Happy Counselor Switch Day! Today is one of our Island Lake special theme days that our campers truly enjoy. At breakfast, male counselors were moved to the girls’ bunks and female counselors to the boys’ bunks. The kids have a blast with this day as they dress up their counselors and terrorize them. Let’s just say there are a lot of counselors’ beds outside of the bunks instead of inside the bunks. Gotta love camp!
It’s Group Leader Siobhan here, taking the reigns for my third time on the ILC blog because I just couldn’t get enough of gushing to you all about our beloved ILC and our day-to-day activities.
This morning, we woke up to rainy skies and we were collectively saying to ourselves: rain, rain, go away, please don’t stay for Lazy Day! Our wish was mercifully granted, and the clouds have passed to make today pleasantly warm and sunny. There’s still a looming threat of rain but hopefully it’ll pass us by.
This afternoon, our pioneers ventured to foreign bouldering walls for a climbing competition at a local camp. Otherwise, our sports competitions remain in-house with the ILC Tennis Open matches taking place throughout the day. Expectations are high with a lot of great matches expected. Head of the Tennis Department, Steve says: “We’ve got a lot of matches being played in the next few days and I’m looking forward to seeing who comes out on top.” The courts dried up right in time for the matches this morning and a delighted winner of Last year’s Coach of the Year Award, Dan, says: “The talent on show at the ILC Open really illustrates how far the kids have come.” It’s a Wimbledon Wednesday here at ILC and we’re so proud of our campers’ hard work!
Around the departments it’s business as usual this sunny Wednesday. Some of the minors taking place on camp today include: Pop Art, in the art barn, Tumblemania in gymnastics, Crystal Snowflake Making in science, and the batting cages will be open in sports so I will most definitely be visiting for a bat myself at some point.
Also, today rehearsals continue for the Theatre, Circus, and Dance shows which are fast approaching. Last session’s shows were extremely impressive but from what I’ve seen so far of rehearsals, session 2 looks to be just as mind-blowing with so many talented campers ready to perform in front of their friends and counselors!
In the Bistro, it’s a Mexican day, and the budding chefs are cooking up Chilaquiles in the majors, and salsa and dips in the minors. I myself visited the cooking departments and can confirm that it was delicious. Of the food, Hudson M. from Group 2 said “It was delicious. If I could eat it every day I would.” Rave reviews all around from our campers!
Tonight’s evening Activity is Steve Max. The entire camp will meet in the gym for a giant game of Simon Says. Only one winner will be crowned and the stakes are high with every campers competing for a coveted Steve Max original t-shirt!
Just to mix it up a little, today we decided to interview a camper from one of our youngest boy’s bunk, B3, and a girl camper from our oldest bunk, G24, to find out how they’ve been finding this summer at Island Lake. Evan S. told me that what makes Island Lake the best camp on earth is: “Good friends, good counselors, and a lot of good activities.” Jessica L., who is in her eighth year at ILC, puts it down to the fact that, at ILC: “You get to make friends that become part of your family.” And I couldn’t agree more!
In relations to their favorite meals, our two campers also differed. Jessica said that her favorite meal is “chicken nuggs” (not nuggets), and Evan said that cookout burgers are his absolute favorite. Lucky for him, it’s cookout tomorrow after our Lazy Day trips off camp. We all can’t wait!
Yesterday’s riddle was another mind bender: Though full of holes, I still hold water. What am I? You know the answer is…a Sponge!
And today’s riddle is: What jumps when it walks and sits when it stands?
Best of luck figuring it out. If you happen to find the answer, please let us know. Bragging rights are renewed on a daily basis so it’s all to play for.
Today’s special feature is GYMNASTICS! It’s been a pleasure writing to you all and I hope your day has been as great as ours here!
All the best,
Group Leader Siobhan
