Did you know that one in five children don’t have enough food to eat?  And did you know that it’s estimated that there’s 10 billion dollars of loose change sitting around houses in America? 

That’s what we learned today from Matt Hoidal, executive director of World of Change (WOC).  WOC is a non-profit that encourages kids to donate coins to help other children.  You might recall the Cool2Care change bags we sent home.  We’re proud of the many Skylemar campers who filled their change bags and brought them to camp.

Matt drove the WOC Jeep to camp today.  It’s an automobile that’s been outfitted with coin collectors, sort of like the coin baskets at toll booths in the old days.  Campers deposited their contribution and got to decide if they wanted the money to go towards food, housing, education, health, animals & nature or play.

Thank you for helping the boys with their Cool2Care change bags this year.  Smiles were beaming as they poured change into the truck.  It feels great to do the right thing.

Meanwhile, Bunk 30 spent their morning helping the community of Naples.  This is something we do every Tuesday.  The Naples Food Pantry appreciated having them to move cases of food that were to be distributed to those in need.  They also did some floor mopping and seltzer-sorting.  Afterwards, one of the regular volunteers sent a note saying, “Thanks for the help today.  Made a huge difference.  Should have named your camp “Camp Grace” because your campers are amazing.”  We’ll keep our name but take the beautiful compliment.

Sophomores traveled to Morse Mountain and Seawall Beach.  The 2-mile hike was fairly easy, and the beach was so empty that it felt like it was our own.  They enjoyed making a Steal the Bacon court in the sand and had a great time swimming in the Atlantic Ocean.

More intercamp action today as the 13U Baseball club played our version of a day/night double-header, highlighted by an outstanding Cy Young performance by Orlando – fanning 7 in 3 no-hit innings of work to protect our 3-0 lead.  The 15U Soccer team proved to be a competitive force in a 4-team round robin tourney.  Leopold led the offense, while Oscar, Santi and Max P held down the back end allowing only 4 goals in 3 games.

Another great time was had by all at the Skylemar Talent Show.  There were 20 acts, and about half had real talent.  The other half was just silly stuff, but the kids had a blast performing no matter what they did.  Plus, all participants get to pick from the Super Prize Bag after performing.

We have tremendous respect for those who got on the stage and sang, like Shay (B9), Ethan P (B5), Michal R (B8) and Seth R (B2).  The pianists were impressive:  Drew F (B1), Seth F (B9), Campbell (B16) and Asher (B27).  Tag (B9) was excellent on the guitar.  Blaine (B5) and Paul M (B4) danced the Macarena.

Alfie (B4) and Marcus (B13) did magic tricks.  Jonah P and Micah (B8) were fabulous on the diabolo.  Beckett (B10) did something that no camper has done in at least 40 years.  He can wiggle his ears!

Silly skits were done by Theo (B8), Jonah (B8), Kash P (B5), Tag (B9), Alex B (B5), Deigo (B5) and Jonah M (B4), William DM (B6), Bodhi (B6), the JC’s, Jack G (B6), Luke G (B6) and Bunk 28.

But the one who brought the house down was Maksym in Bunk 26.  He did push-ups with one hand; then did some traditional Ukrainian dancing.  Absolutely amazing.

Best part of the Talent Show is how the audience cheers — doesn’t matter what you do on Suzie’s Stage.  You’ll always feel proud afterwards.