YABADABADOO! We’ve been having fun in the sun up here at camp and I’m so excited to tell you about all the amazing stuff we’ve had going on!
Second Session has started and it’s off to an fantastic start! Our Second Session campers, both new and old, hopped off the bus with big smiles on their faces. I’ve seen them all at their activities learning new things and having the times of their lives. in addition to going to activities and bonding with cabinmates, our campers have had some special moments in these first few days of Second Session.
On Friday we had another Intercamp competition with our long time competitors Camp Winnebagoe! This time, Winnebagoe campers and staff visited us and competed in soccer, basketball, hockey, volleyball, and tennis with our Manitou campers. Our Manitou Moose athletes were amazing both in skill and sportsmanship, and I saw a lot of smiling faces throughout the day!
After a big Intercamp day, we all had the opportunity to relax as a camp at our first Friday Night Fireside of Second Session. For those who are new readers, Friday Night Fireside is a time to come together as a camp community and think about the place we are in and how lucky we are to be here. We often have speakers from units or sometimes guest speakers talk about our theme of the summer, too. This summer, our theme is “It Takes Courage to be Kind” and we have heard some amazing speeches so far this summer. As our campers and staff came down to Fireside this week, our Activity Heads sang “Put a Little Love in Your Heart” to get everyone in the mood for the theme of Fireside. We then started our Fireside as we always do with our Land Acknowledgement to recognize those who came before us on this beautiful land we now call home. After that, our Unit Heads gave out candles to campers who have gone above and beyond this week, a tradition that’s always so special, especially when our other campers cheer them on! We then moved onto our “Camp Is” speeches where select 2nd year campers spoke a little bit about their first experience at Manitou to help our new Manitou campers adjust and relate. Here are a couple of tidbits from their amazing speeches…
Constanza: When I decided to spend my summer here I was a bit nervous, but all the people here did their best to make me at home. So enjoy it and have fun!
Isaac: While the activities are great and fun, you will also get to have fun with all of your friends both new and old. You can go to activities together or just talk during rest hour. And who knows maybe next year you will be here giving a speech in my place.
Heloise: Camp is about friendships and a great adventure. I flew here alone for the first time and discovered incredible people.
Dhaya: This year I was really excited for camp. I would be with three of my friends and I was excited to see the friends I made last year. Everyone is so kind and welcoming and I also love that kids have so much independence.
Nate: Camp is a great opportunity to try new and different things for fun and it’s amazing because you’re essentially free! You get to make your own decisions and get to choose the activities you do.
One camper named Cameron didn’t prepare a speech and spoke from his heart. He talked about how it’s okay to be homesick and that everyone feels that way at first, but eventually you will get over it and learn to love camp.
After these incredible and heartwarming speeches, we ended Fireside as we always do with the reading of our poem and our camp song.
After an action-packed Friday, the fun didn’t stop there! Our campers woke up Saturday to discover the Dining Hall had been transformed for Mark Day! This summer is Director Mark Diamond’s last with Manitou, and so today we did a top secret special day for Mark. He didn’t know a thing when he entered the Dining Hall and he was so excited to see all the photos of him throughout the years. We made hundreds of stickers of his face, and there were Toronto Maple Leafs decorations everywhere (his favorite team). In the morning, he got to go to activities just like our other campers, and in the afternoon, Mark got to DJ music lunch as DJ Marky Mark and play an MHL game for his own team the Marlies! We ended the day with some very special speeches from Manitou alumni in honour of Mark. It was an amazing day all around and I know it’s one that Mark will remember for a very long time.
Well, I’m off to perfect my lacrosse skills with my friend Ramon!
Yours moosily,
Manny the Moose
