July 19, 2024

Dear Moose Families,

This past week was the last full one before we say goodbye to our first session campers and get ready to welcome another 140 great campers on Thursday.  As the letter below outlines it has been a week jam packed with trips, a number of special events in celebration of our 120th summer, and our two-day Red and Gray extravaganza.

It has also been a typical week in that Sabina and I made a number of calls home to parents to talk about how their son(s) are doing at camp.  For most parents, the first thing they want to hear about is whether their son has made friends, and whether he is feeling safe and happy.  And of course these things are important.  

Many times these calls then move into the concept that it is actually good for their boys to experience and lean into challenges and things that are not easy–whether it be interpersonal struggles or physical challenges–and in the process “get comfortable with being uncomfortable.”

The notion that stepping outside one’s comfort zone seriously improves one’s life is thoughtfully mapped out in the book The Comfort Crisis: Embrace Discomfort To Reclaim Your Wild, Happy, Healthy Self, by Michael Easter.

At Moose, when we are at our best, we have created an environment for all our campers where they feel known and validated and safe, but also are constantly being introduced to new people and new challenges and situations. This happens at meals and announcement time, navigating relationships in the cabin with a diverse group of peers, trying new activities and playing sports they don’t play at home, and of course when tackling outdoor adventure activities and overnights.  And much of the power of all this is that it is happening while the campers are away from their parents!

We know that this approach is one of the reasons you chose Moose, but we also know it is not easy when you hear about your child experiencing challenges, especially when they are not with you.  Given this, we want to thank you for your trust in us and for also being such great partners!

And now for the diary covering Friday, July 12 through Thursday, July 18.  

On Friday, a group of Junior Bs (eight-and-nine-year-olds) ventured out to our lakeside campsite, the Point, for a wilderness overnight that entailed swimming, fishing, a crayfish hunt, and S’mores over an open fire.  The Senior A2s (fourteen-year-olds) headed to Whales Tales for a “fluff” trip. They had a blast going down the water slides, tubing down the Lazy River, swimming in the wave pool, and munching on pizza for lunch. Friday also saw another all-ages mountain biking adventure to the Green Woodlands Trails.  In the afternoon, a group of Junior Bs (eight-and-nine-year-olds) enjoyed a nature trip in the Pontoon Boat around the lake. Inter-camp competition included a 13s flag football tournament at a neighboring camp. In the evening, there was ping pong, “tennis baseball,” hockey, tennis, pick-up basketball, open swimming, and tubing. 

Saturday’s main focus was inter-camp competition that included 10s baseball, 12s soccer and basketball, 13s ultimate Frisbee and pickleball, and 15s basketball and ultimate. Those not participating in the competition had their choice of open areas on the waterfront and land.  The afternoon started with choice sign-ups; however, a mid-afternoon rainstorm shifted activities  indoors.  Given the hot days and morning competition and activity, the campers appreciated the break and enjoyed relaxing and playing games in their cabins. Saturday night was of course pizza and movie night, complete with homemade popcorn courtesy of the CITs and Junior Counselor.

Per tradition, Sunday started with an amazing brunch that included homemade cinnamon rolls and pastries, assorted egg dishes, potatoes, sausage, and bacon.  After eating, the campers were eager to head down the hills to cheer on their favorite counselors in the “USA vs. the World” soccer match which ended on a penalty kick.  The afternoon was the camper favorite Carnival!  There were three large inflatable games, along with counselor-created booths including a duck matching game, TP toss, pin knockdown, 3-point BKB challenge, balloon juggling, paper airplane contest, and a ping pong tournament.  Face painting and sno-cones were also highlights.  In the evening, the camp was able to watch the Euros Final Match between Spain and the United Kingdom. 

On Monday, a third group of Senior Bs (thirteen-year-olds) departed early for a hiking overnight trip to Mt. Lafayette and the Franconia Ridge. Along with incredible views from the ridgeline a highlight was homemade pancakes at the Greenleaf Hut on the last day.  The Inter As (twelve-year-olds) left for their own overnight hiking adventure to Mt. Moosilauke. The group did an excellent job hiking up the 3.7 mile Gorge Brook Trail to the summit of Mt. Moosilauke (4,802 feet!) and down the Carriage Trial to the Snapper Extension. They then had the fortunate experience of staying at the bunks of the Mt. Moosilauke Lodge which is owned by Dartmouth and staffed by its students.  For dinner, they feasted on homemade wheat rolls, fresh salads, pesto pan pizza, and “Monkey Bread” for dessert. After dinner, they relaxed around a campfire sharing tall-tales, playing games, and enjoying each other’s company. 

Also on Monday, another group of Junior As (ten-year-olds) enjoyed a camping overnight at our Pioneer Camp on the Baker River.  The boys loved swimming and fishing in the crystal clear water, cooking over an open fire, and sleeping in a tent on a platform.  Another highlight on Monday entailed a professional chef joining us for a week to give campers cooking lessons.  They have learned to make egg omelets and quesadillas; she will also lead a group in making the dessert for our banquet dinner.  Finally, there was an all-ages climbing trip to the Rumney crags, a golf trip to the kinks in Bradford, Golf Trip, and a Senior B (thirteen-year-old) mountain biking trek around the trails and roads surrounding Camp. Inter-camp competition continued with a 15s tennis tournament at a neighboring camp.

Tuesday was another hot, sunny day, perfect for all things Moose. Inter-camp competition included a 13s pickleball tournament at a neighboring camp.  The highlight of the day was our official “break” of our “Red vs. Grey” two days of friendly competition.  As usual, Todd Gelfand was the showrunner in charge of concept development, the script, and overall execution.  The theme this year focused on our 120th anniversary and a “contested deed” of the camp’s land.  After a distressed Sabina ran into the dining hall asking for help, Bill led the whole camp down to the office to confront a man operating a giant excavator and three men in suits with blueprints for a casino and golf course.  Right when the boys arrived the excavator crushed an old shed right before their eyes!  In order to “save Moose” the campers were charged with finding pieces of a large puzzle that were hidden around the camp.  Once the puzzle was completed it led the campers to an old deed that was buried under the largest boulder at camp.  The excavator had to be used to raise the boulder so Kenny could find it and save the day!  Kenny and Jake then read the teams, oversaw the traditional captains’ challenge (complete with an ax in a log), and it was all capped off with cake and amazing fireworks.

On Wednesday, Day 1 of Red vs. Grey, there was a group of campers from both teams rising early to fish on the lake in hopes of catching the biggest fish for their respective teams. The morning activities included soccer, archery, basketball, kickball, a Moose Relay, and age group mile runs. In the afternoon, there was a track meet that included a long jump, Junior Hill run, base relay, frisbee toss, 100 yard dash, and an Infirmary run.  In the evening, competition continued with tennis, Ultimate frisbee, soccer, and kickball. 

Day 2 of Red vs. Grey saw another group of campers fishing at 6:30 am. with one of them catching a 2 lb bass to win the fishing derby.  Activities in the morning included basketball, baseball, soccer, and a “Mega Moose Relay” for Senior As. The afternoon consisted of a canoe regatta that included a canoe hand paddle race, a stand-up paddle board relay, a canoe tug of war, a swim meet, a canoe rescue relay, a swim from the Point, and finally the “Captains Challenge” canoe race from Orford Beach to the beach of camp. After the canoe regatta, each age group participated in a rope pull. The final events in the evening included the performance of the team songs and the team fire-building event. After the final scores were announced congratulatory high fives and hugs were shared and then all participants were treated to candy and soda.  An amazing two days marked by effort, achievement, and great sportsmanship.

That’s a wrap for now.  As always, please be in touch with questions.

Bill, Sabina, Ken, Ingrid, Todd, Preston, Jake, Quinn, and Charlotte