Catch The Leprechaun!

Since today is St. Patrick's Day, and everyone is wearing green, or running the risk of being pinched, I thought I would share a story about Camp from back in the day when I worked there. Many of you may not be aware of this, but for one summer, there was a real-life Leprechaun wandering around Camp. Ok, he wasn't really a Leprechaun, but he played the part a couple of times.

A guy by the name of Michael Kelly worked out at Camp for a few summers. Apparently sometime during one of the summers early in the 2000's someone made the comment that Michael looked like a leprechaun. Out of this comment, an amazing idea was born. For 2 days during that summer, once during each 2 week session, Michael became the Leprechaun. The Leprechaun was dressed in all green, just like all other leprechauns, and I believe even had a little leprechaun beard.

At Flag Pole Devo, the campers were told about how special it is to catch a leprechaun, and how for that day there was going to be a leprechaun at Camp. If a camper was able to catch the leprechaun, then he or she would be given free canteen for the rest of the session of Camp. Obviously, the campers were fired up about catching the leprechaun after being promised free canteen. The only rule was that the Leprechaun was safe under any roof. So if he was in the Pavilion, you couldn't catch him. If he was eating in the Mess Hall, you couldn't catch him. But if he was walking on Hoche Ballfield, he was fair game.

These two days were the only times I ever saw Camp in mass chaos. The day would be going along just like any other day, one group would be at Swimming/Crafts, another would be at the Canteen and then the other would be in Group Activity. But then all of a sudden the Leprechaun would be spotted, and every camper would stop what they were doing and give chase for the Leprechaun. And this happened several times each day. It was actually pretty cool to witness. Its a good thing that the Leprechaun was very fast, and very shifty, allowing him to make it under a roof every time, disappointing all of the campers who just knew they could catch him.

During 4th session, the Leprechaun was loose on July 4th, and of course made it all day without being caught. As is done every year on July 4th, all of Camp was gathered together to watch fireworks that night on Hoche Ballfield. Right when the final set of fireworks had gone off, there was a massively loud explosion, and then a spotlight shown out onto Hoche Ballfield. Right there in the spotlight was the Leprechaun. Every single camper was on Hoche Ballfield, and as soon as they saw the Leprechaun, every single camper took off after him. The spotlight turned off and I have no idea what happened after that. All I know, is that at that moment, I was very happy to not be the Leprechaun.

I love thinking about crazy times like this at Camp. Stories like the chasing of the Leprechaun are part of what makes Camp Deer Run such a unique place. I know that everyone who has spent time at Camp has some weird random story that brings a smile to their face, just like the memory of the Leprechaun brings a smile to my face.

Hail, Dear Ol' Deer Run,

Sparky