“The grass is always greener on the other side.”
— Proverb
Conventional wisdom says that you shouldn’t covet what someone else has simply because it’s different from your own. Different is good, but different isn’t always better. Sometimes, it’s just…different.
And so it was that the Juniors awoke to a half-empty camp this morning and traveled down the road to Timber Tops for a morning’s worth of something different. When our campers arrived, beach towels in hand (if the weather is going to stay this hot, we might as well take our towels everywhere we go), they were briefed by CTT staff on the variety of activities in which they could choose to participate. Whether they came for sports, arts, or just something different than what is offered at Owego, there was something for everyone!
These Juniors might tell you that the most unusual part of the morning was using equipment they are not accustomed to using. A totally different Wibit in the lake? Bring it on! A kitchen used for cooking lessons? Yes, please! A gymnastics pavilion loaded with trampolines, balance beams, and other apparatuses? We are so there!
But the magic of Switch Day lies not only in the opportunity to do things differently, but to do it alongside our Timber Tops sisters. Every activity that was offered today was co-ed. In other words, Owego boys and Timber girls side by side, experiencing all of the wonderful options each camp has to offer. It was a peek into “how the other half lives.” And the perfect occasion for brothers and sisters to reconnect!
Some chose to brave the heat and play tennis, basketball, or soccer. Others opted for the shaded setting of gaga or ping pong, the calm of arts and crafts, or the thrill of gymnastics. Even Junior Head Counselor Mike was spotted on the balance beam! The lure of yummy treats appealed to our boys, as they baked chocolate chip cookies inside the CTT kitchen. There was even an option for outdoor cooking, as campers made S’mores sandwiches over the campfire! For some Juniors, the cool, refreshing water of Lake Selma was just too tempting to pass up. The Wibit was crawling with boys and girls, all delighted to beat the heat together!
Before departing to head back to Owego, the Juniors had the rare opportunity to eat lunch in the CTT dining hall! Undeterred by the singing and chanting that characterizes a typical CTT meal, our boys held their own with a rousing rendition of “Little Red Wagon.” It was quite a raucous meal, but don’t worry — there was even some eating going on!
The afternoon was spent hosting the CTT girls at Owego. More fun, more beating the heat, more trying something different. Our boys were happy to share their sacred spaces with the girls from Timber Tops, especially after receiving such outstanding hospitality earlier in the day! Tomorrow, we will take a little journey to Owegoland, without ever leaving our own camp. With most of the Upper Camp trips returning to Owego tomorrow night, the Juniors have to squeeze every last ounce of excitement out of their 2-day reign!
