Day 7 July 14th

Today was definitely one of the most eventful days at camp. We ran the Perkey Mile, competed in different relay-races, and had a dance party.

The Perkey Mile went very well. Some campers chose to race, and others chose to run at an easy pace. The group of people I ran with decided to practice what we learned at camp, and it was really fun. As for the relays, there were a lot of water balloons involved. We had to run with them in between our knees, toss them to a partner, and we even got to throw them at the campers running with watermelon.

But those weren't the best parts of the day!

Here's where it gets interesting:

Today's dinner started out pretty normally. We gathered our semi-favorite meals on our plates, filled our cups with Gatorade or chocolate milk, and sat down at a table, squishing together so that everyone would be able to fit on the seats. We talked about normal things--food, school, food, you know, the important stuff--and ate our food as happily as we could (you can only enjoy cafeteria food so much).

Eddie, being the pensive person he is, brought up the topic of the "abnormal". Let me explain: here at NAU, there's a cornucopia of odd people. In fact, as my friend David claims, the word "odd" doesn't even begin to describe the people here. There are dancing lawn care-takers, bag-pipers, and band camp kids. They're all pretty unique, to say the least. Anyway, Eddie claimed that you could do anything, (okay, maybe not anything, like stacking men wouldn't catch on very well), and it'd be considered normal here. He decided to demonstrate.

Placing a mustard bottle on the top of his head, Eddie then began to change the world as we know it. He caused a wave in the ocean, so to speak. Billy, Alison, Brandon, David, Catherine, and myself all joined in. Pretty soon, everyone in the cafeteria--even an old couple--began to balance condiment bottles on top of their heads. And it was HILARIOUS. But as quickly as this awesome new movement began, it was shut down at just the same pace. The chef, and even the manager, came out to chide the silly children.

But no fear! The mustard movement shall live on!

Bo Reed campers: changing the world one mustard bottle at a time.

Zoe Urcadez

Shananagens With State Champions

The morning of the 11 began much like any other morning. The sun came up, we got up, stretched and split up into morning groups. My group was assigned hills! Even being my 4th year at camp, I still learned quite a bit about how to run a hill, coming from different leaders. It was FREEZING and raining outside, and somehow our group managed to be the last one home. Great right? To top it all off, what we thought was breakfast time, was really a nutrition lecture where the eating consisted of a bagle and bowl of fruit split among 7 people. The day got better though (we got to finish with a proper breakfast upon the conclusion of the lecture). We went on a beautiful run after lunch and worked on some songs for our animal groups (mine being the Wisdom of Wombats). Our song turned out less than fantastic, but other groups were great! The highlight of the day was the recovery stations. Foam rollers, tennis balls, self massages, and lots of stretching led to a relaxing afternoon.To finish off the night, we did a "speed not-dating" game where we got to know our fellow campers. Lastly, a group of us were hanging out, telling stories and what not in the lobby. One unfortunate camper happened to fall asleep in an armchair and was subjected to our shananagens. First we hoisted the chair in the air and he breifly woke up with a look of terror on his face, but that quickly passed and he was fast asleep once again. Since he seemed to be sleeping just fine, we decided to dream a little bigger. We moved some couches around and hid another camper under the box. A few confusing minutes and taps on the window later, the sleeping camper was awake once again with an odd look on his face. He decided to go to bed after that! It was quite a fun day!





Alison

Day 4 - 8 Day Campers

Today, we got up at 6:30, stretched and in light rain. After breakfast, we did an activity where we tried to take a drawing from one person, explain it to the "communicator" who would then go and tell the "creator" what to make out if toothpicks and Dots. We got some pretty complicated stuff, from bear heads to pick-up trucks and everything in between. After, we did core and ate lunch. After lunch, the 5 Day campers came and we went from having a few kids at the camp to many more. The increase was a little bit of a shock the first day but, speaking from experience last year, within another day we will get used to the numbers. We had an orientation where we split off into groups and got to know each other a little bit. After the lengthy orientation and waiting out lots of rain, we finally got out to run. It was sort of comical to see that many people running down a trail at so many different fitness levels. After the run, we ate dinner and had a lecture in one of the biology classrooms. Then we went on activity #2. The different teams fanned out across the NAU campus looking for things ranging from cool hats to statues to Amendments written on walls. The whole day was amazing but everyone is exhausted so sleep will be very good for all of us.

Flynn

Day 3: running and.... running

Star Log: Day 3, July 9, 2011

A long time ago in a glaxy far far away:

Excuse me for the odd introduction but Alex's 3 Dimensional backpack put me in the mood. Today was quite exciting. Yes, quite. The day started with a rude awakening into reality from the dreams of fluffy unicorns and rainbows to running. Breakfast was decent if you had a tasting handicap. Afterwards we had an amazing debate/discussion/interigation of/with Brian Shrader. His vast knowledges enlightened us as we were falling asleep due to an intense debate between Bo/Brian/Vince which lasted two hours. The one thing I learned to strive for: chugging a thermo in twelve seconds. Thats called success. Anywho, we then did an intense four minute abb workout which, unfortunately, did not consist of starfish or stars. Lunch was tepidly flavorful and not worth mentioning any more than that. We then made an unanimous decision to go to the pool. We tried to be disciplined and do laps but we then balled it up to the extreme and played basketball. After drying off we went to Fort Tuthill and experienced the most amazing work out ever. A 42 minute run with some epic drills and, AND! i found 55 cents.

So that somes up the day, we'll see how Shrek the 4th goes.

Chao,

Nighthawk

a.k.a Brandon Corke

Side trip to grand canyon for camper who came early.....what a view!

Hilarity Ensues

BO REED

(please read this in a terrible english accent, because BO has been using that accent all day)

Today we did a light run at 6:30 with stretching prior. We had breakfast, and then a session about traditions. If your looking for ideas.....have everybody make a team mate one cupcake for their birthday (which means you get all the leftovers) After that we ate again, so at running camp you might gain a few ironically because we have buffet styled meals three times a day. The highlight of the day was when BO's melodic voice guided us through a visualization during which we spread out like eagles and closed our eyes facing the ceiling. He walked us through a race and gave us a spirit animal to visualize ourselves as.....Henry the Heron (from a previous camp joke) In this visualization, we were all winners. BO's super melodic skills actually put a camper to sleep of which we have photo documentation. Dinner followed shortly after, and then a game of cameraface tag. If you don't know this, its the hardest game you will ever play and I suggest you tackle people. Run around in a small space and try to get a picture of as many faces as you can. RIDICULOUS RIGHT?! We are in the evening moments now about to watch Shrek the 4th....yes they did make a fourth one

more tales to come!

-happy runner