Camp Green Lane 100th Summer Blog Post, July 28th

If you’ve been around Camp Green Lane for more than one summer, you know there are questions that start floating around five minutes after the final Visiting Day visitor pulls out of camp.

When is Color War breaking?

What are the themes?

Who will the captains be?

The answers?

No one knows.

As July winds down, EVERYTHING becomes a “clue”.

Two counselors are talking at lunch?

“THEY’RE SONGWRITERS!” 

A truck drives through camp?

“THIS IS IT!”

Adam leaves dinner early?

“COLOR WAR!”

The power flickers?

“Wait. No THIS is definitely Color War!”

Spoiler alert: It usually isn’t.

Yet.

The anticipation is half the fun.

For our younger campers, this is the week they hear the legendary stories from older campers. Tales of incredible themes, elaborate breaks, unforgettable cheers, amazing pudding and watermelon victories, and memories that last long after the winner has been announced.

For our veterans, every passing hour raises the excitement another notch. They know what it feels like when that moment finally arrives. They remember where they were when previous Color Wars broke. They know that, in an instant, an ordinary camp day becomes one they’ll remember forever.

What’s wonderful is that nobody is wishing away today.

The pool is still full. The courts are still busy. Evening activities are still loud, silly, and unforgettable. Camp keeps being camp.

But underneath it all is a buzz you can almost feel.

Every announcement over the loudspeaker gets everyone’s attention.

Every unexpected vehicle entering camp gets a second look.

Every counselor wearing sunglasses indoors suddenly seems… suspicious.

Will it happen today?

Tomorrow?

The next day?

We’re not telling.

And if your camper writes home saying they’re absolutely certain they know when Color War is going to start…

They don’t.

(But don’t tell them that.)

Until then, we’ll keep enjoying every ordinary day while waiting for the most extraordinary one to arrive. Because sometimes the excitement of wondering is almost as much fun as finally finding out.

Almost.

Hopefully this helps build a little anticipation for all the parents following along at home. The countdown has officially begun!

– Aunt Robin