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Enter the boombox. We arrived home, pulled out a fresh Memorex, labeled it “Summer of ’91,” and proceeded to assemble the perfect mixtape. Long before iTunes playlists, Spotify, or YouTube music, there was the meticulously-curated, manually-assembled cassette mixtape. In one tape deck, we placed the cassette on which the desired song was located. In the other tape deck (yes, most boomboxes had two), we dropped in the aforementioned Memorex blank cassette. Once we fast-forwarded and rewinded precisely enough to queue up the song, we had to put our fine-motor skills to the test. With one index finger on “Play” and the opposite index and middle fingers hovering over “Record” and “Play,” we aimed for a simultaneous motion that would ensure we wouldn’t miss even a second of the opening chords.

My 90’s mixtapes from PFC were filled with songs by Van Morrison, Bob Marley, Erasure, the B-52’s, Cat Stevens, James Taylor, and A Tribe Called Quest. Every time I listened to these “camp songs” during the off-season, I was instantly transported back to Greeley. The songs connected me to the memories, which connected me to my camp friends. In the same way certain smells can trigger memories in the brain, the songs on my camp mixtapes conjured up feelings that were exclusive to my summer experience. The mixtapes made me feel like I was a part of a secret club, where I was one of a select few who knew my bunk’s alternate lyrics to “Love Shack.”

While I sincerely doubt that any of our current Owegans have ever held a cassette tape in their hands, I encourage each and every one of you (past and present) to curate your own Owego playlist to keep you connected with camp over the next 10 months. Need help getting started? Here are just a few songs that inarguably should be included on any list associated with music at Owego:

Cigarette Daydreams by Cage the Elephant: Start with something upbeat that everyone knows and is fun to sing along with.

Head Full of Doubt/Road Full of Promise by The Avett Brothers: Probably the best Frontier Week song of the past 10 years, written by Max Berman in 2019.

Ghosts That We Knew by Mumford & Sons: Another fantastic tear-jerker of a Frontier Week song, performed by winning tribe Ekota in 2025.

Baba O’Riley by The Who: While you’re riding the Frontier Week wave, be sure to include this break-out classic. The opening chords will instantly transport you to the Upper Field.

Kansas City by The New Basement Tapes: There’s nothing like belting out, “And I love you dear…” while throwing back your head and summoning the catharsis of song competition.

Bittersweet Symphony by The Verve: Reminisce about following your Chief to the Final Flame ceremony. Dry your tears and feel the heat of the raging bonfire.

Party in the USA by Miley Cyrus: The quintessential 4th of July breakfast song, this will have you thinking about patriotic decor, Krispy Kreme donuts, and whipped cream.

Walk On by U2: An Olympics standard, this song reminds us of the Closing Ceremony on the Lower Field and the rainbow of Olympic shirts encircling the flame.

Wonderwall by Oasis: Another ceremonial Olympics song, you’ll be thinking about the country flags unfurling from the front of the Silverdome.

Best Song Ever by One Direction: Just a fun, catchy tune that will make you feel GOOD after all of the melancholic reminiscing.

Want to keep going? Here are some other Owego essentials:

People Need a Melody by The Head and the Heart

Young Forever by High Valley

Coastline by Hollow Coves

The Roads by Jonah Kagen

Head Held High by Kodaline

Salt and the Sea by The Lumineers

Silhouettes by Colony House

Shotgun by George Ezra

Now you have the Ultimate Owego Mixtape…er, Playlist. If any of your favorites have been overlooked, please feel free to drop them in the comments below. The songs mentioned above are in no way a comprehensive list! That’s the beauty of camp — songs accumulate over the years, just like memories do. You can never have too many!

And rest assured, when we gather once again in June 2027, we’ll be ready to add new favorites to the playlist. Maybe, someday, YOU’LL write an Olympic or Frontier Week song that will become part of the Owego lore. Regardless of how campers are listening to music in 30 years, the significance of the songs will never change. They are enshrined in our hearts, forever.

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One of the best truths in life is that endings bring about new beginnings. We use the expression, “When one door closes, another one opens” to comfort and encourage people in difficult times. As difficult as it may be to say goodbye tomorrow, we know we’re not really saying goodbye. We’re simply saying, “So long, for now.” For we know that Summer 2027 will come. And we will be together again.

When the 48 days of camp come to an end, the countdown to Summer 2027 begins! Sure, we’ll start counting in the 300’s. But you’ll be amazed at how quickly we reach 250. You’ll blink and it will be March and the 100-day countdown will appear. And then it will be June and Summer 2027 will officially begin!

This summer has been filled with so many memorable moments. Our 4th of July celebration, the Tents’ Costa Rican adventure, the Grand Owegan, Owego Olympics, Scotty’s production of “A Christmas Story,” Senior and Hi-Senior trips, the Mike Hike, Switch Day and Owegoland, the 100 miler, Old-Timers, and Frontier Week — and that’s just the major events! Every Friday night campfire, waterskiing or biking trip, visit to Costas, Canteen day, and evening activity made an indelible mark on us. We have the photographic evidence to show that, and we can begin to look through those photos as soon as we arrive home. The memories never really end. They just become legendary.

As camp comes to a close, we reflect on the changes we experienced as individuals this summer. Maybe we conquered our fear of heights and mastered the Ropes course. Maybe we competed in our first-ever Intercamp game. Maybe we learned how to play Magic the Gathering. All of these achievements and milestones are new beginnings for us. We reached goals we may not have thought possible. When we arrive back at camp for Summer 2027, we will be different campers than we were in 2026. Camp has allowed us to become new, and better, versions of ourselves.

So I will now sign off for the summer, wishing everyone a wonderful new beginning. For some of you, that means starting new schools. For others, it means starting new jobs. For me, it means my oldest child will pave his own path while away at college. Yes, his childhood is ending. No, the dynamic in my house will never be the same. But I choose to view this transition as the beginning of an evolved, enhanced version of the mother-son relationship we’ve always had. I hope that when everybody departs from Owego tomorrow, they dry their tears and begin to look forward to what is still to come. Because Summer 2027 is closer than you think. The countdown begins NOW!

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Way, way back on day one, each Tribe submitted to Kyle a list of ingredients. This seemingly haphazard list will have become, in 3 days’ time, a full-blown, multi-course meal. That is the magic of Owego’s Frontier Week.

Once the teams are announced at break-out, the meal team begins to take shape. Typically, each Tribe’s meal team is composed of Hi-Seniors who have experience with meal prep in a previous Frontier Week, or who simply love to cook and have a talent for it! A great FW meal is palatable and tasty, while also being creative and reflective of the Tribe’s culture. For example, if the Tribe is known for living near water and getting its sustenance by fishing, the FW meal should incorporate some type of fish.

Kyle receives this list of ingredients from each meal team and determines what items can be provided by the Owego kitchen, and what requires a trip to the grocery store. We don’t require meal teams to go into the woods with a bow and arrow — just on a short drive to the Weis market in Lords Valley. Things like basic seasonings and sauces, starches, and common fruits and vegetables are easy to find at camp. But depending on how creative the Tribe’s menu becomes (think fresh mozzarella, chipotle mayo, and miso paste), there may be a need to look elsewhere for more “out of the box” ingredients.

While the shelter is under construction at the Tribe’s campsite, the meal team begins to build its stoves. Step one, they dig a hole. Step two, they line the outside of the hole with large rocks. And…that’s pretty much it. On the day of meal judging, the meal team builds a small fire in the stove and feeds it kindling until it reaches a temperature well-suited to cooking. All of this is achieved through skill and instinct alone. The Camp Craft lessons that Owegans learn throughout the summer all lead to this Frontier Week challenge. Can you build a shelter that will stand freely and protect your Tribe from the elements? Can you cook a meal using only rocks and fire?

The final meal is presented on a menu, with each course described in mouth-watering detail. The meal teams spend hours in the dining hall, prepping ingredients and assembling dishes to be cooked at the campsite. Each Tribe is allotted a certain number of pots and pans, as well as a variety of cooking utensils. It is always impressive to see what these Frontier Chefs are capable of putting together with just an idea and an open flame!

The final stage of campsite meal is the judging! Just before dinnertime, a handful of Key Staff begin to trek through the woods, from one campsite to another, until all 6 meals have been presented, sampled, and evaluated. The Tribe presents each course of its meal to the judges and explains the thought process behind their decisions. Meals should be well-cooked and tasty, of course, but also unique and appropriate to that Tribe’s lifestyle. Once the judges have completed their taste test, they move on. And that’s when the real eating begins! The entire Tribe dines together at the campsite on steak and french fries that have been “professionally” prepared in the confines of the Owego kitchen!

And who could forget dessert? Earlier in the day, the Juniors from each Tribe participated in a cake decorating contest. The Owego kitchen provided a beautiful sheet cake to each Tribe, and the Juniors were tasked with using icing, candy, and other toppings to decorate it with the name of the Tribe and any other symbols or images that represent the Tribe. The cakes always turn out looking fantastic and tasting delicious! Once they are judged (for appearance only) the Tribe enjoys the cake as a sweet ending to the campsite meal. You can rest assured that no one in camp will go to bed hungry tonight!

The fifth and final day of Frontier Week is on deck for tomorrow, and everyone’s spirits are still high. The events slated for tomorrow could very easily turn the tide of Frontier Week and make it anyone’s victory. First up in the morning will be the Medicine Man’s Mission, which is a scavenger hunt all over camp for items like pieces of furniture, athletic equipment, office supplies, and even live critters. After lunch, the judges will make their way to each campsite to judge the shelters and the Junior projects. Then we’ll close it out with the song competition and closing ceremony.

We have had an eventful four days of competition. Tomorrow, one Tribe will be crowned the winner of Frontier Week 2026. The excitement around camp is palpable, and we can’t wait to see what happens! Grab your tissues and stay tuned!

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Six teams of Hi-Seniors, six Tribes cheering them on. Kindling collected for two straight days, carried to the Upper Field on “stretchers” and piled so high it’s a wonder there are trees left standing. Counselors and Hi-Seniors carrying the stretchers over their shoulders, straining under the weight of an insanely massive amount of wood. I can only imagine what is going through the minds of the Juniors as they watch this kindling parade, mouths agape. Someday, they will be the ones who carry the stretchers.

Once the piles of wood have been deposited in front of each Tribe’s rope, the teams of “burners” go to work breaking apart the branches to create more manageable pieces of kindling. The spectators take their places at a safe distance, ready to cheer. Each Rope Burn team is allowed one box of matches to get things started, but once the flame is ignited the skills learned in Camp Craft are what make the difference. With shouts of “Burn that rope!” coming from the crowd, the team members run back and forth between the pile of wood and the fire, adding to the pyre. Burners lay on their stomachs, blowing into the base of the fire, hoping to fan the flames even higher.

The fires begin to grow, first into a small blaze and eventually into a massive inferno. The ropes, suspended about 20 feet in the air, begin to feel the heat. The flames lick the rope, sending sparks high into the air. The commotion from the crowd reaches a fever pitch as the flames climb into the night sky. Before you know it, there are 6 raging bonfires competing for supremacy. The heat emanating from these fires is impossible to describe.

In the end, one rope catches fire before the others. One rope burns faster and breaks first. Tonight, that triumph belonged to the Tribe of Comanche. The crowd went wild as the team members celebrated their hard-earned win. Another year of Frontier Week Rope Burn in the books. One of the most “Owego-y” nights of the summer, we are already looking forward to next summer’s spectacle.

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The Tribes of Frontier Week 2026 are as follows:

Aleut (blue)

Caddo (pink)

Oneida (green)

Comanche (black)

Toltec (yellow)

Acoma (red)

Day One is all about clearing the Tribe’s campsite in preparation for building the shelter. You will see photos of your campers holding shovels and rakes, and you will be curious. The 6 campsites are utilized every summer, but they are left deserted throughout the cold, brutal winter. When each Tribe arrives at its assigned campsite at the start of Frontier Week, it is very common for the remnants of last summer’s shelter to be left behind like the skeleton of an abandoned ship at the bottom of the ocean. The debris must be cleared and the site must be checked for nests and hives before building can begin.

Another important event on Day One is the Tribe Banner decorating and presentation. While the Seniors and Hi-Seniors clear the campsites and create the Tribe’s banner, the Juniors decorate rocks with the Tribe’s name and symbol. Using paint pens, they create a colorful representation of their Tribe that will be judged as part of the competition. The banners, meanwhile, are a large-scale visual of the Tribe’s spirit and essence. The animal or object most closely associated with the Tribe is featured prominently, along with the Tribe’s name and any other relevant symbols.

The Banner presentation is the meat and potatoes of the competition. Each Tribe’s Chiefs, Medicine Man, Warrior, and Scout stand on stage before the entire camp and introduce the Tribe’s history and background, along with the values and culture of the people. The Banner speech is intended to highlight the significance of the people who came before us, and to encourage the Tribe’s members to adopt the Tribal mindset for the duration of Frontier Week.

Tonight’s main event is Tug-of-War, where each Tribe will face off against the others in a round-robin tournament. Every member is valuable, with Juniors (literally) pulling their weight at the center while the bigger boys anchor the front and back of the team’s side of the rope. The photos from Tug-of-War are always a highlight. The clenched teeth! The grimaces! The loopy smiles! The squinted eyes! It really is a sight to behold.

As you watch all of the action unfold over the next 5 days, via the photos posted on CampMinder and the content posted on Instagram, keep in mind that every Owegan works collaboratively to make Frontier Week a singularly amazing experience. From the young, wide-eyed Juniors, to the seasoned Seniors, all the way up to the Hi-Seniors who lead the charge, each Tribe member lends his skills and talents to the team effort. Every Owegan pours his heart and soul into these 5 days, knowing full well that when Frontier Week is all over, it will be time to pack it up and close the book on Summer 2026. But first, there are ropes to burn, races to run, torches to paint, meals to cook, and shelters to build. Let’s get to it, Owego.

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This royal blue shirt may seem pretty standard, but what it represents is far from basic. Every Owegan in his (or her) 7th summer at camp is inducted into the “Old-Timers Club.” While we consider all Owegans in at least their 3rd summer at camp an “Old-Timer,” it is lucky number 7 that earns the t-shirt with the Owegan’s name emblazoned across the left breast in bright-white block letters. On the back of the shirt, in even bigger bright-white letters, it reads, “Lake Owego Camp Old-Timer.” Owegans wear the shirt with great pride. It is a status symbol of sorts — not the kind that divides the haves from the have-nots, but rather one that inspires everyone to embrace the Brotherhood, carry on the traditions, and set an example for the next generation of Old Timers.

Tonight’s ceremony included all campers and staff in their 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th years at camp, encouraging them to work towards their own blue shirt by coming back summer after summer. While the 7th year Old Timers were the main event, everyone was given a role in the ceremony. All campers and staff who had received their shirts in previous summers, sat by the lake and led various chants and inside jokes. One representative from each Old Timer “year” was chosen to light a candle in honor of that year’s celebrants. One by one, this summer’s 7th-year honorees stood and told their Old Timers stories — individual recollections of memorable times at Owego. The stories were silly, surprising, and hilarious! We are an all-boys camp. Use your imagination!

Following the ceremony, the Old Timers were treated to an ice cream bash in the dining hall. Attendees lined up at the kitchen window based on summers spent at camp. One of the privileges of returning to camp each summer is moving up in the ice cream line! We all started as 3rd years in the back of the line. And look at us now! Ice cream was scooped, toppings were available in abundance, whipped cream flowed freely, and spirits were high!

On a personal note, I will always cherish my Old Timers shirt. I am especially grateful to have been included in this meaningful ritual of the Owego Brotherhood. Having the privilege of sharing the occasion with my kids, and standing side by side with them in our blue shirts, fills me with so much appreciation. Appreciation for everything this camp has given them, for everything they’ve given to camp, and for having a front-row seat to so much of it for 7 years.

Thank you, Owego.

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August slipped away into a moment in time

–Taylor Swift

As the sun sets on August 1st, we are feeling a sense of excitement for what is still to come over the next 12 days. But that excitement is a little bittersweet. Once August hits, the light begins to change. Sunset hovers closer to 8:00 pm. Evening activity loses none of its energy, but some of its light. Even the shadows cast by the trees begin to morph into elongated shapes, signaling that the bulk of the summer is behind us and the season will be changing sooner than we’d like to think.

We choose to focus less on the fact that there are just 12 days remaining before the 10-month countdown begins again, and more on the big events taking place during those 12 days. Today, for example, we hosted another Play Day for prospective campers, and we will host another one next weekend. On Monday, we will celebrate our second session Old-Timers, and sometime this coming week we will light a giant bonfire and dive into the maelstrom of Frontier Week! There is still so much to get pumped for, and yet the awareness of the approaching ending still lingers in the air.

August has a singular vibe for us Owegans. It is a time for us to demonstrate our uniqueness by going out into the woods and creating something extraordinary. Frontier Week allows us to gather as six distinct Tribes, clear our campsites, build our shelters, plan our meals, and write our songs. Many Owegans look forward to this point in the summer all year long. It is what sets us apart from other camps and what makes us a Brotherhood. On the final night of Frontier Week, we will assemble as one camp to share songs about our time at Owego. Each Tribe will sing about the significance of this place, these people, and the struggle to let it go. Needless to say, it is a weepy occasion.

Over the next 12 days, we will celebrate what it means to be an Owegan, while simultaneously acknowledging that even the best summers must eventually come to an end. We will share triumphs and disappointments, laughter and tears, awards and distinctions. And when the time comes to say farewell on August 13th, we will smile with the knowledge that we may not see each other for a while but we will always have our memories of Summer 2026 to keep us connected.

Hello, August!

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Let me explain. Yesterday, our oldest campers departed on their respective divisional trips out of camp. Our 7th and 8th graders embarked on their trips this morning, and the Tents will leave for the 100-miler before dawn tomorrow. As of this morning, Lower Camp was calling the shots. Switch Day was in full effect, with the CTT Juniors participating in Choice periods at Owego in the morning, and Owegans traveling down the road to Timber Tops in the afternoon. When the big guys are away, the little guys will play!

As for our 10th graders, they set out yesterday morning for Niagara Falls. Over the course of two nights out of camp, they will take in a Rochester Red Wings AAA baseball game, explore Old Falls Street USA, enjoy thrills at Six Flags amusement park, and, of course, experience the Maid of the Mist — perhaps Niagara Falls’ most popular attraction.

The 9th graders departed yesterday for New England. Like the 10th graders, they will be away for 2 nights. Highlights of the New England trip include Downtown Portland, Old Orchard Beach, Quincy Market, and a tour of Fenway Park. Each division is traveling alongside its grade-level counterparts from Timber Tops. Staff from both LOC and CTT are chaperoning the adventure, and we’ve already seen photographic evidence of some serious fun!

Our Tents, who already enjoyed an epic 10-day adventure in Costa Rica earlier this summer, will paddle out early tomorrow morning (weather permitting) for the 100-miler canoe trip. An annual excursion that is eagerly anticipated and thoroughly prepped for, the 100-miler is a 3-day, 2-night river trip in which the 11th graders camp on the banks of the Delaware River and paddle their hearts out all day long to try and beat the previous summer’s mileage. We wish them happy paddling and lots of luck (and no sunburn)!

Finally, our Senior division trips left camp today and will return late tomorrow. The 8th graders will explore the Finger Lakes region, with stops at Seneca Park Zoo, Ithaca Commons, Taughannock Falls, and a water park. The 7th graders will travel to locations all across the Adirondacks, including Lake George, Howe Caverns, the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, and a water park. Like the Hi-Seniors, the Seniors are traveling alongside their CTT peers.

As much as our campers are reveling in the present moment and soaking up all that today has to offer, many of them are already looking forward to what’s in store for next summer. Many of you who joined us on Visiting Day this past Sunday took advantage of our Early-Bird Enrollment. So far, we’ve seen a record number of re-enrollments for Summer 2027! If you have not yet re-enrolled your camper for next summer, it’s not too late! Click below to begin the re-enrollment process and take advantage of our Early Bird reduced rates. Trust us — we’ve got big plans for Summer 2027, and you (and your camper) won’t want to miss a thing!

Click Here to Re-Enroll!

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While we have no doubt that your Visiting Day experience was wonderfully reassuring and filled with love, we know that saying goodbye for the second time in a month can be difficult for campers and parents alike. Trust us, you all did great! Whether your camper was sad to see you go, or (like mine) declined to walk you to your car in favor of staying with his friends and comparing treat stashes, you can rest assured that all Owegans are thriving the day after Visiting Day.

Full session campers were reinvigorated by some quality family time, and second session campers got to enjoy the day at Montage Mountain water park. This week promises overnight trips for our Seniors and Hi-Seniors, and special in-camp events for our Juniors and Intermediates. But the true test of everyone’s well-being came today, when camp returned to business as usual.

The lake was buzzing with activity, with campers out on canoes and kayaks, and frolicking on the Wibit. The Ropes course was packed with climbers, swingers, and zip-liners. Pickleball and tennis were in full swing (yessss!) and the picnic grove was bursting with campers who couldn’t wait to play with the new Magic cards gifted to them on Visiting Day. Camp resumed without so much as a hiccup, and everything at Owego was exactly as it should be.

For the next 16 days, we will squeeze every drop of fun out of camp that we possibly can. Yes, there will be trips and special events and lots of big bonfires. But there will also be quieter moments like bike rides, baseball games, and ping-pong showdowns. Owegans appreciate the flashy stuff, but they cherish the small things that make camp what it really is: A boy’s heaven-on-Earth where he can play the day away and be exactly who he wants to be. Rest assured, the kids are alright.

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