First Days in the 12523...
After 10 months of counting down the days the 2015 camp season has finally begun! Once again there are cheers in the dining hall, races down the road path, games of catch on back campus, and the familiar sounds of camp friends playing on boys' and girls' campuses (with plenty of new voices added to the mix). Despite some 48 hours of cloudy skies and rain, kids have fallen into the rhythm of camp and summer 2015 at Scatico is in full swing! This summer, we will try our best to share some of the magic and a few highlights on our blog! Check for posts on Thursdays and Mondays.
A little of the old, a little of the new
The first few days of camp are always filled with long-time Scatico traditions that bring former campers back into the feel of things while welcoming new members to our summer family. Opening campfires, selecting camp sisters, swim tests, sports skills day, Twilight League, and Meet the Counselors are all crammed into our first 72 hours. Rain had the boys' campfire moved indoors to the social hall, but that didn't stop them from running fool ball and divisional pillow fights. On the girls' side the Soopers led a beautiful (and outdoor!) campfire at our newly renovated site, sharing their favorite Scatico memories.
Dave begins the boys opening campfire in the Social Hall.
Randy leads lower hill Fool Ball.
Soopers lead "Circle Game" at the girls' opening campfire.
Along with the familiarity of old traditions comes the excitement of all that is new! After decades of hearing about Twilight League, Tuesday night kicked off the first ever T- League on girls' side! Upper hill campers, staff and CITs were split into six teams to compete in volleyball, soccer, basketball and softball under the girls' athletic field lights, a new tradition that will occur at least once a week. Plus a new game, brought by first-time Senior DL Jamie Meyers, has taken girls' side by storm: Shake & Pop! Let's just say you have to see it to understand it, but girls can be found making dance circles to the shake & pop song whenever there is a moment of down time.
On boys' side camp's initial rainy days led to a full Lower Hill dodge ball tournament, but luckily there was still enough sun for the start of the 2015 Twilight League season on Monday night. Down at media, John Hickey is already busy making the first film of the summer: a hazards video with boys from all divisions that will be shown before the co-ed talent show on July 4th. And in what is sure to become a oft-utilized prop this summer, during outdoor adventure boys found a mysterious tiki doll in the woods (more details to come). They also spotted an enormous turtle all the way up on the boys' ball fields!
DIVISIONAL SNAPSHOTS
Boys' Side
Sophomores- Were the first division to enjoy cooking with Chef Ally, and made cheese puffs and granola. Plus they've started making clocks at wood shop!
Sub Juniors- Got pumped in an "epic" (DL Chase Madorsky's words) game of European Handball for a rainy day activity, ending in a score of 20-19.
Juniors- Had a highlight divisional activity with Spud, and kicked off the highly-anticipated Inter/ Junior Twilight League on Wednesday night.
Inters- Had a full bunk dance party lead by DL Ryan Kenny before they all slid down the golf course in the rain (it's never too early for mud sliding), plus started Twilight League with the Juniors on Wednesday.
Sub Seniors- Were hyped during a full division game of Slamma Jamma (a boys' side classic) and a lot of the division left on the boys' first tournament, playing basketball at Wahnee on Thursday.
Seniors- Were victorious on the first-ever intercamp of the summer, playing hockey against Berkshire Hills! Shout-outs to Brian Schindler with 4 goals, Simon Mandel with 3 and goalie Jared Simons!
Upper Seniors- Participated in a Scavenger Hunt with the Sophs and Sub Juniors, and have already gotten started on their haunted house for Carnival.
CITs- Enjoyed their first van night to Sal's (of course!) and have been hard at work helping counselor Nick Goodacre plan all of College Bowl.
Boys hanging out on the Mets side of the boys' HC.
Sub Juniors take a break from tennis.
Girls' Side
Jinters- Will be dressed in style this independence day after making hats in arts n crafts...Some jints have already signed up for singing and dance acts for our annual 4th of July talent show.
Inters- Had auditions and received their parts for the first show of the summer...the Lion King, to hit the Scatico Playhouse on July 11 along with the Centers!
Centers- Went on the first mystery ride of the camp season to go cherry picking followed by a pit stop to get ice cream at Holy Cow (where else?)! The cherries will be used in a secret recipe with Chef Ally.
Debs- Have been busy at cooking with Chef Ally, and made smoothies, guacamole and pancakes!
Subs- Left on the first hike Thursday morning, traveling to nearby Mohonk Reserve (also to be followed by ice cream).
Seniors- Were taught a new game by first-time British counselor Lucy called SPLAT!, which they have now spread to all of girls' side. It involves quick pointing and ducking and has become a division favorite.
Soopers- Somehow found time to all tryout for the Nat Basketball Tournament together between leading the opening campfire and Tribes breaking.
CITs- Have taken advantage of what is sure to become a popular tradition: an activity every afternoon for just them as a division. Games of SPUD and downhill tennis baseball have been bringing out the camper in them.
Jinters take a break on sports skills day.
Centers cherry picking on their blind hike.
College Bowl and Tribes
... Are on the horizon! Girls' Tribes broke during the "Meet the Counselor Talent Show" last night and the boys' College Bowl campfire is tonight. For first time parents Tribes is akin to Color War, except the girls' are split into four teams (red, yellow, blue, and green) and competition takes place once a week over the course of three weeks. For College Bowl the boys' participate in a full day of competition, and are also split into four teams.
Soopers whip out their gear the morning after Tribes breaks.