Hello, Elizaville!
The day is finally here. After waiting a long 10 months, campers put back on their green and white, experience the sights, smells and sounds of Scatico, and spend the next two months with their best friends (whether new, old, or both!). New campers are quick to inherit and embrace the traditions, spirit and relationships that make Scatico the camp we return to year after year.
Sophomore boys stop and pose on the road path!
Opening Campfires
The summer kicked off with one of Scatico’s oldest traditions: the opening campfire. Both boys and girls gathered around their respective campfire sites for a night filled with stories, games and music.
On girls side the oldest division, the Soopers, led the campers in a series of classic camp songs including “The Circle Game” and "The Year Song", creating a link between the oldest and newest Scaticonians. The Soopers also shared their favorite and funniest memories from their previous summers, generating plenty of excitement for younger campers as them imagined all the memories to come.
Soopers get ready to lead one of camp's biggest traditions, the Opening Campfire
The boys side opening campfire began with an introduction from Dave, making an official commencement of the summer. The campfire included classic Scatico games such as pillow-fights and fool-ball (pictured below) and also featured performances from music counselors Jamie Hamburg and Matt Heineman, concluding the night on a good note (no pun intended).
Boys Side circled around an intense game of Upper Hill Foolball
Campers of all ages light a candle during the campfire to make a wish.
The Beginnings of Scatico Traditions
While the summer has just begun, the first few days have already been filled with plenty of traditions, activities and FUN! On girls side, the inaugural evening activity is always "Songs", where Soopers teach each division a different camp favorite. Every division then goes on to perform their song in a "genre", ranging from robotic to hip/hop, and even opera style! The night ends with the teaching of the Alma Mater, which is sung every night at the end of evening activity.
On boys side, Twilight Leagues (T-Leagues), a competitive softball tournament played under the stars throughout the summer, began on Monday night. The Lower Hill also kicked off their own athletic competition: Soccer Leagues! (also played throughout the summer). Plus the Juniors and Inters participated in the first official Human Stratego game of the Summer 2017 season. The winner of multiple "What's Your Favorite Activity at Camp" surveys tabulated during the off-season, Human Stratego is a true boys side favorite.
Both boys and girls side also held Meet the Counselors night, where each division's and activity area's staff introduced themselves to the rest of the camp through some form of performance.
Divisional Snapshots: The Results Are IN!
We asked each division what they're most excited for this summer and their goals as a division. Their surprising (and not-so surprising) responses:
GIRLS SIDE
Sub girls play 9 square in the air, a new favorite activity on the Girls hill
The Jinters are excited... for camp sisters, learning about camp, and making friends. Their goal is to... get along as a division and overcome their fears of the lake!
The Inters are excited...to spend time with their division, for Tribes andColor War, and camp sisters! Their goal is... to write as many letters as possible that are at least 5 sentences (family and friends should be happy about this one!)
The Centers are excited... for Divisional Sing, Color War, and their Big Trip. Their goal is to... be kind to each other, encourage one another, and become closer as a division.
The Debs are excited... for Color War/Tribes, more flashlight time and Canteen nights (always beloved Upper Hill privileges), and exploring new activities and trying new things. Their goal is... to work together as a team.
The Subs are excited... for the Nat, Divisional sing, their Big Trip, and T-Leagues (a tradition added to Girls Side just last summer!). Their goal is... to win Divisional Sing (dream big!) and to become good role models for younger campers now that they are on upper hill.
The Seniors are excited... to be in 1 bunk, for their blind hike, and spending the summer with their best friends! Their goal is...to win Divisional Sing (competition is on!) and to become closer than ever.
The Soopers are excited...to lead camp in Tribes and Color War, go to Lake Placid, and (hopefully) win Divisional Sing. Their goal is...e to be great leaders, to leave a lasting impact on camp, and to cherish every day as campers.
BOYS SIDE
The Subs and Inters play basketball on the A Court
The Sophs are excited... to get to know each and every member of their division, for the big events of the summer (Boys & Girls NAT, DJ Pure, 4th of July, and Color War), and to "give it their best" in lots of activities that are new to them. Their goal is to... become an inclusive, kind and caring division that has the instinct and ability to look out for one another on a daily basis.
The Sub Juniors are excited... for Color War, Tournaments, College Bowl! Their goal is to...have the most fun that they can have this summer.
The Juniors are excited...for College Bowl (a recurring theme), capture the flag, Divisional Sing, Color War, Slamma Jamma, Hockey, and Slapball. Their goal is to... win Divisional Sing, have fun, hang with friends, and come out of the summer closer as a division.
The Inters are excited... for Color War, Slamma Jamma, their Big Trip, and Divisional Sing. Their goal is to... become even closer and to have the best summer yet.
The Sub-Seniors are excited...for Color War, Upper Hill socials, and Upper Hill T-league. Their goal is to... become tighter as a division and develop as a group all while celebrating the interests and ideas of every division member.
The Seniors are excited... for Color War, Rope Burn, and being one of the oldest divisions in camp. Their goal is... for everyone to feel comfortable in their own skin.
The Upper Seniors are excited for... Color War, T-League, and Lake Placid! Their goal is to...make the most of their last summer as campers and to make every day count.