The wait is over! Living ten months for two has finally arrived and Summer 2016 is off to an amazing start! The buses rolled through the 18405 gates straight to the cheerleading pavilion, where campers were reunited with their summer family.

Relationships rekindled as the campers sprinted to their assigned bunks where they dropped their bunk junk, to see what the next seven weeks would be all about. First year Varsity slowly walked down the hill, leaving campus behind, ready to take on a new role.

The vibes were great. Everyone around was smiling, laughing, just like they had never left. Bagels and lox were soon forgotten, as our traditional pizza lunch was served to get the day going. The rest of the afternoon was followed with everyone’s favorite type of activity, ICE BREAKERS. The day flashed before our eyes and soon enough, the groups starting walking up the hill to opening campfire.

The Axelrod Site started as a dance party, playing all the hit summer songs that will be on repeat, ready to take on Summer 16. Together for the first time as a family, opening campfire started. After speeches from the leadership team, Steph’s booming voice was heard while he read off each group’s memories from the previous year, as well as his traditional speech, which the returners would not let him recite alone.

The Alma Mater was sung, Hello 16’ was lit, and just like that day 1 out of 51 was done. Living without Snapchat and Instagram, the campers jumped right into camp mode ready to wake up to Reveille to start day two, and an experience of lifetime.