By now just about all of our Skylemar eagles have landed.  It’s a good feeling to know they are with those who love them most. The early morning was a roller coaster of emotion here.  Exhausted boys, men and women hugged and cried, knowing it would be a long time before seeing each other again. ...
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Forever Grateful Friday.  It’s our last day together in 2022 as one Skylemar family. We talked a lot about gratitude today, to make sure that no one forgot how fortunate we are.  It was touching to see how everyone enjoyed each other’s company more than ever, and even petty disagreements disappeared. The boys wrote heartfelt...
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For the past week, the boys had laid it all on the line…. extending themselves perhaps beyond what anyone including themselves ever thought they could. When they awoke this morning, there was a quiet tension in the air.  The end was near, the victory for half the camp was oh so close; and yet, so...
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Moving Day.  In the Golf world, it’s the day of jockeying for position – putting yourself within striking distance of the lead for that final push to the top on the last day of the event.  In our world, it’s the 4th day of Color War – where the team that’s ahead tries to cement...
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Another spectacular Maine day greeted the teams this morning, but for the first time, Red had slept on a lead.  However, Gray was brimming with confidence and encouraged their gang to keep up the effort, assuring them that the tide would turn their way today. And so it did, but not before Red jumped out...
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After battling to a Day 1 draw, both teams were determined to get the upper hand today. In the pre-game “psych up” meetings, Red and Gray leaders implored their guys to reach down a little deeper today and continue to give their all.  Both were more than satisfied with yesterday’s efforts and confident in their...
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Last night, while all were asleep, the Captains drafted the Color War teams for 2022.  It’s a complex and strategic process, with intentional decisions made with one goal in mind…to win. Commissioner Shep oversees, but he plays no role in the selections. Following the Draft, the magic happened.  Long past midnight, the Captains and their...
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This goes out to the concerned parents of the Stars who did not get elected Captain: And also… To the parents of any camper who has ever experienced a blow of disappointment, especially when you think he didn’t deserve it: Your son is good to go, and he’s better for the experience in the long...
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Countdown complete.  The day was finally here! There was a buzz of excitement in all directions.  Everywhere you turned someone was talking about it... the special event they’ve been waiting for all summer. At Skylemar, it’s bigger than any mayoral, gubernatorial or presidential one -- no electoral college and no party affiliation.  It’s democracy as...
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The Maine Wildlife Park was a fascinating place for the Freshmen to visit.  The park is home for injured and orphaned animals that game wardens have determined can’t survive in the wild.  The boys saw bear, moose, deer, cougar, lynx, coyote, bobcat, fisher and skunk.  The last one reminded us of the time Shep’s bunk...
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No matter how much experience one has as a parent or camp director, there are always surprises.  At Skylemar, each season is unique, with new reasons to celebrate and challenges to figure out. On the other hand, some things never change.  Kids will always want to be loved and valued, and adults will forever be...
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The camp chanted at every meal…"3 more days! 3 more days!"  Tomorrow it will be two more.  Then just one.  And then…. stay tuned! Meanwhile, it was a sparkling, sunshiny Maine day here in the 04055.  Temps were hot, but with far less humidity. 67 participants in the 16U Tennis Camp Championship!  Tennis Director Ted...
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It was a stormy start to the day.  After Inspection, we moved into Rainy Day Activities.  There was a Karaoke Party in the Lodge, Lego Land in the Gym, and a movie in the Rec Hall.  The oldest guys had “bunk games”, which is the code word for “sleep”. The skies cleared by midday, just...
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Another undeveloped skill set, thanks to the pandemic ... shopping in a real store. Sky II had their Senior Trip today.  After several hours at a water park, they relaxed at an air-conditioned movie.  Then their wish came true…to go to Walmart.  Why Walmart, you ask?  To buy junk food of course.  It’s the kind...
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We know that exercise makes us stronger.  To be a champion, you need to go the extra mile.  The very best are first to arrive at the gym, and the last to leave.  They add the extra set, the extra rep, and take the extra time. At Skylemar, we have lots of those.  The champions...
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If you see your son making a hand symbol with his index and ring finger down, know that it’s a good thing.  It’s sign language for an “I”, “L” and “U”, meaning “I love you”.  It’s a reminder that it’s cool2care. Another reminder were periods of "Porch Time" with Shep.   It’s hang-out time, where Shep...
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Have you ever played Handball?  It’s a fast-paced game that’s especially popular this summer, especially with the older guys. Although traditionally played on a court, we play on the Snow Field between two goals.  The area used is about the size of a basketball court.  Some say it’s a cross between soccer (but only the...
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  If there could only be one toy available on a blistering, sticky afternoon, we vote for a garden hose.  Just ask Cory. Cory’s one of our amazing directors who does a million and one things every day at Skylemar.  When it’s super-hot, she becomes the Water Hose Wizard.   The kids squeal with delight as...
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Gigi, Nanny, Abuela, Mooma.  Pops, Gramps, Saba, Paw Paw.  Ga, Honey, Ducky.  Pap Pap, Popsicle, Ha Ha. If you ask a Skylemar boy what he calls his grandma or grandpa, his face lights up.  He glows with adoration and is eager to share the special name.  Although just about all live far from here, our...
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It’s fascinating to go through the list of what’s selected for Clinics.   Most of the time it’s a totally independent choice, and kids from the same cabin usually go in different directions.  Many of the activities end up with a variety of ages participating.  If it matters, like in the case of "Basketball Tournament Play",...
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Today was hot enough to fry an egg on the basketball court.  Or so we thought.  Turns out it’s not the best way to cook an egg, and instead just makes for a messy hoops period. But at SkyDeck, they know the way to cook eggs.  Bunk 2 had a great time making Egg Cups...
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John Lennon had it right.  All you need is love.  And we had plenty of it at Skylemar today. Whether you were here spreading the positive vibes or you sent them from home, love was in the air.  We believe that there are no boys in the universe more adored than those who go to...
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Goodbyes can be tough, but they’re a whole lot easier when you know you’ll be seeing each other again. Take today for example.  Our first session friends departed, but it warmed our hearts to hear the guys talking about next year already.  In the Skylemar World, time goes incredibly fast.  A day equals a week,...
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Quick question -- Who are Willie the Wildcat, Bill the Goat, Buzz the Bee, Testudo the Terrapin, the Sooner Schooner and the Demon Deacon and what could they possibly have in common?  Stumped, are you…?  It’s an easy one for any in the vicinity of Naples today, as the decibel level reached new heights and...
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  For the first 50+ years of Skylemar, we had the most wonderful drama director who was adored by all:  Craig Gerhard.  He had a way of making the theatre “cool”, and even the most unlikely were willing to give the stage a try.  As a builder of confidence, Craig inspired many to pursue careers...
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  “Cool2Care” is the motto we strive to live by at Skylemar.  But never will we be so smug as to think that all is blissfully perfect.  In fact, it’s quite the opposite.  In any one day there are petty arguments about fairness or going first, someone overreacts at a game or in the bunk,...
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Whoever said that parenting is the hardest job in the world has yet to be a camp counselor. As complicated as it is, you do typically get nine months of prep time to be a parent. The child that arrives weighs just a few pounds and is perfectly content to eat and sleep.  In the...
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  Sparkling blue skies and a warm breeze today!  It was the kind of summertime weather that Maine is best known for. The kids were still talking about last night’s Staff Talent Show.  It was a really fun time, and campers were especially proud of their own counselors.  There were singers, dancers and so much...
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    Legend has it that the waters of Trickey Pond may be magical.  From our point of view, they most certainly are. Considered one of the cleanest bodies of water in the state of Maine, Trickey Pond is our precious gem.  Fed by underground springs, Trickey is about two miles long and half a...
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What are the three most popular times of day at Camp Skylemar?  Breakfast, lunch and dinner. How’s the food?  Most reply with a one-word answer.  “Amazing!” or “Awesome!” Ours is “boy food” for sure.  Simple, plenty of it, and sauce always on the side.  It’s a giant all-you-can eat buffet, which includes a hot entree,...
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We’re ba-a-a-ck!  It’s been 1,076 days since our last intercamp game (July 27, 2019) and today we rocked! 13U Soccer here at home on the Hejduk Field.  We were down 2-1 at the half, but that was before Coach Eric gave his motivational speech.  Then we stepped it up and ended with a 6-2 victory! ...
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  We’re slo-o-owly testing the waters of the world outside the Skylemar gate.  It’s been a long time (since 2019) that we had vehicles moving in assorted directions throughout the day. One of the silver linings of the pandemic is that we had no choice but to slow down a bit and depend more on...
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Nothing says Skylemar more than The Talent Show. 32 brave performers, some with talent, and some not so much.  No matter what, the audience cheers wildly after each act. The rain brought us into the Rec Hall, with the Seniors and Stars in the back of the room.  They’re the ones who carry on the...
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Great parents are game changers.  Our guys have won the lottery on this one. Not saying this to flatter the readers, but instead to point out how incredibly fortunate every boy at Skylemar truly is.  You are there to support, encourage, guide and catch him when he falls.  Perhaps some folks may be guilty of...
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Eureka!  We found the solution!  It’s a bongo bag! Perhaps you’ve noticed that boys are challenged by getting dirty laundry into a bag.  But give them a bongo and it’s a game of yucky-sock basketball.  Every Sunday the bongo gets emptied into a magical bag that gets taken away in a big white truck.  Then,...
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  It’s quite an accomplishment to get 200 boys showered every day.  From their point of view, why shower if I’m going in the lake?  From the Skymom’s perspective, we want to make it happen. Power Shower Hour is on the schedule daily, and each bunk has a specific shower location.  Every Friday is GACU,...
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Cha-ching!  Cha-ching!  It’s Sade’s Palace! The place was crawling with millionaires, wallets fat with Skylemoney.  They came from as far as Sky II and as close as Bunk 1 for a rousing night of gambling.  Blackjack, Craps, Roulette, Poker and Wheels of Fortune.  Slot machines too! The rules of the casino are strictly enforced.  You...
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Cool2Care. It starts with a story told by Nick Shep.  It was late August in his freshman year as a lacrosse player at Dickinson College.  During a pre-season captain’s practice, Nick wasn’t putting out much effort since it was a session that didn’t really “count”. A senior player ran up to him and said, “Hey,...
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Walking on sunshine all day long! The fields and courts were hopping.  It’s amazing how many things can be done with a ball.   There are all the regular games we’ve mentioned, plus today we played Handball, Kickball, Bocce, Volleyball, Spikeball, Mini Lax and Gaga.  If you’re not familiar, Gaga is kind of like dodge ball...
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Upside-down cake kinda weather day.  Started perfect, then it poured... then sunny, and poured again.  Weird thing was the forecast said 90% sunny all day.  So clearly, we’re in the top 10%! While skies were bright, Trickey Pond was the place to be.  Conditions were ideal for standup paddle boarding, canoeing and kayaking.  The dedicated...
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Fresh homemade cinnamon rolls, scrambled eggs, oatmeal, cereal, orange slices followed by a rainstorm.  Fortunately, Barney and Cory had a rainy day schedule ready to go. Cabins rotated through an assortment of indoor activities, including Games in the Lodge (ping pong, pool, foosball, etc.) and Flamingo Bingo.  That’s the traditional game with a Skylemar twist. ...
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Day 1 of real camp and it sure was a scorcher!  Hot enough to melt a water bottle, as some of the boys discovered.  Temps were in the high 80’s and the humidity was thick.  The Water & Sunscreen Wagon got plenty of action, traveling across fields and courts. The little guys were up at...
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Holy Guacamole!  These guys are incredible! If we could figure out how to bottle their positive energy, perhaps it could fuel the planes coming from across the country and abroad. Today’s young travelers came from Maryland, California, Virginia, Alabama, New York, Louisiana, Connecticut, Texas, Delaware, Mexico, Georgia, North Carolina, Massachusetts, Spain, Florida, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Kansas,...
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