You bought them new socks, scheduled haircut appointments, and made sure they had enough stamps to write lots of letters home. And then you turned them over to us.

The first days of camp can be hectic, but they can also be refreshing and exhilarating. No phones, no TV, no video games. Just pure, unadulterated fun. Boyhood at its finest. While the transition can be a little jarring at first, most campers find by day 2 or 3 that they don’t even miss their devices. No time to “pine” over technology when you’re running amongst the pine trees with your best buds!

Once the dust of opening day has settled, campers can begin to adjust to the new daily routine. Wake-up, brush teeth, shorts and shorts, whistle for line-up. At breakfast, the Juniors discover with glee that Fruit Loops are abundant and chocolate milk is a staple. After hungry boys devour eggs or French toast sticks or pancakes, they hurry back to the bunk to prepare for Inspection.

Then it’s off to the races. Activities galore await these boys. Some head to the tennis courts to work on their serves, others make a beeline for the lake to fish or kayak or play on the Wibit. Whether they are shooting baskets, creating artistic masterpieces, or learning how to throw a frisbee, the campers are enjoying the outdoors and learning new skills while improving upon existing ones. It’s a boy’s utopia.

In the coming days, the campers will grow more accustomed to chanting at mealtime. They will start to join in with the Old-Timers. The Owego spirit will spread. The bonds of brotherhood will take hold. There is so much still ahead. Campfires, Intercamp games, Scotty’s plays, and the costumed, donut-filled spectacle that is the Fourth of July! These campers are so, so lucky.

This blog aims to provide the “color commentary” to camp. Visit often to read about all of the exciting activities and special events happening in Greeley! There’s no stopping us now. The Summer of 2024 is unfolding before our eyes and we are already making memories!