The Skylemar Code of Honor.  It’s a pledge that everyone buys into during the first few days of camp.  Here’s how it reads:

Skylemar is all about being together with friends, enjoying the outdoors, playing games and showing kindness.  At Skylemar, I promise to be the best person I can be, and agree with the following:

• The Directors, Counselors and Staff are responsible for my safety. I will do my best to listen to them when they ask me to do or not to do something.
• I will do my best to treat everyone kindly– the way that they wish to be treated. 
• Everyone is entitled to have fun. I promise not to ruin someone else’s fun.           
• It is my responsibility to tell Shep or Arleen if something is wrong. It is also my responsibility to politely remind others to be kind if they forget.
• I will respect others’ property, as they will respect mine; this includes body and belongings.
• If someone asks me to “stop”, I will.
• Skylemar is about people, not about electronics. I promise I do not have a cell phone or any electronics with internet access or video capability.
• I understand why we have these rules at Skylemar and agree to follow them.

This is how we set the tone.  Of course, there are many times in a day that parts are forgotten and mistakes are made.  Abiding by rules comes easier to some than to others.  After all, they are children.  Skylemar’s pledge is to make a positive difference, one boy at a time.

Manners matter here, and so does appreciation.  As the boys go through the buffet line, “please” and “thank you” is what we say as plates are held out to servers.  Every single time.  After lunch today, Shep spoke to Camp about our hardworking kitchen staff, and how grateful we are to have them here.  The kids gave them a standing ovation, and Shep sent each of the eleven chefs and crew members through the “Skylemar Walk of Fame”.  That’s when the honoree walks through the center of the picnic tables, and the boys put out hands for high fives.

The picnic tables were filled with unusual items tonight, collected for the Skylemar Scavenger Hunt.  Two bunks are assigned to work together: one older with one younger.  It’s a great way for those of all ages to get to know each other. Each team then needs to go to six locations to unlock clues.

For example, at the Infirmary, they had to tell the nurses the temperature of a person who is not sick, and name three muscles of the body.  Then they had to show them two pieces of clothing with a ball on it, something neon and a wildflower not planted by Kristen.

At Mary Beth’s station they had to do the chicken dance, show five letters in ASL, and show her a pair of Adidas sneakers, two sports cards and a pair of multicolored socks.  At Trout’s station you had to guess her real name – this stumped everyone.  At Frog and Noah’s station you had to tell a joke to make them laugh and show them two candy wrappers.  Making them laugh was easy but the candy wrappers were harder to come by than some might think.

All of this had to be done fast because there’s a lot to collect.  At evenings end the items were counted, and judges determined the winners.  Congratulations to Bunks 15 and 18!

Heard this today…

SkyPines leader Jack was explaining to Bunk 6 about making a fire with steel and flint.

Luke G asks, “Do you get the flint from the dryer?”

…only at Skylemar.