July 2009 Final Update (Originally e-mailed July 20, 2009)

It’s so hard to believe we are in the final days of camp. Where did the time go?

Over the past week campers had their last two rotations of scheduled classes. Early in the week campers on the trip went on a climbing adventure and those who joined our trip leaders later in the week went on a search for some of the best water holes in the NH/VT area. The art department was busy “Throwing Bowls” (pottery wheel), making homemade notebooks and I love you pillows, and tie dyeing au natural. They also found time for stained glass, mosaics and more recycled art. The performing arts department got some help from Seamus in the Dungeons and Dragons class and took a group of campers to the local library where they performed a version of the Three Little Pigs. The audience loved it! The ropes course staff have been busy with the zip line and other high ropes elements in classes like “Risky Business” and “Adrenaline Junkies”. The Green Team was giving out “Free Hugs”, and making time for “Outdoor Reading” between caring for the garden and the farm animals. They even put the sunlight to use in the “Solar Ovens” class. “Beginning Guitar”, “Drumming”, “Songwriting with Libby” and “Banjo with Badger” kept the music flowing around camp. Sailing, swimming lessons, and the all time favorite – “AAARRGH!!!!” (capture the flag on the lake with boats) kept the waterfront busy while campers tapped into their athletic sides in “Drills, Drills, Drills”, “Soccer Tennis”, “Rugby Rounders” and prepared for the end of camp road race in “Andy Upton Prep”.

Throughout the week we were entertained by morning meetings including a Peter Pan themed meeting on inclusivity and a Little Mermaid themed meeting on hydration. We were also introduced to the story of Andy Upton – the person which our end of session road race is named after and were able to pass back many items of clothing during the lost and found morning meeting. On Sunday we tackled the difficult question of “Is it ever wrong to do the right thing?" It was a thought provoking morning meeting with a lot of great input from campers of all ages.

On Tuesday campers prepared for the appearance of the legendary “Jabborwocky” in a Jabborwocky Training evening activity. Wednesday’s community celebration was the all camp variety show. We heard from many musicians as well as Geronimo’s acrobatics and brain magic classes. Thursday was Big Living Unit night during which the older campers had the tent unit dance, the cabin boys defeated the cabin counselors in a game of Gatorball (camp original sport combining rugby, soccer, and American football), and the dorm girls completed a scavenger hunt ending with a camp fire and s’mores. A passing storm kept the Jabborwocky from entering camp on Friday allowing the campers to let loose during ballistic trivia. Sunday afternoon was perfect for Dragon Boat racing. Teams decorated canoes to look like dragons, created team chants and dressed one member of the team to model along the docks. The afternoon ended with relay canoe races and cheers from the beach.

Today marked the start of “Super Happy Fun Rotation”. In place of regularly scheduled classes special all-camp activities are planned for the rest of camp. This morning began with a late wake-up and a pajama party on the basketball court, followed by a capture the flag re-match after morning meeting. With the afternoon came Dunny Day – open swim, boating, and a cook out at the waterfront. The day is coming to an end with the all camp “heat wave” themed dance arranged by the LITs.

Tomorrow will bring another LIT planned activity in the morning followed by Big Living Unit Bonanza in the afternoon and Hot Rodicus Supersonicus (a camp legend) for evening activity. Wednesday is our last full day at camp, and will begin with the Andy Upton 5.5 mile run, walk, or jog ending in ice cream. After lunch and rest hour campers will pack up before the LIT graduation, camper banquet, slideshow and final camp fire.

Thursday is closing day. Here are some reminders for parents.

Campers being picked up at camp should be picked up between 9am and 12pm. The New York bus departs at 9am so we encourage parents to wait until 9:15 or so to avoid the bus rush. Most campers are usually picked up by 10 or 10:30. If you’re going to be late please let us know.
The Boston Van is scheduled to drop campers off at 11:30am at the Riverside Station on the Green D line (Newton, MA)
The New York Bus is scheduled to make two drop offs.
-Mt. Kisco at 1:30 pm – Bedford Rest Area on the Southbound lane of route 684
-NYC at 3:00 pm – 62nd Street between Columbus and Amsterdam
We encourage parents with children on the bus to NYC to call the office around 2pm to ask for an updated arrival time. By then we’ll know if the bus is running early, late or on schedule.

We do our very best to hand back all Lost and Found items to campers before they leave camp, but if you notice something missing when you begin unpacking please send an e-mail to Deidre@WindsorMountain.org and we’ll do our best to get the item(s) shipped home as soon as possible. When picking up your camper from camp or the bus please be sure to collect all their luggage.

For a final glimpse into camp life, click here for this week in pictures.

We can’t believe camp is already coming to an end. We hope you will consider being a part of the Windsor Mountain family again next summer. Remember, it is never too early to sign up for camp 2010!

See you Thursday,
The Windsor Mountain Team