Camp celebrated Island Fair Day on Monday!

Three campers wearing masks cut up vegetables on a cutting board atop a red table

Campers prepared delicious pies in the Lodge on Island Fair Day.

Staff and campers alike were delighted to enter the Lodge in the morning and sit down to a special breakfast: cinnamon rolls, yogurt, strawberries, and blueberries. Then 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.

A large group of campers runs past a tipi and a brown building in the background

The Fun Run drew swift participants from every unit!

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) Casey broadcast over staff members’ walkie talkies. Breaks for face painting and watermelon slice concessions rounded out the afternoon.

Campers wearing orange life jackets and holding paddles are pushed off in canoes by staff members

Proud staff members pushed off their camper paddlers for the canoe race during the Island Fair regatta.

Everyone gathered again at the Lodge for a delicious dinner of homemade pizza and 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 “Lime Time” award for the Rangers’ key lime pie! “Best in Show” went to the Vagabonds for their pumpkin pie. All of the pies were delicious, as we found out when we dug into the delectable creations for dessert!

Campers wearing masks and orange life jackets smile as they hold up boats made out of milk cartons, sticks, and plastic bags

Our milk carton boat launchers beamed as they approached the starting line with their vessels.

And then it was time for the Island Fair Day Parade! 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. It was a creative new way to celebrate as an entire community – while cohorts remained safely distanced from one another.

Campers and staff wearing masks carry cardboard signs in a parade line

Creative floats celebrated both units and individuals like Johns Island’s “Compost King” (staff member Shea) during the parade.

It was a fun and festive Island Fair Day here on Johns, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to celebrate together as a full camp community!

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