No Phones, No Problems
One of the things that stands out around camp is how quickly boys find something to care about. Not because anyone tells them to. Because they want to.
At the climbing hut, Brown T. from Dallas, Texas and a group of boys spent three activity periods working on knots and climbing skills as part of the Rock Climbing progression. All the boys hoped to earn the level of Challenger so they can participate in next week’s Linville Gorge trip. To reach Challenger, campers must complete climbing preps, climb Gil 1 and Gil 2, demonstrate safe belaying skills, and correctly coil a climbing rope. It takes time. It takes practice. And it takes perseverance.
At the fishing hut, Owen T. from Memphis, Tennessee, was working on catching his first fish. Fishing Guide Hank Shields was helping him learn to cast when Owen suddenly became concerned about the fish’s perspective.
How would you feel if a giant just reached down into your life while you were minding your own business and picked you up and took you to outer space? That’s what happens to fish every day.
A few minutes later, Owen caught his first fish.
Under the Dining Hall porch, a Battleship rivalry was heating up.
“I got ’em!”
“You’re about to get cooked, bro.”
The ships were placed. The game began.
“A1.”
“Miss.”
“D4.”
“Miss.”
“J7.”
A pause.
“Noooooo! I’ve been hit.”
Actually?
“I’ll give you a hint. That’s my smallest ship.”
The conversation continued for the next twenty minutes.
Patiently. Strategically. Without anyone being in a hurry.
Near the Warrior Ball Pit, another important debate was taking place.
You’re OUT!
It never touched me!
YES IT DID!
Every ruling felt final. Every appeal required a detailed explanation. The debate continued long after the play itself.
One of the great gifts of camp is that there is room for moments like these.
Dedication to reaching personal goals.
A conversation about fish.
A Battleship rivalry.
A debate over whether someone was actually out.
Three campers accidentally turning themselves into a knot.
Most won’t make the highlight reel of the summer.
But years from now, these little moments turn cabinmates into friends.
Around Camp
- Laundry Day: Campers received their first laundry delivery of the session, including freshly washed sheets.
Yaklets
Several campers reached an exciting paddling milestone this week by earning their Yaklets. The journey began on Lake Julia, where campers learned paddling strokes, teamwork, and boat control in open canoes. After successfully completing the buoy course and progressing through the Tuckaseegee and Nantahala Rivers. Paddlers then had to catch the famous Truck Stop eddy above Nantahala Falls. Campers who successfully completed the progression earned a Yaklet wristband, signifying their transition from open canoe to whitewater kayak.
Congratulations to our newest Yaklets:
- Alexander G.
- Ben D.
- Charlie C.
- Evan G.
- Fin M.
- Freddy S.
- Gib J.
- Peter F.
- Ransome L.
- Teddy R.
- Will T.
- William W