The Breakfast Ballad – each morning
This is something new we’re trying. Got a story to tell in song? Do so from the deck of the messhall during breakfast. Music has been the soul of camp life for 100’s of years. Keep the tradition alive.
Friday Morning- Two Choices
Blueberry picking at Bartlett’s Blueberry Farm in Newport, NH. Now this might not sound like a lot of fun but the fun is in what the kitchen staff can do with the fresh blueberries. They have already offered some ideas. Blueberry pancakes come to mind…for one.
Windmill farm visit. We have the access to the windmill farm thanks to another member of the Bartlett family who is a neighbor of Camp Kirkham.
Friday Afternoon- Tracking: Relearning an Ancient Art
Returning this year will be Nick and Valerie Wisniewski of Walnut Hill Tracking and Nature Center to provide their outstanding program. Their organization has been providing a wide range of very interesting outdoor programs for over 20 years in Connecticut, Vermont, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. They will conduct their program in two session on Friday afternoon.
The program is described: “Learning to understand how the forest “speaks” can help you to enjoy a greater intimacy with nature. Unraveling the clues that animals leave behind can enhance your enjoyment of the out-of-doors, and lead to an appreciation of the enormous beauty and complexity of the web of life of which we are part.”
It will be worth your while to take in this program. It’s excellent.
Friday Evening- Music
Second Evening Program. We will gather at some point in the mess hall for an evening of camp music. This is often the highlight of the weekend. We got some awesome musicians as alumni or who were staff members with sons in the troop. Music has played an important role in camp life through the centuries.
Saturday Morning Hike – Mt. Cardigan
Saturday morning there will be a hike to the summit of Mt. Cardigan for anyone who is interested. The hike will leave camp at some point after breakfast and will return at approximately 3:00pm. We’ll figure out a lunch of some sort. Meanwhile enjoy the panoramic views of central New England from the summit.
Saturday Morning Canoe Trip – Canoeing and Fishing the Connecticut River
We will be using the same outfitter as we did in 2016. According to their website they will cleanup after the recent flooding and be back in business before STP.
If the idea of sitting in a canoe with a steady current going in your direction and a stiff wind at your back is more appealing than hiking then this may be for you. Bring your fishing pole as there is some good smallmouth bass fishing along this stretch of river.
We will book a 10:00am trip which means we need to depart Camp Kirkham at 8:30am. The cost will be $65 per person for the 4 hour trip which won’t take us 3 hours to complete. There is a Harpoon Brewing facility across the streeet from this location for lunch and refreshments.
Music – The Best Troop 25 Has To Offer
Music is the soul of camp. It has always been a very important part of camp life. Over the years we’ve had many talented musicians in the troop. For those of you who are musicians we welcome you back to camp and look forward to hearing you play once again. On Thursday and Friday nights we will have informal campfires around which you can play. On Saturday night we hold the Grand Campfire. It’s your show.
The Dumbell Club
Yes there is a dumbell at camp but we have never gotten beyond the talking stage in our attempts to resurrect this old tradition of the Troop 25 subculture. But, boy, it’s sure fun just talking about it. Maybe if we get the critical mass to push this through then it will happen.
Camp Kirkham Poker Tournament
Card playing, poker in particular, is another fixture of camp life. The Camp Kirkham Poker Tournament will pit the best players from over 50 age groups against one another. Who is the best summer camp card player of all time? We’ll find out at Smell the Pines.
Volunteers for KP and other “details”
Volunteers for KP and other “details” will be greatly appreciated. In the event that they are not forthcoming volunteers will be selected from the list of those who DID NOT register in advance for Smell the Pines. You’ve been told.
Canteen – Always Open – No Limits
You want a soda? You got it. Anytime you want. Want two? You got it. Want a couple of candy bars? You can have as many as you want. The Camp Kirkham canteen will be open all the time with no limits. This policy is in effect only for Smell the Pines and is by special consideration of the Scoutmaster.