Early this morning, the 9th and 10th graders rubbed the sleep from their teenage eyes, grabbed their overnight bags, and boarded coach buses already filled with Timber Tops girls. The 10th graders departed first, their giant green bus hightailing it out of camp and down Route 6. Final destination? Niagara Falls! The 9th graders left camp a short time later, heading north to New England. Needless to say, there was a noticeable absence at morning lineup!
Tomorrow morning, the Tents will awaken at the break of dawn to paddle away on the 100-miler. The Seniors, AKA 7th and 8th graders, will board buses for their overnight trips to the Adirondacks and the Finger Lakes, respectively. Think about that for just a moment. As of tomorrow’s morning lineup, no camper over the age of 11 will remain in camp. Pioneer Village will become the official hub of camp and the Juniors will have the run of the place!
Preparations were put well into place today, as the youngest campers spread out across camp and took advantage of the extra space. They played basketball in the HBC, practiced their forehands and backhands on the tennis court, and lived out their Sesame Street fantasies with a puppet workshop at Scotty’s Stage. It was another scorcher today, and many Juniors chose to spend quality time at the lake. Whether on the Wibit or in the water, the campers stayed cool while having a blast! Sure, the Seniors were still hanging around, but there was a current of anticipation running through camp as the Juniors inched closer to a complete takeover.
Tonight’s evening activity for the Juniors was an all-time favorite of Owegans past and present: Steal the Bacon! This tag-based game involves teams competing to retrieve the “bacon” from the center of the playing area and return it to their side without being tagged. Steal the Bacon isn’t just about being the fastest runner. It’s about teamwork, listening skills, and strategic thinking. When your number is called, you need to be ready to move!
Tomorrow, after the remainder of Upper Camp hits the road, the Juniors will participate in Switch Day with Timber Tops. Half of the day will take place at Owego, with the girls as our guests, and half will take place at CTT. Switch Day is like a “try it” day where the campers will get to experience their choice of activities at each other’s camp. Held every summer during trip week, Switch Day is a unique opportunity for our boys to utilize the facilities at CTT and to get a sense of what life is like at our sister camp.
The Juniors are calling the shots, and it’s going to be epic!
