Hello, Winaukee families! I’m a 22 year basketball coach here at camp, and this summer, I have the absolute privilege of being the counselor for eight incredible 10-year-old boys down on Junior Row.

Deciding to send your child to camp is a big decision, and I know that as parents, you often wonder what really goes on behind the scenes. Who is looking after your boys? How are they navigating the ups and downs of a camp day? I thought I’d invite you to be a “fly on the wall” for a typical day in Bunk 9 so you can see exactly how we support your sons, build brotherhood, and make sure they are having the summer of their lives on the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee.

7:00 AM: Rise and Shine

The day starts bright and early in Bunk 9 (and often much earlier than 7am which can be tough for me!). Getting eight 10-year-olds up and ready in the morning is an adventure in itself, but the energy is contagious. After we get dressed and tidy up our cabin (which has a million-dollar view of the lake, by the way!), we head to clubs, campus meeting and then to the dining hall. Today’s breakfast was a huge hit: warm pancakes and fresh fruit to fuel up for the morning.

Morning Activities & Coaching

Because I am also a basketball coach, my day looks a little different than a general counselor’s. During the activity periods, I head over to the courts while my Bunk 9 guys head off to their scheduled and choice periods. Every camper is different. A few of my boys are absolute stars on the soccer field and run there every chance they get, while others are drawn to the waterfront and choose sailing or swimming. But the absolute highlight of my day? When my Bunk 9 boys rotate into my basketball periods. Even though they have diverse interests, they all love coming to basketball when they know I’m coaching. Getting to cheer them on, watch them develop their skills, and share those high-fives on the court is something I cherish.

12:30 PM: Lunch and Rest Hour

We reunite as a bunk for lunch, and today the dining hall delivered: quesadillas, a massive taco bar, and rice bowls.

After lunch, we head back to the cabin for Rest Hour. This downtime is crucial, but it’s also when the boys’ emotional needs often surface. Today, one of my boys was feeling a bit homesick and shed a few tears. It happens, and it’s completely normal. I took some time to sit with him, validate his feelings, and talk about the fun things we had planned for the afternoon until he felt grounded again.

During that same Rest Hour, I noticed another boy looking a little left out while the others were playing a game. These social dynamics are the most important part of my job. I brought the boys together for a simple, easy conversation about inclusion. We didn’t make it a heavy lecture, we just talked about our bunk being a family and what the Winaukee core value of community really means. Watching them immediately shuffle the game to include him was a proud counselor moment.

Afternoon Action

After a quick snack of pretzels and apples, the boys were back out into the New Hampshire sunshine. We spend these hours encouraging them to try new things and supporting each other.

6:00 PM: Dinner & Dessert

Dinner is always a loud, racaous affair. Tonight we had pasta, meatballs, steamed veggies, garlic bread, and the salad bar. We danced to some of our favorite songs and cheered for the chef to jump in the lake But the real victory came afterward when they brought out dessert: ice cream sandwiches! It was the perfect sweet treat after a highly active day.

8:15 PM: Winding Down

When we get back to Junior Row, it’s time for “Shower Power Hour.” Managing eight 10-year-olds through showers and teeth-brushing requires a bit of orchestrating, but we have our routine down. Once everyone is in their pajamas and tucked into their beds, the cabin finally gets quiet, around 9pm. Every night, I pull up a chair and read two chapters from a book aloud to them. It’s a wonderful way to help them settle their minds and calm their bodies after a non-stop day. By 9:15 PM, it’s lights out.

10:00 PM: Reflections

Even after lights out, my day isn’t quite over. I stay awake in the bunk as the boys fall asleep, just to make sure everyone feels safe and settled. Once I hear the synchronized breathing of eight sleeping campers, I step out onto our porch. I usually spend a little time out there reading my own book and looking up at the incredible blanket of stars over the lake. I won’t lie to you…being a counselor is a tough, exhausting job. It takes endless patience and energy. But sitting on that porch, listening to the loons on the lake, I just feel overwhelmingly grateful. I head to bed around 10:30 PM, tired but ready and excited to wake up and do it all over again tomorrow.

To the parents reading this: your boys are in great hands. We are so proud to be part of their growth this summer!