Skylemar Blog

The heart is warmed a dozen times in any one Skylemar day.  Take this morning for example.  Thirteen year-old Harry H was enjoying the lake with a new friend, and they decided to race.  Harry, a skilled swimmer, swam beautifully and clearly out-performed the boy who had the idea for the challenge.   Ahead by half a length, Harry could have easily touched the dock on the other side and the race would have been over.  Instead, Harry flipped over mid-stroke and swam towards the friend.  He then flipped once more and adjusted his pace to that of his opponent.  Harry was still the victor in the end, but he made sure it was a respectable win.

Another heart-warmer was the Counselor Meeting held during Rest Hour.  We talk about what’s coming up in the days ahead, and re-visit important topics discussed during Staff Training Week (today’s topic was role modeling).  A counselor from each cabin gives a quick report about their kids.  He mentions any concerns and shares tips that all on the team should be aware of.

That’s the touching part.  Only three days in, and these never-before parents love their kids. They beam with pride as they talk about how well their boys are getting along (not realizing that it’s been less than 72 hours…).  They speak authoritatively to the others, explaining that one boy needs just a little more patience.  They teach each other the “tricks of the trade”.  For example, how do you make sure that your camper is wearing his retainer to sleep?  You shake the container.  What do you do if your camper wakes up before dawn just a little bit homesick?  According to Counselor Zach F, you take him to mini-golf.

It’s amazing how well the campers and staff are tolerating the heat wave.  Today’s schedule included sports played at half-speed, as well as less athletic activities like Cool Tools.  That’s when Bruce, a brilliant plastics engineer who’s here to inspire the boys, teaches them about hand tools for woodworking.

Drive-In Movie for Evening Activity.  The whole camp watched the giant screen from the Bunkline, relaxing on sleeping bags, under the stars.  Popcorn, candy and a couple hundred friends.  What could be better!

Hot stuff here at Skylemar.   96 steamy degrees during the day, and still a sticky 82 at bedtime.

Shep called it Minimal Speed Monday.    The morning schedule would go as planned, but sports were to be played at a slower pace.  We all carried water bottles, and the Sunscreen & Hydration Golf Cart was constantly on the go.

Morning Announcements included a “commercial” from Barnicus, the Warrior of Clean. It’s our Program Director Barney, who has a way of putting on a costume and making anything fun.  Even cleaning. Barnicus explained daily Inspection Perfection, which happens each morning from 9:15-10.  After breakfast everyone makes their bed, and then each cabinmate tackles a chore to keep the bunk organized and tidy.  Well let’s say tidy-as-can-be, with 9 or so people living in one room.  One guy has sweep, one has dustpan, one has trash and so on.  Don’t get excited…it’s one of those things they only do at camp.

Especially in this heat, we’re grateful for our newly built outdoor dining pavilion.  It’s an enormous 135’ long open-air structure that holds the entire camp sitting at 40 picnic tables.  The fresh Maine air flows right through, which makes it far more comfortable than being inside a building.  Best of all, the whole camp can gather here as one big family, without limitations.

By afternoon it was just too darn hot.  We changed the entire day’s plan to one that had more in the water, along with some relaxing activities.  Skylemar has two beach areas (The Waterfront and Sky Pines) used for swimming, non-motorized boating (sailing, kayaking, canoeing), fishing, snorkeling, waterskiing and wakeboarding.  When you weren’t in the water, there was Dog Treat Making, Archery, Lego Creations, Photography, Chill Top (arts & crafts), Chess, Ping Pong, Yellowhorn (outdoor science), Mini Golf and Yard Games.  The snow cone machine made its debut, and all enjoyed the unlimited flavors.

Tonight’s Scavenger Hunt was a huge hit.  There were six stations that the teams (two cabin groups from the same Division) rotated through.  Each had its own items to find, tasks to accomplish and quiz questions to answer.  For example, at Adam’s Skydeck station the team had to name five types of cheese, write a camp haiku, find something with a sticker on it as well as a piece of clothing with a button.  And of course, each teammate had to “drip” (hand sanitize) before moving on the next station.

Another hot one’s on the way.  Stay tuned for what’s in store.

No rooster required.  As the sun rises, out of the cabin they pour.  By 5 AM the basketballs were “babump babumping” and sets of little eyes eagerly peered into Shep’s “Lighthouse” window.  Counselors give up on the last hour of sleep, realizing that there’s just no way of holding back their family of super excited kids.  It’s the first day of camp!

George’s “Morning Show” airs at 8.  It’s an ESPN-style over-the-PA radio show, that keeps everyone up to date with the latest sports news.  Today’s edition was brought to you by Coop E, Nate R, Reed and Bronner.

Each day a different bunk has the honor of raising the flag, as we stand at attention for the National Anthem.  It’s one of the handful of minutes that the boys actually stay still.

A breakfast of Skylemar’s Famous French Toast Sticks, oatmeal, eggs, fruit and cereal goes well with the morning paper, aka “The Daily Schedule”.  The schedule is custom-made for each day by Barney, our Program Director.  It’s a precise blueprint for where each camper and counselor go at all times.  Who would have guessed we’ve been “contact tracing” for 70+ years.

There are seven periods in a day.  Five are assigned, and two are choice.  For example, Bunk 10 had tennis first period, and then the choice of Lacrosse, Steal the Bacon or Chilltop.  Next, they had Waterfront, followed by Soccer, Yellowhorn and Backwoods. After that was a choice of Football, Mini Golf or Bocce.  In between are three meals, Perfection Inspection and Power Shower Hour.   Sound tiring?  The day also includes Rest Hour.  But even then, they never rest.

The type of activity determines how many cabins attend.  For instance, Golf would be just one bunk, while Basketball would be several of the same age.  We refer to these age groups as “Divisions”.  You’ll soon receive a postcard from your son sharing his cabin number, which corresponds to these Divisions:

Cubs:  Bunks 1-6

Tigers:  Bunks 7-9

Freshmen:  Bunks 10-14

Sophomores:  Bunks 15-19

Juniors:  Bunks 20-24

Seniors:  Bunks 25-27

Stars:  Bunks 28-30

Ring of Champions Campfire was our Evening Activity.  It’s an all-camp event, with songs, hilarious skits and of course, s’mores.   Lots of fun for all ages.

Bring on tomorrow!  We can’t wait!

After a tightly-capped and shook-up year, it’s as if a soda bottle of joy exploded at Camp Skylemar.    The greatest guys in the whole wide world have arrived!

They came by plane, bus and car, ready for friendship-filled happy days.   Saying goodbye to those we love is emotional, so it was especially impressive to watch even our youngest bravely travel without a tear.

After the traditional meal of spaghetti and meatballs, everyone settled into their cabins.  Typically, a “household” is 5-8 boys, plus two or three counselors.  The older groups have more, since long-time friends who have been divided for so long yearned for togetherness.  It feels good to be home sweet home, at Camp Skylemar.

Staff Intros for Evening Activity.  It’s especially fun to hear the kids cheer with pride for their own counselors, whether they’ve known them for years or just a few hours.

As we sing each night, “day is done and all is well”.  Rest assured that your Skylemar star is safe in his bed, surrounded by friends and counselors who care.