By Bronagh McHugh
Thursday morning began as another normal, beautiful day in Honesdale, PA. We all woke up at normal wake-up time, made our way to breakfast exactly on schedule. A typical day at IHC!
During the first-period activity, there was no indication that today would be anything short of a regular scheduled day, until we heard the booming music in the distance. All of a sudden we heard Mak and Adam programs voices over the speakers, asking for us to follow them as they made their way to Third Hill.
As we made our way up, picking up the hill campers from logs on our way, the excitement was insane. Everyone was buzzing around, sharing theories of what could be waiting for us up on Third Hill.
Finally we got there, as the CITs were already there and ready to see what was coming, there was a huge trampoline in the middle of the field and music blasting from the speakers.
We had be surprised by a show from The Skyriders, a trampoline acrobat group. It was incredible, some amazing tricks and talent was on display. So much fun!
After the group had performed, Lauren, Joel, Matty and Mark took over the mic, as the flag runner sprinted in and announced it was officially Olympic Breakout 2023!!
Our Olympic 2023 Teams are….
Blue Wales and White Switzerland!💙🤍
Breakout marks the official beginning of the Olympics, and as the rest of our campers and counselors got placed on their teams, preparations began for the first official event to begin after lunch.
Our first Olympic event of the year began with the ball hunt, where both teams run around camp, picking up as much trash and misplaced equipment as possible. The collections are split and sorted and points are added to each team for their collections.
Following this was the first official team meeting, where each team finally got the chance to spend time together, organizing themselves for the opening ceremony later this evening. Chants and entrances must be prepared, and behavior must be on point, as the judges are always watching, and points can be added and deducted for anything!
Each team also got a general swim together; there was plenty of sibling races on the inflatables and the rock wall, as well as games of piggy in the middle and water polo enjoyed by everyone!
In the evening we had our official Olympics opening ceremony, both the Blue team and the White team lined up with their CITs and made their way into the flagpole. We also have a special new tradition, The Parade of Nations which allowed our staff to parade their country flag around the flagpole. It was such a special sight to see all of the representation from everyone here at camp together.
The evening ceremony continued with the Olympic torch relay, followed by a word from each teams Grand Marshalls and a beautiful performance of The Star-Spangled Banner from our very own Mak Program!
To finish off the ceremony, both the Blue and White team, and the Judges pledged the Olympic oath, as a commitment to keep in good spirit, and be honest and fair throughout the course of the Olympic games.
And that was our Olympic breakout! Stay tuned for the official Day 1 rundown!
