Ironman and Ceremony of Light
The air was buzzing with excitement at breakfast yesterday as boys eagerly awaited the start of the Ironman competition. This race is a longtime camp tradition that was started by alumni Skeet Keyes, and Garrett Randolph in 1982. The event is still going strong today, and boys had been preparing and training all session so they would be ready for the three parts: swimming, biking, and running. Though not every boy wants to participate as a racer, it’s still a fun morning for everyone in camp. The excitement is high while cheering others on, and those who volunteer as “pit crew” display their Servant’s Heart as they help their friends in the transition zones during the race.
There were three “heats” during the event, to cut down on crowding in the initial swimming portion. All racers would start on the lower dam, and swim across both the lower and upper lakes before changing to the biking leg of the race. The second and third heats would then start 7 minutes after each other, so there was constant excitement throughout the whole race. During the first heat, Andy P. was ahead of everyone else as he swam effortlessly through the water. Everyone runs up the side of the dam and jumps into the upper lake after the first lap, continuing the swim on the other side.
It was amazing to see how excited boys were to help in the pit crew. They were waiting with towels, cups of water, shoes, and bikes at the ready, cheering for their friends as they came out of the water. Some were brothers helping each other - Davis’ older brother Patrick was helping in his pit crew, and Walker’s younger brother Marshall was helping him. Roy’s friends had painted his name on their chests, and were not only his pit crew, but also his cheering squad. Some pit crew members were counselors who had been asked to help, like Mitch supporting Henry S., or the Man of STEEL Coop helping his friend Jackson. Ironman is not just a great display of physical strength and stamina, but it also showcases the friendship and community at Falling Creek. The fastest racers wouldn’t be nearly as successful without the support of their friends volunteering on pit crew.
During the final running section of the race, Henry S pulled ahead and was in the lead. He came across the finish line first, as everyone cheered. Our race coordinator and emcee, Mike Nuckles, announced his impressive time at just over an hour. However, since he was in the first heat, he would be in the “hot seat” for the next 7 minutes while we waited to see if anyone from the second heat would overtake his time. Nearing the end of the 7 minute mark, Roy came running down Betula hill, racing across the field towards the finish line as his friends ran alongside him cheering. He gave it his all as he crossed the finish line, waiting for the final results. He had done it! Though Roy had started in the second heat based on his swim time, his fast pace on the bike and on foot made up for it - his overall time was just under an hour, and he became our 2021 Ironman winner!
Roy hugged his friends, thanked his support crew, and high-fived Henry for his solid effort as well. Andy P rounded off our podium in 3rd place, making up a speedy top three finishers! As the rest of the racers ran in, there were cheers, hugs, and high-fives all around. Every racer got a cold can of Mountain Dew and a Hershey’s bar at the end to celebrate their hard work, and there was a great atmosphere of accomplishment as each boy triumphantly made it to the finish line. We’re proud of all our finishers, and of all the boys who supported the racers and cheered on their friends all morning. It was a hot summer day, so immediately after the race was over, the swim docks were the place to be for free choice time! Carson and Harrison were also making “Longenecker Lumps” during free choice time, which were a hit as usual.
We enjoyed buffalo chicken tacos for lunch, and had fudge bars for dessert. During announcements, Kyle shared the results from the Wednesday night Field Day, which was the final chance for Green and Gold teams to win points. The Green Team pulled ahead and were the winners for 2021! He also announced the cleanest cabins for the session in each Line: Cabin 4 had an average of 9.6 out of 10 on their daily inspections, Cabin 17 had an average of 9.7, and Cabin 40 had an incredible average of 9.96! Each of them was awarded a Waypoints sticker to add to their maps for this accomplishment.
We recognized many more accomplishments in the afternoon following Rest Hour. Each activity gave 3 awards, and we recognized all those who reached the level of Ranger and Warrior. It was a great chance to honor all the achievements of our campers over the past month. The final day of camp flew by, and before we knew it, Closing Campfire had arrived.
Like all Campfires, we crossed Bain Bridge and filed into the benches in silence, listening to the cicadas and bullfrogs softly singing. The final campfire of Main Camp is special, because we share the Ceremony of Light. This has been a tradition since the first summer in 1969, and has been a beloved way to close the session ever since. Each person at camp is given a candle, but when we enter the Campfire area, only a single candle at the front is lit. The rest of the community is shrouded in darkness. The directors, line heads, and some members of the Honor Council take turns lighting their candles and speaking, sharing the importance of letting your light shine in the world.
Yates describes this by saying, “This candle symbolizes the light in each one of us. It represents the talents, the courage and the determination that each of us possesses. Although this light that is in each one of us is fragile and easily buried, when we give it away it multiplies and becomes like a campfire. From a single candle we have lit the fire which has given light to this whole assembly. In the same way, if we share our talents with others, we light the world and make it better for all.” Part of the ceremony goes on to say, “there are many types of candles. It is always a surprise and a mystery to me to discover, again and again, that God made the world in such a way that there are candles that only I can light. My little candle, if I choose to light it, makes a difference,” which Zach read aloud. Kyle closed by saying, “As we pass this light through the staff and then to you, we hope the vision you have of yourself and of others at Falling Creek will never dim or die out.”
Once the candlelight has been spread from the single candle to the staff and then to each camper, the Campfire area slowly comes to life. Each boy’s candle adds a warm glow to the surrounding trees and benches, lighting up the spot in the woods where we are all gathered. When everyone has a lit candle, we process slowly out to the landsports field as the musicians play “Will the Circle Be Unbroken.” Everyone is able to say their final goodbyes and hug friends on the field following the ceremony. It’s one of the more memorable and moving nights at camp, and it’s a beautiful sight to see all the lit candles, symbolizing the light that everyone brings to the community.
As you read this, you are probably on your way to pick up your sons from camp and hear about all their adventures and accomplishments. It’s been a great month, full of fun memories! We are so thankful for the individual light that each of your boys brought to this session. Thank you for sharing them with us, and we can’t wait to see them next summer!