By Aidan M. (Old Colony Chapter, Quincy, MA)

This is a basic overview of my week at Region 1 LTC.

On Monday, there was... ropes! The ropes course, for me at least, was a big highlight of LTC. The ropes course had everything from swaying boards to tightropes to rope swings! I really enjoyed the physical and mental challenges, and how it brought us together as a team.

On Tuesday, we had an epic dodgeball bananza! With every team competing against each other once, it showed skill in the chapters. The Nekos of Fidelity won two matches. The Knights of Fellowship didn’t win anything, but they were valiant in all their attempts. The Awesome Cabin of DeMolay Chapter won two, and so did 8th Preceptor. This was my favorite sports part! I was able to dodge almost every ball and used teamwork with my members to win some of the close matches.

Next up, Wednesday. This was the first time we socialized with Camp Arrowhead, who were sharing the grounds with us. I liked this because it gave them a chance to have fun even with their disabilities. This was also the day where I got sick from over-hydration.

After that came Thursday. We played our last rounds of kickball and water polo, and my event planning group was able to convince a mock advisory council to support our ritual program! It was a great success in my opinion, because we really put a lot of work into it. This was also the day we had our skits.

Then came Friday. I remember this because this was the day when I was woken up by one of my friends who told me that we were late because one of the advisors didn’t wake us up. Thus, we were accused of purposely sleeping in. Anyway, the activities were slightly restricted because of the rain, but we had fun none the less. We learned more about the Masons, and planned our terms in the MC Skills department. We also took group photos and watched National Treasure.

What I particularly liked about LTC was the skills and experience it gave me. It’s sad to go, especially because of my friends. I’ll see some again, but people gathered from New Hampshire, Connecticut, and even Canada might be harder to connect with. I really hope I’ll be able to see them again. I thought I wouldn’t know my cabin members that well, but now, I know all their names!

One of the best parts was joining the newspaper staff! In my cabin, I was the only person to volunteer myself. But I’m going to be 110% honest. The newspaper staff is one of the best jobs ever. You sit in an air-conditioned room, having fun with your fellow writers, typing segments, and you get to read them the next day in the newspaper! I had so much fun with my fellow writers, so DEFINITELY consider that.

I also had fun with all the classes too, because they showed me how to be a better leader, which is good because I really wanted to be successful and show that I can help my chapter more effectively. The reason I came to LTC was because it was one of the requirements my Chapter has for being Master Councilor. Now, I realize that it was about more than becoming Master Councilor. It’s a bonding experience. If you want the feel of DeMolay, then talk with your friends after classes. Do it each day, and you will get what I believe to be the feel of DeMolay.

Speaking of discussions, I think that LTC is more fun the better your chapter gets along. My chapter gets along really well and we were told that we were one of the chapters that seemed to have the most fun. I always wished that there was something like this, so I’m glad to know there is.

I enjoy this, but one of the hardest parts about this was having to miss my Dad’s birthday. LTC was scheduled on this day, and I was upset because one of the saddest things in my opinion was having only two people around to celebrate his birthday. But my Dad said that he knew how fun DeMolay was and wanted me to go because I had said I wanted to attend when I heard about LTC. That thought kept lingering on my mind. I hope that I don’t have to miss his birthday again.

Overall, LTC is amazing and definitely worth the trip, because of the Jurisdictional Officers and the Advisors. I would recommend the program to anyone next year!