As the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words.
Knowing that you’re there to shower him with love makes this very tough day at Skylemar a whole lot easier.
We know you’ll take good care of him. After all, he is the greatest guy in the whole wide world.
See you next year! Same place each night, same late hours….
It’s Appreciation Day at Skylemar. It’s the last day of the season to really soak up how lucky we are.
Activities were extra playful and fun, with the counselors participating instead of their usual coaching. There was enough happiness here to last for a very long time.
In between sports, plaque-making, showers (which included removing a whole lot of Red & Gray eyeblack) and cabin cleaning, many stopped at the Appreciation Station. That’s where you write notes of gratitude to anyone at camp. The simple letters are especially loved by staff members, who get them in the mail from us in the fall.
The Final Banquet was one to remember — lots of awards, speeches, delicious food, and best of all…Retrospect. That’s the end-of-season show that’s produced by alum Bruce Finkelstein and his staff of 7 photographers and videographers. It’s shown on a jumbotron-sized screen, and the energy of the audience cheering throughout is amazing. You’ll get a link to watch at home, but honestly, that won’t compare to seeing it live. It’s like going to a movie theater with 200 friends, and you know every single person, place and happening on the big screen.
As the Banquet ends very late into the night, there’s a whole lot of crying. Big, strong man-sized tears, which come along with knowing that friends will be separated for some time. It’s impossible not to cry when you see them link arms and sing “Skylemar You’ll Linger” just one last time until next year.
These are truly the greatest guys in the whole wide world. Thank you for sharing your amazing son with us this summer.
Last night’s Songs & Cheers results sure flipped this Color War upside down. Red had taken 3 ½ days to build a lead, then in one afternoon Gray not only came storming back but did enough last night to wake up with the lead. There was a nervous energy in the air and once again Mother Nature set us up with another picture-perfect day. The significance of this morning’s activities cannot be overlooked. Red looked to close the gap while Gray hoped to extend the lead, as both teams anxiously awaited this afternoon’s finish – our TUGS OF WAR.
Gray’s momentum carried over. Their Stars captured the Basketball point in a pair of wild finishes. The lower court game ended when Gray’s Jackson faced a pair of must-make free throws after being fouled, down 2 points with a second left on the clock. He calmly sank both, putting the Stars Hoops point on the upper court’s result. Gray came back late in the 4th quarter to win and take Stars Basketball. They followed with a sweep of 2 Freshmen Hockey games in the Rink.
Red was reeling when word of Gray’s sweep in Tigers Golf and Bocce came in, followed by their victory in Seniors Tennis. It was looking like the rout was on, but then Red responded with a big win in Sophomores Soccer over on the Hejduk. That left it up to the little guys to once again provide the most exciting, and for Red, the most important contest thus far. They held on for an edge-of-your seat, 1-0 win in Cubs/Lions Baseball. Off to lunch where Shep announced that Gray had won the all-camp Archery point as well. Their morning success had put them in the catbird seat, as all headed back to their cabins for an extended “rest hour” …. in preparation for TUGS that would settle it all.
What a week we’ve had … and it would all come down to this. Gray Team gathered at the Hockey court, Red Team at the Tennis courts for their last “psych up” meetings. The noise reverberated all around camp and was heard by the huge crowd that had collected down at the Snow Field, a perfect arena for this, the traditional closing event of Color War.
When the teams marched down to the field, the atmosphere was already electric with the intensity built since Elections last Friday night. Shep called the two Captains together, then explained the process to the entire camp. It would take 2 out of 3 TUGS in each Division to win the points (2) for each. Gray’s hot streak coming in had them needing to win only 2 Divisions, while Red needed 6, a seemingly monumental task. One by one, Shep called each Division’s “Tuggers to the Rope”. Once set, George blew the whistle and…“PULL!”
Each boy wants this win more than anything in the world. He PULLS with every single ounce of strength. Faces clench, contort, they yell – whatever it takes. Just PULL. Muscles bulge…it’s as if they’d burst. PULL! Referee George carefully watches till one flag crosses the line and his WHISTLE BLOWS! The winners leap into the air, screaming with joy. The losers…slowly walk to the side lines.
Red reached down deeper than anyone thought they could. In an incredible sequence of 2nd round tugs (after losing the first time through), Red went from the brink of elimination to within a tug of gaining a virtual tie before heading to Round 3 (4 of the 7 Divisions would need a 3rd Tug to decide it). Finally, it took 15 actual tugs to get it done … and GRAY is the winner of Color War 2025!
The Gray team cheered wildly, leaping into each other’s arms! Lots of hearty hugs and high fives all around… the greatest feeling of their entire lives! Until…they turned and saw their Red friends devastated. Some on Red were hugging, but it’s a different kind of hug. Some were crying, and some were face down on the ground feeling destroyed inside. Gray friends found Red friends and offered a hand or an arm around the shoulder.
The oldest and the strongest lifted the Captains on their shoulders, and the Captains embraced. This signified the ties that bind. We are a Skylemar brotherhood.
This one will be remembered for the triumphant class with which Gray won, and the valiant display of heart and inner strength shown by Red in defeat. We’re so proud of the sportsmanship showed by both teams and for doing it the Skylemar way.
The Captains were carried down to Trickey Pond, with all the campers following. Once on each side of the dock, Noah, Max and their Stars Lieutenants jumped into the water. They swam to each other in the center, embraced and then it was everyone else’s turns. Groups of three, four, five and six linked arms and leaped in with gusto!
That’s when the magical waters did their thing. Trickey Pond washed away the competition, and again we are one.
After dinner and a 7th period of activities, the sun sets, and the evening becomes very special. Tonight is the culminating event which is loved by generations…Waterfront Ceremony. The Captains led the torch-lit silent procession, adding each cabin of boys to the long line which snaked down the hill. A bonfire roared on the lake, as we sat under the pines. Skylemar songs were sung from out on the Pontoon, which set the warm and comfortable mood. Captain Noah, Captain Max and Shep each spoke about gratitude. Shep urged all to consider it a responsibility to share the Cool2Care message far beyond the hallowed grounds of Skylemar.
Now for the extra special part: Each bunk was brought to the water’s edge for Wishing Boats. It’s a block of wood with a candle on top. Our legend holds that if you put the boat in the water and make a wish for someone other than yourself, that wish just might come true.
Seeing all the boats with flickering lights was a sight to behold. There were hundreds of positive wishes for those other than ourselves. And that’s how a kid changes the world.
Yesterday’s action had separated the teams a bit for the first time since we began this Color War. Red had taken command and were oozing with confidence. Gray wasn’t going down without a fight and had taken a few runs at the lead. But each time they got close enough, Red was able to respond. This day would go a long way to determine the outcome, especially with the most impactful night of Color War, Songs & Cheers looming. The boys had been rehearsing for days, but tonight’s performance could give one team the momentum it needs going into tomorrow’s finish.
But first, there was another full day of activity to report. Gray might be scrambling to recover tonight if they couldn’t dent the lead, and Red could really put the pressure on….Here’s what happened:
Gray made another move early by winning two of the closest Cubs/Lions Football games we’ve seen. A couple of last minute interceptions by the defense closed it out on both fields as Gray escaped last minute drives that would have won both for Red. Again, Red kept Gray at bay with another win down at the Pond in Freshmen Waterfront. They followed that up with a win in Sophomores Tennis, and it began to look like a tough day for Gray.
In Junior Softball, though, Gray poured it on, scoring in all but one inning in a rout on the Fred Pierce diamond. Then, they surprised everyone by holding the heavily favored Red squad scoreless in a very well-played, but defensive 0-0 Seniors Soccer tilt over on the Hejduk. Gray further swept both Stars Golf and Bunkline Bocce (a new venue for this one) to get back in it.
However, once again Red withstood Gray’s comeback attempt with a frantic one of their own in Tigers Lacrosse, erasing a 2-goal deficit with 5 minutes left to win 3-2, and keep Red in control as all headed to lunch.
Teetering a bit from the Lax comeback that closed the morning, Gray still looked refreshed as Captain Max and his Stars leaders encouraged their boys to dig a little bit deeper as they hit the fields and courts this afternoon. Red Captain Noah urged his boys to keep the pressure on and not let up. Gray would sure keep coming and more than capable of turning it around.
Quickly, the Gray Cubs/Lions sparked a fire by winning the first of two Soccer games on the Snow Field handily, only to see Red respond with a dominating performance in the 2nd to halve the point. Red then followed it up with a win in Tigers Tennis that went down to the last match. Gray Sophomores bounced back and won a nail-biting Lacrosse game at Sky II. Ari F was the savior, stopping a one-on-one shot from the crease as time expired to protect the 1-goal win.
Two fantastic, thrilling finishes in Seniors Basketball finally gave Gray the spark it needed, On the lower courts, Red was down 6 late, but made back-to-back 3’s to tie it at 27, leaving the upper court to decide the point. The game was tight from the opening tap, with neither team able to build more than a 4-point cushion. A put-back shot with 14 seconds left gave Gray a 1-point lead before Archie saved the game with a last second, spectacular blocked shot at the buzzer to preserve the win, 33-32 for Gray.
At the Rink, the teams seemed as evenly matched as the final score in the first game of a double header in Stars Hockey, and tied 3-3 – again leaving it up to the Game 2 winner to settle it. Matt N and Jackson each lit the lamp twice for their respective teams. After Jacob R scored 4 times in the 2nd one to lead his team to a 6-3 win, Gray was now roiling. Over on the Links, Gray continued its surge by quickly dispatching Red in the Juniors Golf matches, then swept both games in Bocce to draw within a point of the lead.
In Freshmen Baseball, when Hunter knocked a two-out, two-strike pitch into centerfield with a man aboard in the top of the last inning to knot the score at 1, it appeared Gray was poised to finally draw even. But Red rallied for a run in the bottom half that would win it and keep Red ahead.
Gray was more than back in it though, sitting just a couple of points off the lead, with a chance in tonight’s Songs & Cheers competition to grab it. Each team would perform 6 “songs”: a Team and Camp Cheer (1/2 point each), Team Fight Song and Old Camp Song (1 point each), an Original Camp Song (2 points) and a Production Number (worth 3 very big points) – a total of 8 points that will surely give one team the momentum it needs to go for the gold tomorrow.
Under another sensational, Maine moonlit sky, the boys put their collective hearts and souls into every note, lifting their performances way above any level they had shown in rehearsals. One of the more amazing, repetitive features of every Color War is how both teams seem to miraculously put it all together on the Rec Hall stage, whether inside or outdoors, when the pressure is on. And tonight was no different.
With so much on the line, Gray has come all the way back, winning the night 6-2 and seizing the lead. What a turnaround! We can’t wait for tomorrow’s finish… a last morning of athletic contests followed by the ultimate closer – TUGS of WAR!
Somehow the weather broke overnight, and we all woke up to an overcast, sweatshirt kind of morning. The boys went through the typical routine and team meetings but were anxious to get going again. And that they did.
Gray was hoping the late Red surge yesterday had cooled off as well and seemed determined to make their push for the lead. When Gray cruised through the Cubs/Lions Golf matches, they were off to the start they were looking for. But Red won the little guys’ Bocce in the Garden, before their Juniors won Tennis, reminding Gray that it wouldn’t be an easy climb to the top.
In Tigers Basketball, it took 3 games to settle it, but again, Red was up to the task winning 2 of the 3, and the Hoops point. Dylan S scored 7 straight points to lead Gray to victory on the upper court, while Lincoln V carried Red to a win on the lower court. In a very close contest in the Gym, Maddox was the difference in a 2-point victory for Red in the clincher.
On the Hejduk, Red had just a bit too much for Gray to handle in their 7-3 win in Stars Lacrosse. Will A chipped in with a pair of goals for the winners, while Lucas had a pair of his own for Gray in defeat. The tide then turned when word came that Gray had swept all three elements at the Waterfront, including the closest set of Kayak races in history. Both the single and double kayak races produced an overall time differential of only .74 seconds, completing Gray’s sweep down at Trickey.
The Freshmen split a pair of Football games. Spencer O was the Red Star on the Bunkline, weaving his way all over the field when running it, and found Ka’Mari often and open when he needed to throw it. On the Rec Hall field, Gray’s defense was the story, stopping Red on the doorstep a couple of times late in the game to win it.
Gray then polished off a two-game sweep in Seniors Hockey at the Rink to hang close. Luke BR did the damage for Gray in Game 2 after TI (2 goals), Oscar and Reed (1 each) hit the back of the net in a 4-2 win in Game 1. No real change to the slim Red lead this morning as all headed to lunch, another Songs and Cheers practice, and a brief “rest hour”.
As the sun came out and the temperature climbed this afternoon, we wondered which team would heat up as well. Our answer came quickly as the Red Cubs/Tigers stroked their way to victory on both the Sky I and II Tennis courts, then swept both games in Sophomores Basketball and Juniors Hockey. Ethan K was stellar in the cage and Braden scored both goals in the Game 1 shutout.
After Red also carried Stars Waterfront, Gray needed a boost to fight their way back – and got it! The Gray Freshmen swept both Golf and Bocce as their Seniors were dominating in Lacrosse at the same time. Ryder N scored 3 first quarter goals to set the tone in the 11-2 romp for Gray.
Down on the Snow Field, the crowd had grown as the other contests were complete, leaving only the 2nd game of the Tigers Soccer twin bill left to be played… and what a game it was! Red had won the first game earlier in a blowout, but the atmosphere for this one felt like the World Cup final. The teams traded goals back and forth, until it was all tied up at 5 late in the 2nd half. When Owen B scored to give Gray the lead with about a minute remaining, it appeared Gray would get the win and needed split to keep them within arm’s length of the lead. But with only seconds remaining, Alex Y volleyed home a loose ball in the box off a corner kick as the final whistle blew, securing a 6-6 tie and preserving the Soccer point for Red. The Red contingent stormed the field in another frenzied celebration — and had bumped their lead just a little bit more.
We’re just past the halfway point with plenty of athletic events to go, not to mention the critical Songs and Cheers competition (8 points up for grabs) tomorrow night. It’s still way too close to call….
But tonight, Color War gets put on the backburner for some good, old-fashioned entertainment — the Skylemar Players presentation of “The Lion King”.
Once again, Suzie, her assistant directors Roxy and Jayden, the incredible cast and crew, blew us away with a fabulous production. How did they ever learn the lines, songs and choreography while trips and Color War were going on? A full show in just a little over two weeks!
The costumes, the scenery, lighting, music – all to make the kids on stage shine. Plus it was so much fun to watch. Many said this was the best play they ever saw at Skylemar. Bravo to these stars:
KJ & Alexander P – Rafiki
Ari F – Mufasa
Henry Z – Sarabi
Palmer – Zazu
Jake P – Scar
Garrett – Baby Simba
Declan O, Alexander D, Bud – Simba
Ethan V, Max A – Nala
Sawyer – Timon
Elton – Pumbaa
Morgan M, Mason W, Fede, Leo, Henry B, Dylan S, Owen B, Luis, Quinn C, Lincoln M, Liel, Troy, Keats, Alfie, Michael L, Noah W, Levi W, James P, Blaine were the elephants, giraffes, birds, antelope, zebras, lions, hyenas and wildebeest. They can dance too!
It’s not like we hadn’t generated enough heat on our own yesterday, but Mother Nature brought us a bit more today. The boys awoke to another glorious morning to set us up for Day 2, with the score all knotted up. Same routine today… breakfast, inspection, and a quick team meeting to put their game faces on. Then off they went from Trickey to the Hejduk and everywhere in between.
The Tigers played a pair of closely contested Hockey games in the Rink, but both went Gray’s way. In the first, Gray scored a pair in the first period, then locked down the rest of the way to hold on for a 2-1 victory. In the other, Robbie scored the game-winner with just under a minute left to win it. However, Red answered by winning two of the three Hoops games to win the Cubs/Lions Basketball. Micah, Jonah and Theo Q were the scoring leaders in Red’s pair of wins.
In Sophomores Football, Dash led Red to a most exciting back and forth victory on the Rec Hall field, overcoming a spectacular TD catch by Gray’s Theo R late in the game that put the outcome in doubt. Ethan V then caught a 4th and goal TD pass with less than a minute to go to seal it for Red. Red Stars also swept the singles matches and carried the Skills competition which put another point on their side of the ledger. And further, they overcame a strong performance by Gray swimmers with wins in the Ski and Kayak elements to carry Juniors Waterfront.
Over at the Hejduk, Gray dominated the first of two Lax games 8-1, led by James K, Matthew and Solomon. In the best finish of the morning, Red’s Sam E saved the day, coming out of nowhere with an incredible sliding stick check on the crease with a second to go, preventing a certain tying goal and holding on for a one-goal victory, and splitting Freshmen Lacrosse. Down on the Freddie Pierce, Coop went deep over the right field fence to provide the early lead, while Thomas T made a couple of sliding catches in left field to protect It for Gray in their 9-4 Seniors win to close the morning activities.
Lots of elusive runs, great catches, incredible shots, tight races, spectacular plays, and close finishes have highlighted the action so far … and we’re only a day and half in. Time for some nourishment and a good rest as the boys broke for lunch with Red now ahead.
This afternoon was more of the same. Red extended the lead further with a 3-0 win by their Stars on Sky II’s Hejduk Soccer pitch. On the Sky I lacrosse field, Gray responded by winning the first Cubs/Lions Lax game, 7-5 behind the outstanding midfield play of Larkin and Lockett. But Red mitigated the loss with a win of their own in Game 2, to spit the point.
Red again surged ahead by winning another Waterfront meet, this time by their Tigers strokers and boaters. But Gray responded convincingly by winning both Hoops games on the upper and lower courts. Sam P and Nate F had it going and led all scorers in the wins.
Gray inched a little closer when they blew out Red in a hitting onslaught on the Freddie Pierce in Sophomore Baseball. Then results came in from the Bunkline Field where Joaquin ran and passed his way all over the field in a 56-30 rout in Seniors Football for Red.
The most excitement of the day was down on the Snow Field. The Freshmen went toe-to-toe in a double-dip of amazing nail-biting Soccer games. In the first, there were 5 lead changes in a very well-played contest, filled with fantastic team play from both sides. In the end, Gray scored with seconds to play to tie it up 4-all, leaving today’s last point on the shoulders of the Game 2 Freshmen participants. With all other games finished and everyone on the hill overlooking this venue, the stadium atmosphere was electric. The tension grew as no one could find the back of the net well into the second half. With only two minutes left, Gray finally broke through a disheartened Red squad and their highlight-reel goalie Declan C who had kept them in it. A wild celebration ensued, and some of the exuberant Gray onlookers had to be cleared from the field. Then, with about a minute left, Red scored the equalizer, which not only tied it up but set off its own Red on-field explosion. It was the Red celebrants that now had to be cleared just as Gray had a minute before … and alas, this one also ended in a tie, halving Freshmen Soccer. What a finish!
Movie night under the stars, maybe the most picturesque, moonlit night of the summer was a perfect antidote for a most exhilarating, spirited action-packed day. Red will sleep on the lead, but has Gray nipping at their heels. Still just a couple of points separate the teams.
Stay tuned….
It was like the first day of camp. By 6 AM kids were up and out of the cabin, sharing which team they were on. “I’m on Red!”…“I’m on Gray!” Excitement was in the air everywhere! And what a beautiful, bright sunny Maine day it was!
But first, our annual Red and Gray Buffet for breakfast. What a spread! Just what’s needed to boost their energy for an exciting day ahead. After the usual morning routine (inspection, etc.), the PA blared, “Red Team to the Mailhouse! Gray Team to the Pine Grove!”
Both teams gathered for their first of several “psych up” meetings that they’ll have throughout the week. That’s when the teams link up and encircle their Captains and Stars leaders. It’s a fever pitch – think loud music, lots of chanting and cheering, with the oldest guys yelling messages of maximum effort and team unity at decibel levels unheard of ‘til now.
Everyone to the Fred Pierce Field for the official opening of Color War 2025!
Both teams watched the first inning of the Stars Softball game, the traditional start of every Skylemar Color War since 1948. After Shep brought the Captains to the field for some last minute instructions, the Gray team took the field as Shep bellowed “Play ball!”. The honor of the ceremonial first pitch was given to Paige, our do-it-all Waterfront specialist, who threw a perfect strike! After the 1st inning, each Division moved to their specific venue for their morning contests.
The Gray Stars got the juices flowing early though. Not only did Luke S jump on the first pitch he saw with a blast into the right field trees in the bottom of the first, he followed up with a grand slam in the 3rd giving Gray a 5-run lead. But Red battled back within a run, before leaving the bases loaded in their final at bat to succumb 7-6.
The Seniors were down at Trickey Pond where the Red team swam, kayaked and skied just a little faster than Gray to win the Waterfront point. In Juniors Soccer over at Sky II’s Hejduk Field, goalies David G and Orlando were stellar in the nets before Max P slipped a shot by late in a very tight, well-played game for a 1-0 Gray win.
Over on the links, Sophomore Golfers displayed some real talent in splitting their matches, while in the Bocce Theatre, Gray dominated in the first of 7 matches to come. The Tigers split a pair of games (and the point) in Football. Mac (R) and Leo (G) both had a “pick 6” on the Bunkline field won by Gray, while Shay led the charge for Red on the Rec Hall gridiron.
The Freshmen also split a pair of B-ball games on the hoops courts and left it up to those at the Gym in Game 3 to decide it. On the upper court, Pablo and Spencer were a tough tandem for Red, although Owen S put up a heroic effort in defeat. Grady A and Mason answered by leading Gray to a victory on the lower court. But over at Sky II, Bud dominated to win the Basketball point for Red.
But the most exciting contest this morning was down at the Hockey rink, where our littlest guys, as they seem to every year, provided our most thrilling finish. And it took three games to settle it. Ari B and Billy G scored in a 2-0 win for Red in the first game of a triple-header, then Porter tallied a hat-trick to lead Gray to a 4-0 Game 2 victory. By the time Game 3 began, all other morning contests were complete, so most of the participants from all over camp had converged to the rink to watch our youngest group battle it out for the Cubs/Lions Hockey point. After a scoreless 1st period, Red’s Junior scored in the 2nd to take a slim lead to the 3rd. But 6 goals later — another by Junior and a pair by Alex B for Red, not to mention 3 late tallies by Gray – and Red barely held on for an edge-of-your-seat 4-3 win. In a wild celebration, the Red supporters heaped all kinds of love on their youngest teammates, and took a ½ point lead into the Pavilion for lunch.
After the meal and rest hour, the teams again gathered for pre-game “psych up” meetings, freshly rejuvenated to go at it again. Back and forth all afternoon, all over camp they went. As you will see, this one looks to be as evenly matched as ever.
This time, the little guys headed to the Waterfront where Gray won the Swim and Boating elements to carry the point. The Juniors went back to the Hejduk, where Red bounced back from their tough loss in Soccer this morning to win 13-8 behind the division’s top laxer, Brooks.
The Red then picked up a ½ point in the Bocce Garden, but Gray Seniors won Golf at the Links. On the Tennis courts, Tennis Director Ted witnessed the most exciting finish of his decade+ of Color War action. After the Freshmen split 3 singles and doubles matches on both surfaces (hardcourts and clay), the Skills competition on the Har-Tru at Sky II would settle it. The final tally was so close, Ted had to check and double check his score sheet, confirming Gray’s 127-124 win in a contest of strokes and accuracy. Wow!
Gray Tigers also won Baseball on the Freddie Pierce, 6-1 behind the pitching and hitting of Morgan. The Sophomores split a doubleheader at the Hockey rink. Red won 4-0 in Game 1, but Gray returned the favor with a shutout of their own, 2-0 in the 2nd behind a pair of goals by Myles F to split Sophs Hockey.
The Stars then lit up the scoreboard, although Red was unstoppable in an 80-56 rout. Carson found himself in the middle of 8 total TDs (passing, running and a “pick 6” to boot). What an offensive show!
This War is already shaping up to be a good one, as only a point separates the teams after a full day of activity on the fields, courts, and Pond. Tonight’s Ping Pong competition, with another point up for grabs, will tell us who, if either team, will sleep on the lead.
And apparently, it’s neither – Red won Ping Pong and after Day 1, we’re all tied up!
To the Skylemoms and Dads of those on last night’s ballot (other than the two who were elected):
Bet we know what you were thinking as you read The Blog last night. Maybe something like, “Oh, man, he wanted this so badly.” Or, “He’s been talking about it for years. It’s all he ever wanted.” Followed up by the big question… “Is he ok?”
He’s totally ok. In fact, he’s a better person now because of it. No one likes to be disappointed, but part of growing up is learning to bounce back and make it to the other side.
There were 23 excellent candidates, and only two could be chosen. So what happens to those who may be heartbroken? They stand up tall, give hugs, handshakes and high fives to their friends, old and young. Few words are needed – just about everyone understands what they might be feeling.
And today is more of the same. These guys are 100% their regular selves, joking around and having a great time just being together. They are the team players who will try their very hardest to bring home a win for Color War 2025.
After lunch, the Captains announced the names of the Lieutenants they have selected, two for each team, in each of the seven Divisions. Congratulations to those who were awarded this privilege of leading an age group. But then again, what about those who were not selected? Despite being miles away, you too, might be feeling his disappointment.
But here’s the thing. There’s a tremendous life lesson wrapped up into all of this. They will learn that you don’t have to have a title to be the leader of a team.
The lesson holds true in all facets of life. It goes along with sports of course, but also the work world and certainly in politics. Being a leader is a lot like happiness. It comes from within. It’s a decision you make. Doesn’t matter what you’re “called”. Everyone has the possibility of being their very best and helping others to shine.
Tonight the Captains and their Stars Lieutenants will meet secretly and draft the teams. Please remember this, moms and dads: the elected Captains, along with their two assistants, are in charge. No rigging, no requesting, no family connections. Teams are divided by age group, not bunk. As mentioned on Election Night, the entire camp understands that within one bunk there could be five boys on one team and just one on the other. It could mean that in the case of three brothers, two are on one team and one on the other.
Trust us – it works. If this Color War is like those of the past 77 years, this process is why the teams will be fairly matched and games competitive.
As soon as the draft is completed and camp divided, the magic happens. In the very late hours tonight as Skylemar sleeps, the Captains will sneak into each cabin for “pinning”. The boys will awaken to find either a Red or Gray ribbon pinned to their pillows, signifying their team for Color War 2025. Can’t wait for morning!
Today was the day. For many, it’s the most important one of the summer. For some… the year. And for two… their lives.
The boys have talked about today since they arrived at camp. In fact, they’ve chanted a countdown for the past 10 days. Yesterday they cheered wildly, hollering “ONE MORE DAY! ONE MORE DAY!”
The traditional Sky II Lobster Lunch helped to calm nerves. It’s a meal of camaraderie, with lots of laughter and good vibes. Over many summers, these now 15-year-olds have come to accept, understand and admire each other. We can even think of a few who asked not to be in a bunk with this person or that, only to see now that they are very good friends.
It was a beautiful, Maine-like afternoon, with clear skies and comfortably warm temps. Perfect for casual play, taking some ski runs and hanging with friends. Dinner was delish — spaghetti and meatballs, marinara or alfredo, Caesar salad and garlic bread. Eat big, guys… could be a long night ahead.
IT’S COLOR WAR ELECTIONS 2025!
Evening Activity couldn’t come soon enough. The whole camp gathered together in the Rec Hall, the building that stands strong and tall, protecting our Skylemar family. Wearing their favorite jersey, each member of the Stars Division sat proudly on the stage.
Shep welcomed all, and explained how Color War Elections is one of Skylemar’s oldest traditions, whereby the participants choose their leaders. “You, the campers, will vote for two of these great guys by secret ballot, each one being the kind of person that we hope you will be like one day.”
He explained that the spirit of Red and Gray began with our founders and is based on friendship and fair play. Color War is a unique situation, because this time you’re competing with all of your heart against people who you care about. That doesn’t happen too often in life.
Skylemar’s competition happens only on the fields, courts, lake and stage, but not in the cabin. There will be a winner of each and every game, as well as an overall winner of our 5-day Color War. Whether you win or lose, Shep reminds that you must not over-react. Don’t gloat, and don’t ruin someone else’s fun — sincerely shake hands after the game.
The Captains will be selecting their teams in secrecy on Saturday night. It’s done by draft, which is what makes the teams fair in each Division. It could be that brothers are separated, or that bunks are not at all equally divided. The Captains strategically select each boy, with one goal in mind – winning.
Shep asked all former Captains to step forward. A few did so. Then Shep asked for all those who were on the ballot but did not become Captain to step forward. In this category there were many.
The candidates were each introduced, and truth is, we love them all. Each would be an outstanding choice for Captain.
Simple majority wins. When one candidate gets one more than half of the eligible voters, than he is elected. The magic number is 100.
Those on the ballot cast their own votes and then headed to the Garden Cabin to wait it out. Each Bunk came up to the foot of the stage, and every camper wrote down two names on a piece of paper — then dropped their votes into the ballot box (white pickle bucket, circa 1994). Once all the votes were in, Shep read off every one as Nick kept the tally.
The exact number of votes each person received is something we don’t talk about. But what’s interesting about this year is that there was a much wider spread of votes throughout the Stars Division than in any previous year we can remember. It took two full rounds of voting to elect two Captains, proving that there really were several great choices.
The vote tally grew and grew for the first Captain, the crowd started jumping, hands rose in the air… and it’s… NOAH KLEHR! The crowd mobbed him as he comes through the door.
After a second round of voting and reading off names (meaning that by now it’s 10 PM), the crowd again rushed to the door to welcome the second Captain… MAX BAUM!
Coin flips determined who chose color, as well as the order of picking Stars Lieutenants. Max selected Gray, along with Cosme and Jacob R to stand with him. Noah picked Carson and Jack L. to do so for Red.
Camp Skylemar, these are your leaders for Color War 2025!
The trips are back to home sweet home. After a very rustic couple of days, the camp cots and bathrooms in our bunks are something to appreciate!
The Seniors just returned from Carter Notch in the White Mountain National Forest. It was a very difficult four-mile hike up the mountain, at a very steep incline. A new leader was assigned during every stretch of trail. When it was time for a rest, that camper shared what they believe makes a good leader. Interesting stuff!
Sure, along the way some complained. But in the end, each hiker felt a sense of accomplishment and we bet they’re glad they did it.
It was especially cool when they got to the top and found a beautiful pond. Now that was a real cold plunge… Brrrrrrr! There were rocks to climb, as well as a naturalist, who explained how the rock formations came about.
Also at the top was the AMC Hut where they’d be staying. It’s like a super rustic cabin with wooden bunk beds, a mattress, blanket and kitchen. The “Croo”, a group of 4-5 who runs the hut and does the cooking, carry all of their supplies in every week. Our meal was enchiladas, magic bars for dessert and the best lemonade the kids ever had.
After dinner, it was board-game time. There were other guests there besides Skylemar (sorry, folks), and we were proud when they commented about how respectful our boys were.
No morning reveille at the hut. Instead we woke to a fiddle! Breakfast was served at 6:30 — bacon, eggs and pumpkin bread. There are no trash cans at the top of Carter Notch. Any bit of paper waste goes in your backpack to throw away at the bottom.
The Sophomores went to Mt. Cranmore, also in the White Mountains. We took the easy way up…chairlift! Coming back down was lots of fun on the Mountain Coaster, which was like a little car on a track. You could control how fast or slow you went.
The boys stayed at Franconia Notch State Park Campground. After setting up the tents in teams, Ethan V and Ari F helped the staff cook what Leo V said was “the greatest burger I ever had”. Afterward, all enjoyed a campfire, smores and a cozy sleeping-bag night.
Breakfast was bacon, egg and cheese sandwiches, which fueled us up for their own four-mile hike to Lonesome Lake… and yet another awesome cold plunge!
The staff of the Cranmore Mountain Resort said we were “the greatest camp group that ever came through”.
Many of the Stars Division have returned to the United States! They were in Quebec City for a few days and had an amazing time. What’s especially unique about Quebec is that because it’s French, you really feel like you’re in a European country. There were numerous sights to see, foods to sample, jerseys to buy. Skylemar’s been taking this trip for 77 years!
It was really a wonderful cookout dinner here at Skylemar, with everyone back where they belong. Evening Activity was the Final Talent Show. We had to have it inside the Rec Hall on the Gerhard Stage, because it was raining hard at this point. It was a solid show, but with far more silliness than talent. For example, Brothers Lincoln M and Morgan chugged water. Hunter S chugged too. They’re ready for college. Jacob W screamed. Imanzi twisted his fingers. Bud did hula hooping. There was quite a variety of skits, jokes, songs, sports, dances (sort of, although not really sure what they were doing) and general silliness. They love to use a microphone. And they love to be on stage, with everyone laughing with them.
Nevertheless, there was some real talent in the show. Feddie and Billy were incredible with diabolo yoyos. Seth F and David G played the piano. Seth R impressed by reciting Pi. No matter what, those on stage had a great time. You could see it in their faces!
They say it takes 10,000 hours for a person to become an expert. How lucky are we to have 37 of them on the Senior Staff, 17 in the Maintenance Department, 12 in the Kitchen and 10 on the Medical Team. Year after year, Skylemar is blessed to have these outstanding teachers, coaches, carpenters, chefs, nurses and doctors return. They do so to make a positive difference in the world, one boy at a time.
The businesspeople call it the “trickle-down effect”. For us, the very top will forever be Lee and Herb, who laid the foundation of Skylemar values as we know them today. Arleen and Shep worked under their guidance for a decade before taking over for the next 35 years. Skylemar’s focus on sports with an emphasis on sportsmanship has never wavered, nor has our most important tenet: kindness.
The difference between then and now is the number of people it takes to lead Skylemar. Our counselor staff has grown to over 100 strong, and we’ve doubled the number of campers. And like with the rest of the world, things have gotten a whole lot more complicated. As the CEO of a major athletic shoe and apparel company once said, “Your job’s a whole lot harder than mine. I’m just responsible for products. You’re responsible for people.”
We believe that caring for our Skylemar nation is a privilege and an honor, which we never take for granted.
Those leaders we mention, who train, guide and motivate our counselors, are called Senior Staff. These are the trickle-down specialists, who do whatever it takes to make the Skylemar machine hum. They are truly the finest child development experts, who shine with all of their light, all of the time.
Some are school administrators and those with decades of working with children and young adults (Cory, Mitch, Peter, Thom, Ted, Jim, Bruce and Joel). Many are phenomenal teachers (Lillie, Barney, DT, Paige, Ky, Dox, Mary Beth, Suzie, Holly, Spencer, Sam, Marge, Adam, LJ, and Josh). Several are in counseling (Myke, Lexie, DRC). Quite a few are Skylemar professionals who are “naturals” when it comes to working with kids (Frog, Lippy, Luci, Blake, George, Nick, Rook, Kristen, Rachel). Then of course there’s our fantastic Registered Nurses (Mindy, Nadine, Josh, Marianne and Ami), plus our most trusted and brilliant Medical Directors, Docs and PA (Drs. Jeff, Brooke, Brad, Obie and Lillie). Last but never least are our devoted alum — Aaron, Leslie and Bruce.
These are our unsung heroes, and the backbone of Skylemar. They devote their time both during the camp season and well before, to your son and the counselors as well. Each works tirelessly to care for our boys, because they know what we know — that if we teach boys at camp to be the very best people they can possibly be, then the future is bright for all of us. Woven through every ski run, performance, SkyPines overnight, and daily inspection are lessons of compassion, sensitivity, resilience, confidence, independence and a whole lot more.
For every training you’ve led, burgers you’ve grilled, advice you’ve given, van you’ve driven, tears you’ve dried, lost & found you’ve collected, trip you’ve taken out, time you’ve spent…. Thank you, Sr Staff, to the Sky and back.
When we need to turn a day around, it’s down the hill we go to Trickey Pond. Jump on in, and you’ll feel the magic. There’s something about these waters that seems to wash away the blues.
About two miles long and a half mile across, Trickey Pond is our Skylemar gem. It’s a lake that’s referred to as a “pond” because sunlight penetrates to the bottom. Trickey is considered to be one of the clearest and cleanest bodies of water in the entire state that has over 6,000. The center is 55’ deep, and you can see clearly down to the last ten.
Fed by underground springs, the water is naturally filtered. In addition, Skylemar has a filtration system of our own, because Trickey Pond water is what we drink every day. Interestingly, in blindfold taste tests against bottled water (Poland Springs, Aquafina, Deer Park, etc.), what comes from our lake is the #1 favorite.
Why is Trickey Pond so pristine? In large part, it’s because of us. Since Skylemar’s woods cover most of one side, there are no homes and roads to pollute the lake. There are some homes across, and they are some of the most wonderful neighbors. It’s a solid community, and we’re proud to support the Trickey Pond Environmental Protection Association.
We do our share to protect the lake environmentally. You may have noticed that big green bushes have replaced the sand at the shoreline, to help with catching any pollutants from our dirt road. Our maintenance department has installed “rubber raisers” which divert water from the road into the woods and culverts. It’s fun to watch how they do their job after a big rainstorm.
Temps today were in the 90’s, so Trickey Pond was the place to be. But since we have 350 people here, we couldn’t all go at the same time. Sooooo…. we set up our many hoses and gave it a go! It’s A Wacky Water Afternoon Rotation!
Hoses, sprinklers and baby pools. The giant SkySlide. Water balloons for H2O Baseball. Bubble making too. There’s a “car wash” that you get inside, and best of all, there’s a plunging pool for ice baths.
The best way to make a boy happy is to squirt him with the hose… or with permission, let him pour water over his counselor’s head. We have orange buckets for that. It’s interesting how boys like to be just a little bit daring. That’s where the ice bath comes in. Can you sit in it? Can you dunk? How about with a fresh bag of ice thrown in?
Treat of the day was a Baltimore Lemon Stick — take half a lemon and put a peppermint stick in the middle. The peppermint is used like a straw for pulling up the juice. It’s a lovely combo and perfect for a hot summer day.
SkyPotle for dinner (fan favorite) and Campfire for Evening Activity. There’s nothing better than to see everyone up on their feet performing whatever actions go with the songs or laughing hysterically as they watch a skit. We loved the “Moose Song” and DT’s Repeat-after-me “Burrito” classic. We sang along to “Wagon Wheel” and are amazed when the guys chain-up and sway, shoulder to shoulder. No one asks them to do this. It just kinda happens.
“Day is done, gone the sun”, and we’re ready to bring on a joyful day tomorrow.
As you walk thru the archway at the Skylemar office, a sign hangs that says, “Come as friends, leave as brothers.” That truly is the way it is here.
Sure, there are those you find annoying or frustrating. And perhaps there are some who you prefer over others. Yes, there are times when someone says something they shouldn’t. One may be insensitive, and another might struggle with letting a comment roll off their back.
But when you get down to it, as summer brothers, we do care about each other. When someone hurts or feels sad, we feel it too. As Jack L said in his Meal Minute, someone is always watching out for you at Skylemar. Could be a little guy looking up to someone older, or a counselor watching over their campers. Could be a nurse tending to cuts and bruises, or a chef making sure all are well fed. Could be our maintenance director fixing the screen that a ball magically went through, or maybe a dog greeting you warmly.
One of the warmest and most welcoming places at Skylemar is the Waterfront. Peter Solomon, the world’s greatest Waterfront Director, is also one of those hard-to-find people who’s the whole package: he’s kind, brilliant, sensitive, caring, fun and supportive. Along with his fabulous assistants Lexie, Paige and Quinn, Peter supervises and trains a staff of 20+. Everyone working at Trickey Pond has been Lifeguard certified, and they do whatever it takes to make being in the water safe, fun and empowering.
Some kids come to camp already comfortable in the water. But others may be timid or don’t know how to swim. Rarely does anyone know how to sail or ski before getting to Skylemar for the first time. The staff knows that Skylemar is the perfect place to learn, no matter your level. In fact, the main reason we wear life jackets while playing is so that everyone can have fun on the inflatables, not just the strong swimmers.
The Waterfront Staff feels great when the kids feel great. They get in the water with the boys, patiently explain and come up with creative plans to make things interesting. Whether someone is a beginner or advanced, the staff at Trickey Pond shares the pride when a boy does well.
Tonight’s Viking Pine Cone Auction was Bunk pride all the way. When our Viking leader (Shep in costume) raised his sword, everyone ran across the Golf Course and gathered colored eggs. The eggs became the medium of exchange for each bunk to go home with a prize. Up for auction were t-shirts, indoor and outdoor games (like a glow-in-the-dark basketball and Monster ping pong), gift certificates (breakfast burrito making with Cory) and assorted snacks. Each bunk went home with something special.
As we sang “Taps” tonight, as we do regularly, we thought about so many who we love and are fortunate to have watching over us. Through ups and downs, ins and outs, at camp or home, there’s one thing we know for sure. We are blessed.
It was tough to figure out the weather today. It was hot until it wasn’t. Then it rained until it didn’t. Although we made it through morning activities, by lunch it was a Rainy Day Schedule. There were Lodge Games, Dodge Ball in the Gym, Lego, Cupcake Decorating, Sushi Making and Board Games. Meanwhile, the Freshmen went Ice Skating and the Sophomores took a trip to Mt. Cranmore in New Hampshire.
And then… the sisters arrived for dinner. Brothers were in assorted indoor places around camp, so we needed to do a round-up. Once gathered, they had a cookout dinner inside, and then it was dry enough to head to the Lodge to hang out.
For the rest of us, it was a Band of Brothers dinner. Kids of assorted ages sat as a “BOB”, with the Seniors and Stars doing an amazing job of helping those younger feel comfortable. These occasional gatherings in Band of Brothers groups definitely support getting to know each other. The Tin Foil Boat Building Contest was super fun too. Each BOB got an 8” square of foil, and the idea was to turn it into a boat that would float and hold as many coins as possible. The winning boat held 40 quarters!
On another note, it’s the last week for Clinics of 2025! At Sunday Signups it’s clear what’s on the mind of many as Color War prep dominated the sports offerings. Golf and Tennis will hone the swings a bit more and offer match playing tips in advance of both Camp Tourney and Color War matches. Football and Basketball will both work on game-type situations as they get ready for Red & Gray contests to come.
Those choosing the Waterfront have plenty of options. The Sail Dock includes the full complement of paddle choices besides the sailboats, while the Ski Dock will see many on the long rope looking to sharpen their runs for Color War. The “Trifecta” on the Swim Dock: 1) Catching thrown balls while leaping off the inflatables; 2) Olympic Time Trials to prep for the races ahead; and 3) Trickey Pond Records for those wanting a shot at breaking them. All will get plenty of action. Let’s not forget Fishing on Trickey over at SkyPines, where the season-long contest for which bunk catches the most fish nears the finish.
Lacrosse will focus on the little things that go into being a great team player – ground balls, hustle and other “unsung” things necessary for team success. Soccer will work on footwork and ball control in “El Futbol”. Baseball will play with every ball we have here, except a baseball or softball (i.e., lax balls, tennis balls, beach balls, volleyballs, etc.) in games of fun! And Archery will find those wanting a last chance to shoot before their score really counts in Color War.
Rafiki stopped by to see how many Chilltoppers would like to work with Props, Scenery and Stage Crew on our 2nd session production of “The Lion King”. “Who Let the Dogs Out” will have a different resident canine visit with this group at Shep’s Reading clinic every day, while Yellowhorn’s “Old Favorites” will have the boys reprising their favorite (exploding) experiments of the season.
Track & Field will look to set new records in running, hurdling and shotput. The first camp “Strong Man Combine” will be held in the Strength & Conditioning clinic. And Ziplining with Zippy and the Ropes course crew will give everyone plenty of opportunities to fly through the trees.
By 7 PM this evening we needed a switcheroo on Evening Activity due to the rain. We pulled down the big screen and had an old-fashioned movie night inside the Rec Hall. It’s the perfect place to be on a damp one like tonight.
Heard this today…
While waiting their turn for showers, Bunk 3 was coloring with highlighters at Arleen’s desk.
Arleen: That’s really nice. What’s it a picture of?
Blaine: I do abstract.
Arleen: What’s abstract?
Blaine: It means you don’t know what it is.
… only at Skylemar.
And this…
One of the Lions had a remote appointment with a very prominent doctor in NYC, who is difficult to get an appointment with.
When told what time to be ready, the Lion said, “He’s just going to have to wait. I have basketball.”
… only at Skylemar.
A friend texted today asking “Is Cool2Care still a Camp Skylemar thing?” You betcha. We refer to these three words every day. We have it on our bracelets, wear it on our t-shirts and feel it in our hearts.
It’s not just something that we say… It’s something that we do.
We might not talk about it in every Blog, but you can feel it in what we write. You can see it in the photos – kids genuinely caring about each other. You’ll often see the C2C hand symbol: the thumb, pointer and pinky up, which means “I love you” in American Sign Language. For us, it’s as natural as a peace sign or thumbs up.
In case you missed what it’s about, here’s a refresher. C2C means that it’s cool to want to win and play your very hardest. When you do win, it’s not cool to over-react. Instead, you need to remember what it feels like to be on the other end. It’s the little things that matter, like giving a hand to someone who falls, no matter what team he’s on. That shows that you care.
It’s cool to participate and be a part of it all. Doesn’t matter if you’re good at it or not, or even if you don’t like a game. When you participate it makes it more fun not just for you, but for everyone else.
It’s cool to care about your friends here as well as your family at home. On a bigger level, it’s cool to care about the world around you, and do your best at keeping things tidy and not create waste.
Not sure if we use the term as a verb or an adjective, because sometimes they’ll say “that’s not cool to care” if someone’s rude. For the most part, what we do is try our best to “live the motto”.
Take a look at our Stars, the oldest campers. Today’s Meal Minutes were delivered by Diego V and Jack L. They demonstrated that it’s cool to care for those campers younger than themselves and talked about how proud they are to now be a role model. They thanked those who helped them over the years at camp and reminded all to be someone people can look up to.
For this week’s Cool2Care Chains, here’s what was said about each recipient:
Sometimes it’s the smallest folks that make the biggest impact. This kid does the right thing consistently, whether someone is looking or not. He’s kind, fun, warm, listens well and is wise beyond his years. Paul M (Bunk 2)
This kid always has a smile and positive attitude. He was incredible at the basketball intercamp the other day, showing outstanding sportsmanship, encouraging his teammates, being respectful to refs and congratulating opponents after the games, win or lose. He competes hard and loves even harder. Matthew M (Bunk 18).
Speaking of respecting the refs, today’s POW for Bunk 17 was all about them. POW stands for Person of Wisdom, and basically, it’s a class in something practical that boys need to know. For example, yesterday’s POW was about changing a tire. Soon they will learn to parallel park a golf cart too.
Now back to the refs: Bunk 17’s POW was all about how to be a referee. Athletic Director Mitch is very involved with refereeing in Wisconsin, and he taught the guys about how the job is a lot harder than it looks. Our hope is that through experiences like this one, we’ll all be more respectful to referees when we get home. After all, there is no game without a ref.
The Blow-up Carnival this evening was the opportunity for everyone to participate, and they did. It was like a giant party on Hejduk Field. There was the Mega Obstacle Challenge, the Triple Threat Course, Toxic Lava Run, Dual Sports Bungee Challenge, Gladiator Joust, Sports Arena and Disco Dome — and great music too.
Best of all, there were snowballs, Baltimore-style. That means the ground ice goes in a cup, your choice of flavor (yes, you can have some of each) and marshmallow cream on top.
Blow-up Carnival is a shoes-off event. When you get to the field you leave your shoes in front of the sign that says your Division name. That way you know exactly where you left them when it’s time to go. Like we said, it’s those little things that show that you care which matter so very much.
So many comings and goings. It’s trip season!
Beach Day for the Freshmen! But first, some community service. They volunteered for an environmental nonprofit called Friends of Casco Bay and were assigned to pick up trash at Riverbank Park. Once the work was done, they headed to Crescent Beach State Park for relaxing on the sand and splashing in the very cold ocean. Next it was on to the movie theater for “Jurassic World”. A few who took a pass on the movie instead had a card game marathon with Blake. New for this year is the Portland Hearts of Pine professional soccer team, so the group caught a game at Fitzpatrick Stadium. Lots of fun to root for the home team, especially at such an awesome venue.
The Lions headed to Portland for lobster fishing. They loved wearing the heavy bibs that the lobstermen use and actually got to pull a trap… and throw one in as well. Lots of interesting lobster facts such as — Did you know the ones we eat are at least seven years old? The traps have an opening for lobsters to come in and out of, until they reach the size that they can’t fit through the hole. So over the years the lobsters think it’s a good place to get free food, till that one day when they get too big and that’s all folks. Once the Lions returned to shore, they cooled down in an air-conditioned movie theater for the new version of “How to Train a Dragon”. Then they met up with the Freshmen at the soccer game just long enough to grab some pizza and watch a half. These guys were exhausted.
The Tigers went to Bates College and saw what it was like to be a college athlete for the day. They played a full flag football game on Garcelon Field in the center of campus. Lunch was at The Commons, which Princeton Review considers to be one of the top college cafeterias in the country. Our guys thought it was the best because you could put lots of different kinds of soda into one cup. Funny part for the staff was that there was a psychology conference going on, so our sweaty boys got to mingle with the professors. Then on to the movie theater to see “The Smurfs”. No need to see that one again….
The Acadia Trip was an overnight, which departed long before breakfast. The Juniors reported that the 2.5 hour drive was well worth the ride. As they drove to the Fort Knox historic sight, they had a powerful discussion about rural America and got to see a wide variety of ways that people live. Once at Acadia State Park, they headed to Sand Beach for a giant Junior cold plunge. There were rocks to climb and shells to find. Counselor Leo is a marine science major, so he taught the group a bit about marine life. They even got to see a seal.
Back at the campground, it was chicken quesadillas for dinner. During the campfire, each camper took a turn speaking about who they aspire to be like and why. Quite a few said mom or dad. Dion Sanders and LeBron James were mentioned too. In the morning, they hiked Beech Mountain and took in the spectacular ocean views. They too stopped at the movies on the way back. The new “Superman” gets excellent reviews from the Skylemar critics.
Half day trips have been lots of fun too. The Cubs went blueberry picking at Goss Berry Farm. These berries actually grew on tall bushes, sort of like small trees that were bigger than the kids. They were proud to bring back 65 fresh-picked boxes for the entire camp to enjoy. Blueberries, yogurt and granola are now the most popular part of breakfast.
Some of the Stars had a special afternoon at Camp Sunshine. That’s a camp for terminally ill children and their families, where we have the honor of volunteering. Our guys played with their little ones, and helped with craft projects. Very impactful.
And finally…congrats to Miles B, Oliver G, Elliott SR, Palmer, Ryder K, Jack L who traveled to the Chess Intercamp Tournament. Elliott SR made it to the semi-finals!
Speaking of trips…Bunk 27 learned how to change a tire today. And Bunk 9 learned how to distill water. You just never know!
Heard this today…
After lobster fishing, eating an ice cream cone and spilling something at dinner, a certain Cub refused to change out of his shirt and put on pajamas at bedtime. “But my mother always lets me sleep in my dirty clothes”, he explained.
… only at Skylemar.
And this…
A camper in Bunk 27 (which means there are 8 possible teenagers) comes into the office and says, “I need the thing that covers my mattress.”
“You mean a sheet?” Cory asks.
“Yeah,” he replies. “I think that’s what it’s called. It’s the thing with the four corners and one of them always pops off.”
… only at Skylemar.
To be a dog at Camp Skylemar is a pretty sweet gig. Plenty of pets, pats and belly rubs from the boys. And if you get the opportunity to be in the Pavilion after a meal, there’s a plethora of scraps to find under the picnic tables. Trickey Pond’s great too. It may be extra hot wearing a permanent fur coat, but nothing feels better than a doggie-paddle on a steamy day.
The little Cavalier Spaniels are the oldest, and they like to be held. That’s Cubbie, named for the closet we keep our clothes in, and Trix, named so because “Trix are for kids”. Moose is the well-behaved Newfoundland, and Moxie is the one that’s not so much. She’s a 140-pound puppy, now in her “teenager” phase.
Summit is the blue-eyed Siberian Husky, who would run to NY if let off the leash. Finn is the joyous Golden Retriever, who seems to always be smiling. Ruby, who belongs to Lexie and Mitch, is an obedient Golden Doodle, who spends much of her time at the lake. Mello’s another perfect little pooch, who’s a therapy dog for the Infirmary.
And then there’s Slugger, the ultimate camp dog. He’s the Frenchie who thinks he’s a camper. You see, Slugger absolutely positively loves balls.
Tennis balls, lacrosse balls, volley balls, soccer balls. If it’s round and it rolls then he loves it, surprisingly far more than a piece of cheese or any dog treat. Even just a picture of a ball gets him excited.
Slugger’s happy to ruin a lacrosse game or interrupt a basketball game. Put him on the court at the end of a tennis period and it’s like a kid in a candy store. He overflows with happiness – there’s just so many balls to pick from!
This brings us to today, when we faced a challenge… and Slugger had the solution.
Tennis Director Ted complained as he does every year that many of his balls have “disappeared”. He knew exactly where they were… in the cabins, in the woods and on the paths – wherever a boy tossing a ball could end up leaving them. And here was the solution….
During Rest Hour, bunkmates collected balls and wrote their cabin number on each. The more balls you collected the more chances your bunk had to win. At 3:15, the whole camp came to the Bunkline Field, tennis balls in hands. Slugger was waiting.
On the count of three, everyone threw their balls at the same time, and Slugger was elated! Whichever numbered ball Slugger ultimately grabbed and brought back to the crowd would be the cabin to win an ice cream party. Lucky Bunk 24 was written on the one Slugger picked… and lucky Ted – he now has 300 more balls back in his hopper!
In the post-game wrap-up we did hear some stories about creative strategies. Our favorite was the guys who gobbled up some beef jerky so that they could roll their tennis balls in the jerky crumbs. Was that you Bunk 24?
Another super fun all-camp game played today was the Super Duper Game Show for Evening Activity. It was Divisions playing against each other, answering trivia questions and performing stunts. Questions that we were surprised players knew the answer to included: Which country went to every single World Cup? Brazil. What country has won the most winter Olympics? Norway.
The stunts were the really fun part. Counselors from each Division got to do marshmallow catching and the Oreo-on-your-forehead-and-into-your-mouth stunt. Another one involved turning your counselor into a mummy with toilet paper. The very best came last. One brave counselor and two campers from each division came to the stage and were given a can of shaving cream. The task was to use the shaving cream to give your counselor a new hairdo in under two minutes. Special thanks to counselors Ava E, AJ, Cozmo, Brock, Chase and Zac. This proves that you truly will do anything and everything for the boys of Skylemar.
Almost in a league with the Navy Seals are Skylemar’s special forces. 40-strong, this elite group of master minds are able to inspire and motivate, plan and execute, organize and lead. Frankly, they leave many of our warriors in the dust.
They are the SkyWomen.
On one hand, they are sugar and spice and everything nice. Each is truly beautiful, inside and out, and the boys and staff adore them. On the other hand, they command respect and are of the highest integrity. They understand the rewards of doing for others, and demonstrate compassion, dedication and a get-it-done attitude. As we like to say… they “get it”.
Each is a specialist in a particular area (like Waterfront, Chilltop, Basketball, Volleyball, etc.), but also has a clear understanding of doing whatever it takes to make the Skylemar machine work. MVL’s (most valuable ladies) often work behind the scenes (like in the office, bus driving, or housekeeping), with the intent of making others look better. Let’s just say that this is the squad we count on to make the magic happen.
Honestly, it takes a certain type of girl to work at an all-boys camp, and it’s not for everyone. We get five female applicants for every one male, so it’s tough to get a job at Skylemar. Having brothers at home does give you a bit of a “leg up.” When we ask, “how do you feel about burping and farting?”, their reaction gives us a clue. Laugh and you’re good to go forward. Come across as uncomfortable with the question, then a boys’ world just isn’t for you.
They juggle their specialty with NBC (non-bunk counselor) duties, like putting the kids to bed, helping them clean, sitting with them during meals, and so forth. They’re extra good at noticing the little things about each camper — like who wore the same shirt two days in a row, or who might feel a little left out.
Most importantly, they truly love each Skylemar boy. They give these guys the most valuable gift – their time. Together they play games, read, talk, laugh, solve problems and celebrate successes. They are the greatest big sisters and summer moms that anyone could ever ask for.
They take care of your sons (as well as their camp director) in the most incredible ways, and figure out ways for each to succeed and be proud of himself. There is one thing we know for sure…no camp in the country could ever be as lucky as Skylemar.
Like the biggest star in the Sky, our world shines brightly, thanks to Lillie, Paige, Mary Beth, Abby, Suzie, Rachel, Lexie, Holly, Kristen, Sam, Margie, Luci, Cory, Leslie, Maya, Calais, Ava E and G, Roxy, Leah, Karina, Cassidy, Bella, Hannah, Lauren, Annabelle, Kate, Mindy, Ami, Marianne, Nadine, Brooke, Betty, Mary, Vicky, Joni, Serena, Heather, DJ and Toppa.
These gals are the greatest!
Grandma, Mimi, Ga and Honey. Grandpa, Poppy, HaHa, Pap Pap.
Ducky, Kiki, Pi, and Gigi. Abuelo, Fubby, Pep and Big Daddy.
Grandy, Cucu, Bubbie, Yia Yia. Grumpy, Papa, Cat Grandpa, Papou.
Lolli, Gigi, Suggie, Grammy. Pop, PeePa, Ollie, Gdaddy.
Po Po and Ghong Ghong, Nona and Nono.
Didu and Dudu, NiNi and YeYe.
Malu and Juan Papa, Halmoni and Harabouji.
We call them by assorted names, but for Camp Skylemar, grandparents are our MVP’s. After all, none of our remarkable boys could have been invented without them. These extraordinary role models are our superheroes, advisors and cheerleaders, who love our boys forever and always.
Ask anyone here about grandparents, and their face softens with a special warm glow. Ask the Cubs and Lions questions about them, and your heart might just melt.
Question: What does your grandmother do all day?
Favorite Answers:
“She shops.”
“She goes to restaurants.”
“She does something in Florida.”
“She’s a therapist. She makes people talk.”
“She hangs with her friends and plays Bridge.”
“She does plants.”
Question: How about your grandfather… what does he do?
Most Frequent Answer: “He golfs.”
Cutest Answer: “He eats.”
Most Honest Answer: “He naps.”
They share that Grandmothers “cook really good.” But it’s when they spill the beans on Granddad that we see the twinkle in their eye. “He talks to me about sports”, “he lets me watch TV”, “he taught me how to gamble” and “he always sneaks me candy.”
When asked, “What do you like best about your grandparents?”, several said “they let me have sleepovers”. One said, “they never yell” and another said, “they’re always proud of me.” A few said, “they let me stay up late.” But most importantly, many kept it simple and said what matters most: “They love me.”
So favorite Nanny’s and Pop Pop’s, Mom Mom’s and Grand PaPa’s or whatever you’re called, please know that we’re grateful.
Whether you’re nearby or as far away as heaven, we ask for your blessings. Please watch over us always, and know that we love you to the Sky and back.
One of the best parts of Skylemar being just for boys is that it’s old-t-shirt, worn-in leather-couch comfortable. It’s all so easy – just be kind, be eager to play and smile. That’s really all it takes. Of course we play to win, but when the game doesn’t go your way,’ you know you can get back at it tomorrow.
It’s a boy’s world here — the food (lots of it), the sports (shirts optional on a hot day), the movies (Minecraft), the songs (loud) and the bodily noises that get them all laughing. Best of all, nerves seem to disappear when you’re part of a skit or a show or even just speaking in front of the group. At Skylemar, you can let your guard down and be yourself.
You see it in the counselors for sure. Those who were more reserved the first few days of staff training now feel totally at home and are willing to do just about anything to make the kids smile and laugh. Take tonight’s Super Spectacular Staff Talent Show. Most of the acts were the kind of things we all do when we’re in the car or shower singing along with the radio, feeling like our voices sound pretty darn good. There were skits, songs, raps, dances and sports tricks. Sam O showed how strong he was by lifting campers. Jayden sang so incredibly that we felt like we were at a live concert. And those guys in colorful costumes and crazy hair who worked the audience singing “Let It Go”…you just had to be there.
The counselors brought this same kind of positive energy to Sunday Signups Even Though It’s Monday. A full slate of Clinic activities for the coming week were “advertised” today by their practitioners (AKA Counselor/Staff who specialize in each). Each commercial is an effort to entice the campers to choose their activity for the week, many with great creativity and humor.
Here’s the rundown of the choices:
The Ski Dock will host a “2nd Session Refresher” for those that just arrived, while the Sail Dock’s “Americas Cup” will focus on jibing and tacking skills. In between the docks, The Swim crew will hold a Lifeguarding clinic, and of course, offer lots of fun on the inflatables.
“MB Dox and Rocks” will bring Chilltop (Arts and Crafts) to the Ropes and Challenge course for climbing the Wall, hunting for rocks, then painting them. Archery will find campers “Hunting Big Game” on the course in the woods beyond the targets.
There’s Baseball “Face Off”, a focus on pitching and hitting, and our Volleyball squad will work with our most interested diggers and setters. The Football staff entertained us with some awesome touchdown celebrations, perfect for getting to work on your own in “Catching TDs and Making Big Plays”. Lacrosse for those wanting to join the formidable “Legends of SkyLax” will target shooting, defense and goalie play. With netminders in mind, “Goalie Wars” sounds like a blast on the Hockey rink.
Over at Sky 2, Fishing will have anglers casting at SkyPines. Strength and Conditioning in the Gym continues to work on proper form, working with kettle bells as they move to techniques in dead lift and bench press. Sprinting and Hurdling in Track and Field fill the rest of the fitness offerings this week.
Hoops has “All Star Challenge – Beat the Professor”, where all who sign up will test their skills in ball handling and shooting — with a chance for prizes in both 3-point shooting and dribbling contests against their coaches. “Everything Soccer” needs no explanation and remains a popular choice.
Shep’s Reading clinic will rediscover the works of Dr. Seuss, an all-time favorite! SkyDeck will go “Around the World” to teach a bit of cooking and sampling from all over, limited to the Tigers division (bunks 7-12) only this week.
Golf will again focus on the fundamentals of the swing, with plenty of chipping and putting on and around the green. Finally, the Tennis courts on both sides will be full of those prepping for the last Intercamp matches, and our own Camp Championships.
Hardest part is choosing!
Come as friends. Leave as brothers. That’s what it says on the arbor as you enter Camp Skylemar.
Today we welcomed 80 new friends from Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Texas, Maine, Colorado, California, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Florida and Washington DC. Those who traveled especially far came from Venezuela, Austria, Mexico, England, Spain and France.
It feels so very great when everyone finally gets here. Many thanks to those at home and camp who drove, flew and escorted, and did whatever it took to get the boys safely to Skylemar.
As the drivers arrived, the sky opened up, thunder rumbled and down came sheets of rain. It was a scramble to get duffel bags inside, and instead of the kids coming to greet, we brought the new friends to the indoor activities.
Program Director Barney scrapped his outdoor plan for the day and instead pulled out a Rainy Day Rotation. Groups went from one building to the next, with super fun activities in each space.
There was Catapult Building in the Rec Hall. Once each group created a catapult, there was a contest for whose worked the best — mighty impressive structures!
Lego – the best toy a boy could have, and we have lots of it! Even the counselors are excited to play with our mountains of pieces.
Lots to choose from at Board Games in the Pavilion, Garden Cabin and Batcave. All the classics – Monopoly, Life, Trouble, Uno. Each year we get the new ones too, but these stand the test of time.
What’s not to like about Cookie Baking? Best part is you get to eat them too.
The Lodge was a fun place to hang. Here there are pool tables, ping pong, foosball and darts. Dodge Ball in the Gym was also a blast.
By 8pm the rain had stopped, but it was too damp for an outdoor campfire. So we had one indoors. Too warm for the fireplace, but Cory had a better idea. While all the campers sat in Crazy Creek chairs and watched, she sprinkled Fritos (which Adventure Man taught us made for a decent firestarter) on top of some counselors. Then a fire-breathing dragon took a great big breath and “lit” the flames. Turns out it was a human fire, made of Ky, Andy and Rook, dressed in orange, yellow and red.
We sang “60’s Party” with Cory, which is an opening tradition. Then came the best part. Bunk 25 did a synchronized swimming routine. They entered wearing bathing suits, goggles and rain jackets. Off came the jackets and they “dove” into the blue tarp “pool”. Arms up, fan to the side. Feet up, big kicks. More swan dives. But the funniest part was the noises they made as they “swam” the wood floor. Let’s just say they did anything for a laugh, and that they received.
Back by popular demand, counselor Eli K led us in the “Aroostasha” song. It was great to see everyone, even the guys who just got here, laughing, singing and doing the hand motions.
George, Barney and DT added a SNL-type skit called “Session One Update”. Then Nick led the Cool2Care segment, where the guys of Bunk 30 talked about the Cool2Care moments that stuck with them. For example, Eli said that during a baseball game a younger camper struck out three times. He was crushed. One of the oldest guys, who wasn’t even on either team, walked up and said, “You didn’t give up… that’s what matters”. Max said, “It’s not always big, dramatic stuff. Sometimes Cool2Care is just a high five, a saved seat, or a look that says, ‘You’re not alone’. We all have the chance to live it every day. Be the reason someone feels included. Be the reason someone smiles. Be Cool2Care”.
The all-camp song was a fantastic version of “Let It Be”, with Cory on the piano. As we sang, the positive energy vibrated in the sturdy walls of our beloved Rec Hall. It was a safe, warm feeling of community tonight.
There were lots more at the Campfire, likes s’mores of course. Adventure Man came, showing all of his gadgets. He taught how to go down an incline when you don’t want to fall. Instead of going sideways, dig your heals in and go ahead.
Can’t wait for tomorrow. Heard that the sun will be shining!
Of course, it made sense. The most beautiful day of the year was saved for the greatest parents in the world. There was so much love in the 04055, it was if it overflowed into the bright blue sky.
Boys of all ages leaped into outstretched arms of excited moms and dads. Little brothers and sisters were lifted into the air. It was a round of meaningful hugs for all!
Now let’s get to it — time to show off! There was Hoops and Tennis, Gaga and Hockey… Lax and Soccer, Baseball and Football, too. On to Trickey Pond for Skiing and Sailing – hurry up, there’s so much to share. These are my counselors, here are my friends and that’s my bunk. Let’s go!
Down the hill and now back up. Whew! Thank you, hayride.
Lunch at noon gave the chance to finally sloooow down. Whether you picnicked on a table or on a blanket, enjoying a casual meal together was extra special today.
Still more time to show off in the afternoon, although the pace felt just a bit slower. Our guys definitely know how to tire out the grownups. The clock struck three at just the right time. Hugs, see-you-soons, a few tears and then…
IT’S CARNIVAL 2025!
The fields were filled with inflatable obstacle courses, axe throwing (the pretend kind), slides, things to jump in and the always-a-favorite dunking booth. The chefs invited all into the big kitchen for fried dough, but first you had to dance to get some.
Power showers, 7th period and finally…Movie Night. The kids love sitting outside together to watch whatever movie’s trending, and the adults love that the kids are sitting.
Thank you to all who made it to Skylemar today. For those who were unable, rest assured that your son was just fine, and promise he was lavished with love and care as well.
As Shep made his nightly rounds, he found not a tear in the house. Just a whole lot of absolutely exhausted boys, counselors and a couple of camp directors.
Despite minor interruptions like trips, intercamp games, power showers and letter writing, the show must go on. And it sure did! “Finding Nemo” was a smash hit on the Skylemar stage.
It’s amazing what our magical Drama Director Suzie can make happen in just a few weeks. Singing, dancing, music, acting, set design, lighting, costumes, learning lines and best of all, lots of fun. That’s theater, Skylemar-style.
Congratulations to an all-star cast, including Shay, Ethan P, Nolan, Quinn C, Ethan V, Cooper E, Eli D, Jonah P, Jake P, Sawyer, Levi, KJ, Henry Z, Jack G, Noah W, Seth R, Lajuan, Lincoln, Sam S, Kash, and Alfie. Counselors Ed, Frog, Noah, Wyatt and Ben were great as seagulls too.
The best part of a Skylemar musical is watching how much fun the actors have on stage. They do an amazing job of learning so much in a very short time. Well done, everyone. The audience loved it!
Also on stage tonight was Bunk 19, who led Spirit Night. Shep read an inspirational story about two-time Olympian gymnast Aly Raisman, whose brother was a Skylemar camper for many years. Here’s a side note that Shep didn’t share: When she was in her first Olympics, the Raisman family went along to London, while Skylemar watched on TV. We were all so proud of our SkySister! The timing was such that our Final Banquet fell on the same day as Closing Ceremonies. Despite the celebrations surrounding Aly winning the gold, brother Brett, our camper, really wanted to be back to the US for Final Banquet. So… Aly’s father did whatever it took to get on the first plane he could with Brett, rented a car and drove for hours, pulled into our parking lot and Brett ran to greet his bunkmates for dinner. Meanwhile, dad took a well-deserved nap in the car.
Point is, and the one that Shep did talk about, is that a parent’s love for their Skylemar boy is bigger than the biggest of the big. Tomorrow is Parent Visiting Day, when many get to perform for their parents on the fields, courts and lake. It’s the opportunity to show love for those who are visiting, and also the opportunity to show love towards those who don’t have visitors.
We look forward to welcoming the greatest parents in the whole wide world to Camp Skylemar.
They say that parenting is the hardest job in the world. We beg to differ. Being a Skylemar camp counselor might just be a whole lot more.
You see, becoming a parent is almost always a slow process. In most cases you have nine months to prepare, and then the rest comes gradually, year after year. For the most part, parents have a whole lot of time to figure it out.
As for a camp counselor…he had just two weeks to get ready. Then…BAM! The kids appear and they’re already seven, or ten or thirteen years old. Not just one to care for, but WHAMMO… Septuplets!
For a cabin of six, that’s 192 teeth to get brushed morning and night, and way too many times to nag about wearing sunscreen. There are shoes to find and socks to pick up. There are beds to make, a floor to sweep and a toilet to clean. Try doing that with all of your kids in the house.
Sometimes there are tears to dry and poorly timed questions to answer. A fair share of arguments to settle, especially between “brothers”. Lots of directions to repeat, and repeat, and repeat. If only they’d listen, a camp counselor thinks. Sound familiar?
There’s no privacy for a counselor, no home office to hide in or video to keep the kids occupied. No master bedroom with the bathroom adjacent. Just a kid-sized cot for a full-grown man, and bathroom shared by the whole family.
Some counselors are quiet, some are loud. Some are “chill” (as per the older guys) while some run a “tight ship”. Some take to the job naturally, while others have more of a learning curve. Some who grew up with us are experts at all-things Skylemar, while a few might forget that they are now the adults who must do whatever it takes to care for those other than themselves.
No matter the style, we know for sure that each Skylemar counselor truly cares for those under his wing. Like you, they hurt when he’s sad and worry terribly when something doesn’t seem right. They call them “my kids” and feel a tremendous sense of pride when one of their own conquers a challenge.
Just like a parent, every once in a while, a counselor loses his cool, or perhaps says something in frustration. Those are the times that they ask for a “re-do”, and almost always do what it takes to clear the slate and trrrrrryyyyy again.
A counselor learns far more in a summer than any college course could possibly teach. Not only have they learned about caring for others and what it takes to keep them safe, but they also master the arts of negotiation, self-discipline, strategy and organization. Take it from us, if you’re looking to hire, these are the finest.
Their shirt says it all. “Staff For A Summer — Hero For A Lifetime.” It’s for these heroes we are eternally grateful. We love them to the Sky and back… and hope you will too.
Ann Arbor, MI… Knoxville, TN… Madison, WI and Charlottesville, VA – homes to four of the most prestigious state universities in the nation. Today, all were well-represented in Skylemar’s 78th edition of our Intercollegiate Day.
If the temp for this competitive day had begun to rise with yesterday’s 5K Relay and Boat Races, Mother Nature stepped in to cook us up a bit more. After the usual morning routine, IC Day Marshall Nick Shep called the Michigan Wolverines, Tennessee Vols, Wisconsin Badgers and Virginia Cavaliers down to the Snow Field for the official start of this time-honored tradition. Nick explained how the day would work, with each of six Divisions competing in 6 uniquely formatted team events. Only the Dash and the Seniors/Stars Long Drive competition would have a select few individuals represent their schools. Then, for Evening Activity, each university would take the Skylemar stage to perform a set of Songs & Cheers with the entire day’s results producing the eventual winner of IC Day 2025.
And the Dash started us off in front of a raucous crowd supporting each of their sprinters. Winners included Wisconsin’s Bodhi, Max R and Max P, while Tennessee’s Lionel and Alex Sw also impressed with blazing runs to the finish line. In the oldest Division, Nabil (Virginia) ran away from the pack to claim the podium’s top spot as the “fastest man in camp”.
After the Dash, each Division begun a rotation through their 6 activities for the day, with a midday break for lunch. The morning vibe was electric, with fun-filled excitement at every venue.
In the afternoon, all gathered in front of the Rec Hall only to be “wowed” by the majestic drive that won it by Wisconsin’s Matthew R. Off to another Songs & Cheers rehearsal (the boys have been practicing for 3 days) and some rest, before attacking the afternoon activities with refreshed energy. It seemed unlikely on such a hot, steamy day, but the rousing school spirit continued to build for each team as the day went on, and the yelling and cheering, hugs and high fives were non-stop throughout. Of course, it helped that the 90’ Skyleslide as well as Snow Cones were available to all participants as they moved in and around the various activities all afternoon. The events were not only competitive, but most importantly as was heard all day, lots of fun. Here’s a rundown:
The little guys (10U) favorite, Steal the Bacon, contested though in all 6 Divisions. Clearly, the older guys really miss the game based on their enthusiastic play. As in all the other contests, each “sport” was bracketed with a semifinal and final to determine the winners.
Blacktop Hoops felt like a Final Four in each Division, with highly competitive basketball action in 4 on 4 and 5 on 5 play. Buoy Ball, another Skylemar favorite, had the boys competing on the Middle Diamond and Fred Pierce Field, and seemed to generate the most noise as runs were scored with each swing of the (buoy) bat. There was a Gaga tourney, using both sandpits, and Volleyball too (Newcomb for the youngest group). Finally, World Cup Soccer provided some of the closest, most exciting matches of the day. Best of all, each and every camper participated in all 6 events – now that’s really something!
When the daytime activities had ended, the score was so close that all 4 teams had a legitimate shot to win it all. Exactly 50% of the scoring remained for tonight’s Songs and Cheers, as everything thus far accounted for the other half.
The counselor team leaders have been writing original songs and cheers since late June when camp began, but that’s only a small part of how much they put into tonight’s performance. They not only write the songs, but they have to somehow teach the words and tunes to their boys, all with just a few total hours of practice. It’s a monumental task. The late-night hours of collaboration and creativity leading up to this night seem impossible – yet for 78 years, they get it done!
And they did it again. Under a beautiful Maine sky, each collegiate team took the outdoor Rec Hall stage to perform five songs: Team Fight Song, Original Team Cheer, Camp Cheer, Old Camp Song, and an Original Camp Song. The performances were a treat for all, and the spectators and entire Skylemar community responded with heartfelt applause and appreciation for what was presented. Each state university represented today would be proud of all the boys for a fantastic competitive atmosphere filled with teamwork, sportsmanship and fun.
And the 2025 Intercollegiate Day winner is …. the University of Tennessee Volunteers!
If there’s one thing we hope that a boy brings home from Skylemar, it’s an attitude of gratitude.
It starts with the little things, like manners in the buffet lines. There are typically 10 stations (main course, two sides, two options, pasta, sauce, wow & jelly, salad bar and dessert). As a boy approaches each server, he says “yes, please” or “no thank you” every single time. Yes, every single time.
Everyone matters most at Skylemar, and we appreciate each person’s contribution to our community. Shep frequently recognizes those behind the scenes, like the maintenance department and those who work in the very hot kitchen. One day Fernando, a groundskeeper, was surprised that some kids asked him to play basketball when he was weed-whacking nearby. Our response: So did you play?
The natural beauty around camp is something we never take for granted. Ed and his maintenance department (Marc, Jimmy, Fernando, Mary, Betty, Myron, Vicky, Jonathan, Toppa, Emilio, DJ, Heather and Jeff) take tremendous pride in keeping everything looking and working just right. Then there’s Kristen, our horticulturist, who puts her heart and soul into every flower and all things Skylemar. Seeing beauty in every direction definitely has a positive impact on our mood and well-being.
Speaking of well-being…everyone appreciates our nurses and doctors. Where else besides Skylemar do you have a talented medical team available to you round the clock, with no appointment necessary?
We cheer for friends and staff members at least a hundred times a day and give public shout-outs after meals. When someone has the nerve to speak to the whole camp in a meaningful way, they are given a standing ovation.
Take today, for example. Three meals and three Meal Minutes, thanks to Bode, Eli and Tristan in the Stars Division. Through their words, they truly demonstrated their attitude of gratitude.
Each spoke about their camp experiences, and what they learned over the years that they wish they had realized in the beginning. For example, Bode learned that we should advocate for ourselves, that there’s always an appropriate time and a place, that your past does not define you, that it’s a good idea to ask people questions about themselves, and that you don’t always have to be the loud kid who is the center of attention. The audience appreciated his advice, and gave him a standing O.
Eli talked about his earliest years at Skylemar, and how at first, he didn’t always participate because he was worried about not knowing how to play the game well. He now knows that you can’t let your fear get the best of you. He said, “At Skylemar, everyone wants you to play.” He found that he enjoyed himself much more when he gave it try. He said, “Don’t fear something new, but instead take it as an opportunity to have more fun. Who knows – you might really like it”. The audience appreciated his honesty and guidance, and gave him a standing O.
Tristan, our only camper from France, spoke about how scared he was when he came to Skylemar for the first time. He was all alone in a country that spoke a different language. He had to remind himself that he trusted his parents to find the right camp, where he would be well cared for. He spoke about how grateful he was for every staff member and camper, who patiently answered his questions and made him feel welcome. We adore Tristan and are grateful that he and his parents took a chance on us. Standing O!
As for Skylemar parents, these are the ones for which we are most thankful. We are confident that each of us here have won the lottery by giving us those who love us more than anything imaginable. Although for some it can be hard to say, we know that each Skylemar camper is grateful to those at home for the opportunity to be here. Your camp directors thank you to the Sky and back, for sharing with us your most precious possession.
Today we were especially grateful for Nick Shep. He has spent a tremendous amount of time creating some exciting new elements to our Intercollegiate Day program. He kicked off tomorrow’s big day with two newfangled events: The 5k Relay and the Cardboard Boat Race. These were the first points-earning opportunities, so the team spirit was evident in both exciting races.
The 5K Race had kids running from the furthest points of our 200 acres, and everywhere in between…a 3.1-mile track meet! Congrats to Noah K who was the first to cross the finish line. On the pond, the Boat Race was as entertaining as it was competitive, as all 4 state university teams (another first) wildly cheered on their paddlers. Three of the four collegiate vessels actually made it cleanly across without a piece of the boat, or their “captain”, from falling off! When it was over, the Volunteers of Tennessee had claimed both events, and will take a lead into the full day/night of activities tomorrow. More then, stay tuned!
Most of the time things are juuuust right… like when our sisters who attend nearby camps come to visit. The siblings give each other warm hugs, have dinner together, meet friends, play tennis and hang out til it’s time to go. They’re happy to see each other, then seem equally happy to return to routine at their very own camp. Perfect.
The 30-minute drive, the one hour hike, and the 1.5 mile trek up Douglas Mountain was ideal for the Cubs and Lions today. At the top was an observation tower built by the former owner of the land, who donated the property to the town for all to enjoy. The view was spectacular, and you could see as far away as Portland. They talked about the Latin phrase that was carved into the stone — “Non Sibi Sed Omnibus”. That means “not for oneself, but for all”. Now that’s C2C!
Also “just right” is our Stars Division. This is a group who truly takes advantage of the leadership opportunities offered at Skylemar. The younger guys look up to them, and the Stars just about always remember the importance of this.
A Meal Minute, which takes place during announcements after a meal, gives any Star who wishes to do so the opportunity to practice public speaking. The Stars camper writes his own motivational message about something related to camp and presents to all. Way to go, Palmer and Noah, who both did a fantastic job.
As mentioned before, the older guys also lead their own Band of Brothers, which puts them in charge of 12-14 kids of assorted ages for a special dinner. After the meal they painted flags with their team insignia and played a giant trivia game. The insignia is also on the bracelet each camper proudly wears.
Now for the twists and turns of the day…
As mentioned yesterday, the Intercollegiate Cardboard Boat Race was supposed to be today. The oldest guys on each team got together to make a boat out of cardboard, duct tape and trash bags for their college team. The whole camp was supposed to go down to the lake to watch the Stars “sail” their boats, but 13U and 15U Hoops as well as 11U Soccer were a bit delayed and still competing at another camp. So the schedule was adjusted to instead do the race right after dinner.
The North Atlantic Wrestling Association Show was to be our evening activity. A giant ring was set up for this on the Mini Lax Field below the hockey rink, and all were excited to see these pros perform. There was a 30% chance of rain, but multiple weather apps seemed to guarantee we had a window of time to stay dry right after dinner. So the Boat Race was again postponed, and we headed straight from the meal to the wrestling ring.
But this time Mother Nature outsmarted the weatherman. Buckets of water poured from the sky, so back inside we went. It was disappointing to miss two fun events right after the other, but you know Shep always has a Plan B.
It’s a Tootsie Roll night! Bunks sit together at their table, and those in Tootsie Roll costumes hand out laminated playing cards to each group. The game is played like Bingo, with Shep (also dressed as a Tootsie) calling out the cards (i.e. “Nine of hearts!”). Get three in a row, and you holler “Tootsie Roll” to win. Prize is…you guessed it. Even though Tootsies are nowhere near as cool as Sour Patch Kids, tonight they were extra special. You would think they were playing for gold!
Heard this today…
Walking with several of the Cubs, Lions and Tigers after Strength & Conditioning Clinic, they were discussing braces and palette expanders. “I’m getting braces,” Keats proudly affirms. Pointing to his front teeth he innocently asks, “See how these two are social distancing?
… only at Skylemar.
Heard this today, too…
While playing “Would You Rather”, the question was asked “Would you rather be royalty or a Rockefeller?” “What’s a Rockefeller?”, one of them asked. “I don’t know”, said another. “Maybe it’s a rock collector”, said the wisest. (names withheld to protect history teachers).
… only at Skylemar.
We’ve talked about Cool2Care, and how it’s the motto we live by at Skylemar. We try our best to be kind, respectful and care for others. But here’s the thing. We’re regular people so we also make mistakes.
There are times when we might say something that offends someone, or we maybe leave a bunkmate out of a game. We might forget to listen and could even come across disrespectful. That’s when we apologize, and trrrrrryyyyyy again.
At Skylemar, there are three steps to an apology. You feel sorry, say you’re sorry and do something to show you’re sorry. It seems harder to do than it turns out to be, because we’re big on fixing mistakes.
Every time someone digs deep and shares how they’re feeling, it brightens our world. Take this morning for example. Peter made a big announcement: The record has been broken for Polar Bear Swim! 98 bears from the older half of camp swam this morning. If you add in the staff involved, the total number rose to 150!
When Peter finished congratulating, tennis counselor Ulrich took the microphone. In front of all, he thanked swim counselor Annabelle for helping him to make it across the lake. Ulrich, a varsity athlete in college, was brave enough to share with the whole camp that it wasn’t until he got to Skylemar that he learned how to swim. He made us all feel proud.
It’s Sunday Signups! New Clinics were advertised today. Lots of popular favorites, and some combinations that seemed to spark quite a bit of interest. For example, our Soccer and Baseball staff will run a Skylemar Kick-ball week which sounds like lots of fun.
Chilltop will take their creative energy down to the Sail Dock for Boating and Bracelets. SkyDeck and Yellowhorn will join forces for Food Science, a unique way to explore what they’ll eat. On the Tennis courts, the focus will be on footwork, positioning and tracking the ball to better your game.
With a couple of intercamp matches this week, Volleyball will prep both the 13U and 15U squads. Lacrosse will cater to our younger guys who just love having a stick in their hands. Kettlebell workouts are on the Strength and Fitness docket, while Track and Field will focus on running (sprints) and throwing (shotput and discus) techniques.
Rumor has it that Robin Hood will make an appearance at Archery. Shep’s clinic, Skylemari Safari, is a “backlot discovery” of the many behind-the-scenes places that you don’t usually see at camp. They’ll tour the entire maintenance department, visit the big kitchen, go in attics and basements. Those who sign up for US Open Golf clinic will shift from the practice tee to plenty of on-course match play.
The Football staff will welcome those who want to learn in game-like situations. Pistol Pete Hoops is where ball-handling and dribbling under pressure will be the main focus on the Basketball courts. Down on the Pond, both the Swim and Ski Docks will be as popular as ever. “Splish Splash Sports” off the Swim Dock will include basketball, volleyball and 3v3 water polo along with plenty of time on the inflatables. The Ski Dock will be focused on advanced skiers, boarders, and surfers.
The most entertaining commercial was for the Super Awesome Chocolaty Fudge Mega-Coated Specialty Ropes Course Clinic. Lots of fun in the treetops! All sorts of options … with something for everyone!
More Sunday news: It’s the Intercollegiate Day Kick Off! The big day is Wednesday, but preparations started after dinner. It was exciting for campers to find out their college team — either Wisconsin, Tennessee, Michigan or Virginia. The teams will be competing on the fields, courts, waterfront and stage. Song practice started this evening, and they already sound amazing. We can’t wait for the Cardboard Boat Race tomorrow!
On a misty Saturday morning at 6 AM, 55 polar bears are spied in Trickey Pond!
Ranging in age from 7 to 10, the giant pack is accompanied across the lake by 42 lifeguards, kayakers and boat drivers. It’s a half mile swim across, and everyone wears a life jacket just to be safe. Once on the other side, you end up at Nate and Benny F’s house, which is directly across from Skylemar. High fives and donuts await, and then the motorboats bring you back to camp in time for breakfast.
Being a Skylemar Polar Bear is a tremendous accomplishment. We’re grateful for each camper who gives it a try, as well as to the many staff members who sacrifice sleep time so that the kids can succeed. The older half of camp has their turn to swim across tomorrow.
Throughout the day it was activities as normal, but there was something out of the norm. For the one and only time this summer the schedule read “Welcome Camp Fernwood” in the 6th period slot.
Here’s the story…
You may have heard the old folk tale about a farmer who complains about his noisy house to a Rabbi. Rabbi advises bringing chickens inside. He does it and the house is even more chaotic, so he goes back to the Rabbi. Rabbi says to bring in a goat, he does it, it’s worse, and again he returns. Rabbi says to bring in a horse. Same thing happens and he’s told to bring in a cow. And on it goes until it’s unbelievably loud and there’s no space left. What should I do, he asks.
The Rabbi says to now take all the animals out of the house. He removes each, one by one. It gets quieter and calmer, and when he’s left with his own children, it’s SO very silent and serene. He never complained again and lived happily ever after.
This story “checks out”, starting at 5:00 this evening. Before then we always thought our house was loud. But afterwards, when the beautiful ladies from Camp Fernwood came over for dinner and a social, our house got a whole lot noisier.
After dinner, we got through “the awkward stage” with the Super Duper Counselor Game Show: Fernwood Edition. It was our counselors vs theirs, for trivia, hula-hooping and egg toss. Everyone loved cheering for their own.
Sky II had a beach party with Fernwood’s oldest, while the rest of us hung out on the front lawn. There was volleyball, badminton, mini golf, pickleball, ladder ball, cornhole and frisbee. Chilltop was packed with boys and girls, making bracelets and watercolor paintings. The ladies dominated Karaoke, but everyone sang along. For some Sky guys this just wasn’t their jam, so they stuck together and tossed a ball as usual. But others kinda huddled in small packs — and together got the nerve up to talk to a group of girls. Those with sisters at Fernwood gave our guys the extra boost of confidence.
Towards the end there was some sharing of phone numbers (but they don’t have phones…) and some trading of bracelets. When they loaded the buses and drove away, we felt like that farmer in the story above. Skylemar…is now…so…very…quiet.
At least for now!
Lots of Intercamp action the last few days. We hosted an 11U Baseball twin bill and sent teams on the road in 12U Basketball and 13U Soccer. On the Fred Pierce Field, the 11U group was led by the pitching arms of Morgan, Colin, and southpaw Jonah P. At the plate, Bradley C was the clear star, smacking a home run over the Freddie Pierce fence into the right center field trees to become maybe the youngest Skylemarian ever to do so – amazing!
In Hoops action, Lance led all scorers and rebounders while Nidal proved to be like a coach on the court, handling the ball and running the offensive show. Alex B (B13) was shouted out for not only his hustle on the court, but his inspirational team spirit from the sideline.
In Soccer, the 13U squad were led by goal scorers Ignacio L (4 goals), Sam P (twice), and Nolan. David G was outstanding in the net delivering back-to-back shutouts – and the team brought home our first championship trophy of the season! Congrats to all participants who wear the Red and Gray with such pride, displaying the tradition of Skylemar spirit and sportsmanship no matter the results, and wherever we go!
Meanwhile, several trips have gone out too. There’s been several successful overnight campouts at Sebago Lake State Park. The park’s just a few miles away, but it feels like much farther. There’s a nice campground, bike trails and a shallow beach to splash in.
The Sophomores took a trip to Morse Mountain, a research and conservation area in Phippsburg, Maine. They hiked four miles! Every camper had the opportunity to lead the pack and set the pace. When their turn was done, each got to name a specific way they would try to live the values of Cool2Care when they got home. Elliot R (Bunk 21) said “I’ll accept that change is a natural way of life”. Henry Z (Bunk 19) said “I’ll do a better job of going to bed when I’m told”. Deep stuff!
After the long trek they finally got to their destination. The ocean… and water that was absolutely freeeeeezing! Super fun to talk yourself into going in. The ice cream stop on the way home was the ideal way to end a fantastic day.
The Tigers went to the Ossipee Valley Fair. It’s a good old-fashioned event, with animal exhibits, oxen-pull, and a frog jumping contest. Of course… we had to enter, and guess what? Beckett (Bunk 7) was the champion! He came home with a blue ribbon. Some of the boys thought this would be a good activity for camp, but where in the world do you get giant frogs?
At this evening’s Spirit Night, Roshan K and Elijah E were awarded the Cool2Care chains. Two great guys who take advantage of every opportunity on the fields and courts, while also truly caring for others.
The Sermonette was given by counselor Patrick (aka RPG in Bunk 10). Patrick, a college football player, talked about the challenges of spraining his ankle a week ago. He said:
“This made me realize something very quickly that I hadn’t thought of before. When you come to Skylemar, you’re more than just a camper or a staff member. You’re a part of a family that shows unconditional caring, love and kindness. This family accepts your weaknesses and strengths, and builds you up and helps you grow not only as an athlete, artist or student, but most importantly, as a person. We all have the ability to grow and nurture one another so we can all be our best”.
He ended with a quote that his dad often used: “Show me your friends and I’ll show you your future.” From what we’ve got going on here the future’s looking bright!
Heard this today…
While getting his feet scrubbed by hard working, brave staff “volunteers” who run The Spa at GACU, Caleb D lays back in his rocking chair and says, “Can I just stay here forever?”
… only at Skylemar.
There are just two rules when it comes to the food at Skylemar: 1) It has to be delicious; and 2) You can never ever run out.
With a combined 83 years working here, Head Chef Jr, Superman, Benjamin, Jairo, Julio, Tony, David, Byron, Miguel, Juan and Cesar make up the staff who know exactly how to get it right. Plus, they know how to keep a kitchen sparkling clean. Just ask the Health Inspector who visited last week. “Beautiful”, he said.
After decades of cooking for growing boys, there are a few things we know for sure. For example, the way it looks, and the texture makes a big difference. Always keep the sauce separate. Have plenty of options. Boys like to know what’s happening next, so Shep tells them the meals the night before. Quality definitely matters.
In fact, there’s lots that we do from a quality standpoint that our “food procurement consultants” say is “crazy” from a cost perspective. For example, we crack our own eggs (900 for scrambled) and make homemade meatballs from scratch. And ‘lots’ is what we prepare. It costs $9,800 per day to feed the Skylemar family, and well worth it too.
We’re excited to share some great news — this year the boys have eaten more vegetables and fruits than ever before. We’re talking double! In one afternoon the salad bar alone goes through a treasure chest-sized bin of a spring mix, romaine and iceberg lettuce combo, 110 cucumbers (most popular), 85 tomatoes, plus much more.
The Senior Staff serves the food, which gives 30 of us the chance to see each boy in one of four buffet lines, at least three times a day. Abby and Bella are in charge of special diets and picky eaters. They custom make meals for those with dietary restrictions in a way that makes them feel just like anyone else. They’re also great at coming up with an agreeable option for those with limited “likes”.
There’s definitely something for everyone in the buffet lines. If you don’t like the main entrée there’s pasta, with sauce and parmesan cheese on the side. Just about all of our boys like pasta with butter, with many adding some parm. Only a few take the sauce, notes this pasta-server. We make 40 pounds as a side dish, and 100 pounds for a full meal. Bowties, penne and spirals leave spaghetti in the dust….
180 WB&J’s, cut into triangles, get made in a day. That’s Wow Butters & Jelly, since we do our best to be peanut-free. Our panel of experts determined that when it came to taste, texture and appearance, Wow Butter beat SunButter hands down. Plus the name is really fun to say.
Mexican is our most popular category: tacos, burritos, quesadillas and Skypotle. Italian comes next, as in pasta, lasagna and pizza. Asian is third, with chicken lo mein, egg rolls and beef with broccoli the highlights. Then there’s good old American, with chicken tenders, steak subs and grilled cheese right at the top.
In addition to all the old favorites, newcomers to the menu these past few years are “Bowls”, which are super popular. There’s Teriyaki, Asian and KFC. It’s a big black bowl that you fill yourself. Ingredients for Teriyaki bowls include rice, chicken/steak, edamame, carrots, broccoli, cabbage and wonton crisps. The Asian bowl has lo mein noodles and broth, plus the add-ons above. KFC bowls are Thanksgiving dinner (21 turkeys) leftovers – roast turkey, real mashed potatoes and gravy.
Caesar Salad is always a hit, and we go through a huge quantity. It takes 72 heads. Here’s the secret recipe to try at home : Toss romaine in garlic powder — add Ken’s Pepper Parmesan dressing (not Caesar) — toss again — add parmesan cheese — add homemade croutons…. and toss again.
Jr’s grilled chicken is always perfect, every time. Both kids and adults love it because it’s plain yet flavorful, and never too dry. First, a chicken breast is cut horizontally… then in half, and pounded just a bit. It’s marinated overnight in Ken’s Italian. Each piece is grilled just until charred, and then into the warmer it goes (which would be the same as an oven with a pan of water in the bottom) at 100 degrees for 2 hours. This process makes it juuuust right!
MPD (most popular dinner) goes to Wing Night. They come in two flavors of buffalo: “hot” or “not” — 600 pounds for just one meal.
Lots more secrets to share when it comes to feeding our amazing boys, so you’ll have to stay tuned. Thank you, Kitchen Staff!
If you really want to know the Skylemar ethos, you just gotta check out the Talent Show.
Tonight’s show included 32 acts! That meant a total of 57 campers were brave enough to go on stage and perform in front of the entire camp. Some acts were super impressive and proved that Skylemar really does have talent. Some…not so much, but lots of fun, nevertheless.
None of the performers seemed the least bit nervous, and they comfortably danced and sang as if in their own living room. Well…that’s because they were. It’s just that now they have a couple hundred brothers along.
Every act got cheers, applause and whistles. The audience was attentive at all the right times and joined in the laughter with those on stage cracking up. You see at Skylemar when the performers have fun, the audience does too.
Participants of all ages and abilities took the stage, and each act was celebrated for whatever it was. Take the wide age range of piano players for example. Alfie is in Bunk 2, Seth F is in Bunk 5, Campbell’s in 13 and Asher’s in 24, and the audience loved them all.
Intrinsic rewards went along with performing. Plus, there’s a tangible incentive as well. Everyone who went up on stage got to pick a trinket from The Super Prize Bag… even for a friend who held the microphone too. Judges named the Top Prize Winners at the end, and all received a very coveted, staff t-shirt.
In addition to the pianists, here’s some of our most talented:
Ethan P (Bunk 2) and Micah (Bunk 6) were the very first singers. They sang “Waving Through the Window” and were amazing. Grant (Bunk 16) was impressive singing, “Country Roads”. Sawyer (Bunk 20) sang an incredible acapella version of “What a Wonderful World”. Nolan played the ukulele and sang along to “Hey There Delilah”. Amazing!
Ryan Frumin (Bunk 18) blew us away (no pun intended) on the trumpet. He played the theme songs to “Jurassic Park” and “Home Alone”.
Lots of magicians in the house. Best part about card tricks is that they always start with “May I have a volunteer?”. Hands shot up everywhere with excited ‘Oooh! Oooh!’ and ‘Pick Me! Pick Me!’ echoing all around. Nice jobs — Hunter (Bunk 17), Luke (Bunk 13), Declan O (Bunk 5), Alex B (Bunk 3), Bash (Bunk 12) and Grady (Bunk 18).
Talented, or perhaps not so much, included:
Jack M did leg farting. What’s a Skylemar Talent Show without bodily noises? Some acts never go out of style!
It’s one part Shep, one part all the counselors, one part older kids … and it becomes contagious. Immediately the rest of the camp catches it. And that’s how we make it Skylemar….
It’s the vibe! It’s the cheers and laughter. It’s that upbeat positive atmosphere that you feel most of all at Skylemar meals. Yes, our boys are loud. At meals it’s a happy, feel-good, joyful kind of loud. There’s the silliness of the little guys and the sarcasm of the Sophomores and in no time everyone’s laughing.
We cheer wildly at post-meal announcements. It’s the kind where you stand up and maybe even jump up and down. Like today it was announced, “Laundry’s back!”. The crowd roared with delight! Bet you don’t get that at home after you do a load.
The laundry service here is a luxury that would be nice to have year-round. The boys toss dirty clothes into their Bongo (a popup hamper), because we’ve learned that more clothes end up in the right place if they can “make a basket”, as opposed to opening a draw string laundry bag.
Sunday is outgoing laundry day. That’s when you empty your Bongo into the specially designed laundry bag, and it gets taken away in a big truck. Here’s what makes the bag special — you fill it from the top, zipper it up, and on the side there are straps to turn it into a backpack. But that’s not all….
The truck comes back two days later (today), and your bag awaits on the porch. Once at your bed, this time you open it with a three-quarter zipper on the long end, like a suitcase. Inside are your clothes, nicely folded and in perfect piles ready to go in your cubby. It’s magic!
More great news today: Arlington and Lance have won the Green Arrow at Archery! Everyone clapped and cheered. “He’s in my bunk!”, someone hollered.
Wing Night for dinner! ” Yeeeeaaah!!!” they roared. Even the ones who don’t like wings were clapping.
Barnicus and Laundricus came to announce the winners of the Clean 300. It’s Bunk 11 and Bunk 26! Yes, Bunk 26 – clean 14-year-old boys! Definitely something to cheer about!
Now on with the day!
Cubs and Lions went on a trip to Pineland Farms. They had a barnyard tour, and learned about the animals on a working farm.
Bunk 26 volunteered at the Naples Food Pantry. They were a huge help carrying cases of food that would be distributed to thirty-some families in need. The regular workers were very appreciative of the extra hands, and raved about how polite our boys were. We hope to do this every week.
It was activities as usual at camp, but the humid air felt like a storm was brewing. And it was. By afternoon there was thunder and rain, which meant routine safety procedures for staff. When the weather’s in question, all are called to their cabins with counselors, and Senior Staff are assigned to areas of awareness. There are always 30+ handheld radios on air at any one time here, so we can easily communicate. Communication at a time of need is one of the reasons our counselors do have cell phones in the cabin. Sure, that may mean that they’re texting when they shouldn’t be, but for us, safety takes priority. Turns out it was just a passing storm, so on to dinner. Pizza, pasta and salad tonight.
“BESTEST” was the Evening Activity. Lots of cheering at this one! It’s a competition by Division. The MC gave a prompt, and each Division selected volunteers to perform the response. Here were the prompts:
Show us your “bestest”…
– Impression of a mosquito hitting a windshield
– Impression of a hibachi chef
– Air band performance
– Impression of a fish being caught in Trickey Pond
– Handshake between three members of your team
– Best impression of an argument between a zip tie and a roll of duct tape
Where do they come up with this stuff?
Heard this today…
Assistant Director Cory gave 7-year-old Kash a high five at breakfast. His hand was covered in syrup!
…only at Skylemar.
What’s Murph Monday? It’s what the brave, strong and dedicated do at 7 AM. You run a mile, do 100 pull-ups, 200 push-ups, 300 squats and then run another mile. It’s fine to break up the exercises 5-10-15, and then do that set 20 times. Wowza. Congrats to Max P, Asher, Dillon F, Nate F of Bunk 24. Eli D, Jake P, Ignacio L of Bunk 26, and Iggy, Leopold and Marc T of Bunk 27 and Yago of Bunk 28
As usual, the Clinics Commercials were lots of fun to watch. The counselors really try hard to put on a show that makes everyone laugh, and hopefully entices campers to sign up for their Clinic. Today we kicked off: Long Rope Skiing, Farm-to-Table Skydeck (today they picked basil and tomatoes and made Caprese salad), Wimbledon Tennis, Reading Road Trip (when you read in lots of different places), Props & Scenery for “Finding Nemo”, Football Plays, Splish Splash at the Waterfront, Back2Back Lax Champ U15 Practice, Golf Under Pressure, Intercamp Take Down Baseball, Drop It Like Its Hot (as in things like watermelons. etc. from high up in the Ropes Course), Learn to Sail, Pass-Set-Spike Volleyball, Soccer Shooting, Robin Hood Archery, Cohesive Hoops and Strong Man Conditioning.
Leaving Sky for the day were the Freshmen who went on a day hike. They headed over to Arethusa Falls in New Hampshire. It was an uphill trek for 1.5 miles on a very balmy day, but well worth it when you got to the top. Trip Leader Mitch said the guys were amazing and stayed together as one group the whole time. No complaints up or down.
Intercamp Tennis here at Sky and Soccer game away. Meanwhile, the first two foursome’s of the year headed to Bridgton Golf & Country Club.
Also “intercamp”, but definitely not a game, was the social with a nearby girls camp for the Seniors. For the younger guys here, it was Rock Gardening at Chilltop, where they painted a special rock for the garden in front of their cabin. Way to go, guys!
“I said a boom chicka boom”, goes the favorite Campfire Song! It was a super great night at the Ring of Champions. DT’s “Burrito Song” was a huge hit, and Myke did a dramatic reading of a Drake song. We sang “Country Roads” with Cory on the guitar. The audience chanted “Aroostisha! Aroostisha!” so counselor Eli had to perform a reprise of last week’s song. It’s a good one, for sure. Adventure Man taught us all how to build a shelter with garbage bags.
Bunks 1 & 2 did an adorable skit called “Invisible Bench”. Sammy J came out, and squatted like he’s sitting. Ethan said, “Hey, Sammy! What are you doing?”. “I’m sitting on an invisible bench. Come join me!”, Sammy urges, and Ethan squatted next to him. The rest of them came out one at a time, reciting the same lines, and squatted next to the others. Alfie followed with the punchline, “They moved that bench last week!”, and all fell down. That’s our kind of humor!
At Skylemar, it’s rare that someone knows the time of day, let alone the date. No need for clocks – we go by our stomachs. If we forget, there’s a bugle for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and a reminder for snack on the way to Third Period.
For the most part, time flies at Skylemar. But because our “year” equals six weeks, everything is magnified. So much gets packed into daylight hours that a day basically equals a week, and a week therefore equals a month.
Our calendar is planned far in advance, and each day is meticulously orchestrated by Barney, to the point where every one of our 350 people here know exactly where they should be at any moment of time. But as happens in the regular world, things come up that we don’t expect. Therefore, we always need to create the following: Plan A, Plan B and Plan C.
Here’s an example…The camp had been booked for a 6 PM Seadogs game since the schedule came out in the winter. Hundreds of tickets were purchased, 7 buses and drivers were reserved, and the entire staff was on duty so that there would be a ratio at the ballpark of one or two boys for every staff member. That was Plan A. Things were to go pretty much the same way they had for the past 35 years.
Then on July 4th, the day when the bus company was closed, we find out that the time of the game had been miscommunicated, and it was actually going to be played at 1pm. Although the Seadogs were apologetic and offered for us to attend on an alternate night, that would mean complications with staffing. Sticking with the 1pm game also meant we’d need to change the buses, which didn’t seem possible since it was already a holiday weekend. Sherlock Shepherd (aka your camp director) texted with a friend of a friend of a friend, and ultimately got the cell number of the bus dispatcher. We rearranged buses, changed the daily schedule, switched around meals, sprayed every child with sunscreen and loaded the buses for the hour drive to Portland. That was Plan B.
Turns out today was the hottest day so far this season. There was a breeze at camp, but nothing in the ballpark. Seats were sweaty, faces were dripping and even the Seadogs announcer reminded the crowd to hydrate. Although the campers were their joyful selves, Shep could sense sunburns and “the crankies” coming. It was way too blistering to enjoy a game. After giving it a four-inning-try (about two hours) which was enough time for the kids to spend their $30 on ballpark food, the decision was made to rally the buses and head back to camp.
Plan C: Once we were home sweet home, we had to get these guys cooled off. Amen for Trickey Pond. We grabbed swimsuits and headed to the lake for quick dips. The dinner menu was changed to build-your-own Super Subs, with chilled watermelon and orange slices for dessert.
After a long day with our energy zapped, Evening Activity as planned was postponed. Instead we did what any good parent would do. We put on a movie (wink wink). All will sleep well tonight.
Let’s take it backwards…
After a day filled with good, hard play, we slowed it down with Spirit Night for Evening Activity. It’s a weekly time when the camp gathers together on the Rec Hall field for a non-denominational service focused on gratitude, love and appreciation.
Each week a different bunk gets to lead Spirit Night. Tonight, it was Bunk 24. First, we sing “We Meet Again in Gladness” and then the opening poem is read. The candle is “lit” (battery operated), and the responsive reading goes like this:
“We light this candle in fellowship with our friends. We light this candle with love for our families. We light this candle in gratitude for all those who have helped us. We light this candle in hope of peace, kindness and compassion. We light this candle to reach out to those in need. We light this candle for those who are not here now. We light this candle to see within and brighten our days ahead.”
There’s a Prayer for our Country, and we sing a patriotic song. This week’s reading by Shep was about the courage of Margaret Bancroft, who was a pioneer in educating those with special needs. We say a Prayer of Thanks and silently send out positive energy to those we love at home while Cory plays the piano.
Tonight’s “Sermonette” was presented by counselor Eli K. of Bunk 14. Eli was a Skylemar camper for seven years before becoming a staff member two years ago. He read a selection of his college essay, which reflected on his experience as a camp counselor. He inspired us with describing how he never let his medical condition define himself at Skylemar, and encouraged us to face challenges, try something new at camp, push yourself and then push a little farther. Wow – now that’s a Skylemar counselor.
Next came Nick’s Cool2Care presentation. Cool2Care (C2C) means that it’s cool to care about yourself, others and the world around you. It’s cool to want to win, because it’s important to want to do well. No matter how it turns out, you gotta keep it classy. Nick explained that in every sport you either win or you learn. Losing gives you an even bigger opportunity to get better.
Nick read a number of the C2C cards out of the C2C Cooler. When you notice someone demonstrating kindness, you can write an acknowledgment and leave it in the cooler. Two campers were awarded the highest weekly honor – the Cool2Care Chain. Despite the big age difference, both are campers who similarly care about others and go out of their way to make others feel good. Both Nico PH in Bunk 29 and Ethan P in Bunk 2 truly make our Skylemar world a better place.
Speaking of Cool2Care, remember those red money boxes that were sent home in the spring to collect coins for our favorite charity, “World of Change”? The director of this children-helping-children nonprofit came to camp with his special “World of Change” truck. It’s sort of like an old fashioned toll booth on wheels. The boys tossed in their coins, and soon we’ll find out how much we collected.
Continuing backwards…
Earlier in the day was when we “practiced what we preached”. Here’s how that went down…
The U10 Steal the Bacon Tournament held here at Skylemar is always one of the most exciting and spirited of the year. Several camps attend, and there are numerous teams. Our campers and their coaches practice for this and put their heart and soul into winning. Despite it all, this was one of those times to learn instead of win. In true Skylemar form, we kept it classy. Starting tomorrow we take advantage of the opportunity to get better. STB 2026 belongs to us!
How do we celebrate the 4th of July at Skylemar? We start by cleaning up! It’s GACU – The Great American Cleanup. Shep calls it “the trifecta of clean”. First you take a power shower, next head over to The Spa, then it’s on to the Infirmary for a health check.
Where is this Skylemar Spa you might ask? It’s on the porch of the Garden Cabin. Mellow music plays, cucumber water is served, and the boys sit in rocking chairs. Their dirty, yucky feet go in tubs of water and then our warrior “manicurists” attack with nail clippers. Many thanks to Adam, Rook, Ellie, Karina, Leah, Maya and Sam who went above and beyond to get the job done.
Weather conditions were perfect for every activity on the courts and fields, with low humidity and clear skies. The wind was strong, which meant that the lake was choppy — perfect for tubing and sailing (and capsizing…). Meanwhile, the Tigers went on a trip to the Maine Wildlife Park. It’s a refuge for over 30 species of local wildlife that can’t be returned to their natural habitat.
Dinner was delicious at the Band of Brothers Kickoff: pigs-in-a-blanket, barbecue chicken, corn on the cob, sweet peas and Greek salad. In addition to a bunk and division, each camper is assigned to a “Band”. It’s sort of a family within the overall camp family. Each Band has a few campers from every age group, with two Stars as their Leader. It’s one of the many ways that kids of all ages get to know each other at Skylemar, and it gives the older guys the chance to serve as role models for those younger.
There are 12 bands: Bears, Owls, Wolves, Deer, Bald Eagles, Otters, Loons, Foxes, Moose, Lobsters, Bats, Dock Spiders. They officially get together for occasional competitions, Evening Activities and special meals where each Band sits together as a group.
Tonight’s competition was the “Spaghetti Mini Marshmallow Challenge”. The goal was for each group to build a tower as tall as possible. Twist was that only the little guys in the Band could do the building, while the older ones did the coaching. Congratulations to the Loons – 26 inches tall!
After a traditional “7th”, the choice period with about 15 options, we headed down to Trickey Pond for a very special celebration. Everyone was seated by bunk on either the beach or docks, where we enjoyed Patriotic Popsicles (red, white and blue). Music played and we all sang along (i.e. “Born in the USA”). The counselor Belly Flop Contest was hysterical. Way to go, Preston, for being the champion.
When the sky got dark it was time for Skylemar’s fireworks display. This spectacular display is shared with all our wonderful neighbors on Trickey Pond. Many thanks to our good friend and pyrotechnician Greg who lives across the lake.
Nothing like a July 4th miracle! Ten days ago, during Staff Orientation, a lost black dachshund was first spied at Camp Skylemar. Since that sighting, the family has come daily, calling his name. Staff members have been looking across our 200 acres (we never told the kids, of course), but at this point it was assumed the little dog moved on to another location. With the smells of Skylemar’s chicken grilling and picnic tables with nibbles underneath, the assumption was that if the dog was here, at this point he would have been seen again. A week has passed with no sign of him.
Then comes the miracle…tonight Sebastian was found underneath the Skylemar Rec Hall! Program Director Barney and Waterski Director Quinn were the heroes who crawled on all-fours and did whatever it took to rescue the pup. Goes to show you should never give up!
It’s the hottest ticket on the East Coast. The waiting list is 364 days long — definitely the place to see and be seen. Hours are limited, so you must be on time.
Leaving the Bellagio in the dust, it’s the one and only gambling casino where the house never wins. It’s…
SADE’S PALACE!
You must be under 16 to enter.
No money? No problem. All gamblers get $100, plus unlimited credit.
Dine without reservations. The menu is exclusive, with just one frozen specialty available in chocolate, vanilla or strawberry.
All the beer (root beer, that is) you can drink, and it’s on the house.
Step right in and check out the star-filled gambling hall. Sightings tonight included Mickey Mouse, the cast from the “Wizard of Oz”, Mario, Yoshi, Bill Nye, Belle and her Beast and an Angry Bird. Also spied was George Washington, Abe Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson, Harry Potter, Hermione and Ron. There was Linguini from “Ratatouille” along with Vector and Minion of “Despicable Me” fame. Moose and a Moose, and Bumble Bee, plus the real Shep, too. Lots of other interesting and good-looking stars showed up, with all the above clothing courtesy of the one-and-only Suzie’s “Costume Attic”. No wonder security was so tight.
The floor was abuzz with activity. There’s Blackjack, Poker, Wheels of Fortune. Bingo, Craps, Roulette and Dice games. Slot Machines, Checkers, Guess the Jelly beans and Fortune-telling too.
Don’t know how to play? No problem. Most of the dealers didn’t either. They made up the rules and did whatever it took to make sure that the customer always wins.
There was cheering and laughing, excitement and amazement. The crowd stayed on the edge of their seats to learn who had won the 50-50 raffle… it was Luke S of Bunk 29! Then, the drum roll played in suspense of the announcing who won the Guess the Jelly Beans contest (how many in the jar?), and the winner…. Dae of Bunk 11! Yes – Dae was awarded all 1,662 colorful beans!
The patrons played to win… and win… and win some more! And then….
What do you do with a giant wad of Skylemoney? You go to the gift shop of course. This pop-up’s packed with imports from faraway lands. Squishy balls and whoopie cushions. Hacky sacks and wind up teeth. Yo-yos and sunglasses. Inflatable footballs, basketballs, soccer balls and baseballs. Guitars and saxophones too.
9:30 PM and that’s all folks. See you next year!
If you want to be the coolest parent in the world, it’s important that you know what you’re talking about. Here’s a cheat-sheet of assorted “SkyLingo” to set you up for success:
C2C – Our motto, aka Cool2Care.
Sade’s Palace – It’s tomorrow night… lots of casino fun for those 16 and under!
Drip – hand sanitizer…. you “drip” into buildings and before you eat.
Happy Hour – the sixth period of the day when Seniors and Stars have a choice of supervised “hanging out” time, or can head to the waterfront.
Foot Patrol – Counselors assigned throughout the day to make sure that everyone is where they’re supposed to be.
STB – Steal the Bacon. It’s a game you’ll hear more about soon.
GACU – A weekly health check, that stands for Great American Clean-Up.
Looney Tunes – the seven counselor teams this year… Tweety Bird, Road Runner, Taz, Bugs Bunny, Foghorn Leghorn, Yosemite Sam and Road Runner.
S&C – Strength and Conditioning with Coach Tom
PSH – Power Shower Hour (self-explanatory)
SkyDeck – our fabulous outdoor kitchen for learning the culture, cooking and sampling of some amazing international cuisine,
Chilltop — the place for creativity… home to all kinds of arts and crafts.
Batcave – Luci and Cory’s office.
SkyPines – a fun-filled overnight stay in tents near the Sky II waterfront.
Polar Bear – pre-breakfast morning swim across the lake.
IC Day – Intercollegiate Day…. a one day event when our four college teams compete on and off the field
Color War – may not seem unique, but never make the mistake of adding an “S” and calling it “Color Wars”. That might be ok at other places, but Skylemar guys take these intensely competitive days in August very seriously. There’s no messing with this name.
DT, DRC, H, MB – Daniel Thomas, John D’Arcy, George Houghton and Mary Beth Fedirko.
Frog, Bones, Beags, Barney, etc., etc.– nicknames for those Staffers who’ve been here the longest.
The list goes on and on…!
Hot, humid and so much going on! The schedule was jam-packed in all Divisions…Cubs: Bunks 1-3, Lions: Bunks 4-6, Tigers: Bunks 7-12, Freshmen: Bunks 13-18, Sophomores: Bunks 19-21, Juniors: Bunks 22-24, Seniors: Bunks 25-27, and Stars: Bunks 28-30.
Lots of firsts today as well. Marcus W (Bunk 11) caught the first fish of the season, and it was a big one!
The Tigers took the first trip of the year, to Ice Skating in Bridgton. That’s a town about 15 minutes away that has an ice rink located at a boarding school. The cool air and slippery ice were perfect for such a steamy day. Skating with Skyfriends is super fun, whether it’s your first time or one of many.
The premier play of the 2025 season is “Finding Nemo”. Those of all ages were invited to try-out, and Drama Director Suzie had the difficult job of deciding who gets what part. It’s tough because there’s a lot of talent in this house.
First bullseye at Archery! Congrats to Henry Z!
Pontoon Party Night for lucky Bunks 1 and 2. That’s when you take a cruise around Trickey Pond to see the other side of the lake, probably for the first time. It’s a relaxing way to spend 7th Period, and the snack menu is appropriate…Swedish fish.
The camp-wide Scavenger Hunt was an awesome and high-energy Evening Activity. Teams were made up of an older Bunk combined with a younger Bunk. Each team had to unlock the clue at a particular location by finding specific items, answering trivia questions or performing a stunt. For example, to unlock Mary Beth’s clue they had to bring her a pair of Nike sneakers, two blueberries and a pair of colorful sunglasses. They had to dance the Macarena, show five different letters in ASL and figure out how many years Mary Beth has been a teacher.
One more first — the first Intercamp action of the season saw our 15U Soccer club play a trio of games in a round-robin tourney on the road, finishing with a win a loss and a tie. Coach Spencer lauded the total team effort, led by 7 different goal scorers – well done boys!
In any one Skylemar day there’s a whole lot of learning going on. Certainly, we learn how to build relationships and live together as a community. We learn about what it takes to be a good friend, take care of ourselves and the importance of doing for others.
There’s lots of games that may be new to many, and the counselors are amazing at passing on the knowledge of their particular sport. The boys discover that Skylemar’s a great place to take safe chances, like trying a new activity that you’ve never done before or even one that you’re not so great at. That’s why the daily schedule is a combination of assigned periods, along with a couple of electives. The boys are encouraged to give all a try.
The best kind of learning is fun, and that’s the world of Skylemar. For example, this morning the camp welcomed Barnicus and Laundricus, the Warriors of Clean, with the traditional chant: “clap clap CLEAN…clap clap CLEAN…!” The two warriors spoke about Cabin Inspection, and what it takes to keep things tidy. Each bunk has a Job Wheel that moves one space to the right each day, assuring that everyone has a particular job while things are kept fair. The Warriors called on Dr. Jeff to speak, who told us about what it takes to keep ourselves healthy. This included how to do a self-tick check, which means paying attention to creases behind the knees and elbows, as well as our hair and ankles. Ticks are rare here because of our robust eradication program, but it’s important to check, especially after a day hike off premises.
Shep did some teaching at his Porch Times. That’s when your bunk takes a break from sports and instead, hangs with Shep and has a treat of Scooby Snacks. He asks lots of questions (like “what was your favorite activity so far?”) and always has an important message to share. Today’s was about the “golden rule”, and how to treat others. If you hear someone being unkind to someone else, it’s your responsibility to stand up and say, “that’s not cool”.
Good decision-making is something else we learn about at Skylemar. We talk about the big long-term decisions that matter most, but on a daily basis, it’s mostly about the little ones. For example, each week we have Sunday Sign-up, when the kids decide which Clinic to choose for the week ahead. The sign-up is a special event within itself, because the counselors do “commercials” advertising what they’re offering. Just about all of the skits are hilarious and include dances and even some mind-blowing acrobatics.
For example, this week’s choices include: “Ninja Warrior Course & the Monster Challenge” at the Waterfront, “Sultans of Swing” through the trees at the Ropes Course, “MVP Hoops” Basketball, Snow Field Soccer, “Baseball Basics” with Professor Good Coach, “Mad Science” at Yellowhorn, Beach Volleyball, “Cultures and Cuisines of South China” at the Sky Deck kitchen, “Koolio and his Ski Dock Llamas” Waterskiing, “Reading Pirates”, Poster-making and other Sea Dogs Merch at Chilltop, “Full Pads” Lacrosse, “Sail the Seven Seas”, “Ground Strokes Week” Tennis, “Swingmasters” Golf, “Nitty-Gritty” Football, and Steal the Bacon.
Which would you choose?
“GOOD MORNING, CAMP SKYLEMAR!” roars one of the nation’s greatest sportscasters through the speaker in every cabin. That’s the voice of the one and only George Simeon, producer and director of “The Morning Show”. It’s sports radio at its finest, second in ratings only to The Rich Eisen Show.
The talent is spectacular and includes any Skylemar camper who wants to wake up extra early and shout out the national sports scores. “Extra early” comes easy to the younger half of camp, while most counselors and older guys prefer to just listen to the show from the comfort of their cozy bed.
At 8:00, the reveille bugle blows letting all know “it’s almost time to wake up”. At 8:10, a second one signals that “it’s now time to get moving”. The flag is raised at 8:30, then off to breakfast we go.
Today it was stacks of pancakes, eggs, oatmeal, cereal, yogurt, WOWBUTTER & jelly sandwiches and fruit. There are four buffet lines, so all are fed in record time. The 30+ directors and department heads enjoy doing the serving at every meal, giving each the opportunity to interact with every camper and staff member. Music blasts and the vibe is high energy and lots of fun.
At the tables, the morning paper awaits. It’s called the Daily Schedule, and it’s a complete step-by-step blueprint of how the day will look. The schedule is carefully crafted by Program Director Barney and is so precise with specific staff assignments that it takes him about eight hours to create every day. There are five assigned periods, two more choice ones, plus a big all-camp Evening Activity.
Once breakfast tables are cleared and after Shep’s Morning Announcements, all head back to the bunk for clean-up time. Beds are made and each member of the “household” has a chore, like sweep, dustpan, sink, trash and the never-ever-popular…toilet. Today was just a practice – inspection will start tomorrow. The boys do give a try at cleaning, but for most it’s not exactly their “jam”. Secret is that while they’re at First Period, our adored housekeepers come and re-do the bathrooms. Thank you, Vicky, Mary and Betty!
Bunks 1-12 were at the Waterfront, with swim level evaluations, boat rides, kayaking and splashing about. Meanwhile, others were at Baseball, Football, Basketball, Golf, Volleyball, Tennis, Lacrosse and Challenge Course. In the afternoon there was Archery, Gaga, Soccer, Track & Field, Chilltop (crafts), Ping Pong, Yellowhorn (outdoor science) plus more. In between it all was Rest Hour, when you hang in your bunk but hardly ever actually rest. There’s Power Shower Hour too, and the name says it all.
Tonight’s Evening Activity was a weekly favorite – Campfire at the Ring of Champions. It’s a night that’s upbeat and filled with laughter. Lots of repeat-after-me songs with body actions, like “60’s Party”, “Aroostasha” (ask your son for a demo) and a hysterical sun dance skit. Cory, with her beautiful voice, played “Wagon Wheel” on the guitar, and we all sang along. Nick explained the meaning of our motto, Cool2Care, and taught us the Skylemar sign of brotherhood: pointer and pinky finger up with other fingers down. It means “I love you” in sign language. Powerful stuff for a bunch of guys.
A campfire just has to have s’mores of course. Adventure Man came to visit too. He taught the whole camp how to make a skivvy roll, and how the best fire starter is Fritos wrapped in a napkin. Who knew?
Now this was a DAY! The weatherman said it was a rainy one in the 04055, but we didn’t mind. Here at Camp Skylemar hundreds of happy smiles and warm hugs kept us feeling dry.
Planes were late and driving was slow, but oh, so worth it. To see old friends jump into each other’s arms while 100+ counselors fully focused on welcoming the new guys was truly special. Kinda like positive energy was what poured from the sky.
It was the Skylemar way, starting from the airport, bus or car. In fact, one travel group created their own sort of baseball game using the silver numbered posts in an empty boarding area. Sorry about that, Southwest….
Back at camp the games were in the Lodge (ping pong, pool, foosball) and Gym. There was drawing and painting too. The welcome signs were especially amazing. A giant tarp filled the Rec Hall, with bins full of Legos dumped on top. There’s nothing like Lego to keep boys and college students busy.
Dinner, by tradition, was heaping helpings of spaghetti with homemade meatballs, plus fresh, hot garlic bread… salad bar, too.
After a super fun Evening Activity to introduce the staff, all headed back to the cabins. It was like coming home, because counselors had spent all of yesterday making beds and unpacking belongings.
As Shep made his first round of “good nights” for 2025, he found most tucked snug into beds. Some were whispering and giggling, while others listened to the chapter books that their counselor read aloud.
Day is done, and all is well. It was an exciting and exhausting one, and we can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings!
After three weeks of training, practicing, teaching, role playing, setting up, unpacking, laughing, playing, connecting, moving, listening and learning…
Skylemar’s amazing counselors are ready to Welcome Home
the greatest guys in the whole wide world to the 04055!
Bittersweet, they call it. On one hand, it’s the saddest day of the year in the Skylemar nation. Saying goodbye to those who have become so important to us over the past weeks is a very difficult thing to do.
On the other, the day does culminate in joy, as arms are wrapped around your most precious possession. How wonderful it is to be reunited with those you love, forever and always.
Here at a very quiet Skylemar, our heart overflows with gratitude. To you, who entrusts us with your amazing son, we thank you. We are honored that you’ve selected Skylemar as his home-away-from-home and promise to do everything in our power to cherish him always.
To the most outstanding counselors in the country, please know that you’ve built men of character this summer, and we are forever grateful.
To so many others at Skylemar who help us make a positive difference in the world, one boy at a time, we love you…to the Sky and back.
See you next year, friends. The countdown begins now!
The power of love.
You could feel it in the Skylemar air, despite the messy drizzle falling. There was packing and cleaning to do, but most of all, we just enjoyed being together. Although we laughed and played as always, everyone knew that it would be a long time before most of us will see each other again.
There was a lot of gratitude going around today too. The kids even wrote notes of appreciation to counselors, which become heart-warming surprises sent by mail over the winter.
As always, everyone was most excited about the Final Banquet. It’s a special dinner, with speeches, awards and our favorite show in the world, “Retrospect”.
But here’s where the love really came in.
The entire evening was filled with opportunities to celebrate someone other than yourself. And that’s exactly what they did.
Every speech received a standing ovation. Every photo of a friend drew cheers. Every name announced brought on a frenzy of applause.
It’s true. They came as friends and left as brothers.
No boys in the world could ever be more loved.
Once again Mother Nature gave us a picturesque, sunny beautiful Maine morning as the boys anxiously prepared for today’s final events. On the strength of last night’s Songs and Cheers win, Gray led by just a few points, though the outcome was still clearly in doubt. The boys were a bit more torqued up for this, the final day, anticipating our legendary final closing event this afternoon. Maybe this last morning of activities would paint a different picture when done, so out they went after the regular morning rituals.
Gray pushed ahead with a 4-0 win in Sophomores Soccer and a pair of wins in Juniors Hoops. When Gray also won the first of two Juniors Football contests, Red was reeling. But in Game 2, they mounted a 4th quarter comeback for the ages, erasing a 2 touchdown deficit with 3 late scores to win 52-45 and start another Red run. Wins in Seniors Tennis and Tigers Golf and Bocce kept in going before Gray’s little guys scored a run in the bottom of the last inning to break a 2-2 tie and win Cubs/Lions Baseball 3-2. But Red came right back with a pair of wins in Freshmen Hockey to take the morning, cutting into Gray’s slight lead even more. Then came the announcement that Red had won the all-camp cumulative Archery point (each camper shot throughout the week) and unbelievably, with only the climactic finale left to settle it, we were for all intents and purposes, dead even. Incredible! We were right back where we started when Harry and Will were elected just a week ago – and ready for the big finale.
The Vince Lombari Trophy (NFL). The Commissioner’s Trophy (MLB). The Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy (NBA). The Stanley Cup (NHL). The FIFA World Cup Trophy. These are what the athletes in each of the 5 major world sports play for in football, baseball, basketball, hockey and soccer. Winning one is the ultimate goal of all who participate and with it might come fame and fortune, and the adulation of fans far and wide all over the world. The residuals are endless. Whether the Super Bowl, World Series, or any other, none can compare to what comes with winning – and losing – this afternoon’s closing spectacle to our Color War…TUGS OF WAR.
We don’t play for any trophies. No tangible rewards come from it, yet your boys will talk about it for the rest of their lives. Even more so, the ultimate reward for battling with and against your brothers for the last 5 days is that when the cheers and tears are gone, the love takes over. And it really only takes about five minutes for all to get there. If you’ve ever been fortunate enough to experience it in person, whether camper, staff member or even Director, or feel it vicariously through your child, a friend or maybe this blog, then you have an understanding. For those new to this, hopefully what you see, hear, or read will help you feel the love too.
Late this afternoon, Will called his Red Men to the Hockey Rink, while Harry gathered his Gray troops to the Tennis Courts for the last time. Shep called both teams to the Snow Field where the excitement of the last 5 days would soon be resolved. One by one, each Division’s Red and Gray members would face off for the very last time. Shep reminded everyone that since the score was effectively tied, it would take winning 4 of the 7 Divisions’ tugs (best 2 out of 3 in each) to win Color War. Beginning with the Cubs/Lions and working our way up through the Stars, Shep called the “tuggers to the rope” and when given the signal, George blew the whistle and tug they did.
“PULL! LET’S GO!!! PULL HARDER!!!!”, screamed their leaders, and each responded with all their might. Eyes wincing, bodies twisting, feet dug in, muscles popping. They gave it EVERYTHING they had. Those on the sidelines cheered wildly P-U-L-L-L-L, as if the harder you shouted the stronger they’d be. Each Tug lasted seconds, but it felt like forever, until…the flag crossed… over the line…and George whistled it done.
Once through the lineup, then out again for Round 2. Tug after Tug until finally, it was over – GRAY, the 2024 winner!
Gray swarmed the field, leaping and jumping into anyone’s arms in their path. On the other side, tears abounded for just a few minutes before joining Gray on the field. Hugs and warmth were shared all over as the teams both congratulated and consoled each other before hoisting the two Captains on their shoulders for the trek down to Trickey. The scene just oozes with emotion in every way. Tears of joy and those of sadness filled the eyes of not only the participants, but the well over a hundred plus onlookers as well. The amount of love in the air was simply immeasurable.
Following tradition, all walked behind their leaders to the lake, checked in with the Waterfront Directors, and took turns leaping into the Pond. You see, the waters of Trickey Pond are magical. Jump in, and they wash away the competition. Once again, Skylemar is one.
Waterfront Ceremony for Evening Activity is one of Skylemar’s most sacred and cherished traditions. On this night, we back it way down from the very hectic, action packed week of Color War, to give thanks not only to those who made our summer so special, but to all who made our being here possible. A torch-lit procession to the lake led by our two Captains is how it usually begins, but tonight a steady rain forced us into a last minute detour to the Pavilion. There, after each Captain addressed the camp, Shep took us through the program as if we were down at the lake as a fire burned just outside one end of the Pavilion. Instead of setting a candle-lit “wishing boat” into Trickey’s water, each person in attendance made a wish and tossed a piece of birch into the fire. Legend holds that if you make a wish for someone other than yourself, there’s a pretty good chance it just might come true. Then, instead of campfires outside the bunks, each had their own pizza party inside. Still a wonderful night to cap off a great week and start the process of saying goodbye.
Another sensational, bright, but cooler day in the 04055 – perfect for the Day 4 schedule in store. The boys went through their morning routine of breakfast, inspection and another pre-game team pep rally to get the juices flowing. Gray had taken control, but Red was nipping at their heels, just a few points behind.
This morning’s action was filled with excitement all over the place. On the Sky I Lax field, Gray ran away with the first game, then Red did the same in the second to split Tigers Lacrosse. Somehow, the teams also split the Stars Waterfront point after the Kayak races put up the same times down on the Pond. Back up top on the Freddie Pierce, Gray led 5-0 early before surviving a last inning rally for a 5-4 win in Juniors Softball. The Gray Stars also chipped their way to a match play victory on the Links but dropped a close one in the Bocce Garden.
The Cubs/Lions again provided the most exciting, nail-biting moments. They split a pair of Football games, but only after Gray came from a 38-24 4th quarter deficit to win the Bunkline game 42-38 in a thriller. Red won a back and forth affair on the Rec Hall field, stopping Gray’s last ditch attempt to win it short of the goal line as time expired. It seemed Gray had protected their lead until the results came in from Sky II. Red Sophs swept Tennis by winning the Skills competition on the Har-Tru courts, and carried Seniors Soccer on the Hejduk as well, 4-2. Red not only wasn’t going away, but they had barely won the morning and drew even closer as we broke for lunch.
Afterward, the boys went straight to another Songs and Cheers rehearsal in preparation for tonight’s pivotal on-stage performances. But first they’d get a bit of rest and go right back at it again with an afternoon full of contests that tested them all.
The Juniors halved the Golf matches out on the Course, and Gray finally won stopped Red’s run of wins in Bocce. At the Rink, Red won the first game easily, then scored the equalizer with under a minute left to tie the second 3-3 and carry Stars Hockey. The teams each won a game on the Hoops court in Seniors Basketball, and Red served and volleyed well enough to win Tigers Tennis. Over at Sky II on the Hejduk, Gray Sophomore Laxers won a low scoring, but very tough 4-2 Lacrosse game to again reassert its position on top.
Then Red rattled off wins in both Cubs/Lions Soccer games and another in Freshmen Baseball to close out the afternoon with only a point separating the teams. 4 days in, and we were now virtually tied!
Tonight’s Evening Activity out on the Rec Hall lawn under a star-lit sky would set the stage for tomorrow’s big finish. For days, the teams have been rehearsing, as there would be 8 big points up for grabs. Each would have to perform a set of 6 songs – a Team Cheer and Camp Cheer (1/2 point each), Team Fight Song and Old Camp Song (a full point each), an Original Camp Song (2 points) and Production Number (worth 3 very big points). It’s hard to comprehend how difficult it is for a few 15-year-old leaders to prepare, write, rehearse and put 95+ kids on-stage for such an impactful event, all the while competing so intensely for the past 4 days. But that’s exactly how it’s been for 76 years. And they did quite a job. The two Production Numbers entertained us all. Gray gave us a Jackson 5 medley, and Red created a musical version of College Football’s Saturday GameDay. When it was over, Gray carried the night 5-3 and will take a slight lead into tomorrow’s finale.
Way too close to call…. this one’s going down to the wire for a photo finish!
Mother Nature once again had reared her head. A bit of morning drizzle may have delayed our start, but it certainly didn’t dampen Gray’s spirit. They had turned it around late yesterday and Harry’s Gray team was still flying high. The morning “psyche up” circles were charged with energy from both teams. Will’s Red team may have been stunned by the flip, but he and his leaders let their boys know that they fully believed in them and what was inside each of their followers. “In the heart, in the heart!” they chanted before heading out for Day 3.
Here’s the way the day played out:
Gray continued their command down at Trickey Pond. On paper, Red Sophs had a swimming powerhouse, and it showed as they stroked their way to a sizable lead in the Swim element. However, Gray edged them out in the timed Kayak races, then did the same at the Ski dock to win Sophomores Waterfront. Up on the Bunkline Football Field, Gray’s defense told the story as ballhawk Julian had 3 interceptions in the first half alone to stop potential Red scoring drives, and key another Gray victory.
When Gray won Juniors Tennis, Red was looking for a spark, and it came from their youngest in the Cubs/Lions Division. Cousins Benny and Seth (B3) became the unlikely heroes who provided it. First Seth showed some real savvy in winning 2 of the 3 sets with superb Bocce throws in the Garden, then Benny came back from 1 down with 2 holes to play to win his first ever golf match on the Links, 1 up – securing both wins for Red.
Gray then answered right back with some heroics of their own in Tigers Hoops, but it took all three games to do so. After each team got a blowout win on the outdoor courts. Gray’s overall teamwork, and a little extra boost from Bud in the Gym’s “rubber game” was just enough to overcome Alexander P’s remarkable one-man show, winning it 16-15 and the Tigers Basketball point. The Seniors then split a pair of games in the Hockey Rink, where goalies Alex S and Dillon W shined on one end, and Luke S (hattrick) and Jackson C (twice) on the other.
Lastly, the Captain twins went head-to-head in their favorite sport over at the Hejduk. Both are destined for stardom at the next level, but it was Bobby’s hattrick and Henry B’s outstanding work in the cage that proved the difference in Red’s bounce-back 9-6 victory in Stars Lacrosse. We had reached the halfway mark of this Color War when we broke for lunch, and Gray had padded their lead just a little bit more.
After Songs and Cheers practice, Gray laid down the gauntlet by racing further ahead with wins in Seniors Lacrosse and Tigers Soccer. In Lacrosse, Red put up a great fight and led by 2 before being outgunned by Will A’s 6 goals in a very entertaining 9-7 contest. Their Tigers cruised in Soccer on the Bunkline pitch, 4-1.
Gray Hoopsters looked unbeatable on the upper court in a big win, then saw their Soph teammates knock down a couple of late buckets on the lower court to preserve the full point win in Sophomores Basketball.
Down but not out after Gray won Freshmen Bocce, Red’s heart began to surface just when they needed it most.
Their Freshmen duffers made short work of Gray on the SkyHills Golf Club links to start their own comeback, It continued with a big win in Cubs/Lions Tennis on the hard courts in Sky I and the Har-Tru at Sky II.
You could really feel Red coming on when they finally broke through down at Trickey and captured their first win in the water this week. It wasn’t easy, but Zane’s ski run was just enough to put them over the top and take Stars Waterfront.
They clawed right back in this thing with the most exciting contest of this War, witnessed by several hundred fans who packed the Arena over at the Rink. All the day’s events were complete, including the first 2 of 3 games in Juniors Hockey. Gray had won Game 1, despite the efforts of super netminder Thomas T, credited with at least 20+ mostly spectacular saves. Red came back to take game 2 with a couple of goals from Jordan G and Jackson J, 2-1. Each with a win, the Game 3 winner would decide it, setting up the scene for the most dramatic finish seen in years.
The contest remained scoreless through the first 2 periods, which only served to heighten the magnitude and importance of this game even more as the crowd had grown to capacity. Each shot and save brought screams of support from both sides. The noise level intensified as the clock ticked on. Just a few minutes left and still neither side could finish their chances. Goaltenders Leo S and Ben W had stood tall, each withstanding a barrage of shots from all angles, including several point-blank attempts. The spectators had become so enthusiastic that crowd control from Hockey Director/Referee LJ was needed to back them away from the boards. Then, with just under two minutes remaining, a screened slapshot from the point by Henry L slid by into the lower left corner of the net to give Gray the lead, and the jubilant Gray backers went bonkers. Less than a minute later, Red answered when Teddy dug the puck out of the corner and fed the slot where Jake M snapped a one-timer into the back of the net, sending the frantic Red fans into a frenzy. A tie looked inevitable. But less than :20 seconds later, Jake once again hit the net, this time unassisted, setting off an emotional celebration explosion to win it for Red, 2-1. You’d have thought they had just won the Stanley Cup, only better! Red had indeed come back to win the afternoon and was very much right back in it. So on we go….
A much needed respite from the Red and Gray activities of the day brought everyone together in front of the Rec Hall stage tonight for this summer’s second theatrical production – “Peter Pan”. The cast, crew, set/tech team and directors did a remarkable job. What’s most impressive about these actors was how on earth they had time to learn their lines in between days packed with sports. And by “days” we really mean two weeks to put the whole show together. How fortunate Skylemar is to have the best drama director in the world, Suzie. She’s magical, and can even make Peter Pan fly (with a little help from Noah, Henry, Dut and G).
The boys, rested and ready after Opening Day’s whirlwind of PM activity, awakened to a glorious, bright Maine morning. Red had made an early statement, and Gray was anxious to respond.
“Gray Team to the Pine Grove, Red Team to the Mailhouse” was heard over the PA just after breakfast and regular morning bunk Inspection. Captains Harry and Will brought their troops together for this morning’s “psyche up” meetings in advance of taking the fields and courts all over camp. Encircled by their teammates with arms linking the youngest members with their older brethren, each team’s leaders challenged their group. For Red, an acknowledgement of their success on Day 1, but they wanted more. “Keep the pressure on! Our opponents will not roll over!” Gray’s message was a bit different. “We may be down, but now it’s our time! Let’s dig a little deeper, we can do this!” Both urged their teammates to give it their all, to play smart and composed, to try as hard as possible, and do so with the same SkySportsmanship as they have all summer long. Win or lose, if they gave their absolute best effort, both were confident that doing so would translate into victory. “Bring it in!” the leaders yelled as each team squeezed together with hands raised and roared – Red! Gray! And off they went.
Gray drew closer in the morning activities. The Cubs/Lions Basketball point was decided on Sky II just over at the Gym. Red held on to win by 3 on the upper court as Gray survived a last second shot that rolled around the rim and out at the buzzer to win by 1. But in the Gym, Gray’s size dominated Game 3 to win the point.
On the Hejduk, the Freshmen Laxers played a very tough, hard-fought contest. Although Elliot (twice) and Myles F (his first ever) ripped the back of the net for Gray , two goals each by James and Eli W fueled Red ‘s win, 5-3. Then came news from down at the Pond that Gray swept the Swim, Ski and Boat competition to win Juniors Waterfront.
In Sophomores Football, Sam P was a superstar today, running, passing and defending in leading Gray to victory in a high-scoring affair, 45-34. But on the Fred Pierce Field, Red bounced back with an 8-1 win, led by Noah K and Jared F. In Stars Tennis, Gray Stars served and volleyed their way to victory to get back on the comeback track.
The most excitement of the morning took place at the Rink, where the Tigers played a trio of games. Matthew had a hattrick in Gray’s Game 1 dominant win before Alex S hit the net twice for Red to win Game 2. Game 3 found the rest of the campers in attendance, with all other activities completed. The Arena was packed and loud. Both teams had several breakaway chances to take the lead. But stellar brick-wall performances by both netminders, Spencer S for Gray and Luke P for Red thwarted every opportunity, ending in a scoreless tie to split Tigers Hockey.
As the boys headed to lunch, a bit of rest and the first Songs and Cheers rehearsal (more on that later), Gray had cut into Red’s lead.
And they kept on coming …. The afternoon results came quickly when the Gray Freshmen answered their very tough morning Lacrosse loss, making short work of the Red down at the Snow Field, 7-1 in Freshmen Soccer. The other Soccer game was played over at the Hejduk, where the Gray Stars also won 4-1. When word came from down at Trickey that Gray had won their 4th straight Waterfront point, this time by the Tigers, it was “game on!”
The comeback seemed to continue when Max B returned the opening kick-off for an amazing TD dash, twisting and turning through the entire Red defense. But Red kept their composure, settled down and took control to win Seniors Football by a couple of touchdowns. Gray’s momentum was stopped….at least temporarily.
A double-header in Cubs/Lions Lacrosse at Sky1 showed us once again what we have to look forward to. The equipment itself is bigger than some of the players, but they battled on, splitting a pair of very close games. The results of both contests remained in doubt well into the 4th quarter, exciting the kids and many of their counselors, who just love to watch these little guys compete.
In a bit of an upset on the Hejduk Diamond, Gray jumped out to an early lead, then watched it begin to evaporate as Red mounted a last inning rally. Red went to the bullpen and found their closer when Miles M took the mound and shut the door, preserving the 6-3 win in Sophomores Baseball.
On the Hoops courts, the Juniors showed why our incredible Staff of ballers labeled them as our best Basketball Division. Two fantastic, well-played games on the upper and lower courts put the skills of so many on display. Red won one game 35-30 as Gray took the other 31-27. Again, we’d let the boys in the Gym settle it, where Gray won in a blowout to take Juniors Basketball. Comeback complete and then some….
Over 20 games in a day, and there’s only a few points difference in the score. That’s been typical of Skylemar Color War for the past 76 years. Wondering why? It’s because we leave the picking of the teams to the fifteen year-old Captains and their Lieutenants. No adult involvement whatsoever. It’s a tradition that works.
Movie night to chill out a bit before we go right back at it tomorrow. Stay tuned….
What better way to kick off Skylemar’s 76th Color War than the Annual Red & Gray Buffet – Chef Junior and his staff put out quite a breakfast feast! Only problem was Mother Nature did not cooperate, dumping a steady rain through mid-morning, delaying the actual start of Color War. Barney quickly created a cool morning of inside fun at the Gym, Lodge, Pavilion and Rec Hall for all, while Shep, Nick and George huddled for what they hoped would be our last weather-related schedule adjustment of the summer.
The morning washout only served to build the excitement to get us going even more. In an effort to recover what the rain delayed, Shep jam-packed the afternoon with a double-dose of activities for each Division, set to begin just after lunch. The rain was gone, and a beautiful afternoon was in store.
For the past 75 years, the teams would first meet separately, then march down to the historic Fred Pierce Field for our opening Color War event, the Stars Softball game. This time, all headed there directly from lunch, each gathering as a full team for the very first time, ready for the official start. The buzz was electric with anticipation. Red and Gray spirit filled the air!
Shep called Captains Harry and Will to the field for pre-game instructions, then quieted the crowd and bellowed, “Play Ball”, as the teams took the field. All would watch the first inning together, but not before the ceremonial first pitch. This year a perfect strike was thrown by Lillie, our super terrific Director of Yellowhorn.
Both teams then headed out to venues all over camp, from the Waterfront to Sky II and everywhere in between. Hockey, Tennis, Golf and Bocce, Lacrosse, Football, Basketball, Softball, Baseball and Soccer on land, and Swimming, Boating and Skiing at the Waterfront. It’s a wonder how we got it all in, especially with the amount of great action and close contests. Here’s what happened today:
Due to the time constraint of our double-headers of action, Stars Softball ended in a tie as Gray erased a 3-run deficit with a late rally, giving each team a half point. The extra rest was needed though, when they moved to the Bunkline gridiron for a fantastic Stars Football game. A very tight game throughout, Nick N stepped in at QB to give Gray a boost with his arm to help keep Gray close as a growing number of spectators had surrounded the field after their own contests had completed. The game was tied with the clock winding down when one Will hit the other, connecting on a Red TD bomb to take the lead with only 13 seconds remaining. Gray moved the ensuing possession to the Red 10-yard line in two quick plays and had a chance to tie it with one play left … only to see their potential game-tying completion ruled out of bounds at the back of the end zone, as Red held on to win Stars Football.
The Seniors afternoon started down at Trickey, where Gray dominated the Swim and Kayak portion to win Waterfront. They then went over to the front side of camp for Golf and Bocce. On the Links, three wins for each team in six well-played matches split the Golf point, then Red held off a late Gray rally in the Garden to win Bocce.
The Juniors traveled over to Sky II for a couple of games on the Hejduk Field. In Soccer, goalkeeper TI was great in Gray’s 3-0 victory. After a short break, the players donned the Lax pads and helmets for a nip and tuck battle that ended in a 6-6 tie, splitting the Lacrosse point. Joaquin hit the back of the net three times in the first half for Red, and Alan G scored a goal in both games.
The Sophomores began their activities on the Golf course, where Red had just too much talent and easily secured the Golf point, while their Bocce players also proved to be quite adept on the Lawn in winning Bocce as well. They then moved over to the Rink for a pair of games and showed off some of the best Hockey played this year. In Game 1, Pedro was an impenetrable netminder in a hard fought 1-0 victory for Gray (Enric had the lone tally). Game 2 was scoreless into the last period until the teams scored four times (2 by each team), including a late goal by Red to forge a 2-2 tie – but not enough to keep Gray from winning the Sophomores Hockey point.
The Freshmen played 2 very close games on the Hoops courts. On the upper court, Red thwarted a late Gray comeback effort to win by a bucket in a thrilling finish. Red teammates held on for a 6-point win on the lower court too, winning the Basketball point. A short time later on the Tennis courts on both sides of camp, an outstanding performance from Ari F highlighted the Skills Competition (8 of 10 serves hit the right spot) and helped Red to win Freshmen Tennis as well.
The Tigers’ day found them playing two Football games first before moving down to the Freddie Pierce for their Baseball game. On the Rec Hall field, both Spencer O and CJ had a pick-6 for their teams, but Red scored 2 late TDs to win 31-26. It was a different story on the Bunkline field where Elijah and Hunter ran all over the Gray in Red’s dominant win, splitting the Tigers Football point. Then Max F was unhittable, combining with Lionel in pitching Red to a 4-0 shutout in Tigers Baseball.
Our youngest Division for Color War combines the Cubs/Lions into one group (Bunks 1-7), and somehow, they always seem to provide us with the most excitement and attract the largest crowds of wildly cheering spectators. They first played three Hockey games in the Rink. The first game ended deadlocked at 1 (Henry M and Federico lit the lamp) as the crowd around the arena had grown quite vocal with older teammates intent on cheering them on. Games 2 and 3 saw each team collect a shutout win to split the Hockey point.
After a quick change, the boys headed down to Trickey. The Waterfront point is decided by winning at least two of the 3 elements: Swimming, Kayaking and Skiing. After Gray had won the Swim Meet, Red responded by winning the closest Kayak dual in Skylemar history. A pair of races against your opponents and the clock – the two times are then combined to determine the winner. Red won by less than 1 second, sending the group over to the Ski dock to decide it. The decibel level reached by screaming 7-9 year-olds reverberated up the hill, until Eli B crossed the wake enough times on his final run to win Waterfront for Gray. You just gotta love these little guys, many tasting this kind of spirited competition for the very first time.
What an awesome afternoon! The day’s activities were in the books. Well almost…
After a well-deserved cookout dinner (and showers before and after for all), there was still one event left to play – our traditional 1st night Evening Activity. The Ping Pong Tourney always closes Day 1, and with one point left to be decided, the players took to the tables under the Pavilion lights, encompassed by their teammates. It would take winning 11 of the 21 matches to win, and it took a few hours to decide it. Red won the point and will sleep on a very slight lead.
Whew! It’s only Day 1. Lots more to come!
Before it begins, Color War is sort of in the genre of professional sports. The guys talk about what they would do if they were Captain, just like sports pundits talk about coaches. As people do with a fantasy sports league, the boys “practice” Color War. They do mock drafts and talk about who should be “first pick” and so on. It isn’t done in an unkind way – it’s just sort of factual when it comes to sports.
So please note: Just like with professional sports, their predictions mean absolutely nothing.
Here’s how it went ….
The kids elected the Captains, all votes being equal — check.
The Captains selected the rest of their Lieutenants today, two in each Division — check.
Like with any competition, the goal is to win. The two Captains and their lieutenants spent the day preparing for tonight’s draft. In making their selections, they would consider the factors that are most important to them. It could be athletic ability, leadership strength and so on.
After Taps tonight, Shep supervised the actual draft itself. Only the Captains, four Stars Lieutenants, Nick and Shep were present. Again, the Captains based their selections on whatever they believe is important for a winning team. For instance, they may have considered strength for Tugs, ability to sing for Songs & Cheers, leadership skills for the team, and athleticism.
The process took hours — going through each Division, one by one, back and forth, until all participants had been drafted. By the time the teams were finalized, just about every camper was asleep. That’s when “the pinning” happened.
It’s a magical moment when each boy awakens a bit earlier than usual, probably at sunrise Pinned to their pillow is either a Red or Gray ribbon, signifying what team they’re on. Some tried to stay up to catch the team leaders in the act, but like with the Tooth Fairy, most understand that the best plan was to just go to sleep.
Skylemar’s Color War is about far more than just competitive fun. There’s lots of learning that goes on. You learn how to win and lose with honor, how to bounce back when things don’t go your way, and how great it feels to give it your very best.
Perhaps the most important lesson to learn from Color War is this: You don’t need a title to be the leader of a team. In fact, as we know from politics and the workplace, sometimes a title can have little to do with leadership ability. For example, a President is as strong as his Cabinet. A CEO is as successful as the VP’s who’ve been hired.
For the most part, the guys here realize this. They understand what it means to do the right thing when nobody’s looking. Certainly some were disappointed when their name wasn’t called out for Captain or Lieutenant. Nevertheless, they cheered for the ones who were selected. They’re excited for tomorrow morning and look forward to playing with all their heart for either the Red or the Gray.
It was a fairly typical sweltering hot day in the 04055 — lots of waterfront action and shortened periods with plenty of shade time. The sprinklers were on (today they were elephants), and refreshing treats were served. Lemon Sticks are an annual popular surprise here. It’s half a lemon with a soft peppermint stick in the middle as a “straw”. Peppermint and lemon juice make a great combo.
It was the kinda day best suited for taking it slow, playing some board games and maybe sipping on a cold drink. When life gives you lemons, make lemonade…so we did. We had a case of them, so Lillie and Myke shook up some delicious ice-cold cupfuls.
Sky II Lobster Lunch today, over at the Lodge. There were big red lobsters, corn on the cob, chicken, salads and lots more. It’s something that the oldest of camp really look forward to.
What made today different is that it’s actually one of the most important of the entire year. If you ever went to Skylemar, then you’d know what we mean. Just after 7th period was what we’ve been chanting about for days —
COLOR WAR ELECTIONS 2024!
24 candidates in the Stars Division, each of the highest integrity… experienced, honest, intelligent, fair, compassionate and likable. If only our country had options like these!
Here’s how it happened…
We sat by Bunk in our most sacred space, the Rec Hall. This “house” holds the greatest guys in the whole wide world, as well as their amazing counselors.
Shep explained how our tradition holds that the participants in Color War are the ones to decide who leads both the Red and Gray teams. Each camper has two votes by secret ballot.
Skylemar’s Color War is based on the spirit of fair play and friendship. It’s perhaps one of the few times you’ll be competing hard both with and against those who you truly care about.
All competition happens outside of the cabin. Because the Captains draft by Division, it’s possible that brothers and close friends are on different teams. There could be one camper in a bunk on one team while the rest are on the other. It’s not an issue, because our Color War is kept out of the bunk.
Color War is the perfect opportunity to demonstrate Cool2Care. It’s natural to be happy when you win and disappointed when you lose, but the key is to not overreact. It’s fine to share your emotions, until you react so much that it affects someone else’s fun.
Shep explained that tonight we’ll be electing our two Captains. Each camper’s vote carries the same weight. He asked all former Captains from years past in the room to stand. Only a couple did so. Then he asked all who were on the ballot but did not become Captain to stand. Many did so. “This”, Shep announced, ”is your Skylemar honor roll”.
Those on the ballot voted first, then headed out to the Garden Cabin so the rest of camp could vote secretly. Once they left, each bunk was called to the stage where every camper wrote two names on a slip of paper, then dropped his ballot into the white pickle box.
After all had voted, Shep read the names on each ballot, one-by-one aloud. One more than half the total number of Color War participants was needed to win. Before long (in fact, it was the shortest Election in Skylemar history), we had our two Captains – Harry and Will Snyder. As each ran inside, he was mobbed by adoring fans.
It was also the first time in our history that identical twins were elected. Skylemar campers since the age of 8, we know that Will and Harry will be phenomenal leaders. And we’re confident that their wonderful mother in heaven is beaming with pride.
As the Stars all returned inside the Rec Hall, they moved to the back and “chained it up” (linking arms). The coin flips that followed determined the choice of color (Will is Red, Harry is Gray) as well as the order for selecting their Stars Lieutenants. Red chose Zane Black and Carson Ray while Gray selected Cosme and Jared Rosenblatt to help lead their teams.
It felt like there was a little less disappointment in the air on the part of the other Stars this year as compared to others. Of course, some had hopes that they would be chosen as Captain or a Lieutenant. But it’s hard to dispute the leadership potential of Harry and Will, and every Star will be proud to be on either team. After all, it’s the players who make it happen.
The Stars trip to Quebec was a tremendous success. There’s nothing like going to a new country with 24 of your closest friends for a few days. This is a trip that we’ve been taking for over 70 summers, and it never disappoints.
They saw the sights, shopped, ate, laughed and had adventures to remember forever. Many thanks to the staff who chaperoned this 15-year-old crew. Those of all ages were fantastic to be with.
Way to go, Bunks 16, 17 and 18. They spent the morning volunteering at the Bridgton Hospital. The Hospital has a vegetable garden that was in need of some TLC. We’re especially grateful for the Bridgton Hospital and try to do whatever we can to support their staff. They always take great care of those from Camp Skylemar.
Sebago Lake State Park and ice cream for the Cubs! Ice Skating for Bunks 11-15. Both were ideal excursions for such a hot day.
Lots of action at Trickey Pond all day long. Most exciting was celebrating Ethan K (Bunk 17) beating the Skylemar record for most laps swam in a season. He swam over 1,000 laps (1008 to be exact) which equals 14 miles! He had the crowd both in and out of the water cheering him on.
Those playing in the Skylemar Tennis Grand Slam did so despite the hot sun and humid air. U10 finished up this morning because the rain cut things short yesterday. In the quarters, both Max F and Federico saved match points against each other in the tiebreaker before Federico prevailed, then advanced to the final with a hard-fought semi win. But in the final, Diego (Bunk 8) proved he’s our top 10U players with his victory. The 14U Tourney began (and ended) today and saw the most evenly played matches thus far. However, Nate A swept through his side of the draw, then finished off the final in convincing fashion to claim the title.
Talent Show Part 2 tonight… lots of fun but s-o-o-o much different than the first.
If you recall, the first one was during Week 1 of camp. That’s when we were in the getting-comfortable part of the season, and it took bravery to get on the stage for the first time.
Five weeks later it’s more like a bunch of brothers performing in their own back yard. Even the guys who’ve only been here a couple of weeks jumped right in. No one was nervous, and no one thought twice about being in front of the group. In fact, there were so many interested in participating that Suzie had to put a cap on it — 34 acts… it was a long one!
Lots of group skits, where they ended up cracking up. Lots of sports tricks (soccer, lax, etc.) where mostly, they ended up cracking up. Good old magic tricks, burping, screaming, and regular older-kid silly stuff that they thought was hysterical. Max A drank 4 cups of water. Grady and Dash touched their noses with their tongues.
There was some real talent of course. Simon recited the digits of Pi. The crowd was blown away, and he won a staff shirt. Some of the guys sang songs which was great, and several played the piano or guitar. Best pianist is Asher for sure. He’s truly talented.
We love both Talent Shows, but this one was especially heart-warming. You could feel the strong connection between all of us. That’s what family’s about.
Wild Game Hunt last night!
That’s when the counselors hide in crazy places (like trees) and the kids have to find them. Each counselor is worth points, and the Division who finds the most wins. Can’t decide who loves this more – the counselors who dress up in wild game costumes and hide, or the camper “hunters” who find their favorite animals.
The Freshman Division headed to New Hampshire to the Cranmore Mountain Adventure Park. They took the quad lift up the mountain for some spectacular views. After lunch (you guessed it…chicken tenders) it was time for Bungee Trampolining. That’s when you put on a harness and jump super high.
Summer Tubing! It’s just like snow tubing with water instead of the white stuff. The Mountain Coaster was lots of fun too. Each person had their own yellow car and could go down the track at whatever speed they wished.
Spyder Mountain was a mesh maze that you climbed through. The Soaring Eagle was a mountain zip line ride. There was a Giant Swing like we have at camp, plus inflatable bounce houses. Best part of the trip for Leader DT was all the compliments he got from total strangers on our manners.
Four vans returned the Juniors back to camp, safe and sound. They’ve been gone the past couple of days for their trip to Acadia National Park.
First stop was Fort Knox and Penobscot Narrows Observatory. Fort Knox is an interesting piece of history, which protected the state in the 1800’s. The Penobscot Narrows is the tallest publicly accessible observatory at 440’. Inside was a 360-degree view of the river and the Maine countryside.
After a picnic lunch, they headed to Sand Beach inside Acadia. Most took the plunge in the chilly Atlantic Ocean. Back at the campground, they made chicken quesadillas and roasted marshmallows for s’mores. A representative from each of the four vans gave an oral argument as to why their van was “the most lit”. Jonny H was the winner, based on his enthusiasm and his description of the diverse music selection.
Homemade egg sandwiches were the way to start the morning, and then off they went to hike Beech Mountain. Leaders of the hike who led the way and encouraged all were Sebastian, Reed, Archie, Jonny H, Isaiah L and Joaquin.
The surprise stop on the way home was celebrated by all… Chick-fil-A. What did the world do before the invention of chicken tenders?
They saw the movie “Twisters”, wrote a note of gratitude to a Skylemar role model, and headed for the 04055. It’s good to have these guys back… way too quiet without them.
Here at camp we had a rainy afternoon. It was kinda nice for a change. Some watched the Olympic Basketball game, while others had a Gym/Lodge flip — part of the time you played dodgeball, and part of the time you played the games in the Lodge.
The Freshmen had the Catapult Challenge. Each group of 3-4 was given popsicle sticks, rubber bands, spoons and just a tiny bit of tape. Then it was up to them to build a catapult that could launch a ping pong ball the farthest — lots of future engineers in our house.
It’s an interesting question to ask a camper. What does Arleen do all day? Most frequent response: “She works.”
A more elaborate answer: “She works on stuff.”
The most specific answer: “She does papers.”
Favorite answer: “She walks around and says hi to people.”
Truth is, she tries to “do papers”, but sometimes accidentally pays Sysco $6,000 instead of $600 because some tears need to be dried, the kitchen says that the yogurt didn’t come in, a counselor’s car needs a jump start, the guys in the Sophomore Division started a water balloon fight while Myke’s on his day off, and some little guys waiting for the shower in her office want to know if she’ll play Uno with them.
You might say she’s the person behind the curtain who drives the engine of the Skylemar machine. Except that her curtain is wide open, with an office that overflows with kids, counselors and dogs.
She does a lot of problem solving and “behind the back door” stuff. Typically the goal is to look into an issue without anyone knowing who told her about it.
240 boys + 140 staff = a minimum of 76 mini kerfuffles to solve each day.
This summer marks 42 years of her loving every minute on the job, which means she prefers to not take a day off. Relaxing is much too stressful. So is sleeping, as you may have guessed from the timing of Blog posts.
They say it takes 10 years to be an expert, so that she is, four times over, when it comes to boys. No expert has it right all the time, but here are some random observations pertaining to boys and parenting from just this week alone:
And finally:
Rain came today, and then went, and then came back, and then went again. That meant flip-flopping between rainy day and regular schedules. Of course there’s nothing wrong with playing in a drizzle, but we do need to be mindful of what might be slippery. We subbed in Pickleball, Golf, Ping Pong, Chilltop and giant bubble-making at Yellowhorn.
The weather was actually fine for the Seniors, who had an overnight trip to Franconia Notch, New Hampshire. They hiked the trail to Lonesome Lake, set in the valley of the Presidential Range of the White Mountains.
It was a two-hour trek, so there was time for leadership positions to be rotated. The person in the front carried the lifeguard tube, and he set the pace for the group. The person in the back carried the football and was responsible for encouraging and keeping tabs on everyone.
At the top, they went for a dip in the frigid cold lake (hence the lifeguard tube). They talked about the importance of slowing down in life, as opposed to scrolling through it. Everyone got the message and took in the moment.
They spent the night in the AMC hut. It’s one of eight rustic lodges run by the Appalachian Mountain Club, that provides hikers with a hearty meal and an overnight stay. The AMC “Croo”, as the staff is called, prepared a dinner of stuffed shells, vegetables, focaccia bread and chocolate cake. Somehow even the pickiest of eaters are satisfied with whatever is prepared when it’s served in the Hut.
Phyllis, a 74-year-old naturalist, befriended the boys and told tales of hiking the entire Appalachian Trail twice, as well as the Pacific Crest Trail. Our guys showed genuine interest and respect for her and asked lots of good questions.
After a hearty breakfast, and a hike around the perimeter of the lake, they paused for some writing. They wrote three letters: One to their future self, which they’ll get next year on the last day of camp; one to someone who gave them the opportunity to be at Skylemar; and one to someone who made their Skylemar experience special.
Once down the mountain, they had a Chipotle picnic in a park, where they invented a game called Ultimate Football Basketball. They stopped for ice cream, and then home sweet home. It sure felt good to be back in their own bed.
Meanwhile…
The Cubs had a trip of their own this afternoon. They went to the Gem and Mineral Museum in Bethel, Maine. The guided tour was exceptional, especially because the founder of the museum was there, in-person. Upstairs was a world-renowned collection of meteorites, and in the basement, a research facility. On the floors in between were fascinating hands-on displays of assorted gems and minerals, many of which came from South Africa. This was a celebrity moment for camper Anton, because he’s from South Africa too.
Especially memorable was that each boy got to hold a piece of the Moon as well as Mars. As a matter of fact, this museum is the only place in the world where you can touch both of them at the same time.
The boys were so into the gems that they didn’t want to leave. That meant that they had to skip stopping for ice cream on the way home. We owe them one.
You just gotta love a Super Awesome Game Show, especially when Suzie, Barney and Mason are in charge. It’s a divisional show-down, with lights, music and plenty of action.
Cubs, Lions, Tigers, Freshmen, Sophomores and Juniors competed against each other, in assorted stunt activities as well as trivia. It was a totally fair game no matter how old you were, because let’s face it, there’s some things that little guys just do better. Take hula hooping for example. Plus, cheering for your counselors can be extra loud no matter how old you are.
But sometimes you just can’t tell who will win. Counselors had to do squats for as long as they could, with a camper on their back. You’d think that the winner would have a 45-pounder on him. But tonight it was golf counselor Cooper weighted down with a thirteen-year-old Archie that took first place.
Extra smart in the trivia sections about geography and animals were Elijah E, Theo R, Bernie, Sawyer, Sam P and Lionel. Brooks, Luke Y and Royal knew the most about Film and TV.
The Simon Says battle got down to two experts. It was Grady vs Jacob W for the longest time, until one little, tiny slip and… Grady wins!
Counselors were great sports about the stunts, and all were willing to get dirty. For example, the Egg Toss. It’s crazy how far athletes can toss an egg and catch it — until one slight slip-up and…splat!
Highlight was the Beauty Parlor. Each Division sent three campers and one counselor to the stage. With a can of shaving cream, the kids had to give their counselor a new hair style… several mohawks appeared.
Earlier today was Clinic Sign-ups. Commercials were at their best because this is actually the last week. Lots of Color War prep was offered. Here’s the roster:
Waterskiing is for those who want to cross the wake. Record holder is Tomas Z who crossed 184 wakes in 60 seconds.
Tennis will work on topspin, slice and backspin. Lots of tricks will be shared at Lax. They’ll learn to go behind-the-back and around-the-world, get better at coming up with ground balls and use the radar gun too.
The Vikings came to introduce Shep’s “Viking Voyage” for reading. Sail Dock offered the last chance to learn to sail. “Perfect Your Putt” at golf, “Cardio Football” out front, “Action & Skill” week at Hoops. “Hockey Warriors” will work on in-game strategies. Track & Field will cover the long jump, shot put and running a dash.
Soccer will cover it all. SkyRopes will teach you anything and everything at the course. “Robinhood Archery” and “Professor Good Coach Baseball” are other options. The Olympic Training Center will teach about muscles — lengthening, isolating and contracting.
Challenge the records at H2O’s “Olympic Time Trials” or “Be the Face” of Sky SportsCenter. Last but very important – “Props & Scenery” for those who want to help Suzie with all that’s needed to make “Peter Pan” come alive.
We love all the choices
Polar Bear Swim once again! Over 100 campers and staff members made their way across the lake. It’s an invigorating accomplishment to tackle first thing in the world.
The Sophomore Division headed out on an excursion to southern Maine! Blake and Myke led the trip, so first things first — the kids each wrote a note of gratitude to members of the Skylemar community.
On the way to the movies to see “Despicable Me 4”, the guys were assigned bus partners. They were tasked with finding out something they had in common with each other, which would be shared later in the trip.
This all coincides with a C2C message we’re trying to get across this summer. What does it mean to “be a man”? It means to be inclusive and open to being with all kinds of people. It means to care about and appreciate others. It means to stand up for someone when another says something unkind. In building men of fine character, this is the kind of stuff that gets woven into any one day. Twist is, most of the time the kids don’t even notice.
Ferry Beach State Park was glorious, with sand dunes and the majestic ocean. Without direction, the entire age group linked arms and ran into the freezing cold water. Then they made giant sand forts – yes, 12-year-olds still love to build in sand.
They played games like “Flinch Ball”, and one where the bus partners locked arms and you had to catch a ball each with one hand. When they took a break, it was interesting to hear what duos had in common. Everyone had something of course, like enjoyment of a particular sport or how meaningful something like a dog is to them. This trip’s special guest was a Park Ranger. He talked about the endangered species in the coast of Maine.
By late afternoon it was time to head to the Sanford Mainers baseball game. It’s a family-style ballpark for the New England Collegiate Baseball League. It was really fun to be there together.
Meanwhile, back at camp, it was our weekly GACU (Great American Clean Up). That’s when you get assigned a period for a health check at the Infirmary, plus feet soaks and nail clipping at “The Spa” (the Garden Cabin porch). Added bonus was a sheet changing requirement for every camper.
Another bonus was the 16U Grand Slam Tennis Tournament, to crown this summer’s top player. We saw some of the most exciting matches we’ve seen on the courts all summer. One semifinal seemed to go on forever — a marathon, 2 1/2 hour riveting match that needed a tiebreaker to decide it. Back and forth they went, with both players staving off multiple match points before Nick N outlasted Holden to advance to the final. There, he faced another formidable opponent, understandably a bit fresher, but clearly just as talented. Congrats to Charlie F, our 2024 Camp Champ!
Sky II Carnival for Evening Activity! Hejduk Field was filled with inflatable challenges and games. There were obstacle courses, bouncy houses, bungee run, soccer darts and lots more. Snowballs were the perfect treat for such a joyful and warm summer night. They were served “Baltimore Style”. That’s in a cup with just a little bit of marshmallow. No surprise – blue raspberry continues to be the fan favorite.
It takes an extra special lady to even consider working at an all-boys camp. At Skylemar, ours are supercalifragilisticexpialidocious. Just like Mary Poppins, they’re practically perfect in every way.
Each outstanding gal comes to us with an impressive background. They are top collegiate athletes, teachers, coaches, nurses and experts in their field. Most importantly, every one of them has what it takes to serve as a role model and caregiver for your most precious possession.
They’re here for the same purpose as a male counselor – to make a positive difference in the world, one boy at a time. They work just as hard, get paid the same money and their role is equally important.
But the difference is…they do it in an all-boy world.
There’s the obvious stuff, like the giggling surrounding bodily noises and the toilet seats that are never down. Then there’s Bunk 14, who may need help holding one of their salamanders. Or there’s the tennis ball that had to be pulled out from a toilet of a bunk not to be named. After all, the guys just wanted to see if it would flush…
Of course there’s the toenails that need to be clipped, and the feet that need to be scrubbed. Meds that need to be delivered because guys are just “too busy” to remember. Lost & Found that continuously needs to be picked up, signs that need to be painted, wet sheets that need to be changed before the kids finish breakfast, and little guy tears that need to be dried because from his point of view he “never gets to go first”.
Each NBC (stands for Non-Bunk Counselor) has a primary role at Skylemar like teaching swimming, boating, tennis or golf. They might be in charge of healthcare, art, cleaning, programming, office work, taking photos, serving special diets, designing gardens, speaking to parents or leading trips and campouts. But on top of that, they tackle a million other things, like putting the kids to bed, keeping them somewhat organized and being the best big sister a boy could imagine.
The ladies of Skylemar are extraordinary, and they are adored by all. They go above and beyond, and do whatever it takes to make the Skylemar machine work.
So, to the Skylemar Superwomen, we thank you. We are the luckiest to have you in our Skylemar world.
What comes to mind when you think of Maine? Lobster! Even if you don’t eat them, it’s fun to learn about them.
The Lions Division headed to Portland for a Lucky Catch Lobster Tour. Before heading to the pier, they played Buoyball and had a picnic lunch at Payson Park. It’s a beautiful spot that overlooks the Back Bay.
While they were on the pier waiting for the boat to dock, a special guest spoke to them about clean energy and offshore wind projects. Luke McD shouted: “Let’s go for clean energy!” and it made the day of the Offshore Wind Project Coordinator.
The crew of Lucky Catch is super nice as well as informative. The boys got to pull lobster traps and learned the correct way to hold them without getting pinched. They used a special tool to put the thick rubber bands around their claws.
Interestingly, it takes about seven years for a lobster to be old enough to eat. The boys used a measuring instrument to determine the age. There has to be 3.25 inches between the head and the tail.
Some thoughtful questions were asked of the crew. Henry DS asked if fishermen supported each other when working or does everyone totally do their own thing? Turns out they do help each other quite a bit, and there’s a lot of sharing going on. Bait for example.
Back at camp…
Not only did we have plenty of fun at Skylemar, but a lucky thing happened. Oliver G (B13) was swimming and he saw something sparkle. He dove down and found a gold ring. Turns out Jake P (B22) had lost it a year ago! It was a special ring that his father had given him, and now it’s back where it belongs.
It was the annual Staff All-Star Game for Evening Activity – except this time the guys decided to switch it up from Softball on the Freddie Pierce to Basketball on the Blacktop. And what a show they put on!
Led by maybe the greatest summer Hoop staff ever assembled, the Trickey Pond Penguins took on the Hilltop Hippos in a game that went down to the final ticks of the clock. A couple of late 3s in the final 20 seconds brought the Hippos from behind to win it. There were mascots, “concession stand” popsicles, Slam Dunk and 3-point Shooting Contests, raffles and prizes. Pregame, in-game and on-court interviews from sportscasters Elton and Jared R kept everyone interested and informed.
The break at Halftime gave the Stars a chance to make a half-court shot… and on their 4th attempt, Lucas V did just that, calmly sinking one that set off a wild celebration.
The players displayed their superb ball handling skills and drained 3s from all over, but the spectacular, high-flying acrobatic dunks excited everyone most. Music pumped throughout – the place was rockin’ — and the vibe: Electric!
Thank you to the captains (brothers Myke and Noah) – and your teammates for not only giving us such a super fun evening, but for bringing the same energy to the courts all summer long.
Trickey Pond Penguins Hilltop Hippos
Noah Myke
Gideon DQ
Zay DT
Pac-Man Eli
Barney Unc
Dut Henry
Frog (mascot penguin) Lippy (mascot hippo)
PS. DQ won the Slam Dunk Contest with a spectacular, off-the-bounce, 360, windmill jam from down under — and in an upset of sorts, Baseball Director Unc shot his way to the 3-point title. Who knew?
It was a Bates College Bones Bonanza for the Tigers Division! Bates, located just about 40 minutes away, is Blake (aka “Bones”) Shep’s alma mater, and our campers were excited to try out college life for a day.
The Tigers were some of the first to be on the new turf of the Bates football field. They played an awesome game of flag football, with real refs and field goals. The game recap included talking about some important sports stuff, like what it means to be a positive teammate.
A guest speaker stopped by to talk about sustainability. They learned about not wasting food, which was especially important because they were having lunch in the Bates Dining Hall. Called “The Commons”, this “all you can eat” establishment has won lots of top awards on the college ranking websites. Once again, chicken nuggets that cost real money were most popular. Filling water bottles with chocolate milk was fun, and so was mixing every kind of soda in one cup. You know, it’s the kind of thing a boy likes to do.
Another special guest speaker (a public health expert – the guys were surprisingly into it) greeted them, and next it was off to the movie theater. “Inside Out Two” was a great one to see.
When they returned, some sisters were here! Our beautiful sisters from Camp Mataponi and Camp Walden came over for dinner and a visit. Such a pleasure to have them.
It was a Band of Brothers evening. As explained earlier, there are 12 Bands, each with an animal name that’s native to Maine. A Band is comprised with a couple of boys from each age group, and the leaders are those in the Stars Division (the oldest). It’s a solid way to build relationships between those of different ages.
Pine Cone Auction time! Each Band worked together as a team, but because there were no pine cones they found golf balls instead. You had to keep your clothes on, but you could get creative on where you carried what was collected.
The golf balls became the medium of exchange to purchase parties. Those with the most balls got first pick. Here’s a description of what went on:
Pirate Booty Sunset Cruise – A night of swashbuckling fun and pirate themed delights on Trickey Pond!
Breakfast Burrito Bash – Learn to make your own Colorado-style breakfast burrito!
Chilling with Sundaes and Crafts – Make a sundae and make a masterpiece!
World of Meat & Cheese – Charcuterie board making!
Counselor Hangout – Relax and enjoy the Counselor Barn, just like the counselors do!
Pickle Ball Party – Play the game and eat them too. Pickles of every variety!
Camden Yards – Crab chips, popcorn, lemonade and a few innings of the Orioles game!
Chocolate Fiesta – Dipped fruit and cookie baking!
Sky II Hotspot – Dodgeball plus a campfire at the Red Cabin!
Croquet and Tropical Drinks – Play the game in the garden and mix up some smoothies!
Disk Golf and Moon Pies – Play the game on Hejduk Field and try an old-fashioned snack.
Camplified Cold Stone – DIY Cold Stone Creamery-style ice cream making in the SkyDeck!
Wow! No matter what you won, it was an awesome night!
One of the many things that Shep’s good at is weather predicting. Of course, he uses assorted apps and a NOA station, but mostly he says he “feels it in his eyes”.
Take last night for example. Bunk 3 was at SkyPines for an overnight. That’s when you grab your sleeping bag and camp out at an especially beautiful part of Sky II. The kids learn about putting up a tent, building fires and how to cook over the open flame. They go fishing and splashing in the shallow water and play whatever games Directors Sam and Santi have in store for them. It’s a great time, and especially cool to stay in the tents with your bunkmates.
As Bunk 3 went over, Shep felt it in his eyes. That’s when he decided to leave a van with the keys inside just beyond where the kids were camping.
Lucky he did, because around 4:15 AM a storm whipped up. Santi, Sam and the counselors were able to wake the boys, get them into the van, and everyone finished sleeping back in their cozy, dry cabin.
So far this summer we’ve had the least number of rainy days than we can remember in a season. That’s the complete opposite of last year, when it seemed like there was rain several times each week. Instead, we’ve been blessed with many hot and sunny days in 2024, perfect for Trickey Pond.
Careful what you wish for, but it’s been such a run of the sun that we actually hoped for at least a little rain. That’s exactly what we got this morning. It was the first Rainy Day Schedule of Skylemar 76th year.
Here’s what we did…
Legos! They get our vote for “best toy” award for boys of all ages. And we have plenty. We opened up some giant tarps and poured out huge containers filled with millions of pieces…literally! Laying down on the floor to build with the many shapes was relaxing and cathartic. It was exactly what the boys needed.
Some played good old-fashioned board games. We have a couple hundred here to pick from. Remember – we had a whole lot of rain last year.
The Super Suzie Trivia Game took place in the Pavilion = and art projects too, like fish painting! Meanwhile, some played Dodgeball in the gym, while others had Porch Time with Shep. That’s when groups get together on Shep’s Porch to talk about stuff. Shep has a topic to cover (like what to do if you see someone being unkind to a bunkmate), and then the guys are allowed to ask him any question. The most frequently asked — “if you had hair, what color would it be?”.
The Lodge was lots of fun, with all the ping pong and pool tables. There’s foosball too. The oldest Divisions, Seniors and Stars did what they like to do best on a rainy day. Sleep.
There were pockets of hazy sunshine as well. That’s when we switched gears and got outside for Softball, Pickleball, Lax, SkyRopes, Waterfront and lots more.
Even though it officially stopped raining by dusk, Movie Night was in the Rec Hall instead of at The Drive-in (the area near Bunk 1 with the big wooden screen). That was the decision, because Shep was feeling it in his eyes. Good thing, too, because a minute after everyone was back in their cabin, heavy rain fell from the sky.
There’s a 50% chance of rain tomorrow. Whatever it is, it is!
The official first day of Second Session. Great weather… check. New friends… check. Pumped up staff… check.
The morning was packed with activities all over camp. Waterfront, Football, Baseball, Ropes, Hoops, Volleyball, Tennis, Track & Field, Golf and Olympic Training Center. OTC takes place in the Gym, working with our Strength & Conditioning Coach Mitch. In Yellowhorn (outdoor science), they made marshmallow towers and spaghetti bridges. Cool Tools is directed by our good friend and favorite engineer Bruce, who works with the guys on building things out of wood. Today’s project was a really cool moose mount.
Clinic Sign Ups today. That’s when counselors do “commercials”, advertising what they’re offering during third period this week. The Ski Dock offered the “Never Ever Clinic”, for those skiing and boarding for the first time. With the start of the Olympics just a few days away, a few offered clinics keeping that in mind. Track and Field will specialize on techniques needed become a faster sprinter and throw the discus and shotput farther. Fitness will focus on the snatch, clean and jerk of “Olympic Weightlifting” at the Gym, while Tennis will concentrate on singles and doubles play. Over at SkyDeck, they’ll be making dumplings from all over the world, and Shep’s Reading Clinic promises to prepare you for college.
It’s the “Get It Right Clinic” at SkyHoops, where all 10 coaches will provide one-on-one instruction to all who sign up. “Water Volleyball” and “Splish Splash” sound like fun down at Trickey Pond — and there’s Sailing too. Chilltop will go remote there this week, working arts and craft projects lakeside.
Rook asked those in the audience to raise their hands if they never played lacrosse before, or only played it at Skylemar. A surprisingly large number held their hands high, which makes sense since lacrosse is a more regional sport. The Lax Fundamentals Clinic is perfect for this group.
“Super Pitching” at Baseball where the coaches will teach you about safely developing proper throwing motion and how to keep your pitching arm healthy. “Next Level Football” will advance your skills as will “Hockey Refresher” at the rink. There’s also “Philosophy of Golf” and Soccer “Goalkeeping and Shooting” clinic. GoPro cameras will be “fun-tastic” to use on the zipline, Giant Swing and Skywalk at the Ropes Course, and “Favorites and Hits” up at Yellowhorn. “Ultimate Outdoorsman” is all about building forts, fires, orienteering and fishing.
Hardest part is deciding which to choose!
Meanwhile, Bunk 19 went on a community service project with Holly. They headed to Back Cove in Portland, where they volunteered for an organization called “Friends of Casco Bay”. Lots of trash there had accumulated, so the boys put on gloves and got it all picked up.
“Peter Pan” auditions today! That’s Suzie’s next big production. Forty-some kids of all ages asked for a part, and Suzie will deliver. Not that it matters, but it helps…lots of boy parts in this show. We wonder how she plans on making Peter Pan fly.
Staff Talent Show for Evening Activity. And guess what…they do have talent! We knew they were exceptional athletes, but had no idea that they could sing, stunt, play instruments and do golf tricks.
Gideon could spin far more than just balls with his finger. He demoed spinning clipboards and books too. Holden did impressions, Reed and Austin did the ever-popular “pick-me, pick-me” magic tricks and Zay gave us a Sea Dogs quote. Not sure if it goes in the category of “talent”, but definitely funny. Rayann did 9 flips in the air. Then DQ joined her for backwards flips plus a cheerleader stunt. Rumor has it…a certain camp director held her breath for this act.
Lippy played a camp song on the piano. Marcus read a poem that he wrote. We’re pretty sure the Backstreet Boys were here tonight, with a couple of not-so-attractive “girls” who we guess were fans. Ky, Roxy, Payton and Landon honestly blew us away with their singing… really impressive.
In the interest of bringing good luck to the Baltimore Ravens, Creed (aka Nick, Beags and Blake) was on stage singing “Higher”. We all sang along and noted that Beags was especially impressive on the blow-up guitar.
Best part of the show was seeing how proud the kids were of their own counselors. Such a happy time!
Welcome Home.
It’s the phrase that Shep combines with a warm hug when each person gets to camp. No marketing tag line here – it’s simply the truth. Camp Skylemar is summer home to the greatest guys in the whole wide world. Yup – we keep repeating that phrase too, because it’s also the truth.
Today we welcomed home guys from Germany, England, Mexico plus 22 states in the US. Those places get added to our current roster of origins which also includes Spain, France, Venezuela and Austria. Boys of all different sizes, shapes, hair styles, likes and not-so-much’s. What ties us together is a Cool2Care attitude and a willingness to try all the different activities that Skylemar has to offer.
Sports is our vehicle of positive change. It’s not about being a great athlete, but more about trying your best and the take-aways that come with the experience. For example, waterskiing — it might look like just getting up. But it’s really about taking a safe chance, listening skills, focus, independence, trust and being self-reliant. Those waiting on the dock learn to encourage others, foster relationships and how to help someone feel better when things don’t go to plan. That’s how we build confidence, Skylemar-style.
It’s amazing how most who arrived this afternoon already seem comfortable and at ease. We’re excited to take on the first day of real camp with them in the morning!
The love waves could be felt for miles. Even a global tech outage, plane cancellations and roads closed due to a parade could not stop our superheroes from getting to Skylemar today.
There is nothing more joyous than seeing a boy leap into the arms of his mom or dad, especially after a long time apart. We truly are the luckiest people in the world.
Thank you for giving your son the opportunity to show off his friends, counselors and summer home. We hope you see what we see – he shines in remarkable ways.
Of course it’s an emotional day for those of all ages, and for some it’s sort of a roller coaster ride. On the other hand, it’s extraordinary to see how quickly the boys switch gears back to regular camp mode when it comes to a Carnival.
Dinner, 7th Period, and then Movie Night. All should sleep tight this evening.
Every night we count our blessings. All 240 of them plus their parents, and the 148 Skylemar staff members who do whatever it takes to care for the greatest guys in the whole wide world. Thank you for sharing yours with us.
It’s a bittersweet couple of days. Those staying first session were glad to see their parents again, but it’s a tough thing to leave those you’ve spent every minute with for the past three weeks. We watched several guys stretch out saying goodbye for as long as they could.
Tomorrow is more of the same. Glorious and wonderful to see those we love most, but oh so sad for many of us at 3pm departure. Luckily, we have Carnival as soon as the cars drive away. Lots of spirit-lifting here – it’s what we do.
Speaking of…it was Spirit Night here. There were reminders woven into the evening about how fortunate we are to have so much love surrounding us, whether from those at home or here at camp. We’re especially good at taking care of our friends, so will share our parents with those who don’t have visitors tomorrow.
It was a first-ever for Cool2Care chain recipients. The all-time highest number of recognition cards were entered into the C2C Cooler – over 50! This led to the most chain recipients in Skylemar history – five!
This person demonstrates Cool2Care by…
“…encouraging others to be their best, being a good friend, and helping to make you feel ok when you miss a shot.”
This person is Robbie G (B6).
“…being kind all the time. Everything he does is kind. He’ll check on you if you don’t seem ok.”
This person is Eli F (B27).
“…being the one to help me when I got hurt. He helps all of us by being a good friend.”
This person is Alexander D (B4).
“…always following the rules when no one is watching.”
This person is Dash H (B13).
“…persevering and motivating our team, and always showing good sportsmanship.”
This person is Colin H (B12).
We’re ready to take on the happy as well as the not-so-much tomorrow! Let’s go!
Heartwarming Moment:
You may recall that Ethan P won 2500+ jelly beans by guessing the number just about correctly. Today he set up a stand sharing them with all of camp. You even got to pick your favorite colors.
Smile Maker:
“My mom makes the best mocktails”, said a camper while preparing a meal at SkyDeck. “What makes it a mocktail?”, said his friend. And the answer please: “ I don’t know. I think it doesn’t have caffeine in it.”
Kid logic:
“I think I’ll stay for 3 weeks because I love camp so much that if I stay for 6 weeks, I’ll miss it even more during the winter.”
And the Oscar goes to:
The entire cast of “Tarzan”, performed on the Skylemar stage. It was amazing – the audience was blown away! Acting (including perfect British accents by Ethan K and Max A) and singing were especially great. Dance moves by the gorillas were impressive and adorable.
Solid Decision:
Suzie picking “Tarzan” as the first musical of 2024. Our guys make spectacular apes.
The Kindest, Greatest, Most Fun and Usually Patient:
Skylemar counselors. The staff of 2024 is a team of all-stars, and we can’t wait for you to meet them. Their devotion to your son is quite remarkable. It’s incredibly rewarding to watch each boy stand taller and become more confident, relaxed and comfortable over the past three weeks, thanks to them.
As you know, Skylemar is perhaps the only camp in the country with a counselor staff made up of collegiate athletes from universities in the USA, as well as Skylemar alum. Counselors are here to pass on their knowledge, and make a positive difference in the world, one kid at a time.
Like you, they care about their boys. Like you, they worry about them. Like you, every once in a while, they lose their temper. They’re by no means perfect, but then again, no “parent” is.
For those coming Saturday, you’ve got a big group to meet. For those who are unable, please know that your son will be well-taken-care-of by his Skylemar counselor.
Ann Arbor, Baton Rouge, Clemson, Knoxville and Madison. The Big House, Death Valley (x 2) and Rocky Top – some of the most storied and historic venues anywhere, and home to some of the most prominent and spirited collegiate athletic programs in the country. But not on this day.
Today, Naples, Maine was where it all went down, hosting five of the most powerful and spirited universities in the country. It’s one of Skylemar’s oldest (76 years!) and most cherished traditions – Intercollegiate Day.
The Michigan Wolverines, LSU Tigers, Clemson Tigers, Tennessee Vols and Wisconsin Badgers were set to compete (by Division) in tests of skill, accuracy, quickness, agility, teamwork, song and fun. IC Day Director Nick Shep crafted an event-filled day, where participation from everyone was the standard, in some non-traditional ways. There was Newcomb and Beach Volleyball, 3v3 Blacktop Hoops, Steal the Bacon, Team Gaga, World Cup Soccer, Buoy Ball and Pickleball. Of course, classics like the Dash and the Golf Long Drive competition were most popular, with the entire camp gathering in support of their selected participants. Here’s how the day unfolded….
Just after breakfast and morning inspection, Nick called all down to the Snow Field for the official start of IC Day 2024. The first event was the much-anticipated Dash. One runner for each team with a race in each of the eight Divisions. The first two ended in photo-finishes. Congrats to the winners – Everett K and Lionel (Michigan), Luke McD and Max P (Wisconsin), Jackson (Tennessee), Alex Sw (LSU), and Clemson’s Will A and Cosme (‘the fastest man in camp”)!
Each Division then moved around to venues all over camp. From the Pickleball courts to the Fred Pierce Field and everywhere in between, points were scored and tallied for their respective teams. The action was non-stop right up until we broke for lunch, and the cheers could be heard reverberating from the Gaga Pit to the Volleyball court. Camaraderie and team spirit were the name of the game, and smiles filled the morning activities at every site.
Last night’s brief downpour had cooled us off a tiny bit, but the glorious morning gave way to another afternoon of steamy heat and humidity. So Nick adjusted the after-lunch schedule to allow for some rest and a Songs and Cheers rehearsal. The whole camp gathered together under the shade of the Rec Hall porch and Big Tree to watch the Long Drive Competition among the Seniors and Stars. Bode G (Wisconsin) flew his tee shot well past the other Seniors, and Jared R (Clemson) launched one nearly 300 yards to win the Stars Division. Then, all Divisions had a chance to rejuvenate down at the Pond until just before dinner. Waterfront Director Peter and his full lifeguard staff gave all competitors a much needed respite from the heat and allowed the magical water of Trickey Pond to do its thing. Feeling refreshed, the teams headed to dinner, then a final rehearsal before IC Day’s culminating event – Songs and Cheers.
The team leaders have actually been working for a couple of weeks in preparation for tonight’s big show, putting in countless hours after Taps for several long nights in advance. It’s not so easy to pick tunes and write fresh lyrics, and then spend just a few days teaching and rehearsing a group of boys aged 7 and up for tonight’s onstage performances. Judges LJ, Blake and Beags would have a very tough job as well, deciding which was the best. The teams were tasked with performing a set of 5 songs (Team Cheer, Camp Cheer, Team Fight Song, Old Camp Song and Original Camp Song), and that they did. One after the other, each team took the stage and impressed us all with the results of their efforts. A tough choice indeed.
The judges returned and Nick quieted the boisterous crowd. The winner of Intercollegiate Day 2024 – the Tennessee Volunteers!
Oh, the heat. It’s so hot here you could fry an egg on a sidewalk.
So we tried. But the egg frying experiment was an epic failure. It just makes a mess on a basketball court.
We’ve gotten used to scheduling in high heat over the past few days. Barney now puts the court sports in the morning, and then puts the slower-speed and the in-the-shade activities in the afternoon.
Some weather appropriate trips went out today. The older guys went to Sebago Lake State Park. That’s a public beach not too far away. The water’s very shallow, so it’s fun for tossing a football or a Frisbee. If you’re lucky, a girls camp will be there at the same time. No matter what, the snack bar’s always a hit. Once again, paying cash for an ice cream sandwich makes it taste much better than the same one here.
The Tigers and Freshmen cooled off with some air conditioning! They went to Smitty’s Theatre to see “Despicable Me 4”. It’s the kind of place where you sit at tables and there are waiters to serve the food. As expected, our group was well-mannered and made us proud. Best of all, counselors had the opportunity to shut their eyes for just a couple hours.
Some of those who really love golf headed to Bridgton Highlands Country Club, despite the 94 degree temps. From what we hear that’s not anywhere near as hot as some places in the country.
For us here at camp, the best place to be is Trickey Pond. In fact, the ski dock’s been so busy this summer that we made the decision to add a fifth boat to our fleet. It’s a Mastercraft NXT, and we call her “Big Blue”. Also new this summer is a pontoon boat, that’s big enough for a cabin of kids. It’s perfect for Pontoon Parties and exploring the other side of the lake.
Tonight was to be the first big play of the season, “Tarzan”. Those in the show have been working hard for days, practicing lines, songs and dances, all in the hot sun. The dress rehearsal was so successful this morning that Suzie gave the cast the afternoon off. By 7:30 the lights were up, mics ready to go, all the actors were in costume and face paint and then…we were warned of a potential big storm. Since the show was to be on the outdoor stage, we made a last-minute change. Instead…it’s movie night! Bunks 1-14 watched inside the Rec Hall, and 25-30 were in the Lodge.
Of course the show will go on! We look forward to watching an amazing performance later in the week, featuring Ari, Luke P, KJ, Cooper E, Barron, Campbell, Henry M, Sawyer, Nolan, Ethan K, Max A, Henry Z, Ethan V, Max P, Levi, Alexander D, Charlie F, Theo Q, Noah P and Lincoln.
Skylemar campers have won the jackpot when it comes to their parents. There are no boys in the world who could ever be more loved or better cared for. When your son is happy, you are too. When he struggles, you are the one who feels the pain. As his greatest cheerleader and trusted confidant, you have a special way of turning things right when they go upside down.
You are the best.
Some say that parenting is difficult. Then again, no one ever said it was easy to be the one in charge. Typically, there’s a reason why those at the top make a high salary. A parent’s year-end bonus just happens to be far more valuable. You get love, hugs and pride-filled moments.
As the boss, wise decision-making is based on what’s best for the company. For a parent, that’s the family. Like a boss, a parent’s job is to make decisions for those who don’t have enough experience to do so on their own.
It all starts with hiring the right people. Your best acquisition came about the moment your son came into your life. As a great boss, you see potential and do what it takes to develop talent.
Strong bosses like you are the motivators. They build the team up, without tearing them down. They understand that fair is not necessarily the same for all. Fair is what a person needs to succeed.
The job of both a boss and a parent is to listen to complaints and consider all the factors and ramifications. They understand that the best “fixes” don’t necessarily come about through elimination. Sometimes it takes a little extra time, understanding and sensitivity to work through a situation. And of course…the boss knows that every once in a while, a tale may be told with some extra embellishment.
The best bosses are clear on goals and know what it takes to get there. They set high but achievable standards and are ready to pivot when the unexpected comes along. They understand human nature and accept that even though 100 positive things happen in a day, the two not so good are what one remembers.
As for feedback, that’s a little bit trickier. No matter how it’s packaged, no one likes to be criticized, especially by the boss. But a gentle conversation goes a very long way. A caring boss opens the door by asking, “what do you feel went right?” and “what do you feel needs improvement?”.
Respectfully and with understanding and compassion, the boss is not afraid to say no. Sounds hard, but it’s not. It’s a rule to remember. When in doubt…just say no.
The best bosses are forever adored. They are who we look up to and aspire to be. How lucky your son is, to have the greatest in the world.
It’s the Polar Bear Swim!
76 campers in Bunks 1-15 signed up to swim across the lake this morning. They woke up at 6AM, and the first group was in the water by 6:45. 30 staff members also woke up early to accompany them for safety, swimming with the kids and in boats.
It was a huge accomplishment, especially for the younger half of camp. They ended up at Bunk 71 (aka The Fink’s House), where a donut and a really cool Bunk 71 bracelet awaited. Boat rides back, and all are ready for breakfast!
Congrats to Anton, Fernando, Paul, Julian, Lincoln, Charlie, Billy, 2 Everett’s, Jonah P, Theo Q, Micah, Benny, 2 Seths, Brantley, 4 Alex’s, Morgan, Eli W, 3 Henry’s, Max W, Quinn, Federico, James P, Max R, Noah W, Connor N, Liam, Isiah, 3 Dylan’s, Levi, Dae, Hendrik, Tiago, Robbie, 2 Luke’s, Marcus, Mac, Diego G, Emmett, Logan, Grant, Royal, Elijah, Ka’Mari, Aiden, Lionel, Declan, Cambell, Ezra, Jack, Spencer, Hunter, Grady, Mason, Colin, Solo, Miles, Oliver G, Dash, Elliott, Jacob W, Noah L, Leo V, Max A, Ari, Barron, Ethan V and Bash.
Bunk 16 and up swim the Polar Bear tomorrow!
Clinic Sign-ups were just before lunch. Commercials were funny as usual, with lots of guest stars. SkyDeck and SkyPines combined to make SkyDines. That’s cooking on the open fire. Down at Trickey, the Ski Dock will rock as the “Wake Dock” specializing in wakesurfing and wakeboarding. “The Monster Challenge”, another perennial favorite at the Swim Dock, is a real test – a course that includes jumping off the Pontoon tower and conquering the Iceberg and Beast in a race against the clock. The Sail Dock will add a little something extra to its kayaking, paddle boarding, and sailing – the pontoon boat will drop anchor in a few special Pond spots for snorkeling.
SkyTennis will work on how to close out matches with an improved overhead smash to finish off points. Our Basketball guys will focus on dribbling and ball handling skills. Football will expand those skills dependent on the legs – route running and being elusive with the ball. “British Open” Golf, “Anything Volleyball” and “El Jefe” Hockey will allow for further development (and fun) in each of those regimens. Track and Field will concentrate on building overall athleticism and introduce plyometrics to the equation.
Shep’s Great Adventure is a backstage tour of all the places that campers typically don’t go to at Skylemar. They’ll learn about the water system, freezers, basement and costume attic. The Lax group will play a 3 v 3 Mini-Lax tourney and Baseball will prep for upcoming Intercamp action. The “Lippy Zippy Zipline” clinic down at SkyRopes sounds like a lot of fun. “Recyclateria” was advertised with guys wearing “Boxbot” costumes made out of boxes. They’ll make sculptures and games out of recyclables. DMan’s “SkySportsCenter” hopes to have the kids produce an episode like ESPN’s own broadcast, from start to finish. Quite a week 3 lineup!
The Ring of Champions Campfire was one of the greatest tonight. The highlight was the Stars doing a skit called Roman Water Ritual. They dressed up in togas, played Zen music and looked serious as they circled the crowd. Then they’d stop, take a sip of water, and squirted the water in the air. It was kind of like a human water fountain. When Adventure Man came, he made a point of reminding us that it’s only ok to spit water if you’re in a skit — kind of like a “don’t try this at home” warning. Then he taught us what to do in case of a nosebleed. He also pulled out the Applause-o-meter to measure the cheers as to what’s more helpful…duct tape or zip ties. Which is your favorite?
You have to change your sheets.
It’s one of those things that most boys can’t wrap their heads around. Saturday is sheet-changing day, and one boy asked, “but if I did it last week do I have to do it today?”. Name withheld to protect the adorable.
This time we had some leverage. If you wanted to go to the all-camp social tonight, you needed to change your sheets. That incentive got the job done.
The once-again sweltering hot day included the full variety of activities on land and water. Those at the Olympic Training Center (aka The Gym) never gave up, despite the high temperatures. Coach Mitch, our Strength & Conditioning Director, runs an outstanding and age-appropriate program that the boys love.
They also look forward to a special period called “Chocolate Factory”. The activity has four parts: learning, cooking, eating and giving. The learning part covered the history of chocolate, and they queried how the Mayans and Aztecs ever thought of turning cacao beans into something delicious. They did blindfold taste-testing of chocolate with different percentages of cocoa. That was easy – the tastiest had the lowest cocoa and highest sugar.
The cooking part involved melting the chocolate, and then dipping strawberries, pretzels and Oreos into it. They made some for themselves, and then some for another bunk as a surprise. That’s the giving part.
Meanwhile, a Swim Meet covering all age Divisions, and tourneys in 15U Volleyball, 11U Baseball, 10U and 13U Soccer, and 14U Lacrosse had many traveling in and out of camp. The 13U boys swept through untarnished and brought us another Championship trophy, but all teams represented Skylemar well. Our Intercamp athletes are especially proud to wear the Red and Gray…. and we’re proud of them all too!
We were especially proud of our gentlemen tonight at that social mentioned above. It was the Fernwood/Skylemar All-Camp, which has become an annual event over the years. Each summer we alternate locations, and this time we got to make the trip to Fernwood. The kickoff was a counselor contest, and our team was out to impress. It was a happy night of dinner and hanging out together. Or in many cases hanging out separately but looking at each other. (wink!)
What do you do if you’re getting married, but the guest list is 300 over the limit?
You host a Rehearsal Wedding.
Directors Luci and DT (aka Danny) got “hitched” tonight, which was a first in Skylemar history. The 46 campers in the bridal party (it was a signup, just like intercamp) made up a magnificent team of bridesmaids, groomsmen, flower girls and ring bearer. It was a very fair system… you told Suzie who you wanted to be. The rest of us got to watch them being silly, which is especially fun at Skylemar.
The Ring of Champions was the location of the ceremony. The attire was “sporty casual”, although the bride herself wore the finest of couture, designed by campers at Chilltop. The groom wore an especially sharp basketball jersey.
Barnicus, Skylemar’s Warrior of Clean, officiated. Repeat after me vows were for better and for even better, in hot days and rainy, for as long as they both have GACU duties plus lots more hilarious stuff (but you have to be a camper to get the jokes…sorry). Then the guests repeated vows too, promising to be Luci and DT’s lawfully wedded best friends.
The couple exchanged Ring Pops, kissed and the audience went wild!
Then it was time to get up and dance…IT’S A WEDDING BLOCK PARTY!
Dr. Barter’s four-piece band rocked the Skylemar stage. They were super great, and it felt like they enjoyed the lively vibe. Not every wedding has a dunk tank, but ours sure did. (Note to counselors: If you agree to get dunked, go early in the line-up. The water’s a whole lot cleaner.)
There were bubbles and axe throwing (deep breath – plastic axes), cornhole and badminton, Kan Jam and Spikeball, photo booth and video messages. Especially exciting was the “gift table”. That’s where campers could decorate a set of king- sized sheets that was the wedding gift for Luci and DT.
Catering was superb and very kid-friendly. Pigs in a blanket, mozzarella sticks and good old chicken nuggets. Signature Mocktails (Shirley Temples, Fauxmosas and Mock-Jitos) were refreshing on such a humid night. One drink used mint that was grown in the Sky Garden.
Time for dessert! Chef Junior and Chef Benjamin worked hard to build the 6-layer “pyramid of cake”. We added fresh flowers from Kristen’s Gardens to give it the wedding glow. The boys waited patiently while Luci made the first cut, and then they fed each other a bite. They were the good kind of bride and groom – no smooshing cake in the face.
A final round of hugs for the new couple, and it was time for Taps. What a perfect way to celebrate love at Skylemar.
July 11 is Shirley Day at Camp Skylemar! Shirley was Lee’s wife, who truly lived by the Cool2Care motto. She loved people, Skylemar and ice cream. Each year we celebrate her life with a spectacular spread of make-your-own-sundaes, and today was the day. We’re grateful to have her watching over us from above.
It was exciting to welcome our Special Guest Coach today to the Skylemar gridiron. Greg Pyke is a second team All-SEC lineman from the University of Georgia, who then signed to play with the Buffalo Bills and Arizona Cardinals. He finished his NFL career in 2018, and now is a teacher and coach at Boys’ Latin School in Baltimore. Best of all, he’s a super great person who ran an outstanding program today at Skylemar called “NFL Prep”. The guys really focused on practicing Greg’s unique set of drills, despite the high heat and humidity. They had lots of questions for him and were thrilled to get autographs.
Bunks 8-10 and 16-17 cooled down at the ice rink that’s located just 10 miles from camp. It’s especially fun to have the whole rink to ourselves. Some have skated before, but for others, it’s a whole new sport.
Meanwhile, the Stars Division went to Portland for a community service project. They spent the morning cleaning up a beach. They definitely made a positive difference, and many were grateful for their help.
The Cubs went to the Ossipee Valley Fair. They learned a lot about cows, but most important to them was that they got to spend $10 on food. Somehow the chicken nuggets taste better when you use your own money. Most important to us was the compliments Blake got about the manners our little guys have.
Lots of Intercamp activity today too. Sky Tennis in three age groups headed out for an all-day tourney with several other camps. Outstanding matches all around with several players moving on to the latter stages in each group. Oscar, Coop (14U) and Asher (12U) advanced through their draws, and our youngest group produced an all-Skylemar final in singles with Diego LP capturing the title. In the 10U doubles, Max R and Federico came close in a hard fought final but still proved to be a formidable pairing.
Our 12U Hoopsters also hit the road as well with mixed results. However, more than any individual performances of note, Coach Myke was most impressed by the improvement shown by this team in just a few short weeks. This game was their best effort of the season.
Hockey tournaments both home (15U) and away (13U) brought more Championship hardware to our mantle. We hosted the 15U event where our most dominant group showed why they’re the best amongst all camps — ready to take on all comers with a resounding 10-4 title game victory. Shout-outs to each member of this team from Coach LJ. He couldn’t help but get a bit emotional (like a Proud Papa) as he remembered them as little ones when they first walked into our rink.
The 13U squad used their 6-1 semi-final win as a springboard for a great performance in a very hotly contested final. Ignacio completed the hat trick, scoring the lone 3rd period goal to break a 2-2 tie. Netminder Thomas L, the defensive MVP, shut the door to win the Cup, 3-2.
Dinner tonight was by Band of Brothers. It’s really fun to change it up every so often and be with our Band. We even stuck together during 7th period. The Loons and Wolves had Free Swim at the Waterfront, the Bald Eagles, Bats and Deer had Country Club Special (Tennis, Golf & Pickleball), The Bears and Cubs had Bunkline Bonanza (Lacrosse and Soccer), the Owls and Foxes had Court Sport Special, while the Moose, Dock Spiders and Lobsters had Yard Games.
We got the low down from World of Change today. Our combined contributions came to $1,187.54! This will provide more than 1,200 meals for those who don’t have enough to eat, 4 backpacks filled with essentials, three beds and pillows for kids sleeping on the floor, plus partial support for a pet therapy program. That’s a lot to be proud of!
Two Jack Ms were coincidentally awarded the Cool2Care Chain (Bunk 11 & 20) at Spirit Night. Both are two of the nicest people we know, who never have an unkind word to say about anyone. Congrats!
Naples, Maine certainly has its place on the map. But did you know the quaint little town is also home to the only gambling casino in the world where the house never wins? Wish you could come, but you must be under 18 to enter. Plus, you’d have to act quickly. This gaming establishment is only open one night a year.
It’s SADE’S PALACE!
Wheels of Fortune, Dice Games, Blackjack, Roulette. Poker, Horse Racing, Bingo and Craps. Best of all, Sade’s knows how to treat a customer… they give away cash, $100 in Skylemoney, for all big spenders.
What a star-studded night for the paparazzi. In attendance was Jayson Tatum, Kaitlin Clark and a couple of boxers from the US Olympic team. There was the cast of Scooby Doo, Toy Story, Harry Potter and Baywatch. The Incredible Hulk, Spiderman and the real Superman stopped by. Also Kevin Hart, Captain Jack Sparrow, Janis Joplin, Bob Marley, William Wallace from “Brave Heart” and Buddy the Elf. Mrs. Claus and a Reindeer, Dorothy from “The Wizard of Oz”, Barbie, Cleopatra and Happy Gilmore were spied. Couples included Tarzan and Jane, Peter Pan and Tinker Bell, Thing One and Thing Two (who brought along baby Thing Three). A seemingly youthful President Biden made an appearance, along with his Secret Service. The White House visit did place heavy demands on Sade’s Security Team.
The cameras didn’t stop clicking at the Step and Repeat. You might even know some of the a-list celebrities personally. Rumor has it — at least one has had dinner at your house.
Speaking of food…the grill had it all. Burgers, Hot Dogs, Salads and Ice Cream. We overheard Seth R (of the famous Bunk 7) proudly say that tonight he had his first root beer.
Tiago won the lottery! Thousands of dollars went to him, which came in handy when he went shopping later that night. Ethan P (of the prominent Bunk 1) won the “Guess How Many Jellybeans” in the jar — $2,543 went to him, along with a lifetime supply of toothbrushes.
As the evening grew late, Harry Winston’s was kind enough to share their newest line of glow-in-the-dark jewelry. Of course these pieces were only on loan…
Every big winner had a wad of cash to blow at Sade’s Gift Shop. There were yo-yos and squishy balls, splat eggs and whoopee cushions, inflatable balls and all types of sunglasses, basketball hoops and fuzzy dice. Anything and everything!
Well, that’s a wrap for Sade’s 2024. Special thanks to Maria Von Trapp (aka Suzie) and the amazing personalities who made the magic happen. See you next year!
There’s nothing more joyous than a Skylemar Talent Show. There were 39 brave participants, some with talent, and some not so much. No matter how silly or how many “wait, let me start overs”, the audience responded with cheers, whistles and claps. Each performer is rewarded with a trinket from the Super Prize Bag. Not bribery, just an incentive.
Levi (B5) kicked off the show with his Griddy dance. Not sure why he had his shirt pulled over his head, but it was really funny.
Charlie F (B2) impressed us all with his headstand. MC’s DMan and Caleb were ready to catch him, just in case.
Jacob W (B14) screamed. Yes Dad, that’s what he did.
Theo R, Henry Z, Sawyer and Jonathan L from B15, along with Dash H and Alex S (B13) did the Slow-mo World Boxing Champion skit.
Liam S, Connor S and Bash of B5 did something with their thumbs. Robert T (B25) laughed into the microphone.
Theo Q and Jonah P of B2, along with Paul M (B1) did push-ups. Barron and Oliver G drank four cups of water in 30 seconds. Also on the time clock was Lajuan G who did the Rubik’s Cube in 93 seconds.
Dae, Tiago and Robby G did a Shadow Boxing skit. Isaiah A and Dylan S were outstanding Shadow Boxers as well.
What would a Skylemar Talent Show be without an arm-farting routine? We can thank Jack M (B11) for that, and Dylan R as well. Dylan held the microphone.
Max W (B4) played beautifully on the piano. Brantley played “Old McDonald”, and the audience sang along.
Seth F (B3) played a Skylemar song on the electric guitar. Really impressive!
Also impressive was Ethan P (B1) and Micah (B2) who sang the Rainbow Friends “Purple” song. Ethan V (B15) sang “We Will Rock You”, and we all sang too.
Beckett, Alexander D and Henry M of B4 did some breakdancing. Oliver G played the harmonica on his knees. Not sure about the knees, but he definitely has some talent.
Another Skylemar staple are the magicians. Tonight was Campbell and Emmett L who each had a trick. The audience loves being asked to volunteer. Lots of tall hands go up, along with “oooooh ooooohs” in hopes of being selected.
Nolan B (B18) was the big winner of the night, playing and singing “Soul Sister” on the ukulele. He was fantastic.
There were some other big winners today…
The most anticipated Intercamp action of the summer took our boys on the road, but this year’s 15U Lax squad had the added pressure of defending the crown won at last year’s tourney.
This annual event has become the most talked about Lacrosse tournament of the New England camp scene for many years, and last year’s triumph had been a long time coming.
After a slow start, the Skylemar attackman got it going and eased by their first round opponent 10-2; then let the defense take over in a convincing 9-3 semifinal victory, sending us to the Championship game.
In the final, twins Will and Harry once again led the way and showed why they might be the best and most talented tandem of Sky Laxers ever. Once we had the lead, Zane B wreaked havoc all over the field, disrupting any chance of a comeback, while defensive MVP Henry B was spectacular between the pipes.
Lucas V and Leo chipped in with added scoring and all-around hustle. Coach Nick lauded the entire team for their effort in bringing back another Championship trophy.
The on-field celebration carried over to Skylemar when the boys arrived back home. The team bus was swarmed as kids came running from everywhere to greet the Champs and let them know just how excited and proud we all were. Then, to cap it off, a wild dash and splash into the rewarding waters of Trickey. Yes, even this camp director jumped into the fun.
It was so hot today we had to take it sl-o-o-o-o-o-w….
We did our best to keep activities in the shade, and took water breaks every 20 minutes. By afternoon it was sweltering, so we canceled the schedule and switched to a Wacky Water Afternoon.
Lucky for us, we have Trickey Pond. Skylemar has well over a mile of frontage, so we have access to the lake at several points. First, there’s the Sky I Waterfront, where most of the action takes place. In addition to swimming in the lanes, there’s all kinds of toys to play on. There’s an assortment of giant inflatables – things you climb up, slide down, jump off and bounce on. Peter and his amazing staff offer stand-up paddle boards, kayaks, canoes, sailboats, water basketball and all kinds of creative games and challenges.
By today’s standards, there really is no difference between what’s called a lake vs a pond, at least in Maine. Trickey is about 2 miles long, and a half mile across. It’s very deep (30+ feet in the center), which is why we wear life jackets when we play on inflatables, and of course we need them when using a boat. That way everyone can have fun, no matter their swim level. What’s most amazing about our Trickey Pond is the clarity. It’s incredibly clean, and you can see right through to the bottom when you look over the dock’s edge.
The Sky II waterfront is located at Sky Pines, on the other side of camp. Here the water is shallow for quite a distance, sort of like a sandbar. This area is ideal for fishing, and snorkeling’s great here too. Today’s group used the Corcls, which are circular orange boats, kind of like a flat kayak but round.
The older guys had Hillbilly Hot Tubs, Ice Baths and Yard Games. And what is a Hillbilly Hot Tub you might ask? It’s when you put a giant tarp in the bed of a truck and fill it with water. Definitely a first for just about everyone, and loads of fun, too!
Ice Baths are large bins and baby pools filled with water and ice cubes. They fill the boyish desire to “see how much I can stand”, like when they eat hot peppers or a lemon and tell their friends that they like it. Today it was about how long they could stay in the icy water. Quite a while for most!
Back at Sky I, there was Water Warships. That’s when there’s a giant tarp hung between two teams, and the game’s played sort of like Battleship with spongy water balls tossed across to make the plays. The game went well for the first half hour, and then everyone just started throwing wet balls at the counselors.
One group had ice-cream making, followed by crafts at Chilltop. The ice cream, made with whipping cream, sugar and flavorings, was surprisingly delicious. The craft was sand art, which is always popular. That is, until the cap comes off the bottle.
Another group had Hose Games and snow cones. It’s super joyful stuff – squeals of laughter from all. As for snow cones, “blue” (blue raspberry) is definitely the most requested. We’ve been trying to get rid of what the kids call “cream-de-men-they” (mint flavored but the label says “Cream de Menthe”) for a long time now.
Forever the favorite hotspot is the Sky Water Slide, which runs down the hockey court hill. It spans quite a distance, so you definitely get a good ride.
To top off the fun, each location got a visit from the Sky Ice Cream Truck.
Once again, we’re exhausted. Crossing our fingers that all get sleep tonight. More hot tomorrow!
It’s a boy!
The “gender reveal” for Nick and Sarah’s baby was celebrated with 200 boys and 140 staff this afternoon. Now that’s a Shepherd kind of party. Your camp directors opened the sealed envelope and there it was – the blue card! THE CROWD WENT WILD!
“I was hoping it would be a boy so he can be a camper with us!”, said Myles F (B13).
After congratulatory red and blue Gatorades, everyone was invited to fill out a card with their recommendation for a baby name. Lots of Herbs, Lees and Skylers in the mix, plus some really clever ones too. We’re excited for the little guy to be welcomed home this winter.
Of course, a girl would have been just as great. It was fun to have some “in the house” when our sisters and cousins from Camp Fernwood came for dinner. The brothers here were perfect gentlemen.
Ring of Champions Campfire for Evening Activity. It was one of the best! Everyone loves the “Boom Chica Boom” song, and this time there was a new verse about the Sea Dogs. Five counselors did the “Wee Skit” that had everyone laughing. Ask your son about this one. Eli K led an amazing rendition of the “A Roosta Sha” song, and we all did the actions. Beags did a dramatic reading of “Sweet Caroline”, and then everyone sang a verse. Somehow this song has turned into an annual favorite here. Adventure Man used inflatable lobsters to teach us what to do if someone is choking. The “musical snack” featured Cory on the guitar playing “Country Roads”. It’s heartwarming to see the guys lock arms without anyone telling them to do so.
It’s been a steady roll of steamy hot weather. No complaints about that, but we’re definitely exhausted. The Bunkline’s quiet tonight, so hopefully the guys are getting some much-needed rest. Like we said…hopefully.
Let the intercamp games begin!
Soccer…Lacrosse…Hoops…Tennis…Baseball!
Some games are home; some are away. It seems like every day teams in different age groups are coming or going. You can sign up to play in a U12 Baseball game on Monday, a Tennis tournament on Tuesday and then a Lax game later in the week. We play to win, but always keep it classy.
The coaches on Skylemar teams stand out from the rest. They’re motivational, strategic and they help each player to feel good about themselves. We’re not the “participation trophy” type of place. Instead, our counselors take tremendous pride in building our athletes. They instill the necessary skills while always keeping sportsmanship front and center.
Sometimes the coaches on the other side make us wince, but you can count on those from Skylemar to encourage, support and stand by our boys whether or not things go our way.
Occasionally we’re asked how we hold our own as a camp of 200 boys playing against those with several hundred more. We do so by knowing the kids and remembering the sage advice of one of our directors, Joel S: “Be the hardest worker and the one having the most fun.”
Today was the U10 Steal-the-Bacon tournament on our Hejduk Field at Sky II. Four camps participated, and “Bacon Fest 2024” dominated this stifling hot afternoon. Coached by members of our Stars Division, these little guys truly gave it their all. Special shout outs to Alex K (Bunk 10), Grady A (B12), Lionel Z (B9) for sportsmanship, and Aiden Q (B9) for MVP. Caidyn (B8) and Max A (B15) were key players, despite having just learned how to play the game.
Not sure how to play? Just ask your son.
Evening Activity was Spirit Night, led by Bunk 22. That’s when we slow down and join together in a night of appreciation. You might call it a non-denominational service, which includes some traditional songs, an opening poem, a prayer for our country, a time when we send thanks out to those at home and an Apache blessing. Shep shares a reading, and tonight’s was written by someone he knows – Kathleen Kennedy Townsend. She’s the niece of President John F. Kennedy, and she wrote about some of the beliefs that JFK stood by. For example, he knew that there’s far more that makes us the same, as opposed to different – we breathe the same air and live on the same planet. He also believed in citizen involvement, no matter how old or young you are.
Counselor Luke S gave an incredible sermonette, in tribute to his cousin Mariah Wilson who passed away. She was an extremely accomplished athlete, who not only graduated from Dartmouth with an engineering degree, but had the courage and strength to train in her sport of cycling as a sponsored professional. Luke’s message to Skylemar was to be a Mariah: When you have opportunity, take advantage of it with everything you’ve got. Do everything in your power to be your best.
Nick Shep gave his Cool2Care message. He explained that if you care for yourself and care for others every day, you’ll have a fantastic summer (as well as a fantastic life!). Two campers were introduced as the recipients of the Cool2Care chain for the week.
The first was described as an expert at doing the right thing when nobody’s looking. He’s kind. He’s fun. He’s embraced his Band of Brothers already. This recipient is Noah K (B27).
The second is a new camper, who has incredible manners that makes us all feel honored and appreciated. He’s a shining light at Skylemar, and his name is Luke McD (B6).
Spirit Night wraps up with popsicles, and a big round of camp songs. This activity serves as a good reminder of how we are one giant Skylemar family, and we’re the luckiest people in the whole wide world.
Here’s the recipe. You crack and scramble 1,080 eggs, flip 974 pancakes, make 8 gallons of oatmeal and then you’ve got breakfast.
Lunch could be 200 pounds of chicken tenders or 980 grilled cheese sandwiches. Of course, there’s a salad bar too, so that’s another 40 heads of lettuce, 60 cucumbers (our most popular vegetable), 50 green peppers, 40 carrots plus a case of kidney beans. And don’t forget the WB&J’s (Wow Butter and Jelly) – there’s 152 of them made at this meal alone.
Turkey dinner takes 22 birds, 120 pounds of mashed potatoes, 9 ovens filled with stuffing, and just two pans of peas (not too many pea fans here). Spaghetti requires 100 pounds of pasta along with 1,800 meatballs in Full Red Stanislaus Marinara (a restaurant brand), 126 loaves for garlic bread, and 150 heads of romaine for Caesar salad (the fan favorite).
And then you have to clean the dishes. And pots. Three times…every day.
Head Chef Junior is the maestro of the Skylemar kitchen orchestra, and definitely our camp MVP. There are 350 hungry people counting on him, and he truly delivers. Along with his staff of loyal assistant chefs and dedicated crew of 10, together they have over 140 years of Skylemar experience. As they say, practice makes perfect.
Talk about perfect. It’s kind of magical how he gets everything out, piping hot. For example, Junior makes 800 pieces of grilled chicken, and each is cooked to perfection. Not a single piece is the least bit dry. His secret weapon is called a “proofing cabinet”, which is a large holding box that’s 115 degrees with added humidity. For a meal served at 5:30, he starts grilling at 2pm. The pieces grilled early are not fully cooked, because they’ll be in the cabinet for several hours. It’s all about the timing.
A home version of a proofing cabinet could be a winner on Shark Tank. It’s much more practical than an air fryer. If you put a chicken dinner or lasagna in the box before taking your son to his soccer practice, by the time you got home it would be hot and ready… not the least bit dried out because of the moist air inside.
Each winter we get a few emails saying that a boy will only eat something the way it was made at camp. “How do you make it?” they ask. Just in case that becomes you, here are some tips, straight from the chef:
– Caesar Salad: Sprinkle chopped romaine heavily with garlic powder. Pour on Ken’s Pepper Parmesan dressing (never use bottled Caesar). Toss with parmesan cheese and homemade croutons. Best croutons are made from leftover grilled cheese sandwiches.
– Perfect rice is made in the oven, as opposed to the stovetop. Boil water and pour over rice in the standard ratio. Cover pan with foil and bake at 350 for 45 minutes. No stick and a much easier cleanup.
– How does he get the ground beef so fine for tacos? “Wash it” before it goes in the skillet. The extra water in the beef is what makes it crumble perfectly. Then drain as usual.
Oh, yes – one important piece of advice. Don’t ever run out. After all, they’re hungry!
Here’s a follow-up on yesterday’s Cool2Care/World of Change effort…
Camper X is an especially picky eater. Mom suggested a reward system of paying him a dollar for every time he eats whatever is served. “Hmmmm,” says Camper X. “I don’t really need the money.” He contemplates and then says, “But I could give the money to World of Change”.
His response made us smile, but also got us thinking. It truly is a gift to be able to give to charity. And it feels whole lot better to give a dollar than to get one. Maybe a twist on traditional “allowance-giving” is something to consider… like this: When you contribute to the household, mom and dad will give you the gift of being able to help someone else.
The sun shines on! We’ve been on a roll of fantastic, warm weather. Even though we didn’t get back from the Sea Dogs game until 11pm (yikes!), our guys ran and swam just as usual. Periods like Yellowhorn (outdoor science – they’re making scented slime) and Chilltop (crafts) were a welcome respite.
We took care of a couple of important things today. First was a “Safety Exercise” following breakfast. That’s when we practice listening well and moving together with our counselors in the event that Shep, Arleen, George or Nick ever tell us to do so. We keep it that simple.
Second most important was GACU! That stands for Great American Clean Up, and what better day for that then July 4. That’s when each camper goes to “The Spa” (Garden Cabin porch) for nail clipping and feet washing, and then on to the Infirmary for a meeting with the nurses. Special thanks to the loyal staff members who gave the pedicures. Now that’s dedication.
We spent the evening at Trickey Pond for our own fireworks show. Shep meticulously arranged a perfect viewing spot for each Bunk – on a dock, in a ski boat, on the beach and so forth. The warmup for the show was the Counselor Belly Flop Contest. Counselors of all sizes, shapes and abilities did whatever it took to make the kids laugh. Most impressive was RayAnn. She absolutely blew our minds with the most graceful cartwheel off the dock, rotating into a perfect horizontal flat position as she splashed into the pond. Definitely the Skylemar winner!
We’re especially fortunate to have wonderful neighbors on Trickey Pond. We work together to keep our lake healthy and clean (check out www.trickeypond.org) and stand ready to lend a hand when anyone’s in need. It was fun to see these friends forming a boat parade passing by our waterfront. Greg from across the lake was the “fireworks master”. He put on a spellbinding show!
There’s always something to celebrate at Skylemar. It could be that “the Wed Sox beat the Wockies”, as reported by an adorable voice on The Morning Show that’s blasted over the PA system. Or maybe that it’s Laundry Day, or it’s chicken tenders for lunch or that a friend got up for the first time skiing.
The best celebration comes if you’re lucky enough to have a birthday boy in your bunk.
It begins with Morning Announcements, when Drama Director Suzie shouts out, “Hey Camp Skylemar. Today’s a very special day because it’s _____’s birthday. Let’s all wish him a happy birthday… (and then the camp responds with) ALL DAY LONG! A rockin’ birthday song plays, we all cheer and the birthday boy takes a lap through the Pavilion for a round of high-fives.
Lunch is a “Private Party” in the Garden Cabin – bunk members only. Pizza, treats and goodie bags. At dinner the whole camp sings the traditional birthday song and there’s cupcakes for the bunk. It’s sweet to have a friend born June 29 through August 10.
Today we also celebrated doing the right thing. Remember the money bags we sent in the winter? They were to hold the coins collected for the charity “World of Change”. The director of this non-profit, which collects loose change to fund programs for impoverished children, came to see us today.
WOC’s Director Matt told us that when you add it all together, there’s at least 10 billion dollars of spare change that’s not being used. People throw away approximately 62 million per year! One out of every five kids doesn’t have enough to eat, but just one jar filled with coins amounting to $70 represents 280 meals in a food pantry. For the price of a video game, 93 children can have breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Matt brought his special truck, that’s set up sort of like an old fashioned toll booth. Each camper got to pour in change, and could designate it either for food, housing or beds for those in need. The kids were incredibly generous. In fact, camper Tim C. donated $248. That’s 1,000 meals!
We’ll collect the change leftover from cash given out on trips and donate that to WOC. Counselors have already donated $65 in change from the staff soda machine. We don’t charge them for the sodas, but instead ask that they donate $1 to WOC each time they take one. Although we don’t know our total donation yet, if you consider the leftover Sea Dogs cash, it should be quite substantial.
Speaking of Sea Dogs, the entire camp loaded up seven buses this afternoon and headed to Portland to watch the Sea Dogs play the NH Fisher Cats. Camper Ethan V (Bunk 15) won the lottery and was selected to throw out the first pitch. His many fans in the stadium cheered wildly as he threw a perfect strike.
It was a sensational game, and the fireworks afterwards were spectacular. In fact, the game itself had its own share of fireworks (including a couple of ejections) as the Sea Dogs came back with a late-inning grand slam to win 8-5!
Come as friends, leave as brothers.
That’s how we roll at Skylemar.
It’s cool to care about each other here, and we’re totally good with saying “I love you”. Of course we say it with some swagger, like a chant -”LOVE ON TWO, ONE TWO (clap)” – or we give the sign language symbol (index and pinkie up, ring and middle finger down) without thinking twice.
Of course we’re not 100% on point – no human is. Occasionally we neglect to be kind, and sometimes it takes another person to remind us of this.
What makes us most proud about the Skylemar culture is how great the older guys treat those who are younger. This year we’ve expanded and formalized the opportunity for those of all ages to really become unified with a program called “Band of Brothers”.
As you know, age groups are called “Divisions” (Cubs, Lions, Tigers, Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors and Stars). Two or three campers from each Division are assigned to a particular “Band”, which is led by our Sky II campers. Each Band is named after an animal native to Maine: Wolves, Bald Eagles, Moose, Owls, Loon, Lobster, Bears, Deer, Dock Spiders, Foxes, Bats and Otters.
For example, on the Moose Band there would be a Major (a Senior Staff member), two Leaders (14/15 year olds), and then two or three boys of each age (7-13). About twice a week we’ll come together in Bands for an activity or meal.
At tonight’s Band of Brothers Kickoff, there were super fun and silly races — a wheelbarrow relay, an over under relay along with some hula hooping… lots of cheers, laughter and high fives all around!
Another special opportunity came today for those who were at Sky Pines. It’s a beautiful spot on the water’s edge where we do campcraft activities, fishing and snorkeling. It’s also where we do overnight camping. Some of the guys were there for fire building (they learn the different styles, like log cabin, teepee, etc.) and on their way through the trails, they saw the most beautiful owl! We often hear owls, but it’s quite a rarity to see one.
It’s a happy thought to think that this owl somehow could be Herb, one of the founders of Skylemar, who passed away many years ago. Herb and Lee (who we like to think of as the Bald Eagle who soars over camp) were the first Skylemar Band of Brothers. They were best friends, although several years apart in age. Maybe, just maybe, our owl came in view as if to say, “Keep up the kind work. You’re doing this right”.
Heard this today…
Setting: At Chilltop, working on a craft project with Bunk 1
Mary Beth: It would be great if you would add some more detail to that etching.
Bunkmate: What’s detail?
Fernando: I know! Detail means you need to add good things to something.
Only at Skylemar.
(Clap)(Clap) Clean! (Clap)(Clap) Clean!
The chant spreads throughout the Pavilion, and in they come…
Barnicus and Laundricus, the Warriors of Clean.
The two warriors are our mythical characters in charge of cabin cleanliness. They explain that after breakfast each camper makes their bed, and then does a chore that’s assigned with a turn of the Job Wheel. There’s sweep, dustpan, sink, porch, clothesline, and yes, even toilet cleaning.
Barnicus directs the Inspection challenge, where each bunk competes for the highest score. Laundricus, as you might guess, is in charge of clean sheets on the bed, and laundry in the bongo-hamper. The warriors remind us of the importance of keeping things straight when 8+ people are living in one room. But don’t worry about the toilet, mom. Secret is that Mary, Betty and Vicky (our super-star housekeeping team) sneak in while the kids are at activities and re-do the bathrooms.
Beautiful weather means lots of action at Trickey Pond. Waterfront Director Peter has an amazing staff who teaches swimming, diving, sailing, kayaking, canoeing, fishing plus all the accomplishments you can master behind one of several motorboats. After working on swimming and boating skills, there’s always time for simply having fun in the sparkling clear water. There’s The Beast, which is a giant inflatable sliding board. The Iceberg has a climbing wall on one side and a slide on the other. There’s the Trampoline, Pontoon Tower and a giant wobbly thing that lots of people can climb on at the same time. We call that the UFO.
All these giant toys are super fun to play on, but the water is 30’ deep in Trickey. That’s why we all wear life jackets, just to be safe. Then everyone of all abilities can have a great time together.
Activities up top today included Football, Track & Field, Golf, Hockey, Soccer, Yellowhorn (outdoor science), Baseball, Hoops and Tennis. Some had Porch Time with Shep. That’s when you hang on Shep’s porch and talk about important stuff while eating Scooby Snacks. Today’s topic was about everyone having the right to have fun here, and if you see someone being treated unkindly you should stand up and speak out. Everyone discussed and signed the Skylemar Code of Honor. Here’s what it says:
Skylemar is all about being together with friends, enjoying the outdoors, playing games and showing kindness.
At Skylemar, I promise to be the best person I can be, and agree with the following:
The Directors, Counselors and Staff are responsible for my safety. I will do my best to listen to them when they ask me to do or not to do something.
I will do my best to treat everyone kindly– the way that they wish to be treated.
Everyone is entitled to have fun. I promise not to ruin someone else’s fun.
It is my responsibility to tell Shep or Arleen if something is wrong. It is also my responsibility to politely remind others to be kind if they forget.
I will respect other’s property, as they will respect mine; this includes body and belongings.
If someone asks me to “stop”, I will.
Skylemar is about people, not about electronics. I promise I do not have a cell phone or any electronic with internet access or video capability.
I understand why we have these rules at Skylemar and agree to follow them.
No matter your age, it’s a Skylemar plan that all can agree on.
Lots of early risers at Skylemar, especially the first day — we call them the “Sunshine Squad”. Beginning at 7 AM, campers have their choice of an assortment of activities like Tennis, Basketball, Gaga, Soccer, Mini Golf, Yard Games and Dog Walking. Meanwhile, others still have an hour left to sleep.
Pancakes, yogurt, oatmeal, cold cereals, peaches and bananas for breakfast. Along with the buffet comes the morning paper. Just like The New York Times, this paper is packed with all you need to know, and it changes every day.
It’s called “The Daily Schedule” – and determines where each person at Skylemar is to be, at any one time. As you see on today’s that’s posted below, across the top are the bunk numbers (1-30). Down the left side are the seven periods. It reads that Bunks 1-12 had Waterfront for first and second period, while Bunks 13-15 were at the Challenge Course. Bunks 16 and 17 had Soccer followed by Baseball, 18 and 19 had Hockey followed by Volleyball, and so forth.
Third period is our weekly elective called Clinic Period. This is the opportunity for each camper to independently choose an activity that they’d like to focus on for a full hour, for a five-day cycle. Today, the whole camp gathered in the shade to for the Clinic Sign-ups. That’s when the counselors get a chance to advertise what they’re offering this week — performing skits we call “Commercials”.
For example, there was “Slapshot” Hockey, “Shoot the Juice” Soccer, “Bump Your Skills” Volleyball and “King of the Court” Tennis. There’s plenty of offerings where skills and fundamentals will be sharpened with the help of individualized attention from our amazing Football, Baseball and Basketball staffs. There’s “Splish Splash” at the Waterfront, where you get to play on all the inflatables… plus “Pirates of the Caribbean” Sailing, too. We saw ads for “Intercamp Prep” Lax Clinic, “3D Tech” Golf, “Master of the Challenge” Course, “Fire Building” at Sky Pines, and even making a “Skylemar Sports Center” video. At “Take Me Out to The Ballgame” Crafts, kids can make signs and t-shirts for the upcoming Seadogs Baseball Game trip. SkyDeck Cooking will focus on cuisine from the Mediterranean culture. The “Ski Dock Will Rock” as always, with wakeboarding, skiing and surfing. If you want to slow down, there’s “Reading Rabbit”, when you just get to relax with a good book.
The Schedule may look confusing to an outsider. But it’s easy to follow for us because every period change is announced over the camp-wide PA system. What makes the paper version especially important is that it provides pertinent information for the counselors. Their names are written by every activity that they are teaching, both on and off the field. For instance, staff are assigned Foot Patrol periods. Foot Patrol is part of our security program, which divides our 200 acres into “zones of awareness”. Extra sets of eyes go inside and outside buildings, making sure everyone is safely where they’re supposed to be.
7th period is another part of the schedule that the boys are excited to see. It comes after dinner and is typically a more casual time. Campers can choose any one of at least 15 activities each and every day.
Tonight’s Evening Activity was a Skylemar favorite…The Ring of Champions Campfire.
The night featured lots of traditional tunes, chants and repeat-after-me songs. “60’s Party” and “The Burrito Song” are Skylemar classics that everyone loved. The “Dating Game” and “Mama Bear” skits had all of us laughing. Adventure Man made an appearance as he does every Campfire, teaching us survival skills in his own unique way.
While we enjoyed s’mores, Nick introduced “Cool2Care”. It’s what we call the Skylemar vibe, focused on caring about ourselves, others and the world around us. Members of our oldest Division, the Stars, shared with all what Cool2Care means to them. It’s super inspiring to listen to 15-year-olds who truly are outstanding gentlemen.
9 PM and it’s time to turn in. Phew…a whole lot goes on in a Skylemar day. When the sun rises, we’ll be back at it again. Thank goodness we have our Program Director “Barney”. He’s the one who spends many hours creating this daily masterpiece. He accomplishes what no computer can do, taking into account factors like the distance to walk between activities, personalities of the counselors, an equal distribution of staff duties, a variety of activities for campers, and the weather of course. It’s a much harder puzzle than any Sudoku or crossword. By midnight, the paper is published, just in time to come hot off the press and into our hands once again!
It’s renewable energy at its best…
There was a solar field of smiles at Camp Skylemar, when 200+ boys from around the country and abroad finally connected. Old and new friends embraced and high-fived, while counselors did their very best to make sure that all felt comfortable and at ease. For many, especially your camp director, this was the happiest day of the year.
After a visit with the SkyMedical Team, it was time to check out the bunk. Welcome signs were fun to come home to, especially because the counselors tried their best to make them special. You’d be surprised to see how artistic college athletes can be. The counselors have been training for this important “game day”, and even had beds made and clothes put away for each member of their new household.
In between yummy meals of chicken tenders (with Chef Junior’s Special Sauce) and spaghetti, there was time to get on the fields and courts. The rain cut the games short, but there was plenty to do inside the cabin.
The official “Kickoff” of the 76th season of Camp Skylemar was inside the Rec Hall, with the entire camp gathering as one big family. Counselors were introduced with claps, cheers, stomps and raps. Here’s a sample of one by Nick Shep. Turn on some music and give it a try. Don’t worry – your son isn’t watching!
Welcome to Skylemar, 2024,
Campers are here and ready to soar,
Friendship and kindness we got it and more,
Skylemar fam forever hardcore.
Frog on the field, football plays,
Breakin’ tackles, leading the way → quick
Beags on the water, skiin’ all day,
Jumpin’ those wakes, making a spray.
Myke on the court, hoops in sight,
Dunkin’ and shootin’, through the night,
Adam at Skydeck, cookin’ up right,
Delicious creations, every bite.
DRC’s tennis, swingin’ the game,
Forehand, backhand, buildin’ the name,
Mason with baseball, bringin’ the flame,
Home runs and strikes, knowin’ no shame.
Mitch in the gym, strength and fitness,
Liftin’ those weights, trainin’ with quickness,
Dox on the ropes, adventure is sickness,
Climbin’ and zip, pushin’ the limits.
Suzie with plays, actin’ on stage,
Drama and laughter, for every age,
Rook with lax, balls in the cage,
Stick skills sharp, we engage.
Shannon with photos, snappin’ the days,
Josh on the green, golfin’ in ways,
Shep with the hats, leading the craze,
Barney’s schedule, guiding our plays.
Luci and DT, wedding bells ring,
LJ and George, morning show kings,
Counselors, campers, all in the swing,
Skylemar fam, we do our thing.
From sports to fun, and all in between,
Camp Skylemar, living the dream,
2024, we shine and gleam,
Skylemar, the ultimate team.
Bittersweet, they call it. One part terribly sad, and another part wonderfully happy. August 5 is that kind of day at Camp Skylemar.
After a week of Color War intensity, followed by traditional end-of-season Evening Activities that run way too late, the boys are exhausted. Last night’s Final Banquet, one of the most loved nights of the year, was especially memorable. Without being asked to do so, the boys “dress up”, which for the most part means a polo shirt with whatever on the bottom, that makes for a very handsome camp. The food is what they like best – burgers, barbecue chicken, corn on the cob, Caesar salad and brownie sundaes.
Speeches, awards, camp songs, laughter and comradeship make the Banquet special. The very best part is “Retrospect”. It’s a multi-media show projected on a 10’ foot tall screen, which highlights the entire summer. It’s produced by Skylemar’s best friend, alum Bruce Finkelstein. Bruce, along with his photography and video crew (Shannon, Leslie, Rachel, Nate, Josh, Bo and Joe) spend weeks putting the presentation together. You’ll be able to see a version online, but there’s nothing like watching it in the Rec Hall. 350 people cheering as they watch those they love on the screen makes for a one-of-a-kind experience. The standing ovation given at the end said it all.
As for this morning…it was one of those times which words can’t do justice. Even the most masculine, no matter how old or reserved, could not hold back tears. Campers and counselors from across the country and abroad, who never would have met each other if it wasn’t for our little slice of heaven here in Naples, Maine, were heartbroken to say goodbye to each other. At the risk of invading their privacy, these photos will give you an inkling of what the best men are made of.
Our heart overflows with love for these guys, and we are forever grateful to you for sharing them and for entrusting us with their care. There is no greater gift than this honor. It is you, our amazing parents, who make the Skylemar machine possible not only for your own child, but for others less fortunate as well. We are thankful that you’re part of our team who demonstrates that we can make a positive difference in the world, one kid at a time.
A special heartfelt thank you goes out to our loyal and dependable staff members, who have chosen to be a part of our world. Because we are surrounded by people who care, we are the richest in the world. Leslie, creator of our most soulful photos, and Aaron, this director’s trusty editor amongst other things, are two who work only for smiles. Speaking of Aaron, you didn’t really think I knew how to write like a sports commentator, did you?
Now that all are at least up in the air on their way home (except for Logan who had to turn around until tomorrow), is the sweet part of the day. We know that the joy each parent and their son feel as they embrace for the first time in a while is the greatest of all. No doubt, Skylemar boys have won the jackpot with parents like you.
Don’t be surprised if he sleeps for three days, lays on the sofa and doesn’t say much. Just give him some time and the stories will flow. When it comes to closing the toilet seat and such, he might need a reminder that he’s no longer in an all-boy world. But we’re confident he will remember manners and kindness, and certainly how to make his own bed.
We know you will, but just can’t help but say it: Take care of him for us. We miss him already.
The 75th summer of Camp Skylemar was a tremendous success, thanks to the greatest guys in the whole wide world. We love them all, to the Sky and back!
See you next year!
What a magnificent weather week we’ve had. It’s often said, “it’s not how you start, but how you finish.” As it turns out, that’s not only applicable to this summer’s weather, but certainly this Color War as well.
Red had shaken off the disappointment of last night’s results. By the time they gathered for some last minute inspiration this morning, the positive vibe emanating from them told of a confident Red Team. Gray had weathered every Red storm, and still remained ahead. Their Leaders asked them for even more, knowing Red would fight to the end.
And fight they did. After Gray dominated Sophomores Soccer 5-1 and blew out the Red in both Juniors Football games, Red fought back with a pair of double digit wins in Stars Basketball, and a victory in Tigers Golf and Bocce. At the Hockey courts for a pair of games, Coach Jim touted the first one as the “best game” of this Color War, a very hotly contested, clean, well-played 1-0 Gray win. Red came right back in Game Two by scoring four first period goals, but barely escaping with a 4-3 win. Only the Lions Baseball game had not ended yet, so the rest of the divisions’ competitors surrounded the Middle Diamond and watched our littlest guys once again produce the drama that set the tone for the fantastic finish to come. Down 1-0 since the very first inning, Red’s Lions pushed across two runs with two-out in their last at-bat to walk-off a 2-1 win, erupting a volcano of Red support as the week of Color War athletics came to a close.
The all-camp Archery point went to Gray (only a few points separated the 219 archers). Finally, all activities were complete as we headed to lunch, and a much-needed rest. There was just enough time to rejuvenate for the greatest finale in all of sports – TUGS of WAR.
It’s a simple event. Each team, by Division, takes a side of the rope, and tries to pull the other over the line. But at Skylemar during Color War, it’s the most electric, emotionally charged moment of every summer.
Shep called the Captains and their teams to the Snow Field, a perfect arena for this final chapter of Color War 2023. It would take winning 2 out of 3 tugs in each Division to win the points available – 7 Divisions in all, beginning with the Lions and working our way up to the Stars. At stake… winning Color War and Tugs would decide it. The Gray lead established over the past five days had put them in the enviable position of only needing to win 3 of the 7 divisional tugs to win it all, whereas Red needed to win 5.
To watch Tugs is an incredibly emotional experience for an onlooker. Few adults would expect such a demonstration of strength, grit, endurance and sheer exhaustive effort.
As the teams lined up side vs side, each in strategic order, Shep bellowed, “Tuggers take the rope!” They planted feet, gripped tighter than tight, the whistle blew and….
PULL!!
Their Captain hollered, “HARDER!” The crowd cheered, “PULL!” They felt it from within. PULL HARDER!
Muscles bulged, eyes popped, faces contorted. Each Red and Gray man pulled with all his heart. He wanted more than anything in the world to WIN THIS TUG.
The crowd was blown away by how intent each side was on winning. Many eyes watching filled with tears, just because THEY TRY SO HARD.
As the flag ultimately crossed the line, George blew the whistle and it’s done. Next Division headed out.
Round after round, until finally… GRAY TEAM WINS COLOR WAR 2023!
The Snow Field was immediately drenched with emotion … a celebration filled with tears of both joy and despair. Big kids hugging little ones and vice versa, high-fives and chest bumps, many leaping in the air with happiness and a few collapsing to the ground in disappointment.
Within minutes, the Captains were hoisted onto the shoulders of their First Lieutenants. Both teams gathered together and headed down to Trickey Pond as one Skylemar family.
Now for the magic: As Red and Gray friends leaped into the crystal-clear waters, the competition was washed away. Skylemar is now one.
Tonight was to be the 75th anniversary of our favorite tradition: Waterfront Ceremony. The light drizzle, blowing winds and uncertain weather forecast led us to modify a bit, and instead we moved to the Ring of Champions. This way, if the weather turned, we’d be close to shelter.
Wearing the colors of the opposite team as a sign of friendship, the Captains led the torch-lit procession. As they passed each cabin, bunkmates joined the line, and all of Skylemar headed together in darkness to the Ring of Champions. There a glorious campfire roared, and everyone felt good just being together.
Following a moment of silence to send positive thoughts to those we love at home, the Captains each spoke, providing words of encouragement and expressions of gratitude. Shep then shared the legend of Skylemar. Usually on this night, we each place a boat in Trickey Pond. If we make a wish for someone other than ourselves, the wish just might come true. Tonight, the legend will hold true by tossing a piece of birch bark in the fire while making the wish.
Following the ceremony, each Division had their own special campfire and pizza party. It was a beautiful night, which we’ll all remember forever.
Another picture-perfect day greeted the boys this morning. Gray had defended the lead, although slim, for the better part of the past two days. Red was even more determined to at least draw even, and with tonight’s Songs & Cheers activity would come lots of opportunity to do so.
The morning “hype-up” meetings were still quite animated, but not quite as loud as the first couple of days – all in the name of voice conservation (remember tonight’s activity), at least for the moment. Once the games began, the intensity of each event seemed to increase, and with it the decibel level all over camp as well.
The Red Lions came out smokin’, putting up 85 points of offense amidst the shrieks and shrills of our youngest participants in a pair of wins. Alex D and Bennett starred at QB, and little Benny scampered in with a couple of first-ever TDs. Again Gray responded with a strong performance on the Hejduk Pitch and a 4-2 Seniors Soccer win. The Sophomores split the Tennis point and Gray outlasted Red in the always competitive (and very boisterous) Stars Bocce match, played in the Garden, around the Lighthouse and on the Bunkline. Then, after the Gray Freshmen won at the Waterfront, Red broke through with a pair of 4th quarter goals to win Tigers Lacrosse, and inch a bit closer….and even closer when word of their Stars Golf win spread.
The morning’s most dramatic moment took place on the Sky II Baseball Field. The first game of the double-dip was the most well-played at Skylemar this summer. There were web gems all over from both sides, without an error anywhere as both teams fielded flawlessly. Red scored twice in the opening frame, then all goose-eggs on the board til Gray pushed 2 runs across to tie it in the top half of the last inning. Then Red hero Will O hit a two-out, two-strike, walk-off base hit to knock in the game winning run. Red then completed the double-header sweep to close out the morning.
The Red run continued on the Links in the afternoon when their Juniors won 6 of 10 matches to carry Golf. Gray once again countered by winning another extended Bocce match and Sophomores Lacrosse convincingly. On the Hockey courts, Gray took the point with a pair of matching 2-1 victories, then came back from a 5-run deficit with five of their own in their last at-bat to split Freshmen Baseball.
It looked like Gray had weathered another Red storm, but Red finished off the PM contests by winning both Lions Soccer games (5-0, 2-0) as well as both Seniors Hoops games (39-29, 25-15). Back and forth they went…still very close as they headed to the night’s Songs & Cheers competition.
After a few days of rehearsals, it was time for the show. Each team was tasked with performing a Team Cheer (½ point), Camp Cheer (½ point), Team Fight Song (1 point), Old Camp Song (1 point), Original Camp Song (2 points), and a Production Number (3 points). A total of eight huge points were up for grabs in a Color War where so few points separated the teams. The Production Number themes were clever – South Beach for the Red and Retrospect (our annual Banquet night media show) for the Gray. Under the light of a beautiful, star-filled Maine sky, both teams rocked – singing and dancing their way on, around, across and beyond the Rec Hall Porch stage. When it was all over, Gray carried the night and padded their slim lead a little bit more. This one is far from over….
Tomorrow, a morning of sporting contests still left to come before the most exhilarating, emotional traditional finale decides it. Can’t wait to see what happens!
Nothing better than waking to another spectacular Maine day. Partly to mostly sunny, low to mid 70s, no humidity. Ideal for the Color War competitive arena and the great sportsmanship on display here, which is a hallmark of this annual competition.
As we approached the mid-point of Color War, Gray held a slight edge, but the taste of yesterday afternoon’s results remained fresh. Tuesday also marked the start of “songs & cheers” as the teams began a series of rehearsals in preparation for the most impactful evening of Color War, but more on that later.
At his team’s morning rally, Gray Captain Sam took the high road: “We’re still ahead. I believe in each and every one of you! Dig deeper! Continue to play smart and as hard as you can!” On the Red side, Captain Michael and his gang still trailed, but their confidence was flying off the charts: “We came back! Keep the pedal down! They feel us coming and we can’t be stopped!” Gray was determined to squelch the uprising and stay in front. Red now had the lead in sight and seemed set on making their move to the top today.
Gray got on the board quickly when their Lions made fast work of the Red in both Golf and Bocce, widening the margin. Red responded by dispatching the Gray just as easily in Juniors Tennis, then took a bit longer to claim victory in Sophomores Waterfront down at Trickey.
On the Upper Hoops Court, Gray Tigers won a nail-biter in Game One after Red’s last second shot to tie it went in and out and around the rim a few times, but did not drop. At the same time and just above on the Bunkline Gridiron, Red Freshmen were pouring it on in one of the two Football games, highlighted by a most spectacular, leaping one-handed TD catch by Sam P. Then moments later on the Rec Hall field, a few missed 2-point conversions were the difference as Red completed the Freshmen Football sweep with a 56-52 win. For the moment, only one-half (1/2) point separated the teams, with Red poised to grab the lead. But then Eli W highlighted a strong second half on the Lower Court, and Gray dominated the 3-on-3 game in the Gym to complete their own sweep of Tigers Basketball and keep Gray ahead.
Over at Sky II, the outmanned Red Stars were no match for Tosh and the talented Gray laxers despite the Herculean efforts by Jesse, who is already one of the best lacrosse goalies to ever play on Skylemar soil. The Seniors then played to a couple of draws in the most evenly matched contests on the Hockey court this year. Skylemar’s best, Jacob R, scored both goals for Red in the 2-2 first game tie, then watched teammate Henry S offset the early goal by Gray’s Will D to tie the 2nd as well, 1-1.
Red had come within an eyelash of the lead, but the resilient Gray held on as we broke for lunch/rehearsal and some rest.
The boys hustled back out to the fields and courts, with the Stars headed to Trickey where the teams split the Ski and Boating elements, and let the Swim Meet decide it …or not. After multiple individual races and a couple of medleys, the score ended up tied, resulting in the rare Waterfront split.
Gray golfers won 7 of 10 matches on the Links to win Freshmen Golf, but Red won Bocce in the Garden, the 4th straight Division match that went the distance.
In Seniors Lacrosse, twins Will and Harry faced off against each other and led both teams in the scoring column as Gray prevailed 9-5. The Gray Team also won both parts of Lions Tennis, then followed up with wins in a trifecta of Sophomores Basketball games. They rained several 3s to edge Gray in a tight one on the Upper Court, came back in the 2nd half on the Lower Court behind the rebounding and aggressive play from Judah, then cruised in game 3 in the Gym. (Gray went 6-0 in Hoops today…now that’s a wow!).
Down on the Snow Field, Red exhibited great team play in handling a talented Gray squad, 3-0 in Tigers Soccer. MVP goalkeeper Javi was sensational, stopping more than a few Gray breakaway chances in securing the shutout win.
And finally down at the Hockey Court, Red’s Juniors kept them right in the thick of it by winning both games. Will G (hat-trick) and Anders provided all the scoring to win the first, 5-2. Game Two had most of camp watching after all other events had been completed, creating an arena filled with Color War spirit and intensity from both sides as Red survived 2-1.
Gray remains slightly ahead now just past the midpoint, a perfect time for a break from the pace of the past few days. What better way to kick back and be entertained than by Suzie, Grace and the Skylemar Theatre Company production of “We Will Rock You”.
It’s amazing how those in the play figure out a way to learn lines and rehearse straight through the middle of Color War. There were over 25 actors and 30+ in the stage crew. It all happens because Skylemar has the greatest Drama Directors in the world, Suzie and Grace.
Special shout-outs to those who learned the most lines, and had the songs down perfectly: Sawyer, Hayes, Eli D, KJ, Cooper E, Ethan K, and Jake P. It was an incredible show!
Both teams looked refreshed as they went through the usual morning ritual (breakfast/inspection/psych-up meetings). Another breezy, cool day for play on tap – just perfect! Ever since lunchtime yesterday, Gray seemed to cash in on every opportunity, reversing the early trend and looking for a bit of separation. Red Team leaders encouraged their boys to stay positive and continue to give it their all. Good things will happen, they repeated, with continued maximum effort. This was their formula to come back as well as their key to success!
And the opportunities were out there too for the taking. On the Basketball Courts and Gym (Lions triple-header Hoops), at the Hockey rink (Tigers double-header), over at the Hejduk (Freshmen Lacrosse), both Football fields (two Sophomore games), the Middle Diamond (Seniors Softball), both Sky I and II Tennis Courts (Stars) and at the Waterfront (Juniors).
The Red Lions got it started with a “statement game” blowout on the Upper Courts, but then Gray answered with a late bucket by Henry M to tie Game Two, followed by a big Gray win in Game Three to split Lions Hoops. On the outdoor courts, Red’s Aiden Q and John R led the way, while Spencer S dominated for Gray in the Gym.
The Freshman Lax contest seemed a bit one-sided on paper, but a valiant effort by Hayes (offense) and Dillon F on D kept the outcome in jeopardy til late in the 2nd half, when the talented Gray squad found their footing in a 13-7 win. Turbo, Gray, Nate F and Sebi all chipped in with goals for the winners.
Down at Trickey, although Red won the Ski Dock, wins in the Swim Meet and Boating elements carried the point for the Gray Juniors.
Both Football fields lit up the scoreboard, and again, both went Gray’s way. 56-32 in front of the Rec Hall was impressive enough, but Gray exploded for 70 points on the Bunkline Field, highlighted by about a dozen or so highlight-reel receptions by our own Tyreek Hill, Lucas R, who made one spectacular catch after another.
On the Middle Diamond, Eddie had a multi-hit, multi-RBI game at the plate while his defense turned in some stellar play in limiting the Red to just a pair of runs in the Gray Seniors 9-2 Softball victory.
Red’s hopes for a comeback had begun to fade when their Stars quickly dispatched of the Gray on both sides, winning the Singles/Doubles matches and dominating the Stroke Skill competition to win Stars Tennis.
At the Rink, Chase hit the back of the net four times in the Red Tigers shutout win in Game One. Then, despite the efforts of Gray netminder Ethan V and all-around play from Emmett, Red’s Ari F displayed sheer grit and determination from the first “puck” drop til the finish, not to mention scoring the game winner (his 2nd) in the 3rd period for a 2-1 win and sweep of Tigers Hockey.
Gray had added to their lead as we broke for lunch and again, a well-deserved rest.
The late morning Tigers victory had Red hoping to carry the momentum into the afternoon and take a bite from Gray’s lead. When the first of three Junior Basketball games went Gray’s way, the climb seemed a bit tougher. DJ showed some great court sense to lead the way supported by a deft scoring touch from Isaac C on the Lower Court. However, Nick P starred on the Upper Court and their all-around team play in the Gym was enough to win the other two games and snare the Junior Hoops point for Red.
Gray answered with a win in the first of a Sophomores Baseball twin bill over at the Hejduk Diamond. Southpaw Cooper E was terrific on the mound and had a pair of 2-run doubles, but then Red won the “nightcap” 4-0 with Ben W on the mound.
The Seniors Football game in front of the Rec Hall seemed like a blowout win for Gray. But Red stormed back from three TDs down to trail by three late in the 4th with the ball and a chance to take the lead, until Elias stepped in (with a great pickoff) to save the day, and the win for Gray.
Red Tigers kept the pressure on with a win at the Waterfront. Director Peter was so impressed with the group of “butterflyers” that he shouted them out as the best he’d seen in his decade on Trickey. Also most notable was the personal best backstroke win for Gray’s Myles!
Red’s comeback hit full stride when Toby found the net on a long direct free kick to break the scoreless tie, enough for keeper Jacob, Burnie and the Red defense to win Stars Soccer.
Our littlest guys always provide the spectators with lots to cheer for, and this double dose of Lions Lacrosse did not disappoint (though the Gray may disagree). Red continued to rebound when Alex K dominated the opener, then a sizable crowd watched Elliott break open a 2-2 game with four straight goals in the 4th to complete the Red sweep.
To cap off the rally, and cut the Gray lead even further, Red swept a pair of well-played Freshmen Soccer games. In the first, Nolan’s hat-trick highlighted the 4-2 win, then an early goal by Max P held up in the 1-0 Game 2 victory for Red.
Gray had built quite a stronghold by midday, but the huge Red afternoon brought them nearly all the way back. Stay tuned, there’s plenty more to come….
Yesterday’s afternoon washout had us wondering if Mother Nature had any idea what was about to happen here. Captains Sam and Michael had spent the day preparing for last night’s clandestine “draft” of the teams, then notified each new teammate by “pinning” a Red or Gray ribbon on their pillow well after midnight. The excitement of awakening to see which team you’re on, and who else will join you in battle for the next five days, had campers out of their cabins well before Reveille, just like the first day of summer. And Mother Nature must have known, because she dialed up one of the most magnificent, sunny, cool breezy Maine days of the season for the start of Color War 2023.
For the next five days, all sporting events on the fields, courts, and at the lake, will be competed, Red vs Gray, within each of the seven Color War Divisions – Lions (Bunks 1-7), Tigers (8-10), Freshmen (11-14), Sophomores (15-19), Juniors (20-24), Seniors (25-27) and Stars (28-JCs). The build-up had reached a crescendo, the buzz infectious!
But first, the annual, ever-popular “Red and Gray Breakfast Buffet” gave us all the energy boost needed to kick-off this most anticipated week. Afterwards, the boys went through their regular morning inspection, eagerly awaiting the PA call that would get the ball rolling. “Gray Team to the Pine Grove, Red Team to the Mail House.” The Captains would rally their troops for the very first time (bound arm-in-arm in what could only be described as a circle of spirited bedlam) and the first of several team “psych-up” meetings to come. These are meant to energize, focus, guide and encourage their “brothers” to give maximum effort in every event, every day going forward.
Shep then called both teams to the Middle Diamond (a temporary stand-in for our beloved Fred Pierce Field, which was waterlogged, due to the remnants of a meddling Mother Nature) where the Stars Division Softball game would open Color War for the 75th time. As history dictates, all participants would watch the 1st inning of the game before heading out to their own divisional contests all over camp. The ceremonial first pitch was tossed by our own celebrity favorite, do-it-all, behind-the scenes Skylemom, Holly. Umpire Shep roared the long-awaited, traditional proclamation that starts every baseball game anywhere –“PLAY BALL” — and Color War 2023 was off and running.
In the Stars game, Red jumped on top early with a 5-run burst in the top of the first, and built an even bigger lead by the 3rd. Then Gray began to chip away with some timely hitting and got within 14-11 in the 5th, before Captain Michael went deep for the game’s only HR, opening it up for Red.
The Lions moved to the Hockey Arena for a pair of games. They also squeezed their archers in between games to start accumulating points for the total team Archery point, settled after the all divisions have had the chance to shoot. In the rink, Lionel and Alex B were unbeatable in the nets for both teams in Game 1, resulting in a scoreless tie. Then a couple of early first period goals set the tone in Game 2, carrying Gray to a 3-1 victory.
In Tigers Football, Jacob W and Dash were terrific for Gray, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the running and passing of QB James T for Red in their 45-36 win on the Bunkline Gridiron.
The Freshmen played two Hoops games on the blacktop, and one in the Gym. It was a triple-header of very close, well-played games. The teams split the outdoor contests, then watched a last second shot roll around the rim and out at the buzzer, preserving the tie in Game 3, and splitting the Frosh Basketball point.
Over on the SkyLinks, Red duffers dominated, winning 6 and halving 3 of the ten matches on way to victory in Sophomores Golf. The rest of the Sophs found their way to the Bocce Garden, where Gray extended the match to three games with a comeback of their own in the 2nd, before succumbing in the rubber game.
The Juniors put on quite a show over at the Hejduk with two outstanding, hard-fought, very tight Soccer games. Finley M scored twice to keep Red alive and deadlocked in Game 1 at 2-2, before Hamish tallied two second half goals to break a 1-1 tie and seal the 2nd game and the Juniors Soccer win for Red.
The Seniors gave us the most exciting event of the morning down on the Pond. Gray had already won the Boating portion (kayak races) of the three elements that make up the Waterfront competition (along with Swimming and Skiing). They were just about to close the door after building a nice lead in the Freestyle Relay that would determine the Swim Meet win, when Leo F dove in as Red’s anchor leg just a few lengths behind. With his teammates screaming support from the Trickey docks (heard up on the Sky I ball fields and courts) and an Olympian effort to close the gap, Leo came back and touched barely inches ahead to win the relay. Red’s hopes were kept alive…. but alas, only briefly, as Zane B skied impressively and quite steadily in some very choppy Trickey waters to win the Ski element, and the Seniors Waterfront point for Gray.
What an opening morning, with action and excitement all over camp! Red had taken the early lead as we headed to lunch.
The afternoon promised plenty more, and it sure delivered! After a hearty meal and a much-needed rest hour, the teams gathered for another “psych-up” meeting before heading back out to venues in all corners of Skylemar.
The littlest guys were down at the lake, where choppy waters prevented the ski-off that would have broken the tie. Gray won the Swimming element while Red took the Boating, splitting the afternoon Waterfront point.
On the Hockey court, Joaquin knocked in a rebound followed by TI’s insurance goal to go up 2-0. Good thing for Gray as Mason tallied late to bring Red within one, but it wasn’t quite enough to keep the Gray Sophomores from holding on for the win.
Gray also won Tigers Baseball 7-3, doing most of the damage early before giving up a few late runs.
When word spread of the Gray Juniors win in the first Lax game over at the Hejduk, it seemed up to the Red Juniors to put a stop to the Gray afternoon run. They controlled much of the Game 2 action, but Harvey‘s debut in the cage was sensational, making saves on shots from all angles, preserving the 2-2 tie that gave the Juniors Lacrosse point to Gray.
It finally appeared that Red had halted Gray’s afternoon momentum when their Freshmen volleyed their way out of a deep hole created by Gray’s advantage in the Tennis Stroke Skills portion on the Sky II Tennis courts. Red won 4 of the 6 singles and doubles matches played at both Sky’s I and II to stem the tide. But then news of the Gray Seniors Bocce win followed (another three game, extended match that was decided on the final throws), and left a gathering gallery of fans closely monitoring Seniors Golf. Gray led 5-4 with one match left on the course. The crowd watched intently as Noah L vs Harry went the distance, but ended in a tie, also preserving the Seniors Golf point for Gray, 5 ½-4 ½.
The most fantastic finish of the day came in the sometimes-rough, always-tough Stars Football game. Red jumped out early, scoring the first two times it had the ball for a 16-0 lead before the teams spent the better part of the next 3 quarters trading touchdowns. Late in the 4th quarter, Gray, playing behind for most of the game, got the defensive stop they needed and one more possession to try to win it. A minute later, when Captain Sam went sliding on his knees to snare a long TD pass in the corner of the endzone with eight seconds left, Gray had all but completed the most improbable comeback. But wait, Red was not done. After the ensuing kick-off return, Red had three seconds left, enough time to get off one final play. Then a long bomb from QB Michael was hauled in by Sam M as he lunged toward the goal line, rolled into the endzone and raised his hands high above awaiting the referee’s call. With confirmation by ‘instant replay” (sharpshooting photo director Shannon had the money shot) the play came up inches short of the goal line, again preserving the victory for Gray.
Red had taken the morning lead, but Gray responded in a huge way, nearly sweeping the afternoon, and seizing command as the action-packed athletic activities of the day ended.
Tonight’s traditional first night event, the Ping Pong Competition would close Day 1, but no one could have figured it ending in equally thrilling fashion. With 21 matches on the docket, it would take 11 wins to grab the Ping Pong point. The bright moonlit Maine sky backlit the tri-table arena under the Pavilion lights making for a spectacular setting. Red surged ahead winning seven of the first eleven matches before Gray went on a streak of their own to go up 10-8 on the verge of victory. But then, Red evened it up at 10, leaving Red’s Charlie F vs Gray’s Nick N alone playing their 3rd and deciding game (they split the first 2 of 3) in the middle of 220 sets of Red and Gray eyes focused solely on them. Back and forth it went. Each point seemed like it went on forever, each daring the other to miss (rarely) until finally…. finally…. Nick and his Gray Team carried Ping Pong, and at least for tonight, will sleep on the lead. Whew…good night!
Veteran Skyparents have probably read about Elections year after year. It’s easy to imagine the excitement in the Rec Hall as the votes are tallied, and it’s understandable why this process is so important to the kids.
But when you’re a parent of a boy on the Ballot, you see Election Night through a whole new lens.
Of course there are many who had their heart set on becoming Captain. Even those who say that they wouldn’t want the responsibility have a glimmer of hope that it could possibly be them. Parents may wonder if their son was ok, and how he would handle the disappointment.
But just so you know, the brotherhood of 20 was totally fine after the Election. Sure, there was a sting, which happens anytime something doesn’t go to plan. But these guys are smart and strong, and they bounce back quickly when given the opportunity to do so. Plus, it’s a lot easier to handle disappointment when you’re not the only one feeling it.
Most importantly, the Stars will soon learn a valuable life-long lesson. That is, you don’t have to be chosen as the captain to be the leader of the team. These guys all have a team to run!
No doubt, the two Captains selected are outstanding guys, who will be terrific role models for all. But the kids look up to every member of the Stars Division, and count on all of them to lead Camp Skylemar’s Color War 2023.
By now the secret draft is complete, and the Color War magic begins. While all are asleep, the Captains will pin either a Red or Gray ribbon to the pillow of each Skylemar camper, signifying their team. Tomorrow cannot come soon enough!
Tonight was proof. Even one vote matters.
Here’s how it happened…
They’ve been counting down since July 19th. “10 more days!”, they would chant at meals. Then “9 more days!”, and so forth. Until today, the one that many consider to be the most important of the year.
It was the night that our 15-year-old campers have thought about since they were Cubs. For those of all ages, it was the most talked about and highly anticipated evenings of the summer. COLOR WAR ELECTIONS 2023!
It’s a nerve-racking day for the Stars Division. Each of the 22 young men have the opportunity to be selected by the camp as Captain of the Red or Gray Team. But as we know, no one can ever be sure how a democratic election will turn out.
The Stars truly are an impressive and united group. Even our first year camper Mel was welcomed so warmly that you’d never believe he hadn’t been here for years. You could see the genuine love for each other at the Annual Sky II Lobster Lunch.
The camaraderie continued through 7th period, as those on The Ballot put on their “lucky jersey” and linked arms for photo opps. As the camp filled the Rec Hall, the Stars took their seats on the Gerhard Stage, overlooking their many brothers of all ages.
“Welcome to Skylemar’s 75th Color War Election”, Shep bellowed. He explained that the traditions of Color War dated back to 1948, and the foundation established by Lee and Herb is just as important now as always.
To begin with, Skylemar’s Color War is played entirely on the fields and courts. Sincere sportsmanship is paramount. Color War stays out of the cabin. Inside the cabin and at meals it’s bunk-brothers as always.
Each camper, no matter the age, will cast a vote for two Stars who they believe should be the leaders of Skylemar. On one hand, it’s a difficult decision because there are so many good choices. On the other, each on The Ballot has the potential to be an amazing leader.
Skylemar’s Color War is competitive and fair, because the Captains secretly draft the teams by Division. There is no adult involvement. Captains select strategically with the goal of winning as their primary focus. They not only consider athletic ability, but also factors like theatrical talent for Songs and Cheers as well as who they think would be best for motivating the team. Because the Captains consider the Division overall, the bunks are not divided equally. Brothers, cousins, friends and bunkmates are not necessarily on the same team, and it could end up with just one person in the cabin on Red and all the rest on Gray. That’s why it’s important that Color War stays out of the cabin.
Each camper should play with all of their heart. However, win or lose, the key is to not overreact. Be joyful when you play well, but never gloat. Be disappointed when things don’t go your way but shake it off and keep trying.
A powerful moment came when Shep asked those in the audience who were former Captains to stand. A small number of grown men came to their feet. Next Shep asked for those who were on The Ballot but did not win to come forward. For this, several dozen stood. The point was – Red and Gray will have one captain each, but the many team members matter most.
The candidates were introduced, and here’s how it went…
The magic number was 110 tonight – representing one more than ½ the total participants in this year’s Color War, and the number of votes needed to win election as one of our two Captains. First the candidates voted, then kept secluded away in the Garden Cabin. One by one, each boy approached the Stage and wrote 2 names on a slip of paper before dropping it into the ballot bucket.
When all had voted, Shep then reached into the bucket and read each, one by one, as Nick recorded and tallied the votes. The countdown was on….”10!”, “9!”, “8!”… The kids screamed as one candidate’s tally got close to the magic number until finally …”3!”, “2!”, “1!”… and….
The crowd had worked itself up in frenzied anticipation for the 1st elected Captain of 2023: Sam DeFrancesca! DeFran was mobbed as he stormed through the Rec Hall doors into the arms of his constituents!
One down, one to go, as Shep then continued the process. But no other candidate reached the magic number! There were just too many great candidates to choose from, spreading the vote amongst them. So a second ballot was needed (without DeFran on it), and the process started all over again. This time the boys only had to vote for one person. Once again, after all had voted, the Sheps read and tallied the votes. The noisy countdown for our second Captain had reached a fever pitch at 109, one short of the necessary votes to win! The crowd was suddenly silenced by the empty bucket, leaving us one vote shy of electing the second Captain.
So amazingly, a third ballot became necessary, and we started all over again. This time, the candidate pool was reduced to only the top 3 vote-getters from Ballot Two as the only choices for Ballot Three. Each boy voted, now for the third time before Shep and Nick once again did their thing, reading aloud and tallying the votes. And finally… Michael Hildebrandt was elected as our second Captain! He too was embraced in a wild Rec Hall celebration.
Once the crowd had settled, there were still a few administrative details needed to be sorted out to get set for Sunday’s Color War start, namely the selection of colors and each team’s Stars Lieutenants. After a couple of coin flips, one to determine who gets to pick color, the other to determine the picking order for the lieutenants, Sam chose Gray and selected Grant and Tosh as his top assistants. Captain Michael chose Sam M and Jesse to help lead his Red Team.
Tomorrow night, Shep will assemble the Red and Gray team leaders well after dark to select their entire teams, setting the stage for Sunday’s opening of a most thrilling week. Stay tuned, this is only the beginning.
It was one of those weird weather days. Mother Nature couldn’t decide between sun or rain, so it ended up muggy with lots of back and forth. We’d get on the courts and fields and then it would rain. Then we’d go under cover long enough for an over-the-PA trivia game and the sun would break through. We’d try again, and there’d be a downpour. By afternoon we switched to a Rainy Day Schedule in the Lodge, Gym, Garden Cabin, and SkyDeck.
In the Rec Hall was a super fun game show — Thrift Store Price is Right. It’s played kind of like the TV show, but in our case the items to price come from our local Goodwill. Lots of “junk for the bunk”, like a wooden foot massager, golf ball personalizer, hand-held pinball game, a monster riding a motorcycle, Chicago Bears wall art and a happy honeymoon picture frame. Not exactly what they’ve always wanted, but when it comes to a competition, they feel like they need it!
Each Bunk sends up a representative to guess the price, and the two bunks that are closest get to play a “mini-game” to win the item they priced. For example, in one game the contestants each blew up a balloon and then let the air out to push cups off the table. First team to knock off 8 cups with air only was the winner. In another round they put on a slinky head band, bent over and then tried to be the first team to toss their head back to make the slinky recoil. Another game involved one volunteer with a tongue-depressor in his mouth, and teammates stacking dice on top of the tongue-depressor. Highest tower wins!
Most exciting was the Showcase Showdown, which included a blue dinosaur and a trip for their cabin to Causeway Dairy Bar in “downtown” Naples. Price was $96.50. This trip will head out tomorrow sometime. Meanwhile, lots of other trips are now home-sweet-home.
The Lions had an amazing experience lobster fishing. They learned about the process and were lucky enough to catch the biggest lobster of the season – a 3 1/2 pounder! Afterwards they went to see where Maine potato donuts are made… and got to taste them too!
The JCs are back from their Boston trip. After touring Harvard, they went to a Red Sox game. It was a two-hour rain delay, but since they were the special guests of a Skylemar alum, they were comfortable and happy. Maybe a little sleepy in the morning, since they didn’t get back until after 2 AM.
We’re especially proud of the Seniors, who climbed Mt. Lafayette in the Presidential Range. It was an eight-mile hike up to the top, where they slept and ate in an AMC hut. The hut was one in the series of rustic bunkhouses scattered throughout the Appalachian Trail.
There were a number of other camps on the trail, but eight (yes, they counted) different hikers said that we were the best group. That’s because our guys climbed as a unified group, who were kind and friendly to all. The team of workers in the hut said that we were the “greatest camp ever”.
Each of our hikers was given the responsibility to be in charge for 20 minutes. That meant they needed to encourage the group and lead the discussion about topics like demonstrating the Cool2Care concept at home. Shout-out to Logan G for being considerate to all and especially aware of safety, Noah L for “walking the walk and not talking the talk” as well as for appreciating opportunity, and to Dylan J for an extra positive attitude which even included helping the hut crew clean up after dinner.
Our international travelers are back as well. The Stars trip to Quebec was as memorable as always. There’s so much to learn there, especially because the primary language is French. They explored the Old City and gained an understanding of the culture and history. They also did lots of shopping and eating.
Highlights included the many street performers, the Plains of Abraham (historic battlefield), Chez Marie Bakery (freshly baked bread from outdoor stone ovens), Montmorency Falls (taller than Niagara), and the Shrine of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré.
Visiting the Shrine is especially memorable, because suspended from the ceilings are crutches and wheelchairs of the hundreds of thousands who have come in hopes of being healed. It’s a powerful testament of faith that those of any religion are touched by.
Most touching for us was to hear about how the guys decided all on their own to chip in and buy the bus driver a gift. We’re told they were polite and respectful wherever they went.
That’s our boys!
We are the luckiest. Not only does Skylemar have the greatest guys in the whole wide world, but we also have Trickey Pond.
Designated by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) as “highest water quality”, Trickey Pond is considered to be a gem out of the 6,000 bodies of water in the State. A couple of miles long and half mile across, Trickey Pond has exceptional clarity. You can see all the way down 40 feet. In fact, it’s so clean that it’s the water we filter and drink.
No one knows for sure where the name “Trickey” actually comes from. Some say there was at one time a General Trickey (which makes sense because of the odd spelling) who the pond was named for. Others say it has to do with the tricky sounds of the loons, and maybe the first mapmaker wasn’t such a good speller.
Trickey doesn’t feed into other bodies of water, so it’s typically quiet and serene. Those with big boats go elsewhere. The lake is primarily enjoyed by Skylemar, some homeowners, a campground and occasional fishermen. The fishing is awesome with plenty of land-locked salmon and smallmouth bass. There’s also trout, splake, smelt and perch too.
To campers and staff, Trickey Pond is the favorite place for playing on the inflatables, swimming, fishing, snorkeling, skiing, tubing, paddleboarding, kayaking, canoeing, sailing, wakesurfing, splashing and playing by the beach. There’s no place better, especially on a very hot day.
To us, Trickey Pond is our responsibility. Not only do Peter, Joel and the entire waterfront staff have the duty to keep all safe in the water, but we also have the responsibility to keep the lake as healthy as possible for our neighbors as well. We’re committed to doing the best we can environmentally, so in addition to a mile of tree-lined shores, at the beach we’ve added erosion control mulch, water-bars and numerous plantings.
We’re proud that those across and down the lake are our friends, and we strive to be good, dependable neighbors. It makes us smile to hear that they know when it’s time to wake or go to sleep because of our bugles, and sometimes they forget to eat lunch after the camp season ends when there are no reminders.
Also important for keeping our lake in top-notch shape is the Trickey Pond Environmental Protection Association (TPEPA). This organization staffs boat inspectors at the boat launch to make sure that invasive species don’t enter the lake. They sponsor studies and advise all of us on best practices. If you are able to help support this non-profit, please CLICK HERE (www.trickeypond.org).
Today was a sweltering hot Trickey Pond kind of day. It also was a Wacky Water Wednesday in the afternoon. While some were at the lake, others were up top playing water games and getting wet by the garden hose. No matter what toys they come out with, a regular old hose is still the most fun. The refreshing snack was a Lemon Stick… a soft, porous candy cane that goes into a lemon. The stick then becomes a straw, making the lemon juice and peppermint a tasty combo.
The biggest kids, our counselors, probably had the most fun spraying and getting sprayed. When they have fun, the kids have even more.
Welcome back Acadia trip! From what we heard, the Juniors had an amazing time.
First stop: Ft. Knox, which is a series of defense forts from the 1800’s. The whole group took the super-fast 420’ elevator up the Penobscot Narrows Bridge and Observatory to see the breath-taking 360 degree view.
Next on to Sand Beach. It’s a beautiful spot with rocky shores. The sand is made of shell fragments created by the pounding surf, which gives it an interesting feel. The weather was perfect.
Back at the campsite, Blake unpacked his flat-top grill and made quesadillas and tacos. Dessert came from the movie theatre, where we saw either the new “Mission Impossible” or “Indiana Jones”.
Rise and shine at 5:30 AM! After some delicious Dragon Eggs (Bacon, egg & cheese sandwiches), the team was fortified enough to climb Beech Mountain. During the hike and throughout the whole adventure, those who demonstrated leadership skills and a commitment to becoming better leaders had the honor of wearing the “Hero Helmet”. Congrats to Max B, Sherman, Bode, Will O, Ollie R, Cash, Jackson C and Finley.
The tired travelers are showered and happy to be in their regular camp bed… and the flat-top grill is back where it belongs at SkyDeck.
SkyDeck is perhaps the most popular activity at camp. Here the boys become the chefs and prepare breakfast or dinner as a cabin group. Adam Shep teaches them everything from knife skills to grilling.
A recent breakfast was corn tortillas made from scratch, filled with scrambled eggs, onions, peppers and turkey bacon. Even the sauces were homemade by the kids – mole, guacamole and salsa. Dinner was cooked up “hibachi-style” – edamame and chicken fried rice. Yonanas for dessert, which is sort of like soft ice cream made of bananas.
The kids learn about healthy choices when it comes to food, and they’re fascinated with the “Eat This, Not That” books. Adam has a garden too, although much of it was over-watered with all the rain. Still there are plenty of tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuces and herbs to pick. Even if they don’t like to eat them it’s fun to pull them off the vine.
Time does not stand still at Skylemar. In fact, it runs a whole lot faster.
So much is packed into every hour at camp that a day equals a week, a week equals a month and a month equals a year. What was such a big deal three days ago has long been forgotten.
At this point in the season each cabin is in the groove. For the most part everyone knows and accepts each other’s idiosyncrasies. Sure, there are minor disagreements, but for the most part we’re a band of brothers.
We saw it on the tennis courts during the Camp Championships. In between match play, the courts were filled with those casually hitting. Leopold asked his partner Cooper E for help with his serve. Coop offered some tips and patiently coached his friend on toss and follow-through. As Leopold followed the instructions of his 12-year-old coach, those of us on the other side of the court were impressed with the improvement.
When the tournament began, it was surprising to see that the first match was actually Cooper vs Leopold. Even though Cooper was determined to win the match, he had taken the time to help his opponent become a better player. Now that’s brotherhood.
Tonight’s Talent Show II was a more relaxed vibe than the first. This time most of the acts fell into the silly category, which is as to be expected at this point of the season. That’s because everyone’s now totally comfortable performing in front of their Skylemar family, and they know that it’s fine to giggle and the audience laughs too. Theo burped, Ethan K and Eli W made duck noises, Jacob W screamed, Carter S whistled. Spencer S read a page of a book, and Bunk 26 read some kind of poem. Several others played sports, tossed hats, rapped, flipped, danced or dressed up like Spiderman. Sawyer did an excellent impression of Shep. Truly talented was Asher on the piano, and the Nolan-Hayes Duo. Nolan played “Riptide” on the ukulele while Hayes sang. Such a happy night, and the winners were especially pleased with their prize of a much-too-big staff shirt.
Love was in the air, as we said farewell to Senior Staffers Lexie and Mitch. They will be married in just a few weeks, so it was time to head back to Wisconsin for wedding prep. Their parting gift was a book of advice for the newlyweds, written by Skylemar campers. There were lots of traditional suggestions like “don’t go to bed angry”, but our favorite one was far more direct: “Please flush the toilet”.
Only at Skylemar. After all, he did say “please”.