Willsboro, NY

Volume VI

July 1, 2009

INTO THE WOODS

Trip Day gets campers out of the cabin and into the mountains.

     Yesterday marked the start of what will be a summer long adventure for some. The entire boys camp headed out into the woods for Trip Day. It is a long standing tradition that the entire boy’s camp heads out on hikes on the third day of camp. Yesterday was no different except for one thing... a MacCready camper elected to participate in Trip Day as well. Fifth year camper, Natalie Whitney, packed her bag, laced up her boots and headed out to tackle some 46ers.

     “I have been working on my 46 aggressively for the last two years and I now only have 15 left. I really want to finish this summer and am trying to decided whether or not to finish on Skylight or Whiteface.” When asked if it was weird to be the only girl on her hike Whitney remarked, “that’s usually how it is, all boys.” Hopefully Whitney will be an inspiration to other MacCready campers this summer while she tackles the 46 high peaks of New York.

     The tradition continued for the Advanced section as well as they went out on their first hike of the season. The “Sugarloaf Albans” hike is always the first hike that the Advanced section does together. According to camp director Sharp Swan the hike was started by long time ADV section head Jim Kobak about 20 years ago. ADV camper Moustafa Ahmed Nassar shared his thoughts about the hike saying, “I thought it was going to be really challenging, but it was easier than I thought and I had a lot of fun.” The Sugarloaf Albans hike is usually a hike where the ADV counselors put more responsibility on the campers. “I liked how we were the trip leaders,” remarked Jackson Koeppel, “we had to rely on our skills and strength to find our way in the wilderness.”

(TRIP LISTS AND TRIP REPORTS COMING SOON...)

“GIRLS JUST WANNA HAVE FUN...”

     With the boys on hikes the girls took advantage of the spacious field and sunny skies yesterday during the 105th Annual “Girls Only” relay. Highlander camper Xandra Coleman explained what made this year’s experience better than ever, “I decided to concentrate on doing my own personal best and to not be so competitive. I had a lot of fun and really enjoyed cheering on my teammates.”

     Senior camper Elah Horwitz also agreed that the relays were really fun. “I had to pass the orange which I’ve never done before. The orange kept falling so it was a challenge to finish the game.” MacCready campers agree that this year’s field games were the best by far for one main reason... the costumes! Counselors and CITs dressed up in order to add variety and excitement to the day. One camper voiced that “it would not have been as much fun if they had just worn their normal clothes. The effort they put in made the day way more fun!”

“HAVING A GOOD OLD TIME”

     Lodge campers traveled back in time yesterday while visiting the 1812 Homestead. The Homestead is a working museum that gives campers a chance to see the way people lived during those times.

     Campers had the chance to attend a lesson in the one-room school house, make hand dipped candles, and learn about hearth baking. Homesteading is also offered as an activity choice and it is clear that the visit helped generate excitement about taking the class.

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