Yes!  The perfect Maine day to kick off Camp Skylemar 2026!  Warm temps, low humidity, clean air…and a couple hundred amazing boys.  What could be better?

Some woke up at the crack of dawn and headed straight to the fields and courts, while others slept soundly until reveille.  Early morning activities (aka the Sunrise Club) include tennis, basketball, golf, board games in the Garden Cabin and a pre-breakfast snack on Shep’s porch.

Each day at Skylemar is a brand-new adventure.  Our incredible Program Director Barney (who’s also known as the MIAA high school baseball championship coach of St. Paul’s School in Baltimore) spends his entire summer at Skylemar creating a custom plan for everyone in our town of 350 people.  Some say that AI could do this, but we’re not buying it.  Barney puts his heart and soul into making sure the Skylemar schedule runs smoothly, so each person knows exactly where to be at any moment in time.

Pictured above is a copy of today’s schedule.  These “newspapers” are placed on each table, but the guys never need to memorize anything because every period is announced over the PA.  There are also counselors assigned Foot Patrol, to make sure everyone where’s they’re supposed to be. 

The schedule looks complicated, but for us at Skylemar, it’s easy to read.  Across the top are the Bunk and Division numbers.  Down the left are periods 1-7.  The names under the activities are the counselors who are running the period.

Take Bunk 12, for example.  First period they have Archery with just their cabin, but second period they have Lacrosse with Bunk 13.  Next comes Clinic Sign Ups, which happens only on Sundays.  That’s when the counselors do skits (called “commercials”) advertising what they’re offering as a choice during this third period.  After Rest Hour, Bunk 12 then has a double period of Waterfront, along with the entire Freshmen and Sophomore Division.  Sixth period is Basketball.  Seventh period is the daily choice.  On this day they’d decide between Baseball, Football, Gaga, Golf, and so forth across the page.

Tonight’s Evening Activity was the “Welcome Fire” at The Ring of Champions.  That’s when the whole camp comes together for a really fun and special campfire.  Cory, our talented and brilliant Assistant Director (aka one of the greatest teachers in the state of Colorado), kicks off the upbeat vibe with a favorite “repeat-after-me” song called “60’s Party”.  Next comes a hilarious skit, featuring the Grinch, Sponge Bob and Bruce the Shark from “Finding Nemo”.  You’ll see…many of our creative “performances” are based on whatever Drama Director Suzie (aka an incredible member of the Disney team) has in her costume room.

The meaningful part of the “Welcome Fire” was presented by Nick Shep, who introduced “Cool2Care”.  It’s the slogan we live by at Skylemar, which means that it’s cool to care for yourself, others and the world around you.  The “Cool2Care” hand signal is middle and ring fingers down, which means “I love you” in sign language.

Nick also introduced the Stars Division, our oldest campers who are the leaders of Skylemar.  Each Star proudly stepped forward and shared his goal for the summer.  Cooper said, “I just want to spend my summer in the 04055 with my Skylemar bros”.  Leopold said, “I don’t just want to be at camp.  I want to be for camp”.  Oscar said, “I want to be the reason why people smile.”

Then another repeat-after-me song called “Aristashaw” (thanks to counselor Eli), s’mores for all, and a visit from Adventure Man.  He taught everyone how to give a proper handshake, even if you’re a lobster with claws. 

With Ev on the guitar, Trout playing the harmonica, and Cory’s beautiful voice, the song “Take Me Home, Country Roads” has never sounded better.  Campers linked arms in brotherhood, singing along and swaying to the music.  It’s times like these that make us realize that we are the luckiest people in the universe, way up in Maine.