Kickball Game

Wednesday night the staff challenged campers to a rousing kickball game. Even the dogs got in on the act. You can see from our ferocious looking staff that were committed to overwhelming the camper kickers, if only with our sense of humor and team cheer.

Fact is we were in the minority. We faced a far bigger team than ours, and youth was on their side. Besides most of us are horseback riders not athletic genuises or jocks on the playing field.

I wisely stuck to the team photographer role because I would more than likely tumble hilly-nilly if I was running flat out around the bases. And that would be less than a gracious occasion for everyone witnessing the mishap. Besides, I wouldn't want to end up with a sprained ankle. You should see our team limping around camp today!

Laughs rolled out of everyone as Counselors, CITs, and Hill Parents hopped, skipped, jumped, and rolled around the bases.

Of course, lots of campers caught our balls and made a big deal about it. The staff fumbled and grabbed kids to hug; the kids thought we were pretty funny, especially as the dogs chased us across the athletic field.

Jaime took a turn pitching the ball for the camper team. Jaime - our Head Riding Instructor - was a great sport about participating in the fun.

Only problem Jaime encountered was her dog, Flirty. The dog wouldn't leave her side. Flirty wondered what in the world Jaime was doing rolling that ball to the kids and not to her. Well, Flirty tried to help, and then brought sticks for Jaime to throw while she was pitching the ball.

We played until dark. Old fashioned fun. Everyone participated and had a great time. The kind of fun from days of old when I used to gather with friends on the end of a dead end street or in an empty field.

Well when darkness drove us to close, we enjoyed closing circle and then walked off arm in arm, reminiscing about different moments in the game. "Wasn't it funny when...?" or "I laughed so hard when..."

Sigh. These are the days, my friend. These are the days. These are the good times that I'll remember when.