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.