It was a hot one today! The temperatures were in the 90’s, a perfect beach day. So off went the
Saxons and Scribes to Ogunquit, Maine. I got reports of a giant game of Spud on the beach
followed by ice cream. They did get a chance to cool off in the ocean. The water temperature
was 57 degrees! Still lots of campers managed to swim and body surf in the ocean, while a good
many relaxed on the sand.

And enjoying Minions: The Rise of Gru movie in an air-conditioned movie theater were the
Yeoman, Shires and Foresters.
The Bows went on pontoons all morning to their delight, while the Archers went on a couple of
pontoons to the main lake where they played and swam at a sandbar most of the afternoon in
the shadows of Mount Chocorua.

A group of boys in the Yeoman and Lancers climbed Mount Sentinel with a spectacular view
from the top. This was a challenging hike and we were so proud of our hikers. The boys
couldn’t wait to get back to camp and jump in the lake!
This evening, we have a DJ dance party with lots of themes. Each group is coming dressed in
their costumes and this place is rockin! Campers will certainly sleep well tonight!

Sweet Dreams from the Realm.

We finally got the rain we needed yesterday and today we sent out our Quills and Bards to Ogunquit for a gorgeous beach day today! We had a most honorable judge visit today with his family and while giving them the tour, it was so amazing to walk around watching all the action on camp. Sailboats flying across the bay, paddleboards, canoes and peddle boats both racing about and some just lazing on the water enjoying the sun. Our water skiers, wake boarders, knee boarders and new banana boat tubers were holding on with pure joy in Lake Ossipee.
The Shires played an intense game of ultimate frisbee – they seemed to be getting ready for Green and White. The Saxons played a great game of volleyball, while the Tumblers tried to mimic last night’s home run derby at the Blitzball field. Dingers were going out left and right!
The Archers were competing on the pickleball courts like they are ready for the US Open! At the homerun diamond, the Arrows and Lancers (at different times) were playing great softball games. As usual, the Yeoman were on the basketball and volleyball court playing like crazy. At the waterfront, the Jugglers were playing waterpolo while the TP’s were bouncing on the
trampoline at Senior Waterfront. Though it was hot, the tennis courts were still very busy today with both clinics and competition (it’s tournament time). There are some new targets up at Archery including a baseball target and a balloon on the turkey which one of the Jester’s popped!
As parents will be coming this weekend, campers have been very excited to introduce them to their counselors and group leaders. There are projects being completed in the woodshop and arts department and lots of goals being met all over camp.
As the sun sets again on Robin Hood, know that kids are happy, exhausted and can’t wait for tomorrow. Sweet Dreams from the Realm.

What a few days it has been up here! Two nights ago for the first time in a long while I went to the West End basketball game with our 15U team. This team is very special to me. A few of the players’ fathers were my campers who I coached 37 years ago at the same camp. Going back to our arch rival’s home court brought back memories for me – both good and bad. CRH has taken its licks in this often one sided rivalry. But our boys came to play and after a few minutes of nerves we won by 40 points. Watching their campers scream and yell brought me back to the first must see West House game in 1984. We made it to the finals – in spite of my coaching and after a call to Director John Klein and Program Director David Solomon who is now my partner and camp co- owner. The entire senior camp arrived to cheer us on in the finals. They barged through the door in the middle of warm ups and help cheer our boys to a win I will never forget.

Today at camp we had some much needed rain that lasted from lunch until bedtime. We were still able to send 2 groups to the beach and 3 groups to the movies this morning. This is our first more than 10 minute sprinkle since camp started. That’s great news for our campers but awful news for our grass. You will see for yourselves this Saturday. Today’s rain allowed us to relax this afternoon. Of course as only we can at camp – the afternoon was filled with ping pong tournaments/indoor movies and outdoor games on our athletic fields. Dinner tonight was a giant dance party in the dining hall.

Our four oldest groups just left for the bowling alley we have rented twice a week since pre-camp. We are getting the kids and staff out of camp but in a controlled environment. We rent the entire movie theater before they open to the public for a 9am screening. Beach days are now 2 groups at a time unlike past summers where the entire camp went at once. We also test every employee of the other establishments we rent out. It has gotten the kids a much needed sense of the old days while allowing our staff, who we chauffeur in our vans, to also control their days and nights off. This summer has been about taking our foot off the brakes a little while testing enough to allow me to sleep at night.

Without sounding political after having the Governor at the Realm last Friday I follow Ronald Reagan’s great quote – “Trust but verify …..”

See you all Saturday for the first visiting day since 2019….

Woody

We awoke to another beautiful day int eh realm. Yensi got us off to a great start with French toast and bacon for breakfast. Breakfast is an important way to start the day!

Then the campers headed back to their bunks for cleanup, which is then followed by inspection.

Today is our first intercamp game of the season and it’s a BIG one – our annual West End game which has been sadly missed the last 2 years. The first basketball game is always held there and then at a later date, it will be held here at Robin Hood. Things are a bit different this year. Usually, we send most senior camp groups to watch and cheer on our players, but this year it will only be Saxons and scribes to watch. Usually, the games are held in their field house, but this year it will be held outside. Playing in their fieldhouse was always a thrill with all the cheering from our crew…always very loud and always exciting!

This year because of covid, all our players and coaches plus spectators have been tested by Dr. Arash before boarding the bus and the same thing is happening there.  There has been cheers in the dining hall since night one, “BEAT WEST END” Here’s hoping for a win! Our team consists of Foresters and Saxons and they have been practicing all week. They are ready and anxious for the game and for a win.

Arts and crafts is a favorite activity for all groups with the most popular item being making friendship bracelets, but today was busy with shirts being made for tonight’s game. Lots of green paint on white T shirts, plus posters were made to take to the game.

Here at camp each day we have a snack at 4pm at the dining hall. There is always fresh fruit, apples, oranges and bananas. This time in the afternoon brings all of the campers together for a break from activities. This gets us through until dinner. Activities that follow snack time are usually challenges between groups and maybe ends in a candy canteen before bed and taps.

In my earlier woodchuck I mentioned we had 13 campers taking a lifeguard course, which they all passed! Quite an accomplishment!

So ends another day in the Realm. Good night from CRH

What a day here at the Realm. We were honored to welcome NH Governor Chris Sununu at camp today. The Governor joined us a guest speaker at our annual Robin Hood Gives Back Day. I told the campers that thanks to his leadership and understanding of science we were able to open camp in 2020. The last time a NH Governor attended a camp event was in 1948 after a fire destroyed our entire camp the previous fall. I told the Governor that we just finished up our biggest expansion in facilities since the fire. He was eager to hear about all we did this off season but really wanted to hear from the kids about the summer. He was totally engaged with the kids in our 30 minute drive around camp. I told the campers to thank him for allowing us to open in 2020. I explained how he waited until the last minute to make his announcement that year. He followed the science and created difficult but not impossible rules for us to follow. He did not rush to make an easy decision to close like most of the east coast governors but instead listened to experts and understood the importance of children’s mental health. He agreed with us here at the Realm that kids needed the freedom from covid. Opening in 2020 was the best decision of my life.

Today was not a political event but a celebration of leadership and a chance for our kids to learn about making tough decisions. He risked his political career by allowing us to open because it was the right thing to do. I told the kids that most times the right choice is the hardest one to make. Real leadership is listening to those around you and using common sense. Every choice we make here is driven by the goal of making every member of our family safe and happy.

I reminded the campers how lucky we are to be able to spend the summer together. Being a camp is a privilege not an entitlement. Because of your support we are all lucky enough to spend our summers here at the realm – and as the song says, far from strife and care….

Thanks so much for your trust and support –

Woody