What's Happening at CAW?

There is a lot going on at Asto Wamah now.  Columbia Lake is very full, the leaves are about to spring forth and green is sprouting everywhere.  Obviously that is all the result of Mother Nature. Many people are also at work to wake camp up for a winter's sleep and get ready for the 2010 season.  The water, which is drained from the pipes during the cold weather, is now turned back on.  That means places like the kitchen and johns can be cleaned and made ready.  You will notice a brighter look in the infirmary this summer.  In an effort to make it a more comfortable and inviting place for our wonderful nurses to live and work in, we have painted and spruced the place up a bit.  The A-field has already been mowed and the grass is thick and very green.  That's a great start.

On April 24th, many volunteers will come to camp to clean all the cabins, wash the windows in the Lodge and rake the tons of leaves that cover the ground.  This is Asto Wamah's traditional work day and the results are always amazing.

We are clearly on the path toward a fresh, new season at camp, filled with fun, challenges and friendships.  Hope you will be with us for the adventure.

Nancy Maclean, camp director

P.S. There are still openings in the first session of girls camp - June 27 to July 10.  Spread the word.  Thank you.

Columbia Lake

With only one week left in March, the lake is taking on a different look.  At least different from what it looked like all winter. By November, the gate at the dam is opened and the lake begins a rather rapid change.  Within a few weeks the water has retreated from the summer-time shore line and eventually the intermediate area and the aquarium are a dry, pebbly beach.  You can stand at the end of Main Dock without getting your feet wet.  Both rafts which had been brought to shore in September are now sitting on the ground.  It is a wonderful time to look for lost jewelry, barrettes, and other small missing items.  All winter, Frog Island actually looks like an island, sitting above the surface of a now much smaller lake.

April will soon be here.   The lake grows, slowly returning to its normal size and depth.  That change is a sure sign that summer is on its way.  The rafts will be rowed out into the lake and anchored in place.  Soon swimmers will be enjoying the clear, clean water of Columbia Lake.  It won't be long before Asto Wamah's boats, canoes and sailboats will be skimming the surface.  Camp time is coming!  We hope to see you at camp this summer!

Nancy Maclean, director

The First Blog of the 101st Season

It is time to start blogging again.  I am planning to write at least once a week until summer gets nearer and there is more to report.   At that point I will pick up the pace. Registration began in early February.  Right now the only session with openings is the first session.  It runs from June 27 to July 10 and is an all-girls session.  If you know any girl who might like to attend  2 weeks at Asto Wamah, please pass this word along.

The second session of girls camp, July 11 to July 24 is full but the waiting list is relatively short.  Coed, July 25 to July 31, also has a waiting list.  There are not too many girls on the list however the boys' list is getting long.  The August 1 to 14 session is all boys.  It too is full but the waiting list only has a few names on it.

In a typical summer, there is quite a bit of movement on the waiting lists.  If you can be patient and child care is not a necessity, you can often get into the session you are hoping for through the waiting list.

As each application arrives the summer gets closer, the days get longer and the excitement builds.  Hope you will be a part of the fun this summer at Asto Wamah.

Boys Session '09 Day 13

Today is the last full day of Boys Camp for the 2009 season.  Campers and staff are working on packing the sailboats in for the winter and cleaning up camp as best as we can (leaving some things for the 100th Anniversary celebration).  Today's afternoon is also going to be a little bit different because, following our last swim of the summer, we will be playing Mission to Mars and a dodgeball game instead of fourth period and activity period. Tonight's evening program is campfire where we will be singing songs, eating s'mores and getting awards for passing classes and cleanest cabin.  Pick - up tomorrow is between 8:30 and 10:00.

It is bittersweet to see the summer end, but thankfully the weather is beautiful and everyone is in high spirits.  Hope to see many at the 100th Anniversary celebration!  Enjoy the rest of your summer and always... Remember the Other Fellow!

Katelin

Camp Staff

Boys Session '09 Day 12

Today is Banquet day at Camp Asto Wamah.  While daily activities have gone on as usual, ' evening program will be a combined with our supper.  On every Banquet day, campers are encouraged to wear the cleanest clothes they can find in their trunk and come to supper as quick as they can after the bell rings.  Our dinner will consist of turkey, mashed potatoes, corn, bread, cranberry sauce and stuffing, with ice cream for dessert. For this session's Banquet we will be having six guests sitting at head table so they can see what goes on for a meal at camp.  After dinner we will be singing songs in the upper lodge and watching a slide show of pictures from the past two weeks.  Following the meal and singing we will have a candle light service where we can all reflect on what a light camp is in all of our lives.

Katelin

Camp Staff

Boys Session '09 Day 11

The hot topic for today is last nigthts evening program.  The LT's gave us a treat last night when they put on their own version of the classic carnival.  This session's carnival saw the LT's dressing up as different counselors.  The LT's impersonated Nancy, Drew, Meredith, Spargo and many more as they led the campers in many fun games. Today (unlike the last couple of days) the weather is quite gloomy; the heat, however, hasn't kept us out of the water.  For dinner tonight, we will be having another "eat out."

Katelin and Erik

Camp Staff

Boys Session '09 Day 10

Today is a scorcher just like yesterday.  Luckily though, like yesterday, the sun has been out all day.  Last night for evening program we decided to have a general swim so we could all cool down before going to sleep. As we near Banquet night, campers have been writing articles and drawing pictures  our Birch Barker.  The Birch Barker is a collection of articles written by campers and a list of Track Meet winners that is handed out at Banquet to every camper, staff member, and guest.  Birch Barkers are a nice thing to have when reminiscing about sessions past and old events at camp.

Katelin

Camp Staff

Boys Session '09 Day 8

Just like every other Sunday during an Asto Wamah two - weeker; today is Track Meet!  Yesterday at dinner, the campers voted on who would be captains of the green and white teams who then would pick campers who would be on each respective team.  This morning, we had running long jump, standing long jump, softball throw, and a 50 yard dash on the AField, followed a "participation optional" marathon (a 1/2 mile run that takes campers from the AField to the bottom of the camp road via the corduroy road). The Indian War Relay is next on the list for Track Meet events today; a relay in which everyone in camp participates and brings a baton all through Camp Asto Wamah.  Stay tuned for more green and white updates as we fill our Banquet Birch Barker with scores and ribbons.

Katelin

Camp Staff

Boys Session '09 Day 7

The sun has been out for the entirety of this glorious day at Asto Wamah.  Thank goodness, too, because today was the day that campers were able to change bunks in their cabins.  If a camper sleeping on the bottom bunk in the cabin wanted to switch to a top bunk, the counselors in their cabins allowed them to do s, therby giving all of the campers an opportunity to experience top bunk living (if they wanted to, that is). Today for breakfast we had french toast and for dinner we had Sue's famous meatloaf.  Tonight, since it is a Saturday, we will be having an "eat out."

Katelin

Camp Staff

Boys Session '09 Day 6

It is another beautiful day at Asto Wamah, as the sun has been with us from breakfast to dinner.  For activity period today, the campers were able to take advantage of this beautiful weather with the many outside and aquatic activities offered.  Activities such as aquarium games, tower jumping, handball (on the AField), and nukem (also on the AField) were made available to campers. For last nights evening program (after a short game of King Dodgeball) we were treated to a special event in the upper lodge.  Riverside Reptiles visited Asto Wamah and brought everything from insects to a Burmese python.  These animals gave quite a show as they crawled around the floor in the Lodge (safely of course).

Tonight for supper we will be having grilled cheese and peach crisp (for dessert).

Katelin

Camp Staff

Boys Session '09 Day 5

After the brief downpour we had yesterday, today's weather has made a turnaround and it is absolutely gorgeous outside.  The water in Columbia lake has also been pretty warm, making getting in for classes and general swim even easier. Last night for evening program we played an Asto Wamah classic, Murder By Night, a "Who Done It" game which requires groups of campers to find counselors and ask them what they were doing at the time of the "murder."  This game gives counselors a chance to come up with creative stories about their whereabouts and campers a chance to interact with other campers and counselors.

Lunch today is chicken fingers and macaroni and cheese, and tonight for supper we will be having pizza.  Hopefully the weather continues to be nice so we can get onto the AField for a game tonight!

Katelin

Camp Staff

Boys Session '09 Day 4

The weather today decided to give us a shock during fourth period in the form of a heavy downpour that lasted a mere couple of minutes.  We've been pretty lucky with weather this session and a little downpour didn't dampen the campers' spirits (although it may have dampened some towels). Today for dinner we had ravioli and tonight for supper we will be "eating out."  For those new to "eat out," on Wednesdays and Saturdays of each session (Saturdays other than the last, of course), the campers sit at tables other than their own and without any other person from their cabin.  This night gives us a chance to meet others that we may not have met and a different eating atmosphere.

Katelin

Camp Staff

Boys Session '09 Day 3

Last night, the campers had their first taste of the many Asto Wamah variations on the classic game of dodgeball.  Medical War, a game that allows hit players reentry into the game after they have been rescued by one of two "medics," was our first outdoor evening program of the session.  True to boys camp, the game was quite competitive and very fun! Today for dinner we had meatballs and gravy, and tonight's supper will be pulled pork.  For evening program, provided the weather is as beautiful as it has been all day, we will be up on the AField playing Capture the Flag (a camp favorite).

Boating, swimming, arts and crafts, and sports classes are going fantastically as we all get used to the daily schedule of Asto Wamah.

Katelin

Camp Staff

Boys Session '09 Day 2

Today was our first full day of the session and first year campers got a glance of what the coming days will hold.  Fortunately, the weather was absolutely gorgeous.  We started the day with cereal and Sue's famous streusel bread. In preparation for Camp Asto Wamah's 100th Anniversary celebration, in Arts and Crafts, each cabin is refinishing retired paddles and oars from years past.  Each paddle/oar will be displayed on the last day of camp and will show each cabin's own unique personality.  Upon completion, the paddles will be judged by Asto Wamah staff members, and a winner of "Camp's Coolest Paddle" will be chosen and rewarded at campfire on the final night of camp.

Anticipation is building as the campers wait to find out what we will be playing for evening program tonight, for last night we were unable to go up to the AField due to wet conditions (although the Buckets of Fun proved to be a fantastic substitute).  Tune in tomorrow for the game update and scores!

Katelin

Camp Staff

Coed Session '09 - Day 6

It's been a very rainy last full day here at camp. We had all of our classes today although not all boaters and swimmers were able to actually go out in the lake. Some boating classes played Bingo and swimming classes played Scattergories. We played a counselor trivia game this afternoon and now campers are indoors playing board games for activity period.

This evening for supper is meatball grinders. Tonight for evening program we will have our awards camp fire. Campers will recieve "year awards," for how many years they have been a camper, as well as certificates of achievement in boating or swimming if they passed the level they took classes in this session. We will also have a staff skit and enjoy s'mores for our evening snack.

A reminder that tomorrow morning your campers can be picked up as early as possible and NO LATER THAN 10:30 AM. Thank you so much for sending your children to spend the past week here at Camp Asto Wamah with us! We've had a wonderful time!

Abby Camp Staff

Coed Session '09 - Day 5

The temperature really heated up today at camp which made it a great day to go in the lake. We had all of our classes as scheduled today. Everyone is working hard on perfecting their skills in boating and swimming. For activity period campers played soccer, jumped off the tower, and took archery lessons if they hadn't already in sports class.

This evening for dinner we enjoyed chicken patties as our main meal and cheesecake for dessert. Tonight for the game we will play "Pirates."

Tomorrow is our last full day. I can't believe we've nearly reached the end!

Abby Camp Staff

Coed Session '09 - Day 4

We had a normal morning of classes today, but this afternoon we had a nice change in our schedule with the performance of a special guest! A couple brought their Chesapeake Bay Retriever that is trained as a tracking dog to come show off his skills for us. He was able to locate hidden objects by scent. He even tracked one of our own counselors through the woods. The kids really enjoyed meeting him! Just as the performance was ending we had some rain start. There isn't any thunder but since the rain hasn't let up yet we're inside playing board games for activity period.

This evening for dinner we're having "eat out" which means the campers will all switch tables sitting with counselors that are not their own and with no other campers from their cabin. This way kids and staff members have an opportunity to meet people they haven't yet!

We're not sure what we'll play for evening program tonight, it all depends on the weather!

Abby Camp Staff

Coed Session '09 - Day 3

It has been a very hot day here at Asto Wamah but still a great day for camp! We've made sure everyone has had plenty of water to drink and that everyone has been in the lake as much as possible. We had all of our classes this morning as usual and are finishing up fourth period right now. For activity period today campers can choose from jumping off the tower, playing aquarium games and sailing on the camp sail boat, The Hunter.

We will have tacos for dinner this evening followed by apple crisp, a camp favorite dessert. Tonight for evening program we will try again to play "Capture the Flag" and hopefully the weather cooperates.

Tomorrow will be a very exciting day for everyone as we will have a few changes in our schedule. We will start the morning with a "movie themed breakfast." The fun will take place at flag raising before the morning meal. By then each cabin will have chosen a movie to dress up as characters from and do a brief skit of. It's a great way for campers and their counselors to work together and have a great time!

In the afternoon we are having a very special guest come to do a presentation for the campers, but I'll have to tell you about that tomorrow!

Abby Camp Staff

Coed Session '09 - Day 2

We had fantastic weather all day today! It was warm with a cool breeze coming off the lake. We had all of our classes including swimming, boating, sports and arts and crafts. It was particularly good weather for sailing! During activity period campers jumped off the tower, played soccer on the A-Field and had a jump rope contest outside the lodge. Just after we finished our supper of grilled cheese and tomato soup a storm came our way. We would have played "Capture the Flag" tonight, but given the weather we are inside playing "Buckets of Fun!" In this game campers compete in cabin groups in different games including "Play dough-nary," "Charades," "Password" and a few others.

We'll have snack and sing a few songs after the game and hopfully by then the weather will have cleared to allow for an easy bed time.

Abby Camp Staff

Coed Session '09 - Day 1

It's the first day of our coed session and we're having a great time! We have 50 new campers this session so it's a new experience for many. Campers have all settled into their cabins and made several friends already. We had swim classification for all the new campers this afternoon followed by a general swim. We had our usual first night dinner of hotdogs with brownies for dessert and tonight, as long as the weather holds, we will play our usual first night evening program of the dodge ball game Medical War.

Tomorrow morning starts our regular camp schedule. Let's hope we have nice weather for it!

Abby Camp Staff