It was a glorious morning, bright, clear, and absolutely perfect for another full day of Color War games and contests. Campers poured onto the fields with faces painted, hair sprayed in bold team colors, and Red and Gold gear proudly on display. The spirit here runs deep and everywhere you look, there’s pride, excitement, and a true sense of belonging. Color War is unlike anything else. You can try to explain it, but to truly live it is to feel the magic—the competition, the camaraderie, the joy. It’s what makes this week the absolute best of the summer.
Today, Boys Side took to the track for their meet while Girls Side dove into the pool for theirs. Both were filled with cheers, high-fives, and endless encouragement as campers pushed toward their finish lines. There was one moment, though, that took my breath away. In a Middy boys relay, the race was neck and neck until, the Gold runner stumbled and fell. Everyone watching saw it happen and without a second’s hesitation, the Red runner stopped mid-race to help him up. In that instant, the race no longer mattered. What mattered was compassion, sportsmanship, and looking out for one another. It was a moment that captured the very essence of camp, full of heart, humanity, and the understanding that sometimes helping someone else stand up is the greatest victory of all.
Tonight brought one of camp’s most long-standing traditions—Rope Burning and Water Boiling. Counselors from both teams had spent days gathering wood, designing their fire structures, and strategizing for this big moment. With faces streaked in zinc to shield them from the heat, they were ready. The camp gathered around, eyes locked on the flames, as Gold Broadway’s fire caught first. The crowd roared only for Red Circus’s fire to ignite moments later. Soon, all four fires were blazing. Gold Broadway burned their rope first, quickly followed by Red Circus. Then the race shifted to the water boil—Gold Broadway’s pot boiled over first, but within minutes, Red Circus’s water boiled over too. It was the kind of back-and-forth, heart-pounding Rope Burn that made tonights event amazing. Going into dinner, Red Circus held a 21-point lead, but after tonight’s fiery showdown, it’s still anyone’s game. Color War is far from over, and tomorrow promises even more magic.
Until tomorrow, Chenny.