Happy Father’s Day to all our Agawak Dad’s.  Hope your day is going well and you’re spending the day doing something special you enjoy.  We started the day off with Ducky’s famous pancakes in the lodge, followed by our annual safety presentation given by Milwaukee attorney, Agawak post camp family member, former Camp Timberlane camper/counselor, father of three Agawak Alumni daughters, Steve Kravit.  Every summer, on Father’s Day, he shares with the staff a moving, heartfelt, eye opening safety presentation.  My assistant director, Stephanie Becker Tasman has heard Steve’s safety talk every year for the past 18 summers and it remains her favorite pre camp presentation.  That says enough. 

Today the counselors were individually handed a piece of paper with one word written on it.  We counted down and on command everyone was instructed to find the word or words that created a match.  Some examples were “peanut butter” had to find “jelly”; “salsa” had to find “chips”, and “fork,” “spoon,” and “knife” had to find each other.  When they did, they met their co-counselors for the summer.  I witnessed heaps of screaming and lots of jumping up and down, which means overall we did a great job placing co-counselors together.

The rest of the day counselors spent moving into their cabins for the summer.  Many check lists and housekeeping items were crossed off the counselors “to do” lists.  I watched from my lake office window as counselor bags traveled back and forth across camp to their final resting spot for the summer.  Counselors worked together helping one another carry the heaviest bags.  I think for the first time some of them experienced what it was like to be a male Agawak staff member on luggage day when all the camper bags arrive.

Once counselors were all nestled into their cabins, it was time for some much deserved time off.  We will assemble at the flagpole tomorrow morning to experience Lakeland Union High School’s Tango Tower ropes course after breakfast.  Counselors will spend half the day teambuilding with their co-counselors and the other half of the day will be spent putting the final touches on activity areas and cabin groups. 

Our time together as a staff has been productive, educational, and fun.  I look around and see high levels of energy and spirit pouring out of the staff I have assembled.  We are almost ready for everyone’s arrival and way ahead of schedule.  What more can I ask for?  We’re looking forward to going full speed ahead with all of you soon!
Happy camping!
Mary 