Camp Nor’wester celebrated a festive Fourth of July here on Johns Island, with all sorts of special activities and fun traditions (both old and new) to mark the occasion.
Staff and campers alike were delighted to enter the Lodge in the morning and sit down to a red, white, and blue breakfast: cinnamon rolls, yogurt, strawberries, and blueberries. After breakfast, Camp Director Sheila led us in reflecting on the holiday, acknowledging that a range of observance practices, including lament as well as celebration, are appropriate responses to this day. She encouraged everyone to reflect on the theme of America’s resiliency and what role each of us can play, using our American freedoms, in working towards building the kind of inclusive, equitable, and supportive nation we desire to see.
Campers and staff loved preparing ingredients and creating pies for the Fourth of July pie contest.
Following Sheila’s words and the singing of the national anthem, it was time to move into morning activities. Campers were involved in lots of preparations for the day, including pie baking, milk carton boat building, sign painting, and parade prep. After lunch, some campers and staff participated in a cross-country fun run while others cheered on the runners from the sidelines.
The cross-country run was an opportunity for campers to showcase their speed and endurance – and to cheer one another on!
The rest of the afternoon’s activities took place on the waterfront. One camper from each unit competed in canoe, kayak, and swim races, and campers launched their milk carton boats from the floating dock for the milk carton boat regatta. Units watched the races from their “bluff box seats” along the ridge above South Beach as they listened to live commentary from announcer (and head counselor) Claire broadcast over staff members’ walkie talkies. Breaks for face painting and watermelon slice concessions rounded out the afternoon.
Staff members pushed off their camper contestants at the start of the kayak race!
And then it was time for the first-ever Johns Island Fourth of July Parade! Conceived of and organized by staff member Milla, this event encouraged units to dress up, accessorize, and display their themes and “floats” for the whole camp. Every unit got an opportunity to parade in front of the others, followed by a few staff departments, 2021 graduates, and the Nor’wester dogs-and-baby population (the Independence Day “Dependents,” as they were designated by their sign). It was a creative new way to celebrate as an entire community – while cohorts remained safely distanced from one another.
Units created group “floats” to enter and display in the Independence Day parade.
Everyone gathered again at the Lodge for a delicious dinner of homemade pizza and crunchy veggies. And then it was time to announce the pie awards! Each unit received a unique award for the pies they had created, including “The Main Squeeze” award for the Archers’ citrus pie and “The Gimme S’more!” award for the Foresters’ s’mores pie. “Best in Show” went to the Troubadours, but all of the pies were delicious, as we found out when we dug into the delectable creations for dessert!
Assistant Director proudly paraded with Baby Riley, the winner of the Johns Island “Cutest Baby” contest!
It was an unforgettable Fourth of July here on Johns, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to celebrate and reflect together as a full camp community!