What is Color War?

Most campers and counselors agree that Color War is, without a doubt, the best part of the overall Pontiac experience. Camp Pontiac’s Color War, occurring each summer towards the end of camp, splits campers and counselors into two teams who compete in both athletic and non-athletic activities. Each team - red and white - takes a tremendous amount of pride in its themes, costumes, banners, and everpresent cheering for five whole days! The events that lead to the conclusion of Camp Pontiac’s Color War, culminating with the traditional Sing competition, provide an incredibly exciting experience where campers utilize the skills they have learned during the summer. As the climax of the Camp Pontiac summer experience, the Color War atmosphere highlights spirit, sportsmanship, friendship and camaraderie.

Color War traditions include:

- Costumes
- Themes
- Plaques
- Girls Super/CIT flag football game
- Boys Super/CIT basketball game
- Chopped
- The "Pour"
- Hatchet Hunt
- Rope Burn
- Apache Relays
- Sing

KEY ASPECTS OF COLOR WAR

Click the key aspects below to learn more about some all-camp events that go on during Color War!

BREAK OUT

BREAK OUT

Color War “Break Out” is one of the most anticipated moments in camp. Although everyone competes in Color War, the themes and team members are kept hidden until the Break Out! The Break Out consists of an elaborate staged event, such as ships coming across the lake with fireworks, a spaceship landing, or a hot-air balloon coming to camp. These creative events are where the generals of each team are announced. This leads to the most exciting part–the Color War packets! In keeping with the theme, the Color War packets are thrown which contain everyone’s name and team. Watch out for Fake Outs!

HATCHET HUNT

Before Color War starts each year, the famous Camp Pontiac wooden hatchet is hidden somewhere on the grounds. After Color War begins, the first clue is posted. At designated times during the day, the Hatchet Team from Red and White can search for the hatchet. Finding the hatchet for your team means BIG points and can be the difference between winning and losing Color War! When the hatchet is found, it must be presented at the next meal to cheers and chants from your team.

APACHE RELAYS

APACHE RELAYS

Everyone on camp is involved in the Apache Relay. Every red team member and every white team member competes in a camp-wide relay that incorporates everything from basket-making to bed-making. The race culminates in the Glory Run! To start, each team (girls followed by boys) set their teammates up around camp at various stations. Then, the starting whistle blows and live commentary is given over the loudspeaker. The Apache Relays are high energy and have often decided who wins Color War!

ROPE BURN

ROPE BURN

Rope Burn includes everyone on camp as they gather ‘round to watch this epic competition. For three days, the Rope Burn teams collect wood from their designated collection sites. The wood is transferred to the Rope Burn sites and placed a designated distance away from the ropes. Each rope is strung twelve feet in the air between two poles. No tools are allowed and both teams get one book of matches and three sheets of newspaper to start a fire. On the starting whistle, the teams build their fires and the winner is the first team to burn through the rope!

COLOR WAR PLAQUES

What is Color War?

BREAK OUT

BREAK OUT

HATCHET HUNT

HATCHET HUNT

APACHE RELAYS

APACHE RELAYS

ROPE BURN

ROPE BURN

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