CREW AT MOWGLIS
Perhaps the most special, and certainly one of the most unique parts of the Mowglis program is Crew. Beginning early in the summer, boys are pulled from their activities to begin to learn to row. Over the course of the summer, experience is gained, and boats are established.
Week 6 is Crew Week, during which the camp is divided into the Red and the Blue Crew and a week of training, pageantry, teamwork, and energy concludes with Crew Day Races in front of parents and Alumni. Older boys race for speed and their place in Mowglis history, while younger boys race for form and teamwork.
The sport
Crew inherently has great value in fostering teamwork, confidence, and character. Initially boys learn a new skill. They learn how to push themselves mentally and physically. They also feel the energy and joy of rowing down the lake in the fading sun. Far more lasting however, are the lessons in confidence, teamwork, and sportsmanship that are engendered by crew. Mowglis history is filled with tales of under-dog crews out-rowing a heavily favored crew, only because the teamwork and unity of the lesser crew gave it greater ability than the physically stronger but fragmented crew they were racing against. Just as important to the experience of unity in competition, is the unity and sportsmanship that is prevalent between the two crews all through Crew Week and on Race Day. Behaving gracefully both in victory and defeat is truly the Mowglis way.
Crew boats at Mowglis are custom built and differ from a traditional shell. They seat 6 oarsmen, with a stationary seat, and are much wider and deeper than a shell. This allows for a stable boat that all boys of any age or skill level can feel comfortable in.
Mowglis Crew
My experience of crew at Mowglis has been a great one. I have had both the good fortune to be on the Racing Crew three times, and the even better fortune to experience all the possible outcomes of that race. In 1998, I was on the Blue Racing Crew that made the first tie since 1979. It was great to be a part of something that hadn't happened for 19 years. In 1999, I learned the true power of timing. Our crew was weaker in strength and expected to lose. But our staying in time allowed us not only to win, but to come within three seconds of the Mowglis record. In this year, 2000, I learned the agony of defeat. I had imagined what it would be like to lose from seeing how other people acted, but you have to experience it for yourself to understand. I think that I have gained more from the loss than any victory.
— Howard Kellogg, Den 2000
Racing Crew
"Gentleman, are you ready? ROW!" Half, half, three quarter, full. We took off with our start. Red and Blue neck and neck, everyone's heart racing. Only in the back of your mind can you hear the coxswain screaming. Your whole body concentrated on pulling the oar through the water. At Lone Wolf Island, we're tired. We all keep going, striving to win. It's time for the final sprint. We have to put every last bit of strength into this. So close...."Red Wins". We lost, it hurt, deep down, it hurt. We all held our heads up high to the very end. Mr. Platt: "You didn't lose, they won." I know I am speaking for the whole Blue Racing Crew when I say; we left a piece of us with that boat today, a big one.
— James Hart, Den 2000
