Friday, August 2nd

This morning we had French toast for breakfast and started packing during cabin clean up. In sports we did the trust fall, an obstacle in our ropes course and played Gaga in arts and crafts. Testing continued in swimming and boating and many campers passed into new levels. Lunch was ravioli with sorbet for dessert. Immediately after rest hour we had fourth period and then we played pirates! Pirates is typically an evening program game but we didn’t get a chance to play this session so we played instead of activity period we played a shortened game. Afterwards we had a general swim to cool off. For supper meatball subs and jello cake for dessert. Then we headed back to our cabins to pack up everything we didn’t need for the night and morning. Next we went to the lodge to watch the slideshow and finally went to campfire where we did swimming, boating, track and field, and kitchen awards. We sang lots of songs, enjoyed s’mores, and headed off to bed for the final time. Thanks for tuning in to the birch blog this session, stay tuned for the second girls blog!

Grace :)

Thursday, August 1st

Happy banquet day! This morning we started off our day with English muffins, jelly, and cinnamon butter. After cabins were cleaned and camp duties were completed, we headed off to first period. Some of our senior swimmers had the opportunity to swim to frog island, a shallow area across the lake from camp. The girls who completed the swim got to bring back a rock from frog island and sign our frog island book. Testing for swimming and boating also began this morning and some campers moved up a level in their classes. Afterwards, we had our traditional banquet dinner which is tuna salad, egg salad, and PB&J’s. We have a lighter meal because of the large supper we have at banquet. We were eager to get in the water after rest hour for general swim as it was very hot out today and counselors offered activities in the water for activity period. Finally, it was time for banquet! We enjoyed our thanksgiving dinner and ice cream despite the heat in the lodge. Then we had a quick break to cool off outside and came back to do year awards and songs. Every camper received an award that corresponds to how many years they have been going to camp. Many girls keep their year awards and bring them back to camp each year. Our LTs also received their clipboards, a symbol of completing LT year. Afterwards, we had a special opportunity to do our candlelight service out on the lake. One by one, each cabin came down to the dock and one camper read a passage about light. Then staff members lit their candle boats and placed them onto the lake. This is a rare occasion as it is often too windy to put the candles out on the lake. We sang good night songs and went to bed silently, giving everyone a chance to reflect on their two weeks here at Asto Wamah.

Grace :)

Wednesday, July 31st

This morning we had a half hour sleep in which was much appreciated by campers and staff. Everyone was well rested for breakfast which was bagels, jelly, cream cheese, and cereal. There was a brief bit of rain during the morning but that didn’t stop us from going out on boats, playing sports on the field, and swimming in the lake. For dinner we had a pasta bake with beef and tomatoes and butterscotch pudding for dessert. The weather continued to hold out so we were able to go in the water for general swim and be outside for fourth and activity period. Many camper enjoyed Gaga, basketball, the tower, and sailing. The weather started to turn so we had to have our eat out inside. Each cabin ate their sandwiches, chips, and big juice at their regular table. It was still a lot of fun even though we couldn’t be outside. For evening program we played a classic camp game, Deck the Counselor! In this game each cabin is randomly assigned two counselors and an LT and they must prepare a skit that corresponds with the theme. Tonight’s theme was movies or tv shows and some skits featured scenes from Minions, Inside Out, and Dance Moms. Afterwards we sang songs, ate snack, and went off to bed. Tune in tomorrow for the banquet blog!

Grace :)

Monday, July 29th

Today was a rainy day here at camp! We slept in a half hour this morning which everyone appreciated after our long day yesterday. For breakfast we had blueberry bread, cereal, and cantaloupe. Morning classes were inside due to the rain. For swimming we played scattergpries, boating we had a boat drawing contest, sports we played 7 up, and arts and crafts went on as usual. For lunch we had a camp favorite, Shepherd’s Pie, and vanilla pudding for dessert. The weather started clearing up after rest hour so boats went out for fourth period and our LTs worked on their lifeguard training in the water. Supper was pulled pork sandwiches with chips, veggie sticks, and applesauce. For dessert we had sugar and chocolate chip cookies. The field was still damp from the rain so we played murder by night! In this game the LTs lead groups of campers to solve a murder mystery: who was the murderer and what the murder weapon was. Spoiler alert it was Amelia with a dodgeball! Then we sang songs and headed off to bed!

Grace :)

Sunday, July 28th

Happy track and field day!! We started this special day off with French toast for breakfast and our usual camp duties. Then it was off to the A field for our morning events. Hilltop, lakeside, and seniors rotated between three events: the running long jump, standing long jump, and the softball throw. Everyone did an amazing job and cheered loudly for their teammates. Then campers competed in the 50 yard dash and our new event, the mid distance run. These two running events were super fun and there was even a staff race which got very competitive. Afterwards we had a general swim to cool off before our classic track meet lunch of ham and noodles! Dessert was green and white cake and campers got to eat the cake that corresponded to the team they were on. Next up we enjoyed an extended rest hour to get ready for the r afternoons events. Immediately after rest hour was the marathon, a race down camp road that ends at the lakeside washstand. Campers who didn’t participate cheered their friends and teammates on along the course. After the marathon was our team triathlon, which involves passing a baton between runners, swimmers, and boaters. Everyone has a part in this relay and it is definitely my favorite part of track meet. Next up was swim races where campers could compete against others in their swimming area to earn points for their team. Everyone was hungry after a long day of running around so we had pickup for supper. This is the camp version of leftovers and it’s a great chance to eat something you enjoyed again! After supper we had our classic track and field day evening program: a series of different relays where green and white teams in each area compete against each other in soccer ball kicking, dodgeball passing, hoola hooping, and an obstacle course. After a long, exciting day we were all excited to go to bed! Stay tuned to find out which team won!

Grace :)

Our senior swimmers getting ready for the final leg of the team relay!

Saturday, July 27th

Happy Saturday! This morning we woke up to bagels and cereal for breakfast and then took cabin pictures. Campers also switched bunks during cabin clean up because it is the midpoint of the session. During sports we played parachute games such as cat and mouse. During arts and crafts campers had the opportunity to tie dye bandanas and scrunchies. For dinner we enjoyed chicken parm, pasta, and salad with butterscotch pudding for dessert. Mail was read and candy was eaten during rest hour and afterwards everyone jumped in the lake for general swim! Activity period brought fun activities such as basketball and hair braiding. Before supper we picked captains and teams for our track meet tomorrow. Supper tonight was eat out so we ate hot dogs, chips, and cookies out by the waterfront. Campers enjoyed eating with friends from other cabins and getting a change of scenery during mealtime. Shortly after supper we put our tied shoes on to play step it up! This game involves campers playing mini games such as dodgeball throw and corn hole to earn beads. Campers then run beads to their team’s “robots” who take steps according to the number of beads deposited. This was our first green vs white competition and we already had a very competitive atmosphere. At last we were off to bed! See you tomorrow for a special track meet blog!

Grace :)

Friday, July 26th

We woke up to a beautiful sunny morning, which was a welcomed change from the past few cloudy and drizzly days. Below is a picture of Carmela bringing in the boats to start the day.

After breakfast and cabin clean-up, we enjoyed swimming, boating, canoeing, and sailing on the lake. Everyone took advantage of the weather during Counselors’ Swim; some campers went fishing while others took out smallcraft with new friends. For dinner, we had meatballs with gravy and mashed potatoes. Rest Hour was much needed after our busy morning!

General Swim was awesome - everyone went in and enjoyed free time with their friends. During fourth period, the Hilltop nature class went fishing with Riley and Jill (pictured below). They caught some impressive looking fish!

Activity Period gave campers the opportunity to jump off the tower, to go paddle boarding, to go sailing on the Hunter (our large sailboat), and to play various field games. For supper, we had grilled cheese and tomato soup, and then churros for dessert!

Campers then went up to the A-Field for Evening Program, which was garbage collector. Garbage Collector is similar to handball, but there are multiple balls in play and depending on the color of the ball, you can earn a different number of points for your team. Since the campers worked up a sweat on the field, many of them chose to go in for a quick dip before heading off to bed.

We look forward to another beautiful day tomorrow!

Thursday, July 25th

We started off the day with a delicious breakfast of cinnamon bread, cereal, fresh fruit, orange juice, and hot cocoa. After cabin clean-up, campers received swim and smallcraft instruction, enjoyed showing their creativity in arts and crafts, and participated in indoor games for sports since the A-Field was still too wet from the rain.

For dinner, campers enjoyed ziti with cheese, baguettes, and salad. Many campers were happy to relax during Rest Hour, which ended up being slightly extended due to a pop-up thunderstorm. Once the storm passed, campers and staff went to the Upper Lodge to play various board and card games since it was still raining.

During fourth period, we were greeted by sunshine and blue skies, which was the perfect way to end the day! Smallcraft classes enjoyed the lake, while some campers went to archery or tennis instead of sports.

Many campers took advantage of the beautiful afternoon weather during Activity Period. Some campers took out boats with friends, others participated in hair braiding, and some campers and staff from Cabin 7 went fishing together (picture below).

For supper, we enjoyed chicken melts (a camp favorite!) and then played King Dodgeball on the A-Field since it was finally dry!

We look forward to a beautiful, sunny day tomorrow!

Wednesday, July 24th

We woke up to a chilly morning today on the lake. For breakfast this morning the campers enjoyed some French toast before cleaning their cabins and heading off to classes. We were able to get out on the lake for boating and campers changed out of their wet bathing suits after swimming to stay warm. For dinner we had Texas hash with salad and chocolate pudding with cookie bars for dessert. The weather worsened during rest hour so general swim was replaced with a camp spin on family feud where cabins compete to guess the top answers to questions counselors were asked about camp. The weather cleared up for fourth period and activity period so campers enjoyed jumping off the tower, boating, paddle boards, and a diving competition. Supper tonight was eat out, a camp tradition for when the kitchen staff have the night off. Cabins choose different places to eat around camp such as docks and we have a picnic with sandwiches, chips, and bug juice. For evening program we played a camp favorite, spies and smugglers! Many campers strategize for this game by bringing clothes to camp that have a lot of pockets to hide their ticket. A couple campers even had shirts with pockets sewn to the outside to make their hiding spot difficult to guess! Finally, we all went to bed to get rest for another great day tomorrow!

Grace :)

Monday, July 22nd

We woke up to another beautiful day here on Columbia Lake! Breakfast consisted of waffles with peanut butter (or butter). Campers and counselors then headed back to their cabins to clean and get ready for morning classes.

Since it was our first full day, campers met their swimming instructors, listened to smallcraft rules, began projects in arts and crafts, and enjoyed the Name Game (Nuk ‘Em) on the A-Field during sports. After morning classes, campers enjoyed their first Counselors’ Swim; some campers took out rowboats while others played games with their cabin mates.

For dinner, we had chicken tenders and rice, with vanilla pudding for dessert. Campers then went to store and relaxed during Rest Hour. Afterwards, campers checked in with their friends (new and old) for General Swim. Many campers jumped off the tower for the first time since last summer.

After the last class of the day, counselors offered various indoor activities due to incoming rain. Even though there were thunderstorms nearby, we lucked out and did not have any heavy rain.

Supper consisted of tacos with all of the fixings and then delicious chocolate cake with vanilla frosting for dessert. For evening program, campers and staff enjoyed a competitive game of Capture the Flag! They had a great time strategizing and working together to capture the other team’s flag.

Before bed, campers were able to do a quick dip in the lake in order to cool off. Everyone is looking forward to tomorrow!

Friday, July 19

Today was such a great way to end the session! We started off with French Toast for breakfast! Today’s morning classes were filled with campers passing both swimming and boating levels. Some even started chanting because they were so excited!

Dinner today was ziti, and dessert was sherbet! Activity period was filled with newly passed advanced boaters taking out boats all by themselves.

Supper today was grilled cheese and leftovers, and dessert was a camp favorite of Apple crisp. After packing up the cabins we headed to campfire. Sorry to all the Duran Duran fans out there, but the only songs we sung were camp songs. We also made s’mores and handed out boating, swimming, kitchen, track and field, and cabin cleanup awards!

Campfire is such a fun tradition, and the best way to end the best two weeks!

It was such a pleasure writing for you, stick around to read about our next session, first girls, starting on Sunday!

Melissa ;)

Thursday, July 18

Today was a very special day, it was banquet. Our day started off normal, we had banana chocolate chip bread for breakfast. After our morning classes we had sandwiches for dinner.

The big excitement today was supper. Our banquet supper is on the last Thursday of every session, except for coed. Campers and counselors dress up in their cleanest clothes for a Thanksgiving like meal. This meal consists of turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, corn, bread, and more. All filled with essential amino acids which give us protein.

Also at banquet, we debut the camp slide show filled with both funny and sweet photos from the session. Another part of the meal is year awards. Each camper is called up and given a different award depending on what year it is for them at camp. Our hardworking LTs also received their clipboards which signifies the end of their time as an LT, and the start of their time on staff! Congratulations to them!!

Finally, we end the day with candle light. Each camper and staff gets a candle and we go around the circle to light them. This is a very peaceful and reflective time about our time here at camp. The day ends in silence as campers went to go get ready for bed.

See you tomorrow for our last day at camp!

Melissa <3

Wednesday, July 17

We started off today with camp’s favorite breakfast, waffles! After breakfast was cabin pictures. Parents, look forward to seeing these pictures at pick up!

After our morning classes, we had Swedish meatballs for dinner and delicious cookie bars for dessert!

Today for activity period many campers were very excited because they were able to take out paddle boards for the first time this session! We rode them all the way out to the red buoy and the campers were able to feel it, some for the first time.

Because it is Wednesday, the kitchen had another night out and we ate sandwiches for supper. Unfortunately, due to some rain we were unable to eat around camp, and had to eat in the lodge.

The rain also led to our first rainy day evening program…reverse scavenger hunt! In this game, campers are able to bring a prop, such as chopsticks, and they work together as a cabin to put on a funny skit of an assigned topic. One of the more popular topics was “boys camp vs girls camp.”

Stay tuned for tomorrow… banquet!!

Melissa :)

Monday, July 15

After an exciting track and field day, today was back to our regularly scheduled programming. Our day started with waffles for breakfast.

One slight difference about today was during cabin cleanup we switched bunks. If the cabin counselors wanted to they allowed campers to switch from bottom to top bunk, and vice versa.

After our normal classes of swimming, boating, arts and crafts, and sports, lunch was pickup!

Pickup is what we call leftovers. It is served buffet style, cabins go up one by one and can choose what they want for lunch out of all the leftovers we have. Choices ranged from spaghetti and meatballs, to chicken melts, to hot dogs, and more.

The rest of the day was also normal. Activity period conditions of an intense Gaga tournament, as well as card games, and people going out in sunfish!

Supper was a classic meal of chicken tenders, with brownies as dessert.

Evening program was another dodgeball game called King Dodge. Dodgeball games are really fun at boys camp. Balls flying left and right, having to run around and dodge them in order to stay in the game.

I can’t believe we are already into our last week, time flies so fast!

Melissa <3

Sunday, July 14

TRACK MEET!!!!!!!! Today started off normal with English muffins for breakfast, but our regular schedule was replaced with one of the best days of the session, track meet!

Campers split into two teams, green and white, to compete in various track events. The first part of the day consisted of softball throw, running long jump, and standing long jump. Then was the 50 yard dash and a new event, a 400! Because of the heat we had an early general swim to cool down.

Lunch was track and field classic, ham and noodles! We had another break from the heat with popsicles for dessert.

After rest hour the campers ran an optional “marathon”, 0.5 miles. We then had our camp wide triathlon. Campers were either runners, swimmers, boaters, or passengers. We ran, swam, and boated throughout camp passing a baton. Following the triathlon was our last individual race, optional swim races.

Supper was meatball subs with green and white cake for dessert, depending on your team.

Evening program was some more relay races. We had typical running races, as well as fun competitions such as “Outrageous Obstacles,” “Soccer Soirée,” “Hula Hoopla,” “Kickball Khaos,” and “Ping Pong Palooza” where the winning teams won points.

We ended such a great day with songs, including a boys camp favorite, “Titanic.”

Melissa :)

Saturday, July 13

Today was a great day, especially for the counselors, because we got to sleep in an extra half hour! Due to the rain we unfortunately had to skip chicken fat and go straight into breakfast, which was bagels and cereal.

Because of the rain the first three classes were moved inside. Swimming played scattergories, boating drew pictures of boats, and sports played games inside.

Lunch was chicken parm and spaghetti, with butterscotch pudding for dessert.

Luckily the rain let up, and we were able to have a normal general swim and fourth period. After activity period the kitchen had another day off, so dinner was hotdogs by the flagpole and cookies for dessert.

Evening program was campers against counselors in an intense, but not close, game of Cops and Robbers, with counselors coming out on top. The counselors were bandits, running through the woods trying to tag and steal campers’ “treasure” before they found their partner and were safe. Counselors and campers were sweaty after that game, so we ended the night with a quick dip!

Tomorrow will be another sweaty day because it’s track meet! So stay tuned!

Melissa <3

Friday, July 12

We are back today, starting off strong with chicken fat and waffles for breakfast. Today was a great break from the heat, with intermittent showers, but not enough to effect swimming and boating! Because of the rain, there was no pogo sticking on the A field for sports. Instead, we were inside the lodge playing a fun game of “Roll or Die.”

Dinner was a camp favorite of Shepards pie, and dessert was pears. Activity period was filled with a ping pong tournament and fishing with a view of a rainbow over the lake.

Supper was another camp favorite of chicken melts. Some campers went up for sevenths and eighths!

Today was filled with camp favorites as the evening program was Pirates! Campers ran around in the woods, wearing dark clothing, engaging in pirate battles and looking for the treasure.

See you tomorrow!

Melissa :)

Wednesday, July 10

What a windy Wednesday here at Wamah! We started our day with some delicious French toast. After a normal day of classes we had Texas Hash for lunch, and vanilla pudding for dessert.

Categories was played on the tower today during general swim. “Name a cartoon character!” “Scooby Doo!” shouts the camper as he jumps!

Due to the great wind today, activity period was filled with sailboats! Many small sunfish sailboats went out, as well as the hunter, our 17-ft sailboat. It was our best sailing day so far!

Wednesdays are also special because it is our hardworking kitchen staff’s day off. Because of this we often get former and current counselors to come visit and help make sandwiches. Cabins then eat at various places around camp, including our many docks!

Evening program today was step it up. Campers participated in various activities such as tetherball, archery, dodgeball, and more. They then win beans which are used to move each team’s “robot” in a race to the flagpole.

We ended the night with some snack and songs before heading off to bed.

Best regards,

Melissa <3

Tuesday, July 9

Camp is up and active today! After our morning exercise, “chicken fat,” we relieved our hunger with bagels and cereal for breakfast.

It was another hot day today, perfect for swimming in the lake! The boats were finally able to go out, and campers learned how to rowboat, canoe, or sail.

We had another delicious meal of ravioli for lunch, and peaches for dessert before a very restful rest hour.

General swim was another great break from the heat where campers were splashing and floating around like otters!

One very popular activity during activity period is jumping off our tower, which many boys took advantage of today!

For dinner there were chicken patties, and our amazing chef Laura made some delicious cookies for dessert!

Our day finished with a fun game of garbage collector (don’t worry there was no actual garbage), and another extended quick dip to cool off before bed.

See you tomorrow for another great day!

Melissa :)

Campers jumping off the tower, and the Hunter (our large sailboat) in the background!

Monday, July 8

WOW! What an amazing first full day of camp!! We started off the day strong with waffles with peanut butter and syrup, camp’s own breakfast reese’s peanut butter cups!

After the cabins cleaned up we started our first 3 classes of the day. It was so refreshing to jump in the lake for swimming!! Sports played their classic first day game of nuk-em and the painting table was a hit in arts and crafts.

For lunch we had chicken tenders and rice, then filled up with butterscotch pudding for dessert!! Then it was the campers’ favorite part of the day…STORE!! Where they are able to pick one piece of candy! While campers were eating their candy and relaxing during rest hour, our 5 amazing LTs completed their lifeguarding prerequisites.

General swim was another great break from the heat where the whole camp was able to splash around! Then was 4th period, followed by activity period where many boys went fishing on a dock or a boat!!

Our final meal of the day was tacos, even though it’s not Tuesday. Our kitchen staff is so amazing and made some delicious chocolate cake for dessert!!

Tonight there was a camp wide game of Capture the Flag, complete with friends fighting friends in tug of war battles, it was intense! To cool off we ended this amazing day with a quick dip to cool everyone down!!

So excited to see what these two weeks will bring!

Melissa <3