Yesterday, we bid farewell to our 11th grade “Tents” as they departed for 10 days in Costa Rica. Along with their grade-level peers from PFC and CTT, they will be exploring the beautiful countryside, volunteering at an animal sanctuary, and helping run a camp for local children. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg! It will no doubt be a memorable and rewarding experience for our oldest campers!

On the eve of Independence Day, our campers were granted late sleep and a double-SFA morning. This is camp’s version of a “lazy day,” though we all know that no days spent at camp could ever be called “lazy!” SFA, or “Supervised Free Activity,” is a chance for campers to elect how they’d like to spend their time. With designated areas of camp open and staff stationed to ensure that everyone stays safe and happy, campers may choose to create a masterpiece at Arts and Crafts, to bounce off the Wibit into the lake, or to take a bike ride around camp. Scotty frequently uses these SFA periods as an opportunity to get the whole cast together for play rehearsal. No matter how you spend your SFA, it is a time for everyone to break from routine and enjoy a little independence.

Speaking of which…

Tomorrow is the 4th of July (see what I did there?), a camp day that is always very festive and full of spirit. In the morning, campers and staff will dress in red, white, and blue. Some of our international staff may dress in their respective countries’ colors or even traditional garments. Last summer, we had a Scotsman in a kilt! The day is all about showing pride for one’s birthplace and heritage. Every summer, the patriotic costumes get wilder and crazier. Stay tuned for tomorrow’s lineup photos — always a highlight of the summer!

Late afternoon rainstorms delayed the annual USA vs. International Staff soccer game until tomorrow, so the Independence Day pomp and circumstance will have to wait. We still enjoyed a delicious dinner of steak sandwiches, which will give our campers plenty of fuel for tomorrow’s raucous singing, dancing, and cheering.

Tonight’s Evening Activity for the Juniors was Air Raid, which is a major component of Frontier Week and an Owego tradition. We’re teaching these boys early so they will be pros by the time Frontier Week rolls around! Seniors played Speedball and Hi-Seniors were split into two groups. The 9th graders participated in a special activity called Nine Lives, while the 10th graders started working on their 4th of July decorations. Later tonight, after camp is asleep, the 10th graders will take over the dining hall and cover it in red, white, and blue. Streamers, balloons, signs — it usually is quite a sight to behold!

Tomorrow’s blog will be a special “holiday” edition. We will bring you all of the action from camp on what is easily one of the most spectacular days of the summer!