took place at Rest Hour today. Well, it’s not really a canoe race. Although some canoes do race, this race is really more a fun race. We (I say we because of course I paddle in it every year) paddle from the canoe dock, around Green Leach Island and back to the canoe dock (a distance of about 2 km). There are two rules: The more silly and crazy the watercraft the better (prizes for creativity) and there must be at least one staff and one camper in every boat. Perhaps saying boat is stretching the truth.

There were watercraft built of lifejackets and pool noodles… “boats” made of rafts and there assorted items. There was a floating raft with the paddlers perched on stools. And an Ark (the Voyageur canoe) paddled by many campers in animal costumes plus two goats (really), a few chickens (yes), a snake, a frog and a leach. The Ark placed second… and then the goats escaped, which resulted in a merry goat chase around camp.

Funny – after the race, and as 3rd period started, there was a very light rain falling, a silvery mist. Spirits were so high that nobody seemed to notice or care about a little silver sunshine. Which may be the moral of the story – When kids are engaged, the sun shines for them no matter what the weather.

At dinner (turkey and roasted potatoes with corn, fab veg curry) one senior boy was carried in on his staff’s shoulders to celebrate passing his 1st class kayak award. The dining hall erupted in cheers. There were several 2nd class speeches – so moving to hear an instructor celebrate a camper’s great strengths and skills.

Then the whole camp went to watch the inter senior play Pitch Perfect – a triumph of song and dance, with great sets and costumes.