Hatchet Hunt and Green-White Series
We’ve had a great few days at camp with some hot weather in the mid-80s. We’ve added extra waterfront activities in the afternoon to give everyone some relief from the heat. In addition to open swim and sprinkler fun, we offered log rolling lessons led by our friend from across the lake—a world champion log roller. It’s been a great way to cool off, try something new, and enjoy a little more time out on the water.
Today we had a Hatchet Hunt, a favorite all-camp scavenger hunt with one clear goal: be the first cabin to find the hidden hatchet. Each cabin gathered on the Terrace and listened closely as the first clue was read aloud over the speaker system. From there, they had to work as a team to solve ten riddles and follow them to locations all across camp. At each stop, a new clue awaited, pointing the way to the next, until one final clue led to the actual hidden hatchet. The clues often involved camp history, inside jokes, or a bit of creative thinking to decode. Runners were sent out with each new guess while the rest of the cabin huddled together debating what it might mean. The energy built with each new clue, and in the end, it was J-1 that came away victorious when Corrin brought the hatchet back on the final clue, sealing the win for his cabin amid cheers and high fives.
Tonight’s Evening Program was a Green-White Series. Campers competed in roofball, tush ball, kickball, basketball, newcombe, soccer, football, and more. The games were spirited and full of great sportsmanship, with each boy doing his part for his team and having a blast in the process. The overall Green-White competition is neck-and-neck—only seven points separated the two teams heading into the weekend, which has added an extra layer of excitement and anticipation to every match-up.
We also wrapped up College Days tonight, a three-day event for our senior campers that blends the athletic and the intellectual. The boys competed in everything from sports and strategy games to trivia, essay writing, and a cooking competition. The essays defining modernism in camp culture were a surprise highlight, prompting deep conversations and a fair bit of laughter. Yesterday featured bowling and karaoke, and even a portage as the boys canoed across the lake. The final cookout showcased some culinary ambition with dishes like tonkatsu pork, grilled peach burrata caprese, kebabs, and huevos rancheros. The event closed with the traditional series of skits and stunts, putting a bow on three days full of effort and energy. In the end, SMU took home the title.
Last night’s Evening Program was our weekly cabin campfire. Each group gathered at their campsite to reflect on the past week and set intentions for the week ahead. These campfires are a cornerstone of our community and an important part of the process where boys begin to tune in to their own growth. As we reach the halfway point of second session, the rhythm of camp has taken hold. With routines in place and relationships deepening, this is when self-awareness starts to take root. Campers are no longer just adjusting—they’re learning to notice how they show up for others, how they face challenges, and what kind of friend and teammate they want to be. The evening offered space to think about those questions and share them out loud.
J-3 and J-6 wrapped up their cabin trips, while J-4 and J-7 headed out today.
