Of the 48 days that make up the entirety of the 2026 camp season, many will include “Special Events.” Visits to Costas, 4th of July festivities, Owego Olympics, divisional overnight trips for Seniors and Hi-Seniors, and, of course, Frontier Week — they all get the designation of being “special,” with the unintended implication that the remaining 30 or so days of camp are not.

Those of us who spend our summers in Greeley know that these “regular” camp days are anything but ordinary. Today was the 4th day of camp. For all intents and purposes, it was a regularly scheduled day. Campers awoke at 7:45, enjoyed breakfast, cleaned for inspection, and went about their day. Three periods of activities in the morning were followed by lunch, then Rest Hour. The afternoon was comprised of three more activity periods, including a rec swim, Shower Hour, dinner, SFA, and Evening Activities.

When you look more closely at what actually happened at camp today, however, you’ll see that the day was anything but routine. The last day of June held numerous opportunities for our campers to participate in something truly “special.”

Scotty has completed auditions and has cast the roles for “A Christmas Story: The Musical,” which will grace the Owego stage on July 18th. The cast of campers are already rehearsing, learning lines and songs with just over 2 weeks until showtime. What Scotty and these talented Owegans are able to pull off in such a brief amount of time is nothing short of remarkable!

After lunch today, our Tents who are leaving for Costa Rica tomorrow hosted a visit from their siblings from Timber Tops and Pine Forest. It was a chance for everyone to connect with family before the 11th graders are whisked off to Central America. Tonight, prior to getting a good night’s sleep, the Tents boarded the bus to Walmart to procure any last-minute necessities for their incredible journey.

After enjoying leagues as tonight’s evening activity, the Hi-Seniors were treated to a cookout in the picnic grove. As if that weren’t special enough, our 10th graders then headed over to Timber Tops for the first of their “Teen Canteen” socials. Each Hi-Senior age group will take turns having these socials throughout the summer.

Our Optional Activities are in full swing (no pun intended). Top Golfers are practicing their putts and will head to Costas soon to let it fly on the driving range. Private tennis lessons are underway with our outstanding tennis staff, personal training is taking place in the HBC gym, and Top Cooks are heading to the Pine Forest kitchen on Thursday to whip up something delicious.

We hesitate to call these traditionally scheduled camp days “regular” because any day spent at camp is extraordinary. Whether you scored a goal, caught a fish, learned how to play Magic, performed on stage, hung out with your sibling, or jumped off the Wibit into the lake, you took part in something unique to the Owego experience. How lucky are you?