Back In The Swim of Things: Lake Sherando Day

I can swim like a duck, I’ll be sworn.

(Trinculo, The Tempest, Act 2, scene 2)

After several very productive days of nonstop rehearsals, the campers earned a well-deserved break. Both Antony and Cleopatra and Twelfth Night casts rehearsed across 5 rehearsal blocks in the span of two days. Each cast rehearsed morning and afternoon both days, with one cast adding two hours in the evening each day. Campers totaled a hefty 14 hours working on blocking, movement, and memorization over Monday and Tuesday. What better way to decompress after such hard work than some rest and relaxation at Sherando Lake!

Sherando Lake is located within George Washington and Jefferson National Forests as a recreational swimming and hiking area. Upon arrival, campers were met with a BBQ lunch complete with all the fixings (potato salad, coleslaw, beans, and corn on the cob). They sat together and ate amidst the nature surrounding the pavilion; a distinct change from the playing spaces they’ve become accustomed to so far at camp. I am happy to note that they were extremely aware of the UV and applied sunscreen accordingly.

After lunch, campers dispersed to many different areas of the Lake area. Many traveled down to the beach to swim, read books, and listen to music. The water was the perfect temperature; the top layer almost bathwater warm and the bottom a refreshing cool. A few campers explored more unique locations throughout. Some took a walk around the lake out to the pier, others waded through the shallow creeks. The pavilion which worked as home base was a popular location as well. A mostly shaded area, the pavilion was enjoyed by campers who read books, chatted, and even worked on lines.

Our trip to Sherando Lake was a needed one, and I believe campers used these few hours as a relaxing reset. What’s summer camp without some summer fun? Check back on the blog to see even more summer fun the campers get up to!