Camp Blog

Oh, time flies....

by: 
Camp Director

Bright and early (6:45am) on Monday, lake swimmers threw on their swim suits grabbed a dry towel, and headed to the ski docks to be transported across Blue Lake for a long standing tradition – The Lake Swim.  The water conditions were favorable and glasslike.  42 campers eagerly braved the water with happy camp faces. 


There was no surprise that Division I swimmer/counselor, Natalie Neuwirth crossed the finish line first.  Camper Jacqueline Levitan from California was our first happy camper to step on shore, followed by little Vivienne Kaufman, CIT’s Taylor Cohen and Samantha Boorstein, and intermediate camper Zoey Levine.  The kitchen staff served up yummy hot chocolate to warm everyone up before heading to the lodge for a breakfast of hobo hash. 


Isabella Diamond was camper of the day. She has been such an incredible trooper after spraining her knee while playing soccer.  Her positive attitude has been an example for all of us to follow.  Counselor of the day, Rachel Oakley from New Zealand never left the side of her camper Lexi, who was determined to finish the lake swim no matter what.  Swimming side by side, Rachel encourage Lexi to keep going.  One hour and ten minutes later they entered the swim area together.  High fives were swinging left and right.  I call that GRIT!


Every summer goes by quickly. The older I get the faster they go. This summer is no exception.  Parent’s weekend is fast approaching, no offense but Parents Day it is my least favorite day of the summer because it signifies that camp is already at the half way point.  Anytime I talk or make a slight reference to going home, a chorus of loud campers burst into……


We don’t wanna go home, Boom Boom
We’re having such a wonderful time
They say there’s no place like home, but AGAWAK suits me fine
So build me a bed or bunk, Boom Boom
And tell my folks at home, they’ll always hear me singing this song
We don’t wanna go, we don’t wanna go, we don’t wanna go home

You’d think after 25 years of hearing this song before parent’s weekend I’d get used to it.  Not likely.  It stills makes me tear up because sooner than later, camp will again be still and lifeless come Aug. 6.  We are so happy here together. Why wouldn't we be? We are discovering ourselves. We are surrounded by a sea of sisters who make our days fun & fill our nights with friendship. The walks, the late night talks, the giggles & memories made in our cabins in the woods are precious times that can never be taken away from us. Many full season campers are already experiencing the common anxiety that only parent’s day evokes.  Believe me when I say that parents weekend traditionally drums up all sorts of emotion especially for campers making the transition from one session to full season.  Parents, have confidence that once visiting day is behind us, everyone quickly settles back into the camp routine with emerging smiles.


Speaking of Parents / Change over weekend here is a bit of the schedule:


First session campers taking the bus home on Friday, July 11th will leave camp around 8:30 and arrive at DEERFIELD HIGH SCHOOL around 2:00ish.


Our CIT’s (Counselors in Training, our oldest campers) are given the additional privilege, as is tradition, to spend Friday night from 5:30-10:30pm out of camp.  Lateness is not an option.


First session campers being picked up on Saturday, July 12th will be able to leave after our gates open at 9:00.


Full season campers are free to leave anytime after 9:00am on Saturday, July 12th but must be back in camp by 11:00am on Sunday, July 13th.


Second session campers will begin to arrive around 1:00pm with the buses likely to arrive at camp around 1:30pm.

See News & Events for more travel info.


Please click here to read a preview of the Parents Day program.


Olympic Day 2014 was a huge success. This year’s teams were New Zealand, Ireland, Israel, and Madagascar. Captains were chosen from each division for each team, and they included: Emma N., Norah P., Annie I., and Tessa M. for the junior division; Ellie J., Maddie A., Olivia V., and Claudia S. for the intermediate division; and Hannah S., Carolyn C., Lindsay S., and Lauren S., for the senior division. Counselor captains included Kat, Karissa, Nikki, Marley, Meredith, Erana, Chloe, Mel, Annie, Gabrielle, Natalie, and Ellen. The day started with opening ceremonies in the Upper Athletic Field. Each team performed a skit, cheer, and song, and they all blew the judges away.


Next, everyone participated in running relays and played tug of war to keep the competition going. After lunch, Olympic Day continued with Series, a variety of activities such as dodgeball, swim relays, and biking. Following Series, each team ran the Torch Race, which is a giant relay that involves passing the torch from runner to runner until the final runner rings the bell to win the game.


The competition ended with Commando in the evening. In Commando, each of the four teams is divided into 8 groups in order to complete 8 tasks around camp. Upon completing each task, the team would receive a letter in the word COMMANDO, and the first team to spell Commando wins. Tasks this year included; completing campfire song lyrics, searching for red M&M’s in a bowl of whipped cream, an obstacle course, a matching game, and much more. In the end, New Zealand finished first, followed by Ireland, Madagascar, and Israel. The ultimate score for each of the four teams was very close, but Israel received fourth place, Madagascar received third place, New Zealand received second place, and Ireland received first place. Win or lose, we know everyone had a blast playing for the teams.


Be ready for tired and happy campers to greet you with smiles and unending camp stories.


Full Speed Ahead!
Mary