Skylemar Blog

Bittersweet, they call it.  One part terribly sad, and another part wonderfully happy.  August 5 is that kind of day at Camp Skylemar.

After a week of Color War intensity, followed by traditional end-of-season Evening Activities that run way too late, the boys are exhausted.  Last night’s Final Banquet, one of the most loved nights of the year, was especially memorable.  Without being asked to do so, the boys “dress up”, which for the most part means a polo shirt with whatever on the bottom, that makes for a very handsome camp.  The food is what they like best – burgers, barbecue chicken, corn on the cob, Caesar salad and brownie sundaes.

Speeches, awards, camp songs, laughter and comradeship make the Banquet special.  The very best part is “Retrospect”.  It’s a multi-media show projected on a 10’ foot tall screen, which highlights the entire summer.  It’s produced by Skylemar’s best friend, alum Bruce Finkelstein.  Bruce, along with his photography and video crew (Shannon, Leslie, Rachel, Nate, Josh, Bo and Joe) spend weeks putting the presentation together.  You’ll be able to see a version online, but there’s nothing like watching it in the Rec Hall.  350 people cheering as they watch those they love on the screen makes for a one-of-a-kind experience.   The standing ovation given at the end said it all.

As for this morning…it was one of those times which words can’t do justice. Even the most masculine, no matter how old or reserved, could not hold back tears.   Campers and counselors from across the country and abroad, who never would have met each other if it wasn’t for our little slice of heaven here in Naples, Maine, were heartbroken to say goodbye to each other.  At the risk of invading their privacy, these photos will give you an inkling of what the best men are made of.

Our heart overflows with love for these guys, and we are forever grateful to you for sharing them and for entrusting us with their care.  There is no greater gift than this honor.  It is you, our amazing parents, who make the Skylemar machine possible not only for your own child, but for others less fortunate as well.   We are thankful that you’re part of our team who demonstrates that we can make a positive difference in the world, one kid at a time.

A special heartfelt thank you goes out to our loyal and dependable staff members, who have chosen to be a part of our world.  Because we are surrounded by people who care, we are the richest in the world.  Leslie, creator of our most soulful photos, and Aaron, this director’s trusty editor amongst other things, are two who work only for smiles.  Speaking of Aaron, you didn’t really think I knew how to write like a sports commentator, did you?

Now that all are at least up in the air on their way home (except for Logan who had to turn around until tomorrow), is the sweet part of the day.   We know that the joy each parent and their son feel as they embrace for the first time in a while is the greatest of all.  No doubt, Skylemar boys have won the jackpot with parents like you.

Don’t be surprised if he sleeps for three days, lays on the sofa and doesn’t say much.  Just give him some time and the stories will flow.  When it comes to closing the toilet seat and such, he might need a reminder that he’s no longer in an all-boy world.  But we’re confident  he will remember manners and kindness, and certainly how to make his own bed.

We know you will, but just can’t help but say it:  Take care of him for us. We miss him already.

The 75th summer of Camp Skylemar was a tremendous success, thanks to the greatest guys in the whole wide world.  We love them all, to the Sky and back!

See you next year!

What a magnificent weather week we’ve had.  It’s often said, “it’s not how you start, but how you finish.”  As it turns out, that’s not only applicable to this summer’s weather, but certainly this Color War as well.

Red had shaken off the disappointment of last night’s results. By the time they gathered for some last minute inspiration this morning, the positive vibe emanating from them told of a confident Red Team.  Gray had weathered every Red storm, and still remained ahead. Their Leaders asked them for even more, knowing Red would fight to the end.

And fight they did. After Gray dominated Sophomores Soccer 5-1 and blew out the Red in both Juniors Football games, Red fought back with a pair of double digit wins in Stars Basketball, and a victory in Tigers Golf and Bocce. At the Hockey courts for a pair of games, Coach Jim touted the first one as the “best game” of this Color War, a very hotly contested, clean, well-played 1-0 Gray win.  Red came right back in Game Two by scoring four first period goals, but barely escaping with a 4-3 win.  Only the Lions Baseball game had not ended yet, so the rest of the divisions’ competitors surrounded the Middle Diamond and watched our littlest guys once again produce the drama that set the tone for the fantastic finish to come.  Down 1-0 since the very first inning, Red’s Lions pushed across two runs with two-out in their last at-bat to walk-off a 2-1 win, erupting a volcano of Red support as the week of Color War athletics came to a close.

The all-camp Archery point went to Gray (only a few points separated the 219 archers).  Finally, all activities were complete as we headed to lunch, and a much-needed rest.  There was just enough time to rejuvenate for the greatest finale in all of sports  – TUGS of WAR.

It’s a simple event.  Each team, by Division, takes a side of the rope, and tries to pull the other over the line.  But at Skylemar during Color War, it’s the most electric, emotionally charged moment of every summer.

Shep called the Captains and their teams to the Snow Field, a perfect arena for this final chapter of Color War 2023.  It would take winning 2 out of 3 tugs in each Division to win the points available – 7 Divisions in all, beginning with the Lions and working our way up to the Stars.  At stake… winning Color War and Tugs would decide it.  The Gray lead established over the past five days had put them in the enviable position of only needing to win 3 of the 7 divisional tugs to win it all, whereas Red needed to win 5.

To watch Tugs is an incredibly emotional experience for an onlooker.  Few adults would expect such a  demonstration of strength, grit, endurance and sheer exhaustive effort.

As the teams lined up side vs side, each in strategic order, Shep bellowed, “Tuggers take the rope!”  They planted feet, gripped tighter than tight, the whistle blew and….

PULL!!

Their Captain hollered, “HARDER!”  The crowd cheered, “PULL!”   They felt it from within.  PULL HARDER!

Muscles bulged, eyes popped, faces contorted.  Each Red and Gray man pulled with all his heart.  He wanted more than anything in the world to WIN THIS TUG.

The crowd was blown away by how intent each side was on winning.  Many eyes watching filled with tears, just because THEY TRY SO HARD.

As the flag ultimately crossed the line, George blew the whistle and it’s done.  Next Division headed out.

Round after round, until finally…  GRAY TEAM WINS COLOR WAR 2023!

The Snow Field was immediately drenched with emotion … a celebration filled with tears of both joy and despair.  Big kids hugging little ones and vice versa, high-fives and chest bumps, many leaping in the air with happiness and a few collapsing to the ground in disappointment.

Within minutes, the Captains were hoisted onto the shoulders of their First Lieutenants.  Both teams gathered together and headed down to Trickey Pond as one Skylemar family.

Now for the magic:  As Red and Gray friends leaped into the crystal-clear waters, the competition was washed away.  Skylemar is now one.

Tonight was to be the 75^th anniversary of our favorite tradition:  Waterfront Ceremony.  The light drizzle, blowing winds and uncertain weather forecast led us to modify a bit, and instead we moved to the Ring of Champions.  This way, if the weather turned, we’d be close to shelter.

Wearing the colors of the opposite team as a sign of friendship, the Captains led the torch-lit procession.  As they passed each cabin, bunkmates joined the line, and all of Skylemar headed together in darkness to the Ring of Champions.   There a glorious campfire roared, and everyone felt good just being together.

Following a moment of silence to send positive thoughts to those we love at home, the Captains each spoke, providing words of encouragement and expressions of gratitude.  Shep then shared the legend of Skylemar.  Usually on this night, we each place a boat in Trickey Pond.  If we make a wish for someone other than ourselves, the wish just might come true.  Tonight, the legend will hold true by tossing a piece of birch bark in the fire while making the wish.

Following the ceremony, each Division had their own special campfire and pizza party.  It was a beautiful night, which we’ll all remember forever.

Another picture-perfect day greeted the boys this morning.  Gray had defended the lead, although slim, for the better part of the past two days.  Red was even more determined to at least draw even, and with tonight’s Songs & Cheers activity would come lots of opportunity to do so.

The morning “hype-up” meetings were still quite animated, but not quite as loud as the first couple of days – all in the name of voice conservation (remember tonight’s activity), at least for the moment.  Once the games began, the intensity of each event seemed to increase, and with it the decibel level all over camp as well.

The Red Lions came out smokin’, putting up 85 points of offense amidst the shrieks and shrills of our youngest participants in a pair of wins. Alex D and Bennett starred at QB, and little Benny scampered in with a couple of first-ever TDs.  Again Gray responded with a strong performance on the Hejduk Pitch and a 4-2 Seniors Soccer win.  The Sophomores split the Tennis point and Gray outlasted Red in the always competitive (and very boisterous) Stars Bocce match, played in the Garden, around the Lighthouse and on the Bunkline.  Then, after the Gray Freshmen won at the Waterfront, Red broke through with a pair of 4^th quarter goals to win Tigers Lacrosse, and inch a bit closer….and even closer when word of their Stars Golf win spread.

The morning’s most dramatic moment took place on the Sky II Baseball Field. The first game of the double-dip was the most well-played at Skylemar this summer.  There were web gems all over from both sides, without an error anywhere as both teams fielded flawlessly. Red scored twice in the opening frame, then all goose-eggs on the board til Gray pushed 2 runs across to tie it in the top half of the last inning.  Then Red hero Will O hit a two-out, two-strike, walk-off base hit to knock in the game winning run.  Red then completed the double-header sweep to close out the morning.

The Red run continued on the Links in the afternoon when their Juniors won 6 of 10 matches to carry Golf.  Gray once again countered by winning another extended Bocce match and Sophomores Lacrosse convincingly.  On the Hockey courts, Gray took the point with a pair of matching 2-1 victories, then came back from a 5-run deficit with five of their own in their last at-bat to split Freshmen Baseball.

It looked like Gray had weathered another Red storm, but Red finished off the PM contests by winning both Lions Soccer games (5-0, 2-0) as well as both Seniors Hoops games (39-29, 25-15).  Back and forth they went…still very close as they headed to the night’s Songs & Cheers competition.

After a few days of rehearsals, it was time for the show.  Each team was tasked with performing a Team Cheer (½ point), Camp Cheer (½ point), Team Fight Song (1 point), Old Camp Song (1 point), Original Camp Song (2 points), and a Production Number (3 points).  A total of eight huge points were up for grabs in a Color War where so few points separated the teams.  The Production Number themes were clever – South Beach for the Red and Retrospect (our annual Banquet night media show) for the Gray. Under the light of a beautiful, star-filled Maine sky, both teams rocked – singing and dancing their way on, around, across and beyond the Rec Hall Porch stage.  When it was all over, Gray carried the night and padded their slim lead a little bit more.  This one is far from over….

Tomorrow, a morning of sporting contests still left to come before the most exhilarating, emotional traditional finale decides it.  Can’t wait to see what happens!

Nothing better than waking to another spectacular Maine day.  Partly to mostly sunny, low to mid 70s, no humidity.  Ideal for the Color War competitive arena and the great sportsmanship on display here, which is a hallmark of this annual competition.

As we approached the mid-point of Color War, Gray held a slight edge, but the taste of yesterday afternoon’s results remained fresh. Tuesday also marked the start of “songs & cheers” as the teams began a series of rehearsals in preparation for the most impactful evening of Color War, but more on that later.

At his team’s morning rally, Gray Captain Sam took the high road: “We’re still ahead.  I believe in each and every one of you! Dig deeper!  Continue to play smart and as hard as you can!”  On the Red side, Captain Michael and his gang still trailed, but their confidence was flying off the charts: “We came back!  Keep the pedal down!  They feel us coming and we can’t be stopped!”  Gray was determined to squelch the uprising and stay in front.  Red now had the lead in sight and seemed set on making their move to the top today.

Gray got on the board quickly when their Lions made fast work of the Red in both Golf and Bocce, widening the margin.  Red responded by dispatching the Gray just as easily in Juniors Tennis, then took a bit longer to claim victory in Sophomores Waterfront down at Trickey.

On the Upper Hoops Court, Gray Tigers won a nail-biter in Game One after Red’s last second shot to tie it went in and out and around the rim a few times, but did not drop.  At the same time and just above on the Bunkline Gridiron, Red Freshmen were pouring it on in one of the two Football games, highlighted by a most spectacular, leaping one-handed TD catch by Sam P. Then moments later on the Rec Hall field, a few missed 2-point conversions were the difference as Red completed the Freshmen Football sweep with a 56-52 win.  For the moment, only one-half (1/2) point separated the teams, with Red poised to grab the lead.  But then Eli W highlighted a strong second half on the Lower Court, and Gray dominated the 3-on-3 game in the Gym to complete their own sweep of Tigers Basketball and keep Gray ahead.

Over at Sky II,  the outmanned Red Stars were no match for Tosh and the talented Gray laxers despite the Herculean efforts by Jesse, who is already one of the best lacrosse goalies to ever play on Skylemar soil. The Seniors then played to a couple of draws in the most evenly matched contests on the Hockey court this year. Skylemar’s best, Jacob R, scored both goals for Red in the 2-2 first game tie, then watched teammate Henry S offset the early goal by Gray’s Will D to tie the 2^nd as well, 1-1.

Red had come within an eyelash of the lead, but the resilient Gray held on as we broke for lunch/rehearsal and some rest.

The boys hustled back out to the fields and courts, with the Stars headed to Trickey where the teams split the Ski and Boating elements, and let the Swim Meet decide it …or not.  After multiple individual races and a couple of medleys, the score ended up tied, resulting in the rare Waterfront split.

Gray golfers won 7 of 10 matches on the Links to win Freshmen Golf, but Red won Bocce in the Garden, the 4^th straight Division match that went the distance.

In Seniors Lacrosse, twins Will and Harry faced off against each other and led both teams in the scoring column as Gray prevailed 9-5. The Gray Team also won both parts of Lions Tennis, then followed up with wins in a trifecta of Sophomores Basketball games.  They rained several 3s to edge Gray in a tight one on the Upper Court, came back in the 2^nd half on the Lower Court behind the rebounding and aggressive play from Judah, then cruised in game 3 in the Gym. (Gray went 6-0 in Hoops today…now that’s a wow!).

Down on the Snow Field, Red exhibited great team play in handling a talented Gray squad, 3-0 in Tigers Soccer.  MVP goalkeeper Javi was sensational, stopping more than a few Gray breakaway chances in securing the shutout win.

And finally down at the Hockey Court, Red’s Juniors kept them right in the thick of it by winning both games.  Will G (hat-trick) and Anders provided all the scoring to win the first, 5-2.  Game Two had most of camp watching after all other events had been completed, creating an arena filled with Color War spirit and intensity from both sides as Red survived 2-1.

Gray remains slightly ahead now just past the midpoint, a perfect time for a break from the pace of the past few days.  What better way to kick back and be entertained than by Suzie, Grace and the Skylemar Theatre Company production of “We Will Rock You”.

It’s amazing how those in the play figure out a way to learn lines and rehearse straight through the middle of Color War.  There were over 25 actors and 30+ in the stage crew.  It all happens because Skylemar has the greatest Drama Directors in the world, Suzie and Grace.

Special shout-outs to those who learned the most lines, and had the songs down perfectly: Sawyer, Hayes, Eli D, KJ, Cooper E, Ethan K, and Jake P.  It was an incredible show!