Good morning from Reunion Camp: before we re-cap the events from yesterday, please remember parents that pick-up today is at 1:30. You can proceed directly to the Dining Hall to sign out your child.
Yesterday we rotated through regular activities in the morning and then had our "Party in the USA State Challenge". Teams visited a variety of stations and were challenged to activities related to the state that they were visiting. In Colorado, they climbed the tower and in Texas they did archery. In Alaska, they built "dog sleds", in Hawaii, they did a coconut carrying relay race and in Massachusetts, they did a lay-up relay on the basketball court. Meanwhile, they also visited California to try to spot famous celebrities hidden throughout camp. Luckily, all but one of the hidden celebrities were found.
For evening program, teams entered a contestant into the "Mess" America Pageant and were given time to create the messiest pageant contestant possible. After a talent and Q&A portion of the event, the judges decided that the winner was Caroline from the 2011 CIT class representing Team "Horses". Congratulations Caroline on being named Mess America 2011!
All in all, this has been a terrific reunion weekend, with lots of spirit in the dining hall and fantastic weather. Many thanks to the 11 staff members who returned to camp to work at the reunion this weekend. Hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season!
Jamie
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Reunion 2011: 11/25/11
Hi Camp Bernie family,
Reunion is off to a terrific start with unseasonably warm weather-- feels like summer (well, not quite!).
After everyone was checked in and settled into cabins for the weekend, we rotated through two activities in the afternoon yesterday, and groups will rotate through three more this morning. We also kicked off the theme for our mini-all camp day this weekend, "Party in the USA", by splitting campers into their teams and having a poster making competition and cheer off. There will be many more special activities Saturday and Sunday related to that theme.
Of course, we also had campfire last night and were treated to many of our favorite songs and skits. The staff led the kids in "Ram Sam Sam" to start things, and then we saw "The Invisible Bench", "Mogilla Gorilla" and "Bee Bee Give Me Some Honey" among others.
It's great to have the staff and kids back at camp, for sure. We will have more updates tomorrow!
Jamie
Reunion is off to a terrific start with unseasonably warm weather-- feels like summer (well, not quite!).
After everyone was checked in and settled into cabins for the weekend, we rotated through two activities in the afternoon yesterday, and groups will rotate through three more this morning. We also kicked off the theme for our mini-all camp day this weekend, "Party in the USA", by splitting campers into their teams and having a poster making competition and cheer off. There will be many more special activities Saturday and Sunday related to that theme.
Of course, we also had campfire last night and were treated to many of our favorite songs and skits. The staff led the kids in "Ram Sam Sam" to start things, and then we saw "The Invisible Bench", "Mogilla Gorilla" and "Bee Bee Give Me Some Honey" among others.
It's great to have the staff and kids back at camp, for sure. We will have more updates tomorrow!
Jamie
Friday, August 19, 2011
August 19, 2011- Last day of summer 2011
Hi everyone,
Last blog of the summer- and what a summer it's been. We've had everything from Romans to Cowboys, and Aliens to Pirates roaming our property this year. Massive thanks to our terrific staff for making everything happen this year.
We had a wild Candleboat Ceremony last night for those that didn't make it here to join us. There were lurking thunderstorms all evening, and we gambled by starting the evening as originally planned with a bonfire on the athletics field. Cody launched a flaming arrow from the zipline platform to ignite the flame- a very impressive display!
Each unit then introduced themselves with a roaring cheer, and performed a song or skit of their choice. About midway through that portion of the night, the storm grew too close for comfort and we made a mad dash to the Pavilion to continue the show. We then presented the following awards:
1: 5 year camper paddles: Sarah M., Alyssa R., Hailey F., Dannielle F., Caroline P. and Ashley D.
2: 5 year staff paddles: Colleen G., Zach O. and MacKenzie B.
3: 3 year international staff paddles: Lewis W., Cassie B., Deacon M. and Stu M.
4: 10 year paddles: Brandon C. & Melissa K.
5: Character Awards: Aja E. (honesty), Zach T. (caring), Alex S. (respect), Sophie H. (responsibility), Julia F. (Spirit, Mind & Body)
6: Session D Unit Award: The Nation
We wrapped things up with our traditional candle lighting ceremony, a song and then we released 10 Chinese Wish Lanterns into the stormy sky. At that point, after 3 hours of threats, the sky opened up on us with driving rain, thunder and lightning and chunks of hail!! Definitely the most intense storm we had all summer.
Once again- thanks to everyone for making the summer of 2011 so special and memorable. Hope to see many of our campers back for the November Reunion 11/25-11/27.
All the best,
Jamie
Last blog of the summer- and what a summer it's been. We've had everything from Romans to Cowboys, and Aliens to Pirates roaming our property this year. Massive thanks to our terrific staff for making everything happen this year.
We had a wild Candleboat Ceremony last night for those that didn't make it here to join us. There were lurking thunderstorms all evening, and we gambled by starting the evening as originally planned with a bonfire on the athletics field. Cody launched a flaming arrow from the zipline platform to ignite the flame- a very impressive display!
Each unit then introduced themselves with a roaring cheer, and performed a song or skit of their choice. About midway through that portion of the night, the storm grew too close for comfort and we made a mad dash to the Pavilion to continue the show. We then presented the following awards:
1: 5 year camper paddles: Sarah M., Alyssa R., Hailey F., Dannielle F., Caroline P. and Ashley D.
2: 5 year staff paddles: Colleen G., Zach O. and MacKenzie B.
3: 3 year international staff paddles: Lewis W., Cassie B., Deacon M. and Stu M.
4: 10 year paddles: Brandon C. & Melissa K.
5: Character Awards: Aja E. (honesty), Zach T. (caring), Alex S. (respect), Sophie H. (responsibility), Julia F. (Spirit, Mind & Body)
6: Session D Unit Award: The Nation
We wrapped things up with our traditional candle lighting ceremony, a song and then we released 10 Chinese Wish Lanterns into the stormy sky. At that point, after 3 hours of threats, the sky opened up on us with driving rain, thunder and lightning and chunks of hail!! Definitely the most intense storm we had all summer.
Once again- thanks to everyone for making the summer of 2011 so special and memorable. Hope to see many of our campers back for the November Reunion 11/25-11/27.
All the best,
Jamie
Thursday, August 18, 2011
August 18, 2011
In case you are wondering, all plans for Candleboat are on as scheduled. Even if storms come our way tonight, we will have a closing ceremony in the Pavilion but we are hopeful for clear skies given the totally awesome plans that are in place!
Last night was the dance, last one of the summer, of course. We also announced the spirit points competition winning cabin, which was Musconetcong (Musky, for short). They enjoyed an ice cream social after dinner to celebrate. Great job Musky!
Hope to see any of you tonight- we begin at 7:30 pm, please be here before that time to be directed to the campfire location. If you can't make it tonight, please remember that pick-up is at 11 am tomorrow- both here at camp or at the Ridgewood YMCA for anyone using the bus transportation. Thanks!
Jamie
Last night was the dance, last one of the summer, of course. We also announced the spirit points competition winning cabin, which was Musconetcong (Musky, for short). They enjoyed an ice cream social after dinner to celebrate. Great job Musky!
Hope to see any of you tonight- we begin at 7:30 pm, please be here before that time to be directed to the campfire location. If you can't make it tonight, please remember that pick-up is at 11 am tomorrow- both here at camp or at the Ridgewood YMCA for anyone using the bus transportation. Thanks!
Jamie
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
August 17, 2011
Thankfully, we are having a beautiful day here at camp, but our fingers are crossed for the rain to stay away through Candleboat tomorrow evening as we have some really cool surprises planned!
Last night was Unit Night- the Shawnees played Great Imposter, the Nation played Capture the Flag and the CITs had a bowling night out. The Pioneers and Iroquois joined up to do a series of things: critter shows, face painting, the power rangers game and Just Dance 2.
Tonight, we will learn the winners of the spirit points competition and they will receive their prize. Every cabin is working for a last minute boost in their standing!
Jamie
Last night was Unit Night- the Shawnees played Great Imposter, the Nation played Capture the Flag and the CITs had a bowling night out. The Pioneers and Iroquois joined up to do a series of things: critter shows, face painting, the power rangers game and Just Dance 2.
Tonight, we will learn the winners of the spirit points competition and they will receive their prize. Every cabin is working for a last minute boost in their standing!
Jamie
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
August 16, 2011
Our rainy last week continues. We are seriously hoping that things clear up for candleboat (not to mention regular activities during the day).
We were able to run free choice yesterday without major complications. The afternoon was spent indoors however, as kids made preparations for the Mr. and Miss Camp Bernie pageant for evening program. Each cabin was given a staff member to enter into the competition- a female for the boys cabins and a male for the girls. As you can see from today's photo upload, the staff were team players and good sports. Congrats go out to staff members Cody and Meagan for being the beauty pageant winners!
Also- I uploaded three photos from the most recent river trip. Thanks to trip leader Josh for sending them our way.
Jamie
We were able to run free choice yesterday without major complications. The afternoon was spent indoors however, as kids made preparations for the Mr. and Miss Camp Bernie pageant for evening program. Each cabin was given a staff member to enter into the competition- a female for the boys cabins and a male for the girls. As you can see from today's photo upload, the staff were team players and good sports. Congrats go out to staff members Cody and Meagan for being the beauty pageant winners!
Also- I uploaded three photos from the most recent river trip. Thanks to trip leader Josh for sending them our way.
Jamie
Monday, August 15, 2011
August 15, 2011
Yucky weather here- but we stayed dry in the dining hall nearly all day yesterday. Unfortunately for the CITs, Sunday is their day to plan and run activities for the kids and just about everything they intended to do was cancelled due to the weather. We held chapel in the dining hall, followed by cabin clean-up, lunch and an extended rest hour. Then, in keeping with our Neverland theme, we projected the movie "Hook" in the dining hall and had a nice, relaxing afternoon at the cinema with snacks to share. Evening program was "Name that Tune" which was won by the seemingly unstoppable Musconetcong Cabin. They were the halfway point spirit point winners and were served breakfast in bed by their unit leader Rob on Sunday morning. The full competition continues until Wednesday so we'll see if another cabin can catch Musky!
Jamie
Jamie
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