It’s all about the pitch. Just ask Mary Poppins. You can get the job done if you turn it into fun.
We’re talking about 200 boys, who without constant nagging see no reason to wash their hair, clip nails and so forth. They have a way of “forgetting” to change their bed linens and might even possibly “lose” their toothbrush.
And so, GACU was invented. It stands for Great American Clean Up, and it gets the job done, with a little bit of fun.
Barnicus and the Legion of Broom (Barney plus two counselors wearing togas, with trash can lids for shields and push brooms for swords) introduce today’s festivities. It’s a Super Inspection for each cabin, which means you change the bed sheets, do a super-duper cleaning job and prep your laundry bag ready for pickup.
Then you’re off to the Triangle of Clean. First you take a Power Shower (that’s the kind when you use shampoo), and then head to the Infirmary for a health check, which includes a closer look for lice (weekly), and a quick chat about how you're feeling.
The Spa comes next, located at the Garden Cabin Gazebo. Feet are soaked in a baby pool, and then nails clipped. Relaxing music plays, and cucumber water is served. Aaaaaah…
Once squeaky clean, the boys head out on to the fields for activities. That is, unless, it rains. The pounding water was strong enough to send everyone back to their bunks. At least the cabins were clean (but not for long)! The skies cleared in time for a yummy lunch of subs and soup, followed by indoor Clinic Signups. The commercials are funny no matter where they are. Offerings included Tennis with a Focus on Playing at Net, Lightning Soccer, Sky’s-the-Limit Ropes Course, Finish-at-the-Rim Basketball and SkyJumping at Level Up. The SkiDawgs were back, with New Tricks Skiing. There was Pitcher/Catcher Baseball along with Tech Theatre (lights, set, sound), Outdoor Cooking, STB (Steal the Bacon) Training, Golf for Accuracy, Sports Reporting, Sailing & Paddle Boarding, Hockey Game Play and Fishing First Timers. Also, Coach Jim’s Football Chalk Talk, Ninja Warrior Challenge at the Waterfront and Explosions at Yellowhorn. 14U and 15U will have lacrosse practices for intercamp, and last but not least, Two Beats/Two Claps-and-an-Oooh Football.
As the commercials ended, the skies turned black, and Shep knew we needed to stay in the Rec Hall till the storm passed. He made something out of nothing by creating a counselor challenge called One Two, which kept everyone busy cheering for at least 40 minutes. It was simple: Counselors stood in the front and had to guess the number of fingers Shep was holding behind his back: either a one or a two. When you got it wrong it was time to sit down, until we had a final winner. Funny thing about this was how serious the kids took it all. They cheered wildly whenever their counselor made the lucky right choice.
In between storms the kids headed back to their cabin for a thirty-minute Rest Hour. Then some went to the Gym Lodge Flip, while Bunks 1-14 were in the Rec Hall for board games, crafts and LEGOs. Before long it was time for dinner: Hip Hip Buffet had dozens of choices. Leftovers taste better when they have a cool name.
Spirit Night for Evening Activities. It’s non-denominational fellowship and camp songs, with Shep as our leader and Cory on the piano.
It’s drizzling again, so good thing all are asleep. But we’re happy to report that the sun will rise tomorrow!
Heard this today...
"It's starting to rain. We have to unraise the flag."
Only at Skylemar.
