Welcome to summer 2023!

 

Today, we welcomed 300 Mah-Kee-Nac campers - both new and returning to our beautiful camp in The Berkshires. The boys got off buses and out of cars, said goodbye to parents, then quickly embraced their camper friends and met new ones.

 

Running through a morning drizzle, the kids went straight to the field house where our legendary special events director, Greg, delivered an opening speech. The Senecas (our oldest bunk), then stepped in to lead the camp in the summer oath, which includes promises like having fun and treating everyone with respect. ​Naturally, we concluded the gathering with dancing and singing the traditional Mah-Kee-Nac songs. 

 

​The rain cleared in the afternoon and the kids headed down to "The Bowl" (our lake) to conduct their swim tests. Nothing feels more refreshing after hours of travel than a jump in the brisk lake. After their swims, the kids settled into bunks and got to know their fellow bunkmates and counselors. We also tossed a cake for our first summer birthday. 

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Travel + excitement + swimming clearly worked up a hunger, as our kids delved into their big pizza party. After dinner, our director Jamie brought the camp down to fire pit at the lakefront where he held our first Saturday night huddle. Our weekly huddles are a moment we take to come together, pause, and reflect on important topics. 

 

After the huddle, everyone gathered around as the Senecas lit lanterns for our annual opening ceremonies. They sent the lanterns into the sky, officially kicking off summer 2022.​

 

The campers were thrilled to kick off summer 2023. We thank you for sending them to us and can't wait to share the daily news! 

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