Cannon Report – Residential Week 5 – 2020
Cannon Report Week 7
VroomVroomBoomBoomBoomBoomBoom!!
Week Seven! Who would have thought we’d make it this far? Our hats go off to the Camp Board, the Directors, and everybody that had the faith, the vision, and the Love to see us into seven weeks of Summer Camp. Wow. We are in awe and humbled to be a part of this amazing summer.
But let’s not get too reflective yet, first we should review all the amazing fun things we did this past week!
On Monday we kicked off our final week of activities and made sure that every camper landed in one of their top three preferred activities. That evening we played the perennial Camp favorite game of The Hunger Games. And leave it to those clever Algonquin campers for teaming up and facilitating the win for one of our youngest kids in Black Swan. That is what Camp is about; making moments for each other. Brothers helping brothers.
Tuesday brings a sense of the beginning of the end of summer, with the CT Appreciation Banquet and our final evening activities. The CT’s from both Camps gathered in the Lodge and while still sitting six feet apart enjoyed a quiet banquet with the Camp Directors and their counselors reflecting on the summer and being appreciated for all their good work. Don’t fret though, it’s a short banquet, and they were able to change clothes quickly enough to get out and play a HUGE game of Dune Football with the whole Camp for evening activity. Getting to the Dunes has been a challenge for Camp this summer, because of the restrictions on being in public spaces. Tuesday night however we were able to sneak out to Devil’s Hole, an as yet lesser known, but no less beautiful, spot on the Dunes!
Well, with Tuesday night being so late, and still mandating showers to get the sand off, we opted to sneak in a sleep-in for Wednesday morning which everyone appreciated greatly. It allowed us to more fully enjoy our final Cabin Day together, with groups out on the Boat, cooking meals, playing in the woods and down on the beach, and generally enjoying that sense of Cabin camaraderie that really ran deep this summer because of all of the special and unified time together.
The final Thursday of the summer is always a big push to complete levels in order to affect the final star totals for the year. Well, this Thursday was no different! Both the morning and afternoon activities were a mad push for level completion and proficiency proofs. With the dust settling on some outdoor cooking and lead climbing skills the boys gathered after dinner around the Ottawa Fire Ring for their first of this summer, and Final Funny Awards presentation. It was a fun and at time hilarious night of sharing and recognition. We wrapped up with Weldon leading a little debrief helping everyone recognize what we had accomplished this summer.
Friday morning the CT’s ran Basch as one of their final hurdles towards their CT Certificate. That afternoon we completed the Final two games in the LIFE Tournament and saw the Blue Team come out on top. Then we took showers and donned our whites to engage in our Final Banquet. A night of celebration of accomplishment, a celebration of summer, a recognition that we had worked together to bring summer to fruition. It was quite a night. Weldon reminded us in his final words to walk forward from Camp humbly and grateful. Once the plaques were presented the hooting and hollering could be heard through all of Pyramid Point. Also, the South Team won.
Saturday, with an Encore Show to present allowed us to restructure our final day together to continue celebrating, but also sneak in some packing and cleaning too. With slightly glowering clouds in the afternoon we gathered in the Lodge with Kohahna and showcased our skills at various Council Fire games for the afternoon. Needless to say there was a wonderful brother-sister vibe with the cheering for each other from both Camps. Final Council Fire was a spirited event with the conclusion of many skits and storylines from the counselor’s presentations. We ended by each dropping an Oak Leaf into the fire while confirming our gratitude for Camp this summer.
It has been a beautiful demonstration to hold Camp this summer, and we are certainly grateful! We already cannot wait to see everyone next year!!
-From The Desk of HQ
