The Sophomores are back!  They had an amazing time on their two-day trip to New Hampshire.

First stop was the Cranmore Mountain Resort.  Not only was there a chair lift that went up and down the mountain, but a Mountain Coaster as well.  It’s sort of like a little car on a track, and you control the speed.  The two-person Flying Eagle zipline went across the park and was super fun.  Lots of inflatable trampolines and obstacle courses too. 

After a stop for ice cream at Trails End at the Intervale Scenic Vista, they headed to the campgrounds.  The boys got an impromptu Capture the Flag game going in a field, while the seven tents were raised.  Dinner was delicious:  Burgers and Dogs, followed by s’mores over the campfire.  It was an especially beautiful night.

At 6 AM, DT and Frog had waffles cooking on the griddle.  Bringing our own flat top grill was a genius of an idea.  The boys did an outstanding job of taking down the tents, cleaning up and getting rid of every speck of trash.  Nicely done!

Off they went to hike Franconia Ridge.  After a steep trek up, they landed at Lonesome Lake.  A few were brave enough to swim – it’s cold in the mountains.  The stunning lake and views reminded us yet again how fortunate we are in so many ways.

Once down, it was pizza time and then off to see Toy Story 5.  There were 42 of us in the theater with only three patrons we didn’t know.  Our apologies to those three, but the boys were very respectful.  Counselors only shushed them a few times.

Back at camp, it was a lovely weather day, packed with lots of activities.  Our boys are on the move pretty much non-stop.  There’s Rest Hour midday, but very few ever really rest.  Whether on a trip or back at camp, we have so much to be grateful for.

Campers in our Stars Division, our oldest group, remind us of this in their speeches called “Meal Minutes”.  This is a time when those in the Division can sign up to give a quick talk after a meal.  It’s one of those powerful things that we wish you could hear – there’s nothing more inspirational that a 15-year-old sharing their feelings and thoughts in front of 350 people.  The Pavilion is silent and respectful.  Every word is remembered.

Talk about inspiration…meet Julie and Will.  Julie was our fantastic camp nurse for many years and continues to come for a few weeks each summer.  She was the district school nurse in Wisconsin for decades, but now is the individual school nurse for one particular child who needs round the clock care named Will.  Eleven year-old Will is legally blind and deaf, and until not too long ago, was wheelchair-bound with a trach for breathing and a tube for feeding.  Thanks to Julie and his family, Will can now walk, speaks (with difficulty), breathes normally and is learning to eat on his own.

Why are we telling the tale of Will and Julie — because they’re here at Skylemar for a couple weeks and serve as an inspiration for all.  There’s Will, who celebrates life’s most basic moments.  He joyfully reads, with a paper just an inch from his face.  He’s proud to kick the soccer ball, despite missing a few times.  He’ll patiently repeat his words, so that the listener understands.

Then there’s Julie, who demonstrates patience, compassion, respect and dignity, while still having a great sense of humor.  Julie is an example of a person who gives her entire self to caring for others.

The campers in Will’s age group go about their business, but Will is never ignored.  For example, Julie has a microphone that she wears around her neck, which amplifies her voice in Will’s cochlear implants.  The kids take turns wearing the mic and speaking into it, “so Will can hear me”, as one friend said.

No microphone was needed tonight… at our loud and boisterous Evening Activity.  It’s the Super Duper Game Show!   Characters Barnicus, Laundricus and Suzicus were sensational MCs for this fantastic competition between the Divisions.  Challenges were a combination of trivia as well as physical games. 

Questions covered sports, general knowledge, pop culture and Skylemar lore.  In between each trivia round was the egg toss, potato sack race, Oreo cookie forehead-to-mouth drop and human ring toss.  Favorite part was when each division got to “style” their counselor’s hair with shaving cream.  Congrats to counselor Brock, who has volunteered for this event four years in a row!  Like we said, counselors do just about anything for their kids.

Heard this today…

Said a camper with an adorable lisp about Will, our special visitor described above:

 “He’s learning to speak, just like me!”

…only at Skylemar.