2017: The PanWizard Tournament
The House Champions, with the PanWizard Champion in front.
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"The Triwizard Tournament was first established some seven hundred years ago as a friendly competition between the three largest European schools of wizardry: Hogwarts, Beauxbatons, and Durmstrang. A champion was selected to represent each school, and the three champions competed in three magical tasks. The schools took it in turns to host the tournament once every five years, and it was generally agreed to be a most excellent way of establishing ties between young witches and wizards of different nationalities -- until, that is, the death toll mounted so high that the tournament was discontinued."
-Albus Dumbledore |
Many fans of Harry Potter think of the fourth book, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, as the point in the story when everything changes for Harry and his friends. This is the first time he loses a friend to Voldemort, the first time since his parents' death when he sees a person die. But although there is tragedy, there is also bravery, friendship, and of course, magic in this book. The story centers around the Tri-Wizard Tournament, a momentous event in the wizarding world. Although Harry is too young to enter, his name is magically put into the Goblet of Fire, which chooses the champions, and Harry is forced to participate. To win, he must complete three magical tasks in the Tri-Wizard Tournament, but he soon learns that surviving the tasks is his main goal. There are scary moments, but in the end Harry accomplishes them not only by his wits and talent, but also with the help of his friends.
In keeping with our tradition of following the events of the story, we hosted a (safe) PanWizard Tournament* at camp in 2017. Students from other Hogwarts camps in the region were invited to participate in the interest of fostering ties between young people who love Harry Potter. Instead of just three champions, our campers were all eligible to participate in games and contests both individually and as teams. The games encompassed many different skills and abilities, including physical prowess, knowledge of the Harry Potter books and movies, dexterity, quick-thinking, and the ability to improvise and work in teams. At the end of camp, individual scores were tallied and the PanWizard Champion was named.
*MACUSA forbids the use of magical creatures in sporting events for children, so there were no dragons or merfolk involved in the tournament.
In keeping with our tradition of following the events of the story, we hosted a (safe) PanWizard Tournament* at camp in 2017. Students from other Hogwarts camps in the region were invited to participate in the interest of fostering ties between young people who love Harry Potter. Instead of just three champions, our campers were all eligible to participate in games and contests both individually and as teams. The games encompassed many different skills and abilities, including physical prowess, knowledge of the Harry Potter books and movies, dexterity, quick-thinking, and the ability to improvise and work in teams. At the end of camp, individual scores were tallied and the PanWizard Champion was named.
*MACUSA forbids the use of magical creatures in sporting events for children, so there were no dragons or merfolk involved in the tournament.
The Yule-in-July Ball
Just as in the book, there was a dance during camp: The Yule-In-July Ball was held on the Friday, July 14, at the end of the first week of camp. This event was open to all campers, including the House Elves (teen volunteers). Campers and House Elves were also allowed to bring a non-camp affiliated friend as a date.