08/14/2017
Here is an amazing recap from our own Alumni Andrew "Brimma" Bramson from Day 6 (it's seven days this year, cause why not?) of Color War:
Color War Day 6
Posted by Andy Bramson
Summer 2017
Posted by Andrew Bramson (Avoda alumnus 1983-1992)
At the Camp Avoda Alumni Weekend in late June, I won what I considered to be the best silent auction item of all time – the opportunity to be an honorary Pink Flamingo for a day (i.e., Camp Avoda Color War judge for the day).
Like so many Avodians, I consider myself to be a Color War fanatic. Research has shown that the hippocampus is the part of our brain where we store lasting memories. My hippocampus contains terabytes of information about Color War, with data organized into categories such as traditions, rosters, songs, and controversies. There are dozens of other people out there just like me, and it’s a wonderful thing.
On Saturday morning, I pulled my 44-year-old body into camp ready to experience the day that I had been waiting for all summer. I was full of emotion, fueled in part by the fact that I would be seeing my 9-year-old son, who is still in search of his first Color War victory after a tough 0-2 start. He’s on the Blue Wizards, as best referenced by the hastily written postcard I received two days earlier that read, “Dear Mom and Dad, It’s Color War. I’m on the Blue Wizards. Love, Jonah.” A postcard like this is a true keepsake for me.
Going into the final weekend of Color War, I soon learned there was a strong consensus that the Blue Wizards held the lead over the White Royals. The question was: By how much? The Saturday slate had hundreds of points up for grabs, and the reality was clear. White had to make their move today – or tomorrow might just be a formality. And, as typically happens at Avoda, the team that was down responded, setting up what should be an exciting finish on Sunday.
The Saturday morning schedule had three different events happening on the field at the same time. This was the only time during Color War that such a phenomenon occurred, and it created great energy (as well as the strategic use of dozens of mini cones). Going from left to right across your screen (flagpole to shower house), there was Freshmen Man in the Middle (what used to be called Chubba in the 1980s), Sophomore Soccer, and Junior Football. Within shouting distance from the field, there was also Senior Volleyball A. The rosters in each of the games favored White, and the results played out as such. DJ Vetstein and Ryan Jacoby continued their domination of the Freshmen division as the White Royals cruised to victory in Man in the Middle (10-5). An even greater level of domination occurred in Junior Football as Michael Schindman Jr. and James Schiff-Denota were “men among boys” for White, resulting in a 27-0 victory on the gridiron. The White Royals seniors also took volleyball, which set the stage for a morning sweep and a major momentum swing.
All eyes were now on Sophomore Soccer, where the smaller-than-normal field most certainly came into play. White was up 2-0 and seemed in control, until the Blue Wizards turned it up a notch. Matt Brayer scored a pair of goals to tie the game and then Ethan Haas broke the stalemate with less than two minutes to go to steal the game for Blue.
It was still a great morning for the White Royals, but you could sense a tad of disappointment on the White team’s faces. They knew they needed a sweep and had come painfully close to making it a reality.
After a delicious Saturday lunch in the grove and an abbreviated rest period (which provided me with an opportunity for a much-needed power nap on my son’s bed), the teams were back on the field for Flag Rush. This is about as high stakes as you get in Color War. The entire camp plays at one time and the winning team gets 100 points and a guaranteed run to second base, one of the more revered places at Avoda for celebratory traditions.
There is a ton of strategy involved in Color War Flag Rush, and much of it involves waiting for the other team to make its move. As such, the event often doesn’t live up to the hype. But believe me, no one will ever say that about the 2017 edition. The first 20 minutes of this Flag Rush were just incredible. As soon as the horn sounded, the Blue Wizards went for flags like a bunch of caged animals out of their cages. Who can remember so much action that a team needed three free jail breaks in the first 18 minutes? Not me, and that’s the kind of thing I would definitely know. White withstood the early onslaught and countered strategically. When the first half was over, White held a slim 2-1 lead, thanks to flags scored by Simon Bazelon and Asher Kranowitz.
The short halftime allowed each team’s generals to consult with their colleagues at West Point and the Naval War College to determine how to best approach the second half. Blue needed a flag, and White knew it. For the first 25 minutes of the second half, the field was relatively quiet with a few rushes but nowhere near the intensity of the first half. Blue knew that scoring one or two flags in the final minutes might be their best strategy. And with two minutes to go, Blue plotted their move. Waves of action permeated the field as throngs of Blue shirts attacked, but White protected their flags and provided enough counterattacks that Blue was forced to play a bit of defense when what they really needed was offense. Despite the fury, no flags were scored, and White held on for the victory.
As it often does on a cloudy day in Middleboro, the sun came out at 5 o’clock. Following the Flag Rush, campers had time to shower and relax and prepare for Camp Avoda’s best attempt at Broadway, the Color War Plays.
The sheer fact that each Color War team produces a 40-minute play in which campers have only five days to learn their lines, songs, and choreography is nothing short of spectacular. While I don’t think that Avoda will be producing the next Lin-Manuel Miranda anytime soon, the plays were really great.
Historically, the Color War plays contain original songs with funny lyrics that use both new and old tunes as covers. This is how campers learn the classics, and it’s how I learned songs by Led Zeppelin, the Grateful Dead, and Cream back in the day. Ironically, both teams this year featured the 1972 Looking Glass classic “Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl),” which I have been listening to on a loop as I write this post.
As is typical, both Color War plays had somewhat difficult-to-follow plots that centered on things that happened at camp over the summer. There were inside jokes that had counselors doubled over in laughter. Younger campers, like my son, would laugh along even though they had absolutely no idea what they were laughing about. More importantly, younger Avodians sat there dreaming of the days when they will be counselors at Avoda and old enough to have campers impersonate them on stage.
Daniel Rashes from the White Royals gave the standout performance of the night. Also for white – Jacob Winn, Jake Rosken, and Simon Bazelon starred on stage. For Blue, Ben Jacoby, Theo Knopf, and David Satloff made lasting impressions. We cannot disclose the winner of this competition quite yet, but it was close! All in all, White had a successful day of the campaign.
So now it’s on to the final day of Color War. In American culture, there are several huge events that are synonymous with Sunday. Super Bowl Sunday and Sunday at Augusta are the first that come to mind. But for me, I’ll take Color War Sunday at Camp Avoda over any and all of them.
Indeed, “Avoda, you’re a fine camp (such a fine camp).”
Go White Royals!
Go Blue Wizards!
Go Pink Flamingos!
Go Avoda!
