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As summer winds down, there are a few traditions that help mark the meaningful moments we’ve shared. One of the most beloved at Boys Camp is the Fifth-Year Banquet. Held during the final days of the session, it’s a night dedicated to honoring campers who’ve spent five or even 10 summers at Miniwanca. It’s a celebration of loyalty, growth, and the friendships that keep them coming back year after year.

The Dining Hall gets a full transformation: streamers, flickering (fake) candles, and some chill music set the mood. Tables are arranged by Quads — Breakers, Creeks, Sands, and Beaches — and our fifth-year campers sit together at head tables, joined by a staff member of their choice. That staff member writes the camper a letter and brings a bundle of their favorite snacks, a quiet, personal gesture that always means a lot.

Dinner is built around the campers’ favorite foods, turned into something fun and special by our kitchen team. It’s always a hit.

Then there’s the Wheel of Destiny, a Miniwanca classic. Campers spin for surprises like silly staff performances, Quad points, or the rare honor of becoming Boys Camp Director… for 10 whole seconds. It’s goofy, it’s joyful, and it’s full of the kind of spirit that makes Boys Camp a unique place.

More than anything, the Fifth-Year Banquet is a reminder of how important it is to celebrate each other. These campers have shaped this community in real ways. Their presence, their growth, and their leadership matter, and this night is all about lifting that up and saying, simply, “We’re glad you’re here.”