Skylemar Blog

6:30 AM came way too early for all of us.  It’s tough to get teary first thing in the morning, but the buses were ready to roll. 

“See you next year!” was heard over and over.  That’s the phrase that makes us feel better.  Just a few hundred days, and friends will pick up exactly where they left off.

Your camp director got teary today, too.  It happened as she walked onto a full bus to say her annual final good-bye.  “I love you guys”, she said, without thinking twice.   The touching words in response came from a chorus of seemingly tough and stoic guys who said, ”Love you, too, Arleen”.    

Words such as these are the greatest of gifts.

This evening was the first real rainstorm of the season.    It was an odd feeling to know that each and every boy didn’t need to be cared for, because he instead was safe and sound with the most wonderful parent in the world.

Thank you to so many who made the summer of 2026 the greatest in Skylemar history.  We’re most grateful for our wonderful parents, who entrust us with their most precious possessions.

The next thank-you goes to our energetic and incredible Skylemar campers, who warm our hearts and make us smile.  We believe in you, and are proud of how this summer you learned that you really can do it, whether it’s about improving in sports, becoming more independent or building better relationships. 

To every single staff member who cared for our campers in a hundred and one ways: Thank you for inspiring interest, for your patience, for reading chapter books at night, for nagging about teeth brushing, for managing a household of six to eight fantastic boys, and for doing whatever it takes to keep them all safe.

And finally, thank you to Lee and Herb for creating this special place in Naples, Maine, and for teaching us that we can make a positive difference in the world, one boy at a time.

PS A million thanks to the Color War ghost writer who’s up at 2 AM, editing this Blog.  Friends like these are hard to find.

There was a whole lot of love in the warm Skylemar air on this August 7.  Counselors and campers had activities as usual, but this time it was just a little more playful.  Everyone was appreciative and truly enjoyed being together. 

This was the last full day of the 2026 season, and we savored every minute.

Counselors took no periods off — but instead filled the courts and fields right alongside those who were many years younger. Playing together is what keeps our mind off of leaving the ones we care so much about.  You know the feeling.

Over 300 notes of gratitude were written at the Appreciation Station.  These notes are similar to Cool2Care shout-outs, but instead someone is thanked for something specific (or as general as “thank you for being a good friend”).  The writer then finishes the sentence that starts with “I will try and show my appreciation by….”  The guys are really thoughtful with this, and recipients will receive them after camp.

The Final Banquet was one to remember.  The Pavilion was spruced up with decorations, and the meal was especially delicious.  Fresh corn on the cob, barbecued chicken, juicy burgers, Caesar salad and brownie sundaes.  There were impressive speeches presented by a selected New Camper (Asher K), New Counselor (Amai), Old Camper (Brayden C) and Old Counselor (Milly).  Counselor Amai was especially touching when he said, “I wish I had known about Skylemar when I was a kid.”

Finally, it was the time we’ve been waiting for all summer…”Retrospect”.  That’s the spectacular end-of-season show that a team of six videographers and photographers, along with producer Bruce, have worked on for two months.  Not only is the show incredible, but to be in a room with hundreds of guys cheering and laughing together in friendship is one of those things that AI can never duplicate.  Simply the best.

It was also a night of songs, special awards and plenty of tears.  In just a few short hours we’ll be parting for a very long time – 323 days.

As sad as tomorrow morning will be, having a wonderful family reunion on the other end will make for a happy afternoon. 

Thank you for sharing your amazing young man with us this summer.  We are the lucky ones.

If anyone needed evidence of why our Color War may be the fairest in the land, this one should be all the proof required.  Over 60+ contests, not to mention last night’s Songs and Cheers points bonanza, and again, inconceivably, we’re all knotted up.  That’s because the campers themselves not only vote for and elect the two Captains, but the Captains also then draft the teams themselves.  No Staff intervention or team affiliation, or any other rooting interest – they are referees, judges and officials only and have no part in picking or running the teams.  For 78 years it’s worked great, but this year may be the greatest of all!

Both teams have had hot streaks, charged in front, then WHAM — been abruptly caught and passed in the next AM or PM session.  The situation had already created enough intensity that we really didn’t need the scorcher that Mother Nature dialed up for us today.  But that it was, and the boys responded in a big way….it’s the stuff legends are made of.

The morning meetings were extra-hyped up.  The noise level reverberated all over the 200 Skylemar acres.  Captains TI and Joaquin asked for one more morning of Herculean effort from their boys, and also let them know how proud they were to stand alongside them as teammates and brothers.

But today was it  – the last day.  Everything was on the line… so time to go win this thing!

And out they went on the fields and courts for the very last time this summer.  A full morning schedule and then the ultimate closer – TUGS of WAR — left to decide it.

Cubs Baseball, Tigers Golf & Bocce, Freshmen Hockey, Sophomores Soccer, Juniors Football, Seniors Tennis and Stars Basketball said the schedule – and anything less than a split might put one team on the ropes.  The Red Tigers dispatched Gray quickly, putting them out in front once again.  When Red then won both Freshmen Hockey games soon after down in the Rink (3-0 and 3-1),  it looked like they would run away with it.  But Gray Seniors aced their way back winning Tennis before word came that Red Sophomores held on for a 2-1 Soccer victory over at Sky II.  Red was putting the hammer down, but Gray’s littlest guys scored a late run down on the Freddie Pierce to tie the game, enough to stop the Red run.  Then Gray pulled off a double-header sweep on the Upper and Lower Hoops courts to stay alive.  Red was flying into lunch with the lead, awaiting the all-camp Archery results to pad it ….or shrink it, but they’d have it either way.  This very crucial Archery point went Gray’s way, reducing  Red’s advantage after such a strong morning to only 1 ½ points.  And since each Tug this afternoon would be worth 2 points, we were still virtually tied –  in likely the closest Color War ever.

The teams were called to their pre-tugs team meetings – Gray to the Tennis courts and Red to the Hockey rink. A few minutes later, chained up and holding #1s in the air, each team marched to the Snow Field in competitive defiance, ready to give more than they have all week for their brothers.

Shep called the Captains to the front, and not only acknowledged the way each had represented their teams and Skylemar but thanked everyone for giving camp the closest Color War ever.  There was a magnificent display of sportsmanship throughout.  It was already the stuff that legends are made of, so a lot of accolades, applause and appreciation went around before anyone touched a rope.  Then Shep explained the process.  Each of the 7 Divisions would tug (best 2 out of 3), with each Division worth 2 points. Based on the score from the past 5 days,  it would take winning 4 of the 7 Divisions to win Color War, for EITHER TEAM!   We would start with the youngest guys and work our way up to the Stars for the first Tug round , then run it back with a switch of sides for Round 2 and go from there.

Shep then called, “Tuggers to the Rope!”, one Division at a time.  When pulled across the line, George’s whistle would signal each win.  And pull they did!

Faces tweaked, muscles popped, eyes bulged … it was hard to tell who was screaming more , the cheering teams or the pullers themselves.  The boys used up every ounce of strength and energy they could muster, and then some.  “Pull” –  “Harder” – “Dig”  — “Keep Pulling”  ….the energy was electric! The teams were yelling louder than ever, cheering wildly, and the spectators (our Staff and several Alums among others) may have been screaming even louder.  It was that exciting!

And no wonder!  The very first Tug (Cubs/Lions) seemed like it lasted forever,  before Red’s little guys prevailed.  So it went….Red won the little guys, Gray won the Tigers.  Then Gray took the Freshmen tugs before Red won the Sophs AND Juniors to pull within one Tug of glory.  But just as they have all week long, Gray “lit the fuse” (as their fight song says) and won the Seniors Tug to pull even once again – with just the Stars tug left to go. 

And……{whistle}.…GRAY wins Color War 2026 ! (Final Score: 42 — 41 ½ ).

Gray stormed their oldest, now drained warriors in victory celebration while Red’s faithful did the same, though their leaders were swarmed in consolation. And here’s where the magic begins — the exhilaration, emotion and exhaustive relief on display crossed over with hugs shared all over… and lasted for all of about 10 minutes. Then in a show of solidarity, both Captains were carried to the Waterfront and “tossed” in as they have now for 78th time, with all participants close behind — a cleansing, traditional jump in Trickey’s soothing water to finish it!

The most magical night of the year officially closes Color War week.  Waterfront Night washes away the competitive spirit of two teams, blending us back together to celebrate not only the past week, but the Skylemar experience.  The two torch-bearing Captains were followed in solemn, but loving procession as they passed down the Bunkline on way to the lake.  There, they both addressed the camp with messages of gratitude and appreciation before everyone placed a candle-lit Wishing Boat in Trickey’s water.  Legend tells us that if you make a wish for someone other than yourself, that wish might just come true. After Shep delivered his own message of gratitude and appreciation to the entire camp, all were dismissed to an evening of campfires, camaraderie and a lot of love. 

Once again, Skylemar is one.

Back and forth we go – Day 1 saw Red jump in front, followed by an afternoon Gray comeback and a tie by nightfall.  By the end of Day 2, Red had again seized control….until the next morning (Day 3) when Gray stormed back and  took command at the midpoint.  Then yesterday afternoon, Red answered with a dominant PM session of their own and took back the lead, although by just a single point as we all retired for the night.  

Today brought more of the same.  Both teams have shown quite a knack for coming back from behind, and Gray kept the pattern going. After they drew even with a win in Freshmen Waterfront, their Sophomores served up a win in Tennis.  Red bounced back with a 6-2 win in Tigers lacrosse, but over at Sky II, Gray did just enough to hold on in a well-played 2-1 showdown in Seniors Soccer. The Cubs/Lions displayed some future NFL moves on both fields.  Red won on the Bunkline, Gray on the Rec Hall field,  to split the point. Red outlasted Gray in a dramatic 8-7 Juniors win on the Fred Pierce Field, but then Gray Stars won both Golf and Bocce, and recaptured the lead.  All broke for lunch and the first of two Songs and Cheers practices today in preparation for this evening’s most important night activity of Color War.

Gray didn’t even have a chance to sit on the lead, as this time Red came out of the break fired up to take it back.  And that they did.  Wins in Tigers Tennis, Freshmen Baseball and both Seniors Hoops games once again put them ahead.  Their Stars won the first of 3 Stars Hockey games, but Gray rallied to win Games 2 and 3 and stop Red’s run.  Then Gray’s littlest guys won both Soccer games down on the Snow Field to keep them right in the thick of it, just a point back as we headed to Songs and Cheers.

Eight Points ….8 very BIG points.  That’s what was at stake tonight when each team took the stage to perform a set of 6 musical numbers, each with its own assigned point values in Color War’s annual Songs and Cheers Competition.  The presentation included a Team Cheer, Camp Cheer, Team Fight Song, Old Camp Song, Original Camp Song and Production Number. The team leaders have been holed up for days behind the scenes writing material and putting their song sets together, then had 6 rehearsals to get their teams ready for tonight.  And that they did. Both teams sung their hearts out — voices strained by Color War’s excitement over the last 4 days somehow blended in “perfect” harmony.   Judges Barney, Suzie and DMan had the toughest job of all, and their decision handed to Shep quieted the anxious crowd – Gray wins the night 4 ½ – 3 ½.

Day 4 is in the books. One more morning of athletic contests ahead before tomorrow’s traditional, climactic afternoon closer…TUGS of WAR!

How could it be any closer?  It can’t.  Inconceivably, the score is tied… dead even!  Rarely, if ever, would this seem possible.  Looks like we’re headed for an epic finish!

After yesterday’s weather interruption, it was nice to get back on track with another spectacular Maine day, the norm for this 2026 camp season.  Red had surged ahead and was poised to add to their lead.  This time, it was Gray’s turn to set the record straight.

Captains TI and Joaquin called their troops together for the pre-game meetings before heading out for Day 3.  Based on this morning’s response by Gray, they might want to bottle up their meeting content and offer it to a few professional sports teams in dire need of some inspiration.  Needless to say, Gray came out smokin’ hot!     

Two wins in Freshmen Football on both the Bunkline and Rec Hall fields, a nip and tuck win in Juniors Tennis and the first of two Seniors Hockey games not only went Gray’s way, but they now had the lead.  Owen B and Leo P were gridiron stars, and the Tennis was settled when Gray won the last two matches in tiebreaker comebacks to steal the point.  In the Rink, Brayden scored twice and Dillon F hit the net from the defensive end in Gray’s shutout win.

A bit smitten, Red’s Seniors then came back from a 1-0 deficit with a pair of last period goals by Jonah B to stem the tide, avoid the Hockey sweep , and win 2-1.  It looked as though Red had flipped the momentum when they followed with a big win on the lower court in Tigers Hoops behind the strong play of William DM.  But just when you thought they’d retaken command, Gray withstood a late rally to win 21-20  in the Upper Court game.

And then Gray poured in on with wins in Stars Lacrosse over at the Hejduk behind Archie’s stellar play in the cage  – and a dominant performance at the Waterfront by the Gray Sophs who won all 3 elements (more on  that one later) for the victory.

Finally, our littlest guys gave us the biggest charge of the morning.  After Gray chipped their way around the SkyLinks course to win Golf, the rest of the Cubs/Lions were entrenched in the most dramatic Bocce match in years.  Each team had won a game as the venue shifted up near the infirmary area for the deciding 3^rd game.  Red desperately needed another win as each team’s supporters rallied around their own 7/8-year olds.  The focus both on and from these youngest competitors intensified as the crowd hushed on every throw until each team had won 4 points with the Bocce point hanging in the balance of the last throw. Red’s ball was only an inch or so from the target, with Gray’s Simon left as the last to go.  The crowd quieted even more … waiting for the final throw – a win or lose proposition. 

For a bit of history, Bocce play began at Skylemar 78 years ago, when Founder Herb Blumenfeld brought the simple game to Naples.  Herb often played with the boys just outside his Skylemar residence as a super way to get to know them up close.  They loved him ….and the game of Bocce, too! It’s a game everyone can play and is lots of fun.  Well, Herb must be smiling from above as all watched Simon’s epic toss.  The ball rolled up under the big SkyChair, knocked the Red ball aside and nestled less than an inch from the target to win Bocce.   Gray supporters went off, mobbing Simon, chanting his name, and hugging everyone in sight.  

As we broke for lunch, Gray had stormed from behind, taken the lead, and seized control as we hit the midpoint of this Color War.

Lunch and another Songs & Cheers practice, and the boys once again gathered before hitting the fields, courts and Pond for the afternoon session.  The tone of the meetings for both teams flip-flopped  from earlier this morning, and so too did their messages.  Red was now looking up at Gray for the first time….and their resolve would be tested.  Gray was hoping to keep it going, and seemed confident, if not cautiously optimistic.

And for good reasons – several in fact, namely the full points won this afternoon in Cubs/Lions Tennis, Stars Waterfront, Seniors Lacrosse, Freshmen Golf and Bocce, and Juniors Basketball – all by Red.  Gray Juniors did win the first of a Hockey double-header 1-0, only to drop the second one 2-0. 

Red also  dominated Sophomores Basketball winning all 3 games of a triple-header played on the Upper and Lower courts of Sky I and the Gym over at Sky II.  Pablo, Spencer O, Hunter and Liam D starred for the winners.  Gray salvaged the afternoon by coming back with a late goal to tie Tigers Soccer and split the point, 2-2. 

There are too many amazing  plays, outstanding performances and thrilling finishes to cover them all. The best part of the week for these eyes is watching the boys’ wonderful competitive spirit blend with the constant display of our trademark Skylemar sportsmanship. The story of one such example spread all over camp today.  

In this morning’s Waterfront activity down at Trickey, there were a few boys competing who spent most of the summer learning to swim (in shallow water only) and had never traversed the 25-yard lap in the swim lanes without a life jacket on, not even once.  Not only did each decide to give it a try in the pressurized challenge of Color War racing, but all also made it successfully across.  But here’s the rub – one of the boys was placed as the anchor in the last relay race of the meet.  His team was way behind already when it was his turn to dive in (a skill he learned in a very quick practice session just before the event). Swimming alone for the first time ever, and with the race’s winner already determined before his entry, all the Division’s participants (the entire Red AND Gray teams) joined together on all 4 sides of the swim dock, wildly cheering him on with every stroke until he made it across. No one felt more like a winner.  In fact, they all won today.

After a topsy-turvy day where both teams held sizable leads, Color War couldn’t be closer.  Unbelievably, only one point separates the teams with tomorrow night’s critical Songs and Cheers competition looming.  Don’t go anywhere  — this could be one for the ages!

And ….

This evening, we put Color War “on pause” for an amazing performance directed by Suzie and her assistants Roxy and Jayden.  “The Jungle Book” was absolutely incredible.  The acting, set design, costumes, choreography, singing…all was the best.  Don’t know how they found time to learn so many lines during Color War!

Congrats to performers Elton, Declan O, KJ, Zeke, Knox, Theo Q, Luke M, Jonah P, Drew F, Billy, Michael L, Dylan S, Jamie, Alfie, Shay, Owen B, Noah W, Seth R, Seth F, Alex B, Everett K, Paul M, Max W, Sebastian, Leo S, Jack G, Garrett, Alexander D, Ethan P, Quinn C, Troy, Micah, Beckett, Max H, Leo P, Skyr and the counselors who were the bottom half of elephants.   

Wet weather forecast for the entire day almost came true. The boys woke up to a steady rain that was supposed to last through this evening.  Although Color War would have to wait, the fun would not!

While half the camp would play in the Gym and Lodge, the other half would paint their Bunk plaques and play our favorite rainy-day game, Flamingo Bingo!

It’s Bingo with a Skylemar twist.  Fill your card with a row, column or diagonal, and holler out  “Flamingo Bingo”!  That’s the cue for the JC’s (wearing onesies) to jump out from hiding. They run around the Pavilion blowing whistles and banging drums while squirting the kids with water guns.  Then the winner comes to the front and picks a Counselor Stunt Card.  Stunts are challenges for the counselors that are really funny.  Some had to lip sync, dance, sing or improve.  If your counselor does the stunt successfully (which all Skylemar counselors do), your whole Bunk gets a prize.

There were squishy balls, wind-up toys and mini basketball games.  Best prize was the umbrella hats that ended up being used throughout the day. The “Groucho Glasses” were a big hit too, even though the kids have no idea who Groucho Marx was.

The AM washout had the boys chomping at the bit by around lunchtime when the rain finally stopped. Mother Nature’s morning curveball did little to deflate the energy and spirit of this Color War.   There was more rain headed our way, but the best meteorologist anywhere (aka Shep) knew that although we may get a few light showers this afternoon, it would hold off long enough to get in lunch, a quick first rehearsal for Songs & Cheers Night (coming Day 4), and the full slate of afternoon activities. Good call.  

And here’s what happened….

With the score now tied, Gray’s confidence was soaring. They had come back from an early hole and were determined to take their first lead.  Red had other ideas….

… And let their feet do the talking!  Both the Snow and Hejduk Soccer pitches hosted 3 matches between them this afternoon. The Freshmen played a Soccer double-header down on the Snow Field. Red scored a pair of goals in the first few minutes and dominated Game 1 before teammate Luke W hit the lower left corner on a PK to win the 2^nd one, 1-0.  Although not much offensive help, Gray goalkeeper Hendrik was outstanding. Over on the Hejduk, the Stars hard-fought battle also ended in a Red victory behind the outstanding overall play of Nabil, not to mention a fantastic header goal by Bernie.

Red also won Waterfront when their skiers navigated today’s choppy waters well enough to settle it after the two teams split the Swimming and Boating Race elements.  But Gray responded in a big way with a convincing 56-38 blowout in Seniors Football.  Sam P may be our best QB at any age, running and passing the pigskin all over the field to lead the victors, despite David G’s amazing 4-TD day for Red.

The littlest guys strapped the equipment on and played a very exciting Lacrosse game.  Although Red jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first half, Gray answered late behind Knox’s end-to-end hustle, and 3 goals of their own, and split the Cubs/Lions Lax point.  Just down below on the Freddie Pierce, Bradley’s hitting and Gray’s pitching were untouchable in the Red Sophomores Baseball win, but the biggest blow was delivered by Alex (B16) bases-clearing, 3-run triple. 

And finally, the only weather-related schedule adjustment sent the Upper and Lower Court hoops games over to the Sky II Gym for Juniors Basketball.  Henry B was a force throughout, and teammate Myles F hit a long three-pointer to break open a tight game in Red’s Game 1 victory.  Then once again Gray responded with a victory of their own in Game 2. A special shout-out to Leo, who must have snared 20+ rebounds, dominating the boards with his unrelenting effort – and keeping the Gray right in it. 

Still very close. Red will now sleep on the lead….after Movie night, just to take the edge off a bit.

It was like the first day of camp, all over again, and Mother Nature did her best to cooperate with a glorious Maine morning.  The boys from both sides (Sky I and II) were running all over the place well before Reveille.  Red or Gray?  Everyone wanted to know who was on which team, what color shirt to wear (not that it matters), what’s our first activity and …. do we have to have inspection today (of course we do)?  An incredible vibe was felt from our youngest seven-year-olds all the way up to the Stars who drafted them.  Hugs and high-fives galore, and all well before the annual breakfast special that kicks off Color War week – the infamous Red & Gray Buffet!

After breakfast and inspection, the anticipation had reached a fever pitch waiting for the call on the PA system – Gray Team to the Pine Grove, Red Team to the Mailhouse.  Captains Joaquin and TI gathered their teams for the first time, for the first of several “psych-up” meetings meant to bring unity and inspiration to their squads.  A few minutes later, Shep called all participants to the Fred Pierce Field, where, as tradition dictates, everyone would watch the first inning of the Stars Softball game before heading out to venues all over camp for their own divisional contests. 

Shortly after meeting with the Captains on the field and the ceremonial first pitch thrown by our multi-talented Challenge Course Director Trout, we were all ready for the call.  Umpire Shep bellowed “PLAY BALL”, and Color War 2026 was off and running.

And it didn’t take long for Gray to make an early statement as Thomas L went deep in the bottom of the first to give Gray the lead.  Then in the 5^th, Gray clean-up slugger LA Coop looked like Babe Ruth and broke it open, crushing a monstrous 3-run shot high and deep into the forest behind the right field fence that proved to be the game winner. And that was just the start……

Elsewhere, the Cubs/Lions were in the Rink for a pair of Hockey games.  In Game 1, Gray’s Porter completed a hattrick by scoring with 10 seconds left to forge a 3-3 tie.  But in the 2^nd Game, Alex B scored twice in Red’s 3-1 win, giving Red its first full point of Color War.   In Freshmen Hoops, Max H and Alex D starred on the upper court, while Red’s defense dominated on the lower court to sweep both games for Red.

In an extremely well-played Juniors Soccer game over on the Hejduk at Sky II, it took a pair of 1^st half goals by Nadal to offset a skillful Gray offense and hold them off for a 2-2 draw and spit the point.  Down at Trickey Pond, there are 3 elements to the Waterfront activity – swim races, kayak races and waterskiing.  Gray paddled and swam just a bit faster (with a late rally in the 100-yd free relay) to win 2 of the 3 and secure the Seniors Waterfront point.

The most exciting contest this morning came from Tigers Football.  Everett K had dominated the Rec Hall Field game on defense with 2 first half “Pick Sixes” leading the Red to victory, setting them up for a big morning. But on the Bunkline gridiron in front of a packed sideline full of spectators, Gray came roaring back to take an early 4^th quarter lead.  Five lead changes in the 4^th quarter alone had the crowd in a frenzy as time ticked toward the finish.  When the clock hit :00 as Gray was driving for a potential game-winning TD, the Red constituency stormed the field to celebrate a thrilling 53-50 triumph….and give Red the lead as we all headed to lunch.

The boys, rejuvenated from lunch and a much-needed rest hour, once again gathered as a team before hitting the fields, courts and Trickey this afternoon.  Gray made some quick noise with a boisterous victory, a whitewash in Seniors bocce, and closed the Red out on sand (in the Gaga pit!).  Red bounced right back, though, with a dominant performance by their lineup in Seniors Golf.

Down on the Pond, our littlest guys showed how much they’ve improved this summer with some outstanding performances both in and on the water – but in the end, Red was just a little faster and won Cubs/Lions Waterfront. In Juniors Lacrosse over at the Hejduk, Gray scored early and took a 3-goal lead into halftime, then settled in and cruised to a 7-4 victory.  Elliot R and Wyatt N led the way with 5 goals between them for Gray.

Freshmen Tennis also went Gray’s way, but with a bit of suspense.  They held a slight edge after the individual matches were played, then watched their teammates protect that lead with some clutch rallies in the skills competition. Over at the Rink, the Sophomores split a pair of games, and the point. Matthew M hit the back of the net 4 times in Red’s Game 1 win, but Gray prevailed in a 2-1 dogfight in Game 2 to spit the point.

The Bunkline field hosted this afternoon’s Football contest and as usual, the oldest kids flashed their wares, showing speed, versatility and lots of pass-catching talent.  The two Captains played QB and had little problem directing their respective offenses or dissecting the opposing defenses.  Too much talent on one side of the ball led to a most exciting high-scoring affair that fittingly ended in a 48 all tie, splitting the Stars Football point.

It seems like this could be the Tigers year for high-drama contests, because like this morning’s football clash, this afternoon’s Baseball game had boisterous spectators hinging on every pitch.  Once again most of the other activities had ended, so these Tigers were under the microscope of the largest crowd of the day, with Gray clinging to the lead. But this was the Theo Q show as he homered in the first inning, then pitched brilliantly with great support behind him to polish off a complete game shutout – and another point for Gray.

Incredibly, just a point separates the teams as we looked forward to the final event of Day 1 – tonight’s always popular Ping Pong competition.  Surrounded by teammates in the Table Tennis Bowl (aka the Pavilion), the night rocked with music and competitive fun.  The docket showed 21 matches to be played, 3 in each Division – first one to win 11 matches gets the point.  And it took quite a while, but finally, Asher N closed it out for Gray.

Talk about even … fair ? Amazing! After 17 contests filled with action and excitement in a long Day 1, we are deadlocked – the score is tied!

Stay tuned… this is looking to be quite a week!

As a parent, we hurt when our child hurts.   In fact, in some situations we’re even more upset than our child is.  This Blog writer knows.  She has been there before.

For those of us who have a fifteen-year-old son who has wanted to be Captain his entire life, it’s a tough time to be a parent.  He must be devastated, you think to yourself.  Will he be ok? 

So…here’s what happened after Elections.  As a group, they stayed in the Rec Hall until all had left.  Then, as a group, they walked back to Sky II.  Together, they “hung out” and talked about Color War stuff and anything else that teenagers speak of.  Yes, there were a few who were more disappointed than others, and did their best to pretend they were fine.  But true friends saw through the façade and stood by in support.  Before long, every single Star was smiling and joking around as always.

At lunch today the Captains selected their Lieutenants:  two for each team in each Division.  On one hand, it’s an honor to be a Lieutenant.  On the other hand, for the 25 or so in each Division who were not selected, this could be a big disappointment.  A parent might ask, why do they always pick the same people?  Why not give my son a chance?  

Here’s the bottom line:  Skylemar’s Color War is fair.  Participants pick the Captains.  Captains select their Lieutenants.  Captains, with feedback from the Lieutenants, secretly draft the teams.  Adults are the referees, umpires and judges who follow specific rules written and approved by each team.  There’s no grownup intervention, “fixing” of teams, or directives from parents. 

There are some years the moms who work at camp wonder if the kids made the right decision on who they elected or who was selected as Lieutenants.  Perhaps someone else deserves the chance to shine, or someone else could have led in a more positive way.  Nevertheless, Skylemar’s Color War Election demonstrates democracy at its very core.  Those in the camper population are the decision makers, and they cast a vote for Captain using whatever reasoning they wish.

Now for the important part.  The lesson we spoke of yesterday.  Perhaps the most important takeaway from Color War, and one they will take forward for the rest of their lives.  It’s one that cannot be taught in a classroom, with a book or even a deep conversation with loved ones.  It’s a lesson that you have to feel and then decide within what to do with those feelings.

And here it is…

You don’t need a title to be a strong leader.  Leadership, like happiness, comes from within.

Think about it.  It’s all over life.  In the workplace, it’s not necessarily the one with the title who is most valuable to the corporation.  In politics, it’s not necessarily the elected official who makes things happen.  In a movie, it’s not just the actors who make it a smash hit.

Life is about decisions.  People decide to do their best at making a positive impact.  They decide to be leaders who care about others, wise, strong and dedicated.

In Skylemar’s Color War, each participant strives to be the best he can be.  That’s how we roll. 

Tonight, is a magical Skylemar tradition.  Once the teams are secretly drafted and all are asleep, it’s the hour of “pinning”.  The Captains will go into each Bunk and pin either a Red or Gray ribbon to the appropriate pillow of each camper to designate which team he’s on.

Quite a wakeup call!  It will be an exciting and early morning.  We can’t wait!

The chants and table banging have been going on for a week.  “SEVEN MORE DAYS!”.  Then “SIX MORE DAYS!”.  Then five, four, three, two, one…and then “NO MORE DAYS!” because TODAY IS THE DAY!

COLOR WAR ELECTIONS 2026!

For those in the Stars Division, it’s a rollercoaster of a day.  They bounce between excitement and butterflies, thinking about the evening ahead.  This is the night that determines which two Stars campers will lead the teams of Red and Gray.  Many have been waiting all summer for this possibility.  Some have been waiting for years.

There are 21 fifteen-year-olds in the Stars Division.  Truth is, every single one of them would be an outstanding Captain.  But there can only be a total of two, and the election will determine who they are.  Each camper, no matter the age, has an equal vote.  Skylemar’s Election is pure and fair.

The Lobster Lunch switches the vibe.  All of Sky II plus the JC’s have a feast of their own, celebrating friendship by just hanging out together.  There was lobster, corn on the cob, Junior’s famous chicken tenders, and giant chocolate chip cookies.   

Lots of shout-outs at dinner, like about our 10U and 11U Lacrosse teams bringing home big wins in intercamp games. Same with 10U Baseball.   And in the Grand Slam Camp Tennis Championships held on the Sky I and II courts during the past few days, Aidan Q and Billy G won their age group titles, and Oscar once again proved he’s the best player in camp. 

Now we’re ready… bring on Red & Gray!

By 8 PM, the camp filled the Rec Hall, every Bunk sitting on a bench of their own.  On the stage facing the audience sat the Stars, each wearing the jersey of their choice.  Shep welcomed all, and the entire room reverberated with cheers, whistles and claps. 

He explained that Elections are one of our oldest and favorite traditions.  It is the participants, the campers, who will decide who will lead our two teams.  The spirit of Color War gets down to this…fair play and friendship.

It’s a unique situation in sports.  You’re competing hard and wanting to win against those who you care for.  Typically, you might respect the other team, but you haven’t lived with them in brotherhood.

In Skylemar’s Color War, it’s fine to play your very hardest on the fields, courts and lake.  But here’s the rule:  none of this happens inside the Cabin.  The Captains draft the teams, one Division at a time.  So it’s conceivable that in one Bunk there are five boys on Red, and just one or two on Gray.  Inside the Cabin, it’s family life as usual.

Shep introduced the audience to the many alumni in the back of the room who have returned for Elections.  He asked for anyone who was elected Captain to raise their hands.  Only one went up.  Then he asked for all those who were on the Ballot but not elected to raise their hands.  Many hands shot up around the room.  “Gentlemen,” Shep declared.  “This is our honor roll.”

As the Stars casted their own vote and were dismissed to the Garden Cabin, Shep added, “These are the guys that each of you should be like one day.”

Now it’s time for the Secret Ballot.  Each camper would be called to the foot of the stage to write down two names of those on the ballot who they believe would be great leaders.  First candidate to get one more than half (a simple majority) would become Captain… in this case, the magic number was 99.

Once each camper wrote the names of two eligible campers on the slip, he put his slip into the ballot box (the traditional white pickle barrel).  The votes were then read aloud and tallied, one at a time.

When one Star was up to 90, the boys stood and started the countdown.  As they got closer 99, they moved closer to the door…3 , 2, 1 more … and welcomed our first Captain — Jonny “TI” Horowitz!  “TI! TI! TI!”, they chanted as he came running into the room and was clamored with high fives and hugs from the wildly cheering crowd.

But then, we needed a second Captain.  So the votes continued to be read aloud, until…. all votes were counted, and no other candidate had reached the magic number of 99 votes. So we started the process all over again, except this time, since we needed only one more Captain, the boys only had to write down one name on each ballot slip. Once again, after all had voted, the ballots were read aloud and tallied, one by one, until….the countdown from 10 began again. The crowd was recharged and ready when our second Captain — Joaquin Davalos — was mobbed entering the Rec Hall.  “Joaquin! Joaquin!  Joaquin!”, they chanted.  He too was surrounded by love and excitement.

The 19 other Stars returned from the Garden Cabin and were greeted with applause.  They gathered in the back of the Rec Hall, and chained up their arms, shoulder to shoulder in brotherhood.  

The flip of a ceremonial coin determined that TI will lead Red, and Joaquin will lead Gray.  The Captains next chose their Stars Lieutenants, two for each, who will help lead their teams — Spencer B and Oscar for Red, and Archie and Jordan G for Gray.

Although each Star not elected may be disappointed and some get teary, they have each other to lean on.  These are the brothers who share what no one else can understand.  Little do they know, in the days ahead they’ll be learning a most powerful lesson.  More on this tomorrow….

Welcome home, Skylemar trips!  Rave reviews were shared from our happy and tired campers and counselors.

Cubs and Lions had a day trip to the Maine Mineral and Gem Museum.  So much to learn and they were genuinely interested.  For example, the docent explained why meteorites can teach us how our solar system was created, and they touched one that was over a million years old.  They learned about the history of mining for gems in the state, and how Maine is home to some of the most incredible stones.  A trip highlight was that they got to touch a real piece of the Moon as well as a piece of the planet Mars.

The Acadia State Park overnight was “amazing”, as per several in the Juniors Division.  They hit the road after an early breakfast, and on the way stopped at the Fort Knox Observatory.  It’s taller than the Statue of Liberty, so it offers some fantastic views. 

The beach at Bar Harbor was beautiful, that is until it turned really foggy.  That happens a lot there, when warm, moist air from the south blows over the much colder waters of the Gulf of Maine.  The fun continued, despite being inside a cloud.

The campsite was comfortable, and the boys enjoyed sitting around the campfire eating chicken quesadillas, grilled cheese and s’mores.  Morning breakfast of bacon and eggs was delish as well. 

The Stars have returned from the trip of a lifetime to Quebec.   What makes the trip so memorable is going with guys who have been your close friends for almost a decade.  The historic Old City is fascinating, and it feels European because the primary language spoken is French.

Highlights included the many street performers, dozens of restaurants and shops, the Plains of Abraham (historic battlefield), Chez Marie Bakery (freshly baked bread from outdoor stone ovens), Montmorency Falls (taller than Niagara), and the Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupre Shrine. 

Visiting the Shrine was especially memorable, because suspended from the ceilings were crutches and wheelchairs of the hundreds of thousands who have come in hopes of being healed.  It’s a powerful testament of faith that those of any religion are touched by. 

Also touching for us was to hear that the guys decided to give their leftover cash to the attendant at the ice cream store they visited each night.  The size of the tip was such that she’ll be forever grateful to this great group of Stars.

Back at camp, the biggest fish in Skylemar history was caught by Liam A!  Congratulations – it really was THIS BIG!

Talent Show Part II tonight.  35 acts!  Most were quick little skits, probably just to get the participation prize.  For us in the audience, the best part was watching them have fun on stage.  Simon R recited Pi, Ryan G demonstrated how to eat a banana, Leo P and Grant M did body tricks.  Alfie sang “Piano Man”, and Quinn C and James P did diabolo tricks.  David G, Drew F, Sawyer, Ari F and Seth F played the piano.  Ethan P and Micha R sang, while Jonah P, Paul M, Reuben and Blaine danced the Macarena.  Lots more too – we had to get more prizes before the night was through.

It was a joyful evening here at Skylemar, with a certain energy in the air.  That buzz is about tomorrow night – the most important night of the year.   Stay tuned!

It’s the final week of Clinic Signups for 2026.  The Commercials were as funny as ever, and it’s great to see more and more campers asking to be a part of the skits.  The counselors were happy to oblige!

The Sky Regatta will be a special part of Sailing, while the Ski Dock will focus just on skiing.  Also on Trickey Pond will be Competitive Swimming.  Lots of beat-the-record opportunities here.  Weightlifting & Conditioning will focus on balance and core.  Match Play in Tennis, and Color War Prep for Golf, Soccer, Basketball and Hockey.  There will be Football Games plus Hurdles, Long Jump and Throwing.  Shep’s Reading Clinic is the perfect time to get summer reading done.  Absolutely Everything at the Ropes Course, or maybe Props & Scenery for the upcoming production of Jungle Book.   Yellowhorn will feature a Pontoon Boat Party every day.

Speaking of Yellowhorn…The tin foil stuff in recent photos is actually a solar oven.  The guys have been making nachos with cheese melted by the sun.  Problem is they forgot about them and left the ovens outside overnight.  Director Michaela stayed up late to re-build them in time for morning and no one knew the difference.

One more bit of Yellowhorn news.  Michaela had leftover eggs, so the boys made Pavlova.  Maybe your son will remember enough to make it for your next dinner party.    

It’s the Pine Cone Auction!  Each Bunk finds pine cones, and that becomes the medium of exchange for an auction of prizes.

But here’s the twist…there are no pine cones this year.  They skip a year sometimes, dependent on weather conditions.

So what do we do?  Hide colored eggs instead.  985 of them.

The Skylemar golf course was sprinkled with pink, purple, blue and yellow.  Teams were made up of an older cabin and a younger cabin.  On your mark, get set, go!  Five minutes to collect!  The guys got super creative with ways to carry the eggs back to their crate, because you could only use what was on your body.  Lots of backwards hoodies out there.

Eggs were officially counted by the impartial “eggsperts”, and the total determined how much the team had to bid.  Each group had a bidding paddle to raise when the time was right.  As each prize was advertised the team had to decide together if they were going to bid, and how much.  The Pavilion was louder than ever!

There was an assortment of prizes, advertised by our glamour girl hostess, Suzie.  For example, the Snack Like a Champ Gift Bag came with 20 packs of Goldfish crackers and a case of yellow Gatorade.  Sade’s Palace Snack Smorgasbord included pretzel rods, ice cream and root beer.  There was a giant bag of balls, and the ever popular staff t-shirt assortment.

One group won a 6^th Period Experience of making candy sushi rolls with Luci.  Another won an After Hours Kitchen Raid with Arleen.  Fast Pass Skylemar Edition was a high-ticket item.  It lets you go first all day for meals as well as the canteen line at Movie Night.

There was Chilltop Party with Mary Beth.  That was bracelet making with snacks and music.  Slugger’s Birthday Party was a great one to bid on if you didn’t have a summer birthday in your Bunk.   Delish pizza and Goody Bags too.  There’s Make Your Own Sundae’s with Barney, VIP Chocolate Factory Period with Holly and Kristen, and Fresh Baked Cookies Warm from the Oven with Cory.

Highest number of eggs went for the Red Cabin Hang Out with Beags and Cory.  That’s a Skylemar classic that everyone hopes for. 

Worked out perfectly that every bunk ended up with a prize.  Everyone’s happy, except maybe for the counselors of the bunks who won a bag of giant balls.  Sorry about that, Holden, Shane, Cooper and Mack…

The Tigers went to College!  Bates College that is, where Blake Shep and several former counselors attended.  Blake also worked as a teacher at Bates, so he has inside access to bring our guys to campus. 

It’s about a 40-minute drive from Camp, and the first thing they did was hit the turf.  Rachel organized a really fun relay race on the track, while others played a massive game of Steal the Bacon on the lax field.

As college students for the day, they swiped into “Commons”, which is the name of Bates’s award- winning cafeteria.  It’s ranked 6^th in the nation for “best food” by Princeton Review.  The Commons was a pretty amazing experience for these guys.  Seven stations of the kinds of food that boys like, plus international offerings as well.  The fountain soda was super fun because you could mix your flavors.  Best part:  the all-you-want soft serve ice cream with assorted toppings.  After filling his bowl Declan O said, “I’m gonna go to Bates.”

All eyes were on the Tigers, since it’s not every day that 40 guys in Skylemar shirts take over the place.  The manager complimented our behavior, as did a table of professors. 

To walk off all that ice cream, they split into groups to tour the campus.  They have a beautiful pond there, with ducks you can feed.  Next the group headed to the nearby movie theater for “Minions & Monsters”, and counselors made a wise decision – no more sweets.  The movie got thumbs up from the kids, and down from the staff.

The Appalachian Mountain Club Hut trip for the Seniors has returned!  They’ve been hiking in New Hampshire the past couple of days.

At Carter Notch (a mountain pass in the White Mountains), they covered about four miles of gradual incline, which was about a two-hour hike.  Every time they took a break a “refreshed” leader was selected.  He set the pace, decided when to rest, and when to get moving again.  He also shared what he thought made a good leader, and then picked the next one.

Once at the top, they enjoyed fishing, exploring, and playing assorted games outside of the Carter Notch Hut.  This High Mountain Hut is part of a system of eight, very rustic buildings along the Appalachian Trail that provide warm beds and hearty meals.

The huts are maintained by workers known as “The Croo”, who carry in supplies and prepare the meals. Dinner was lentil soup, kale salad, honey roasted chicken and focaccia bread.  And guess what – they ate it and they loved it.  Especially the chocolate cake!

There were two small ponds nearby, as well as a tremendous boulder field called “The Ramparts”.  Some fished (Trout caught a trout!) while others climbed through the ancient rocks.  By 8pm they headed to their “bunk house” with bunkbeds inside.  No turn down service here – just a couple of blankets and a pillow on the end of each sleeping surface.  There’s no electricity inside, so a flashlight is essential, especially for getting to the bathrooms which were located outside.

Counselor Kyler read pages of a book he found, and the 14-year-olds eagerly listened, clamoring on his bed like the old days.  Before long, all were asleep.

At 6:30 AM the Croo starts singing the wake-up song.  The yummy hot breakfast was followed by the Croo’s skit, which explained how to clean up.  All trash had to go into your backpack to be carried out, and blankets needed to be folded in a specific way:  hotdog, hamburger, hamburger, hot dog (think about it next time you fold a blanket and it will make sense).  The idea is for the Hut to be welcoming for the next person who comes along, just as it was for you.

A two-hour hike back down, some time for soccer and frisbee at a local park, pizza and then a movie.  Yes, it was “Minions & Monsters”.  Once again, there’s no need to rush out to see this one.

Back at camp, all were welcomed back with a favorite Skylemar dinner.  Wing Night — 480 pounds served!

Oh, to live at Sky II.  It’s a really big deal at Skylemar, and something that all kids aspire to. It makes you pretty darn important, and one of the coolest guys on camp.

The address is exclusive, and only those who live at Sky II are supposed to be in the cabins.  That is, unless you have a special invitation.  One such invite went to Bunk 3, after they took showers and cleaned their own cabin.   The little guys were especially enamored with the large wooden bunk beds and sliding glass windows, plus all the cool sports stuff that really cool guys have.

There are six cabins on the Sky II Bunkline, for ages 14 & 15 that make up the Seniors and Stars Division.  Inside live our Skylemar role models, who those on the other side hope to be like one day. It’s a big responsibility to undertake, and they do it with pride.

The neighborhood is “prime”, with close access to the Gym, Lodge and Tennis Courts.  Each little green building has its own covered porch, with a large, shared yard for casual lacrosse and soccer.  It’s a bit of a distance to get to meals, but no one complains.  The “freedom” is worth it, they say.

With added responsibility comes privileges as well.  Bedtime is later, and waking up is more of a last-minute thing.  Best of all, they have Happy Hour. 

Happy Hour is 6^th Period, when Sky II has two choices:  Waterskiing & Swimming, or supervised “hanging out”.  Although the Sky II guys love to play sports, nothing compares to hanging out with good friends. 

While rainy days at Sky I means creative programming outside of the Bunk, for those over at Sky II it’s the perfect time to catch up on rest.  Code word “Bunk Games For Sky II” over the PA means exactly that.

Next week is Color War, and that has strong meaning for those at Sky II.  It’s their time to lead Camp Skylemar, and they’ll do so with strength and kindness. 

These once-upon-a-time cute little guys are now almost adults.  We’ve watched them grow into outstanding young men, and we’re grateful they’re here. 

We love each and every one of them, to the Sky and back.

Yay!  It’s GACU!  Says no one, except for the mothers on camp.  But honestly, the guys don’t complain.  It’s just one of those things that has to get done, like taking a shower and making your bed every morning.  And GACU (Great American Clean Up) is just once a week.  Plus, the Staff makes it fun.

In case you’ve forgotten, when you’re scheduled for GACU here’s how it works. First, you take a power-shower.  Then you go to The Spa for nail clipping, and then on to the Infirmary for a health check. 

Funny story about the Skylemar Spa:  There once was a perspective parent who called with questions.  After asking the basics, she said she was concerned that maybe we were a bit too “fancy” for them because she heard we had a spa here.  “Is that true?” she asked. 

Well, if you consider buckets of soapy water on a front porch with some dedicated staff members who are brave enough to clip toenails “fancy”, then I suppose we are.  Plus, we do serve cucumber water and play the weird mood music that’s supposed to be relaxing.

Other than GACU, it was a beautiful day for sports and activities!  The 16U Tennis Grand Slam is already exciting. Shout-outs to all those who entered!  Congrats also goes to the group who competed in the intercamp swim meet held at another camp’s lake this afternoon.

Band of Brothers dinner this evening.  It’s fascinating to see the relationships built at the dinner table within each team, made up of boys from assorted age groups.  The team challenge was to make a floating boat out of tinfoil that would hold as many quarters as possible without sinking.   Way to go, Bald Eagles, with 84 coins afloat!

The big rafts made in Yellowhorn were driven down to the lake by the maintenance department.  They floated too.  At least sort of…. Turns out the “Huckleberry Finn” book makes raft building sound a whole lot easier than it actually is.

Blow-up Carnival for Evening Activity!  Hejduk Field at Sky II was filled with giant inflatable games, slides and obstacle courses.  Since you needed to be in bare feet for all the blow-ups, each Division left their shoes together by their sign so they’d be easy to find at the end.  Otherwise, just imagine how many times we’d hear the phrase you might have heard before: “I can’t find my shoes!”

Baltimore Snowballs were the special treat.  Ice gets shaved in a machine and then is put in a big cup (not a cone).  You pick either cherry, banana, blue raspberry or cotton candy flavoring, and then marshmallow goes on top.  Several boys not from Baltimore said, “I waited a whole year for this!”

When kids got back in line for seconds, it was pretty obvious who were the repeat customers.  Blue or red mouths gave it away. Bring on the toothbrushing!

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.

It’s the Wild Game Hunt!  That’s when the staff hides and the campers seek.  Each counselor is given an animal name and is worth a certain number of points.

The counselors, as well as Shep for example, take this very seriously.  They take tremendous pride in hiding in trees and under things (but you can’t be under, inside or on top of a building or car).  One of the most successful hiding places was inside of a duffle bag lying right in the middle of the office porch.  It was so obvious that no one found him.

This year’s hunt was a special one.  Sixteen years of never being found, but tonight Shep’s streak was broken.  After seven summers of seeking, Spencer B was determined that his 8^th year at Skylemar would be the one when he found the sought after prize.  And he did!  Congratulations, Spence!

One of the many activities that’s really taken off this year is Track and Field.   Obviously, the skill of running is very important in most sports, and Director Rachel has a way of making running super fun.  For example, it’s not just about going around the track.  Rachel created a Track Scavenger Hunt — a timed event, so you had to move fast.  First, a run to Shep’s cabin to find the name of the fish on the Trickey Pond poster.  Then a sprint over to the Basketball courts to get the signature of a coach.  There was a whole list of stops across our 200 acres.  There were Track related questions for the handful who wanted to take it slower too.

This week Coach Rachel introduced shot put and discus throw.  It’s one of those activities that many don’t have the opportunity to try outside of camp.  Rachel and her staff focus on form and function.  The sport of throwing is harder to do correctly than most people think.

Form is a big part of Strength and Conditioning too.  Coach Tom, who runs a year-round Strength & Conditioning/Personal Training program, is the best in the business.  He also has a fantastic handle on working with boys of all ages.  We’re so very fortunate to have him at Skylemar.

One of the best parts of Strength & Conditioning is that each 50 minute session is packed with an assortment of creative activities, so you never know what to expect.  Tom makes it clear that the goal is for each person to be their own best self, as opposed to being better than the next guy.

Same concept for Waterskiing, Wakeboarding and Wakesurfing.  The Ski Dock staff works with each camper individually in stages.  First-timers practice Waterskiing on the dock, and then the counselor helps you into skis.  You start out holding the Boom, which is a pole that comes off of the boat.  That way you can hear the instructions clearly and get the feel of how it all works.  Next comes short rope off the Boom.  Now you’re ready to try behind the boat – knees bent, arms straight and let the boat pull you out of the water.  It usually takes a number of tries, but the staff is extra patient.  When you finally get up it’s the best feeling in the world for both camper and staff.   Once you come out of the water everyone on the dock welcomes you back with cheers and high-fives.

Before long, you’re ready to drop a ski.  Many of our guys become outstanding slalom skiers.  Others prefer Wakesurfing.  That takes a special boat that makes big waves, which we only use in the center of the lake or closer to our property, because we don’t want to bother the neighbors.  The wakesurf board is tricky because there’s no shoes for your feet.  After many tries, a number of campers can get up with the rope.  Then they let go, and surf the wake hands-free. 

Back on land, there were “Jungle Book” auditions for all ages.  It’s easy.  You just tell Suzie if you prefer a small, medium or big part.  You recite some lines and sing a little, and then Suzie takes care of the casting.  It’s a cool thing to have guys of so many different ages and abilities working together.  There’s something for everyone here.  That’s the Skylemar magic!

Lots of moving pieces at Skylemar today.  The Cubs and Lions headed to Goss Berry Farm for blueberry picking.  Weather conditions must be perfect for blueberries, because they came back with enough to serve the entire camp for breakfast tomorrow.  Of course they ate quite a few while harvesting.

Juniors went on a day hike on Long Mountain and really enjoyed the sense of accomplishment and spectacular views of the Presidential Range.  It was a rigorous trail, so the ice cream stop afterwards was well deserved.  Meanwhile, Bunk 26 had an overnight at Sebago Lake State Park.  Fortunately, the tents are brand new.  Lots of rain this evening. 

Bunk 28 spent the morning at the Naples Food Pantry.  These guys were a tremendous help to the volunteers, moving around cases of food that are then divided and distributed to the clients.   

Wilderness Survival Skills at Yellowhorn today.  Director Michaela set up a mock scenario, where they pretended that counselor Ian was hurt.  They talked about evaluating the situation, and how to call 911 on a phone that doesn’t belong to you.  They covered how to take a pulse, how to stop bleeding, and how to cover with a “space blanket” (or tinfoil) if signs of shock are detected.  They also talked about severe allergic reactions and when to use an EpiPen.  Using a trainer EpiPen, each boy got to practice “blue to the sky, orange to the thigh”.   Good stuff that might come in handy one day.

Kicked off Second Session Clinics with those silly commercials describing what each department is offering.  For example, there were lots of great opportunities at the Waterfront.  The Ski Dock will be rockin’ as usual, and offer all first-timers as well as the boys who’ve just arrived an extra chance to get up on skis,    The Swim and Sail Docks will combine forces with a couple of “dry” activities up on land that’s sure to keep Trickey Pond busy. “Boating Bracelets and Buppies” will bring the Chilltop (arts & crafts) crew down to the Sail Dock where the boys can sail, paddle, or make bracelets and necklaces out of paracord and gimp right there on the dock. 

Back by popular demand, Yellowhorn will again have raft building and then hopefully floating.  For the first time ever, the lacrosse guys will put on suits and lax it up in the water at the “Wa-crosse” clinic.

Lippy the Zippy’s “Super Awesome Chocolatey Fudge Mega-Coated Super Awesome Specialty Ropes Clinic” will have all way up in the trees’ higher elements with extensive use of the Zipline and Giant Swing.  Fitness and Weightlifting will show the proper techniques to push and pull some challenging weights. Track and Field will focus on efforts to get faster and build endurance, potentially setting some new camp records while doing so.  

Those interested in Golf can work on clubhead speed, the biggest factor in driving it longer and farther.  Baseball will spend time circling the bases with lots of inside tips on baserunning skills.   The Football folks will not only score lots of TDs but will showcase their own touchdown celebrations.  Over at SkyDeck, Adam Shep will help the Sky II guys prepare some healthy takes on classic dishes.

Tennis will offer a Singles Clinic in preparation for the Skylemar Tennis Championships set to begin next week in all Divisions.  And just behind the courts, the Table Tennis Challenge is looking for anyone to beat either of the undefeated Mandel brother counselors…or just have lots of fun playing ping pong.  

A few former graduates from “Sleeveless University’ were on hand to help sell Sheppy’s Reading Clinic.  The Goalkeeper Clinic in Soccer not only will work with the goalies but offer a great chance for interested shooters to test them with lots of PKs.  And finally, the Hoops courts will be packed as usual, this week with “3-on-3” Basketball tournaments at every level.  

Lots of great options all over camp to explore, develop, improve and most importantly… have fun!

Heard this from a mom on Parent Visiting Day…

Mom:  So, what don’t you like about Skylemar this summer?

Son:  My only complaint is that it’s going by too fast.

…only at Skylemar.

They say that parenting is the hardest job in the world.  We beg to differ.  Try being a Skylemar camp counselor.

For parents, it’s a gradual process.  Nine months of preparation, and you get to start out with a tiny little guy.  You’ve had 84 months of on-the-job experience by the time he’s ready for Skylemar.

For a counselor, it’s two weeks of training and then BAM – he’s here.  And it’s not just one, it’s septuplets.  Although they’re delightful, funny and sweet, these babies also have opinions, strong wills and most likely don’t listen.

“Home” is a one-room cabin for eight, with no double bed, kitchen or office get-a-way.  The place has to be tidied every morning, which is no easy feat with a house full of kids.  Six sets of teeth to be brushed, dozens of shoes to keep track of, and no electronics to give you a break.

On Day 1, counselors are a bit overwhelmed, kinda like you when you brought home that baby.  No matter how many classes you take it’s a whole lot harder when it’s real live kids.  But at this point in the summer they have it all figured out and are incredibly in-sync with each in their care. 

It’s heartwarming and impressive to have a meeting with counselors to talk about their kids.  They truly adore them and go above and beyond to help each succeed.  The feeling is mutual.  To a Skylemar boy, his counselor is his hero… a mother/father/brother/coach and teacher combo he can depend on.

Like a parent, a counselor can make a poor decision or lose his cool.  Most of the time that can be fixed with an apology, or by spending a little extra time together.  Both counselor and camper learn a tremendous amount living as a family, and the takeaways are skills that they master:  improved sensitivity, tolerance, acceptance, negotiation, communication and most importantly how to have good, wholesome fun.

Yup, counselors are the most fun people in the world.  Sorry, folks, but these guys and gals have older folks beat when it comes to being cool.  Take tonight’s Staff Talent Show.  18 acts (that’s 50-some people), all focused on entertaining the kids.  Some have real talent, but others have more talent on the fields.  There were impressive musicians and singers, as well as some guys in tutus attempting ballet and someone juggling nothing but air. No matter what, it’s all for the kids.

“It’s the hardest job you’ll ever love”, is the line George says when he speaks to each counselor in the hiring process.   When counselors return for a visit many years later, they often tell George that he certainly was right.

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 7^th 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!

The explosion of love just had to be felt from coast to coast!  That’s what happens when several hundred of the greatest parents in the whole wide world come to Camp Skylemar!

A few things we know for sure: 

First, the best part of being apart is getting together again.

Second, every parent deserves to feel the joy of a child leaping into their arms after not seeing each other for a while.

Third, every Skylemar camper has won the parent lottery.  No boy could ever be more loved.

Of course, not all parents were able to make it.  And some boys declined a visitor because it’s just too emotional.  All that just meant that the love had to travel just a little father to touch those we adore and miss.

Thank you to those who were able to make the journey.  The boys and counselors were proud to show off on the fields, courts and lake.  We were grateful that the weather was comfortable, and the rain held out until the day’s end. 

It’s an exhausting day, and in some ways, it was totally fine to postpone the Carnival due to rain.  Instead, we played an exciting game of Flamingo Bingo.  It’s like the regular game at first, but after you holler “bingo” you pick a stunt for your counselor to perform.  If he does the stunt, the whole Bunk gets a prize.  Sample stunts:  pantomime the National Anthem, sing your favorite Back Street Boys song, dance the worm, recite the ABC’s backwards and so forth.

We split up for Movie Night into three locations.  It was BYOC (bring your own candy), and many fell asleep right on the floor. 

It’s quiet on the Bunkline, far earlier than usual. Everyone’s wiped out from a big day.   Shep just finished saying his “goodnights” to 30 cabins, as he does every single night.  This Blog writer will try and get just a little sleep too.

Two spectacular Maine weather days in a row!  Warm sunny temps and low humidity put everyone in a great mood. That’s how we like it!

Rounds of hugs and high fives this morning, as we said “see you next year” to first session campers.  On Sunday we’ll welcome new friends in all age Divisions.  That’s exciting!  Several counselors from last summer will be coming in for second session as well.  That’s exciting too!

But first — Parent Visiting Day tomorrow!  We’re happy to welcome many of our moms, dads and siblings to see Skylemar live and in-person.  The boys will be showing off, showing around and introducing from 10 AM to 3 PM.

As you know, there are a number of boys who won’t have visitors.   They’ll be well taken care of as always, but we do ask that guests stay out of the Bunk in consideration of this.  The plan is for all activities and lunch to be outdoors, so hopefully the much-needed rain will hold off until departure time.  Just in case, we have Rainy Day Activities “in the hopper”.  It’s amazing that we haven’t had a single rainy day since June 28.

Parent Visiting Day is an emotional one for all.  Plenty of joy … and sometimes tears.  When the clock strikes 3, it’s Carnival time!  Giant inflatable obstacle courses, games and slides have a magical way of turning things right-side up again.

Let’s play JEOPARDY!

Round:  FINAL JEOPARDY

Category: SPECIAL EVENTS for the WIN.

(Reminder:  Reponses must be phrased in the form of a question)

And here is the clue:

The Virginia Tech Hokies, Maryland Terrapins, Michigan Wolverines and LSU Tigers

Answer:  What are the four institutions of higher learning that will be represented in the latest edition of one of Skylemar’s oldest traditions – INTERCOLLEGIATE DAY 2026!

This time-honored annual event pits four Universities from around the US (selected by each of the team’s leaders) in a frenetic day of sports action followed by a night of competitive entertainment on the Rec Hall Porch Stage.  And what a day it was!

It actually began a few days ago when all participants were divided up into 4 teams and announced to the participants, so that they could begin rehearsing their songs and cheers, which ultimately would determine today’s winner.  But first, let’s back up a day and see how the tone was set for today’s excitement.

During yesterday’s 3^rd period usually meant for the daily Clinic options, the entire camp headed to the Waterfront to cheer on their collegiate leadership, each of whom had constructed a boat from 3 basic materials – duct tape, cardboard, and trash bags. The task was to paddle that boat across the swim lanes from one side to the other, a mere 25 yards.  You’d think that should be no problem, but based on last year’s inaugural race, we hoped for better.  This time, with a little Yankee ingenuity, the teams did not disappoint as all four boats made it safely across, with passengers and their boats still intact.   When the LSU boat “ran aground” (got caught in the ropes) close to the finish, Asher whisked his boat to the finish line, giving Virginia Tech the jumpstart and the early lead. 

Just after dinner, the 5K Relay Race had all eight Divisions racing from the Red Cabin at Sky II to the Sky I Waterfront and back, then over to the Sky Hoops and Hockey complex for the exciting finish.  The batons passed effortlessly as the Cubs, Lions, Tigers, Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors and Stars, with many of their teammates alongside, raced all over the roads of Skylemar.  When bedtime came, the boys were well-stoked for today’s competition. 

After breakfast and morning inspection, IC Day Director Nick Shep called all four schools to the Snow Field for the Dash – set to be run for the 78^th time.  Each of the eight Divisions sent their fastest to run a 60-meter sprint and get this day rolling.  Dash winners included Blaine (MD), Logan D (LSU), Max R (MD), Ben B(VT), Alex Sw (VT) and in a photo-finish, Max P (LSU).  The inconclusive videotape review and stopwatches which showed less than a few hundredths of a second separation (if any) between Max from Nabil earns them both the title of “fastest men in camp”.  Just too close to call.

On to the activities where points for each team would continue to cumulate:   As soon as all Dash divisions were complete, the boys moved around to six different venues, with mini tourneys in each to determine how many points scored for your team (points awarded for 1^st thru 4^th in each sport).  All team members would participate in all six events….some were played in the morning and the rest in the afternoon, but all six activities were played by everyone.  Games were competed in Blacktop Hoops, World Cup Soccer, Volleyball (Newcomb for the youngest), Steal the Bacon, Gaga and Buoy Ball.   The games were quick, fast-paced and spirited – and according to most everyone, lots of fun!  There was one other point-scoring opportunity — the annual Golf Long Drive competition for the oldest division.  After lunch, Songs and Cheers rehearsal and a shortened “rest hour”, Nick summoned all teams to the front of the Rec Hall to see how far their leaders could hit it. When done, Maryland’s TI stood alone with a nearly 300-yard beauty.

At dinner, the scores were announced and the Hokies held the lead.  But less than a dozen points separated the top and bottom teams, so it looked like anybody’s day when the evening Songs and Cheers performances began.  An hour or so later, all four teams had brought their best effort to the stage, singing their hearts out.  Each team had to perform a set of five musical numbers:  Team Cheer, Camp Cheer, Team Fight Song, Old Camp Song and Original Camp Song.  Team leaders had been preparing for quite some time, and the boys responded with energy and enthusiasm when they took the stage. They poured so much emotion into each song, and when it was over, the three judges chosen by the teams (Susie, DT, and Mary Beth) had a very tough call.  When Nick reappeared on stage, the crowd hushed as he read the decision. 

Congrats to the winner of Intercollegiate Day 2026 – the Michigan Wolverines!

Your camp director’s office is one of a kind. There’s a couple of cozy sofas (slept on many a time), toys, games, a dog crate and an old-fashioned soda machine from our earliest years.  There are tricks of the trade, like “sleeping stones” for those who have bad dreams, little plastic monkeys to go in pockets to remind one to be kind, and a treat drawer with exploding Zotz candies to put a bunk disagreement in perspective (when we get along the candy tastes sweet, when we argue it explodes, and when you apologize it gets sweet again).

Some might call the space cluttered, with such a multitude of this and that in every direction.  Truth is, this Farmhouse office is jam-packed full of the most valuable stuff … treasure, from floor to ceiling. 

Much of the treasure is made by little hands, like a duct tape phone case that’s way too small for what should go inside.  There are trinkets from various countries, old bottles and metal toys found in renovations, awards and plaques and the insides of things that kids wanted to know about (like what’s inside of a golf ball).  In a frame is a letter from Ronald Regan.  Another holds a Spiderman comic book signed by Skylemar friend, Stan Lee. 

There are quotes pinned to the wall of sensible words that were said by a sensible person, right here at home.  To share just a few…

“The greatest power is gentleness.” 

“Life responds to effort.”

“Build people up, don’t tear people down.”

“Make each day a masterpiece.”

Most importantly, there’s an air of gratitude within this space.  For the constant flow of campers and staff who use this office as a thruway, or for those who pull up a chair or curl up on the couch, you are the positive energy that fuels this Blog writer until far past midnight.

The attitude of gratitude extends to so many at Camp Skylemar: To each and every counselor, who does whatever it takes to keep their boys safe.  To the nurses and doctors who tend to the unexpected, the housekeepers who redo every bathroom after the kids try themselves, to Ed and Marc who are the ones we call when boys try flushing a tennis ball.  To the teachers and coaches who give up their summers back home to inspire the campers and staff of Skylemar.  To our loyal volunteers, paid only in smiles, who devote countless hours to help keep the Skylemar machine humming.  To our photographers and videographers who try their best to share Skylemar magic with those on the outside.  To Nate who saves the Blog at 2 AM, to Bunk 29 who set up shelves at the Naples Food Pantry and were happy to do so, to the boys who fill our hearts with pride, making us smile all day long…Thank you.

And thanks to you, our incredible parents, for sharing your amazing son with Camp Skylemar.  We are honored by your loyalty and trust, and will never take that for granted.

As the older boys say when they start out a speech, “I’d like to thank Lee and Herb for starting this place”.  It’s a statement well said, and we truly agree.  Not a day goes by without us thinking the same.

To those named above and the 300 who weren’t mentioned, please know that you are loved and appreciated, from this Farmhouse office and to the beyond.

We love our Skylemar babies!  The cute ones on land, and the two littlest ones on Trickey Pond.  Our mama loon has two babies!

The mama and chicks can often be spied at our Waterfront, and we’re extra careful while boating to stay out of their way.  Loons are amazing divers, and they’ll often disappear under the water while hunting for five minutes or so.  Just when we wonder if the chicks have been forgotten, up she pops.

Known for landing and taking off like seaplanes, the sound of the loon is heard as far away as the Bunkline just about every night.  It’s a beautiful sound that the boys try to imitate but just can’t get it right.

At a SkyPines overnight, we fall asleep to the music of the loons.  The tents overlook the lake, and the star-filled sky makes a natural nightlight.  When you go to SkyPines it feels so far away, but you’re also close enough to have a sleepover in the Lodge if the weather changes.

It begins the day before in a period called Backwoods. That’s when you learn the campcraft skills like fire building, orienteering, shelter building and water filtration.  Directors Sam and Jack inspire all of us with their knowledge of the outdoors.

A SkyPines overnight starts at 6^th period, when you pack up gear and walk to the Sky II waterfront.  Tents are set up, and then it’s time for the Badge Challenge — when the boys take what was learned in Backwoods and actually demonstrate the skill.  For the Fire Challenge, they’ll build a fire that burns through rope.  For the Orienteering Challenge, a compass is used to search for clues needed to find materials to build their own compass.  For Shelter Building, they must create a shelter that sleeps one person, has access to food and water, and can withstand weather. And for Water Filtration, they’ll create a filter that makes water clear and clean for a glass of lemonade.

Swim and fish.  Fish and swim. Dinner over the fire comes in between.  The group decides the menu of either walking tacos, quesadillas, hot dogs, grilled cheese or pizza.  More swim and fish.  We catch and release, so no fish for dinner. Sticks for marshmallows are easy to find.

S’mores time!  At the Fire Talk each boy shares something they liked so far and what they’re looking forward to.  We brush teeth at the spigot, and get snug in sleeping bags until ….

6 AM wake up to Hobo Pockets, over the fire pit.  It’s an egg scramble made in a tin foil pocket.  Even those who don’t usually like eggs give these a try.  But not to worry – sleeping bags are rolled up and the boys make it back in time for a regular camp breakfast too.

Sebago Lake State Park overnights are super fun as well.  It’s a little bit farther away- about 3 miles – so you get there by van.  The camping area has lots of trails for hiking and biking, and there’s a nice beach close by the tents.  It’s a great little getaway, and if you’re really lucky, a girls camp might be there too.

Another Brother Sister dinner tonight!  We try to get everyone together on one day, but that’s pretty impossible with each camp having their own schedule. 

The older boys had Socials, but for the rest it was Movie Night.  That’s been a Skylemar favorite Evening Activity for 77 years.  In the old days we were inside the Rec Hall watching a reel-to-reel film, which had to be ordered months in advance and sent to us through the mail.  Now it’s a drive-in movie on the hillside, with the loons wailing in the background.  Whether 1948 or 2026, it’s still a special night with popcorn, candy and lots of camaraderie.  There’s nothing like watching a movie under the stars with 200 friends.

Sunday’s an important one here, because it’s LAUNDRY DAY!  That’s when you take the clothes out of your Bongo Hamper and put them into your customized laundry bag, zipper it up and put it in front of the cabin.  Why do we use a Bongo instead of putting dirty clothes right into the bag?  Because dirty clothes are far more likely to end up in the right place if they’re “tossed” into a hamper, as compared to opening a bag every time. 

The style of laundry bag we use is an amazing invention.  You put the clothes in like a traditional bag, but when the bag comes back from the service a few days later, you open it with the zipper on the side just like a suitcase.  Inside are perfectly folded clothes that just need to be put away.  That’s some kind of magic!

6 AM:  another round of Polar Bear, this time for the older half of camp.  Congratulations to the 79 boys who swam across Trickey Pond.

At breakfast…he’s here!  SustainaBatman!  He arrived by bike to bring us lessons about environmental sustainability.  Today’s reminder was about turning out lights when you leave the room and bringing back your cereal bowl when you want seconds. 

Speaking of cereal, just about everyone stops by the Skylemar Cereal Bar at breakfast.  There’s five choices plus granola.  One is healthy (which only a very few take), one is lower sugar (some people take), and three others are by far the fan favorites.  No surprise there.  The top “seller” is Frog Loops (aka Fruit Loops), followed by Lippy Charms (aka Lucky Charms). 

At lunch, the “Bar” switches to salad.  There are mixed greens, protein (like beans), and veggies like cucumbers, carrots, peppers, tomatoes and so forth.  Assistant Chef David cuts vegetables for the Salad Bar all day long.  The most popular toppings are cucumbers and croutons.  These are not ordinary croutons.  They’re the special ones that Junior makes out of leftover grilled cheese.  Yum!

Campers are cooking too!  When your Bunk has SkyDeck with Adam, it’s a great day.  One Bunk has breakfast, and another has dinner.  They scrub their hands clean, and pay close attention to Adam’s directions.  At breakfast, they learned how to make Migas, which is a Mexican egg scramble with homemade tortilla chips.  Dinner was from the same genre:  Elote (Mexican street corn) and Mojo chicken tacos with homemade tortillas.  Dessert was Yonanas fruit ice cream. 

The Juniors Division did a special kind of cooking today.  They made a meal that will feed 70 people at Crosswalk Community Outreach Center tomorrow.   Working in teams of three, they sliced, diced, layered and packaged.  The lasagnas came out beautiful and the pans of garlic bread smelled fabulous.  Bunks 21-23 took this task very seriously, and everyone was excited to make a positive difference for others.

Evening Activity was a Skylemar first.  The whole camp gathered below the hockey rink, to find a raised, square stage surrounded by ropes and turnbuckles.  It’s a wrestling ring!  Music pumped and the announcer warmly welcomed the North Atlantic Wrestling Association.  The crowd went wild with every choreographed thud. 

After the exciting show, we gathered in the Pavilion for a surprise party of sorts.  This is the time of year when we celebrate Shirley’s birthday.  Shirley was the wife of Skylemar’s founder, and she loved ice cream.  We remember her with a delicious treat – make your own sundaes.  That’s our kind of Sunday!

It was a triple-play of a day at Skylemar:  an energizing morning, a fiercely competitive afternoon, and a chivalrous evening.

At 6 AM, lots of our neighbors were watching.  It’s exciting to see Trickey Pond filled with Polar Bears.  There were 67 of them from Bunks 1-15, plus another 41 staff members who made it possible for these Polar Bears to safely swim across the lake.

The “herd” was divided into 14 groups, each with a lifeguard, kayaker and adult swimmer.  They put on their life jackets and jumped right in.  It’s a half-mile distance, and a huge sense of accomplishment.

The destination is Bunk 71, a cabin owned by a wonderful Skylemar family.  As each group proudly arrived and climbed out of the refreshing water, they were greeted with high fives and a yummy donut.  Motorboat rides back and it was time for breakfast, Inspection, activity periods, lunch, Rest Hour…

And then….

Bacon Fest 2026 all afternoon!  It’s a super fun 10U “Steal the Bacon” tournament played right here on our Hejduk Field.  A number of other camps participate, and it’s something that many look forward to every year.

What is “Steal the Bacon” (or STB as those in-the-know would say)?  Best way to find out is to ask the expert – your son.  Basically, opponents stand in a line facing each other, with a tennis ball in the middle.  That’s the bacon.  Each player gets a number, and when the Ref calls yours, opponents run out and both try to steal the bacon without being tagged.

To be clear – this is a highly competitive event taken very seriously by every player, ref, coach and fan.  Kinda like the Super Bowl, World Series and World Cup combined.  We play with heart and strength, and give it our all.  So the moment when SKYLEMAR “brought home the bacon” (aka Tourney Champion), of course they dumped the water jug on the coaches.  Congratulations to us!

Power shower for every player because…

Brother/Sister dinner tonight!  This was one of several evenings when sisters who attend nearby camps come to visit.  More will come tomorrow, as well as later in the week.  The siblings share a meal together, play Pickleball, hang out and then it’s time to go.  It’s a beautiful thing to have girls at Skylemar!

Dateline;  July 10, 2026

Subject: Sports, sports and more sports

Age Groups: All

A chance for everyone to give it a go in Intercamp Sports competition today – from our youngest guys all the way up through our oldest.  Even the Counselors got to join in the fun!

We hosted a Tennis Tourney for 3 age groups: 11U, 13U, and !5U on both the SkyI hard courts and the clay courts over at SkyII.  It all began just after breakfast, and our boys performed well in each of the 3 divisions.  In the youngest group, both Skylemar singles players swept thru to the final, where Alejandro edged Federico in a very tight match for the title. In the 13U group, once again our boys dominated. Misha was outstanding in the singles, while  Miles B and Henry G teamed up to run through the doubles bracket, winning both titles for the Red and Gray.  Then, in the very competitive, high-level 15U group, Coop showed how strong a player he’s become, and Reed and Archie were quite formidable as a doubles team as well, all reaching the finals.  Tennis Director Ted was most proud of our guys – we seemed to be loaded with enthusiastic competitors at every age level.  Well done.

Moving over to the Hoops courts, Skylemar hosted the annual 10U Basketball Tourney.  The interest was as strong as ever, so we fielded two well-rounded teams to participate.  Both teams did quite well, with each splitting a pair of games.  Bode W and Micah R led the way for Coach Noah and his Hoops squad, who were most impressed by how much some of our guys had improved their game since we arrived.  

Our first intercamp Hockey for the 12U group saw them go on the road a 4-team round robin event. These guys battled through a couple of tight, well-played games, but it was our youngest guys who stood out the most.  Coach Ben gave a huge shout-out to the twins Luke and Jack G , who represented Sky like they’ve been here for years, with efforts worth another mention here.  Cheers to all the Hockey guys – very well done.

And finally, our world-class Soccer Director Paul Harrison has transformed our very talented, older guys into a most cohesive unit.  Most of today’s group, the 14U squad, have already had a few matches at the 15U level.  With Paul at the helm, we are watching some of the best soccer ever played by this age group.  Once again, against some very tough and talented clubs, our guys took control after a shaky start in game 1, a come-from-behind 3-2 thriller.  Looking up from a 1-nil early deficit, then 2-1 later, Ignacio ignited a burst in the last 5 minutes to push us over the top in a 3-2 victory.  Leopold once again stayed aggressive to the ball and created much opportunity for others throughout. In the Championship match,  our steady improvement as a team really showed, gelling beautifully at the perfect time, beating Cedar handily 4-1.  Maybe the most improved player we have, Max P even caught the keeper snoozing away from the net and scored on a long shot from nearly midfield.  David G played superbly in both games, adding a couple of more  wins to his very busy season in the goal.

Bravo to all our boys!  Putting on a Skylemar jersey clearly means a lot to them.  They continue to represent us with great sportsmanship, teamwork, and effort — showing class in victory or defeat. We couldn’t be prouder.

And if that action wasn’t enough, tonight was a chance for our outstanding, well-celebrated Hoops Staff to put on a show, in the Counselor All-Star Game.  Fryeburg Academy’s B-ball Coach (and Luci Shep’s significant other) DT and his gang took on St. Paul’s HS Baseball Coach (close enough – and schedule guru) Barney and his squad of hoopers in a rollicking, fun-filled night activity for the entire camp to enjoy.

And what a show it was!   Music, mascots, creamsicles, and a cheering crowd with a spectacular sunset in the horizon.  Each time a player sunk a three-pointer, a name of a spectator was pulled from the giant raffle drum, and the lucky winner got some Skylemar swag. There was a Slam Dunk Contest, a 3-point Shooting Contest, and a Half-Court Shot Contest for the Seniors & Stars Division.  Jake M hit the half-court shot and all the older guys stormed the court.  It was like a scene out of a movie, and we’re all lucky to have shared in the moment Jake will remember the rest of his life.  Blake Shep was the Master of Ceremonies, and a great time was had by all.

As for the game, Barney’s team led throughout the 4^th Quarter and had it up to 7 with 2 minutes to go.  After a rebound follow shot by 7’ Dut brought them within 5, Coach DT drove for a left-handed layup, then hit a 3-pointer to tie it up.  A 3-point miss put the ball back in DT’s hands with the game on the line … and he delivered with a baseline floater that rolled around the rim and splashed through at the buzzer to win.

We all won today!

Skylemar hits the road!  Lots of comings and goings just about every day. 

The Stars and Seniors took a trip to Tabers Mini Golf and Driving Range.  It’s a really cool family-owned place that you feel good supporting.  The ride is just about an hour long, and the food’s really good.  After hitting buckets of balls, they went to Range Pond State Park.  Nothing like hanging out at the beach with good friends.

The Tigers headed to the Ossipee Valley Fair.  It’s an old-fashioned country fair with lots of animals, an oxen pull, egg toss and so forth.  The highlight was the frog jumping contest.  We didn’t bring frogs, but one gentleman was kind enough to loan us a few.  The kids quickly learned how to make a frog hop (you sort of hit the ground nearby) and Skylemar was well represented with five ribbon winners:  Henry R (B7), Theo Q, Alex F (B6), Troy and Dillon L.  Note for next year:  We need to come up with some frogs!

Arethusa Falls was the main destination for the Freshmen.  They hiked through Crawford Notch State Park to get to the tallest single drop waterfall in New Hampshire.  It was the perfect place to be on a 90-degree day.

Back at home, we remembered to drink a whole lot of water to stay hydrated.  Ate some popsicles too. 

Fishing in Trickey Pond with Jack is so much fun.  And when you catch a big one it’s even better.  Bunk 15 caught 20 fish in just one afternoon!   First things first when you get to SkyPines…the safety talk.  Jack teaches everyone the correct way to cast and how to bait the hook.  Most use “fake bait”, or you can dig up your own worms. 

Our guys are typically good for about 20 minutes max of fishing.  It’s tough to stay still for so long.  So they swim, snorkel and paddleboard too.  There’s the giant hammock to hang in as well. 

In other news…

Chilltop, our crafts program, has a new toy.  It’s called a ChompSaw.  The boys love to create masterpieces with recyclables, and now it’s even more fun to work with cardboard. And there’s lots of it available at Skylemar, between cases of food and what the counselors order from Amazon. The ChompSaw cuts the cardboard into whatever shape you want.  Soooooo much better than scissors and a whole lot safer than an X-Acto knife.

Chocolate Factory!  Yay!  That’s when you go to the Garden Cabin with Kristen and Holly to make sweet treats.  Of course you get to eat just a little in the process.  A batch gets made for your bunk, and then the boys pick another lucky bunk to surprise with a snack.  

Food Science at Yellowhorn with Michaela! Today, they picked blueberries behind the Bunkline and made both vanilla- and blueberry-flavored ice cream.  To make the vanilla they split open Madagascar vanilla pods and scraped the insides into cream, milk and sugar.  Then they learned how rock salt lowers the temperature, and makes the mixture freeze quickly without forming ice crystals.

The boys take tremendous pride in watching things grow.  Whether it’s the abundant wild blueberries along the rock wall, what’s in Adam’s vegetable garden, or in the sunflowers they just planted — growth is rewarding.

That kind of development is what we see daily at Skylemar.    Your son is growing taller, wiser and more accomplished right before our eyes.  Wait till you see!

Skylemar’s Top Ten:

Junior, Superman, Tony, David, Juan, Benjamin, David , Miguel and Harry.  Rich too, on Jr’s day off.

This is the all-star team that works harder than anyone else here, there and anywhere.  They are the one and only Kitchen Staff of 2026.

Feeding 375 people three meals a day is daunting.  Skylemar campers are fussy customers too.  The food has to taste great and be served hot to everyone all at the same time. 

Think about the effort it takes to make Thanksgiving dinner.  Junior does this once every couple of weeks, for 375 houseguests.  It takes 18 turkeys, 100 pounds of potatoes (that need to be mashed), and 12 giant sheet pans of stuffing. Only 25 pounds of peas – not a big seller with most of the boys.  Plus, on this same day he still has to make breakfast and lunch.

He and his assistant chefs get to camp a couple weeks early to unpack the kitchen and make 9,000 meatballs.  Of course we could buy frozen, and that’s what we’re told “everybody does”.  But that’s a hard “no” for Junior, who believes that quality comes first along with cleanliness.  Plus, he combines ground beef and ground turkey, so each ball is flavorful while the fat is reduced.

It’s a well-oiled machine, thanks to the dynamo combo of Junior and Superman.  Junior is one of the most talented chefs in the country.  He never needs a recipe, and has incredible physical strength needed to stir, toss, and lift.  Try carrying a pot of hot oatmeal for 250 people and you’ll get the idea.

Junior is also the master of the warming oven.  These are giant boxes, set to 180 degrees. To make scrambled eggs he needs to crack 1,260 eggs and then uses the giant mixer to beat.  Scrambling on the big flat top is strenuous with such a load. The eggs must be cooked until a specific point where they can then be put in the warmer an hour before serving, so that all the batches of eggs combined are hot and perfect. 

Superman’s name says it all.  He’s the superhero of clean and does the work of three men.  His job is to keep every single piece of the kitchen immaculate, and trains and supervises a crew of 9 people to maintain his high standards.  That’s why the Health Inspector loves us, and each year says that we have one of the cleanest kitchens in the state.

Every day he washes 1,200 cups, 1,125 plates and 3,375 pieces of silverware.  The enormous pile of pots, bowls and sheet pans never end until around 6pm.  Superman teaches his crew to make these pans shine as they did when brand new.

Meals are based on what the kids like, with plenty of side options for those who don’t.  For example, there’s always pasta at every dinner.  Some like it with parmesan cheese, some only butter, but only a small number go for the sauce.

Breakfast always has a hot option (like pancakes, waffles, French toast sticks, cinnamon rolls, eggs, etc.), oatmeal, fresh cut melon, yogurt, Wow Butter and jelly sandwiches, whole fruit and The Cereal Bar.  There’re five kinds of cereal, so there’s something for everyone.  Frog Loops (aka Fruit Loops) is top fave, with Lippy Charms (aka Lucky Charms) a close second, followed by Frosted Blakes (aka Frosted Flakes).  Alas, the two healthier cereals don’t have too many takers.

Fan favorites for lunch are teriyaki bowls, ramen bowls and THE BEST chicken tenders anywhere that many enjoy with Junior’s Special Sauce (secret recipe, of course).  Also popular are tacos, grilled cheese, chicken sandwiches, sliders, pizza bagels and steak subs.

Skypotle (just like Chipotle) and Wing Night are the #1 dinners, followed by grilled chicken, chicken lo mein and a traditional cookout.  If you don’t like the entrée there’s always the pasta or salad bar.

Just about every brand we use or way we prepare has a reason behind it.  For example, take Wow Butter.  Sure, Sun Butter’s cheaper, but we did our own study.  For taste, texture and appearance, the Skylemar experts (our counselors during pre-camp orientation) select Wow Butter.

Quantities are staggering – boys love to eat.  Spaghetti Dinner takes 80 pounds of pasta and 1,600 homemade meatballs.  Tacos take 120 pounds of meat, 125 tomatoes and 36 lettuce heads.

The prices this year are staggering too.  Blake and Danny do inventory and ordering, and they spend about $13,000 per day.  How’s that for a grocery bill?

Nevertheless, the importance of good food can never be underestimated.  Of course, we can’t please everyone all of the time, but we come pretty darn close.  Something delicious has a way of making even the rainiest day seem a little bit sunny.  Lucky for us, Skylemar has the greatest kitchen staff in the whole wide world.

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.

There are two kinds of boys at Skylemar.  Those who wake up way earlier than the counselors, and those who sleep until just before Flag Raising. 

The really early risers head out of their cabins and go over to Shep’s porch.  Shep’s up around 5, so that gives this small group a place to hang until The Sunshine Club opens at 7.

The Sunshine Club has five “zones” (general locations) to select from.  You check in with the staff member in charge, and then you can choose to go to zones for Hoops, The Shack, Tennis, Golf or the Garden.

This morning also had “Zone 6” – The Murph and the Mini-Murph.  Murphs are fitness challenges at The Gym which balance proper form with a fast pace.   The full Murph means you run a mile, do a total of 100 pull-ups, 200 push-ups, 300 squats and then run another mile.  Of course, modifications are encouraged.  The Mini-Murph means you run a half mile, do a total of 100 TRX band rows, 200 inclined push-ups, 300 squats and then run another half-mile.

Congrats to Murph Finishers:  Enric (B25), Jacobo (B26), Marc T (B29), Jake P (B30), Ryan F (B21), Diego V (JC) and all of Bunk 17: Ben B, Conor D, Juan L, Jack M, Miles W.   And congrats to Mini-Murph Finishers:  Alfie (B4), Misha (B20), Ka’Mari (B20), Lionel (B20), Mihailo (B21) and Caleb D (B10).  Way to go!

Lots of comings and goings today.  The Cubs and Lions took a trip to Smiling Hills Farm.  It’s a beautiful petting zoo and dairy farm, and they have the best homemade ice cream.  The milk comes in glass bottles and tastes much better than any in the grocery store. 

Bunks 13 and 15 took the first hike of 2026 to Douglas Mountain.  It’s about a mile steeply up to a stone observation tower at the top which has a beautiful view of the entire Sebago Lake region. 

Back at camp, Bunk 18 had a new activity called SkyFuel, led by nutrition NBC’s (non-bunk counselors) Katie and Claire.  They baked healthy muffins, but here’s the twist.  Instead of using traditional measurements like cups and teaspoons, they used sports equipment.  Huh, you might ask?  For example: add a softball of flour, a baseball of sugar and a quarter golf tee of salt.  Results were “interesting”.

A full slate of afternoon intercamp action began today with the 10U Hockey, 12U Lacrosse and 14U Basketball teams taking it on the road.  Our calendar is packed with opportunities for those interested in competing against other camps, so stay tuned.

Tonight, we all went to another camp.  Camp Fernwood for Girls.  Each year we alternate home or away, and join together for a co-ed evening.  This year Fernwood graciously hosted our very clean and well-dressed young men.  Even our Cubbies made us proud, with hair combed and shirts tucked in.  As Holly says when the boys can’t find their belongings, “they’re not good lookers but they sure are good-looking.”

Let’s talk Trickey Pond.  

Considered to be one of the cleanest bodies of water in Maine (out of over 6,000), Trickey is the crown jewel of Skylemar.  The spring-fed lake is a little over two miles long, a half mile across and doesn’t connect with any other body of water.  Around the shoreline is just us, some residential homes, a campground and visiting fishermen who come for salmon, trout, bass, splake and perch. 

Trickey Pond is deep – 57 feet in the center, and 30 feet off our docks.  That’s one of the reasons we wear life jackets outside of swimming lessons.  The other reason is so all can safely play together, regardless of swimming ability.

Known for exceptional clarity, Trickey Pond ranks among the top 5% clearest lakes in the state, and receives the highest rating for water quality from the Maine DEP.  It’s so clean that we drink it… all day long.  There’s an elaborate filtration system, and Skylemar’s phenomenal Maintenance Director Ed is our “certified water operator” (which means he went through extensive schooling and testing – not easy stuff!).

Mostly we play and learn in these magical waters. 

Peter’s in charge, along with his assistants Paige, Lexie, Gallo and Quinn.  Together they train and manage a staff of 14 accomplished swimmers, sailors and water skiers, who are lifeguard certified before the rest of the staff arrives.  It is during this pre-camp period that they learn not only how to teach, but about safety procedures for swimming and boat driving.

The boys come to the Waterfront for a double period just about every day.  Peter divides them into groups — some go to swim lessons, while others either head to non-motorized boating (sailing, kayaking, stand-up paddleboards, canoes) or to the ski dock (water skiing, wakesurfing, kneeboarding and tubing).  There’s always time for playing on the Beast (giant inflatable Slide), Iceberg, Rocket and Pontoon as well.  Our second waterfront, over at SkyPines, is where we go fishing and snorkeling.

Some have asked why the name is Trickey Pond as opposed to Trickey Lake.  In Maine, there is no difference between a lake and a pond – it’s just a word.  Ecologically, a pond is water that’s shallow enough for sunlight to hit the bottom.  Trickey is not shallow, but because the water is so clean and clear, you can see all the way down.

As for the first name, Trickey, we’re not really sure.  Some say once upon a time there was a family with the last name.  Others say the name is misspelled, and it’s fisherman’s lore – the ice can be solid one day in winter and next day there’s a hole from the springs making it tricky to cross. 

Why are the waters so clean?  The experts say it’s in large part due to us.  We have well over a mile of tree-lined shore frontage, and no development.  Neighbors across the lake have referred to us as the “protectors of the pond”, a title that brings us great pride and sense of responsibility. 

Speaking of neighbors – those on Trickey Pond are especially wonderful.  We truly care for each other and are grateful to share this gift with such incredible people.  That’s why we got involved with a non-profit called Trickey Pond Environmental Protection Association (TPEPA), to do our part in keeping the lake clean and sustainable.

Because sound travels across the lake, our kind neighbors have little choice but to hear our bugles and announcements throughout the day.  Then again, as one neighbor said, “Thanks to Skylemar, I know when to wake up and when to go to sleep.  When you close for the season, I have to go back to setting my alarm.”

Big question is…why are the waters considered magical?  Because they heal.  Having a lousy day?  Feeling embarrassed?  Made a mistake, apologized and need a fresh start?  JUMP IN!  These special  waters wash away troubles and energize the body.

Tonight was one that you felt the magic and tremendous sense of community.  The whole camp was comfortably seated by the pond.  Surrounding our Waterfront came dozens of boats from down and across the lake.  Most were decorated with red, white and blue holiday décor, and our kids cheered for each as they blew their horns and cheered right back. 

First was the pre-game.  We stood at attention and sang along to Gallo playing the National Anthem.  Next came the Counselor Belly Flop contest!  What a riot!  The campers screamed for their counselors as they jumped and flopped.  The crowd winced with “oooohs” as each participant smacked into the water.

When the sky finally grew darker, our neighbor Greg floated a barge to just outside our inflatables.  From there, Greg launched a wonderful fireworks show for all of us on the lake to enjoy.  This time it wasn’t just us for Evening Activity.  It was good to feel the sense of togetherness that goes beyond our Skylemar world.   

Here’s the secret Santa doesn’t know.  The very best toy for a boy is a garden hose.  A bucket of water, too.  Maybe a sprinkler.  And of course — Trickey Pond.

These are some of the tricks of the trade used by our counselors today during athletic periods.  It’s just too darn hot for a Flag Football game, so why not huddle around some spraying water?  Basketball’s a lot more fun on day like this when a pail of water gets dumped. 

How about changing up the routine with a waterslide?  Start with a leap, and down you go.  Smiles and squeals every time. 

Time to rotate periods?  Take a short cut through the Garden “car wash”.  Stay in as long as you dare till the bucket tips, and then you’re refreshed.

Spring-fed Trickey Pond is cool and invigorating.  Whether you’re jumping, diving, splashing, boating or skiing, it’s all spectacular.  Maybe you’ll even catch a fish or a bit of wind in a sail.

Meanwhile in the Office, Holly and Kristen were organizing tickets and counting out the cash.  Luci and Cory matched up one or two specific campers with every staff member.  Shep assigned leaders for the seven buses and four vans. All because…

WE’RE GOING TO THE SEA DOGS!

There’s nothing like taking 350 of your favorite people to the ballpark.  It’s Hadlock Field, home of the Boston Red Sox Double-A affiliate Portland Sea Dogs.  Tonight, we took on the Altoona Curve.

We do the Sea Dogs differently than other groups.  For us, it’s our chance to show off how amazing our guys are, and we demonstrate this with our great manners.  As you know, reputation matters. 

An older gentleman randomly came up to Nick and said, “I come to this game every year on July 3 and seeing your guys is the best part”.

To open the game, the stadium announcer bellowed, “Throwing the first pitch will be Camp Skylemar’s Dylan S (Bunk 15) and Alex B (16)!”  Seeing Dylan and Alex on the mound made us feel prouder than ever.  Way to go, guys!

Remember the Sea Dogs Swag Clinic at Hilltop?  The posters, custom t-shirts and hats caught the eye of the Sea Dogs videographer who put those with the swag onto the jumbotron.  Maybe, just maybe, they’ll start selling Sky designs. 

When the game was over (the first-place Dogs pounded out a 9-3 win), the players came out and tossed balls to the fans.  Quite a few from Skylemar were the lucky ones, and it warmed our hearts to see older campers give the balls they caught to a Cub or a Lion.

The fireworks were stupendous — perhaps the best we’ve seen in the 20+ years we’ve been taking this trip! 

Between the heat and the Sea Dogs, our crew is exhausted.  The bus ride back was a whole lot quieter than the one to Portland. Most fell asleep, sweetly leaning on a staff member or a friend. After all, counselors had precious cargo to carry to bed.

Of course you’ve heard of this establishment.  It’s been famous for at least 40 years. 

VIPs from around the world never miss an opening.  Everyone who’s anyone is there.  After all, it’s the place to see and be seen. 

ID is required – you  must be 21 or under to enter.  Dress code is costume-room casual.  This renowned casino is one of a kind.  Everyone who enters is given $100 just to get going.  Best of all, the house never wins!  It’s…

SADE’S PALACE!

Customers burst into the gambling parlor, with wads of cash in hand.  They couldn’t wait to hit the tables for Roulette, Craps, Poker and Blackjack.  There were dice games, Bingo,  Chess and Checkers.  Slot machines dinged and donged, while the music boomed.

Not sure what numbers to play?  Sade’s provides fortune tellers to give you the edge.  Just peer into the crystal ball to see the future.

George’s Grill served up the traditional five-star fare:  Strawberry ice cream cups, root beer and pretzel rod cigars.

The entertainment was spectacular.  Karaoke stars Cooper & Jake, along with Alex & Max, performed live from the Garden Cabin Porch.

The paparazzi was occupied with special guest appearances by the entire cast of Scooby Doo and Harry Potter.  Also spied were Al Kaline, Thing One and Thing Two, a Giant Grape and nurses in pink tutus (not sure why but they were very cute). Santa and Mrs. Claus, Ted & Marge Look-a-Likes, a referee, Thor, James Bond, Apollo Creed and some guys in onesies were mingling with the well-dressed high rollers of Skylemar.

The biggest winner of the night was Luke P of Bunk 16, winner of a million $kylebucks in the raffle.  As they say, you gotta play to win.

By night’s end, pockets were bulging with cold, hard cash.  These big spenders took it right to the SkyBank and traded up for prizes.  Balls of all sorts, inflatable guitars and saxophones, light up keychains, mini basketball hoops and assorted trinkets and treasures.

Oh, what a night.  Wish you were there, but you’re a little too old.  Maybe next year!

Heard this tonight…

Said to Paul, dressed in a tux as James Bond,

“Are you a waiter?”

…only at Skylemar.

The steamy hot weather was perfect for ice skating.  Our older guys had the Bridgton Academy rink all to themselves.  Seemed crazy to bring a sweatshirt along on this kind of day, but they appreciated it inside.

The Tigers took an air-conditioned van ride to the Maine Wildlife Park.  It’s a sanctuary for injured, orphaned or human dependent animals.  They saw moose, bears, porcupines and lots of other rescued animals.  On the way home they stopped at the Causeway Dairy Bar, a Skylemar favorite.

Back at camp we played sports at half-speed and focused on staying hydrated.  The Sunscreen & Water Wagon was always on the go.  Of course, the Waterfront was as popular as ever, for swimming, sailing, kayaking, stand up paddle boards, waterskiing, knee boarding and wake surfing.  Our six motorboats were cruising! 

Temps were a bit cooler in the trees of the Challenge Course.  Trout, Lippy and their team run a phenomenal program, and their encouragement is what gets so many to bravely climb high and traverse across the elements.  The Zip Line and Giant Swing are the most popular parts.

Even cooler was Chaotic Cocktail making at Yellowhorn.  They squeezed oranges, lemons and limes in an old-fashioned hand juicer, and created delicious beverages with fruit and tiny umbrella garnishes. There’s so much to do at Yellowhorn, thanks to our awesome director Michaela (aka a talented physical therapist who is also an incredible science teacher).  Also today were candy games and Alka-Seltzer explosions.  Several cabins baked raisin cinnamon bread.  Yum!

While the Seniors and Stars went to a social at a nearby girls’ camp, it was a….

WORLD CUP WATCH PARTY!  The kids grabbed their Crazy Creeks, and got comfortable at our drive-in movie on the Bunkline.  The guys were so animated and excited about the USA vs Bosnia & Herzegovina match shown on the big screen that it almost felt live.  Soccer Director Paul kept us entertained with group chants and trivia whenever the commercials played.

Lots of plans are in the works for alternate programming the next few days while it’s so very hot.  The SkySlide is pumped and ready to go!

The Skylemar Code of Honor.  It’s a pledge that everyone buys into during the first few days of camp.  Here’s how it reads:

Skylemar is all about being together with friends, enjoying the outdoors, playing games and showing kindness.  At Skylemar, I promise to be the best person I can be, and agree with the following:

• The Directors, Counselors and Staff are responsible for my safety. I will do my best to listen to them when they ask me to do or not to do something.
• I will do my best to treat everyone kindly– the way that they wish to be treated. 
• Everyone is entitled to have fun. I promise not to ruin someone else’s fun.           
• It is my responsibility to tell Shep or Arleen if something is wrong. It is also my responsibility to politely remind others to be kind if they forget.
• I will respect others’ property, as they will respect mine; this includes body and belongings.
• If someone asks me to “stop”, I will.
• Skylemar is about people, not about electronics. I promise I do not have a cell phone or any electronics with internet access or video capability.
• I understand why we have these rules at Skylemar and agree to follow them.

This is how we set the tone.  Of course, there are many times in a day that parts are forgotten and mistakes are made.  Abiding by rules comes easier to some than to others.  After all, they are children.  Skylemar’s pledge is to make a positive difference, one boy at a time.

Manners matter here, and so does appreciation.  As the boys go through the buffet line, “please” and “thank you” is what we say as plates are held out to servers.  Every single time.  After lunch today, Shep spoke to Camp about our hardworking kitchen staff, and how grateful we are to have them here.  The kids gave them a standing ovation, and Shep sent each of the eleven chefs and crew members through the “Skylemar Walk of Fame”.  That’s when the honoree walks through the center of the picnic tables, and the boys put out hands for high fives.

The picnic tables were filled with unusual items tonight, collected for the Skylemar Scavenger Hunt.  Two bunks are assigned to work together: one older with one younger.  It’s a great way for those of all ages to get to know each other. Each team then needs to go to six locations to unlock clues.

For example, at the Infirmary, they had to tell the nurses the temperature of a person who is not sick, and name three muscles of the body.  Then they had to show them two pieces of clothing with a ball on it, something neon and a wildflower not planted by Kristen.

At Mary Beth’s station they had to do the chicken dance, show five letters in ASL, and show her a pair of Adidas sneakers, two sports cards and a pair of multicolored socks.  At Trout’s station you had to guess her real name – this stumped everyone.  At Frog and Noah’s station you had to tell a joke to make them laugh and show them two candy wrappers.  Making them laugh was easy but the candy wrappers were harder to come by than some might think.

All of this had to be done fast because there’s a lot to collect.  At evenings end the items were counted, and judges determined the winners.  Congratulations to Bunks 15 and 18!

Heard this today…

SkyPines leader Jack was explaining to Bunk 6 about making a fire with steel and flint.

Luke G asks, “Do you get the flint from the dryer?”

…only at Skylemar.

Presenting….Barnicus and Laundricus, Skylemar’s Warriors of Clean!  As they arrive after breakfast, the camp welcomes them with “Clap, clap, clean!  Clap, clap, clean!”  The back and forth comical banter between the two ancient characters teaches the boys the seemingly impossible – how to clean a cabin.

It’s called Inspection and we do it every morning.  Campers make their own bed, and then each “family member” has a chore — sweep, dustpan, toilet, sink, trash, etc.  Sunscreen gets applied, stand by your bed, and the inspector comes to give you a score.  The bunk in each Division with the highest score gets an ice cream party. 

Then off to activities they go! 

Lots of Tennis, Golf, Soccer, Lax, Baseball, Hockey, Track & Field, Volleyball, Challenge Course plus Strength & Conditioning. Pontoon Boat Party for Bunk 8, and fishing for 9, 20 and 21.   Bunk 9 also had Backwoods where they learned to make fire with flint and steel.  It really worked!  There was a treasure hunt at Chilltop for the little guys, and then they decorated the treasure chests to hold what they found.  Raft-making at Yellowhorn gave us some truly awesome creations.

At the Waterfront, swim evaluations are just about done.  Our phenomenal and much-loved Waterfront Director Peter Solomon (aka longtime collegiate swim coach and recent inductee into the College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association Hall of Fame) leads his top-notch staff in making sure that each camper is comfortable swimming some laps, so they can be placed in classes appropriately.  The instructors get in the water with the kids and swim along, so no one feels intimidated.  These guys and gals are the best.

Groups were scheduled for Porch Time with Shep throughout the day.  That’s when you hang out with Shep, have some Scoobie Snacks, share thoughts and listen intently.  Today they went over the Skylemar Camper Code of Honor and made sure everyone was clear on the importance of kindness, being safe, and listening to counselors.  Each camper has the responsibility to speak up to Shep,  Arleen or the other directors if something isn’t right for them.  It’s made clear that the adults at Skylemar are here for each camper, 24 hours a day.

Clinics kicked off too.  That’s the choice period that comes third, when each camper selects one activity out of 17 choices to really work on for a week.  For example,  Tennis Director Ted and his staff are focusing on groundstrokes and volleys.  The energetic and super cool Basketball staff is working on ball handling and shooting skills.

Out on the SkyLinks golf course, they’ll have the chance to work on their swing and hit lots of balls.  Frog’s Football crew will have the boys running pass routes and working on their receiving skills.  On the Fred Pierce Field, our Baseball staff will keep their focus mostly on fielding and throwing techniques.  Lots of science experiments at Yellowhorn featuring volcanoes, elephant snot, ice sculptures and remote-control cars. 

Our world-class Soccer Director from “across the pond” Paul Harrison will hold our own World Cup, filled with daily skill games and fun-filled mini-competitions, matching the participants with a  national team to represent throughout the week.  Keeping the theme, Adam Shep will be cooking up the Food of FIFA over at SkyDeck  — each day, the opponents of that day’s World Cup games will inspire the cuisine.  Right here at home, Mary Beth and her Chilltop team will have the boys craft up some Sea Dogs Swag (signs, shirts, bucket hats) just in time for our annual visit to the Portland Sea Dogs Baseball game.

 “Sheppy and the Books”(sung to the tune of Elton John’s “Benny and the Jets”) is Reading Clinic.  It’s BYOB (bring your own book) or you can help yourself to one of Shep’s.  3v3 Hockey tournament all week and Coach Bruce promised to take those interested in Lacrosse to another level, with extensive training in all aspects of the game.  Track and Field enthusiasts will learn how to ‘explode out of the blocks”, and how significant that kind of preparation and effort can help in other sports as well, too.

Our most fearless campers will surely be lured by the excitement way up in the trees on the Ropes and Challenge Course.  The high ropes, zipline and Giant Swing will get a ton of action. Always a most popular option, the Waterfront offers fun all over Trickey Pond.  The Ski Dock this week will be packed with first timers as well as veterans who’d like to knock off the rust.  Over on the Sail Dock, campers will learn all the basics, from rigging the boat to its basic operation.  And finally, the Swim Dock not only gives all a chance to get wet, but play on all the toys (the Pontoon, Beast, Iceberg, the Rocket and the Tramps) while doing so!

Whew…  The hardest part is deciding which to pick!