What is Color War?

For many of us, Color War represents the pinnacle of the summer camp season. It is the single most anticipated event of the summer. Color War kicks off with a huge surprise celebration that we call the “break”. It can happen any day of the summer, at any time. It is the most closely guarded secret in camp. You will know the time has come when something out of the ordinary happens, like parachuters dropping in from the sky above, a pirate ship battle on the lake, a helicopter landing in camp, a fifteen-foot T-Rex appearing out of nowhere, or counselors competing in pudding wrestling.

Once it does break, the official theme, along with team names, as well as the names of our team leaders, are immediately announced. It is an honor to be chosen as a Color War General and to lead half the camp. The honor is typically given to staff who have been at camp for the longest period. At this point, each bunk is placed on one of two teams, Green or White, and given our official team bandanas or other SWAG, which we proudly wear throughout the following four days as we battle for supremacy of the camp! After the break, the campers are always excited.

The competition takes place in just about every one of our sixty-six acres, at just about every one of our activities. The contests are a mix of the usual activities and some unique ones based on the theme. This is the time when the program staff gets most creative. Daily score updates are given throughout each day. As we play in games and contests all week, we stress two very important factors: fair play and teamwork, and we downplay excessive competition. At Tall Pines, we consider Color War a time to bring our campers together, teaching them how to work together as a team to achieve a common goal. There is even a charitable component whereby campers compete to see which team can bring in the most pennies throughout the course of the week. All proceeds are donated to the charity of choice for that summer.

At the end of each day of competition, each separate division participates in a camp-wide relay. Every camper has a part in the race, which covers a large portion of the campus. Each team has a runner who carries a colored flag representing their team. As the race progresses from activity to activity, the campers can see which team is in the lead. When the final activity of the race is done, the runner with their flag speeds to the fire pits. This is where it gets a little more exciting!

As soon as the flags arrive at the fire pit, counselors from the Green and White teams begin to build two separate fires. The purpose of the fire is to burn through three progressively thicker ropes that hover above the flames. While the counselors build, an entire division of campers and staff surround the fire pits, cheering and encouraging the hardworking fire-builders. When the final rope splits and falls to the flames, the crowd goes wild!

On the last day of competition, the campers and staff arrive in the Assembly Area. The judges tally the final score, and within minutes, the announcement we have all been waiting for: “The winner of Color War is…” The confetti flies into the air, the teams congratulate each other on a job well done, and the victors’ flag flies high at assembly. At the end, the staff help campers re-form as one, big, happy camp.

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