The Cure

The Cure, General Public, U2, Tears for Fears, New Order .... and several other bands -- are all bands that I never would have listened to --but for camp. Singing lyrics to New Order, as me, Dan and Ron were headed to Riverside Park or to the Beach, etc. reminds me of how fun times used to be back in the late 80's!!!! Its been almost 20 years and this music still brings me back to the days of Camp Day. I think I'll go over to youtube and listen some New Order!

Inside Out Day

Now, I know we used to have the luxury of sleeping in some mornings at camp...i.e. Dick forgot to turn on the first bugle thingy at 7:00 AM. But there were other times where mornings were kicked off with zany antics designed to bring out that Quacumquasit spirit in all of us. Days like Backwards Day, where one was intended to wear their clothes backwards! Yes, it was that fun at camp! Well, as you can imagine, an average of 20% of the camp population would participate in this...we would get much higher participation with pajama breakfasts, some even changing into their fancy onesy pj's a la Randy Langer...

Why would this come to mind today? Because I think I ran into a Frank A Day Faithful this morning on the way to work as I took my seat on the bus, I noticed a fellow commuter dressed Inside Out Style. Yes, the tags out in back and only the stitching visible for the front pockets of his short sleeve button down shirt. I could only smile and think, wow that guy really has that Quacumquasit spirit today. Thanks pal, you made my morning look that much brighter, not to mention making all of your fellow bus riders feel that they were brighter than at least one person that day.

Tomorrow I hope you decide to re-enact the Crazy Dan saga for us...

Puddles

...... nah, I won't go there ;)

Da Bees

I remember one summer when Brian Cronin, Jeremy Schiller and myself decided to throw rocks at an enormous beehive behind Cabin 10. ---Whatelse was one to do during their period off? -- In any event, this beehive was the size of a large pineapple!!! We must have been chucking stones for close to 20 minutes before I mustered up the bravado to hurl a larg rock. Of course the rock ripped the hive in two, and yes you could hear the loud buzz of the bees. We ..............
hauled butt --all the way down to the waterfront (laughing to the point of tears). Soon thereafter we became concerned. We wondered what trouble would be lurking in the Jr. Unit. "Would the bees be pissed and flying all over the Unit? So, out of concern we went back. Thank goodness they weren't in the Jr. Unit --just swarming around the fallen nest (far enough away from the cabin not to cause any concern). Anywho, just another fond memory that came to me ......

Da Cabin

Never noticed the picture of the cabin in the right upper-hand corner until just now. Cool beans. I can hear the smack of the door slamming now ..... All I need is a little Bobby Brown in the background and it will be just like I'm there.

Corky Sanders Dining Hall

Some time back there was an idea being tossed around concerning the naming of the Chapel. I'm not sure if it's even being used anymore. However, Corky Sanders was approached by an unnamed camp official about possibly being the focus of the naming convention. When reached for comment, Corky Sanders replied "I have no comment... wait, I do have a comment... where was the Chapel again?"

In recent developments, this rumor was proven to be false and the real building that was going to receive the Corky Sanders title was actually the Dining Hall. When approached for comment, Corky Sanders added "I think this is a much better idea. "

None of this has been confirmed by any bascomlodge.com correspondent.

Changing of the Guard

The first thing I would do as camp director is get rid of those ridiculous bells that Dick used to ding over the PA system. I would replace them with drums and some kind of smoke signal. I can't believe that the camp no longer has a McKnight at the helm. It really has been a long time. All those Crazy Dan stories and that "6th sense" of knowing what things are going on in the camp at all times (even though I think it might have had something to do with certain counselors blabbing everything they heard and "thought" they heard in to Dick's ear).

No matter what type of opinion you have about the stone-faced and oddly mysterious former camp director, you have to admit that he is a legend in his own right. Because beyond his leadership abilities and his eclectic story-telling is a healthy respect for tradition. The camp will definitely need someone that can at least understand that Frank A. Day is the best of all camps because of all the things it keeps doing well. It has to do with focusing on getting every kid involved and giving everyone (including counselors) a chance at having an incredible summer experience. One that might touch their lives permanently. That little peninsula, stuck in the woods of central Massachusetts, has touched so many lives with lasting affection. It's not that way because of who the director is, but it could easily be ruined by who he or she is not.

You are right big bad bamf... big shoes to fill indeed.