Our schedule is jammed packed. There simply are not enough hours in the day to get everything we want to accomplish by Wednesday morning.  Tuesday evening we had a social with our Rhinelander friends, Camp Horseshoe.  Our campers and staff always have good fun with the spirited Horseshoe boys.  The energy both our camps create is mighty.  It’s our last official social of the summer except for the Agawak/Kawaga variety show tomorrow night.

Yesterday we had a full day of Blue and White activities and an open front waterfront afternoon.  Campers spent two full hours participating in “Burn the Rope”.  Every camper participated and cheered members of their team on for two intense hours of competition. Although the White Team was 45 minutes ahead at one point, the Blue Team never gave up. The final task (of lighting the fire to burn through the rope) was filled with pressure for both teams. The White Team eventually caught up and both fires were burning at the same time. Everyone was on their tippy-toes waiting in anticipation for their teams’ rope to break.  Then a mighty White Team roar went out and the game was over. Both teams were winners yesterday. The Blue Team fought until the very end. The White Team didn’t buckle when Blue was on their “tail”.  Screams of joy were heard across the lake and a few tears were shed.

This morning, campers woke at 6:45 and plunged into Blue Lake for our swim the lake event. Waters were calm. The sun was shining as 69 eager campers swam across Blue Lake with spirit and determination. Isabella Katzman, from CA, with number 23 written on her arm, crossed the finish line first in 23 minutes followed by Dia Chaimovitz and Jacqui Levitan.  They swam 3/4 of a mile before most of us had our morning coffee. Waiting at the finish line was heaps of hot chocolate.  Swim the lake is such a tradition. Campers and counselors feel a sense of pride as they cross the finish line.  Arms go up and high fives fly everywhere.

A few days ago I made an important announcement about packages.  Over the years I’ve tried my best to inform parents and campers about our 8.5 x 11 package policy and every year it’s been ignored by the majority of parents. Thank you to all the parents who followed the rule. However, packages will no longer be accepted next summer no matter what the size. This of course excludes birthday packages. Birthday packages will always be welcome. I announced it several times throughout the summer but nothing changed.  Actually, I think the packages got bigger.   Next summer neither you nor I will have to worry about packages.

Today we had another full day of activities. Katie Abrams caught a whopper largemouth bass (22 inches) while fishing off the pontoon boat. It took every muscle in her small body to reel it in.  During rest period campers practiced for the 5k Agawak Fun Run scheduled for Saturday morning at 7:30am. Approximately 135 campers will take part in a 3 mile run which will wind them through the Agawak woods.  First year camper Rebecca Ohel was the star skier today.  Without the boom she got up on the rope and went around the lake on her very first try. I told her she’ll most likely be bare footing in a few summers at the rate she’s going. Everyone here is enjoying their last few days of activities knowing camp is coming to an end.

Have you been enjoying the Agazine newsletter?  Kate Kravit, our editor-in-chief, along with contributing writers has done a superb job keeping everyone up to date on events and programs throughout the summer.  

Enjoy your peace and quiet before the duffels arrive back home. I’m looking forward to a fun-filled week ahead. I can’t wait for treasure hunt, just like everyone else.

Smile on,

Mary