We completed another beautiful Northwoods day with our amazing campers. The day began with oatmeal and breakfast sandwiches and quickly warmed up making conditions ideal for waterskiing, sailing, fishing, canoeing, and jumping into Blue Lake. Hands down you can’t beat Agawak’s stunning waterfront. Now as campers and staff end their day, a cool evening has settled in and campers are nestled into bed sound asleep. 

It was a lively activity day, and our campers were all in. Sad but true, our first session campers realize the clock is ticking as we head into the final week of our first session. We have witnessed so much growth in just a short time. Campers who onced missed home have wide smiles. Several are asking to stay full season…. a 180 growth maneuver-if only there was room!  Giving our campers the freedom to choose their own activities keeps them fully invested and able to experience areas they wish to grow in.  Our youngest campers explored deeper waters today, while supported by their swim instructors who have been working with them on stroke development and endurance.  Our older campers were working hard, swimming laps, in preparation for the lake swim. 

I’d like to give a shout out to a few activities I popped in as I was walking around….our  outdoor and indoor cooking activities were filled with eager campers ready to bake strawberry shortcake from scratch and flip homemade skillet pancakes over the fire.  Campers are excited to bring these recipes home to test out on you!  Let them share some of their creations with you. You won’t be disappointed!  Yum!!  Our ceramics studio was turning out some beautiful pottery pieces. From toadstool shaped earring holders, to cups, to bowls, they are “throwing” together some really neat pieces. In arts and crafts plain white tee shirts turned into tye-dye masterpieces. Our GIVE program (Get Involved Volunteer Everyday) wrote notes of appreciation to the Highland Park First Responders.There is so much goodness here on any given day!

Camps thrive on traditions and Agawak’s are on display all summer long. One of those traditions is Olympic Day. We are just 2 days away from Olympic Day and our four “game” teams are revving up.  “Sorry”, “Monopoly”, “Candyland”, and “Clue” will compete on Sunday in song and various sports all over camp. This first session tradition is a highlight everyone looks forward to as our session draws to an  end.

Tonight’s Camper vs. Counselor Chaos had campers dressed up in their silliest costumes and running all over camp. There were multiple hidden treasures to be found in various locations in camp. Several cabins increased their Agawak dollar bank accounts just in time for tomorrow’s end of session auction.  Who will get to have  with Summer, or pizza on the beach or shaved Ice? Time will tell!

The impact of a Camp Agawak summer  is truly unique for every camper and counselor. Everyone here is engaged, active, growing  and making connections in their own way with many different people, rarely realizing the character-building and social skill development that’s naturally taking place. 

I wish parent’s at home could witness first hand  the happiness and love flowing here. I guess you just have to settle for all the smiling camp pics we post everyday. This next week will fly and before you know it your first session camper will be home missing Agawak and all the silly things we do. Enjoy your weekend. I know we will.

Smile on & Full speed ahead,

Mary