Live by the Code-Positive Attitude

There’s no better place than camp to learn the power of a Positive Attitude.

When things don’t go our way, we can complain or we can choose joy. We can grumble through the hills on a mountain bike ride, or we can laugh with our friends and keep pedaling. We can be disappointed when it rains on our trip, or we can play van games and sing our way through it.

One of our favorite stories this week came from a Betula camper who started his chess journey right here at Falling Creek. Years ago, Alex Looney played his very first game at camp. Now, even though he’s only in middle school-he finished 18th overall in a high school state tournament. He didn’t get there by winning every match, but by staying positive, learning from every loss, and coming back again and again.

Whether it’s in the backcountry, the chess tent, or the cabin, attitude is contagious. When one camper laughs in the rain or cheers for a friend, it spreads. That’s the kind of energy that makes camp so special.

As a young camper, Alex began his chess journey right here at Falling Creek—sitting under the porch, learning the difference between pawns and bishops. He didn’t win his first few games, and that was okay. He just kept showing up.

The lead for chess last year was so enthusiastic, he really inspired me,” Alex shared. “He respected the younger guys and taught me to take myself more seriously.

That steady encouragement—and Alex’s own positive attitude—changed everything. He began to see chess not just as a game, but as a challenge worth returning to again and again.

Our activity leads talk a lot about avoiding “Hope Chess.” That means you don’t play by chance or cross your fingers for a mistake—you play by respecting your opponent, even overestimating them. You ask questions. You work the puzzle. And you grow—win or lose.

That’s the power of positivity. It keeps you coming back to the board.

Alex’s story reminds us that a Positive Attitude isn’t just about being cheerful—it’s about being steady, thoughtful, and open to growth. Whether you’re losing your rook or flubbing a paddling prep, your next move matters more than your last mistake.

When teaching campers how to play chess, we ask them to move slowly and consider new ways to think,” said assistant Chess activity lead Charlie Friederich (Annapolis, MD, Tsuga line). “We ask them to work through a checklist: What are your threats? What are threats you can execute? We want campers to become players who learn through losing.

It’s not an easy skill to teach young guys how to sit still and think patiently—but it’s one worth learning.

That’s what a Positive Attitude looks like in action: patience, persistence, and a willingness to learn from what doesn’t go your way.

When I start to get down on myself,” Alex shared, “I like to sit in a quiet place and talk to God. I tell Him, ‘If it’s not meant to be—that’s okay. I guess I’m just supposed to learn more.’ Then I take a deep breath and go do something else I enjoy. I shouldn’t just sit around feeling sorry for myself. I’ll go play tennis with my friends or hang out with my parents. If you play too much, you probably lose a lot. It’s best to strike a balance.

That’s what a Positive Attitude looks like: humility, resilience, and the wisdom to step back so you can keep stepping up.