July 7th

We're having so much fun at camp! Today started off with blueberry bread for breakfast and then everyone headed back to their cabins to clean up and get ready for classes. Everyone enjoyed the first three classes of the day in the sun. Sailing classes were especially exciting as it was the first day going out and the wind was amazing! Lunch today was ziti, baguettes, and salad with peaches and pears for dessert. After rest hour and general swim, we had a special treat. Each session we have a guest program come and today Bwana Iguana came to educate us about reptiles. He brought a tortoise, a blue tongued skink, a friendly snapping turtle named Shelly, a corn snake, and a boa constrictor that all the campers got to pet!

After the program we went to fourth period and then it was time for flag lowering and dinner. On the menu tonight was Philly Cheese Steaks for dinner and cheese cake for dessert. Campers are now getting ready for tonight's evening program- Spies and Smugglers.

The LT's announced the trivia answer from yesterday and the new question for today. The answer from last nights was Loki (Thor's evil brother). Today's question is "Name 5 X-Men."

Stay tuned for more updates on the Birch Blog!

Maddy and Colleen, The Huts

Monday July 6th

The first full day of camp has been a great success! At 8:00am, we all gathered around the flagpole for the raising of the flag and "Chicken Fat" (our morning exercise routine). Breakfast was cornbread and cereal. Afterwards, everyone headed back to their cabins to do some cleaning and organizing. Every day, the nurse comes around and inspects the cabins and chooses the neatest cabin from each section (hilltop, lakeside and seniors) as the winner. The next bell rings for camp duties. Every cabin is assigned a duty around camp. Some duties include bailing boats, sweeping the lodge, collecting trash and putting the dishes away. At 10:00am first period began and the campers rotated through three different classes until noon. Seniors went from sports to swimming to boating. Lakesiders went from swimming to sports to arts and crafts. And Hilltoppers went from arts and crafts to boating to swimming.

Lunch was chicken parm and spaghetti with butterscotch pudding for dessert. After lunch, everyone had the opportunity to go to the camp store. Most boys just get candy, but we also provide stamps, paper, pens, flashlights and water bottles. After rest hour, it was a beautiful afternoon for a general swim. From there, everyone did the class they didn't get to do in the morning. Seniors went to arts and crafts, lakesiders went to boating and hilltoppers went to the field for sports.

Activity period offerings today were jumping off the tower, soccer on the A Field, Nuke 'Em (a volleyball game), row boating and aquarium games.

Dinner was a crowd favorite - grilled cheese and tomato soup with orange cake for dessert. Now, the campers are on the A Field hearing the game instructions for Capture the Flag. We will finish the night with a snack and a quick dip in the lake.

We are very lucky to have a great group of boys in our LT (leadership training) program. Each day they do trivia at lunchtime and we will share it with all of you here! This year's theme is superheroes.

Today's question: Who is Thor's evil brother in the movie "The Avengers"?

Stayed tune for the answer tomorrow!

Maddy and Colleen, The Huts

First day of Boys Camp (July 5th)

Welcome to the Boys Camp 2015 blog! It was a beautiful day for campers to arrive. Once all of the campers arrived, counselors took their groups on a tour of the camp. Stops included the archery range, the A Field, the ropes course, the composting bathrooms and the dining room. Afterwards, we all gathered in the Council Ring for some welcoming remarks, introductions and expectations. Finally it was time to get in the water! New campers were all classified into their respective swimming levels. Then everyone got in for a general swim.

Dinner tonight was the traditional first meal - hotdogs, tater tots and beans with brownies for dessert. Now, the campers are back at their cabins getting ready for Evening Program. On the first night of camp we always play Medical War (a dodgeball game). Afterwards, we will hopefully have time for a "quick dip" before bed. Once everyone is ready for bed, counselors will choose a book to read to their cabins.

Everyone is looking forward to the first full day of classes tomorrow!

Maddy and Colleen, The Huts

Friday July 3rd

The first session of Camp Asto Wamah 2015 has come to a close! We started the last full day of camp off with english muffins and cereal. During the morning periods, all of the campers worked hard to show off their swimming and boating skills. It's tough to pass a swimming or boating level in just a week but some returning campers as well as a few extra talented newcomers proved skillful enough to advance. After a morning filled with hard work, lunch was a camp-favorite - shepherds pie and "leftovers" for dessert (jello, cherry cake, cheesecake and apple crisp). During activity period, campers could go jumping off the tower, attend a "boot camp" with Noah (an Air Force Academy student), or finish up arts and crafts projects.

Dinner was chicken fajitas and peaches for dessert. After dinner, everyone went back to their cabins to organize their belongings. Now, the campers are all playing a fun game of King Dodge. Afterwards, we will all gather in the Council Ring for boating/swimming awards, year awards, songs and s'mores.

Tomorrow we will wake up a half hour early and have breakfast at 7:30am. Pick up will be from 8:30am to 10:00am. We will be sad to these campers go, but we look forward to the next two weeks of boys camp!

Maddy, Cabin 6

Thursday July 2nd

It has been another typical day at Camp Asto Wamah. Breakfast this morning was cornbread with cereal and orange slices. After a normal morning schedule, campers gathered in the upper lodge for chicken tenders, rice, corn and salad. Dessert was a special cold treat - berry or orange juice bars. Activity period options were Aquarium swimming games, the ever-popular jumping off the tower, fishing and row boating. All the campers either chose an activity or entertained themselves with games in the cabin. Dinner tonight will be meatball grinders and potato chips. Right now, cookees are busy setting the tables for supper. The campers don't know yet, but tonight we are playing a camp-favorite game, Pirate Gangs. The camp will be split up into two teams and battle each other with guns (flour filled clothes) and search for a hidden treasure. It will be a ton of fun! Check back in tomorrow for some more updates. Best,

Maddy, Cabin 6

Maggie, Cabin 2

Wednesday July 1st

It has been a beautiful day on Columbia Lake. Fortunately, the rain only hit us very early in the morning so we were able to hold our normal schedule. After a yummy breakfast of chocolate chip bread, campers worked hard to clean their cabins and fulfill their duties around camp. During the morning classes, campers had a chance to improve their swimming strokes, paddle and row boats and canoes and make bead animals and friendship bracelets. It was too wet on the field for a normal sports class so we held that class in the upper lodge and Drew hosted some fun indoor games. Lunch was ziti and pasta. After a relaxing rest hour, we had perfect weather for a general swim and everyone went in and enjoyed the water. After 4th period, campers went sailing on the Hunter, played soccer on the A Field and those in level 4 swimming and above went for some jumps off the tower. Tonight is the kitchen staff's night off. Counselors took sandwich orders from all the campers and tonight we will eat out picnic style. Each cabin will choose a spot somewhere around camp. Some will sit on a dock or raft and others will venture out to a campsite in the woods. It looks like it will be a clear evening for a fun outdoor evening program! Can't believe there's only two more days! Best,

Maddy, Cabin 6

Camp Updates

Welcome to the first Birch Blog for the 2015 camp season! Our first session is off to a great start. Unfortunately, Sunday was unusually chilly. We made the best of the weather, but we couldn’t stick to our usual first day program. Instead of classifying our new campers into their swimming levels, we gathered inside the lodge to meet the staff and learn about some camp rules. After some ice breakers and tours with our cabins, we had our traditional first night of camp meal – hotdogs, baked beans and chips, followed by yummy brownies! The field was too wet to play a game outside, so we broke up into cabin sections – hilltop (girls), lakeside (younger boys), and seniors (older boys), and played a game that showed off everyone’s individual talents called “skills challenge.”

Monday was a bit nicer but still not as hot and sunny as we prefer. Right after breakfast (cinnamon rolls and cereal) and cabin cleanup/camp duties we got all the new campers in the water to test out their swimming skills. Following that, we went through our normal morning schedule. All three sections of camp rotate through swimming, boating, sports and arts and crafts. After lunch, it still wasn’t too warm so those who wanted to go in for “General Swim” had the option and everyone else played some getting-to-know-you games on the field. After General Swim, we had our first Activity Period! Campers had the option to go on a sunfish sailboat, play soccer on the field, or go jumping off the tower on White Raft. After dinner, we played our usual first night game on the field – Medical War (a dodgeball game). Everyone loved the competition and we finished the night with a snack of animal crackers.

Today we finally got the nice sunny weather we were waiting for! We started our day with flag raising, Chicken Fat (our morning exercise routine), and a breakfast of bagels, cereal, and oatmeal. Sports classes played their traditional first day game of Nuke ‘em, boaters and swimmers had great weather to work on their skills, and many beaded geckos were made during Arts and Crafts! Lunch was ham and noodles with delicious apple turnovers for dessert. After a relaxing rest hour, everyone went down to the waterfront to go in for General Swim. Activities offered today included a nature walk, jumping off the tower, and going for a ride on the Hunter (camp’s largest sailboat). It was a beautiful afternoon to enjoy our activities both on and off the water. Following flag lowering we enjoyed a great supper of tacos, carrots, and chips with cherry cake for dessert!

Now it’s off to evening program – a camp-wide game of capture the flag!

Until next time,

Maddy, Cabin 6

Maggie, Cabin 2

June Update

Dear Friends of Asto Wamah, June is finally here! That means that within the next 4 weeks, Asto Wamah will be in full swing for its 106^th season.

We hope you are registered and looking forward to a week, two-weeks, or more at CAW, meeting new friends, experiencing new challenges and developing new appreciations and understandings.

The good news is that if you are not already registered there is still time to sign up and be a part of this enthusiastic and welcoming community. Applications can be downloaded from the website or call me at 860-649-8614 to learn of availability. If you are registered and have a friend who might enjoy our program, please invite him/her to come.

With each passing day, the grounds and buildings are becoming more and more ready for your arrival. The lake level is already unusually high. At this time, the LTs and Staff have completed CPR training along with First Aid. New supplies and equipment for all program areas are arriving daily. The 2015 shirts are here. They are long sleeved, black with a turquoise design featuring the white raft and tower. Delaney Reimers came up with the design and I am confident it will be popular.

Very soon, the storeroom, refrigerators and freezer will be bursting with food. The kitchen will be poised for action. Just before Coed begins, the staff will arrive for Staff Training. Then all that will be left will be the campers’ arrival.

Hoping you will be a part of the 2015 season of fun and adventure!

Always,

Nancy

May Update

Dear Fans of Asto Wamah, At long last, it’s now clear that spring is here. That means that summer cannot be far off. The days left until the start of the 106^th season at Asto Wamah are flying by and we will soon be enjoying fun and adventure at Columbia Lake. All this is good news! To prove that spring has arrived, I have included some pictures taken on 4/30. (Keep in mind on 4/1 the A-Field was still 100% covered with snow.) Can you see the violets that are growing along a path, the marsh-marigolds and skunk cabbage at the Icky Water Bridge, the trillium (a maroon and green flower with 3 leaves and 3 petals) near Cabin 7 and the ferns just poking up out of the leaves? Each is a welcomed sign of spring!

This wonderful weather has brought a flurry of activity to CAW. Last Saturday, thirty men, women and children raked mountains of leaves and cleaned every cabin and building. Camp looks awesome! We are ready for a new season with enthusiastic campers and a devoted staff. Hope a session at Asto Wamah is on your schedule this summer. There are openings in every session (not many in the all-boy 2-weeks) so there is still time to register. Tell a friend!

The month of May will be busy at camp. There will be 2 Saturday trainings for the new group of 15-year olds in our Leadership Training program. Additionally, Open Camp Day will be held on May 23^rd from 3pm to 5 pm. This is a terrific opportunity for those new to Asto Wamah to tour the grounds and see bunkhouses, the Lodge, the waterfront, bathrooms, and the A-Field, Some of 2015’s staff will help with the tours and answer questions. I look forward to meeting new families and our first year campers. If you live nearby and would like to help by being a guide, please know that you are most welcome. There will be cookies and lemonade for all.

The end of your school year is right around the corner and I hope you are completing another milestone with success. Soon it will be time for swimming, boating, games on the field, arts and crafts, sailing and all the fun and friendships that are Asto Wamah. We look forward to your time at camp and the experiences we will share together. Stay well!

Always,

Nancy

April Update

Dear Asto Wamah Followers, Well, we seem to be nearly done with this record breaking winter season. Snow still covers much of camp. The A-Field is about 100% covered, as you can see in the photo, but there are leaf patches appearing in the woods. Most paths are by now bare. Unbelieveably, the lake is still covered with ice. The first 6 or 8 feet closest to shore have melted, but the rest remains solid. Water is pouring under the Icy Water Bridge from the melting snow and springs in the woods. This is the time of year when each new day shows change. Spring is always an exciting time at camp.

This exceptionally cold and snowy winter has resulted in an almost total lack of activity during the past 2 months. Other than plowing and shoveling all other projects have been shut down. Now that it is possible to get around without snowshoes we are beginning to gear up for the opening routines of turning on the water, cleaning buildings, raking leaves, painting and staining buildings and all the other tasks needed to get camp ready for the new season.

So far 245 campers have registered for the summer sessions. No session is totally full so I am hoping that you will spread the word about Asto Wamah and the camping experience we offer. We would like to have a full camp and would appreciate any assistance you might offer to get us there.

We are most fortunate to have a complete staff of outstanding young adults hired and ready to work. Most are returning, having worked last summer. The rest are graduates of our 2014 Leadership Training program. All are excited to be a part of the team that will provide every camper with an awesome experience where friendships will be made, fun will be had, and independence will be gained. We are eager for the adventure and opportunities summer will bring at Asto Wamah.

Wishing you a healthy and happy April!

All best,

Nancy

March Update

Dear Friends of Asto Wamah, Well, February may be the shortest month of the year, but to me it seemed to have lasted way too long. I do not ever remember so much snow. In addition to the snow, the lake is covered with more than two feet of ice. I look forward to both the ice and snow melting and the arrival of buds on the trees and the singing of birds. Mother Nature certainly has a way of getting our attention.

The photo for this month was taken from the lake, about half way to Frog Island. I wanted you to get an idea of the expanse of the whiteness. It is really very beautiful.

Brochures were sent in early February and the forms have steadily been arriving. Our mail has been somewhat disrupted since the mailbox at the end of the camp road was knocked off its post during the plowing of the first storm. We still get our mail, just not as easily as before.   There are still openings in all sessions so if you have friends or neighbors who may be interested, please reassure them that there is room. We’d love to have them.

Despite the cold and snow, we are excited to be gearing up for our 106^th season. Staff is falling into place with a large number of exceptional returnees. Supplies for the field, waterfront and archery are being ordered and arriving. Deb will soon be deciding on the materials needed for arts and crafts. The arrival of day light savings time this weekend is another reminder that summer is not far off.

Hope you have been well and are looking forward to your time at Asto Wamah this summer!

Always,

Nancy

February Update

Dear Friends of Asto Wamah, I hope that all is well in your world. I think of you and trust that you are enjoying this cold and now white winter. At least Colbie has brought the conditions for fun outside activities. Stay safe in all that you do.

For the past few months the landscape at camp has barely changed. Blizzard Colbie changed all of that! Before the snow, the lake was totally covered with probably 5 inches of the smoothest ice I have ever seen on Columbia Lake. The conditions were perfect for ice-skating.

All that ended with Colbie. I hope the pictures clearly and fully represent the whiteness and endlessness of the 20 inches of snow that fell on Jan. 27^th. Walking beyond the plowed areas of the road and parking lot necessitate the use of snowshoes. Needless to say, moving through camp at this time is exhausting and difficult but the beauty of the snow cover is awesome.

The 2015 brochures will have already gone in the mail by the time this Blog is posted. If you have names and addresses of friends, relatives or neighbors who may be interested in attending camp this summer you can send me their contact information. You can use either c...@campastowamah.org or n...@gmail.com and I will mail out the brochure ASAP.

Hope a session at Asto Wamah will be a part of your summer plans. We would love to have you take part in this upcoming, exciting season at camp.

Don’t forget, camp enrollment is done on a first come first served basis so it is important that you get your application returned as quickly as you can.

Stay warm and safe. Remember, summer will be here before we know it!

Always,

Nancy

January 2015 Update

Dear Friends and Followers of Asto Wamah, Happy New Year!! I send you best wishes for a super new year ahead. May it bring us all peace and all that is good.

Well, 2014 ended on a positive note for Asto Wamah with the Reunion on the 26^th. Although the turnout was somewhat smaller than usual we had lots of fun playing games and revisiting the summer experience we had all shared. Friends were reconnected and there was much good cheer.

So far this winter has been noteworthy for its lack of snow, ice and cold weather. There have been some cold days here and there, but overall the temperature has been mild and other than a covering of snow at Thanksgiving, the ground has remained brown and leaf covered. The exposed lakebed has been somewhat wet and soft (certainly not frozen) until recently.   I am just starting to see some small icy areas floating close to shore. Maybe by the next Blog, I will have pictures of snow and ice for you.

Now that January is here, it is time to begin planning for registration and staff hiring. The 2015 brochure is at the printers now. Within a week or two, we will work to prepare them for the February 1^st mailing. Those hoping to work at camp this summer are already returning applications. Right now it seems as though June is far off but experience tells us that it will be here faster than we think. If you have not sent in the names and addresses of friends, relatives or neighbors who may be interested in attending camp this summer, there is still time. That information can also be delivered via the contact page on the website: www.campastowamah.org/contact.php.

Wishing you a wonderful January ahead. Stay well, be good, and Remember the Other Fellow!

Always,

Nancy

December Update

All at camp is pretty quiet right now. The Camp Road has been made ready for the months to follow when it will be frozen hard and the snowplow will be working to remove the snow. We have gathered wood into the arts and crafts room so that we can have a warm place to work once the out-of-doors becomes too cold. The pictures this month are the ones I had promised in the November Blog. One is taken from the Main Dock, looking toward the Fishing Dock. The other is taken from the Fishing Dock while looking toward the boat bouys. I find the huge rocks very interesting and thought you might like to see what lurks below the water, out of sight, while you are fishing or rowing during the summer.

Now that Thanksgiving has passed, we are into the Christmas/Holiday Season. That means the traditional Camp Reunion is approaching. Within the next week you will receive your invitation in the mail. I hope Dec. 26^th from 2PM to 4PM is free on your calendar and you will be able to attend and reconnect with camp friends. It is always a fun event with lots of enthusiasm.   We would love to see you!

Plans for the summer of 2015 are well underway at this time. Please remember to send us the names and addresses of any friends or relatives who may be interested in attending Asto Wamah next summer. We will add them to our mailing list so they can receive registration information in the February 1^st mailing. Thank you for your help in spreading the word about Asto Wamah! You are the best salesman we have!

Looking forward to seeing you at the Reunion on 12/26!

Hope your month of December will be filled with excitement and anticipation.

Wishing you and your family a joyous Christmas and Holiday Season and a New Year of peace and good will to all.

Always,

Nancy

Camp Asto Wamah 100th Fund

November Update

Greetings to All Asto Wamah Friends, Hope this new month has gotten off to a good start. I am writing on the 4^th and this day is warm and lovely enough to make you totally forget that cold weather is on the horizon.

You will be glad to know that all is well on the shores of Columbia Lake. The Dam was opened just a month ago and within a few days the water had receded to its winter level. Frog Island is a good-sized lump of rock protruding above the surface. It is now possible (and quite easy) to walk from Hungerford to the main dock, in the lake-bed, without getting wet. I will send you pictures that show the VERY large rocks, usually under water, that are now exposed on dry land. This is a great time of year to rake the leaves from the swimming areas. If only there was a way to keep others from blowing in during the next 5 or 6 months.

The leaves are mostly on the ground so the fall color is decreasing by the day. It is amazing how far you can see into the woods and how much closer everything appears. In the silence of the woods, I can still hear the sounds of summer and the fun times. Hope you can still bring those sights and sounds and feelings to mind.

Within a few days, your parents should be receiving a postcard outlining the 2015 dates for next summer. This is sent now with the hope that your vacation plans and camp session at Asto Wamah can both be accommodated into next summer’s plans. Here is the schedule:

June 28 to July 4                   coed                ages 8 to 12

July 5 to July 18                    all boys            ages 8 to 14

July 19 to August 1                all girls            ages 8 to 14

August 2 to August 15            all girls            ages 8 to 14

We hope to see you back at camp in ’15! Don’t forget to contact me at n...@gmail.com if you have a friend or relative who would like to be added to our mailing list.

Asto Wamah is thankful for you and sends to you and your family the very best wishes for a happy Thanksgiving celebration!

Always,

Nancy

October Update

Dear Friends of Asto Wamah,Now that fall is officially here, the camp environment is taking on a new look. To begin with, the woods are thinning out as low growing plants are losing their leaves, making it much easier to ‘see’ into the forest. There is some color around Columbia Lake, but overall, the predominate color is still green. The dam has not been opened yet (Wednesday is the appointed day) however the lake is definitely lower than it was all summer. Next month I will send pictures that will show a very different lake than we were use to during the summer. We have prepared for this new season by bringing in the small craft. Boats, canoes, sailboats and stand-up paddleboard are all safely stored away until next June. The White Raft is tied to Little Dipper and the Gray Raft is next to Polly Wog Dock. Hopefully the pictures I took will help you visualize the waterfront as it is now. I don’t know whether you will be able to make out the heron sitting on the boat buoy but I thought you, who were interested in this very large bird that visited us many times this summer, would be pleased to know it is still present. Many off-season projects are underway. Cabin 4 is in the process of being painted. Soon all the Lakeside cabins will have freshly painted floors. Major renovations are taking place at the Lean-to. A new roof and an overall sprucing-up will make it a more inviting destination next summer. There is never a dull moment or a lack of tasks to be tackled. Hope your life is full of happy activity, engaging friendships, success in school and those still fond memories of your time at Asto Wamah. Always, Nancy

Talented Tuesday!!

Welcome Back Birch Blog Followers! Today was a breezy and cool day on Columbia Lake. The campers woke this misty morning and gathered around the flagpole to do our flag raising and "chicken fat". They then ventured indoors to fuel up for another busy day at Asto Wamah. Breakfast was wonderful waffles with peanut butter, maple syrup, or cereal with nectarines. The morning proceeded as usual with camp duties and morning classes. The campers are all working diligently to get their crafts to completion and to nail certain skills in their boating and swimming classes. The dinner today was  a camp favorite, Shepherds Pie ( ground beef, corn, and potatoes) baked in the oven to warm the campers' bellies. The dessert was also a camper/counselor favorite, C.P.P. (chocolate pudding pie). After a fabulous meal, campers enjoyed a longer rest hour to catch up on zzzz's. Due to how cool it was on Columbia Lake, we played a game on the field instead of going into the lake for a general swim. The game called, "All Around Town", is  a kind of camp-wide kickball game. The offense team kicks the ball to the opposing team and then the kicker has to run around their own team ( all lined up) as many times as possible to get points. The opposing team fields the ball, line up, and throw the ball through the legs of everyone on the team. Once the ball makes it all the way through the legs of the fielding team, the kicker has to stop running. The white team won the game!! Hooray!

The rest of the day went according to normal schedule although many campers used activity period to get their skits/talent show acts together by making props and doing dress rehearsals. The supper tonight was chicken fajitas with applesauce, carrots, cucumbers, and chips. Dessert was a refreshing lemon cake. The campers gathered in the upper lodge for talent night around 7:30. This session is full of talented campers! We had several comical cabin skits, beautifully soloists, fabulous musicians, and graceful dancers. It was one of the best shows i've seen at Wamah!! The campers will get an extra half hour of rest tomorrow so that they be energized for this final stretch of camp.

That's all for now followers!

-The Birch Blogger

Monday Funday!!!

Welcome back birch blog followers!! Campers awoke this morning to the aroma of cornbread baking in Sue's oven! We met around the breakfast table shortly after 7:30am(8am real time)  to dine upon the cornbread, nectarines, and cereal. Then campers briskly went back to their cabins to clean and get ready for their morning classes. Today in sports classes, campers had the opportunity to try out various elements in our Ropes Course! Several campers got to rope swing or try to balance on our 'whale watch'. The swimmers participated in a butterfly clinic, where they practiced several drills to help them get the tricky rhythm of butterfly down. The boaters are still perfecting their skills and working hard to try and pass into the higher level by the end of this week.

The noontime meal , dinner(lunch) was a hearty feast of Texas Hash ( ground beef, rice, tomatoes, peppers), bread, and salad. Following this was a dessert of vanilla pudding! YUMMY! The rest hour brought with it, clouds, small showers, and a bit of wind so instead of going in for a general swim the campers enjoyed a game of non-stop cricket. Campers next proceeded back to their normal schedule of fourth period and activity period. Activities offered today were the tower (the rain stopped in time:) , badminton, sailing, and working on their arts and crafts projects. Most of the girls decided to forgo activities in order to run skits, songs, dances, or their talents in preparation for talent show tomorrow night! I am SO excited, the acts sound really entertaining. I will report on it tomorrow night :)

Today's inspection winners were cabins 2,5, and 8. Supper (dinner) was a round of steak sandwiches with cheese/peppers, applesauce, carrots/cucumbers, and a special orange cake for dessert! As I type away, campers are on the A-field, playing a camp favorite, King Dodge. Campers try to get out players on the other team in traditional dodgeball style but when a camper gets out they go to jail. Once in jail, if a camper gets hold of another dodgeball, they can try to hit unaware campers on the opposite team to get back in the game.

Tonight we will all sleep well after such an exciting and active day!!! See you on Tuesday followers!

-The Birch Blogger

Track Meet!!

Today was an exciting day at Camp Asto Wamah. Instead of going to the usual morning classes, campers went to the A-field for a day of running, jumping, and throwing. Split into teams of Green and White, campers competed against other campers in their area (hilltop, lakeside, seniors) in the running long jump, standing long jump, softball throw, and 50-yard dash. By lunchtime, everyone was good and hungry for a hearty meal of noodles, ham, corn, bread, and fruit. After lunch, we had our usual Rest Hour, followed by another track event--the "marathon!" The marathon starts on the A-field and continues down the camp road and past the lodge, finishing in front of Cabin 5. The marathon is an optional event, but quite a few runners showed up for the challenge! Those not running formed a line at the finish to cheer on their friends.

When the last marathon runners had finished, it was time for the Indian War Relay. This relay goes through all of camp, starting with 2 runners at the top of the camp road. The baton is passed along down the camp road and is then handed to boats, more runners, and finally, swimmers. White Team won in an exciting finish. It was a hot day, and the general swim that followed the relay was a welcome way to cool off from the day's activities.

Before supper, we had activity period. Campers jumped off the tower, played Nuke 'Em on the A-field, participated in swim races, and had their hair braided or wrapped. Supper was hamburgers, carrots, and chips, followed by a delicious dessert of green and white cake!

As I write, campers are getting ready to play Pirates--a camp favorite--for evening program. The game involves winning battles to collect others' "guns" (rags filled with flour) and looking for treasure in the woods. It is sure to be a fun game!