To put the always exciting, always frantic first day of camp into perspective, the Pok-O-Mac Times recruited two veteran 16-year old campers to give their, and their friends insight.

by, David Balderston: Advanced Section

  Day one of the 2006 camp season started at different times and different places for everyone. But by the conclusion of the day, the entire camp family- traveling from far and near- was gathered for vespers in the tribal council fire ring, witnessing one of the most impressive vespers that even the oldest members of the camp family had ever seen.

   The first day of camp is always a highly anticipated time for everyone. For campers new and old, there is always excitement to see old friends and counselors, but also to build and renew friendships between new and old faces. The counselors also look forward to the arrival of the campers because the work they do building up to camp finally pays off.

   The first day of camp is very traditional. Every year the busses arrive sometime in the early afternoon. The campers are sent to their cabins and their belongings are brought to them by older campers. The campers unpack, get head checks, and height and weight checks from the nurse, and take a swim test-- all before dinner. Dinnertime comes and all the counselors stand in Robinson Hall applauding with fury, inviting the campers to come in. Each of the counselors are then introduced. This is follwed by a delicious pasta dinner and a calming vespers, culminating the first day of camp.

   Although the first day of camp is very predictable, the feelings of excitement, energy and togetherness all make it fun and worthwhile for everyone in the camp family.

by, Diana Timko: C.I.T.

   The 102nd summer of camp Pok-O-MacCready started yesterday in its traditional way, with the arrival of the busses! As campers poured off the busses, it was a sea of hugs, shouts and smiles. As Julia Schweitzer puts it, “After counting down from three hundred and something days, it’s awesome to be back again!”

   Campers and counselors were reunited again and it was like we never left. Once all the bags were unpacked, and we had gotten settled in for the summer ahead, it was time for dinner. The traditional first-night-of-camp meal was served-- spaghetti and meat sauce, followed by famous camp brownies.

   After dinner, we had our first vespers of the summer. Vespers is a weekly non-religious time for reflection. Campers and counselors alike can sing, and play a song, read a poem or even read a reflection of their own about camp. Vespers last night featured such people as: Anna Greenwood and Heidi Taggart singing a song in Hebrew, as well as Maggie and Kate Durlacher singing “Sweet Baby James” with accompaniment from Tim Singer on the guitar. Vespers came to a close with Sharp Swan’s “Touching the Past” segment, and campers headed off to bed.

   But even though the day was ending there was an air of excitement and anticipation. Molly Babcock says it best: “I can’t wait for all the stuff that’s gonna happen this summer It’s gonna be SWEET!”

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