Camp Birchmont

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We’ve Got Spirit How ‘ Bout You!

Written by Laura Pierce - Posted July 14, 2015

What a glorious day we had at Pierce Camp Birchmont for our 10th consecutive Spirit Day!

Our boys had the home field advantage this year as our girls traveled to Wilton NH , while the boys hosted the day at Birchmont. All our campers were pretty psyched to defend our last year’s title. Every age group competed in all manner of athletic contests from the traditional field and court sports to heated games of dodgeball and Gaga .

Camp Birchmont

We served up a fine lunch of Helen’s chicken patties, (a camper favorite from our post camp surveys) and the girls had turkey chili over at Evergreen.

The rafters of Evergreen were shaking from the resounding cheers and chants while the girls enjoyed their lunch. The boys, sang less and ate more, devouring everything including the homemade chocolate chip cookies baked by our wonderful bakers Monica and Diane.

The afternoon competitions were fierce and fun. Under a clear blue sky, kids were playing everywhere, or resting in the shade waiting for their next games to begin. Water coolers dotted every field, as kids from both camps socialized and compared notes about camp life. The 100% participation fueled a wonderful camaraderie for all the players.

The athletic day at each camp concluded with both camps competing in the host team’s chosen event. Evergreen girls chose their beloved Bucket Brigade, an event they taught our girls two years before. We learned our lesson well as we tied that event this year. The Birchmont Braves hosted our ever popular tug of war, a traditional Color War Field Day event here at Birchmont. The cheering on the field was deafening as our oldest boys pulled their young men over the line, but Kenwood answered right back winning the age group just below.

Our day here at Birchmont was finished with a well earned swim at the waterfront before dinner for all our boys, and an after dinner swim for our girls who traveled home and had the bonus of catching a gorgeous Lake Wentworth sunset for their efforts. Annie Lenox said it best, “Great Days Are Made Of These..”

Camp Birchmont

Happy to say the Spirit Cup will remain at Birchmont for another summer, but the victory was not as important as the day’s take-away…The best kind of competitions are the ones which bring out the spirit of sportsmanship, camaraderie, and great heart.

Thanks to all the campers, staff, coaches, and drivers who made the day such a success. Special shout out to Greg Howes who coordinated the day with vision, enthusiasm and organization.

Spirits Soar on Birchmont’s Spirit Day!

Written by Laura Pierce - Posted July 14, 2014

Spirit Day 2014

If ever a day at camp were aptly named, Spirit Day would be it; the energy level was off the charts as all of Camp Birchmont’s girls and boys engaged in a full out, all day competition at both Camp Birchmont and Kenwood/Evergreen. This year our boys traveled and our girls stayed home, each to defend our last year’s title. We competed in every sport at every age with each camper playing in a minimum of 2 events. Games included soccer, baseball, softball, volleyball, tennis, basketball, dodgeball, kickball and Gaga, a type of team Israeli handball played in a round court. For Birchmont, the taste of Victory was sweet, but what was even sweeter was the way the girls from both camps were fierce as could be during their athletic contests and friendly as could be when games were over. After a lunch of chicken patties, salad and Helen’s signature magic bars for lunch, Birchmont campers welcomed Evergreen girls into their cabins at rest hour and chatted, learned cheers and relaxed till play resumed.

Spirit Day

Meanwhile at Kenwood, the Birchmont boys got their popular counselor Peter Brimstone to respond to the sound of thunderous table clapping to the chant “Sing a Song Peter, Sing a song”. Pete did indeed oblige and serenaded the Dining room of 400 boys to his rendition of  Journey’s  “Don’t Stop Believing”.  We will consider the standing ovation his 15 min of fame.

Spirit Day

The girls camp competition day was finished with both camps participating in the host team’s  chosen camp wide event. Last year our competitors selected a bucket brigade which was an activity they dominated, but the tide was turned when this year Birchmont girls clearly won the Water Mellon Eat with juice dribbling down every chin and rinds flying into baskets. The day was finished with a well earned dip in the lake before dinner for the girls, and after dinner for the boys arriving off the busses.

Spirit Day Girl

 

Listed below are the standings of Spirit Day, seemingly so important at game time, but not nearly as important as the day’s take-away which was competition in the spirit of camaraderie, sportsmanship and great heart.

Boys (Away@ Kenwood)
Birchmont Won 20 events
Lost 7, Tied 1

Girls (Home @ Birchmont)
Birchmont Won 17
Lost 10, Tied 1

 

This marks Birchmont’s 8th consecutive Spirit Day Victory overall. Thanks to all the campers and staff for the playing, coaching, cheering, driving, and a special shout out to Greg Howes who coordinated and planned the day with great enthusiasm and follow through.

Spirit Day Soccer