Last night’s Songs & Cheers results sure flipped this Color War upside down. Red had taken 3 ½ days to build a lead, then in one afternoon Gray not only came storming back but did enough last night to wake up with the lead. There was a nervous energy in the air and once again Mother Nature set us up with another picture-perfect day. The significance of this morning’s activities cannot be overlooked. Red looked to close the gap while Gray hoped to extend the lead, as both teams anxiously awaited this afternoon’s finish – our TUGS OF WAR.
Gray’s momentum carried over. Their Stars captured the Basketball point in a pair of wild finishes. The lower court game ended when Gray’s Jackson faced a pair of must-make free throws after being fouled, down 2 points with a second left on the clock. He calmly sank both, putting the Stars Hoops point on the upper court’s result. Gray came back late in the 4th quarter to win and take Stars Basketball. They followed with a sweep of 2 Freshmen Hockey games in the Rink.
Red was reeling when word of Gray’s sweep in Tigers Golf and Bocce came in, followed by their victory in Seniors Tennis. It was looking like the rout was on, but then Red responded with a big win in Sophomores Soccer over on the Hejduk. That left it up to the little guys to once again provide the most exciting, and for Red, the most important contest thus far. They held on for an edge-of-your seat, 1-0 win in Cubs/Lions Baseball. Off to lunch where Shep announced that Gray had won the all-camp Archery point as well. Their morning success had put them in the catbird seat, as all headed back to their cabins for an extended “rest hour” …. in preparation for TUGS that would settle it all.
What a week we’ve had … and it would all come down to this. Gray Team gathered at the Hockey court, Red Team at the Tennis courts for their last “psych up” meetings. The noise reverberated all around camp and was heard by the huge crowd that had collected down at the Snow Field, a perfect arena for this, the traditional closing event of Color War.
When the teams marched down to the field, the atmosphere was already electric with the intensity built since Elections last Friday night. Shep called the two Captains together, then explained the process to the entire camp. It would take 2 out of 3 TUGS in each Division to win the points (2) for each. Gray’s hot streak coming in had them needing to win only 2 Divisions, while Red needed 6, a seemingly monumental task. One by one, Shep called each Division’s “Tuggers to the Rope”. Once set, George blew the whistle and…“PULL!”
Each boy wants this win more than anything in the world. He PULLS with every single ounce of strength. Faces clench, contort, they yell – whatever it takes. Just PULL. Muscles bulge…it’s as if they’d burst. PULL! Referee George carefully watches till one flag crosses the line and his WHISTLE BLOWS! The winners leap into the air, screaming with joy. The losers…slowly walk to the side lines.
Red reached down deeper than anyone thought they could. In an incredible sequence of 2nd round tugs (after losing the first time through), Red went from the brink of elimination to within a tug of gaining a virtual tie before heading to Round 3 (4 of the 7 Divisions would need a 3rd Tug to decide it). Finally, it took 15 actual tugs to get it done … and GRAY is the winner of Color War 2025!
The Gray team cheered wildly, leaping into each other’s arms! Lots of hearty hugs and high fives all around... the greatest feeling of their entire lives! Until…they turned and saw their Red friends devastated. Some on Red were hugging, but it’s a different kind of hug. Some were crying, and some were face down on the ground feeling destroyed inside. Gray friends found Red friends and offered a hand or an arm around the shoulder.
The oldest and the strongest lifted the Captains on their shoulders, and the Captains embraced. This signified the ties that bind. We are a Skylemar brotherhood.
This one will be remembered for the triumphant class with which Gray won, and the valiant display of heart and inner strength shown by Red in defeat. We’re so proud of the sportsmanship showed by both teams and for doing it the Skylemar way.
The Captains were carried down to Trickey Pond, with all the campers following. Once on each side of the dock, Noah, Max and their Stars Lieutenants jumped into the water. They swam to each other in the center, embraced and then it was everyone else’s turns. Groups of three, four, five and six linked arms and leaped in with gusto!
That’s when the magical waters did their thing. Trickey Pond washed away the competition, and again we are one.
After dinner and a 7th period of activities, the sun sets, and the evening becomes very special. Tonight is the culminating event which is loved by generations…Waterfront Ceremony. The Captains led the torch-lit silent procession, adding each cabin of boys to the long line which snaked down the hill. A bonfire roared on the lake, as we sat under the pines. Skylemar songs were sung from out on the Pontoon, which set the warm and comfortable mood. Captain Noah, Captain Max and Shep each spoke about gratitude. Shep urged all to consider it a responsibility to share the Cool2Care message far beyond the hallowed grounds of Skylemar.
Now for the extra special part: Each bunk was brought to the water’s edge for Wishing Boats. It’s a block of wood with a candle on top. Our legend holds that if you put the boat in the water and make a wish for someone other than yourself, that wish just might come true.
Seeing all the boats with flickering lights was a sight to behold. There were hundreds of positive wishes for those other than ourselves. And that’s how a kid changes the world.
