Fridays with Franky: Never Have I Ever (Now I Have!)
Hi there, Franky the Camp Dog here! When the campers arrive at WeHaKee every session there are a lot of ways we can get to know them. They all come with stories and experiences to share. Since this is camp, we often like to throw in a little game to get acquainted with everyone. One of these games is “Never Have I Ever,” which requires the girls to gather in a circle with one person in the middle. The person in the middle will say “Never have I ever [blank],” filling in the blank with something they have never done. Those in the circle who have will say, “I have!” and leave their spot to switch with someone else. The person left without a spot takes the middle and it all starts from there again!
When we first play this game, it’s exciting to hear things like “Never have I ever cooked over a fire” or “Never have I ever paddled a kayak,” because I know that will soon change as the camper has the opportunity to experience those things at WeHaKee! Here are 5 more things a camper will need to skip over in “Never Have I Ever” after their experience at WeHaKee:
1. Never Have I Ever… played an aerial version of 4-square.
The ever popular 9-square in the air has campers lining up at Valley time to play. Just like 4-square, players must keep the ball from going out if it comes it their square. Except in this version, the square is over your head, and many more people can play at once.
2. Never Have I Ever… sang so much in my life!
Before meals, after meals, around fires, in WeHaKee singers, at Mass, evening prayer, and more! There is no shortage of singing here at WeHaKee—for seasoned voices and those less practiced voices alike. This summer in particular we have learned some new songs brought to us by campers in their first year. Even the returning campers can say “Never have I ever sung that song… until now!”
3. Never Have I Ever… had so many sleepovers in a row!
Cabin life is like one big sleepover for 2 weeks. It can be pretty fun to have 7 others girls your own age to bunk with, but there are also some learning opportunities. How to share space, keep your things neat and clean, and how to play and reflect together as a group—these are all things you can learn as a camper in a cabin full of friends!
4. Never Have I Ever… made a friend from a different country
Our flagpole is often full! Campers and counselors travel from all over the world to be here at WeHaKee, and there are so many things to learn from each other. I’ve heard girls learning a couple words in a new language, or working hard to learn another’s national anthem.
5. Never Have I Ever… had a “bungee cord” tied to my heart.
At our closing fire, we read a poem written by a WeHaKee camper years ago. It explains that there are metaphorical bungee cords attached to the hearts of all who experience WeHaKee and that those cords are hooked to the top of the tallest trees at camp. We all feel tugs back to camp and to the friends that we make there. Some of the campers say that other than being at home, WeHaKee is the place that they feel drawn to again and again. It’s that unique camp experience and the relationships built here that make that “bungee cord” feeling that they’ve never felt before.
It warms my heart to think of the girls going home with so many new experiences under their belts and new friends made. It may make “Never Have I Ever” harder to play, but I don’t think the campers mind too much.
See you at camp!
