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Activities:
Crew
 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 of 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 built custom
and differ from a traditional shell. They sit 6 rowers, 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
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