Good morning from the last day of camp!
For those that weren't at candleboat last night, let's tell you what happened...
Overnight Camp Director Stu welcomed us to Candleboat and the bonfire was lit on the athletics field using a flaming arrow. Then, each unit did a cheer and performance, be it a song or skit-- plus a few bonus performances (what would closing campfire be without one last "Boom-Chicka-Boom" or "Jonny Got Hit By a Bus"?)
Then it was time for the standard awards-- first being paddles. There were many paddles to distribute last night so I can't name everyone but the two most significant were double paddles given the Saskia for 6 years as an international camper-- just the 2nd time we've handed out an international double paddle and the first time for a camper. And also, a double paddle to Aquatics Instructor Julia V. for ten summers at CB!
The other awards were:
Honesty Award Autumn from Kiowa
Caring Award Isabel from Winema
Respect Award Eric from Owasa
Responsibility Award Patti from Mahopa
Spirit Award: Ashton from Owasa
Spirit, Mind and Body Award: Adrian from the CITs
Then, everyone was led through a path of Luminaries to the pond for Candleboat. We spices things up a little this year with some music and launching of Chinese lanterns. It was a truly beautiful night and end to summer 2012!
And that is all for this summer. I hope many of our campers will join us for our annual summer camp reunion the weekend after Thanksgiving, details to come soon. In the meantime, big thanks to all the campers and counselors that made this a memorable summer. And thanks to everyone that has kept up with the blog-- nearly 10,000 page views! Wow!
See you in 2013!
Friday, August 17, 2012
Thursday, August 16, 2012
August 16, 2012
Hello everyone!
We have reached the last night of summer 2012- always a mix of emotions but we are certainly going to miss our campers and staff. For anyone planning to attend Candleboat tonight, here are a few important bits of information:
We have reached the last night of summer 2012- always a mix of emotions but we are certainly going to miss our campers and staff. For anyone planning to attend Candleboat tonight, here are a few important bits of information:
- We will be starting the ceremony at 7:30. Campers and staff will be waiting on the basketball courts, guest can proceed directly to the athletics field. We will have staff members directing you.
- The cermony will end at the pond and it will be dark- flashlights recommended for the walk back to the dining hall area.
- Trading Post will be open after candleboat and we will also have refreshments available for guests in the dining hall.
- If you plan to bring your child home tonight, please be sure to sign him or her out from trading post before departure.
Anyone picking up children tomorrow-- pick up time here at camp is 11 AM and same time for kids riding to bus to the Ridgewood YMCA.
I will have a full recap of candleboat tomorrow morning in the final blog entry for this summer!
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
August 14, 2012
Yesterday, all campers started their second week of free choice activities and it was a spectacular day weather wise. This morning, not quite as cooperative! We just hope for clear skies this Thursday night.
Last night for evening program, campers played a variety of "big board games" such as twister and scrabble. Check out the photo upload for a few shots taken during that activity.
Tonight is Unit Night and the CITs will head out on their much anticipated "night off", rumor has it that they will be heading to the bowling alley!
Monday, August 13, 2012
August 12, 2012
We have reached our last week of summer 2012. Once again, we hope many of you will be able to join us for Candleboat this Thursday night at 7:30 PM.
Here is the rundown on our Wild West Weekend!
Saturday morning was a gold rush, as teams collected bits of gold spread all around the property. Afterwards, they went on a bandit hunt, searching for our 6 bandits hidden. Each bandit was worth an extra reward on top of the gold that had been collected. All bandits were successfully found with the exception of Rob A., who spent the entire block of time sitting in a tree by the Pavilion! Ultimately, the Sheriffs and Deputies team earned the most money.
The afternoon was our traditional Wild West carnival with the booths including: Dunk Tank, Hay Rides, Bull Rides, Face painting, Pony rides, jail/stockade, kissing booth (Hershey's kisses...don't worry!) and much more. For evening program, we had a square dance in the Pavilion along with some line dances.
Sunday was CIT Sunday with a lazy morning, chapel led by the CITs, an afternoon activity that was a take on the board game "Apples to Apples" and evening activity where cabins had to use collected items to stage scenes-- a version of Construction Craze and the Great Imposter.
All in all, a fabulous weekend here at camp!
Here is the rundown on our Wild West Weekend!
Saturday morning was a gold rush, as teams collected bits of gold spread all around the property. Afterwards, they went on a bandit hunt, searching for our 6 bandits hidden. Each bandit was worth an extra reward on top of the gold that had been collected. All bandits were successfully found with the exception of Rob A., who spent the entire block of time sitting in a tree by the Pavilion! Ultimately, the Sheriffs and Deputies team earned the most money.
The afternoon was our traditional Wild West carnival with the booths including: Dunk Tank, Hay Rides, Bull Rides, Face painting, Pony rides, jail/stockade, kissing booth (Hershey's kisses...don't worry!) and much more. For evening program, we had a square dance in the Pavilion along with some line dances.
Sunday was CIT Sunday with a lazy morning, chapel led by the CITs, an afternoon activity that was a take on the board game "Apples to Apples" and evening activity where cabins had to use collected items to stage scenes-- a version of Construction Craze and the Great Imposter.
All in all, a fabulous weekend here at camp!
Saturday, August 11, 2012
August 11, 2012
Well, well, well-- the train robbery actually was carried out, in spite of the town hall meeting that took place as scheduled last night, the train was overtaken right smack in the middle of our gathering. Bandits even injured the mayor in the process!
As a result, the sheriff and mayor asked all of the assembled townspeople to divide into teams, make flags and come up with cheers in hopes of uniting our old west town and taking it back from the bandits today!
Back in reality, I am sure many of you are curious to know how the river trip went. Thanks to the efforts of Josh, Tom, Max and the other counselors on the trip, we were able to get to the campers further up river from the scheduled pick up. It was a very wet morning, but everyone got back safely. We also cleaned everyone's sleeping bag for them after their return.
We will have a full recap of our busy wild west weekend on Monday morning! Have a fabulous weekend everyone.
As a result, the sheriff and mayor asked all of the assembled townspeople to divide into teams, make flags and come up with cheers in hopes of uniting our old west town and taking it back from the bandits today!
Back in reality, I am sure many of you are curious to know how the river trip went. Thanks to the efforts of Josh, Tom, Max and the other counselors on the trip, we were able to get to the campers further up river from the scheduled pick up. It was a very wet morning, but everyone got back safely. We also cleaned everyone's sleeping bag for them after their return.
We will have a full recap of our busy wild west weekend on Monday morning! Have a fabulous weekend everyone.
Thursday, August 9, 2012
August 9, 2012
Howdy partners!
We held our Wild, Wild West banquet last night to kick off the festivities for this session. The dining hall was converted into a big banquet hall with lots of decorations, and bandanas for everyone. The kitchen staff made a southern feast with homemade Pulled Pork, Sweet Potato Fries, Cole Slaw, Hush Puppies and Birch Beer to drink.
In the center of the room, there were a group of conniving bandits discussing rumors of a possible train robbery being planned for Friday. Suddenly, just after dessert was served, two bandits got into a loud argument and chaos ensued. Luckily, the sheriff heard the commotion and managed to capture one of them who spilled the info about the train robbery. As a result, the Sheriff and Mayor have called a town meeting for Friday night to discuss out options. All of the campers have been divided into teams representing different people in the Old west town of Bernie and will be attending the meeting on Friday.
After that, everyone headed to a favorite Camp Bernie evening program tradition: MTV Night, in which campers and staff do performances, songs, skits and dances. This morning, Winema and Lopatcong depart for the Delaware River trip and the CITs will be returning from a two night trip to the water gap and Appalachian trail.
Busy days here at summer camp!
We held our Wild, Wild West banquet last night to kick off the festivities for this session. The dining hall was converted into a big banquet hall with lots of decorations, and bandanas for everyone. The kitchen staff made a southern feast with homemade Pulled Pork, Sweet Potato Fries, Cole Slaw, Hush Puppies and Birch Beer to drink.
In the center of the room, there were a group of conniving bandits discussing rumors of a possible train robbery being planned for Friday. Suddenly, just after dessert was served, two bandits got into a loud argument and chaos ensued. Luckily, the sheriff heard the commotion and managed to capture one of them who spilled the info about the train robbery. As a result, the Sheriff and Mayor have called a town meeting for Friday night to discuss out options. All of the campers have been divided into teams representing different people in the Old west town of Bernie and will be attending the meeting on Friday.
After that, everyone headed to a favorite Camp Bernie evening program tradition: MTV Night, in which campers and staff do performances, songs, skits and dances. This morning, Winema and Lopatcong depart for the Delaware River trip and the CITs will be returning from a two night trip to the water gap and Appalachian trail.
Busy days here at summer camp!
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
August 7, 2012
It is a beautiful morning here at camp as we kick off free choice activities today. This includes any specialty activities that campers registered for, namely mini-bikes and horseback riding. The campers also selected the rest of their schedules on Sunday afternoon. Yesterday, instead of regularly scheduled activities, the campers had Monday Fun Day which allowed the units to bond a bit and do special activities as planned by the Unit Leaders.
Among the Monday Fun Day activities that I saw was a special puzzle project that the Shawnee Unit has been working on all summer. Shai, the Unit Leader, has had every child and staff member in her unit this summer decorate a puzzle piece. Yesterday, they put all of the pieces together and it looks fantastic. I posted a picture of this on our daily gallery on facebook. Nice job Shai and the Shawnees!
Last night was opening campfire-- after a bunch of songs and skits, two Camp Bernie ambassadors were recognized by Stu: Matlida G and Christina W. They received a slew of prizes for their efforts. Thanks ladies!
Among the Monday Fun Day activities that I saw was a special puzzle project that the Shawnee Unit has been working on all summer. Shai, the Unit Leader, has had every child and staff member in her unit this summer decorate a puzzle piece. Yesterday, they put all of the pieces together and it looks fantastic. I posted a picture of this on our daily gallery on facebook. Nice job Shai and the Shawnees!
Last night was opening campfire-- after a bunch of songs and skits, two Camp Bernie ambassadors were recognized by Stu: Matlida G and Christina W. They received a slew of prizes for their efforts. Thanks ladies!
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