This summer sixty five campers participated in the Ranger program, the off camp tripping program offered at our overnight camps. Over the course of six trips this year Matolly and Ocky combined to cover close to 132 miles on the Delaware River and 96 miles on the Appalachian Trail.
While many times the focus at camp is on building a community through activities that emphasize our core values, the Ranger program is tasked with taking that community off of camp into an unknown wilderness. Throughout the summer the Rangers tackled scorching hot weather and plenty of rain while traversing their way through the rivers and trails that make up their seven day journey.
I had the pleasure of joining the Ockanickon Rangers for the last hike through the Appalachian trail this journey and rekindling my own love of this unique camp program. The true test of the program is to create a feeling of community with young men that experience fatigue, hunger, and pain. When sharing the load with your fellow man and accomplishing a goal together, a true sense of community is formed.
Congratulations to every single Ranger this summer! Well done.