Rainy Day Done Right
A Classic Camp Sunday
The Ironman has been rescheduled to Thursday morning due to weather—but you wouldn’t know it from the energy around camp today.
The day began like many Sundays: donuts delivered to cabins, a breakfast buffet, and a quiet moment for reflection during Church. Chaplain Matt spoke on this week’s theme, Humility, reminding us, “We all want to be a perfect example of humility, but there’s only one—Jesus.”
When the Weather Shifts, So Do the Boys
After a lively morning and a fried chicken lunch, the skies darkened—but camp didn’t miss a beat. BINGO kicked off in the Gym with Sunny and Ford leading the charge, while a full-speed dodgeball game broke out in the Thunderdungeon. Around camp, boys filled the afternoon not with boredom, but with invention—together.
Brothers Cole and Hudson S. from Houston, TX settled in for a game of Magic: The Gathering. “At home, we’d be watching a movie or playing video games,” they said. But here, they were face-to-face, laughing over strategy and cards, not screens.
Just down by the lake, Charleston and Harrison from Orlando, FL got creative with a stick, string, and a hook they found near the dock. They dug up a worm and patiently worked to land a fish. When the line twitched, Harrison lit up. “It works!” he shouted, grinning at his brother.
Porch Music and Ping Pong Games
On a quiet cabin porch overlooking the water, Brooks M. from Dallas and Wabbly from Sailing rehearsed for the talent show. Wabbly picked out chords on his guitar while Brooks sang along to Ed Sheeran’s “Photograph.”
“We met in the library and both wanted to be in the talent show,” Brooks said. “Today just worked out.” He paused, then added with a smile, “Rainy days are good for trying new things.”
Around the corner, Hawkins A. from Charlotte and David H. from Atlanta didn’t let full ping pong tables stop them. They made their own version—bouncing the ball off the ground, creating new rules as they played. “After camp, I try to stay off screens,” Hawkins said. “You realize how much you were on them before.” David nodded in agreement. “Before camp, I was bored—even with screens. I’d rather be outside now.”
Small Moments, Big Impact
By the docks, Sam M. from New Orleans and Max M. from Baton Rouge stood watching the paddlers push off into the mist. “We only have a few days left,” Max said. “It’s time to do everything we can’t do at home.” Sam scanned the shoreline and nodded. “Even just looking at a creek—we don’t get to do that.”
Nearby, Franklin F. from Nashville had just wrapped up a round of BINGO. He laughed, shaking his head. “At home, I’d never play BINGO—but it was seriously fun!”
Why We Come Back
Activity Director Zach Rivera stood off to the side of the Gym, smiling as dodgeballs flew and cards shuffled. “You don’t need Ironman or sunshine to have a blast,” he said. “These guys just go. A deck of cards, a foosball table, a dodgeball game—next thing you know, it’s the best afternoon of the week.”
Counselor Erik Soelberg watched a boy come down the hill with muddy hands. “You kind of forget how good it is to play like this,” he said. “No phones, no distractions—just a bunch of boys making the most of a rainy day. That’s what brought me back. The summers I wasn’t here, I spent inside looking for something to do. These guys already have it—they’re learning how to have fun that actually sticks.”
Sunlight, Smiles, and a Full Afternoon
By late afternoon, the clouds lifted and camp opened back up. Boys sprinted to the lake, grabbed basketballs, climbed into boats, and joined Warrior Ball matches like nothing had ever changed. The Ironman could wait—this was a day they wouldn’t forget.
Plans shifted, but spirits didn’t. Together, they turned a rainy Sunday into one of the most joyful afternoons of the session—not because of what was scheduled, but because of what they made of it.