WoodChuck July27

Woodchuck – Weds Jul 27

The Robin Hood tradition of sending each group on their own excursion is now in full swing. Over the many years of doing this we have chopped and changed the nature and venues that we send the groups. However, there has been one constant throughout this time: our Lancer group heads out onto the ocean to try their hand at deep sea fishing. This tradition has not changed in 50 years. There have been many changes in fishing companies that we have used – from Boothbay Harbor to Perkins Cove to Hampton Beach, but we have never failed to send them out.

It was my pleasure (as it has been for many years now) to join this year’s crew on the good ship ‘Whitestar’. I met 19 Lancers and their staff at the crack of dawn on a beautiful warm morning. We were kitted out with rods and set sail, out towards the Isles of Shoals, about 6 miles of the New Hampshire coast. At our first stop we were treated to a wonderful sighting of a pod of 5 or 6 porpoises who came within touching distance of the boat. This did create a problem, as the porpoises were after the same fish that we were, so we had to find another spot. Soon everyone was pulling up mackerel by the bucket load. Then came another age-old tradition. (WARNING: Graphic Content!) One Lancer is ‘volunteered’ to bite the head off a fish. Not one, but 5 of them performed this ‘ordeal’! Using the ‘bite, twist, pull’ method, all 5 severed head from body, and so entered the history books. We tried several spots around the Isles, some successful, some not so; but even if the fish weren’t biting we were lucky enough to spot various sea life such as seals, the afore-mentioned porpoises, and an array of various sea birds.

All told, it was a wonderful way to spend the morning. Our Lancer group are all shaping up nicely – they were a pleasure to spend time with. The Saxons of 2019 will be great leaders of Boys’ Camp, I have no doubt.

Dick Roberts

Wood Chuck July 26th

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So many great things happening here at CRH today. With 6 groups out on excursions – those of us left behind had the run of the place. We spent most of the day on the waterfront. It was hot but a cool mountain wind kept us protected at the beach. Every group has 2 chances at water skiing and enjoyed sailing and stand up paddle boarding. This afternoon the whole camp was at the beach- both senior and junior. I love watching kids in the water- enjoying the music in the back round while playing ball with our staff .

Its amazing to me how fast the summer has gone by…. The groups are like families with everyone working together while awaiting the upcoming Green and White competition. The GW buildup is exciting to watch. Everyone is talking about the break- this is bad news for us. Its the last piece left in puzzle of summer of 2016. We have had a great beach day, RH gives back day, and visiting day. Our kids always remember the break and it defines the summer for most- editors note – we are all set and hope it will be a hit. It is a mix of old and new -some times the great ones are usually my biggest fear while the biggest flops are my most confident ones.

We had a alumni visit today from Chuck Illig’s second summer at camp. Chuck was his counselor and they really enjoyed catching up. He spoke to camp and then took some questions from the campers. Most of the interest was about how much the Realm has changed and of course his favorite GW break. After 50 years he retold the story of his best break. He ended the talk with a piece of advice – enjoy every moment at camp and never stop coming back . He said the memories from 50 summers still fill his mind every day .

Best part is we get to do it all over again tomorrow – every day is like the movie “Ground Hog day” We are so lucky to share this place together and always respect the 10’s of thousands of boys and girls who have called the Realm – HOME

Sweet dreams from the Realm

Woody

Wood Chuck July 25th

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Beautiful morning with lots of going on – this is the start of excursions for us!

After a breakfast in the dining hall of pancakes and bacon – fruit bar and cereal line both hot and cold, the following groups loaded into vans and took off for parts of New Hampshire and Maine.

Friars and Bards out for four days coming back Thursday night – headed to Western Mass and the Basketball Hall of Fame. Then the bards took off on their own to Hampton Beach (along New Hampshire’s sea coast). Both groups will be camping out tonight and cooking dinner.

The Arrows and Lancers were next to leave with the girls heading to Canobie Amusement and Water Park. The boys were off to an afternoon of paintball!! Both groups are camping and cooking out but in separate camp grounds, both three day excursions.

The Saxons and Scribes took off for Rock Harbor Beach on the Cape for an afternoon of sun and surf. They will be spending three days on the Cape and staying in separate hotels, not camping out. They will also be eating out at local restaurants on the Cape.

Now back in camp for those of us left, with only half the camp, have had lots of activities to choose from. It was a hot day and water front activities were in popular demand by all, from water ski area to canoe and kayak – sailing areas and swimming in between. Top side A&C, woodshop, tennis, riflery and archery led the choices.

These were all divided up between Archers, Bows, Squires, Jesters, Tumblers, TPJs, Foresters, Shires, Yeomen and Quills. These excursions leave later in the week. Some going out Thursday and some Friday.

The Foresters and some Lancers had an afternoon soccer game with Camp Toko and some groups watched the game and cheered them on.

All meals today we ate and drank lots of water!!!

We’ll keep you up to date on excursions and what is going on at camp!

See You Tomorrow Evening!

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We’re eagerly awaiting your arrival tomorrow evening! The Chuck Illig Playhouse will be alive with song and dance, as our campers have been rehearsing all week. We look forward to seeing you after 6:45.

Sweet dreams from The Realm.

Robin Hood Gives Back

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Today was the second day of Robin Hood Gives Back here at the Realm. Last night was so amazing and impactful for all of us. In our 13 years at the helm of Robin Hood, I have never been so proud of our kids. I say “our” kids with respect–after almost four weeks, we do seem like a family, and DC and I feel like we have 428 more kids to be proud of and brag about. Sixty percent of our staff has grown up before our eyes here at CRH. We have watched them work their way through the Realm as junior and senior campers. They now lead us every day and are truly the reason this place works so well.

Back to last night -– the dining hall was silent as Sgt. Dan spoke for over 25 minutes. Our kids listened and hung on his every word. They broke into a long applause and cried when he finished. I asked every camper this morning to give back: since it’s Wednesday, the day we usually write letters home to you guys, I asked the kids to each write a letter to one of our troops now serving overseas. As I told them last night – every time we see a soldier in uniform we should shake their hands and thank them for their service. I asked them to put that in writing in a personal letter. Dan promised to deliver the letters to the right hands and off we went.

I’ve included some samples of the letters. They are nicely written with respect and love.

We can’t wait to see you Friday. Our campers are so excited to show off their new home and friends. I promise you that “our” kids have grown up in many ways in the last four weeks. I can’t wait to hear the reports from you guys, and again thanks for sharing your kids with us.

Woody