It has become tradition at CSL that Sunday dinner is an all-camp cookout in the area in front of the Dining Hall. This was not always the case, however. While Sunday nights have always been reserved for cookouts, many years ago they used to take place in villages. This summer, CSL is reaching back into its past and rekindling this old tradition. Over the past few days, cooking areas were assembled around the fire pits in the six respective villages in preparation for a relaxed evening of cookouts.
Each village approached their evening differently.
- The scene in Cayuga was interesting to say the least with many of the boys excitedly eating the barbeque chicken with their hands. After dinner, all the campers and staff went over to the M-Field and exerted a lot of energy before heading off to bed.
- It was a relaxing and structured night in Onondaga. With the help of a few specialists, the cooking process was seamless and the campers and staff all sat around the village peacefully eating their food. This was followed by bunk activities. Unit Head Emily Weinger described the feeling among the camper at the end of the night as “like after Onondaga Day.”
- Under the tutelage of master chef Brian Frank (Waterfront Specialist), Mohawk won the competition for the most finely prepared food of the six villages. Brian directed the staff with intensive focus and detail and while their cooking took quite a while, the campers were delighted with their superior taste of their dinner. The Mohicans capped their evening off with a night of physical exertion in the M-Field.
- Certainly the most exciting village on this evening was Seneca which celebrated the marriage of counselor Amy Cerini and Program Director Ari Baum. The Senecans spent a lot of time preparing dances and poems for the wedding celebration which of course was centered around the beautifully-prepared food.
- After a long 24 mile bike trip during the day, Tuscarora celebrated their evening around Susie’s Place (T-Rec) before gearing up for their raid of the Staff Meeting later that night.
- Oneida continued to utilize their space outside of Cayuga with a relaxing evening around their newly-created fire pit at the heart of their village.
All in all it was an exciting and relaxed evening at CSL. The entire camp community was enthusiastic about bringing back this old tradition. Special thanks to the CSL kitchen staff for working so hard to prepare this unique three course meal for each village!
