Today is Packing Day, the last full day of First Session, when our campers’ attention turns to packing their trunks and saying their goodbyes. Tonight we’ll enjoy a farewell dinner in the Lodge and time for dancing, singing, and reflecting on the past four weeks we’ve spent together. The end of the session always seems to arrive suddenly, but that’s only because the past few days have been filled with so many special and memorable events that have helped all of us bring closure to what has been a wonderful month at Camp.
Each color team chose a young camper as their mascot and practiced cheers and chants as a group.
On Thursday and Friday, the Nor’wester Olympic Games took center stage as everyone participated in our exuberant, color-themed closing ceremonies. Olympic Games competitions give our campers the chance to band together by color teams and to participate in unique challenges together. Campers from every unit were divided into Blue and Red teams, complete with team captains, team mascots, team cheers, and more.
The Blue Team dazzled the judges with their beautifully choreographed cheers.
Throughout the Games, special events filled our evenings. On the first night, the traditional Nor’wester salmon bake brought everyone down to the bluffs above the waterfront to enjoy a delicious salmon dinner. Some campers brought their cook kits – and some gathered driftwood from the beach to use as plates and serving platters. A few intrepid campers and staff even found extra long pieces of wood that they used to serve multiple people!
Waterfront activities are always a favorite element of Olympic Games.
After we’d eaten our fill of salmon, everyone headed up to the Lodge for Art Night, a special event hosted by the Craft Shop staff. This year’s Art Night theme was “Neon Rodeo,” and campers and staff attended dressed in their best cowboy/cowgirl/Western apparel. Fluorescent cacti, whimsical cows, and many bright signs decorated the Lodge, all created by our imaginative Craft Shop staff. Games, performance art, and activities gave us multiple opportunities to appreciate the many talents our campers have put to good use in the Craft Shop this session.
Olympic Games culminated on Friday evening with Banquet, team song performances, team captains’ speeches, and skits. Campers and staff donned their fanciest clothes and congregated in the Lodge for a delicious meal. Campers from the Islander and Wayfarer units served everyone, and they also facilitated the tradition of note passing that followed the meal.
Members of the Red Team performed impressively in the three-legged race!
At the end of the skit, the Blue Team was announced as this year’s Olympic Games winner. But as we joined arms and sang together “The Golden Day is Dying” one last time, we were reminded of the ties we have to one another, special ties that endure beyond competition – and beyond the end of camp. It’s hard to believe that our First Session campers will be leaving tomorrow morning, but all of us are confident that this summer will live on in our hearts well beyond the goodbyes we exchange for now.