Winners!
The Skylemar air was buzzing with excitement. At breakfast, the most asked question was “who’s coming in our cabin?” When names were shared, whether known or not, the response was always “Yessss!”
Bags were unpacked, beds made, job wheels configured and welcome signs went up. After a grilled cheese lunch, they slowly arrived! 50 friends, both new and old, jumped right into Skylemar 2026.
But there was one twist, you might say. Normally we’d be giving tours and getting right out on the fields and courts. But today it was Spain vs Argentina, so we just had to watch the World Cup.
There are a handful of much-loved campers from Spain here at Skylemar. Diego, Enric, Cosme, and Mateo, Mark T, Jacobo, Juan and Ignacio are huge soccer fans, and we’re on their team. Even those with Argentine heritage felt the connection to their Skylemar “brothers” who come all the way from Madrid and Barcelona each summer.
We watched in the Rec Hall and felt every play. There were moans and cheers, depending on what the ball was doing. And then…after two dinner delays for overtime, they WON! Lots of leaping into the air, high fives and hugs. Our guys from Spain were the celebrities tonight, and we’re so very happy for them.
After pizza, we jumped right into 7th period. Choices were Baseball, Flag Football, Gaga, Golf, Hockey, Hoops, Lax, Soccer, Tennis, Volleyball, Ultimate, Archery, Viking Chess and Steal the Bacon.
Evening Activity was the Welcome Campfire. This one was especially fun. Cory, the greatest MC of all time, kicked it off with her famous repeat-after-me song called “60’s Party”. There’s lots of body actions that go along with it, so it’s a song that gets the crowd pumped.
Then comes the skit. The hysterical one with the JC’s wearing togas and doing a supposed “water ritual”. You had to see it for yourself to understand, but it involved perfectly choreographed filling mouths-with-water and basically becoming a human water fountain.
Once the laughter settled, Nick explained Skylemar’s motto, Cool2Care. For example, it’s cool to care about yourself and want to win, but it’s also cool to care about others, especially your Skylemar friends who weren’t as lucky. Our oldest campers, the Stars Division, stood around the campfire, linked arm in arm. Nick had each one fill in the blank and complete this sentence: At Skylemar we _____________, and that’s Cool2Care. The camp then responds with “thigh slap, thigh slap, clap”
Here’s some samples…
Joaquin said, “At Skylemar we try hard, and that’s Cool2Care”. Camp says “slap, slap, clap”.
TI said, “At Skylemar we have great sportsmanship, and that’s Cool2Care”. Camp says “slap, slap, clap”.
Leo said, “At Skylemar we make people smile, and that’s Cool2Care”. Camp says “slap, slap, clap”.
Nabil said, “At Skylemar we have good manners, and that’s Cool2Care”. Camp says “slap, slap, clap”.
Coop said, “At Skylemar we share the fate with guys who are great (which are the worlds to a Skylemar song) and that’s Cool2Care.” Camp says “slap, slap, clap”.
Next up: Counselor Carson of Bunk 3 on the guitar with a song we all knew, “Sweet Home Alabama”. He blew our minds with his talents. Carson’s a kind, soft-spoken type, so when he turned it on as a musician and singer, we were amazed and very impressed.
The weekly “Aristishaw” song, S’mores and a visit from Adventure Man. He taught the whole camp how to shuffle a deck of cards.
So far, so good on the first night of camp for some of our friends. As of now, not a tear in the house. Can’t wait to get tomorrow going!
