Today was clear, breezy, and warm to start the day. Though much of the East Coast is sweltering under temperatures much hotter than we get on the mountain, these couple of days have been notable. It has certainly made the lake a prime destination for activities and for free time options!

Already out of camp this morning was our climbing overnight trip to Hidden Valley in Virginia. Today was the second full day of climbing that crew enjoyed. One of the really cool features of the area is the ability to camp within a very short walk of all kinds of climbing routes. When they returned there were huge smiles all around, tired but huge! Also enjoying their second day of a trip were the hikers, making their way from the Pink Beds to Thrifts Cove. A driver armed with ice cream sandwiches met this intrepid group after their descent down the front side of Pisgah. Lots of fun had, some solid work put in, and cool stories of chatting with other camp groups along the trail.

Our mountain bikers took two trips today to Dupont, both bound for Wintergreen Falls. Though this trip is typically geared towards riders in the earlier stages of the activity progression, any trip to new trails and new surroundings can present a challenge. Our afternoon group enjoyed the benefit of having a lifeguard along so that they could thoroughly take advantage of the swimming hole at the base of the Falls for a cold plunge on a hot afternoon.

The high ropes course hosted Hillside for some young guy excitement up on the heights. I don’t know if it is their lighter weight that makes them more nimble or comfortable (compared to me!) but they looked like squirrels confidently scampering about the course. 

Around camp, the focus was on completing goals campers have set for themselves as the number of activity hours dwindles. Guys were working hard at the range to level up in archery or riflery with a small number shooting at the maximum 40 yard range in archery. Every choice period there are boaters heading across the lake to practice in the gates course, dead set on passing the test of their control over a canoe to advance into a kayak, C-1, OC-1. Crafts and Pottery are both working to finish ongoing projects so they are ready for travel home. It is busy out there!

Today also had a special event at choice period with a much-hyped soccer game happening between the 3:00 and 4:00 classes. Billed as the equal to a World Cup Final, the game was built with spectators in mind with hilarious announcers, music, drinks, and even scheduled half-time entertainments. 

As if that wasn’t enough, the evening finished off with an all-camp assault on the mudpit for the evening activity. There was music, snacks, and soooo much mud. A rinse in the lake followed by showers was the logical next move!