For as long as I have been here, we have had pancakes on Saturday. Throughout High Rocks’ history, there was a time that the director himself would cook pancakes on Saturday since our head cook was off that morning. I tried that for a while, but the program has become much larger and more complex than in those days. Nonetheless, we still have pancakes on Saturday. The best part is that these are scratch-made with fresh buttermilk (none of that fat-free buttermilk), the real stuff! We pared it with some bacon, home fries, fresh fruit, yogurt, and assorted cereals. It was a great way to start the day.
Today the boys had a different kind of fun in their activities. They were trying out kayaks at paddling. Hiking had car camping day. Climbing had a Pirate Day adventure. Mountain biking did skills on the field. Horseback riding did a bunch of trails. Sailing was out capsizing boats. Crafts started on their tie dye shirts.
The weather sure was different today. It started out at about 69 degrees and went down from there. By 3pm it was 66 degrees. The misty rain came in a few times. With the clouds, it gave camp a real “highlands” feel. the boys were super excited to have a little reprieve from the warmer days this week. You will see a lot of hoodies and sweatshirts out there today! Looks like a nice cool evening as well!
I enjoyed checking out the guys down at paddling this morning! They were enjoying what we call “try-yak” Saturday. Also known as Try a Kayak Saturday. We let any of the boys bob around in kayaks for the whole period. It was an awesome time and the boys had a blast. It makes for great pictures too!
Our paddling program always starts out in canoes and always on flat water. The canoe gives the boys a good vantage point for when they first hit the river and it gives them a bigger craft that is not as edgy as a solo canoe or kayak. It is a tried and tested tradition in these parts that goes back over a hundred years. The boys will learn both the bow and stern positions on the lake and on the river. All of their strokes and maneuvers are designed to take them down the whitewater river progression. Once the boys have moved up to the second or third rivers in the canoeing progression, they can move into a solo boat like a kayak, C-1, or OC-1 (solo canoe). They will continue their progression in the canoe and the solo craft. Year after year these boys are challenged on new rivers with new skills. It is still one of our most popular activities. These boys in the two-week session are just starting along that progression that can eventually take them to Class III and IV white water a few years down the road.
Tomorrow we take a little easy. Might be a little cooler than normal in the morning! Have a great night. We certainly are here!
-Don Gentle
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