By now just about all of our Skylemar eagles have landed. It’s a good feeling to know they are with those who love them most.
The early morning was a roller coaster of emotion here. Exhausted boys, men and women hugged and cried, knowing it would be a long time before seeing each other again. Those who were new this summer had no idea they could ever become so close with friends from across the country and abroad.
On the other hand, the boys also knew that joy was around the corner. Soon they would be leaping into the arms of the greatest parents in the world. At home was a real bed, probably air conditioning, a favorite meal, and yes, video games.
The home/camp relationship is one that brings about some good stuff. We miss each other on both ends and appreciate the little things more. Most of all, we learn that people matter most, far more than the things we have.
Knowing that our practically perfect boys are safe and sound will help this Blog writer to potentially get some sleep tonight. Lots of tears have fallen from these eyes as well, especially when any one of them responded on cue with “I love you, too.” Who needs sleep when you’ve got that kind of energy drink?
The countdown is on. Just 323 days until Skylemar 2023!
Forever Grateful Friday. It’s our last day together in 2022 as one Skylemar family.
We talked a lot about gratitude today, to make sure that no one forgot how fortunate we are. It was touching to see how everyone enjoyed each other’s company more than ever, and even petty disagreements disappeared.
The boys wrote heartfelt notes at the Appreciation Station, which we’ll send to counselors after camp. We even encouraged the boys to send an email home, especially if they had something special to say. After all, without you they wouldn’t be here.
Perhaps the most grateful of all is this camp director. Thank you to our amazing parents for having the faith in us to share your precious son. This honor is always in the forefront of our minds.
Thank you to the tremendous staff for doing everything possible to make sure each boy was loved and well-cared for this summer. You are our “secret sauce” that keeps Skylemar stronger than ever.
And thank you to my Color War ghost-writer and editor, Aaron Fink. Only a best friend would stay up till 2 AM each night to correct grammatical errors.
Most of all, thank you to the greatest collection of guys in the whole wide world. We love you to the Sky and back!
For the past week, the boys had laid it all on the line…. extending themselves perhaps beyond what anyone including themselves ever thought they could. When they awoke this morning, there was a quiet tension in the air. The end was near, the victory for half the camp was oh so close; and yet, so were the emotions that were sure to spill out for the other half. But who, which team would celebrate, and who would feel the agony of defeat? Red held the lead for the past 2 days, but Gray continued to chip away, and was poised to make their last run for the gold.
When the morning activities began, Gray jumped right back in it when their Tigers dispatched the Red golfers winning 6 of 8 matches, and their Sophomores won the first Soccer game over at the Hejduk, 6-0. Like they have all week, Red again fought back the Gray surge by winning another Bocce match that went down to the last throw of a deadlocked decisive final game; then put the finishing touches on a clean 2-0 Freshman Hockey game shutout. Red then won the Upper Court Stars Basketball game before Gray answered with a comeback win on the Lower Court. News from the Hejduk spread quick when Red won the 2nd Sophomores Soccer game and Seniors Tennis. Gray was reeling a bit but salvaged a late inning tie in the Cubs Baseball game at the Freddie Pierce to stay close. Any morning move toward the lead hung on the Juniors Football outcome, and eventually, after Red staged a nearly miraculous comeback, Gray did prevail, and the stage was set.
Five days of exhilarating action, spectacular plays, dazzling skills, acrobatic saves, offensive firepower, stalwart defense, great shot-making, buzzer-beaters and last second heroics were just part of the story this week. Most impressive were the daily displays of outstanding teamwork, exemplary leadership and all-around great sportsmanship that have become the fabric of Skylemar sports – it’s what we do!
And it all came down to this – the greatest closing act in all of sports competitions: Tugs of War.
The sweltering heat meant the delay of the most cherished tradition of Color War. The hope was that the pulsating sun would be a bit less unforgiving after 4pm. Nevertheless, the adults who devoted much of their summer to sunscreening withheld the spray, so as not to be the blame for slippery hands. Each and every Skylemar boy was fully focused on one thing only – winning his Tug.
The line of judges and photographers stood at attention across the Snow Field, as the teams entered the arena to join them. Shep welcomed all, and paid tribute to Captains Jack and Grant. They both led the Camp in a positive way, with honor, pride, care and class.
One Division at a time, the two teams are called to the rope. The determined team members aligned in formation when Shep bellowed, “Tuggers to the rope!” They grabbed, locked down their fists, the whistle blew and….
“PULL!”, the crowd screamed. “PULL!”, the Lieutenant shouted as he leapt up and down the line of tuggers.
And they pulled! Faces clenched, muscles popped, minds laser-focused on pulling harder than what they thought was humanly possible. Some wailed with primal strength. Their feet dug firmly in the ground with the resolve that they would …not…get…pulled…over that line….
The whistle blared a 2nd time, signaling each tug’s winner. The victorious jumped and cheered with joy. The defeated slumped back to their team sadly, nevertheless greeted with consoling high-fives.
From Cubs through the Stars, round 1 was done (to win, it’s two out of three). Red needed just two more Tugs to win the 2nd time through…AND THEY DID IT! RED wins Color War 2022!
The Red Men were ecstatic! They leaped into each other’s arms, happier than they could ever imagine. They had worked so hard and got the win they had hoped for!
But oh, the Gray. Many were stunned, shell-shocked, and some fell to the ground in tears. They worked so hard too but did not get the win they had hoped for.
The disappointment did not go unnoticed by Red. They turned to their Gray brothers with outstretched hands and heartfelt hugs. The Captains embraced and everyone headed to Trickey Pond to wash away the competition.
Our waters truly are magical. After jumping into the lake with friends, Skylemar is one! We now bleed both Red and Gray, just as a band of brothers should.
The weather stayed steamy hot, right through our beloved Waterfront Ceremony. The Captains led the torch-lit procession, adding each cabin to the line along the way as we walked silently down to Trickey. It was an enchanting setting at the Waterfront, with a spectacularly-colored bonfire in the middle of the lake.
Shep and the Captains spoke, reminding all to be grateful for those at home and here who made this Skylemar summer possible. Thinking about others is also what our Wishing Boats are all about. Our tradition holds that if you place one in the lake and make a wish for someone other than yourself, it just might come true. See, the water really is magical.
But this time, Mother Nature had other plans. Although the heat-lightning was far in the distance, the winds whipped up, and we thought it best to head back to the cabins. Meanwhile, Blake and his crew delivered pizza and treats to all. The ceremony may have been cut short, but an “in-the-bunk” party was a happy way to “play the cards we were dealt”. It was a fantastic night no matter what!
Moving Day. In the Golf world, it’s the day of jockeying for position – putting yourself within striking distance of the lead for that final push to the top on the last day of the event. In our world, it’s the 4th day of Color War – where the team that’s ahead tries to cement its position on top, and the chaser pulls out all the stops to keep the lead in sight and stands ready to pounce when opportunity knocks. Tonight’s Songs and Cheers competition would provide that opportunity. But before we got there, here’s what happened on the fields, courts and in the water today…
The Red Cubs swept a pair of Football games, then followed up with a dominating win in Sophomores Tennis. Gray, resilient as ever, responded in kind with a big win in Tigers Lacrosse and another in Stars Golf to keep it close.
In the Bocce Garden’s most exciting match of the week, Gray held 2-0 and 4-3 leads (needing 5 to win), before Red came back with some deftly placed shots with the match on the line to eke out a 5-4 Stars Bocce win.
Gray came right back again by stroking their way to a Freshmen Waterfront victory down at Trickey and were poised to make their move. But again, Red pushed back, winning Juniors Softball on the Fred Pierce Field, 7-2, then watched outstanding goalkeeper Jacob N make one spectacular save after another to preserve a 2-0 shutout victory in Seniors Soccer over at the Hejduk. Red continued to hold on as we headed for lunch, but Gray was lurking….
After lunch, then another chance for the teams to polish up their show for tonight’s critical Songs and Cheers (and a bit of needed R&R time in the bunks as well), the boys went right back out to do battle again.
And battle they did…right down to the final whistle of the afternoon. Red continued to set the tone with afternoon wins in Cubs Soccer, Freshmen Baseball and Juniors Golf and Bocce. But not only was Gray undeterred, they rattled off victories in Tigers Tennis, both Sophomores Lacrosse games and Seniors Basketball.
With most activities complete, many of the teams’ participants found themselves camped out around a triple-header of Stars Hockey action at the Rink, a Stanley Cup atmosphere around our biggest guys. The teams had split the first two games, leaving Stars Hockey and the afternoon’s results hanging on every slapshot, breakaway or save…. until finally, with just 5 seconds to go, Harry H netted the game winner, giving Gray the afternoon and the momentum they sought as we headed to Songs and Cheers.
The impact of tonight’s performances could not be ignored with 8 full points at stake – enough to alter the entire complexion of this Color War, as it has numerous times over the past 73 years. It’s a night which bears the fruit of many long hours of preparation and 6 rehearsal sessions, culminating in what each team hopes will be a performance for the ages.
There are 6 requirements in the set, each weighted (not equally) to make up the 8 available points… a Team Cheer, Camp Cheer, Team Fight Song, Old Camp Song, Original Camp Song and Production Number.
Dressed appropriately in team colors, both teams brought the same emotional intensity to the stage as they’ve shown us all week. The boys poured their hearts out, singing proudly (and loudly), hoping to impress Judges Barney, Blake and Matisi…first the Gray, followed by Red. Somehow, they overcame the vocal strain of the past 4 days and gave us two memorable performances. When it was all over, Shep announced the judges’ final scoring decision, 4 ½ – 3 ½ in favor of Red.
The finish line was in sight, but this story has plenty left to be told…Stay tuned!
Another spectacular Maine day greeted the teams this morning, but for the first time, Red had slept on a lead. However, Gray was brimming with confidence and encouraged their gang to keep up the effort, assuring them that the tide would turn their way today.
And so it did, but not before Red jumped out quickly this morning by sweeping Cubs Golf and Bocce. Our two youngest golf prodigies, Red’s Eli W and Gray’s Ethan V went to the last hole all square in an epic match before Eli holed out for the win. Then Red carried Sophomores Waterfront as well, and Gray had dug themselves a bit of a morning hole.
Over on the Hockey rink, Ben K was impenetrable in net as Red won the first game 1-0. Max S had the lone tally. Red then scored late to answer a pair of first half goals by Gray’s DeFran to forge a tie, securing Seniors Hockey for Red.
If you thought Gray might roll over, you thought wrong. At SkyHoops in the Tigers Division, Gray dominated one game, then put on a furious late rally behind Asher’s relentless defense to comeback from 8 points down in the other, and hand Gray Tigers Basketball.
And it didn’t stop there. Gray then swept both Freshman Football games, with Jordan H starring on both sides of the ball. At the Tennis courts at both Sky I and II, again the individual singles and doubles matches were split, but this time Gray won the Skills competition and with it, the point for Juniors Tennis.
To top off the rally over at the Hejduk, Gray came back from an early deficit to win the first Stars Lacrosse game, then watched several talented players from both sides display some fantastic lacrosse acumen in the 2nd. Ultimately, Austin K was the difference in the cage, stopping multiple one-on-one fast break opportunities to preserve Grays’ 5-3 win.
We had reached the halfway point – Red still had the lead, but Gray had climbed a bit closer with lots of War left to compete.
Lunch, Songs and Cheers practice, and then the boys went at it again …
The Stars found themselves down at Trickey, where Gray inched even closer with a resounding victory in the Pond. Red then rattled off a few of their own with a pair of Juniors Hockey wins in the Rink, led by Jacob R’s 4 goal outburst.
In Seniors Lacrosse over at the Hejduk, there was just too much Tosh (6 goals) for Gray as Red rolled 9-3, then followed with another solid outing on the Links, winning Freshmen Golf.
Gray then won Freshmen Bocce to hold Red at bay before Red bounced back, breaking open a halftime tie with a wild 2nd half shootout and a 9-7 win in Tigers Soccer down on the Snow Field.
Again Gray answered, this time with a wonderful effort by their Cubs, who aced their way to a big win in Cubs Tennis. Every time Red began to pull away, Gray answered…until being swept in a trio of Sophomores Basketball contests to close the day. Red won easily in the Gym while Charlie H was leading them in scoring to win a close one on the Lower Court. Finally, to complete the sweep in the closest Hoops game to date, Nathan A let fly a 30+’ heave at the buzzer, burying the 3-pointer to win Game 3 on the Upper Court, and send the accumulated Red faithful into a wild on-court celebration.
Red had taken command …. and all needed a break from the non-stop action and exhilaration that came along with it. What better way to do so then to sit back under the beautiful, moonlit Maine sky and enjoy another of Drama Director Suzie’s productions, an all-time classic – The Wizard of Oz.
We’re especially proud of the four Dorothy’s, Scarecrows, Tin Men, Lions and the rest of the cast. Here’s why…
Despite their passion for Color War, even with the demands of being an involved teammate, these guys somehow fit in the time to rehearse and learn lines. They set the bar higher for all of us. Way to go!
Aunt Em – Eli W
Uncle Henry – Isaac F
Miss Gulch – Jake M
Wicked Witch – Eli D
Glinda – Owen S
Oz – Ethan R
Toto 1,2 – Nolan B, Lionel
Dorothy 1,2,3,4 – Mason, Hayes, Asher, Ethan V
Scarecrow 1,2,3,4 – Teddy S, Lucas, Max P, KJ
Tinman 1,2,3,4 – Cole, Will G, Ethan K, Cooper E
Lion 1,2,3 – Sawyer, Jonathan F, Jagger
Lullaby League – Henry M. Lucas V, Tommy W
Munchkins & Flying Monkeys – Will G, Owen B, Ka’Mari, Elliott R, Noah K
After battling to a Day 1 draw, both teams were determined to get the upper hand today. In the pre-game “psych up” meetings, Red and Gray leaders implored their guys to reach down a little deeper today and continue to give their all. Both were more than satisfied with yesterday’s efforts and confident in their team’s ability to jump out front this morning, and hopefully get control of this Color War.
And the Red Stars did just that. Their bevy of talented racket men made short work of the Gray in dominating Stars Tennis. When Nate F scored in the first 2 minutes of the first Tigers Hockey game on the way to a 4-1 win, it looked like Red was making a move. But Gray won the 2nd game 3-0 to stall any advantage and split the Tigers Hockey point. Of special note though was a Herculean effort in the cage by Wes K who made more than a few spectacular saves to keep his squad in it till the end.
The Red Freshmen are loaded with laxers, and it showed, sweeping a pair of games over at the Hejduk. In Game 1, Mason and TI each hit the net 6 times, but it was Reed S feeding them, with 8 assists to go along with a pair of his own goals. Jordan G led the way in Game 2 as Red cruised.
Gray responded in a big way, hammering the Red in Seniors Softball 11-1, displaying several outstanding web-gems in the process. Speaking of highlight-reel plays, Max B made a superlative catch in one of the Sophomores Football games which ended in a 26-all tie, leaving the whole point up for grabs on the Bunkline field contest. Back and forth they went until Bodin’s TD with less than a minute left won it 44-40, and secured Sophomores Football for Gray.
When word of Red’s first win down at Trickey Pond in Juniors Waterfront made it up the hill (Logan and Joseph made a great double kayak team), the only event left to be finished was over on the Hoops Courts.
It’s always great when our littlest guys provide the most exciting contests, and today, their trio of Basketball games just added to the lore. Gray won the Upper Court game by a deuce, holding off a furious comeback effort by Red, who then rebounded by coasting to a win at the Gym. With most of the other divisions complete, spectators from both sides engulfed the Lower Hoops Court to watch the finish of the 3rd and point-determining Cubs game. Down a point with seconds to play, the ball found its way into Tavi’s hands, who calmly turned and sank the game winner. Chants of “Tavi, Tavi” resounded among the Red faithful as they swarmed the court and hoisted him in the air, elated with the victory that put Red ahead as the morning activities closed.
After a break for lunch, the teams used rest hour to gather for the first of 6 Songs and Cheers practices in preparation for the penultimate Color War night activity (more on that coming in Day 4).
The afternoon dramatics were even better. Roars could be heard from Trickey Pond to Sky II and every place in between.
The Cubs, fresh off the excitement of this morning’s Hoops finish, split a pair of Lacrosse games. In the first, Red dominated with Chase leading the scoring attack. Then Beckett proved to quite the stopper, making several incredible saves to help Gray win the second, 5-3.
Red then swept a pair of double-header Soccer division matches with two wins each on both at Sky I and II. At the Hejduk, Alvaro and Bosco controlled the action in Game 1, then watched Tyler score 3 times in the other, combining for two dominant wins in Stars Soccer. On the Snow Field, Spencer M scored the game winner to offset a pair of tallies by Max F to win 3-2 in the first match. Then 5 different players scored second half goals in Game 2 for the Red to win Freshmen Soccer.
As dominant as Red has been in Soccer, it seems Gray loves the Waterfront! Another win, this time capturing all 3 elements as the Gray Tigers swam, paddled and skied to victory down at Trickey.
Then Gray swept all 3 Basketball games to win Juniors Hoops — and remain within striking distance of the lead. The Sophomores had a Baseball double dip, with one game on the Freddie, and the other over at the Sky II diamond. Pitching from both squads dominated the Fred Pierce game, with Brody, Isaac C and Noah K seemingly unhittable, ending in a scoreless tie. Over at Sky 2, Ollie smashed a 2-run homer, leading the Red to an 8-4 win, and the point for Sophomores Baseball.
By this time, the crowd had ballooned around the Bunkline gridiron for an incredibly tight nip and tuck Seniors Football game. With just under a minute left, the score was tied, but Red was knocking at the door. Four tries from inside the 5-yard line were thwarted by the stout Gray D, giving them the ball back with 30 seconds left. But after a pick on 1st down, Red had the ball back at midfield, with barely enough time for just a couple of plays. After no gain on 1st down and a quick timeout, Red QB Sam heaved a “Hail Mary” pass toward the end zone. Gray’s defender tipped and batted the ball away…. before Theo came out of nowhere to make Skylemar’s version of the Immaculate Reception — a spectacular, diving, fingertip catch with the football just inches from hitting the ground. Theo was mobbed by his teammates and the delirious Red spectators – and gave us the most amazing, gut-wrenching, wild finish we’ve seen thus far. And more importantly, another point for Red, who have now seized the lead.
Whew! Day 2 was in the books…. can’t wait for more tomorrow!
