Following the wonderful CCBS pit-roasted turkey at Thanksgiving, the boys spent the day picking,  cutting and decorating  the Cherokee Creek Christmas tree. This was originally a 25-foot pine growing on the property (it didn’t look that big outside) and the boys gamely felled it with a saw and dragged it to the lodge . It sure makes things feel like the holidays seeing their handiwork.

Next up will be the menorah to celebrate Hanukkah. Ari’s suggestion of one “as big as a disco ball, hanging from the rafters” is under consideration …

Here’s hoping we see you soon and you can admire the boys’ decorating expertise soon here at the “Small School with a Big Heart!”

CCBS came to Westminster and our boys blew  away the 14 and under competition in the annual 5K Apple Fest run.

Eddie and Ari sport their new medals.

Ari, Eddie, Barron, and Sam A. took the top four places  in their age group, all finishing in 31 minutes or less.

Coaches Josh and Kayla ran with our own Family Center Coordinator Debbie Wallace, all finishing around the 34 minute mark. Weekend Coordinator Andrew Stevenson, who will take over cross country coaching responsibilities from Josh, finished 15th overall and third in his age group.

The next official race is during Octoberfest and the boys will continue to train hard to sweep those medals as well. Congratulations CCBS Cross Country team!

Official games start this evening and Cherokee Creek Boys School would like to invite all parents available to travel to the area to join us in the cheering section.

Zach goes in for a slide tackle in a recent scrimmage

The directions to all the fields can be found using an online search. Sertoma Field is in Walhalla,  Gignilliat Field is in Seneca, Fair Oak is in Fair Play, and Pickens is in the town of Pickens, and Nettles Field is in Clemson, SC.

Hope to see you there!

Thurs., Sept 6th — 6:30 p.m. at Gignilliat Field

Tues., Sept 11th — 8 p.m., at Pickens Field

Tues., Sept. 18th — 8 p.m. at Nettles Field

Thurs., Sept 20th — 7:30 p.m. at Sertoma Field

Mon., Sept 24th — 7 p.m., at Fair Oak field

Thurs., Sept 27th — 8 p.m., at Nettles Field

Mon., Oct. 1st — 6:30 p.m. at Gignilliat Field

Tues., Oct. 2nd — 7 p.m. at Nettles Field

Thurs., Oct. 4th — 7:30 p.m. at Sertoma Field

Nick shows great form -- and dance moves -- on the field

Members of CCBS staff gathered Saturday to celebrate the wedding of Flex Counselor Nick Droll as he married his longtime girlfriend Anna. They were joined by recent graduate Sam who got a little “carried away” by some of his favorite staffers at the festivities. Pictured from left to right are Flex Counselors Andrew Leviner, Johnnie Sinclair, Andrew McGarvey, the groom, and Ryan McGarvey. Best wishes to Nick and Anna!

CCBS Counselors and recent graduate Sam

The CCBS Bears are well into practice and Coach Yanic McDowell arranged a fun scrimmage against Shepherd’s Hill Academy. It was all in good fun as we loaned a few players to SHA in order to round out their team. Enjoy the photos of a very rainy but entertaining game…

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We’re back in session now after Summer Break. Here are some fun pictures from Art Week. Come visit our gallery of finished products soon!

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Memorial Day was a day to remember the sacrifices of those who served in our Armed Forces to ensure we all enjoy the freedoms we have as Americans. It’s also the kickoff to summer, and a great day to swim, enjoy a little beach volleyball, and cook out.

Some of our boys had visits with their families, but for those on campus it was a chance to break free from the classrooms with the teachers. Please enjoy this mini album of photos from the days events. And of course,  Happy Summer to All!

Sand Between our Toes

Loucas, Angel and Andrew hang out

Swimming and Hanging on the Mini Dock

Sam munches and guards

Bears Beach Volleyball

Andrew and Sam make sure there are burgers for all

FLAG FOOTBALL — Bears defeat Whetstone with high flying offense.

Bears Make a First Down

The weather on Saturday afternoon was perfect for the first round of the flag football tournament. The ninth seed Whetstone was set to face off against the eighth seeded Bears.

The Bears began the game on defense. With six Bears defenders lined up to take on seven Whetstone offensive warriors, the Whetstone QB connected for a deep pass over the middle for a gain of 60 yards. The Whetstone offense began to walk a little taller to the line of scrimmage as their confidence surged. The Bears defense made quick work of the confidence surge and was able to point out what was real and true about what was going to happen in the game.

The Bears offense was ferocious and highly effective that afternoon. The Bears out scored Whetstone 49-7.

SOFTBALL LEAGUE — The boys have been participating in the Foothills Community Church softball league on Sunday afternoons. Despite a win-less season, they showed improvement on every game. Coach Ryan Natale said, “Our goal is always to help the guys learn commitment, sportsmanship, and how to encourage and support one another. When somebody was struggling, it was a teachable moment we looked for as coaches. From start to finish, there was great improvement in all these areas.”

The Win-Less, But Victorious Softball Team

Below are some of the highlights of the season, according to the boys:

“My highlight of the season was being in the lead (for an inning) and having fun.” — Michael

“My highlight of the season was catching a pop fly that was supposed to burn me.” — Rick

“My highlight was getting a base hit.” — Tommy

“My highlight was running, having fun, and seeing (Coach) Natale slide … again.” — Eddie

“My highlight was (Coach Brandon) hitting the inside the park homerun. I think everyone had a great time.” — Sam D.

My highlight of the game was getting a run.” — Barron

“My highlight for the first game was having fun and doing what I was supposed to. My highlight for the second game was getting on base and getting my first run.” — Vincent

Tuesday’s humid evening put the Bears to a test against Liberty. The Bears’ offense looked good coming out the gate. Jimmy moved the offense down the field at a steady pace. The Bears were up 8-0 in quick fashion. But the Liberty Red Devils were pesky on offense and tied it up.

Back and forth the game went. The Bears pulled ahead 14-8. The Red Devils were trying to keep pace with the Bears, but their defense held strong. With an interception, the bears went into halftime with a commanding lead. The Bears were up 30-16 at the half.

Several missed calls for illegal contact  helped the Red Devils get back in the game and take the lead.

The Bears marched down the field to tie the game with one minute to play. The Red Devils ran out of time and penalties gave them the opportunity to toss an interception to Jimmy, closing out regulation play.

During overtime the Bears offense sputtered while the Red Devils put together a nice series to take the win, 36-42.

“Our guys are such warriors. They played hard and pulled for each other the entire game. Even with some questionable calls, our guys held their composure and battled through the game. I am proud of their hard work and determination. Under this kind of pressure it would have been easy for them to quit. They don’t know how to quit.”

-Coach Shep

From left: Artie, William and David are headed for the coast

The Father & Son Sea Kayaking Adventure is underway!

At about 10:00 this morning Executive Director David LePere, Counseling Department Manager William Carpenter and Therapist Artie Smith – along with students Alex, Alexander, Jake, James, Loucas, Sam, Sam, Tommy and Vincent – began their journey to the Georgia coast. Now, this is not what David, William and Artie are typically up to on a Tuesday morning. But for our first Father and Son Adventure it would be hard to find a more perfect crew!

The boys are looking forward to connecting with their dads tomorrow morning. Together, they will paddle with the tide to Cumberland Island National Seashore where they will spend the next few days camping in a primitive area of the island. This exciting Father & Son Adventure has been months in the making and is sure to garner many “tall tales” and “fish stories.”

More to come…