Our third week during summer 2013 was sunny, hot, and a blur of exciting activities. As always, you can view pictures from the summer (and even buy prints) by clicking on http://campmoosilaukephotos.shutterfly.com/ or by going to the “Photos” link in the “Photos/Videos” section of the moosilauke.wpengine.com web site. We do our best to post pictures every day (internet connection willing).

You can also watch our second video of the summer–a Moosebears morning swim club montage–by putting the following in your browser: http://vimeo.com/70730937

Lazy Sunday, July 14, was anything but for Moose “footie” fans as our “U.S. versus the World” Counselor soccer game was held at 9:00 am. Not surprisingly, The World team won due to some awesome play by a few Brits and Aussies. As is our tradition, Sunday afternoon had a special event: wacky age group activities with our neighboring girls’ camp. The most popular events were the water balloon toss, the three-legged race, and a form of musical chairs. Our fresh made sno-cones were also a big hit. Dinner was a cookout at the girls’ camp, which was followed by an all ages social on their tennis courts.

Monday we were back to a full schedule of regular morning and afternoon classes, competition, and trips. The Senior A1s (fifteen-year-olds) departed in the am for their three-day adventure to Montreal. The highlight was most definitely the rafting trip down the Rouge River. The class IV run at the end which includes “The Washing Machine” and “Dryer” sections lived up to their names: all the boys but one ended up going for a swim! (See the photo gallery for some great action shots.) The boys also loved their time shopping in Montreal. All in all, a memorable capstone experience for our oldest campers.

Wilderness adventures Monday also included a cabin of Inter Bs (eleven-year-olds) heading off to Cliff Island on Newfound Lake for a canoe and camping overnight. The trip began with a mile long canoe out to an island we rent. The boys then spent the day playing in the lake, fishing, and setting up camp on the island. After a burger and hot dog dinner the boys played a full island game of manhunt (a version of hide-and-seek) followed by s’mores to finish off the evening. A light rain came late in the evening after the boys were already snug in their tents.

The Senior A2s had a “fluffy” day and night that entailed going to a water park and then heading to a minor league baseball game in the evening. The next morning they were a little sleepy but all smiles. The Junior Bs (eight- and nine-year-olds) spent part of Monday mountain biking to Orford Beach and back. Competition on Monday included an all ages tennis tournament, a 9s soccer match, and a 12s hockey tournament. The big news of the afternoon was that one of our second year campers caught a bass that was big enough to qualify as a “Wall Fish.” At Moose, if a camper or staff member catches a fish 3 lbs. or bigger we make a wooden model and mount it on a special wall in the dining hall. Tuesday started out with some excitement as the CITs had a pre-breakfast wakeboard and waterski fest. The conditions were perfect: totally calm lake and warm, sunny weather. Their big day continued with a morning spent doing trail maintenance on the Cross-Rivendell trail with Port. Tuesday also saw a 10s baseball game, another cabin of Inter Bs (eleven-year-olds) canoe to Cliff Island for an overnight, and all the Junior As (ten-year-olds) head off on a mountain biking adventure.

The CITs kicked off Wednesday with their first day of lifeguard training. Tony, our task master instructor, had the boys swimming laps before breakfast. Wednesday also saw another group of Senior A2s (fourteen-year-olds) leave for our three-day Presidential Range backpacking adventure that has them summiting Mt. Adams, Mt. Jefferson, Mt. Clay, and Mt. Washington. This time, the boys were blessed with nice weather and awesome views. The other backpacking trip Tuesday had the Inter As (twelve-year-olds) climbing Mt. Kinsman via a traverse of the Lonesome Lake to Kinsman Pond route. The backpackers encountered some stepladders, block steps, and steep sections, which gave them a true taste of the backcountry. Wednesday’s trips also included another cabin of Inter As (twelve-year-olds) canoeing to Cliff island for an overnight.

Thursday started with a robust Moosebears session followed by a pancake meal. After breakfast announcements the camp had a robust discussion about a number of newsworthy topics including what the Lakers should do in a year when all but one of their players’ contracts is up. (For you basketball fans, the consensus among the in-the-know camper and counselor crowd was that the Lakers should “amnesty” Kobe and sign Carmelo Anthony.) A highlight of the morning class period Thursday was a rowing seminar put on by Port. The younger boys taking part learned in rowboats while older campers took their first pull and glides in one of our three rowing shells. The Senior Bs (thirteen-year-olds) headed off Thursday to Burlington, Vermont, for a two day experience which included a bit of shopping in town, a campout on Lake Champlain, a tour of the Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream Factory, and a night at the ballpark watching the Vermont Lake Monsters. In case you are not in the know, the Lake Monsters are a Single A minor league baseball team affiliated with the Oakland Athletics. Competition on Thursday included 11s basketball and lacrosse tournaments. A bout of thunder and light rain late Thursday afternoon and into the evening caused us to cancel a counselor baseball game and also a Junior A (ten-year-old) camping overnight at our Pioneer encampment on the Baker River. The boys all seemed happy with a relaxing evening indoors playing trivia games, doing arts and crafts, taking part in Moose bowling, and/or watching the sports classic Rudy.

Finally, a few reminders: Saturday, July 27 is the departure day for 4 ½-week campers, and Parents’ Day for 4 ½-and 7-week campers. Parents are invited to come to camp from 9:30 to 2:00 for a fun day of activities. Second Session will begin Monday, July 29th with arrival times for new families between 1 – 2 pm and 2 – 4 pm for returning campers. Buses will leave from New York City at 10 am and Greenwich, CT at 11:15 am.

As always, please call Bill or Sabina with questions or issues at (800) 353 4546.

Bill, Sabina, Port, Heide, Ken, and Ingrid