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JUNIOR TIMES

July 14, 2021

Greetings from Junior Winona! We have had another terrific week that can only be summarized by the fact that, regardless of the weather, Junior campers always know how to have the best time and our counselors know how to create engaging activities. While we had a bit of rain, we also saw a fair amount of sunshine that allowed us to be outside and celebrate our new squads, welcome CITs and send many trips out and about. On Wednesday morning, Uncle Lime, Aunt Wren and Uncle Ben took the BAT Barge across Moose Pond to hike part of and find the Needles Eye. Campers Mattias Calderon Chubb, Eliot Harris, Brody Watkins, Connor Kirkham, Blake Alexander-Pletzke, Lucas Lapin, Will Lothian, Victor Rannik and Mark Weaver took part on this local hike exploring some stunning geological features of the mountain. Thursday morning, a canoe trip left the beach for a day trip up to Newt’s Isle (an island located in the northern basin of Moose Pond). Campers, Mark Weaver, Leo Milberg, Finn Stevenson, James Golden, David Gengler, Jackson Tankersly, Francis Rangel and Lochlann O’Connell, were led by counselors Uncle Josef, Uncle Lee and CIT Lucas. The counselors and campers had great weather and were able to enjoy the afternoon on the calm waters of Moose Pond. Friday evening was Movie Night in Junior! The campers enjoyed eating popcorn and watching Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs. The cloudy weather made for a perfect movie night here at camp. Campfire is always a wonderful community event on Saturday evenings. The campers sit around the fire as their campmates regale them with tales from the week's trips, counselors celebrate “Men of Distinction” from the week, and this week, tents 12 and 13 put on lively skits for the whole unit. It is always a highlight as we reflect on the past week and look forward to the week to come! Sunday brought the first Squadron Games to Winona, hosted by the CITs. The campers competed with their Squadron teams in four events including a relay race, four way capture the flag, and a giant GAGAGA arena. While the competition is important the comradery of the campers is always the most impressive! Later that evening, the campers walked to the Lubrano Grove, for evening Vespers, led by Senior Winona. The Seniors took us through a skit about the benefits of inclusion and the Junior campers are always captivated watching and looking up to the Senior campers. The Juniors will be leading Vespers this coming week, and the counselors are already hard at work. Monday morning was busy. Uncle Lime, Uncle Ben and CIT Daniel took campers Jackson Tankersly, Fernando Girault de la Rosa, Eli Danforth, Sam Hale, Eliot Harris, Lochlann O’Connell, Pond Rower, Oliver Bean, Santiago Gonzalez Urista, Durfee Pierce and Will Lothian to the Eyebrow, a shoulder of Old Speck Mountain near Bethel. The steep climb featured iron rungs and handrails to assist on the rocks. The hikers descended via the famous . That same morning, a canoe trip departed our beach, this time heading to the southern basin of the Lake. Uncle Josef, Uncle Lee, and CIT Lucas led James Bautista-Turpin, Nathaniel DeMento, Lucas Lapin, Mattias Calderon Chubb, Juan Bosco Bergaz Izquierdo, Brody Watkins, Carter Hammond and Blake Alexander- Pletzke to Batting Cove. The canoers paddled through the narrows and past Wyonegonic before reaching their destination. Luckily, cool weather and windless days meant a relaxing journey before settling into the campsite for the night. (over for more news!)

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For our last trip of the week, Uncle Lime, Uncle Jose, CIT Finn and CIT Daniel took campers Flynn Craycroft, Jack Gagan, David Gengler, Liam Trickett, Angel Del Toro, Edmund Sumner, Henry Thompson, Dhiren Perle, George Ferron and Noah Puchalski up Crag Mountain near Gorham, . The group dodged rain showers in the area but still had a nice view of the Valley from the overlook. On the way down, they visited a cable car river crossing but were unable to use it due to repairs. This week, we had our first Full Chipmunks earned in Junior. As the campers work on their requirements, we celebrate their hard work with a Chipmunk pin. We had 9 campers earn their Full Chipmunks: Nathaniel DeMento, George Ferron, Santiago Gonzalez Urista, William Kirby, William Kirkham, Noah Puchalski, Francis Rangel, Eliot Harris and Pond Rower. As we wrap up our second full week of camp, I cannot help but feel a deep sense of gratitude. Not only to Winona for everything they do all year to make the summer possible, but also to our amazing staff here in Junior for creating excitement at their activities every day, and tothe campers. They’ve been incredible, having the best of times, while following all of our safety guidelines. We could not ask for a better community here in Junior Winona and we are looking forward to next week's adventures!

Until next week Brix Brax, Uncle Zach Clayton (2001-2012, 2015, 2016, 2021) Junior Unit Director

Editors Note: Your son’s unit’s weekly Newsletter may also be accessed online: http://winonacamps.com/welcome-parents/unit-newsletters. Please note that in the weekly unit Newsletters, we focus primarily on out-of-camp trips and sporting competitions which are just a small part of the entire program here at Winona.

You can find current photos of Winona by visiting us on our Facebook page (Winona Camps – ), Instagram (winonacampsmaine) or our Bunk1 site.

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