It’s Appreciation Day at Skylemar. It’s the last day of the season to really soak up how lucky we are.
Activities were extra playful and fun, with the counselors participating instead of their usual coaching. There was enough happiness here to last for a very long time.
In between sports, plaque-making, showers (which included removing a whole lot of Red & Gray eyeblack) and cabin cleaning, many stopped at the Appreciation Station. That’s where you write notes of gratitude to anyone at camp. The simple letters are especially loved by staff members, who get them in the mail from us in the fall.
The Final Banquet was one to remember -- lots of awards, speeches, delicious food, and best of all…Retrospect. That’s the end-of-season show that’s produced by alum Bruce Finkelstein and his staff of 7 photographers and videographers. It’s shown on a jumbotron-sized screen, and the energy of the audience cheering throughout is amazing. You’ll get a link to watch at home, but honestly, that won’t compare to seeing it live. It’s like going to a movie theater with 200 friends, and you know every single person, place and happening on the big screen.
As the Banquet ends very late into the night, there’s a whole lot of crying. Big, strong man-sized tears, which come along with knowing that friends will be separated for some time. It’s impossible not to cry when you see them link arms and sing “Skylemar You’ll Linger” just one last time until next year.
These are truly the greatest guys in the whole wide world. Thank you for sharing your amazing son with us this summer.
