I remember fondly during my years in Cayuga watching in awe as the oldest Mohawk bunks inhabited the old basketball courts (adjacent to the tennis courts) for hours on end. Years later I realized that these older boys were not just there for fun, but rather were there for an organized Basketball Marathon. This was a semiannual tradition, taking place every few years but it certainly did not take place while I was in Mohawk (96-98) or any of the several years after.
When I became Mohawk Unit Head in 2005, I knew I wanted to rekindle this tradition. This was despite the fact that I had never really liked basketball much. There was just something gripping about the idea of Mohicans converging on a common space for an entire day and just enjoying one another’s company. So in the second week of July in 2005, the 28 oldest Mohicans were on the courts (the new ones adjacent to the pool as of 1997) from early hour of 8 AM all the way through the darkness of 10 PM. Mind you, many of those campers had no real interest in playing basketball, yet they soaked that day up and that night under the bright lights of the many vehicles brought up to keep the courts illuminated (I distinctly remember my car battery dying as a result).
And so this tradition was reborn.
As we speak, all 34 Mohicans grace that same court, where they began early this morning, embarking on that same journey of doing something together for an entire day. For me, it is particularly special given how the entire Mohawk Staff was a camper in one of those ‘first two’ Marathons back in 2005 and 2006 when I was Unit Head. This tradition is alive and well under the leadership of Unit Head Greg Kreitzer and that sensational staff.
This is now the seventh year in a row of this old/new tradition but with an incredible twist from just an hour ago…that being Kris Joseph of the Syracuse Orange Mens’ Basketball Team (thanks to Associate Program Director Max Krieger’s relationship with that program over the last four years). When the Marathon reaches into the double digit hours of the afternoon under the hot sun, many of the campers hit somewhat of a wall. Let’s just say Joseph re-energized the participants.
They will remain out on those courts until they are dragged off…not for the love of the game, but rather something more substantial. Photos from and other thoughts on this event will be on bunk1 and the Blog shortly.
Have a great day! We certainly are and will continue to. As you see in today’s schedule – four Seneca bunks are on their out-of-camp overnight and are enjoying perfect weather for it. Please continue to send your thoughts and comments to cslprogramming@jccrochester.org.
Special shout out to my mother who is celebrating her birthday today.
Ari Baum
Program Director
