SOUND OF THE LOON
We love our Skylemar babies! The cute ones on land, and the two littlest ones on Trickey Pond. Our mama loon has two babies!
The mama and chicks can often be spied at our Waterfront, and we’re extra careful while boating to stay out of their way. Loons are amazing divers, and they’ll often disappear under the water while hunting for five minutes or so. Just when we wonder if the chicks have been forgotten, up she pops.
Known for landing and taking off like seaplanes, the sound of the loon is heard as far away as the Bunkline just about every night. It’s a beautiful sound that the boys try to imitate but just can’t get it right.
At a SkyPines overnight, we fall asleep to the music of the loons. The tents overlook the lake, and the star-filled sky makes a natural nightlight. When you go to SkyPines it feels so far away, but you’re also close enough to have a sleepover in the Lodge if the weather changes.
It begins the day before in a period called Backwoods. That’s when you learn the campcraft skills like fire building, orienteering, shelter building and water filtration. Directors Sam and Jack inspire all of us with their knowledge of the outdoors.
A SkyPines overnight starts at 6th period, when you pack up gear and walk to the Sky II waterfront. Tents are set up, and then it’s time for the Badge Challenge — when the boys take what was learned in Backwoods and actually demonstrate the skill. For the Fire Challenge, they’ll build a fire that burns through rope. For the Orienteering Challenge, a compass is used to search for clues needed to find materials to build their own compass. For Shelter Building, they must create a shelter that sleeps one person, has access to food and water, and can withstand weather. And for Water Filtration, they’ll create a filter that makes water clear and clean for a glass of lemonade.
Swim and fish. Fish and swim. Dinner over the fire comes in between. The group decides the menu of either walking tacos, quesadillas, hot dogs, grilled cheese or pizza. More swim and fish. We catch and release, so no fish for dinner. Sticks for marshmallows are easy to find.
S’mores time! At the Fire Talk each boy shares something they liked so far and what they’re looking forward to. We brush teeth at the spigot, and get snug in sleeping bags until ….
6 AM wake up to Hobo Pockets, over the fire pit. It’s an egg scramble made in a tin foil pocket. Even those who don’t usually like eggs give these a try. But not to worry – sleeping bags are rolled up and the boys make it back in time for a regular camp breakfast too.
Sebago Lake State Park overnights are super fun as well. It’s a little bit farther away- about 3 miles – so you get there by van. The camping area has lots of trails for hiking and biking, and there’s a nice beach close by the tents. It’s a great little getaway, and if you’re really lucky, a girls camp might be there too.
Another Brother Sister dinner tonight! We try to get everyone together on one day, but that’s pretty impossible with each camp having their own schedule.
The older boys had Socials, but for the rest it was Movie Night. That’s been a Skylemar favorite Evening Activity for 77 years. In the old days we were inside the Rec Hall watching a reel-to-reel film, which had to be ordered months in advance and sent to us through the mail. Now it’s a drive-in movie on the hillside, with the loons wailing in the background. Whether 1948 or 2026, it’s still a special night with popcorn, candy and lots of camaraderie. There’s nothing like watching a movie under the stars with 200 friends.
