Excitement in Elizaville
Now that we are officially into our second week, Scaticonians are back in the swing of things in the 12523. While the opening ceremonies and rituals may be in the rearview mirror, the activities, memories and excitement have only just begun.
The Juniors are all smiles during soccer.
On boys side, campers participated in a “So You Think You Know Your DL,” trivia night, where each division was asked miscellaneous questions about their division leaders to see who knew the ins and outs of their group leaders best. Major props to the Upper Seniors for stealing 1st place! Beyond the kickoff of Soccer Leagues and Upper Hill T-Leagues, the Juniors and Inters also started their Hoops League competition, and the Sophomores began a T-league of their own (for those not already in the know, the "T" in T-League stands for Twilight, as the games are played under the lights of the boys' ballfields just after the sun has gone down. A truly magical camp experience.)
On girls side, lower hill campers chose their camp sisters, an older camper whom they can rely on and bond with over the course of the summer. Girl campers celebrated their new “sisterhood” with a series of evening activities, including one epic “sing-off” and an evening of salmagundi (essentially a rotation of classic games from Musical Chairs to Freeze Dance), led by the CITs.
Friday Night Lights (kinda)
Boys and girls side both had their first Friday Night Services, a weekly camp tradition that emphasizes life lessons, friendship, sportsmanship, and all the key values of camp. Boys and girls conduct their services slightly differently, with the boys gathering on the bleachers down by the waterfront and listening to a "sermon" from one member of boys side (it rotates weekly) who has a meaningful message to share. For the first service, Sophomore DL Alan O'Neill (a second-year counselor from Ireland, and teacher in the off-season) spoke of his childhood experience getting cut from his soccer team (after being told he was too short), only to learn resilience, make the best of a bad situation, and play in recreational league later in life. Director David Fleischner also shared a few words, before presenting a special new item for the Boys' HC Porch: Mariano Rivera's chair from the Yankee Locker room (a gift to Dave by his own camp friend and Scatico alum Doug Herzog).
On girls side, services are lead by a different division each week, with bunkmates working together to figure out the lesson, reflection or takeaway they want to share with the rest of camp. Gathering on girls back campus, the Soopers kicked off the first service, each sharing a memory of when they first knew that Camp Scatico "was home"-- a message particularly appreciated by first-year campers. Girls services also always conclude with the distribution of several awards. Shoutout to the Soopers for winning this week's Friends Plaque-- handed out to the division that demonstrates the most unity and respect-- and to Tori Madison (Jinter) and Lara Tolstoi (Deb) for nabbing this week's Sportsmanship Awards-- given to one Upper Hill and one Lower Hill camper who best exemplify Scatico’s most important values.
Let the games begin!
On the morning of Sunday, July 2nd, Tribes (a mini version of Color War, and with four teams instead of two) broke on girls side when donuts with red, green, yellow and blue frosting were handed out at the end of breakfast. After waiting a long eight days, campers were so excited to finally find out their teams and begin what will be a thrilling next couple of weeks competing in everything from songs, to athletics, and arts projects.
The Big Chiefs-- four counselors that act as judges during Tribes-- strike a pose after a successful Tribes break!
The very same day, College Bowl began on boys side. A series of high-spirited competitive events where boys of all ages compete in sports and mind games alike, with highlights including a full-camp knock-out, an egg toss, and an intense game of capture the flag. The four teams (the same every year) are USC, UCLA, Ohio State, and the University of Michigan... stay tuned for updates from the College Bowl campfire, scheduled for Friday!
Lower Hill boys play an intense game of dodgeball for College Bowl
Divisional Snapshots
Girls Side
Good "clean" fun! Jinters pose outside ceramics.
Debs stop for lunch at Sunset Rock!
The Jinters headed out to the Milbrook Trail at the scenic Mohonk Preserve for a hike which was filled with tons of rock climbing and singing. In the campers own words it was, “fun, high, rocky, and exciting"... The Inters tried out a new and fun divisional activity in which they played backyard games, including 9 square in the air, a jumbo Connect-4, Ladder-ball, and corn-hole, on Back Campus... The Centers went on an intercamp at Kenwood, playing a wide range of games including softball, volleyball, basketball and soccer! ... The Debs and Subs also went out on their hikes, the Debs to Sunset Rock at the Catskill State Park, which led them to a beautiful view of the water... and the Subs to Bonticou Crag, also at Mohonk Preserve... The Seniors kicked off College Leagues (a series of competitive evening activities), which gives them an opportunity to experience and practice their leadership skills before their Sooper summer. They also played an intense game of flag football against the Soopers, in which they came back to tie it in the final seconds of the game!!... The Soopers went on a divisional soccer tournament to Wah-nee, and although they lost, they enthusiastically celebrated the lone goal by Emma Rosh and had a blast!... The CITs hosted not one, but two evening activities!
Boys Side
The Sophs have a moment with nature, at the Sunset Trail lookout behind the boys ball fields
A little rain can't get us down! The Inter boys have fun in the mud!
The Sophomores set up an 18 ft Slip-n-Slide for an evening activity; they used a hose and dish soap, and described the activity as "great fun"... The Sub-Juniors went on their hike to Widow Jane Mine, a first-time hike for Scatico, where they explored an abandoned mine that was "very cool"... The Juniors also set off on a really great hike to Inspiration Point at Catskill State Park .... The Inters kicked off on all of their sports leagues: soccer, basketball, and T-League... The Sub-Seniors went hard at hockey, resulting in an intense last minute goal/buzzer beater... The Seniors enjoyed a baseball tournament at Kenmont as well as a series of unique activities, including Euro Handball and a simulation of an NFL Combine!...The Upper Seniors enjoyed a spirited game of Sumo Wrestling (complete with outfits) and are eager to lead College Bowl... The CITs had their first van night of the summer- hitting Rollin Lanes for bowling!
Stay tuned for next week's blog post, which will feature highlights from the always-incredible 4th of July Talent show, Tribal and College Bowl Campfires, and more!