It’s a gorgeous, sunny day over Blue Lake today.  Our camper of the day was Mia Staub and our counselor of the day was Spencer Weiss.  We started off the morning with a delicious breakfast of French toast, cereal, yogurt and fresh fruit!  It was the perfect breakfast to start our jam-packed day.  Our pace these next few days will be fast and furious.

Yesterday morning 35 campers and 30 counselors plunged into the water for our second session lake swim.  The swim was delayed due to fog however as soon as the fog lifted anxious swimmers began the ¾ mile swim in calm waters. Giant orange buoys showcased Blue Lake to guide swimmers safely back through Agawak’s designated swim area. Jacqueline Levitan and Emma Plattner crossed the finish line neck and neck to take first place. Samantha Boorstein was next followed by Sophie Draluck and Caroline Bercu and Amanda Berk.  Several first time lake swimmers Caroline Routh, Lilly Adelstein & Stella Kassof were impressive and proud of themselves as they crossed the finish line. As always, a fresh cup of hot cocoa was handed out to each swimmer completing the challenge.

This morning, our resourceful and talented Blue and White commissioners announced that we would be playing “To the Top of Agawak Mountain.”  The campers were screaming with joy!  This is definitely a camp favorite.  Within the teams, campers sign up for different activities such as: war canoeing, biking, tennis serves, swimming, mystery game, puzzle, archery and scavenger hunt.  The campers run frantically all over camp to complete their tasks as quickly as possible. Every second counts. Every single effort counts. Once they complete a task, campers tag the next group to complete another task.  It all ended in Little Siegel Park where two CITs (Sarah Mossler & Stephanie Rush) built a small fire to burn their team rope. The first team to burn their rope entirely though scores a victory!  It is great to see such leadership from the CITs and the passion everyone has for this game.  In the end, the blue team burned their rope first although White Team’s rope was burning at the same time.  This was the closest “TO THE TOP OF AGWAK MOUNTAIN” finish in Agawak history.  It was truly amazing to hear everyone cheering for their team and even more thrilling to watch.

Just minutes ago I walked into Alumnae Hall where the Blue Team was practing for closing ceremonies.  I walked in with a serious face, handed them a large envelope and Angela Gutman quickly torn it open to announce that it was treasure hunt tonight. The screams were deafening. Campers ran at full velocity out the door and to their cabins to put on their team shirts for the most electrifying Blue & White game that ever was and ever will be. Tonight 30 clues will be secretly dispersed at the appropriate times. This is an intense game requiring strategy, brains, teamwork, cooperation and heaps of patience. As one of our commissioners, Julia Spathis, pointed out to me, no night holds more anticipation, excitement, and nerves as the night of Treasure Hunt, not even opening her college decision letter. The anticipation is getting the best of all of us. Pizza, fresh fruit and ice cream will be delivered to each team meeting area at 11:00 pm.

I can’t wait for the game to begin. The suspense is killing me.  Let the hunt begin!

Mary and staff