It was a big day here in The Realm. I know we say it a lot but it is always true. Every moment of our day is filled with excitement and anticipation of what is happening next and today was no exception. During breakfast Woody announced that the Friars and Foresters would be going on a mountain trip. This means that every group has had the opportunity to climb a mountain in the first two weeks of camp. 

Today Robin Hood hosted our annual 12U soccer tournament with 8 other camps in participation. Unfortunately Robin Hood was not victorious today but our boys played hard and made it to the finals. 

We had a great day of activities as well. Tye Dying is in full swing in the arts and crafts shack and everyone is busy with friendship bracelet production. We are trying out a new photography class this summer and have been posting the campers own photos online, so be on the lookout for those in the evenings. It is really neat to see camp from the campers perspective in photos. 

Monday will mark the beginning of our girls camp athletic tournaments beginning with 13U soccer. We will also be participating in a 13U and 15U basketball tournament this week. We are excited to see our girls play we know they will represent Robin Hood well. 

As always, thank you for sharing your children with us. 

Sweet Dreams from The Realm

My name is Peter Cohen, and I am a first year aide. Being on camp for 8 summers as a camper and then joining the staff has been an incredible transition. Although I learned a lot about this place as a camper, being a counselor has given me a completely different perspective. Watching kids dance in the same dining hall and play on the same fields as I once did, evokes an exciting nostalgia in me. It simply reinforces the lesson that I learned throughout my years: the more you learn about camp, the more you realize there is always so much more to learn.

These past few days have been quite busy in the realm. Today, we hosted our annual 13u and 15u boys’ basketball tournament. Although hot, it was an exciting day of competition as Winaukee went home victorious in the 15u tournament while Tecumseh beat Winaukee in the final of the 13u tournament. Our Robin Hood teams fought hard. While this was happening at camp, the Arrows were busy climbing Rattlesnake Mountain. All else is well here as we sadly say goodbye to some members of our camp family tomorrow, but we know we will see them all again soon. Sweet Dreams from the Realm!

I know I keep saying the same thing but sometimes it feels like groundhog day up here. I am writing this and looking out over the quad from my desk.  It’s perfectly clean and quiet but only 45 minutes ago it was a giant fairground. Bouncy houses / 8 booths/ an ice cream truck and 450 happy smiling people. I love a CRH parade and we had a great one to start off the festivities late this morning after being woken up by our Saxons and Scribes who decorated the dining hall. Chuck spoke about family and the meaning of July 4th at breakfast and the rest is just a blur to me…

For 92 summers kids have come to the Realm from far and wide. Andy Friedman loved the July 4th atmosphere and I have great memories of watching him with awe in the ’70s. To think that in spite of how much the world has changed in the last 92 years -we still do many things the same way here at camp.  That’s what makes this place so special and so important to all our kids.  They need stability and structure and the chance to honor the past.

We have so many more Realm tradition boxes to check off in the next 5 weeks. Beach day / Movie under the stars / So you think you can dance/ Scribe song/  13 and 15 U basketball tournaments / visiting day / excursions  / founder’s night / closing banquet / Saxon and scribe speeches and of course the grand daddy of them all Green and White ……

We are so privileged to be here as I reminded the kids at lunch today. Because of your parent’s generosity, we all are able to live life the way tens of thousands have before us and please g-d thousands more will in the next 92 years.

Sweet dreams from the Realm

Woody

As is tradition, our two oldest boys and girls groups the Saxons and Scribes woke up early to climb the tallest mountain in Northeastern New England, Mt. Washington!

After a big breakfast at camp and then dividing into three groups based on their hiking ability at the base of the mountain, they set out to conquer the 6,288-foot giant underneath a slightly cloudy and blue sky.

The few first couples of hours provided great conversation and a few spectacular views before the wind and clouds picked up. Braving the sudden drop in temperature and aching muscles we’re happy to say that every camper made it to the summit! Our head of trips notes that it may have been the fastest up and down hike of Washington in quite some time. Well done Saxons and Scribes and to our wonderful trips staff!

Good night and sweet dreams from the Realm…

Sam Jonas