Why We Sleep Outside

Every summer, somebody asks the question.

Why do we sleep outside when there are perfectly good cabins available?

Usually, the question comes right before cabin overnights.

By the next morning, nobody is asking anymore.

For Hayes P. from Charleston, South Carolina, the biggest surprise wasn't sleeping outside. It was dinner.

"When I heard we were going camping, I was nervous about the food. I thought we would have roasted hot dogs or something like that."

Instead, his cabin cooked fajitas.

"FAJITAS! I never thought we would have so much food on a campout! We had a lot!"

Somewhere between dinner and breakfast, Hayes discovered something else.

"I even liked hiking up to our spot. I found out I was stronger than I thought."

First-year counselor Joe Dixon from East Yorkshire, England was experiencing overnights for the first time too.

"Being in the shelter is completely different than being in our cabin," he said. "All we have is each other and the food we brought with us."

The change was noticeable.

"It brought our cabin together in a way we couldn't before. The darkness and the campfire took Evening Embers to the next level."

Another first-year counselor, Zy Morris from Wilmington, North Carolina, saw the same thing.

"Just hearing the campers talk and open up more was something I hadn't experienced before," he said.

"The boys are more timid in the cabin, but being outside allowed them to share more, not just with me but with each other."

He did have one recommendation for next time.

"I'm bringing a sleeping pad."

Walker M. from Washington, D.C., was less concerned about where he slept and more excited about where his cabin was headed.

"Our shelter was near the Falling Creek waterfall. We got to go down as a cabin and hunt salamanders. We even found our fort we made on our backpacking overnight from last year."

For Walker, the verdict was simple.

"Overnights are the best part of camp."

Around Camp

Congratulations to Cabins 10, 18 in the Tsuga Line, and Butala's Cabin 30 for earning the first perfect 10s in cabin inspection this summer!

Last night featured Line Evening Programs with each line choosing a game. Betula played Taco Cat, Robinia played Dodgeball in the Thunderdungeon, Sorrel played Yoshi Tag, and Tsuga hosted a Dock Party filled with laughs, competition, and cabin spirit.

Around camp, campers spent their days completing activity preps before heading out on their first outdoor adventures. Rock climbing, mountain biking, fly fishing, and paddling trips are now underway.

Other boys continued diving into camp favorites, from arts and crafts to archery and riflery, making the most of their first week at Falling Creek.