Temperatures hovered near 70 degrees early this morning as we said goodbye to our wonderful CIT’s who headed, by chartered bus, to the boundary waters for their annual canoeing trip.  They are excited but also anxious as they are heading to a remote but breathtaking area where they will canoe and portage daily. I’m quite sure the quietness that will surround them at night will be unfamiliar to them and I hope they will return with a greater appreciation for nature.  Please don’t worry; they are guided by professionals with proper certifications and experience. They are also equipped with satellite phones. We will miss them heaps, but know this new journey and challenge will bring them back to us stronger and more self-assured.

This morning we sang to Annie Isaacson, camper of the day and counselor of the day, Sam Boorstein.  At breakfast, bagels, cream cheese and a homemade granola and yogurt bar satisfied our taste buds. After 20 summers, Ducky has mastered camp cooking. Even those who have never tried Ducky’s ribs can’t resist the temptation. I don’t know many camps that have had the same head cook for twenty plus years but more importantly Ducky is our number one “blobber”!!  Staff, get ready for staff blobbing coming your way soon.

After breakfast we had a BIG cabin clean-up and inspection. Then we announced a Cabin Talent Show.  Each cabin was responsible for coming up with a talent which somehow incorporated every camper in the cabin.  Each cabin had the same amount of time to generate their idea, talent and wardrobe.  Programs such as these give campers the chance to get up on stage and allows them to practice being in front of an audience.  Leadership, organization, and team work were found within the cabins that showcased the best performances. In the end it was cabins J, 1 and 10 that tied for first place winning them Agawak dollars for their individual cabins.  The JC2 staff also had a solid performance.

Since today was a perfect summer day, we spent half of the afternoon splishin’ and splashin’ down at the waterfront.  We had the Blob, slide, water tramp and entire waterfront open for everyone’s enjoyment.  It was a scorcher!  I announced our social with Camp Ojibwa and screams echoed throughout camp.  I kindly reminded them that anyone caught in their cabin before 4:30pm primping and not going to the waterfront would be enjoying a night of board games with me in the lodge.  I think that was motivation enough to get the older campers out of their cabin to enjoy the afternoon festivities.  Punch was served on the lakefront lawn and spirits were high.

Our little rookies will leave us tomorrow morning and head home. They have had a gigantic experience trying new activities and branching out to form new friendships. Their world has expanded over the past few days.  Just like our regular campers, the rookies are blossoming before my eyes. The relationships everyone forms at Agawak will provide a deep connection that will help navigate them through the many challenges they will face in life. I want all my campers to know that they are loved and they are known here.  At Agawak, you have an opportunity to shed the expectations and pressure from others, you are freed up to just be yourself (#wonderful).

Our time is limited here. So we will continue to make the moments and the days count.  

Sleep well. Tomorrow we go full speed ahead again!

Mary & staff :)