It was one of those weird weather days. Mother Nature couldn’t decide between sun or rain, so it ended up muggy with lots of back and forth. We’d get on the courts and fields and then it would rain. Then we’d go under cover long enough for an over-the-PA trivia game and the sun would break through. We’d try again, and there’d be a downpour. By afternoon we switched to a Rainy Day Schedule in the Lodge, Gym, Garden Cabin, and SkyDeck.
In the Rec Hall was a super fun game show -- Thrift Store Price is Right. It’s played kind of like the TV show, but in our case the items to price come from our local Goodwill. Lots of “junk for the bunk”, like a wooden foot massager, golf ball personalizer, hand-held pinball game, a monster riding a motorcycle, Chicago Bears wall art and a happy honeymoon picture frame. Not exactly what they’ve always wanted, but when it comes to a competition, they feel like they need it!
Each Bunk sends up a representative to guess the price, and the two bunks that are closest get to play a “mini-game” to win the item they priced. For example, in one game the contestants each blew up a balloon and then let the air out to push cups off the table. First team to knock off 8 cups with air only was the winner. In another round they put on a slinky head band, bent over and then tried to be the first team to toss their head back to make the slinky recoil. Another game involved one volunteer with a tongue-depressor in his mouth, and teammates stacking dice on top of the tongue-depressor. Highest tower wins!
Most exciting was the Showcase Showdown, which included a blue dinosaur and a trip for their cabin to Causeway Dairy Bar in “downtown” Naples. Price was $96.50. This trip will head out tomorrow sometime. Meanwhile, lots of other trips are now home-sweet-home.
The Lions had an amazing experience lobster fishing. They learned about the process and were lucky enough to catch the biggest lobster of the season – a 3 1/2 pounder! Afterwards they went to see where Maine potato donuts are made... and got to taste them too!
The JCs are back from their Boston trip. After touring Harvard, they went to a Red Sox game. It was a two-hour rain delay, but since they were the special guests of a Skylemar alum, they were comfortable and happy. Maybe a little sleepy in the morning, since they didn’t get back until after 2 AM.
We’re especially proud of the Seniors, who climbed Mt. Lafayette in the Presidential Range. It was an eight-mile hike up to the top, where they slept and ate in an AMC hut. The hut was one in the series of rustic bunkhouses scattered throughout the Appalachian Trail.
There were a number of other camps on the trail, but eight (yes, they counted) different hikers said that we were the best group. That’s because our guys climbed as a unified group, who were kind and friendly to all. The team of workers in the hut said that we were the “greatest camp ever”.
Each of our hikers was given the responsibility to be in charge for 20 minutes. That meant they needed to encourage the group and lead the discussion about topics like demonstrating the Cool2Care concept at home. Shout-out to Logan G for being considerate to all and especially aware of safety, Noah L for “walking the walk and not talking the talk” as well as for appreciating opportunity, and to Dylan J for an extra positive attitude which even included helping the hut crew clean up after dinner.
Our international travelers are back as well. The Stars trip to Quebec was as memorable as always. There’s so much to learn there, especially because the primary language is French. They explored the Old City and gained an understanding of the culture and history. They also did lots of shopping and eating.
Highlights included the many street performers, the Plains of Abraham (historic battlefield), Chez Marie Bakery (freshly baked bread from outdoor stone ovens), Montmorency Falls (taller than Niagara), and the Shrine of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré.
Visiting the Shrine is especially memorable, because suspended from the ceilings are 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.
Most touching for us was to hear about how the guys decided all on their own to chip in and buy the bus driver a gift. We’re told they were polite and respectful wherever they went.
That’s our boys!
