A lot can happen in a week…
We frequently marvel at the quality of time at Scatico, and it is perhaps at its most surreal in this first (and in the last) week of camp. Parked cars lining the driving range, and email exchanges about van pick up times, feel like a distant memory. New campers who, in those first 24 hours, looked puzzled at statements like, “We’ll go after free play,” or “Check the HC,” now confidently navigate campus, familiar with the rhythms and routines of Scatico life. Returning campers, a mix of enthusiasm and nerves on Opening Day, start to feel the distance (emotional, physical) of the past 10 months, shrink and shrink.
Among many things— a week of bonding, time-honored traditions, acclimation, first activities, new friends— the first week of camp is also something of a digital detox, and entry into the world of the great outdoors. Just one moment from this first week that embodies the transition…
On Monday night, which happened to be the first Canteen night for Upper Hill (Deb girls/ Inter boys and up for those new to Scatico), Elizaville (and its surrounding area) lost power for about 2 hours. Down in the office, we noticed immediately. Lights flickered, computer screens went black. Walking out onto the Main House porch, and looking up on the girls Athletic Fields— where a series of co-ed and divisional evening activities were taking place (jump rope, soccer, volleyball)— it was clear… campers had no idea. Activities continued uninterrupted. Peals of laughter, the sounds of feet on court pavement. Kids playing in the golden hour glow of a pre-sunset sky. Of course, behind the scenes there was the typical camp scrambling (ice for the Health Center and Canteen, a generator for the kitchen and water systems), but for campers, it was a camp night almost like any other. Time slowed down. Just enjoying a simple activity with friends, outside.
Beautiful weather and late sunsets don’t hurt when it comes to generating that first week special camp sauce. Going back in time, Friday night and Opening Campfires, we were lucky to have a picture perfect June evening. Chilly enough for “long and long,” the sky alight when boys and girls walked down to their respective campfire circles, but dark and full of stars when they returned to campus. On girls side, Soopers lead the campfire, taking time to explain full-camp events and traditions (Camp Sisters, Teams, Color War) and camp values. At the close of the campfire, Soopers distribute candles for each camper to make a wish on. Campers and staff sit and gaze at the tiny flame in their hand, each individual contributing their own light to the glow of the whole circle, and community (an apt metaphor).
On boys side, the Opening Campfire is filled with stories and games. Head Counselor Mark and Director David, both reflected on Opening Days from years ago–Mark’s as a first-year camper at the camp he attended growing up, Blue Star, and David’s (unsurprisingly) baseball-themed. Fool ball and pillow fights keep the energy going, and the night closes out with some acoustic music. Nothing quite like the strum of a guitar around a campfire.
We’d be remiss not to mention, in keeping with the great outdoors theme, week one also marks the first farm outings, hikes, tournaments and overnights! Center and Inter girls went cherry picking…. Freshman boys and Junior girls blueberry picked and headed to Mills Mansion… Jinter girls went to Boulder Rock (in the Catskills)…. Sub boys to Bonticou Crag (in the Mohonk Preserve)… Sub girls played flag football at Pontiac… Senior boys and girls played night hockey and volleyball at Berkshire Hills… Inter and Sub boys headed to Wahnee for basketball… today the Sub Juniors will go to Inspiration Point and the Junior boys to Monument Mountain.
Of course, 4th of July, and the first full-camp, co-ed evening of the summer looms large on next week’s update horizon. More to come from the 12523…