June 30, 2012 – 10:30pm
From out of the trees they came screaming; their high-pitched and tortured wailing pierced the dark and silent night. Two figures raced across the battle field, heralding the start of a battle.
Then the Red team, Fire, descended slowly across the field, clad in grass skirts and, with torches raised, made their way to the center of the field and stood ready for battle. Their bodies and faces were painted red like tribal warriors. Their leader chanted in primitive tongue and his tribe knelt down in a circle around him, banging their fists and open palms on the dry Earth, chanting like ancient Aborigines.
This brought out the members of the Blue team, Ice, from the other side of the field. Their faces were painted in white and blue markings and glitter blue lips. Clad in capes and spears with glowing blue neon tips, members of Ice made their way to the center, their shoulders swinging and swaying from left to right, the way apes and primitive man once moved. Their war cries and witchy shrieking could be heard for miles as they stood head to head with the Fire team. The air filled up with smoke which slowly evaporated into the night sky.
Blue Star Campers were screaming wildly from the audience, filled with excitement and anticipation, anxiously waiting to see what would happen next. Under an almost full moon, Fire and Ice stood at the ready for a moment. The quiet before the storm. Then both teams slowly circled around each other, their sticks and fists raised in the air, waiting for the right moment. Suddenly, both teams charged. Fireworks exploded against the dark background of night while Spirit Leaders led chants and cheers with the campers. Then, black out.
This was War.
This was Blue Star Color War, 2012. The battle of Fire and Ice.
This was how Blue Star Campers learned that Color War was underway. After the show, the entire camp gathered in the HeRo to learn what would take place on Sunday. Campers were assigned to a team and went to sleep knowing that when they awoke on Sunday, they would be competing against their opponents.
The next morning, from sun up to sun down, campers participated in numerous challenges. There was archery, tennis, tug-of-war, musical plates, dodge ball, relay races, track and field, kayaking and basketball competitions, just to name a few, and each team pulled together to fight for their team.
Under the hot sun, chants of “Let’s go Blue Team!” and “Go Red!” could be heard all over camp. Campers got into the spirit of the day and dressed in their respective team colors. In addition to wearing red or blue, some decorated their faces and bodies and hair with red or blue paint and glitter. Some Blue team members wrote “Ice Ice Baby” and “Blue Is For You” on their stomachs while Red team members wrote “Burn Baby Burn!” and “Go Red!“ on their arms and foreheads.
Spirit leaders donned flowing capes, with decorations of flames and red glitter for Fire. The Ice team members wore light blue capes with “ICE” on the back.
Evidence of the competition could be seen all over camp, with dueling signs posted side by side. Posters that read “Fire Melts Ice!” and “Is It Hot Outside Or Is It the Red Team?”were hung right next to posters that said “What’s the Color of Blue Star?” and “Ice Scream, You Scream, We All Scream For Blue Team!”
Points from each challenge were turned in and tabulated throughout the day. By Noon, the Red team was in the lead with 12,620 points while Blue trailed behind with 10,850 points.
The sun beat down on the campers as they fought for their team. Of course, keeping the campers safe and hydrated throughout the day were two big priorities. Water stations were set up all around camp and the Juniors even had a water drinking contest. Frozen fruit bars and Popsicles were distributed to the campers making sure no one got dehydrated.
Two of the biggest events of the day were the greasy watermelon competition and the fire building contest.
After a watermelon was coated with vegetable shortening, it was thrown into the lake. Members from each team battled it out, wrestling in the water trying to get hold of the coveted water melon which kept slipping out of the campers hands.
After the last challenge, campers had a chance to eat and rest. Later, as the cool air finally moved in, the entire camp gathered to watch their members of their teams on International Island race to see who could build a fire faster. Campers cheered their team members on with “Build that fire, higher, higher!”
From there, the entire camp gathered in the HeRo for the evening’s closing ceremony which included the songfest, the glitter plaque awards, video awards, and of course the announcement of the winner of Color War. Points were tabulated and counted for one last final time.
Each camp unit performed a song about their Color War experience and how it was now time to reunite Blue and Red and come together again as one camp. “Blue and Red today have worked so long. United we’re a force ultimately strong” sang the Senior Boys Blue Team.
Campers presented their glitter plaques and gave explanations for the meaning behind their designs. Senior Girls and Teen Village plaques symbolized the unification of camp after Color War.
“The numbers 2012 rising from the burning fire illustrates how we must cherish the short time we have left here. Though this summer will eventually fade into a memory, just as the 2012 diminishes into thin air, we will hold onto it for a lifetime.”
“The purple in the heart represents how both red fire and blue ice unite as one team at the end of the day. The heart outlining the logo demonstrates how Blue Star is forever in our hearts.”
Both teams worked hard but in the end, it was the Blue Ice team who won Color War 2012. The Blue team erupted with cries and screams when they heard they were victorious. Immediately after, the campers enjoyed fireworks before heading to bed after a long day.
Color War 2012 was a day of competition. But it was also a day of sportsmanship, teamwork and encouragement. There were high-fives and pats on the backs, handshakes and hugs. “Good job” and “Nice try” could be heard as campers cheered their teammates on. By the end of the night, Blue Star Camps was no longer divided and once again, everyone was reunited in their Forever Home.