See You Next Summer, 2-Week Campers!
Parents, if you’re reading this you’re likely on your way to pick up your boys from a whirlwind two weeks here at camp! While they might be too worn out from all the excitement to give you a detailed recap of the final day, we thought this might help!
Yesterday, the final day had the same excitement as any other morning at camp. We woke up, met at Morning Watch for a quick message from Sam Fleming, enjoyed a hearty breakfast, and had one more Morning Assembly for skits, songs, and announcements. Boys were able to enjoy their final three activities around camp in the morning, with an extended rest hour for packing after lunch.
We also had a “Lost and Found Fashion Show” during lunch, where the counselors put on as many of the clothes that are on the side porch Lost & Found area, and modeled them while walking around the Dining Hall like a fashion show! Since the boys enjoy watching and laughing at the counselors trying to model their clothing, we’re usually able to have missing items reunited with the right people! Lots of water bottles, shirts, towels, and jackets were reunited with their owners this way, and hopefully made it straight into the trunks during packing.
On Wednesday, Steve Longenecker brought his snakes for a special educational program during the morning. Nearly 80 boys signed up to listen to him teach them about venomous and non-venomous snakes!! Steve (known at camp as SFL) has been a long time outdoor educator, nature enthusiast, falconer, rock climber, and “lump chef” at Falling Creek since 1975. The boys loved getting to learn about rattlesnakes and copperheads, gaining a greater appreciation for the wildlife native to this area. You can read more about his educational programming here on this blog post.
In the afternoon we had more special activities, starting with a Marvel vs. DC themed capture-the-flag! Later in the day after a tasty dinner, we enjoyed Color War for Evening Program! The boys loved being able to throw the colored powder and get as colorful as possible. Finally at last night’s Campfire, we enjoyed a final chance to reflect on a great session.
The theme of Campfire helped the boys to reflect on their camp experience, the friendships they made and enhanced, the activities they tried, and the skills they grew. They realized that they have their own light that they will continue to spread back at home to make the world a better place. To finish the ceremony, we sang “Will the Circle Be Unbroken,” followed by the first verse of Taps: “Day is done, gone the sun, from the lakes, from the hills, from the skies. All is well, safely rest, God is nigh.”
As we dismissed from Campfire to the cabins, there were many hugs, fist bumps, and laughs between friends. The boys returned to their cabins to share one last Evening Embers together and reflect on a great two weeks. We are so thankful for the individual light that each of these boys brought to this session, and are grateful that you chose to share your sons with us. We look forward to seeing you this morning as you pick up your boys, and we can’t wait to tell you all about the fun we had!
