AgaNews!

Camp Agawam AgaNews

Volume 36 Number 2

Every Sunday, the whole camp gathers in Senior Club Grove in front of Governor Hall for Weekly Awards following Vespers.

Greetings from Crescent Lake!

I am COD tonight. That stands for "Central On Duty". The COD the person on duty during the evening. The COD does several rounds of camp and is in the Office until at least 11pm in case anything comes up in any of the campuses.

In addition to the COD, every day a staff member from each campus area is assigned to be the Officer of the Day (OD) for their campus area. LOD - Lower; MOD - Middle; CQ (Charge of Quarters) - Upper. This duty is rotated among the cabin staff so that each staff member is on duty about once every 7 to 10 days. This person in generally responsible for the safety and control of the campus for a 24 hour period (Reveille one day to Reveille the next).

OD responsibilities begin at Reveille. The OD is responsible for waking campers and counselors and clearing cabins to make sure everyone gets to flag raising. The OD is also responsible for clearing cabins for all activity periods and meal times. In addition, after cabin clean up is complete, the OD inspects all of the cabins in the unit and posts the results (cabin cleanup winners get an ice cream treat!). ODs canvas occasionally during activity periods to insure that campers do not return to the unit. The OD is also responsible for a thorough daily cleaning of the Wayside. The OD distributes mail during Rest Hour and is responsible for collecting letters and postcards home on the appointed days.

Shortly following Taps, all cabins are expected to be quiet and remain so for the evening. Cabin staff remain in their cabins until their boys are settled and check out with the OD before leaving for the evening. After Taps the OD makes several rounds through the campus between 9 and 11 to make sure all is quiet in the cabins. Around 9:30, the OD will start the OD campfire and light the lantern which is to be placed in a visible spot outside their cabin when they go to sleep for the night. The OD stays out at the OD firepit until at least 11:00 and they are sure the campus is quiet.

After a terrific Council Fire, the boys got ready for bed quickly and most cabins got some reading done in their books before Taps. The LOD, MOD and CQ have their fires burning and Agawam has settled in for the night. One wonderful benefit of being COD is the opportunity to walk around camp after dark and enjoy the cry of the loons and the clear night sky (pretty special here at camp where there is very little ambient light), It is a good night to be COD.

Best,

"Mander" Karen Malm

Agawam meals are served family-style and are a great time to get to know boys in every campus as tables are assigned and include boys of differing ages.

Katiaki

Since 1942, Katiaki has been a foundational aspect of Agawam's program. Established by Agawam's 2nd director, Appleton A. Mason, Jr., the impetus behind its establishment was to facilitate opportunities for boys to grow and develop beyond the physical and skill development that is a part of every summer; a way for boys to stretch themselves in ways connected to their character and interpersonal development.

Each week, cabin counselors meet with each boy to assign an individual and personal Katiaki and time is spent during this initial assignment making sure that each boy understands the focus of the goal that is set for him that week. Campers and staff take time to discuss what steps might be taken to work toward the Katiaki and throughout the week, the staff will check in with each boy in the cabin to assess and give feedback on progress. Because of these check-ins throughout the week, each boy should have a very good idea going into Council Fire on Saturday evening whether or not he has put in the effort needed to receive his Katiaki.

The emphasis is always on the effort, as the goals themselves can often be very challenging. If a camper does work hard on his Katiaki, he is honored publicly in the special candlelight ceremony at the end of our weekly Council Fire.

The Katiaki system, and its results, can be the most valuable, rewarding, and memorable aspect of a summer at Agawam and often staff and alumni recall that the Katiakis not received were the most meaningful, memorable and impactful in their camper careers.

Woodcraft Laws

Beauty

Be clean, both yourself and the place you live in.
Understand and respect your body, for it is the temple of the spirit.
Be a friend to all harmless wildlife. Conserve the woods and flowers, and especially be ready to fight wildfire in forest or town.

Truth

Word of honor is sacred.
Play fair; foul play is treachery.
Be reverent; worship the Great Spirit and respect all worship of him by others.

Fortitude

Be Brave. Courage is the noblest of all attainments.
Be silent while your elders are speaking and otherwise show them deference.
Obey. Obedience is the first duty of the Woodcrafter.

Love

Be kind. Do at least one act of unbargaining service each day.
Be helpful. Do your share of the work.
Be joyful. Seek the joy of being alive.

Ag/Wam Updates

The Wams pushed in a run with two outs in the final inning to go to a 1-run deficit.

Lower Middle Baseball

John Heffernan kept the Ags at bay with a stellar pitching performance.
Alex Calder ended the Wams comeback in the 5th inning with a strikeout to clinch the win for the Ags.
Henry Pollack hit an inside-the-park homerun to start up the 5th inning rally for the Wams.

Score: Ags 22 Wams 0

Upper Middle Soccer

Quinn Hogan scored 6 goals for the Ags.
The Wams almost came back from a 4-1 deficit with goals from Henry Baxter (2) and Oliver Deckey (1) to make it 4-3.
Outstanding performance by George Cavanna.
Final score 6-3 Ags.

Score: Ags 25 Wams 0

Upper Scavenger

Both teams used sheer willpower to bring the biggest rock.
Jacob Tobias recreated a National Geographic-style video using a wooden loon.
Both teams swamped a canoe while at Centerfield Rock.
Sparks Embers passionately recited Winston Churchill's "Darkest Hour" speech to all of camp.
Wams won.

Score: Ags 25 Wams 3

Tennis

John Courtnay and Wesley McIlvain played a thrilling 3-set match.
Ags swept Middle Campus and the Wams swept Lower Campus.
It came down to Upper Campus where the Hebert brothers defeated Cole Blacburn and Kyle Muray in an epic 3-set match.
Ag and Wam Captains (Colin Murray and Jules Brown repectively) played to decide the match and Colin won it for the Ags.

Score: Ags 28 Wams 3

Lower Hoops

Ford Christensen and Kayvon Ghazanfari combined for 33 points for the Wams.
Liam Calder put up 22 points to keep the Ags in the game.

Score: Ags 28 Wams 6

Middle Tug o'War

Despite the Ag's best effort the Wams came away with a decisive victory winning all 5 lineups.
The Wam's anchors included Alex Schweitzer, Henry Baxter, Max Moris, Axel Telander Read and August Ames.
The Ag's anchors included Will Markus-Sullivan, Steele Malkin, Quinn Hogan, Trajan Bea and Tee Miller.

Score: Ags 28 Wams 9

Upper Volleyball

Daniel Lombard had an incredible vertical jump that helped the Ags.
Wesley McIlvain set up the Wams with many well placed lobs for them to spike.
Cole Blackburn used his height to finish many points in favor of the Ags.
Colin Murray inspired his Ags by laying out for many loose balls and keeping everyone clear on the rules.
Jules Brown used his tennis skills to send laser beam serves and was an terrific motivator for his Wams.

Score: Ags 31 Wams 9

Upper Soccer

Oliver Borowski scored 4 goals for the Ags, Harris Roebuck put in 2 goals and Sawyer Wright registered one goal.
Jules Brown and Ryan Heffernan each scored one goal for the Wams.
Colin Murray played heroic defense for the Ags.
Oliver Deckey had an incredible header that nearly went in the goal.
Final score Ags 7 and Wams 2.

Score: Ags 34 Wams 9

Lower Treasure

Cal Conant spotted one of the Ag clues when the team was looking for a clue after guessing the clue for Charlie Katz (Brown)
Spencer Beard spotted a clue for the Wams

Score: Ags 37 Wams 9

Upper Middle Baseball

The Ags started strong with an 8-run inning.
Henry Baxter picked off 2 runners - 1 in the 3rd and one in the 4th.
Quinn Hogan shut down the Wam bats with 4 strikeouts in 2 innings.

Score: Ags 40 Wams 9

Weekly Awards

Following Vespers each Sunday morning, the entire camp gathers in Senior Club Grove to celebrate the week's accomplishments at activities. Some activities like sailing and archery have a formal awards system, but many activities also recognize the enthusiasm, leadership and dedication of the boys.

Archery - The Robinhood Award goes to the camper who is the most dedicated to improving their skill and the camper who is always on the grind to achieve their award. Congratulations to winners George Baird and Aidan Croft.

Archery - The Trick Shot Award was given to Henry Baird.

Arts & Crafts - The Golden Sponge goes to a camper who ALWAYS cleans up after themselves and even after others sometimes. Congratulations to winners Sam Rickards and Randy Brown.

Arts & Crafts - The Mawaga Fine Arts is awarded to someone who is often down at Arts with a good attitude, a willingness to work hard and is always open to new ideas. Congratulations to winners Luke Champoux and Delonte Couyoute.

Baseball- The Platinum goes out to a boy who has been putting his all during the week by putting it all on the line, making awesome and great plays, showing support and uplifting his teammates. Congratulations to winner Harris Roebuck.

Baseball - The Baseball Top Ten is an ongoing tally of the grit factor:

10: Henry Baxter

9: Tee Haskell

8: Trajan Bea

7: Charlie Katz

6: Alex Calder

5: Henry Pollack

4: Everett Roebuck

3: John Heffernan

2: Cole Blackburn

1: Harris Roebuck

Basketball - The Giannis Antetokounmpo Greek Freak of the Week Award goes to the camper who has the best play or overall performance of the week; the boy who really shows exceptional play. Congratulations to winner Alex Calder.

Basketball - The "Doc" Crawley Memorial Hard Hat of Basketball Award goes to the camper each week who is the hardest worker and shows the most ambition to improve on the basketball court. Congratulations to winners Kayvon Ghazanfari and Ford Christensen.

Boathouse - The Clean Sock Award goes to the cabin whose section of the Boathouse has made the most improvement. The goal is to have towels and bathing suits on your own hook and keep the Boathouse tidy. Congratulations to the cabin of Outpost.

Challenge - The Climber of the Week is awarded to the camper who has the most passion and This week's winner was Calvin Conant.

Dramatics - The Golden Conch Award goes to the camper who is the most focused and enthusiastic about Dramatics and has a real drive to learn more about it. Congratulations to winner Oliver York.

Lacrosse - The Salty Award goes to the grittiest lax player of the week. Congratulations to winner Charlie Griffith.

Lawn Games - The Ye Old Hot Hand is awarded to a camper who shows enthusiasm, dedication and a love for lawn games. Congratulations to winner Ollie Borowski.

Music - The Golden Axe goes to the camper who shows a passion for music. Congratulations to winners George Cavanna and Jacob Tobias.

Ranger Trail- The Jed Clampett Award goes to the camper who demonstrates the true nature of the "Ooooo Doggie . . . Double Doggie" enthusiasm and passion for Ranger Trail. Congratulations to winners Alex Schweitzer and Andres de Haro Menendez.

Riflery - The Sharpshooter Award recognizes excellence and achievement in riflery. Congratulations to winners Zayd Poole and Noah Scott.

Riflery - The Rootin' Tootin' Shootin' Award recognizes respect for the activity, helpfulness, hard work and passion. Congratulations to winners Paxton Kuhn and Owen Scott.

Sailing - The Best of the Vest is awarded to the camper who stepped out of his comfort zone and conquered a new skill, showed seeing the joy in a stressful situation. Congratulations to winners Wesley McIlwain and Maxx Hogan.

Small Crafts - The Cow-abunga Award is given to the camper who exudes enthusiasm, commitment and joy for Small Crafts. Congratulations to winner Torin Ryer.

Soccer- The Golden Boot goes to the boy who shows exemplary sportsmanship, enthusiasm, passion, excellence, and strives to get better and wants to help others to do the same . Last week The Golden Boot was awarded to Quinn Hogan. Congratulations to winner George Cavanna.

Sports Training- The Physically Fit Award goes to the boy who engages in sports training with enthusiasm and pushes themselves to succeed in physical activity. Congratulations to winners Liam Calder and Noah Koby.

Swimming- Gup Gup Waddup is awarded to the most spirited swimmer of the week. This boy role models a good attitude and comes to the Waterfront frequently Congratulations to winners Rintaro Ishii and Sawyer Wright.

Swimming- The Golden Goggles go to the camper who shows the most enthusiasm for tennis and embodies the sportsmanship and determination of a true tennis player. Congratulations to winners Orson Hong and Warren Mrowiec.

Tennis - The Golden Ace recognizes a boy's effort and enthusiasm. Congratulations to winner Grover Hogan.

Waiter of the Week- The Waiter of the Week is given to the waiter who displays excellent ability, is prompt, and polite. This is awarded by the Kitchen Krew. Last week's winner was Hasan Sanders and this week's winner is Cole Blackburn.

Windsurfing- The Guy Award is given to the camper who embodies an abundant spirit and love of the activity and works to share that with others. Congratulations to winner Elijah Hayes.

Woodshop - The Golden Hammer recognizes the enthusiasm and work ethic necessary to complete projects, work with others, and cultivate a positive atmosphere. Congratulations to winners Charlie Michaelis and Delonte Couyoute.