Dawn cracks like a sharp whip over the serene cabins of Lindley G. Cook 4-H Camp.
The wake-up bell tolls ten times from high atop its perch on the dining hall porch.
Some campers rise and jog laps around our Rooster Run track.
Some campers meditate on the shore during Golden Eagle Yoga.
Some campers beg for (and are granted) just 20 more minutes of sleep.
But some campers, some campers, trudge over forlorn flagstones, a wooden bridge, and a lake side trail until they reach their misty early morning destination.
They do not run. They do not stretch. They do not sleep.
They swim.
They are the few, the proud, the Polar Bears.
In return for their daily dedication they receive pride in themselves, the respect of the camp, the joy of a virtually deserted Lake Shawanni, and one hastily made certificate.
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| Shawanni awaits her Polar Bears. |
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| Golden Eagle Yoga watches in awe. |
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| The slide is prepared. |
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| The ascent begins. |
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| I believe "wheeeeeee" is the correct term. |
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| Adventure awaits! |
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| It is now worth noting... |
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| That it's the early morning air that is polar frigid... |
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| And the lake itself is in fact pleasantly warm. |
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| Really seems like it should be called "Polar Bear Jump" at this point. |
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| I'd like to remind everyone...this is taking place at 7:10 am. |
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| Worth getting out of bed for. |
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| Polar Friends |
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| LewyLewy guards in style. |
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| LewyLewy likes Polar Bear. It's okay LewyLewy, we all like Polar Bear. Most of us just sleep through it. |
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