Sunday evening discovers common ground at Sprucelands.

Common Ground is a very popular mixer at Sprucelands.

The Toy Story theme emerged in Sunday evening's program. Counselors first engaged everyone in a game called Common Ground. It is flat-out one of the favorites of Sprucelands. 

Common Ground is a game that got started here last year. Campers and staff stand in a circle with their foot on a piece of paper. There is one less paper however than there are players. One player is in the center of the circle, saying "You have common ground with me if....." And of course, whatever follows 'if' can be far out, very realistic, and downright silly.

"You have common ground with me if you live in Pennsylvania." 

"You have common ground with me if you have red hair."

"You have common ground with me if you have four dogs and three cats."

"You have common ground with me if you peel the cheese off the top of your pizza."

"You have common ground with me if you have annoying little brother."

Interesting are the sentence completions that evolve. Before you know it, the kids let down the walls that protect them and genuine interactions rule. There is lots of laughter and at the end of the game, I truly believe the entire group looks like they've known each other forever.

That's the famous Claw in the middle!

After Common Ground, the Counselors asked everyone to sit on the lawn. In fact, Counselors surprised campers by donning an alien look, true to Toy Story. In the middle of 'the aliens' (you have to see the movie to understand), there stands THE CLAW. Now The Claw is that metal arm that you see in a machine that reaches into a pile of toys and pulls one out, shoving it down a slot to some child who purchases whatever toy they get from The Claw. Often you'll see one of these novel machines in the lobby of a grocery store.

Anyway, The Claw gathered groups of campers and made them into four teams. One team was named Andy's Room. I can't recall the other three. They are rather creative representations of scenes in the movie. Those teams function together across these next two weeks, having the kind of fun in evening programs that makes camp memorable and special. 

Each group then gathered together on the tennis courts to decorate a star that was given to them, symbolic of their designated team. Even Lily - my border collie mix - got in on the act. She positively loves it with the kids here, often bringing her wet self into the action after she has gone swimming in the lake.

So Sunday evening helped us all unwind and gear up at the same time. About a half hour later, I saw a bunch of tired kids straggling up to their cabins amid chatter, smiles and hugs. As I watched them share good night hugs, I knew in my heart they were off to a good start and I wanted to share that with you. 

Comments welcome always.