Newfound and Owatonna campers had a GREAT day on the 4th of July! We began the day early with breakfast and putting on running shoes and race numbers for the annual 4 on the Fourth Road Race. Our camps have run in this local race for years, and once again, almost all of our campers and staff members participated in the race. Many of the campers ran (or walked) with flags, face-paint, and lots of spirit! And both Newfound and Owatonna won the "overall camp cups" for the female and male Camp Divisions. Newfound had 6 of the top ten female camper racers and Owatonna had 7 of the top ten male camper racers. You can go to the race website, www.fouronthefourth.com if you want to see more details from the race.
After running, walking, and/or cheering at the race, the campers came back to camp to cool off in the lake, have a snack, and rest up for the Freedom Festival in the afternoon. Our website photos show great shots of the campers celebrating the Fourth by swimming; playing ga-ga; decorating red, white, and blue cookies; getting their faces painted; eating a four foot long flag cake; and much, much more! After a delicious dinner (before eating the cake!), both camps ended the day by lighting sparklers with their cabins, and soon after were all sound asleep after a very full day.
Today was back to regular schedule, with activities in full swing. If you don't see your camper in photos, he or she may be on a trip. Eleven Owatonna Braves and Warriors (grades 5-8 range) are out on a three day canoe trip on the Saco River. On Wednesday, campers of all ages from both Newfound and Owatonna are heading to Arethusa Falls for a day trip, while others are heading to Boston to visit the Mother Church. On Thursday, Newfound CITs will head out on a day hike up Mt. Chocorua and ten Newfound Rivers-Oceans (5th-9th graders) will head on an overnight hike up Mt. Tremont. And then on Friday, still other Newfound campers will do a day of white water canoeing, while some Owatonna campers will be on a rock-climbing day trip. While not every camper goes on a trip, most do sign up for one, and all who do come back with huge smiles and great stories of their adventures.
