It’s the final day of Tribals (aka Color War) and your team is just 10 points behind the leaders and only 5 points ahead of the other two teams. The summer sun is high above, you’ve got butterflies in your stomach, and your face feels a bit funny because of all the face paint you are wearing.

But, you can’t think about that all right now. You’ve got to focus on the task ahead of you – the Gitch.

You can’t believe this relay will take over 1 hour and lap camp three times. You mind is boggled by the variety of events – cup stacking, bowling, Frisbees, the three legged relays, building a tent, lighting a fire…. The list seems endless!

You are pumped about your task. It’s the one your team leaders picked specifically for you and one that you’ve been practicing off and on for the last 24 hours. All 150 of your teammates have been doing the same thing – preparing for the task given to them by the leaders.

You want to complete your task quickly, successfully, and pass the baton along to your teammate to cheer them on. Then, you want to hustle to the basketball courts for the final event – the half court shot.

The entire camp watching a senior boy attempt a half court shot to end the Gitch? Wow. You remember the guy who made three baskets in four attempts over three summers at camp. Man – that kid is a legend. You hope it’s your team’s turn to erupt in a frenzy of cheering for a win. But, you also remember that it’s important to support the other guys, too.

And, when it’s all over, you can’t wait to head to the beach for the final campfire. You and the team will find out the value of the Gitch which the CITs chose from Cole and sealed with red paint. (You can’t wait to be a CIT and get to do that….)

Then, when the envelope is opened and the final points are tallied, will it be enough to put us over the top? Will we own the Deed to the Land for the next year?

But I can’t think about all that right now. I’ve got to focus on my task. Ah – I love the GITCH!