In the still of the morning the teams Ocean, Swamp, Savanna, and Jungle were finishing up their last minute costumes and preparations for the beginning of the competition central. 

Father Mark Harris came from St Peter's in Lewes to celebrate Eucharist with us in the Council Ring.  The team captains did the homily (sermon) together.  Each Teams Captains were singing versions of Walking in the Light they way they liked it about their own teams and came around to singing a version about camp together instead.  Father Mark reminded us that sometimes when we live in community our many versions of stories need to be merged together to tell a better more complete story of who we are.

Opening Ceremonies began at 10:30.  All four teams presented their team cheer, song, flag, banner, and costumes for the judges.   After lunch and siesta the judges and teams met in Boys Homestead for three round of events like Log Saw, Song Writing, Tug of War, Yahtzee, Sudoku, Pool Relays, Obstacle Courses, Ladder Lashing and more!  

The day of central culminates in a huge relay race that runs all over camp.  It begins with a camper making a bed and folding pajamas in the parking lot.  They run matches to someone who eats a huge slice of watermelon and then a third person run the matches to archery.  Two campers have to hit the target twice.  Then a water bucket is walked through a windy path without spilling.  The matches are passed to campers in inner tubes in the big pool then to campers making loops around the small pool.  Two campers have to make two hoops at basketball, one camper pushes another in a wheel barrow, then other campers have to ring two horseshoes.  The matches move over to hockey at the tennis courts, then to toilet paper - where two campers take  turns wrapping a stationary camper in toilet paper.  Then the matches go down to the waterfront to get canoed out to Santa Claus and kayaked back to the beach.  A few campers fill a five gallon bucket with sand and then some more dribble a soccer ball across the ballfield and back and then the matches get run up to the team fire builders in Boys Homestead where they must build a fire and burn through their rope first.  It's intense and exciting.

The round worked out in such a way that even though Team Savanna burned through their rope first - Team Jungle had more points and won "The Battle for the Biosphere!"  

A highlight of the day was at the firepits - Team Ocean was still building their fire and the other teams finished celebrating and shouted Ocean's cheer with them.  Team pride is great but Camp Pride is better :) 

All of camp cooked out dinner on the beach.  Hot dogs and hamburgers, baked beans, chips and ice cream were served to each unit while campers and staff played frisbee and nukem and sat on the dock.  Heat lightning flashed in the distance cancelling free swim and everyone was tired enough they didn't seem to mind missing it and going to bed early!  Rain actually held off until nearly 10pm - leaving Central virtually dry - HUZZAH!

peace-
Teri & Keith

Right its time to cool off and we are heading to the pool. First things first -  let me introduce you to our staff. Our pool director this year is Nicola (one of our Camp America staff from Wales), our Assistant Pool Director is Katie and we have two lovely lifeguards Morgan and Ned.

We have two pools here at Arrowhead our largest is 10 feet at its deepest point and 3.5 feet at its shallowest, our small pool ranges from 2.5 – 3.5 feet.

Having both pools is a great advantage and weapon against some of those hot, sunny Delaware days. Campers can attend a range of swim times throughout the day, we have swim blocks, free swim, monk swim and polar bear swim.

Free swim is offered to campers as an optional choice and allows them to socialise with others outside of their unit.

Each unit attend one swim block a day, which involves structured activities provided by our lifeguarding team. These include, water aerobics and numerous games such as, Sharks and Minnows, Water Basketball, Water Volleyball and Water Relays. One of the most popular of these is Sharks and Minnows, to explain it’s essentially a game of tag with a twist. A player may only be tagged while above water but are safe below the water line…the aim is to get to the other side of the pool without being converted into a deadly shark. Minnows for life!

Our Monk Swim and Polar Bear Swim are poles apart, excuse the pun! Polar Bear Swim occurs at 7am and gives campers a chance to swim before breakfast. Monk Swim runs at 8:15pm for Homestead and 8:45pm for Pioneer. The first 10 minutes is a silent swim time and recently this has been followed by a lively sing-a-long. It’s a great way to end the day and proves to be very popular amongst our campers. 

Ciao Ciao for now

Whit your Brit
(aka Whitty, Office Manager)

The part of the summer that campers and staff alike look forward to with a burning passion is finally upon us… Color Wars! Fourth session is beloved for it, and our campers were ecstatic this morning when they were told the theme, which is Battle for the Biosphere, a competition of the ecosystems. The teams are Swamp, Grasslands, Tropical Rainforests, and Oceans, and one will rule them all. For those of you who are new to camp, or just new to fourth session and the hype of color wars, here is a brief run down. Campers and staff are divided into these four teams and on Sunday, campers will compete in various competitions to win points for their teams. Some of these events may consist of camp craft activities, like lashing, some may be based on sports, like water basketball, and some could be completely based on creativity and wit, like creating a creature from your ecosystem with random materials. Then the final competition is a giant relay the spans the camp property, and ends with a massive fire building contest. Campers spent this afternoon with their teams, beginning to prep for the big day! Tomorrow will be another prep day, and on Sunday the big showdown begins! Stay tuned for highlights and results! J

           

            Besides color wars craziness, yesterday was the Homestead ice cream social, and tonight was the pioneer dance! Homestead enjoyed a make-your-own-sundae bar in the dining hall, as well as dancing to favorites such as the Cotton-Eyed Joe, and the Macarena. Pioneer had a Christmas in July themed dance in the Pavilion, complete with tradition winter decorations to cool off the balminess of the evening.

            While tomorrow during the day is dedicated to central planning, the evening is dedicated to movies and popcorn for the campers and a Christmas in July social for staff, complete with a handmade gift exchange, White Elephant style. Basically a take a present, leave a present type of thing, J

            As you can probably tell, camp is buzzing with excitement! Here’s hoping for good weather, a rousing and friendly color wars competition, and a great time had by all.

Until next time,

Emma 
Girl's Homestead Unit Leader

It’s Wednesday!! Which means its Wednesday night cookout and all of the units cook their evening meal over a fire! Homestead and Day Camp journey out into Outpost whilst pioneer cook in their unit and then attend a potluck in the Pavilion.

Homestead cooked up some tasty burgers along with some s’mores for dessert. I’ll have s'more please!.. Meanwhile Day camp hosted a potluck of their own in the Arc. Day Camp 3 made stir fry, Day Camp 1 made pizza in a pot and Day camp 2 added a twist to a delicacy here at camp and rustled up some Mexican S’mores, (think s’more but with a tortilla and peanut butter!). Yummmmy! 

Over in the Pioneer Pavilion, there were plenty of choices at the potluck. P1 made Kiesh, P2 brought along some puppy-chow, the men in P3 baked some Mac and cheese whilst P4 also made pizza in a pot tonight. P5 cooked some apple crisp, P6 went gourmet with some Chicken, bacon and avocado pitas and P7 warmed everyone’s hearts with some rice and casserole.

That concludes another successful Wednesday night cookout.

So in case I don’t see ya..

Good morning, good afternoon and goodnight! =D

Ryan
Boys Homestead Unit Leader

Greetings.  

Lets go…its time for day 3 of session 4. So I thought I would begin with introducing you to a typical schedule here at camp. As many of you know we are decentralized, so campers experience all the activities we offer with their unit, led by their conselor and CIT. We find that this is a great program as it promotes a strong sense of community and for me personally it is this very thing that made me feel so welcome during my first summer in 2009. I know that fellow staff (past and present) and campers can relate to this.

Our mornings begin at the sound of the wake up bell at 7.30am, followed by breakfast at 8am. This morning we enjoyed pancakes and sausage with all the trimmings and a cold glass of OJ, we also had the option of our cereal and yogurt bar too. Chapel is normally led by a different unit each day with the exception of the first full day at camp.  This is led by a group of staff and with the aid of some wise handpuppets we introduced the campers to this year’s current theme, ‘Walkin’ in the Light’.

After chapel, programming begins, we split the day up into hourly blocks, 3 before lunch, 3 after lunch. Dinner is at 5.30pm after which campers enjoy free time followed by a final block at 8.15pm.  (Free time is exactly what is sounds like - campers are able to decide which activity they would like to do – giving them a chance to revist their favorites)   Around 9 units start their reflections and get ready for bed .  Units use this time to reflect on their day and learn a little more about each other.

The schedule differs slightly on a Wednesday, as its Wednesday night cook out. Homestead campers visit outpost, their home from home in the woods. Each unit sets up a dining area using tarps and ropes, build a fire and cook their dinner.  This is followed by roasting marshmallows and making s’mores.  There will be more to come regarding our Wednesday afternoons/evenings shortly, I believe Ryan our Boys Homestead Unit Leader will be taking you through this week’s cook out.

Ciao Ciao for now.
Whit your Brit
(aka Whitty, Office Manager) 

Well we are heading into session 4 of the summer…how this has happened is beyond me…time is flying by. First off I would like to welcome all those arriving this evening, we can’t wait to meet you and this session is set to be a great one.

So we have had a chat here at camp regarding our blog and we have had an idea! In order to give our readers an overview of our camp program I am going to write about a different activities as I am able. 

As for today I will take you through our arrival day and first evening. Our staff  arrive back to camp, enjoy lunch and ready the camp for the arrival and welcome of new campers. The arrival process can be quite busy but our wonderful CITs have everything under control and manage the luggage line in superhero style.

Campers are welcomed into the dinning hall and are introduced to their counselor and fellow campers. It’s great to see the unit meet and get to know each other.  There were a few intense games of Jenga today. Once everyone has arrived a unit photo is taken and then it is off to the pool for a swim test.   The thunder storm actually changed our normal routine this week – we’re still catching up with units.

As a welcome night dinner we have chicken tenders and macaroni cheese.  We also have a full salad bar.  And tonight’s vegetarian option is “Hip-Hop Halupki.” What on earth is that? Well…its cabbage rolls stuffed with a yummy mix of lentils and veg in a tomato sauce.

After dinner everyone heads to the chapel and all the staff are introduced to the campers. Each unit then depart with a bag of marshmallows for roasting.

Well good night one and all, its time to get some rest for our first day of adventures tomorrow. 

Best Wishes - 
Whit your Brit 
(aka Whitty, the Office Manager)

Greetings,

It’s Whit your blogging Brit here, hope you’re ok?

So Thursday, what can I say but wow! So much was accomplished but this is such a small space to write it all up! We had a multitude of activities from pirates and treasure hunts to tea parties on the beech and of course our many rock warriors who have defeated the climbing wall. I would love to bring you a detailed write up of each unit’s adventures but unfortunately I have not mastered the art of being in multiple places at once…although I wish I had, it would be all kinds of awesome! So instead I will try to bring you the highlights of yesterday.

I must digress slightly before I begin…I just wanted to share the sunrise with you…there is a photo below of the scene that met me as I walked out of my cabin…a great way to start the day.

Anyway back on track…the morning saw H6 & H7 come together to attend a tea party on the beach, organized by Paul our Naturalist and Waterfront director, Becca. Paul and his assistant Brain led the campers on a search for sassafras leaves so they could make some yummy tea, while Bethany, Sophia, Annie and Alyssa created some of the best cucumber sandwiches seen on this side of the pond. Brad, our Backroom specialist, and myself made a guest appearance playing the roles of Lord and Lady Grantham. We offered some homemade scones to the table and I am in no doubt that our dress sense as British aristocrats caused a serious case of the giggles amongst both the staff and campers. J Games were played and food and drink were enjoyed.

Throughout the day H4 was on a treasure hunt…they received a scroll in the morning at their cabin informing them that a mischievous pirate had run aground at camp and had taken a treasure chest intended for them. The pirate left numerous clues at each block throughout the day, one was found at the top of the rock wall, while another lay upon a pirate flag. This crew of H4 buccaneers successfully solved the pirate’s clues and came across a jar of dirt containing a map of the waterfront. A pinecone X marked the spot and the digging began…I am happy to inform you all that H4 retrieved their treasure and are brandishing it with glee. Congratulations H4.

In the evening it was time to let loose, pioneers enjoyed a 90s themed dance party in the pavilion, the disco ball was flashing the UV lights were dashing and everyone was raving! Oh and I must not and probably will never forget the lively rendition of Carly Rae Jepson’s ‘call me maybe’. Homestead had a splashing time at our ‘dive in movie’ at the pool, we enjoyed red and purple snow cones, a huge game of water volleyball and of course the movie, ‘Planet 51’.

After a thrilling day it was time for bed, got to get a good nights sleep for our last full day tomorrow.

Ciao Ciao
Whit your Brit

(aka Whitty, the Office Manager)

The Camp Arrowhead heat wave we all know and love has officially arrived! 

Luckily, we were prepared and set up ice-cold water stations around camp to keep everyone hydrated. And today we were lucky enough to have a wonderful breeze that everyone was grateful for. 

Today was full of wonderful adventures all around camp, but the most 
dventurous of all was an off-camp canoe trip taken by the Adventure Pathfinders to Wolf Pit Pond. The trip lasted all morning and eventually turned into a marsh walk/ slipand-slide session!

Back at camp, many groups stayed cool at the waterfront participating in a variety of activities. P1 went banana boating, P4 went sailing and seining, and P3 went paddle boarding, a new activity offered this year on camp!

The heat didn’t deter anyone from participating in not only beloved classic camp activities like P7 who spent a double block at the rock wall this afternoon, but also new favorites like H3’s camouflage lesson with our low ropes director Harrison. Also doing activities with Harrison were P2, who went on the low ropes course, P6 who made dream catchers, and P5 who listened to scary stories our infamous “haunted” rec hall.

Also happening today, H7 made special greeting cards with our favorite camp alumni Doreen, H10 did archery, H8 and H9 dressed up as ninja turtles and princesses for dinner, and H6 cooked out lunch, just like our pioneer group regularly do! H11 made puppy chow, a delicious concoction of chex mix, chocolate, and optional peanut butter. And in the evening, H1, H2, and H4 had a beach bonfire as the sun went down. 

On a sadder note, We regret to inform you of the passing of our camp guinea pig, Gibbs. He was well loved and we had a funeral for him on the beach during free time, in true Arrowhead style.  We will miss him, but know that he is in guinea pig heaven! 

Now the kids are tucked in bed, ready for more adventures tomorrow!

Until Next Time - 
Emma
Girls Homestead Unit Leader

Two week sessions are by far my favorite sessions at camp. I get to see campers make things they never thought they would be able to create. 

Since we have more time to work with materials then a one week we get to use clay. It’s a tricky material at times considering weather and conditions. It was especially humid during these two weeks meaning the clay didn’t dry as quickly as it would in a temperature controlled building or cool weathered week but having more time then usual I gave it as much time as possible. 

The clay needs to be especially dry or as my ceramics teacher would say it needs to be “bone dry” before it goes into the kiln so that when the kiln reaches the temperature at which the clay bakes there is no moisture to escape. If there is moisture, then unfortunately the clay explodes. 

After the clay goes through the kiln the campers come back to the Craft Shop to glaze the clay meaning they put a coat of paint that is made up of extremely tiny pieces of glass that melts and fuses back together once put through the kiln again so its shiny & awesome. And viola campers have amazing mugs, pinch pots, coil pots, and wind chimes. 

Never in my four years as a worker of the Craft Shop have I seen such beautiful pieces. In the past, I constantly saw campers struggle to come up with ideas for their hunk of clay but I figured all they needed was a way and so now we all have custom hot cocoa mugs. If not for hot cocoa then maybe for pencils. Do people even use pencils anymore? Well if you do then camp has the mug for it. 

Ciao for now or until fourth sessions clay update. 

Peace. 
Madeye.

(aka Craft Shop Maddy)

Things heated up quick when P4 had a "burning hot" fire competition. Campers learned how to quickly build fires with the resources around them. 

After leading chapel Saturday morning the Adventure Pathfinders went on a two hour canoeing from Wolf Creek back to camp's waterfront.   Once they arrived back at camp, a hot meal of pizza in a pot awaited them made by the waterfront staff. 


Meanwhile, all of camp was preparing for the Wild Wild West Sunday’s Central.  Saturday Night at the Movies were all western themed and the campers were delivered freshly popped pop corn.


After waking with thoughts of central and the wild Wild West in our heads, we filled ourselves with breakfast and headed to Eucharist with Father Jeff Ross from St Peter's in Lewes. 

Just after siesta the big day began.  All of the staff dressed in cowboy and cowgirl costumes along with the campers and some even talked with heavy country accents to add to the flavor of the West. The central was set up as a carnival where campers were able to go around playing different types of games while winning gold to trade in for City Slicker Snow Cones, “pancons” (pancakes with apples and bacon), rootbeer floats, sweet tea, apple churros and other delicious snacks.  

The Sailing Pathfinders built a great mini gold course.  P7 built a rodeo relay with pool noodle horses.  The Adventure Pathfinders lashed horses for everyone to lasso.  H2 built a Tumbleweed Skiball game.  H11 made the Sherrif Shootout Balloon Darts game.  P4 made the Rootin' Tootin' Ball Shootin' canon ball drop game.  P5 built Pistol Pete's Shootout with water guns to shoot ping pong ball off of golf tees.  P6 painted faces and braid hair.  H1 Hunted on the Oregon Trail.  The Environmental Staff lead fiddler crab races.  The Ropes and Waterfront Staff built a saloon and themed rooms for us to tour in the Rec Hall.  P7 hosted an old fashioned milk bottle toss game and a great bottle pickup game.  H10 built a California Gold Rush racing game with straws and ping pong balls.  H9 had spin art for everyone to make. The Pool Staff hosted Kissing Kate's X's & O's Frisbee Tac Toe.  The Kitchen Staff introduced two new games - Snake Eye Dice & and the Rattling Ring Toss. Wild bandits robbed the saloon all day.  And campers had the opportunity to arrest each other as well as staff members. The medicine show stole the crowd's attention with “sword swallowing,” hula hooping, a “chubby bunny" competition and other weird talents.

The day concluded after a final robbery or the Lafontaine's Savings and Loan bank and an all camp bbq at the beach. Campers played volleyball and hung out on the dock while they awaited their hamburgers and hotdogs.  After ice cream campers cooled off in the pool for free swim. Here the campers practiced new jumps and dive in the pool such as the “walk on water” and “salmon dive.”

All of camp was happy to sleep in an extra hour this morning - except for Day Camp who arrived this morning at normal time.  And we're all excited for the "Tastees" to arrive tomorrow for Taste of Camp!


beceith<(")

(aka Becca & Keith - and that's a "penguin")