It’d been 355 days since the wooden benches and spike ball sets of Stowe had felt the familiarity of their favorite running camp participants. During the year, SRC (Stowe Running Camp) campers had occupied themselves with running, school, traveling, family time, and other pursuits. Really just filling the days before the next week they would spend in Stowe.
Nevertheless, as soon as the campers walked through the doors of the Round Hearth today, they picked up the same pool sticks, volleyball balls, and hooks (ask a camper about the famous Hook Game) and were immediately right back where they left off last year. Campers returned for their second, third, or fourth year at camp and some counselors are even approaching a decade long stint at the Round Hearth. First year campers were quickly welcomed and included in games of Nukem, Frisbee, and other yard games. Hugs and instant smiles were exchanged and campers were soon shuffling off their helpful, but suddenly forgotten parents.
After campers settled into their bunks, they readied for their first run in the beautiful hills of Stowe. All 85 campers (SRC’s biggest crowd in the history) then went for their first run at the local Stowe High School. There they found muddy trails, ran along rocky ridges, and galloped through fern filled fields. A relaxing (but hilly!) run was followed by an energizing hip/strength circuit (thanks to our strength coordinators Rachel Sessa and Meghan Davis).
The ritual ringing of the dinner bell attracted all campers to enjoy a refueling meal of spaghetti and meatballs. Following dinner was the beginning of the annual Stowe Games. The theme this year is professions. This year’s creative bunch came up with names ranging from heart surgeons to running coaches to lifeguards to marriage counselors to telemarketers! Groups developed skits and posters to represent their teams and then performed them in front of the entire camp. The skit winner— team McDonald’s Worker— put on a particularly humorous performance featuring Makayla, Grace M., Shaun, Mike, Cody, Ellie, and Julliet!
The first place poster award went to the Lifeguards team of Lily, Garret, Annie, Tyler, Matthew, Sarah H., and Lauren!
The campers are now headed off to bed to rest up for Monday Madness tomorrow!
Stowe Running Camp 