A Rainy Thursday!

Today was our first day of cool weather all summer. Everyone had a great night's sleep under their blankets and sleeping bags. We awoke to a light drizzle, but it wasn't heavy enough to keep us from our Chicken Fat! We had a hot breakfast of oatmeal and chocolate chip bread. The rain held off for our first two class periods, so some boaters and swimmers got to go in the lake! Second period boaters were caught in the middle of the lake as it began to rain, which made for an exciting row back to the dock! Everyone went back to their cabins to change into dry clothes before having third period indoors. Boating classes drew pictures to review parts of the boat. Swimming classes played Scategories.  Arts and crafts classes were the lucky ones, as a big fire was crackling in the lower lodge. Everyone hung around in their cabins during counselor swim. Dinner was a rich meal of ravioli, salad, and baguettes, with peaches for dessert.

After the meal, we had an extended Rest Hour--a rare thing, but something we all enjoyed. Snuggled up in our beds, we read, listened to music, or wrote letters for an hour and a half. When the bell rang, everyone met in the upper lodge for a camp-wide game of Counselor Trivia, instead of going in for General Swim. Each cabin got a list of questions, with each question belonging to a certain counselor. The first cabin to match all the questions to the correct counselor  won. It was a fun way to learn new things about the staff!

After the game, we began sometime that has never before been done at Asto Wamah. Everyone was given a "secret buddy." Each person in camp, staff and campers alike, drew the name of another camper or counselor from a hat. This person, who will remain secret until Sunday night, will be the recipient of random acts of kindness, notes, or any kind of positive recognition over the next few days. However, in order to keep one's secret buddy a secret, one must be nice to many people at once. The object of this activity is to be conscious of doing more kind things, and making one person's day a little brighter. In order to make sure everyone knew who their buddy was, we had everyone stand up one by one and introduce themselves--a great way to learn or review names!

We had shortened 4th and Activity Period. Activities included board games, Twister, hula hooping, and zumba!

After so much activity, everyone was ready for a hearty supper of cheese-steak sandwiches, carrot sticks, and chips. Dessert was a camp favorite, chocolate pudding pie--yum!

Now, campers are getting ready for an indoor evening program, a Skills Challenge. Cabins will compete against other cabins in their camp area to complete short challenges, such as the longest hula hooping, greatest number of push-ups in a minute, partner balancing acts, and picking up marbles with toes. It is a great way to have fun while staying dry!

As the cool weather continues, campers will get another good night's sleep. Hopefully, the sun will shine on Columbia lake tomorrow!

Until then,

-the Birch Blogger

Day 3!!!

Today, we awoke to bright sunshine. We did our Chicken Fat exercises and had a breakfast of waffles with peanut butter--a delicious camp tradition! We have reached the midway point of the first week, and campers are really beginning to settle into camp as they become familiar with the daily schedule and their classes. Everyone is improving rapidly in swimming and boating! I was impressed with my hilltop boating class, who are rowing very well for having only had a few classes. Dinner was a hearty meal of Swedish meatballs, mashed potatoes, carrots, squash, and bread, with pears for dessert.

The afternoon ran as usual. Some fun activities offered for Activity Period included jumping off the tower, paddleboarding, and badminton. Some girls even went fishing with home-made fishing poles!

Supper tonight was "eat-out." The kitchen staff had the night off, so instead of a hot meal in the lodge, we had a picnic meal of peanut butter and jelly or cold-cut sandwiches, with chips, pickles, and cookies. Cabins went to various locations around camp to eat. Popular spots included rafts and docks. It was a beautiful evening to be dining on the lake!

Now, campers have gathered for an Evening Program of Spies and Smugglers! In this game, campers are split into two groups--the spies and the smugglers. The smugglers begin at the flagpole, where they are given pieces of paper with a certain number of points written on it. The smugglers hide the points somewhere in their clothing and then run as fast as they can to the A-field, where their points will be collected. The spies, on the other hand, start on the A-field and travel down through the paths and woods, trying to tag the smugglers. If a spy tags a smuggler, they have three guesses as to where the smuggler hid her paper. If the spy guesses correctly, the points go to the spy's team. If not, the spy is free to continue up to the field. After one round, the groups swap roles, so each camper gets a turn to spy and to smuggle. With lots of running around, and opportunity for creative in hiding points, it is always a fun game!

Check back tomorrow for more Wamah updates!

-the Birch Blogger

Day 2!!

Today, we awoke to a light rain pounding on the roofs of the cabins--nice and relaxing! We had a breakfast of cereal, oranges, and "Wamah Golden Bread," a sweet bread. By the time we had finished eating, the weather had cleared, so we were able to have regular boating and swimming classes. Many campers rowed boats for the first time. They did a great job! Sports classes played team-building games in the upper lodge because the A-field was too wet to play on. Arts and Crafts classes started many new projects, including pillows, friendship bracelets, gimp, and T-shirts. Dinner today was chicken fingers, rice, green beans, summer squash, and bread, with jello and whipped cream for dessert!

After working hard all morning, campers enjoyed their Rest Hour. The weather stayed clear for General Swim and 4th period classes. However, as the afternoon wore on, storm clouds rolled in, and everyone gathered in the lodge to stay dry as more rain and a bit of thunder hit. Counselors set up tables with various board games, and campers could pick a game to play for Activity Period. After, we had a meal of pizza, chips, and applesauce, with orange cake for dessert-yummy!

Because of all the rain, we played an indoor game for Evening Program. The game, Reverse Scavenger Hunt, involves cabins collectively bringing 10 items from the cabin to use as props in skits. They are given a scenario, such as impersonating a counselor, acting out a pop concert, or doing some sort of camp activity, and then have a few minutes to prepare a skit and perform it for the other cabins in their area of camp. For each scenario, the cabin with the funniest skit gets a point.  Because the skits involve a lot of improvisation, everyone always laughs a lot during this game!

After singing goodnight songs, some campers went in the lake for a quick dip to cool off before bed. Now, everyone is fast asleep, recharging for another fun-filled day tomorrow!

Until tomorrow,

-the Birch Blogger

First Full Day of Girls Camp!

Hello Blog Followers! Today was a beautiful day on Columbia Lake! The campers met at the flagpole at 8am for flag raising, the pledge of allegiance, and chicken fat (our morning stretch exercises). Today's breakfast included blueberry bread, a variety of cereals, and fresh orange slices, with orange juice and hot chocolate to drink-- a perfect way to start the day! Campers then went back to their cabins to do their cabin duties (sweep, straighten bunks, and straighten the clothesline). The next bell that rang was camp duties. A few campers from each cabin went to help the staff sweep the lodge, get the oars/paddles in the boats for boating classes, collect the garbage, and help clean bathrooms. At 10am, campers were excited to start their class periods. The first day of camp re-familiarizes the campers to the Asto Wamah routine. The campers travel to each period with the other campers in their areas (Hilltop, Lakeside, and Seniors).  In Arts and Crafts today, all campers made a journal/scrapbook to use during the session. They picked out fun-patterned paper for the cover and put filler paper in the middle, using ribbons or yarn to hold the book together.  Some campers started to make baskets with Carol. In boating classes, our smallcraft director Colleen went over the parts of the boat and proper boating procedures. In sports, campers  played a fun game up on the field, and in swimming classes, instructors evaluated campers' strokes and skills to see where most practice was needed. Campers went to three classes in the morning and then to one in the afternoon (fourth period). At Dinner (we eat our big meal of the day at lunch time), campers feasted upon ziti, salad with ranch dressing, and baguettes. They finished the meal with chocolate pudding! After Dinner, campers got to pick out a candy treat at the "store" to take with them to rest hour.  Rest hour was from 2-3pm,  a time for campers and counselors alike to rest, listen to music, read a book, write a letter, or work on an arts and crafts project. Once the hour was over, the whole camp went in for a general swim before the fourth period of the day. The last event before supper was activity period. During activity period, the campers were offered a choice to participate in a game on the field, jump off the tower, or play aquarium games. Some campers who had signed up were taken out on our stand-up paddleboards, and a few got to go out on a Sunfish (our small sailboats)!

Supper was promptly at 6pm and included chicken patties, carrots, applesauce,  and chips. The dessert tonight was cheesecake, a camp favorite! After supper, the campers went up on the field to play a camp-wide game of capture the flag. It should be a fun one for sure!  The campers will play until 8:30 or so and then get ready for bed at 9pm. Tonight the campers will be so exhausted from such an exciting day that they should have no problem falling asleep!

Until Tomorrow!

-The Birch Blogger

Session 3 Begins!

Welcome to Girls Camp! Today, we welcomed a fresh new group of campers to Asto Wamah. Campers settled into their cabins, met their counselors and cabin-mates, and said goodbye to their families. Once all campers had arrived, cabin groups took tours of camp, played icebreakers to learn names, and talked about cabin goals. Then, the whole camp met in the council ring for camp rules and expectations, staff and LT introductions, and important information about the waterfront. Once the basic rules had been explained, new campers were the first in the lake as they showed us their swimming skills in order to be classified into swimming levels. Everyone else got their chance to swim afterward, in our first General Swim of the session. Since it was getting close to suppertime, the swim wasn't too long, but it was enough to get everyone cooled off! At 5:45, the cookee bell rang, signaling two designated people from each cabin to come set their table for supper. Each day, campers will switch off between various cabin duties such as cookeeing and disheeing (clearing the table).  At 6, everyone gathered at the flagpole to lower the flag for the night. Starting tomorrow at this time, we will hear the results of cabin inspection--whoever has the cleanest cabin in their area of camp that day.

Supper was our traditional first-night meal-- hot dogs, tater tots, and baked beans, with delicious brownies for dessert. Asto Wamah is known for its good food, and tonight showed new campers that they are in for a real treat with Sue's cooking!

Now, campers are on the A-field for Evening Program, a whole-camp game. Tonight's game is Medical War, a variation of dodgeball. It is sure to be a fun game!

After, campers will sing goodnight songs before heading back to their cabins for bed. Each counselor has selected a book and will read to their cabin to help them fall asleep. We hope everyone gets a good night's sleep before our first full day tomorrow!

Check back tomorrow evening for more updates!

-the Birch Blogger

The Last Day!

Today was our last full day of camp. Everyone made the most of their final time here, working hard in their classes and having fun with their camp friends. While the campers are sad to be leaving camp, they are excited to see their families tomorrow! Breakfast today was French toast with butter and syrup-yum! After breakfast, we had our usual morning of cabin cleanup, camp duties, and classes. Any swimmers and boaters who had not yet passed found out today whether or not they would move to the next level. In Arts and Crafts, campers finished their projects- they made so many wonderful things this session!

Dinner was Texas casserole- a dish of rice, tomatoes, and meat, with a side of salad. Dessert was vanilla pudding with whipped cream!

The afternoon schedule ran as usual, with the exception of an exciting Activity Period. Many campers were chosen for a Pirates battle on the lake! They went out in Sunfish, our smaller sailboats, versus the Hunter, our big sailboat. In addition to this battle, many campers who had just passed into advanced boating or canoeing took advantage of their new privilege and took a boat out alone or with friends. Newly passed level 4 swimmers got to take their first jumps off the tower! Other campers played in the Wamah Bowl, a football game on the A-field with LTs and staff. Despite the heat, they had a fun game!

Supper was pulled pork, carrot sticks, applesauce, and chips, in addition to many glasses of water- everyone is doing a great job staying hydrated! Dessert was peach crisp- delicious!

Now, campers are beginning to clean their clotheslines and cabins, putting anything they won't need tonight into their trunks and laundry bags. Once they are done, we will be ready for our traditional last-night Campfire. The only difference is that there will be no fire-it's too hot! However, there will still be s'mores, oven-baked, and campers will still gather in the council ring to sing songs and receive boating, swimming, track meet, and archery awards. After, we will all gather in the lodge to watch a slide show of photos from the session. It is always nice to look back and remember all that has happened in the two weeks.

We are looking forward to seeing you tomorrow. Please come between 8:30 and 10.

Thanks for reading the Birch Blog!

Banquet Thursday!

Today was our second-to-last day of camp, and the hottest day yet. We had a breakfast of English muffins, orange slices, and cereal before our regular morning schedule. Many campers were notified that they had fulfilled the necessary requirements of their swimming or boating levels and had passed! Others will hear the news tomorrow. While some campers will remain in the same level, it is important to realize that everyone has improved tremendously and should be very proud! Since supper tonight was banquet, we had a lighter lunch. Egg salad, tuna, and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches were the options, along with carrot sticks, chips, and applesauce. Dessert was refreshing lime Italian ice.

We had an extended General Swim to stay cool in the afternoon before Activity Period. Activites today included ultimate frisbee, an archery tournament, and the usual favorites of jumping off the tower and aquarium games.

Supper tonight started at 6:30 in order to give the kitchen extra time to prepare the meal. We had our flag lowering and cabin inspection winners- cabins 1, 4, and 6 won today! Then, everyone went into the upper lodge for our traditional end-of-session banquet. Normally, the tables are moved off the porch and inside the upper lodge so that the whole camp is sitting together inside the upper lodge, but today, given the weather, everyone ate at their usual tables in the ordinary style. However, the Thanksgiving-like meal was just as special! Everyone enjoyed the turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, corn, cranberry sauce, and bread. Dessert was a choice between chocolate caramel crunch and cookie dough ice cream--delicious! After the meal, everyone moved outside to the council ring, where it was a little breezier. Here, we sang songs and gave out year awards. The LT's received their traditional staff clipboards as their awards. They did a great job this session; we are all so thankful for their hard work! After awards, we had our candlelight ceremony. Each camper received a candle, and cabins came down to the lake one by one to put their candle into the water. One exemplary camper from each cabin was chosen to read a passage about light from the Old Testament as their cabin's candles were lit. The candles looked beautiful floating in the lake! From the start of the ceremony until tomorrow morning, campers will have a night without talking, giving them quiet time to reflect on their two weeks and camp, and how camp may have been a light in their lives. Everyone has made new friends, learned new things, and become a better person. It has been a great session!

Until tomorrow,

-the Birch Blogger

Wonderful Wednesday!

The heat wave continues! On days like today, we are so lucky to be living in the woods on a lake. We spent the day in the water. After a rich breakfast of waffles and peanut butter, we had a morning of boating, swimming, sports, and arts and crafts. Boating classes today floated in life jackets and played water games instead of going out into the hot boats. Sports classes also played in the water. Dinner was a delicious meal of chicken parm, spaghetti, salad, and bread, with chocolate pudding and whipped cream for dessert! We had a regular afternoon schedule, and sports class was able to be held on the A-field in the afternoon shade, and boaters went out on the lake!

Supper tonight was eat out-- sandwiches, pickles, chips, grapes, and cookies. Cabins ate at various locations around camp, including many docks and picnic tables. Everyone had a lot of fun!

Now, campers are heading up to the A-field for evening program. Tonight's time will be split between a game of Capture the Flag and a general swim. Everyone will be nice and cooled off before bed!

Tune in tomorrow for more Wamah updates!

-the Birch Blogger

Terrific Tuesday!

Today was another scorcher! As with yesterday, we spent as much time as possible in the lake. After a breakfast of cornbread, melon, and cereal, we had a regular morning schedule. Everyone is improving rapidly in their boating and swimming classes! Dinner was a meal with many options--pork patties, mashed potatoes, ziti, squash, carrots, applesauce, baked beans, and bread, with peaches for dessert.

The afternoon was also spent in the water. Campers enjoyed a long general swim and many water games during Activity Period.

Supper was meatball grinders, cucumbers, and chips, with cheesecake for dessert. Yummy!

As I write, campers are getting ready for tonight's evening program, the LT Carnival! The LT's have set up games and activities on the A-field for the campers to play.  It is sure to be a fun evening! After, campers will take a quick dip before going off to bed.

Until tomorrow!

-the Birch Blogger

Happy Monday!

Today was a hot one! We began the day with a delicious breakfast of cereal, melon, and cinnamon bread. We returned to our regular morning schedule today, with boating, swimming, arts and crafts, and sports classes. Everyone drank lots of water to stay hydrated, and boating classes stayed cool by taking a dip in the lake before heading out to row. Canoeing and sailing classes practiced capsizing, something everyone loves to practice on a hot day! Dinner was a camp favorite- lasagna, baguettes, and salad, with strawberry jello for dessert. Yum!

The afternoon was spent in the water as much as possible. After a refreshing general swim, sports classes stayed in the lake to play water games instead of going up to the A-field. For activity period, many campers jumped off the tower or played aquarium games, while others braved the dry A-field for games of nuke 'em and ultimate frisbee.

Everyone met at the flagpole before supper to hear today's cabin inspection winners- cabins 1, old 6, and 8! Supper was chicken fajitas- tortillas filled with chicken, tomatoes, lettuce, cheese, sour cream, and peppers and onions. Dessert was apple crisp- one of the best!

Now, campers are getting ready for an evening program of general swim. After cooling off before bed, everyone will sleep well tonight!

'Til tomorrow,

-the Birch Blogger

Track Meet Sunday!

Hello, blog followers! Apologies for not posting yesterday- the bloggers had a day off! Today was an exciting day at Camp Asto Wamah. It was our traditional mid-session track meet. After an energizing breakfast of cereal, blueberry bread, and fresh watermelon, the campers went to the A-field for a morning of running, jumping, and throwing, instead of regular morning classes. The camp was split into two teams--white and green. In groups of hilltop, lakeside, and seniors, they rotated between the running long jump, the standing long jump, the softball throw, and the 50-yard dash. First, second, and third place were awarded for each event, and each place earned a point for the camper's team, green or white. While everyone got into the spirit of team competitiveness, they remembered their sportsmanship and cheered on all their fellow campers. To cool off, we had a quick general swim before a delicious dinner of ham, noodles, corn, squash, and bread, with apple turnovers for dessert. Everyone recharged during rest hour, getting ready for an active afternoon. Following rest hour, campers had the option of running the "marathon," a race starting at the A-field and going down part of the camp road, finishing in front of cabin 5 for a total of about at half mile. Lots of fast runners showed up for the challenge--it was an exciting race! After the marathon, we had swim races. As with the marathon, campers could choose whether or not they wanted to participate. Most people did, and everyone showed great effort!

Following these races, we had some regular afternoon activities, with a general swim and activity period.

Supper was hamburgers, chips, and applesauce, with green and white cake for dessert. Campers had a little time to digest before evening program, and then we began to set up the Indian War Relay, a relay that starts at the top of the camp road and continues into the lake with boaters and swimmers. Most campers were chosen to be runners-- they relayed the baton down the camp road to the lake, where the rest of the campers--boaters, canoers, and swimmers-- brought it home to main dock. Green team won with a big lead, but white team made a valiant effort!

After the excitement of the race, campers cooled off in another general swim, before going off to bed. Everyone will sleep well tonight!

Until tomorrow,

-the Birch Blogger

Fantastic Friday!

Today was a wonderful day at Camp Asto Wamah! The campers loved the breakfast of oatmeal,cereal, and English muffins. Cabins finished eating and went to get their cabin photos taken in front of the lodge. They all looked fresh and campy! Photos can be purchased on the last day of camp. The campers enjoyed their regular morning classes, despite the chillier weather! They continue to show progress and some boaters are already ready to pass into the next (more advanced) level.

Dinner was Italiano- ziti, baguettes, and salad, followed by peaches for dessert. During rest hour for the campers, LT's practiced their lifeguarding. They worked on water escapes and rescue boarding. The whole camp went in for a general swim, as the wind picked up! Fourth Period was ideal weather for our sailors, while our poor beginning boaters suffered a tad bit. For activity period, the same favorite activities were offered with the addition of boating on the Hunter. Ten lucky campers who had signed up got to ride around the lake on our biggest sailboat with counselors Michael and Greg.

The nurse chose cabins 1, 5, and 7 as today's inspection winners before supper this evening. It was a cozy night for grilled cheese, tomato soup, applesauce, and chips. Dessert was chocolate cake with vanilla icing and caramel drizzle! YUM! Tonight's evening program will be a dodgeball game called, King Dodge! The campers, once out, form a line behind the opposing team and are able to return to the game if they hit an opposing team member from behind.

Tonight the campers will be ready for a good nights sleep!

Til tomorrow!

-The Birch Blogger

 

Thrilling Thursday!

Today, we awoke to a bit of rain and thunder, which made for a cozy morning. Campers came right to the lodge (no chicken fat!) for a breakfast of cornbread and cereal. Cabin cleanup and camp duties were done in the continuing storm, but by 10, the weather had cleared, so boating and swimming classes got to go in the lake! Dinner was Swedish meatballs, mashed potatoes, and corn, with frozen juice cherry popsicles for dessert.

The afternoon became hot and sunny, so campers really enjoyed their general swim. 4th period was held as usual, followed by Activity Period. Activities included jumping off the tower, nuke 'em, soccer, and badminton.

Supper tonight was pizza, applesauce, and chips, with chocolate pudding pie, a camp favorite, for dessert! Yum!

As I write, campers are hearing rules for an evening program of Pirates, many campers' favorite game! Campers will be divided into two teams, and each team will walk around camp trying to find the other team's treasure, hit the other team with "guns" (rags filled with flour), and collect litter for points. It is sure to be a swashbuckling good game!

Talk to you tomorrow!

-the Birch Blogger

Day Three!!!

Good Evening Blog Followers! Today camp began with bagels and cereal, followed by a normal morning schedule.  Dinner was chicken fingers, rice, carrots, green beans, and pears for dessert. The afternoon got pretty exciting starting at general swim, when a clap of thunder prevented everyone from going in the lake.  As a light rain began, campers and staff gathered in the upper lodge for a game of counselor trivia. Cabins competed to find the answers to staff trivia questions. We all learned a lot about each other! Following the game, we were able to let the boats out on the lake, but sports classes played team building games in the upper lodge. Activity period was a mix of playing board games and making sandwiches for supper. Today was the kitchen's evening off, so it was our traditional "eat- out" night, where campers take a picnic basket to various locations around camp.  Unfortunately, the looming storm prevented campers from traveling to their spots outside, so cabins ate at their normal tables in the lodge. The LT's led us in some songs, following a delicious meal! Saturday and next Wednesday will be other opportunities to eat with a great scenery! Tonight's evening program was a reverse scavenger hunt. The campers had to bring 10 items to the lodge to use as props for various skits. Hilltop, Lakeside, and Seniors competed separately but all performed spectacularly! Funniest skits included counselor impersonations, American Idol, zombie apocalypse, and safari adventure. They got to go in for a quick dip before bed since the weather has cleared for the time being.

See you tomorrow!

-The Birch Blogger

Happy Tuesday!

Today campers awoke feeling refreshed from a cooler night's sleep. The day began with a breakfast of blueberry bread and cereal. A normal morning schedule followed. Beginning boaters had their first chance to row today! Dinner was meatloaf, mashed potatoes, bread, and string beans and summer squash from a farm across the lake! Dessert was cherry jello with whipped topping.

After a restful hour, campers enjoyed their general swim in the lake. Fourth period followed as usual, and Activity Period brought some exciting outdoor activities. Nuke 'em, badminton, aquarium games, and jumping off the tower were the highlights.

Supper was tacos, applesauce, and chips. Dessert was a delicious orange cake topped with vanilla frosting and chocolate drizzle.

Now, campers are preparing for a game of Spies and Smugglers! Half the campers, the smugglers, will be given paper with a certain number of points to smuggle from the lodge to the A-field. Popular smuggling strategies include hiding the paper in secret pockets, and/or running as fast as possible to avoid being tagged by the spies. The spies will try to catch the smugglers and guess where their paper is hidden. Spies have three guesses, and if they do not find the paper, the smugglers continue on their way. It is sure to be an exciting game!

Until tomorrow,

-the Birch Blogger

First Full Day of Boys Camp!

Welcome back blog followers! Today was the first full day of the session. Campers awoke at 7:30 to the wake up bell, and cabin cookees left at 7:45 to set their tables.  At 8 am all campers gathered at the flagpole for the pledge and Wamah chicken fat (our morning stretches).  Today breakfast was waffles with the option of peanut butter, butter, or syrup, although the wamah tradition is to top them with the peanut butter! YUM! They also had cantaloupe,  orange slices, orange juice, and hot chocolate.  They had plenty of energy to get them through the busy morning. The next part of the morning routine was cabin cleanup and camp duties. The campers helped to straighten their  bunks, sweep under bunks, and make the clothesline neat and tidy. The camp duties included: sweeping the lodge, collecting trash, and helping to clean the bathrooms. The class periods started promptly at 10am and went until noon.  In arts and crafts, campers got to choose between multiple exciting projects, including, friendship bracelets, pillows, gimp, basket making with Carol, and beaded bracelets with Drew.  One of our counselors is going on a trip to Africa next week so the bracelets made during their arts and crafts period will be brought to the children she meets abroad. We hope to give her many to take with her!

The sports classes played nuke 'em, a dodgeball game, and swimmers worked on their strokes as their teachers observed their skill level. Boaters went over the safety rules and parts of the boat.

At dinner, our big noontime meal, the campers feasted on ravioli, salad, and baguettes. They followed the meal with chocolate pudding and whipped cream.   Following lunch, campers bought candy from the store and then enjoyed an hour of quiet relaxation in their bunks. Once the hour was up, campers were more than happy to jump in the lake for general swim. Fourth period came next, and campers went to whichever class they didn't have in the morning.  The next period of the day was activity period, a free period during which various activities are offered by the counselors. Today's activities included soccer, badminton, jumping off the tower, and aquarium games.

Before supper, the inspection winners, the neatest cabins, were announced. Today's winners included cabin 3, cabin old 6, and cabin 6. The campers enjoyed a supper of chicken patties and chips, with cheesecake for dessert.  Tonight the evening program, a camp-wide game, will most likely be capture the flag. It is sure to be a riveting experience.

Until tomorrow! -The Birch Blogger

 

Welcome to Boys Camp 2013!

Today marked the beginning of Session 2! In the afternoon heat and humidity, the boys moved their trunks into their cabins and met their counselors and cabin-mates. Cabin groups played introductory games and got settled as we waited for the last campers to arrive. Once everyone was here, campers and staff gathered in the council ring to listen to camp rules, staff introductions, and general swim safety measures. Before we could have our general swim, new campers had to be evaluated and placed into swim levels. Then, everyone was able to cool off and enjoy the refreshing lake water for the first time! After our swim, it was time for supper. We had hot dogs, tater tots, baked beans, and pickles, with brownies for dessert. Yum! Campers were introduced to Wamah table etiquette. Everyone helped to pass food around the table, bring food to and from the kitchen (with pleases and thank yous), and clean plates for the dishwasher.

Now, campers are enjoying our traditional first night evening program- Medical War, a dodgeball game. Hopefully there will be time for a quick dip in the lake before bed! Counselors will help their cabins get ready to sleep by reading a book aloud. After so much activity, Wamah will be quiet tonight.

Until tomorrow,

-the Birch Blogger

The Final Day of Session 1!

Today, campers made the most of their last day of the session. Everyone was surprised at how quickly the session flew by. We began the day with bagels and cereal, then went about our regular morning routine. Swimming and boating classes were happy to be in the lake as the day grew hotter. Campers perfected skills and found out whether or not they had passed into the next level. While campers are sometimes sad if they don't pass, we always remind them that the level they are in is not nearly as important as how hard they worked and how much they improved, and everyone certainly improved a lot!! Dinner today was Shepard's Pie--a dish of meat, potatoes, and corn- a camp favorite! Dessert was chocolate/vanilla-twist pudding with whipped cream!

Rest Hour was relaxing but hot, and campers were happy to get into the water for General Swim. The water was beautiful and refreshing!

Activity Period today included aquarium games in the water, boating practice, archery, finishing art projects, and jumping off the tower. Many new level 4 swimmers got to jump for the first time!

Supper tonight was meatball grinders with veggie sticks and applesauce, and peach crisp for dessert!

Now, campers are gathering kindling for our campfire tonight. We will have singing, s'mores, and boating and swimming awards. After, we will go for a quick swim to cool off before bed.

The campers are excited to see you tomorrow! Please come between 8:30 and 10:00 to pick up your child. See you then!

- the Birch Blogger

Happy Fourth of July From Wamah!

Happy 4th Everyone! Today, campers came to the flagpole in their patriotic outfits. Cabin 1 even put a skit together for the camp, singing and dancing to Yankee Doodle. Breakfast today was chocolate chip bread, oranges, and cereal. YUM! The campers proceeded with the daily schedule. They are all working hard in their classes so they (hopefully) pass. Sports classes went to the ropes coarse today and did the nitro swing element. When it heated up later in the afternoon, the sports classes were held at the waterfront. Also many campers have gone to tennis and archery, if they signed up. Dinner was ziti and salad with ranch dressing, followed by pears for dessert. The afternoon schedule was normal, but campers were able to watch the Columbia Lake boat parade before activity period. Supper was a lovely meal of chicken patties, applesauce, cucumber slices, and chips. Dessert was lemon cake with vanilla icing.

For evening program,  counselors prepared a Fourth of July Carnival!  Activities included: Face-Painting, musical chairs, pin the 50th star on the American flag, bean bag toss, limbo, and so much more!!! The campers ate ice cream sundaes following the carnival and are currently watching fireworks over the lake.

It was a great day! 'Til tomorrow!

-The Birch Blogger

Day 3!!!

Today marked the middle of Session 1, and campers are really beginning to feel at home now. The day began with a breakfast of hot oatmeal and English muffins. Morning classes started a few minutes early with Morning Thought, a time for campers to reflect on a certain topic. Today, we had some skits (acted out by some of our own talented actors and actresses!) and discussion about how to respect nature. After, campers went about their normal morning routine. Dinner was ham, noodles, carrots, and bread, with Italian ice for dessert. Yummy!

The afternoon schedule today was different than usual, in order to make time for a special program. Instead of our normal Activity Period, we had "Joe the lobster man" come and teach us about lobsters and lobster catching. He showed us his "pots," the lobster traps, and two live lobsters that he had brought with him. Many campers got to touch a lobster! He was entertaining and funny, and everyone learned a lot!

The kitchen staff have an evening off tonight, so supper was "eat out," a meal during which everyone makes their own picnic sandwich, and each cabin goes to a different spot around camp to eat outside. The docks were the most popular locations!

Now, campers are up on the A-field, ending their day with an exciting game of Capture the Flag!

We are excited for the Fourth of July tomorrow! Check back in the evening for more updates!

-the Birch Blogger