A Wonderful Wednesday!

Today was a beautiful, cool day. Everyone woke up to a delicious breakfast of French Toast with butter and syrup. We had a regular morning schedule of classes. With only two days left, campers are working hard to perfect the skills they have learned, and teachers are evaluating who will be passing into the next swimming and boating levels. Some canoeing classes practiced what to do in the event of a capsizing; they had fun tipping the boats over and then swimming under them to lift them right side up again. Dinner today was pork patties and mashed potatoes, with vanilla pudding and sprinkles for dessert. Yum!

The air was just cool enough to make Rest Hour nice and relaxing, but warm enough so that everyone could go in for a General Swim after. The water felt great! 4th Period was exciting for seniors' Arts and Crafts today- we did tie dye!! Some girls colored white shirts, while others did "reverse tie dye" on colored shirts with bleach. It was a lot of fun!

Activity Period today included jumping off the tower, badminton, board games in the lodge, and learning how to make hair wraps!

We had an Eat Out supper tonight! Campers made sandwiches to take with them, and cabins went to various locations around camp, such as docks, to eat their picnics.

As I write, campers are gathering on the A-field. We are hoping any passing rain will hold off for our game! Check back tomorrow to find out what we play!

-the Birch Blogger

Tuesday- A Day to Remember!

Today we awoke to bagels and cereal for breakfast. Campers followed a normal morning class schedule, with the option for swimmers Level 6 and above to swim to Frog Island! 10 girls completed the endeavor across the lake, and upon arrival, each picked a souvenir rock to remember their triumph. Upon finishing their swim back to camp, they signed their names in the Frog Island Log Book. Well done! Dinner was a  hearty, delicious Italian meal- lasagna, salad, and bread, with pears for dessert!

We had a lovely Rest Hour, followed by a game of non-stop cricket on the A-field instead of general swim, as it was cloudy and cool.

Due to tonight's exciting evening, we skipped Activity Period today and had an early supper of grilled cheese, tomato soup, and chocolate pudding pie for dessert!!

Tonight the LTs put on a "carnival" for us! The theme was Candyland. LTs set up game-board inspired activities on the A-field. These stations included an "M&M" water balloon toss, a live board game, "life saver" hula hooping, face painting, "peppermint stick" limbo, musical chairs, a slot machine, and character cutouts of Princess Lolly and Queen Frostine to put your face in and take a picture. With their tokens from winning games, campers "bought" freeze pops for snack.

Tonight we were also lucky enough to have a guest speaker here to educate us about birds of prey and display some of these creatures! It was captivating!

The campers are sure to sleep well after their exciting day!

Check back tomorrow for more updates!

-the Birch Blogger

Day 8!

Campers woke up relieved to see sunshine!! While most of our towels(if not all) are damp from the showers yesterday, we added a few clothing lines in front of the flagpole to air dry and that did the job! Campers feasted on blueberry bread, cereal, and sweet cantaloupe melon. They then began their morning activities before their first three classes of the day. Campers in level 6 did their 500 yd swim today, while level three worked on their sidestroke and level 5 worked on their butterfly and surface diving.  All the boaters are working so hard and now that Friday (the last day of classes) is in sight,  campers are stepping up their games to pass into the next level. Dinner today was a wonderful meal of Shepherd's Pie (ground beef, corn and potato layered and backed in the oven) with salad and butterscotch pudding for dessert. Then we had our usual rest hour while the LT's worked on several different lifeguarding drills on the waterfront.

After fourth period several cool activities were offered for activity period: Water Quidditch (Unfortunately I don't know how to describe this but lots of fun was had), uno, clue, tower jumping, and paddle boarding.

Cabins 2, old 6, and 6 won cabin inspection today! Hooray! Tonight was Taco Night with Churros for dessert! Yum! After Supper we had the Indian War Relay that we had to skip due to the downpour yesterday afternoon. It was the closest relay race I have ever seen. Usually there is a leader after the baton gets passed from the row boaters to the canoers but not today. The baton started up at the very end of the camp road by Rt 87 thenwas passed to swimmers, they swim in between the rafts and pass it off to the row boats, who pass it off to the canoes, who pass the baton off to more runners, who pass it off to the two strongest senior swimmers for the last leg of the relay!!

White won the Indian War Relay and now the campers are beginning their night time routine!

Goodnight!

-The Birch Blogger

Day 7!!!!!!! Track and Field Day

Today marked the half way point of the first girls session! Campers enjoyed cereal, cornbread, and orange slices for breakfast and then switched bunks. Any camper that wanted to try out a top or bottom bunk for the second week of camp were given the opportunity. The second Sunday of camp is always our traditional Camp Asto Wamah Track and Field Day. The campers are split into two teams: green and white  (the camp colors).  They then compete in several events throughout the day. This morning the weather allowed us to have our normal events of running long jump, standing long jump,  softball throw, and the 50 yard dash.  We then all went in for a general swim before a tasty meal of ham, noodles, corn, and peaches before dessert. Rain clouds made their way over to Columbia Lake so we couldn't do our traditional Indian War Relay but we did do the marathon as the downpour started. (The marathon is only .25 of a mile). To keep the competition going in the afternoon, campers did a round robin of various activities.

Supper was chicken melts, tomato soup, chips, and green and white cake for dessert! We also got to celebrate two birthdays at camp today: Kira and Abby!We sang to each of them over breakfast this morning!

Tonight we are playing my favorite evening program: Murder By Night!! It is a murder mystery game. The campers go around in groups and try to solve a fake murder! It is tons of fun!

Check back tomorrow for more Wamah updates. Normal schedule resumes tomorrow!

The Birch Blogger

Days 5 and 6!

It's been a busy 2 days! Thursday night, we were lucky enough to avoid the worst of the storms. We had a lot of fun with the Reverse Scavenger Hunt, and then we sang songs until the storm had passed and we could safely get ready for bed. Yesterday,  we had a new breakfast of cinnamon buns! They were delicious! We had an overcast morning, but rain held off for morning classes.

For dinner, we had meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and corn, with Italian Ice for dessert! In the afternoon, we had an extended Rest Hour, during which cabins could practice acts for the Talent Night! We then had general swim, a shortened 4th period class, and Activity Period. Campers got to show off their skills in a diving contest, dance at zumba, or play water games in Aquarium, the shallowest section of the swimming area.

Supper was chicken patties, with cheesecake for dessert- it was scrumptious!

We had an amazing talent show for our Evening Program. Some highlights were an original song on the guitar, lyrical dancing, a comical cabin skit in which celebrities were impersonated, a Wamah's Got Talent skit, and a cabin dance party. Every act was impressive and entertaining! We sure have a group of talented campers!

Today, we awoke to more clouds but no rain! We enjoyed a filling breakfast of waffles with peanut butter and syrup- a camp tradition. During cabin cleanup, campers had the opportunity to switch bunks. Campers who had been on a bottom bunk, and wanted a top bunk, got to move.

We had a normal morning class schedule. Campers are showing great improvement in their swimming and boating classes!

Dinner today was chicken parm,  spaghetti, and salad, with jello and whipped topping for dessert!

We had some rain this afternoon, but we were able to get in the water for general swim before any storms came. During Activity Period, campers had a choice between yoga in the activity room or board games in the lodge.

It's the kitchen's night off, so we had a "picnic" supper of hot dogs, chips, and carrot sticks, with oranges and cookies for dessert.  Since it was raining, we had a "mix up" meal in the lodge instead of going to different places outside. Campers went to different tables with people from other cabins. It was a great chance to meet people from all around camp!

Check back tomorrow for news of tonight's Evening Program!

-the Birch Blogger

Day 4!!!!

Today we awoke to a few droplets of rain. We enjoyed some cereal, maypo (maple oatmeal), and English muffins. Luckily, the predicted storm held off for morning classes. Boating and swimming still went in the lake! Dinner was delicious Italiano -ziti garnished with parmesan cheese, baquettes, salad (with lettuce freshly grown across the lake), and chocolate pudding with a dollop of whipped topping for dessert!

The stormy weather continued to hold off for our afternoon delightful activities. General swim was refreshing. 4th period classes were held outside as usual, and during Activity Period, campers got to play  on the A-field and games in the water,  as well as indoor games like Spoons and Sategories.

Supper tonight was chicken patty sandwiches, with a new dessert-cherry cake. It was fantastic!

As I write, each cabin is gathering 10 items to bring to tonight's Evening Program- Reverse Scavenger Hunt! Each cabin will use their 10 items to act out skits about a topic chosen by the judges. For example, they might have to enact an amusement park ride, or impersonate their counselors. The funniest skit wins. It is going to be a lot of fun!

We are preparing for some severe weather. Everyone will be safely gathered together and kept entertained as the storm passes through.

Check back tomorrow for  a report of tonight's fun program!

-the Birth Blogger

Day 3!!!

Hellooo blog followers! Today was another B,E, A, Utiful day on Columbia Lake! Campers awoke to sunshine and the sweet aroma of french toast wafting from the kitchen! Campers cleaned their bunks and performed their various camp duties before their first period class at 10am. The weather made for a wonderful day for swimming and boating. Many upper level swimmers worked on their butterfly today, while others worked on breaststroke and sidestroke. The winds were great for period 3 senior sailors and troubling for some rowers :D  Dinner was Swedish meatballs with corn, mashed potatoes, and pears for dessert.

Some of the activities offered today for activity period were yoga, tower jumping, and paddle boarding. Today was the kitchen staff's night out so campers made lunch meat sandwiches for supper and traveled with their cabins to various places around camp.  Tonight we are playing one of my favorite camp games: Spies and Smugglers!  There are two teams ( one spies the other smugglers). The smugglers are trying to run from the flagpole to the A- field with a piece of paper that are worth various amounts of points. They hide the paper in their clothes. The spies are trying to intercept points by tagging smugglers and guessing where the piece of paper is hiding on the smuggler.

It is A TON of fun!

Tomorrow we are having english muffins and cereal for breakfast and hopefully the weather will be ok so we can continue to have classes in the water!

Check back here tomorrow! Goodnight!

-The Birch Blogger

Day 2!!

Today we awoke to a warm, beautiful morning. We savored a rich breakfast of chocolate chip bread, with cereal or oatmeal. Classes really got going today, since the weather cooperated. Teachers were able to evaluate their student's current knowledge and begin teaching new skills. Sports classes played Spud on the A-field, while Arts and Crafts continued the projects they started yesterday. Dinner/lunch was raviolis, baguettes (yum!), and salad, with vanilla pudding for dessert.

General swim was greatly appreciated as the day heated up.

Activity Period choices included aquarium games, badminton, and zumba and jumping off the tower again, due to popular demand.

Supper tonight was chicken fajitas, with apple crisp-a camp favorite- for dessert.

Last night's Evening Program was a series of challenges, such as "longest hula-hooper", "best estimator", "neatest off-hand writing", and "picking up marbles with toes." Cabins competed against the other cabins in their area. It was a fun alternative to our usual outdoor games!

We were lucky to learn two new songs before bed. Two girls from cabin 1 taught the camp a fun, repeating song about a bird, while older staff taught an "oldie but goodie" camp song called Ashgrove. It's a beautiful, quiet bedtime song. This session's group is full of great singers!

Tonight, we will have an intense game of Capture the Flag on the A-field! There will be Vespers (evening reflection led by the counselors), goodnight songs, and probably a quick dip in the lake! The campers are sure to sleep well after their busy day!

-the Birch Blogger

First Day of Classes!

Today the campers awoke at 7:30 to cloudy, cool weather. Everyone gathered around the flagpole for Chicken Fat (our morning stretches) and flag raising. Breakfast was blueberry bread and cereal! After breakfast, campers and counselors worked together to tidy up their cabins, make their beds, sweep, and help out with various duties around camp. Every day, the nurse inspects cabins, and the cleanest one from hilltop, lakeside, and seniors wins Cabin Cleanup for that day. At the end of the session, the cabin with the most wins receives candy!

We gathered in the lodge as some morning showers passed by. We played indoor games until first period began. Due to the weather, seniors and lakeside had swimming inside, where they did zumba and yoga! By third period, the weather had cleared up, so hilltop was able to go swimming in the lake! Sports classes played games that incorporated learning everyone's names from their area of camp. Boating classes learned parts of the boat and important safety rules. Arts and crafts classes began work on bracelets, pillows, geckos, and knitting. Some girls are making baskets.

Dinner was chicken fingers and rice, with peaches for dessert!

After the meal, everyone appreciated a nice Rest Hour, a time in which everyone must relax on their bunks and enjoy a silent activity.

General swim followed Rest Hour. The water was refreshing!

4th period was whatever class the campers had not had in the morning. Following 4th period was Activity Period, a free time for the campers to choose an activity offered by the counselors. Some of today's choices were jumping off the tower, zumba, and volleyball.

Supper was meatball grinders, carrots, chips, and applesauce, with vanilla cake with chocolate frosting for dessert to satisfy everyone's sweet tooth!

As I write, campers are gathering for Evening Program in the lodge, as more rain approaches.

Hopefully tomorrow's weather will be bright and sunny!

-the Birth Blogger

First Girls Session 2012!

Welcome and Welcome Back GIRLS of Asto Wamah! Hooray, Hurrah, Hurrah!!! As our camp song goes: "We're the girls from Asto Wamah you hear so much about! Most everybody likes us whenever we go out, We're noted for our wisdom and the clever things we do,  Most everybody likes us we hope you like us too!"

Today, the girls moved into camp on a beautiful day full of sunshine! Over the course of the afternoon the campers were introduced to their excellent counselors, picked out their bunks for the next week or so, met new cabin mates, took a tour of camp, and rekindled friendships by playing a few ice-breaker games. Once all that was done, campers unraveled their sleeping bags, unpacked their camp knick-knacks, and changed into their bathing suits to get either classified into a swim level (if they are new) or go in for a quick general swim.

Dinner followed our swim and it was delicious! The dinner(or supper as we call it at Asto Wamah)  included: hot dogs, tater-tots, baked beans, and pickles, with fudge brownies for dessert!

As I type, all of the campers are playing a game called Medical Wars up on the Athletic or A-Field. This is our traditional first night dodgeball game that is a lot of fun! They will then sing some songs and get ready for bed. Once everyone is in bed, around 9pm,  the counselors in each cabin have selected a book they will read to the cabin until they settle down. The first night can be hard for campers because no one is on Wamah time yet and they usually take a night to adjust to their new surroundings. Tomorrow however, will be so packed with classes and activities they will fall asleep as soon as their heads hit the pillows.

This session is also the beginning of our special leadership program for the girls. The LT's arrived today to learn how to be counselors at Asto Wamah and they are already helping the staff with projects around camp! They are sure to be a great bunch of leaders!

Check back tomorrow around the same time for more wamah updates! Morning bell rings at 7:30am!!!  Can't wait! :D

-The Birch Blogger

A Rainy Last Day

After a busy two weeks, we all enjoyed a cozy, rainy last day at camp. We began the day with eggs and English muffins for breakfast. Since there was no thunder and lightning, swimming and boating classes carried on as usual, with the option of indoor games if the campers had already passed their levels. In arts and crafts, campers wrapped up their projects; campers making baskets put the final touches on those.  Sports classes played games inside.

We had Texas Hash for lunch, with chocolate pudding for dessert.

There was no general swim today. Instead, campers had a choice between an extra 30 minutes of Rest Hour, or indoor board games in the lodge. 4th Period then started early, and Activity Period was extended. While the air was still chilly, the rain had stopped and the water was warm, so some new Level 4 swimmers enjoyed their first jumps off the tower. Other campers played badmitten, Ultimate Frisbee, and Uno in the lodge.

We had chicken patties for supper, with Italian Ice for dessert.

As I write, campers are gathering belongings and starting to pack. Kindling has been gathered for our campfire tonight, and campers are excited to sing, eat s'mores, and receive awards for swimming, boating, cabin cleanup, and LT trivia.

While everyone is sad to leave, they will be happy to see you tomorrow! Please come between 8:30 and 10:30.

the Birch Blogger

Banquet Day!!

Today was a special day indeed! It started off with a dress up breakfast. Each cabin had to come to the morning circle as cartoon characters. Some cabins even acted out a little skit! It was SO funny!!! Highlights included: Cabin 1 as Tom and Jerry, Cabin 2 as The Smurfs, Cabin 3 as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Cabin 4 as The Avengers, Cabins 5 and Old 6 as Pokemon figures, Cabin 6 as The Lion King, Cabin 7 as Phineas and Ferb, Cabin 8 as Scooby Doo. Even the LT's came as members of Transformers and extra staff came as Charlie Brown and the Peanuts! Breakfast was cornbread and cereal! It was a much cooler day today, which was a nice break from the sweltering heat and humidity of days past. Testing campers on their newfound swimming and boating skills took place today and will continue tomorrow. We feel that all the children have worked very hard and have improved significantly.  Dinner or Lunch was various sandwiches and apple pie pastries for dessert! Then as campers had their rest hour, counselors prepared the Lodge for our traditional Asto Wamah Banquet. The campers had a choice of a game on the Athletic field or a general swim after rest hour. After fourth period, activity period was very exciting becuase there was a Pirate battle on Columbia lake between sailboats, canoes, and rowboats. It was epic!! Activity period was also special today for those who passed into a higher level of swimming. Those who passed into level 4 had the option of jumping off the tower and swimming in deep water! Many campers took out their sunday best and showered (hopefully not for the first time :D ) to look snazzy for banquet supper at 6:30pm. Banquet resembles a Thanksgiving meal of turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, corn, cranberry sauce, gravey, and even mints for after the meal. Then dessert was supplied by Shady Glen! The choices of ice cream were chocolate caramel crunch and chocolate chip cookie dough.

Campers received their Birch Barkers (newspapers) after supper and boy is it great!! There are some funny stories and interviews this session you will have to take a look at! Then campers sang songs and received their year awards. To cap the evening, we had a candlelight service! One camper from each cabin, usually the one who has shown the most leadership and cooperation, was chosen to read a Bible passage about the importance and significance of light. Then we sang goodnight songs and enjoyed a silent and reflective bedtime.

The last day tomorrow is sure to be memorable! We have a special campfire planned for tomorrow night and campers will receive their awards for the Olympics and Track Meet!

Goodnight Readers!

The Birch Blogger

Day 10 X!

Today we endured record-breaking heat and humidity. In the morning, we did some different things to stay cool: quick dips and capsizing for boating, Drip Drip Splash in sports class (see pictures), and extra hydration. During cabin cleanup, we organized trunks- refolding clothes and sorting out the clean and the dirty. Hopefully it will last 'til Saturday! Dinner was pork patties, with vanilla pudding for dessert. The afternoon brought with it some nice cooling thunderstorms. Luckily they passed over during Rest Hour, so nobody was outside.  Instead of general swim, we played board games in the lodge. My group made a huge spiraling domino setup that, to the gathering crowd's delight, successfully fell.  Following this excitement, we had indoor 4th period classes.

Supper was "eat-out" indoors. Everyone enjoyed their picnic sandwiches and chips at their usual cabin tables in the lodge.

Tonight, we have a fun indoor Evening Program planned: Reverse Scavenger Hunt. In this game, campers bring 10 random items (such as flashlight, broom, blanket, etc) and use them as props to make skits with their cabins, competing against other cabins from their section of camp. For example, we might say "rock band," "a Camp Asto Wamah boating class," or "going to the prom" and each cabin would use their objects to act out this theme. It is a game that is always highly amusing.

Hopefully tomorrow will bring cooler weather!

-the Birch Blogger

Day 9!!!!!!!!!

Today was another scorching hot day. We returned to our regular schedules after two exciting days off for track meet and the Wamah Olympics. The campers were happy to get back into their classes. The lake was especially delightful, and sailors enjoyed strong winds. Dinner/lunch was a camp favorite: Shepherd's Pie!

We were lucky to have a special program today during Activity Period: Buana Iguana. A man named Ray Ward brought his collection of reptiles including snakes, alligators, and turtles. Some campers participated in holding these animals and helping with the demonstrations. It was really fun!

Supper tonight was pizza, with camp's famous chocolate pudding pie for dessert!

For Evening Program, the LT's led a Wild West Carnival, which included games such as musical chairs, "horse racing," an obstacle course, and various ball-tossing games. The campers dressed up in their best Western costumes, which was very creative and entertaining! Campers received pea-beans as tokens for winning games. The cabin that had the highest total beans at the end won the Golden Waffle Award. The winner was Cabin 5!

Talk to you tomorrow!

-the Birch Blogger

Day 8!!!!!!!! Wamah Olympics Continue!

Hello Birch Blogger followers! Today, camp deviated from the regular routine of classes to bring campers more Wamah Olympic events.  We awoke and started the day off right with French Toast followed by a full day of exciting competition. The morning events included, swimming and boating races, an  archery shootout, a tennis, soccer, sailing, diving, volleyball and kickball competition. They then had a much needed general swim, followed by a scrumptious meal of lasagna and ice pops for dessert. Rest hour was highly anticipated by ALL Wamah Olympians today :D

Following rest hour, campers had many more events including, a canoe race, a badminton game, a tower jumping competition, and the first ever Wamahathalon (boating instead of biking). We had another general swim and a wonderful meal of tacos! Peach Crisp was a refreshing yet tasty dessert before campers went to evening program tonight.  As I write campers are playing nonstop cricket and due to the heat and how busy the campers have been today, there will most likely be a quick dip in the lake before a much needed bedtime.  I know all the campers will fall into a deep sleep as soon as their heads hit the pillows tonight !!!

Regular schedule tomorrow!! Goodnight!

-The Birch Blogger

Day Seven!!!!!!! Track and Field Day!

Today, track and field day marked the half-way point of the 2012 boys camp session! And oh what a day it was! :D Campers prepared for the day ahead at breakfast by devouring large bowls of cereal and large pieces of cinnamon swirl coffee cake. Next most campers switched bunks, which allowed  campers with top bunks to try the bottom and vice versa.  Then it was off to the races!!! On track and field day, morning classes are canceled and special athletic events are held instead. A few days ago the campers where equally split into two teams: Green and White (camp colors). Those two teams competed today in the softball throw, running long jump, standing long jump, 50-yard dash, and the marathon (which is maybe half a mile).

This session we are not doing the traditional Indian War Relay in place of 4th period because we are celebrating the Olympic Games here at Asto Wamah.  In honor of the games being held this summer in England, this afternoon campers will participate in several events  including, a basketball tournament, a knock-hockey tournament, and a ping-pong tournament. It has sure been an exciting day of competition, team work, and great sportsmanship!

Today for lunch campers had ham and noodles and tonight we will feast on hamburgers, followed by green and white cake for dessert! YUM! The results of the days events will be posted in our traditional Birch Barker and it will be given out during banquet (this Thursday) for campers to bring home and share with you. The next night at campfire (this Friday) those who placed in the events will receive their ribbons and awards!

I'll have some more updates for you all tomorrow!

-The Birch Blogger

Day 6!!!!!!

Today began with a few drops of rain, which slightly lessened the dust being kicked up during Chicken Fat (morning stretches). Breakfast was rich, delicious chocolate chip bread and cereal. Today was a real scorcher, making the lake even more refreshing than usual. Classes are going well; campers are receiving progress from their teachers as to what they still need to work on to pass. Everyone is excited to take a break from classes for track meet tomorrow!! Hopefully it won't get postponed by any rain.

It was the kitchen's afternoon off, so we enjoyed another "eat out" supper. Cabins went together to various locations around camp and ate a picnic of hot dogs, chips, cookies, and lemonade.

Tonight we will play a game that was created by our very own Drew and Catherine. It is called "Sniper Wars" and is a combination of many other camp games such as Pirates and Mission to Mars. It's sure to be a boys camp favorite because most of the game is about running through the woods :D

Can't wait to fill you in on track meet tomorrow!

-the Birth Blogger

Day 5!!!!!

Today Campers awoke to the early morning mist coming off Columbia Lake.  We enjoyed a special breakfast of waffles with peanut butter (as is Wamah tradition!) , butter, and REAL maple syrup from a generous camp family :D It was AWESOME!!!  Next we had our usual cabin cleanup and morning classes. Today level 6 swam their 500yrds, level 4 learned butterfly, and Water Safety learned how to make rescues. There was an EPIC canoe and rowboat battle on the lake during second period which was the highlight of their morning. Lunch/Dinner was meatballs with gravey, mashed potatoes, green beans, zucchini, and bread with butter, followed by butterscotch pudding for dessert.  It was another beautiful high 80's day so campers enjoyed their general swim. The staff is hoping for rain soon to  get rid of all the dust being kicked up by the active campers. Several exciting activities were offered today for Activity period, jumping off the tower, basketball, ultimate frisbee, sailing, badminton, and sailing on the largest watercraft in camp, THE HUNTER.

After the nurses inspection, cabins 2,5,and 6 won cleanest cabin of the day.Tonight's game is my favorite: MURDER BY NIGHT!!!  Campers will search all over camp for counselors to track down and figure out who the murderer is.  ( no one has actually been murdered :) ) It is sure to be a hoot and holler.

Till tomorrow!

-The Birch Blogger

Day 4!!!!

We woke up today to another beautiful mid-80 day. We had a hearty breakfast of oatmeal (or cold cereal) and English muffins. Classes were making large strides in their levels. Level 6 swimmers have almost perfected the butterfly stroke, and it hasn't even been a week! Sailors delighted in learning how yell "coming about" as they tacked in the strong winds. In arts and crafts, some campers began new projects, such as coloring their own knock hockey stick or making geckos. Sports classes enjoyed playing kickball. For dinner, the chicken parm was a big hit, and the chocolate pudding for dessert was delightful. The afternoon continued as planned. For activity period, campers enjoyed ultimate frisbee and nukem (an exciting game in which a ball is thrown over a net to "nuke" out the nearest player who does not catch it).  I took an excited 14 campers to jump off the tower.

Supper tonight was a cozy meal of grilled cheese and tomato soup, with churros for dessert.

Evening program last night was a camp favorite: Pirates! Campers searched for hidden treasures and had "pirate gun" (rags filled with flour) battles. It was a close game. Campers also voted for Green and White Team captains for our track meet on Sunday, which is sure to be thrilling.

Tonight, we will have a game of King Dodge- a variation of a classic dodge ball.

Talk with you tomorrow!

-the Birch Blogger

Day 3!!!

Today began the same as yesterday.We had cereal and blueberry bread for breakfast.  YUM!!! We enjoyed it!!!  Another 80 degree day made for wonderful progress in the water classes although sailors suffered due to lack of wind.  They practiced capsizing on the lake which was a quite refreshing way to cool off.  Sports class was super hot but sought out refuge in the shade-covered ropes course.  Arts  and crafts was thrilling today; campers progressed even further on their projects. Some worked on their gimp and  friendship bracelets while others put the finishing stitches on their pillows!! Today, the kitchen staff had a half day off, so campers enjoyed an eat out, where counselors selected a different location in camp to have a picnic dinner.  Popular locales included docks which came with water views.

As promised, we have the report on last night's evening program. Drumrolll......... Spies and Smugglers! My FAVORITE!! It was an intense game of running up and down camp, tagging the opposing team bringing slips of paper (points) to the A-field.  Tonight's game remains a secret! Check back again tomorrow to find out!

My favorite meal is tomorrow at lunch.... CHICKEN PARM!!!!! - The Birch Blogger :D