Bright and early this morning, with sleep still clouding their eyes, the Tents were awoken for the very best reason — to embark on their long-awaited trip to Costa Rica! Traveling with their grade-level cohorts from Pine Forest and TimberTops, they left on a jet plane from Newark Airport and landed around noon local time. Today’s itinerary includes an orientation by trip leaders, and an opportunity to settle in to the hotel accommodations. As we hear from the trip leaders over the next 10 days, we will do our best to report on the exciting adventures these campers have the privilege to experience.
Pura Vida!
Back on the home front (that is, at the lush oasis we call Owego), the day started with Barbara Black’s delicious smoked salmon at breakfast and featured the first “sibling” visitation of the summer with TimberTops.
The weekly sibling visit is a highlight for our Owego brothers who have sisters and/or cousins over at CTT. Every Sunday, our Owego boys board the bus and travel down Route 6 to TimberTops where the girls eagerly await their arrival. Brothers and sisters hug as if they haven’t seen one another in months. Parents may not believe it, but it’s 100% true! There’s no sibling squabbling here!
As the small family gatherings spread out and find a cozy corner to occupy, everyone shares their week 1 camp stories. “I went waterskiing on Lake Wallenpaupack!” or “I climbed to the top of the rock wall!” or “I tried BBQ chicken for the first time…and I loved it!” This unique opportunity for brothers, sisters, and cousins to visit with one another — without a parent chaperone — is one of the most special traditions at camp. It gives the campers a little slice of home to carry with them for the rest of the week.
Tonight’s Evening Activities included Steal the Bacon for Juniors, Speed Ball for Seniors, and Frolf for Hi-Seniors. Frolf is an interesting one — it’s a variation on golf, but with a frisbee. Teams travel around camp to designated “holes,” each of which has a “par.” Instead of putting a golf ball, however, the campers have to toss a frisbee. Frolf has been a favorite at Owego for a long time!
As the first week of camp draws to a close, we reflect on friendships made, traditions celebrated, and skills strengthened. But this is only the beginning. The coming week will bring Fourth of July festivities at camp, starting with donuts and ending with fireworks! Stay tuned for more explosive fun!
