Our day started out with warm sunny skies as we sang our camper of the day cheer to Olivia Glantz.  First year counselor, Emily Cohen, from Michigan was honored as counselor of the day in cabin 14.  It’s always nice to get a hug from ones cabin group whether your camper of the day or counselor of the day.  Ducky and Tim prepared a large batch of oatmeal and we enjoyed fresh pastries with fruit. 

After breakfast a few clouds rolled but the weather held and we were able to go full speed ahead into activities.  First year camper Mallory Sawyer came into the office to tell me she got up on the boom her first try. I could tell she was proud of her accomplishment. Emmy Schlossberg told me today her favorite camp activity was skiing however her least favorite program, which is often the most popular, is treasure hunt.  I asked her why she didn’t like it.  She responded by saying, “Because you have to be quiet for so long.”  Sydney Kessel thinks sailing is the best activity while Samara Michael is torn between sailing and Zumba. Every year I try to add new activities to improve our programming.  Outdoor cooking and Zumba were added this summer and both programs have been a BIG success.

I remember when fishing class was added years ago. At first we had 3-5 campers signed up for each period. Now many years later, the boat is full with 13 campers all six periods. When an activity is full each period I know the staff in that activity is running a solid program and campers are acquiring new skills.

We were able to squeak in three periods of activities this morning before a sudden cloud burst sprinkled us with rain right before lunch.  It was perfect timing as we headed indoors for a grilled cheese and tomato soup lunch. Mail was handed out after lunch and we enjoyed a quiet rest period although there’s really never much resting going on. Rest comes after camp is over. Shortly before rest period was over the sun popped out and we headed outdoors for an afternoon of fun.

At evening flagpole the staff came dressed in black to serve as waiters and card dealers for our annual Agawak Casino Night.  Happy Camper Hall was transformed into a mini casino where campers placed bets to increase their cabins Agawak dollars.  In a few cases money was lost but overall everyone went back to their cabins as happy campers. We served pretzels, cheese cubes, goldfish and a few other treats. We had a beautiful balloon arch erected over the stage where everyone was dancing and enjoying the moment.  Jenna Spathis and Melanie Pascal did a terrific job decorating and planning the night.

The Mike Ross Run is coming up soon. The next few days we will be signing up campers who are interested in running this memorial 5K race down the Bearskin Trail in Minocqua. Tomorrow our wonderful CIT’s will leave for their Boundary Water Canoe Trip around 8:30 am. They are excited and ready for their grand adventure into the remote wilderness.  I am very proud of this group of CIT’s. They are a good group of young ladies. They were once my youngest campers and now stand before me almost ready to be counselors. Time sure beats on.

It’s time to turn the office lights off. I’ll walk up to my house through camp smiling knowing I have lots of happy campers snuggled in their bunks.

Sleep well,
Mary & Staff