Today was the day. For many, it’s the most important one of the summer. For some… the year. And for two… their lives.
The boys have talked about today since they arrived at camp. In fact, they’ve chanted a countdown for the past 10 days. Yesterday they cheered wildly, hollering “ONE MORE DAY! ONE MORE DAY!”
The traditional Sky II Lobster Lunch helped to calm nerves. It’s a meal of camaraderie, with lots of laughter and good vibes. Over many summers, these now 15-year-olds have come to accept, understand and admire each other. We can even think of a few who asked not to be in a bunk with this person or that, only to see now that they are very good friends.
It was a beautiful, Maine-like afternoon, with clear skies and comfortably warm temps. Perfect for casual play, taking some ski runs and hanging with friends. Dinner was delish -- spaghetti and meatballs, marinara or alfredo, Caesar salad and garlic bread. Eat big, guys... could be a long night ahead.
IT’S COLOR WAR ELECTIONS 2025!
Evening Activity couldn’t come soon enough. The whole camp gathered together in the Rec Hall, the building that stands strong and tall, protecting our Skylemar family. Wearing their favorite jersey, each member of the Stars Division sat proudly on the stage.
Shep welcomed all, and explained how Color War Elections is one of Skylemar’s oldest traditions, whereby the participants choose their leaders. “You, the campers, will vote for two of these great guys by secret ballot, each one being the kind of person that we hope you will be like one day.”
He explained that the spirit of Red and Gray began with our founders and is based on friendship and fair play. Color War is a unique situation, because this time you’re competing with all of your heart against people who you care about. That doesn’t happen too often in life.
Skylemar’s competition happens only on the fields, courts, lake and stage, but not in the cabin. There will be a winner of each and every game, as well as an overall winner of our 5-day Color War. Whether you win or lose, Shep reminds that you must not over-react. Don’t gloat, and don’t ruin someone else's fun -- sincerely shake hands after the game.
The Captains will be selecting their teams in secrecy on Saturday night. It’s done by draft, which is what makes the teams fair in each Division. It could be that brothers are separated, or that bunks are not at all equally divided. The Captains strategically select each boy, with one goal in mind – winning.
Shep asked all former Captains to step forward. A few did so. Then Shep asked for all those who were on the ballot but did not become Captain to step forward. In this category there were many.
The candidates were each introduced, and truth is, we love them all. Each would be an outstanding choice for Captain.
Simple majority wins. When one candidate gets one more than half of the eligible voters, than he is elected. The magic number is 100.
Those on the ballot cast their own votes and then headed to the Garden Cabin to wait it out. Each Bunk came up to the foot of the stage, and every camper wrote down two names on a piece of paper -- then dropped their votes into the ballot box (white pickle bucket, circa 1994). Once all the votes were in, Shep read off every one as Nick kept the tally.
The exact number of votes each person received is something we don’t talk about. But what’s interesting about this year is that there was a much wider spread of votes throughout the Stars Division than in any previous year we can remember. It took two full rounds of voting to elect two Captains, proving that there really were several great choices.
The vote tally grew and grew for the first Captain, the crowd started jumping, hands rose in the air… and it’s… NOAH KLEHR! The crowd mobbed him as he comes through the door.
After a second round of voting and reading off names (meaning that by now it’s 10 PM), the crowd again rushed to the door to welcome the second Captain… MAX BAUM!
Coin flips determined who chose color, as well as the order of picking Stars Lieutenants. Max selected Gray, along with Cosme and Jacob R to stand with him. Noah picked Carson and Jack L. to do so for Red.
Camp Skylemar, these are your leaders for Color War 2025!
