presided over the raising of the colors. Once the flag was raised, we sang the national anthem together. Our color guard then retreated in unison to close the ceremony.
After the flag ceremony, it was time to move into morning activities. Campers were involved in all sorts of preparations, including face painting, pie baking, milk carton boat building, and sign and booth construction. It was a very busy morning full of color and laughter and fun!
Our campers created an amazing variety of delicious and creative pies during the morning’s pie baking activity.
In the afternoon, everyone gathered on Mission Point for the Fun Run. Participating in the run were campers in amazing outfits, three-legged racers – and seven-legged racers! – piggybackers, hammock-riders, and more. The one-mile long race brought out everyone’s excitement, runners and cheering squads alike. After the finish line, campers enjoyed a favorite post-race treat, fresh watermelon slices.
Enjoying fresh watermelon slices after the Fun Run is one of our favorite Fourth of July traditions.
Then it was time to head down to the waterfront for the canoe and kayak races and the milk carton boat regatta. The Pioneers captured the victory in the canoe race, and the Islanders came in first in the kayak race. And the fastest milk carton boat to reach shore was designed by the Forester unit. We cheered them all on from the beach, and afterwards everyone enjoyed some free time by the water (with some campers choosing to cool off by wading into the water, as well).
The whole camp cheered on the kayak and canoe racers!
We then returned to the Lodge for a delicious dinner and the distribution of the pie awards. Every unit received a special award for one of their baking creations, and we were very happy to celebrate with the winners – and taste their award-winning pies!
The last event of the day was Carnival, a perennial camper favorite. Each unit developed a unique theme for their booth and advertised with bright signs and catchy slogans. There were opportunities to dig for gold, go fishing, “get married,” have your palm read, be the “center of attention,” get your face painted, and more. Campers took the time to visit every booth, mingling and laughing together in the lengthening twilight.
The Explorer unit hosted a Western-themed booth at Carnival, complete with costumes and live banjo music!
As the light faded, it was time to clean up from Carnival and call it a night. Our campers took down their booths, did a sweep of Mission Point for lost and found objects, and then headed back to their units to wind down and get ready for bed.
All in all, it was a busy and wonderful day filled with creativity and excitement. There’s no better place to celebrate the Fourth than at camp!