Monday, July13

A day in the life of a Lenore camper was packed full of activities. In addition to the required activities that involved learning or improving sports and swimming skills, each camper had the opportunity to pick an area of focus, or a "major" that lasted for 11 days. One major was scheduled during the morning, and another one was scheduled during the afternoon. They say, "the boy is father to the man." In the spirit of gender equality, that aphorism is just as true for girls. A glance at my major schedule for 1960 reveals: Drama, Drama, Dance, Canoeing, Arts and Crafts, Arts and Crafts, Archery and Tennis. What I do in 2009 is certainly reflected in what I did in 1959. And with the exception of Archery, I would make most of those same choices today.
On this day in 1959, the Seniors had their first team games. These events were also permeated with tradition. Before each game, the respective teams would meet at two distinct locations:The "Perg" (short for pergola)- a covered seating area built over an outcropping of rocks that overlooked the playing fields; or the porch of the Lodge. (The "big house" where the offices and directors lived.) We'd gather at these locales for some pre-game strategizing, and then a pep talk from our team captain. These pep talks were always capped off with a recitation of "The Poem":
If you think you're beaten, you are.
If you think you dare not, you don't.
If you'd like to win, but think you can't,
It's almost a cinch you won't.
If you think you'll lose, you're lost.
For out in the world you'll find;
Success begins with a fellow's will
It's all in your state of mind.
Life's battles don'ts always go
To the stronger or weaker man
But, sooner or later the one who wins
Is the one who thinks he can!

Needless to say, a female camper in 2009 would never even consider reciting this without making it gender appropriate. But, in 1959, we cheerfully embraced it and recited it with near religious zeal. After the last words of "The Poem" were spoken by the group, the captain usually would add- and I'm not kidding- "And who thinks he can?" ---GROUP: "The whites!!"
"Who knows he can?"---GROUP: 'The Whites!!" Who can?---GROUP: "The Whites!!!
"Who will?"---GROUP: "The Whites!!" Then, at an agreed upon moment, the song leaders would get us going, and we'd march/run in formation down the front lawn, to meet the Greens at the playing field. I don't remember too much about the games themselves. But I do recall how funny our voices all sounded as we tried to run down the hill and sing at the same time...