Things have settled into a routine, so I have some time to send you the first e-mail newsletter of the summer. The weather, which was marginal during the first week, is now fantastic with moderate daytime temperatures and cool nights. Great sleeping.
There are 155 boys in residence and 88 counselors. The staff is larger this summer because we added more ropes course instructors and trips counselors to meet the demands in these popular areas.

WHALE WATCHING AND BIKING TRIPS ARE NOW MORE POPULAR THAN EVER!

Trips are in full swing. The "Rock Dawgs," a climbing and rappelling group, went out for two trips to Shohola Falls and an advanced climbing trip to Shickshinny (great name). The white water rafters were on the upper Hudson River and the report was it was "awesome."
The first whale watch trip leaves Monday heading for Cape Cod. In the past these trips have been incredible because of the number of whales they have seen. Hope our luck holds.
Six canoeists are in Canada for the most demanding trip we do. It is a truly wilderness experience with much more contact with wildlife than other people.
Also the bikers have been out several times for day trips and most recently for three days. More about other trips in the next issue.

SHOHOLA TEAM WINS INTERCAMP SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT!

Sports teams have been very busy and the 13-and-Under team won the first softball tournament of the season, defeating Lake Greeley Camp in the firstgame and Lake Owego Camp, on their field, in the championship game. Coach Mike Bomze said the campers played amazingly well and defeated Lake Greeley 20 to 0. In the first game, everyone hit very well and Eric Adelman pitched a shutout. The second game was a lot closer and turned into a defensive struggle. Eric Adelman once again pitched a shut out and Justin Cohan-Shapiro got the only RBI of the game. The other players were Keith Nevitt, Daniel Brill, Matt Mirsky, Jon Gottfried, Ryan Foy, Aaron Segal, Eli Edwards, Ari Chernikoff, Jeff Sadri, Joe Galvin, Jared Richards, and Mike Eubank. Mike says it is a very strong team and they are all looking forward to other games.

THE FIRST JULY 4TH OF THE NEW MILLENNIUM

The Fourth of July was a big success with late wake-up, always popular. Dave Love started our day by playing Jimi Hendrix's Woodstock version of the National Anthem on his guitar. As the flag was raised, The Star Spangled Banner was sung!
The morning was spent at regular activities with the afternoon turned over to capture the flag, a great all-camp game where everyone can get wet and dirty and run around a lot. The score was close and decided by a tiebreaker last game.
The evening meal was the traditional chicken barbecue with all the trimmings followed by late evening ice cream cones just before fireworks over the Lake. The consensus was the display was the best of past summers.

WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING AT CAMP DURING THE FIRST MONTH OF THE SUMMER 2000?

Cabin 1 reports it has named itself "The Rock." While other cabins have stairs, the entrance to Cabin one is a rock. The group has decided that: "if we work together, we can be as strong as a rock."

Dave Love's electronics classes have been working on a newly designed program. One upper camp class and one lower camp class is building a motor while another upper camp class is designing their own project kits.
The 15 and under roller hockey team defeated Camp Owego. Going into the last period Patrick Mooney scored on a rebound after a shot by Spencer Allen. The game ended in a tie, followed by a non-scoring sudden death and Shohola won in a shoot-out with a goal by Mike Eubank. The 13 and under roller hockey team beat Camp Owego 5 to 2. Patrick Mooney scored a hat trick and Aaron Segal and Mike Eubank scored a goal each.

The wood carvers are well on there way to creating another wonderful totem pole. It is already taking an identifiable shape and promises to be as spectacular as last summer's masterpiece.

Shohola 15 and under basketball team beat camp Owego 40 to 36 in a great, close game. George Ash grabbed a critical rebound and Daniel Bromwich made some very important three-point shots. Jae Yu made some clutch free throws and Joe Sharkey lead Shohola players with fourteen points. Steve Mirsky also played a great game before fouling out in the forth quarter.

As I am writing this about 90% of the camp has gone to the Red Barons baseball game in Scranton. As is the usual custom many of you should have gotten collect calls from your sons. They will get home late and we will have a sleep in tomorrow morning.