Hawthorn’s unique Upper School tradition of gathering everyone from Grades 8 to 12 together for an overnight camp experience to kick off the ‘New Year’ was, in a word, ‘excellent’, as recalled by graduating student Michaela Cole. From September 3rd to 5th, our US students packed up with duffle bags and indomitable spirit to live in friendship and fun at Camp Olympia in Huntsville in Ontario’s beautiful Muskoka District.
Our days were filled with a wide variety of challenging activities. We expended our considerable energies on the giant swing, the zipline, and the climbing wall. We strengthened our survival skills, learning how to make a campfire, build a shelter (model-size – for a squirrel!), practise environmental responsibility, and respect the basic rules of camping. We jumped into trust games, bravely walking blind with a counsellor’s guidance, relying on each other to untangle our human knots (!), and tossing into the air the particularly intrepid amongst us on a giant blanket. We gathered under the stars for a campfire sing-along led by our musically talented peers. While a rainy day redirected our plans for water sports, we loved every moment of our three days, through cloud and sunshine. Our graduands added some class to camp by dressing ‘snazzy’ over their jeans for dinner one evening. And speaking of meals, the food was delicious, from burgers to breaded chicken, mac and cheese, salads, snacks of brownies, doughnuts, and fresh fruit, and a very popular breakfast of eggs and bacon over hashbrowns. Yum!
A special welcome to our Grade 8’s and to new Grade 10 student Lilly who joined us for their first time at Camp Olympia – we’re so glad you’re on board with us! And to Hawthorn School, thank you for such a brilliant way for us to reunite, surrounded by friends, fresh air, and Canada’s stunning natural beauty, … and a little pause before the homework begins!