The first annual Songer Olympics went off perfectly. Every person on the property came out to participate and/or spectate. The Olympics consisted of three events requiring teams of 3 people. The first event was a relay obstacle course that began with the first participant putting on a lifejacket, helmet and carrying a paddle. They had to run through the middle of a raft then crawl under 4 duckies, jump over one duckie, climb up and over two rafts facing bottom to bottom (slicked up a little with soap and water), then climbing up a right side up boat onto an upside down boat that was really slicked up with soap and water. They then ran to the start line, stripped out of their gear and gave it to the next team member. Hilarious!

The second event was a duckie race across the pond. So your thinking jump into a duckie, grab a paddle and your on your way—oh no! We have to through in a Songer twist. The twist being duckies were tied end to end the length of the pond and participants are asked to run across the top of the duckies, run around the pond and tag their team member to start them on the run. It was surprisingly difficult. One guy fell out of the same duckie three times! I do have to say that I had a good technique that won that event for my team.

The third event was a tug-o-war and for those of you who know our bus driver Paul, he was pulled to the ground and drug across the gravel. He said he found gravel in his pant pockets!

It was a great event that we will continue for many summers to come. The Updog team won gold, a two nights stay in the Cabins on Miller Ridge. Bronze prize was a Gauley River raft trip for 3 and Silver prize was a t’shirt, hat & photo for all 3 team members.

So there has been a Songer tradition for over 20 years of throwing a first year guide in the pond once they have worked their first trip. This year we had 4 guides to finish the training and check out as Songer guides. What makes this so funny is that the pond is only a foot deep and very muddy. Even those doing the throwing get covered in mud!

The Independence Day celebration at Songer this year was on July 7th with a spectacular fireworks show, scavenger hunt and door prizes. This day every year is my favorite day of the summer. Our DJ, Judd, brought his personal paraglider and flew over Songer for a good half hour taking photos from the air! This was the first year we had a dunking booth and Eddie, Jayann and even my mom, Susie, hopped up in the booth to be auctioned. Jayann went for an amazing $125!

Stay tuned to our newsletter to keep up with our event schedule. Lots more to come!

Melanie