We can’t wait to see the memories that are made this year. Some of our Maine Camp Experience member camps have already declared the winners of this year’s color war! Some have declared a tie! Some do something different each year to kick things off, and others are still duking it out. And the younger campers really look up to the older ones – they learn from them, they aspire to be them, and it gets them excited for all that comes next. For the elder campers, this is a great leadership experience and provides them with memories that will last forever. Of course there are others – bucket brigade, leap frog, rope burn, scavenger hunts – but what they all have in common is campers working together for a common goal.Īnother really special aspect of a lot of camps’ color wars is having the teams led by the oldest campers, who serve as generals or captains. Events include everything from “sing” – where campers make up songs, set to popular tunes, about their experiences that summer and what it means to them – to more physical events like the Apache Relay, which includes many different events and many campers doing things like running races, swim races, etc. First and foremost, probably, is the sense of unity it creates. There are a few reasons color war is so impactful. But no matter how it’s executed, color war is an integral part of camp, and stirs up deep feelings in both campers and alumni. Some camps go the traditional route, using the same colors every year, while others change it up each time. Some camps’ color war is two teams divided throughout the whole season that are in ongoing competition. I get the chills just reading that! I asked around, and here are some of the general color war traditions you’ll find at our Maine Camp Experience member camps. It can bring laughs and tears. You lose your voice from cheering and you get swept up in the excitement and the teamwork. It is at once exhausting and exhilarating. It brings friendships and friendly competition. It makes campers play hard, fight for their team, and feel alive. It makes campers have pride. It should make everyone feel important and included. At that end, whether win or lose, all camp unites as one and feels the strength having gone through it together.
When I asked our Maine Campcierge TM, Laurie, for her thoughts on this storied tradition, she had this to say:Ĭolor war is something you can feel in your heart and soul. Many of our Maine summer camps are over 100 years old, so at this point generations of campers, and now their children, are experiencing the lifelong memories of color war. Color war, College Days, Jamboree … no matter what your camp calls it color war is one of the richest traditions you’ll find at summer camps across Maine.
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