Mass Programs have long been a tradition at CSL but this tradition took a quantum leap forward back in 2007 when the two-team format was adopted. Many other camps had always gone with two teams but for whatever reason CSL took longer to move to it. When it did, the nature of camp programming was forever altered.
Many remember the break of that program in 2007 when the entire camp was painted head-to-toe in their team’s color (red or blue). This was immediately followed by a Braveheart-style water balloon war on the M-Field that saw over 3000 balloons launched at one another. It was at that moment that Color War has taken firm grasp over the hearts and minds of the campers and staff. A day and a half later, Red triumphed on the heals of their legendary tell-all plaque to take the first Color War.
The next summer saw this “Red vs Blue” format take another step forward extending the length of the program to two full days for the first time and the break coming through professional bagpipers. The “signature” event of the program was a reverse of what had been seen the year prior with colored water in 3000 water balloons and everyone wearing white shirts. Perhaps the most significant legacy the 2008 Color War left was the extraordinary plaques constructed by the two teams. While Red won the plaque competition, it was Blue that ultimately reigned superior when all was said and done.
In its third year in 2009, the Color War took off…literally. With the brand firmly in tact after two summers, the break came from above in the form of a red and a blue helicopter holding the two Generals from each team. The landing on the beach in front of the Fire Circle wowed camp in a way unseen prior, completely shocking all campers and staff. This served as an incredible springboard for the third Color War which for the first time had an official logo that came on shirts that all campers and staff received. The program had several defining moments with two in particular standing out (in addition to the break of course).
The first “signature” event was right at the start of the program after the break. With all campers and staff dressed in white, each received a pool noodle of their teams color. With tubs of colored paint all over the M-Field, the combatants dipped their noodles and went swinging at the other team, trying to get their color on them. The end result had the M-Field completely drenched with water and paint for a third straight year.
To close out the program, both teams came to the Waterfront where they had the challenge of a relay race using every single boat in camp. Every camper and staff member had to take a trip on a boat until all had traveled and all boats had been used. The program was very close going into this final event – close enough where the winner of the Waterfront Relay would win the program. Blue found a way to win the event and program giving the color two straight wins.
The third Color War was not even completed before the questions started circulating: ‘How could the helicopters be topped? How could the Color War get better?’
