United Nations Day
Today we celebrated North Star’s 81st United Nations Day! Since camp started in 1945, one of North Star’s major traditions has been this day honoring the alliance with our own Olympiad. The whole camp is divided into four countries to compete in everything that camp has to offer. This year’s teams were Croatia, Morocco, Sri Lanka and Brazil.
After an early breakfast, the four nations gathered around the flagpole, which was beautifully decorated with flags from around the world, for our opening ceremonies. Painted up in their country’s colors, team slogans written on their chests, all our boys were bursting with energy for what is many boys’ favorite day of the whole summer. Each team begins with their opening cheers, setting the tone for what would be an unforgettable day of competition and camaraderie.
With the whole camp silent, we watched along the athletic fields the captains proudly carrying the UN Day torch from the Council Ring all the way to the flagpole, where they lit the cauldron. Afterwards, Jeff took the stage and presented the UN Day scroll, which goes all the way back to the 1950s when it was written by the great Jack Weiner. The scroll reminds us that while we might be split up into four different competing teams on UN Day, we are still always a part of one team at North Star. This means that first and foremost, we shall participate as good sports, good teammates, and good friends. It serves as our north star, reminding us how we want to carry ourselves even in the heat of competition. Finally, the captains signed the scroll, and with that, the games began.
The day’s competition included an unbelievable range of fun activities: softball, speedball, football, basketball, tennis, pickleball, 4-square, paddleboarding, steal the bacon, line soccer, climbing, archery, riflery, floor hockey, tush ball, dodgeball, and numerous others that showcased every skill our campers have developed this summer. The weather cooperated all day, helping make a great day even better.
After lunch, all the campers faced off in a showdown of one of our most anticipated events of the year: an epic battle of tug of war, followed by our camper and staff relay race. With everyone gathered around the athletic fields, cheering each other on, the energy was off the charts. The staff speedball game, which determines the eating order for dinner, is always a favorite of the counselors and the campers love to be spectators as the excitement unfolds.
After a long, fun day jam-packed with activities, the campers shuffled into the lodge for a camper favorite served buffet-style: a UN Day dinner of spaghetti and meatballs, deviled eggs, caesar salad, and chocolate milk, with ice cream for dessert.
After dinner, we gathered on the terrace to announce the final scores. Under a beautiful sunset, Sri Lanka emerged victorious in commanding fashion. But the way that the 4th place finishers comported themselves today was every bit as memorable as the 1st place finishers. Led by advisor Jared and their captains, Croatia made the most of the day by writing great cheers and putting on a live music performance at each cheer, with camper Ryder S on electric guitar and his brother, counselor Zach, on keyboard. They kept up their energy throughout the day, were endlessly cheering each other on, and their positivity made the day a success for their team and represented what camp is all about.
