Competition Day
Many folks say that competition can bring out the best and worst in people. Yesterday brought out the best in Camp Huawni. It’s funny how competition at Camp always seems to bring people closer together. That was never more evident than today.
All day Tribal Competition at Huawni is somewhat of a right of passage. If you’ve ever experienced it…you know what I’m speaking of. It’s your team fighting for a chance to win the Golden Pine Cone, given on closing day to the first place winner. Team competition is most important because each event is worth a big chunk of points. I think even better than the points is the character that is revealed in the kids; you really get to see what kids are made of, especially when adversity strikes.
We started the morning off with our Soccer Kick around the Pool competition. In this event, campers have to kick a soccer ball around a chair and then back up to their teammate. The counselors run the last leg by kicking the ball inside of the pool fence and around the pool. The Caddo pulled off the upset this morning in Soccer Kick.
Next was Hot Shot Shootout. Each tribe member gets one shot and all shots add up to a total score. Tejas answered back with a win in Shootout!
Next, we hiked down to the Obstacle Course (OC) for the OC Team Run. In this event, tribes must run the OC Course; when the last runner climbs the barrier successfully, time stops. Caddo again took the victory in OC Team Run.
In the afternoon, the Red Caddo continued their winning ways. Caddo won Intertube Relay at the pool, Huawni Derby (another intertube relay around the Critter Pond), and Run for the Roses. Maybe my favorite moment of the day was when Mike L. sprinted the last leg for the Tejas, from soccer goal to soccer goal. Mike’s Tejas tribe had already lost, but seeing him finish strong, despite his team’s circumstances, was something special to witness.
After dinner, we had the new and improved team archery tournament. Twelve archers from each team squared off in what was maybe the most intriguing match of the day. Each archer had a total of 15 shots, scoring them every 5 shots. Jake E. won the golden arrow for the older kids, and Dylan H. won the golden arrow for younger campers. I was also super impressed with both Wiley and MacSwain M. ; they made some incredible shots.
At about 8pm, the day continued. Yes…I said it…the day continued. Both Tribes squared up once again for the famous, famous, MOST FAMOUS Tug O War competition. This year we used just plain sand as the pit; it actually turned out great because kids could get a foot hold. Tejas pulled out a 3-0 victory as their younger and older campers won their heats. We also had a counselor vs. director pull, and I’m happy to say the directors still have some of that “old man” strength.
Last night we finished the night with a slip and slide on Flagpole Hill and snow cones. It was a full day for sure, and it didn’t take long to shut our eyes tonight.
Only two full days of camp left…we will savor them the best we can. Goodnight!
