Summer Camp Week 1: Buried Treasure and Sunken Flags

Coyotes cool off in the river after a job well done!

Hello Adventurers!

​Week 1 saw us trekking across the beach and onto the rocks in search of a winding river. We hiked and climbed (and occasionally waded!) our way westward, until at last we came to Cow River beach. On the way we encountered Mermaid rock, where the Falcons posed for photos, and where the Ravens caught several lobsters.

Coyote team members hoist their flag onto their driftwood flagpole.

Once at Cow River our intrepid adventures sought “the bottom at the top”, and it didn’t take them long to realize that their first clue was at the bottom of the pond. No one was too afraid to get muddy, and pretty soon each group had found their buried treasure: supplies to paint a banner, and coded instructions which directed them to raise a flag pole higher than any other team could, and to hang their flag upon it, using only items washed up on the beach. We saw a lot of creativity and teamwork in doing so, with the Friday Foxes being the team that raised it the highest!

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Ravens team members work to devise a boat to cross the river; this time using a log and some rope. No one was afraid to get wet!

After that they unlocked the next clue, which had them searching for the now-infamous red stick, which was to be their measure as they followed the cardinal compass directions in search of buried eggs. These eggs were to be floated, one at a time, across the river, in order to score points, and at times competition was fierce! The Coyotes had set the score to beat, but each team rose to the challenge in their own unique way. I am amazed to say that no one broke any eggs while they were in transit!

The Falcons pose with their eggs on the Mermaid rock; they were the only team to complete the last stage of the challenge!

As if this weren’t enough, all along the way there were riddles and puzzles to be solved, a hidden red rock to be found, and clues and mysteries galore. In completing these tasks, some of which came right down to the wire, players proved themselves to be able to think critically under pressure, all while using their own skills and abilities to contribute towards the efforts of the team.

The Foxes raced against the clock (and their parents!) in order to get their last egg across with 2-minutes to go!

These clues and mysteries will be put to the test in Week 2, as we search for the hidden forest meadow, using only our treasure map, where more challenges and puzzles lay waiting, and another buried treasure is rumored to lie in wait. We also look forward to naming our Captains for the week as well, a judgement based upon attitude, ability, and leadership, and let me tell you, it was a tough decision.

And of course, I would be mistaken if I didn't include the results of the much anticipated leaderboard. As you can see, competition was really tight this week, and the sibling rivalries are already starting to heat up!

Looking forward to Week 2, and we can’t wait to see you there!

Yours in adventure,

Nathan and Jesse