By Eric Tucker

In fall 2006, after tabulating more than 1,500 camper evaluations, we discovered that Flagpole, a long-standing camp tradition, was described by the majority of campers as boring, hot, pointless and disruptive to the camp day. Wow! We had been using it since 1901.   

Flagpole was really simple--three times a day, everyone would meet in the sports field, form a half-circle around the American flag, sing songs, and make announcements. The morning Flagpole included raising the flag and reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, while the evening concluded with lowering the flag. 



To address the issue, we started making a few changes. In the summer of 2007, we eliminated the noon Flagpole. In 2008, we moved everyone to a more shaded location, built a small stage, and gathered campers in a circle. The needle was beginning to move in the right direction, but we realized that something major had to be done; Flagpole was too important in bringing the entire camp community together.