Monday, July 29, 2013
Dance Party!!
Hey families, it's dance party night! As I walked through camp to come and write the blog there were campers at the costume barn picking out spectacular ensembles for tonight. From the preview that I got I saw twins, pink panther, a parrot, the hulk, some mythical creatures, clowns, a football player, a princess, a bride, and some crazy characters. We'll work on getting the camera out there so you can see it all.
It was a wonderful cool day. The creek is pretty much gone but the lake is popular with the kids. We got a brand new jumping platform and raft this year and a lot of kids are passing their rafter and platform tests. We have another test called Lake Master. The kids have to swim 5 times around the bouys set in the lake with a lifeguard following along behind them. When they pass they are recognized at the dinner circle and given a friendship bracelet which some of kids keep on until they fall off a couple years later. So far we've had 9 Lake Masters this session and many rafters/platform swimmers. What a wonderful lazy type summer day, swimming in the lake, eating peaches and pretzels for snack, hanging out with your friends, coming back to eat tri tip, baked potatoes, and broccoli for dinner and then a costume party!
We had french toast for breakfast with yogurt and berries and then homemade mac and cheese, fruit salad, and carrot sticks for lunch. We are beginning to think about the show. Tomorrow we'll begin asking the kids what they are thinking about doing on Saturday. Everyone is in the parade and the finale of songs. Some kids find that those two things are enough and others will choose 1, 2, or 3 pieces to be in. We work hard to make the show a stress free end of camp activity. We'll tell more about it as the week progresses and then of course you'll see it on Saturday!
We're doing a water conservation themed Adventure Night tomorrow night. I hear the thump of the music coming from the Big Top. I"m going to head down to dance. I'll write more later!
yatiel
It was a wonderful cool day. The creek is pretty much gone but the lake is popular with the kids. We got a brand new jumping platform and raft this year and a lot of kids are passing their rafter and platform tests. We have another test called Lake Master. The kids have to swim 5 times around the bouys set in the lake with a lifeguard following along behind them. When they pass they are recognized at the dinner circle and given a friendship bracelet which some of kids keep on until they fall off a couple years later. So far we've had 9 Lake Masters this session and many rafters/platform swimmers. What a wonderful lazy type summer day, swimming in the lake, eating peaches and pretzels for snack, hanging out with your friends, coming back to eat tri tip, baked potatoes, and broccoli for dinner and then a costume party!
We had french toast for breakfast with yogurt and berries and then homemade mac and cheese, fruit salad, and carrot sticks for lunch. We are beginning to think about the show. Tomorrow we'll begin asking the kids what they are thinking about doing on Saturday. Everyone is in the parade and the finale of songs. Some kids find that those two things are enough and others will choose 1, 2, or 3 pieces to be in. We work hard to make the show a stress free end of camp activity. We'll tell more about it as the week progresses and then of course you'll see it on Saturday!
We're doing a water conservation themed Adventure Night tomorrow night. I hear the thump of the music coming from the Big Top. I"m going to head down to dance. I'll write more later!
yatiel
Sunday, July 28, 2013
What a fun weekend!
Happy weekend families!
We've had a fun and mellow weekend and the temperatures are finally cooling off. We're looking at a lovely low 80s for the rest week! What a great way to lead up to the Big Show!
To give you a sense of what we've done this weekend... yesterday was All Nations Day! Traditionally, it's been a day long pageant with a theme celebrating or recognizing something that's going on in our world. Themes in the past have dealt with community building, eco-awareness and honoring diversity. This session's theme was Camp WinnOlympics! Every tipi represented their own country and after a hilarious introduction by staff members dressed up as ridiculous Olympians (conjoined twins that won the 3 ft race, obstacle course winners, bean bag toss champions, etc), the tipis then spent an hour to work on a tipi anthem and flag. Then all the campers could choose what events they wanted to participate in - 3 leg races, bean bag tosses, water balloon tosses, etc and winners got medals while their tipi anthem was sung by the tipi. Too much fun!
To celebrate the day, dinner was Mom's old fashioned Thanksgiving dinner - to give thanks for all the joy had so far. And it's a whopper of a meal - fresh roasted turkey, mashed potatoes, peas, stuffing and cranberry sauce finished off with delicious fruit cobbler. After dinner, supervisor Lealah organized another fire circle that continued on the Olympian theme. Every tipi was asked to present a skit or a song dedicated to camp for the whole community to enjoy. After all the tipis presented, the West African Drums started and a thrilling little fire juggling display went up with master jugglers Jono and Josie. What a way to end a big fun day!
This morning, I was awake at 6am ready to greet the early risers for our Wavy Gravy Sunday morning tradition - the Simpsons in the Big Top while everyone else who wanted to sleep in, could. Specially chosen episodes of The Simpsons (by yours truly) played while campers quietly watched and laughed. They generally tend to be the sweet affirming ones about Lisa and those where Bart doesn't get into too much trouble! During Simpsons, it was also serve your own breakfast for the campers - cocoa, bagels, cream cheese and other fun toppings for a nice casual breakfast. This was all followed by the big Camp clean up and lost and found fashion show. Then it was already time for lunch - BLTs, chips and fruit salad. Yum! Tonight, Mary Poppins and Bert will be making a special appearance before camp to introduce - you guessed it, Mary Poppins for movie night. Wheww! Then it's back on to classes and Big Show preparation week.
Thanks for reading!
Timmy
We've had a fun and mellow weekend and the temperatures are finally cooling off. We're looking at a lovely low 80s for the rest week! What a great way to lead up to the Big Show!
To give you a sense of what we've done this weekend... yesterday was All Nations Day! Traditionally, it's been a day long pageant with a theme celebrating or recognizing something that's going on in our world. Themes in the past have dealt with community building, eco-awareness and honoring diversity. This session's theme was Camp WinnOlympics! Every tipi represented their own country and after a hilarious introduction by staff members dressed up as ridiculous Olympians (conjoined twins that won the 3 ft race, obstacle course winners, bean bag toss champions, etc), the tipis then spent an hour to work on a tipi anthem and flag. Then all the campers could choose what events they wanted to participate in - 3 leg races, bean bag tosses, water balloon tosses, etc and winners got medals while their tipi anthem was sung by the tipi. Too much fun!
To celebrate the day, dinner was Mom's old fashioned Thanksgiving dinner - to give thanks for all the joy had so far. And it's a whopper of a meal - fresh roasted turkey, mashed potatoes, peas, stuffing and cranberry sauce finished off with delicious fruit cobbler. After dinner, supervisor Lealah organized another fire circle that continued on the Olympian theme. Every tipi was asked to present a skit or a song dedicated to camp for the whole community to enjoy. After all the tipis presented, the West African Drums started and a thrilling little fire juggling display went up with master jugglers Jono and Josie. What a way to end a big fun day!
This morning, I was awake at 6am ready to greet the early risers for our Wavy Gravy Sunday morning tradition - the Simpsons in the Big Top while everyone else who wanted to sleep in, could. Specially chosen episodes of The Simpsons (by yours truly) played while campers quietly watched and laughed. They generally tend to be the sweet affirming ones about Lisa and those where Bart doesn't get into too much trouble! During Simpsons, it was also serve your own breakfast for the campers - cocoa, bagels, cream cheese and other fun toppings for a nice casual breakfast. This was all followed by the big Camp clean up and lost and found fashion show. Then it was already time for lunch - BLTs, chips and fruit salad. Yum! Tonight, Mary Poppins and Bert will be making a special appearance before camp to introduce - you guessed it, Mary Poppins for movie night. Wheww! Then it's back on to classes and Big Show preparation week.
Thanks for reading!
Timmy
Saturday, July 27, 2013
Friday, July 26, 2013
These kids are incredible!
Happy Friday Families!
It's been a heckuva 36 hours since our last blog. Both Yatiel and I apologize for not posting yesterday but we were just so dog-gone tired from our once every 3 years Accreditation review by the American Camping Association. And we passed with flying colors!
So to catch you up on what's been going on the last day and a half. Yesterday, all of us directors got to tour camp with the ACA reviewers and it was a beautiful day in camp. Breakfast was hot and cold cereal with fruit and hard boiled eggs - one of the techies popped on a song called Milk and Cereal and suddenly, there was an impromptu dance party by the staff at the kitchen. Definitely one of the most memorable and fun moments of this summer! Every class had happy campers learning new tricks and skills - magic was really full with 18 kids, beginning stilters were walking around, campers were up on the silks and trapeze, jugglers getting their 3 balls down and more. It was definitely a hot day - I think we were in the upper 90s so we headed up to the lake in the afternoon to evaluate the lake. There were about 30 kids up there enjoying the cool refreshing water. The reviewers were more than pleased by what they saw - one even asked for a brochure so that he could send his kid here next year!
Dinner was a new recipe of Mom's - yep, our head chef is nicknamed "Mom". She tried out a new orange chicken recipe with rice and asparagus and mushroom medley. I think it was a winner with the kids. After dinner came one of our favorite Evening Programs - Tornado of Talent-t-t!!! Over 30 acts on stage of skills, skits and talents that the kids brought from home. A lot of great songs, some jokes, a couple of dance acts and a whole lot of talent.
As for today... it was another hot one. I think we actually broke 100 in the afternoon today but the kids kept cool at the stream and at the lake. Today was the last day of classes so campers squeezed one more new trick in today. The weekend has some special programming called All Nations Day (but more on that tomorrow) and a nice low key Sunday to give campers a break before we head into Big Show week. This evening is called Guest Performance - where some of our master staff members show off skills that they don't necessarily teach here in camp. Zappo's doing a comedy sketch, Patrick is playing some awesome guitar, Zina's got a couple of clown skits and Amanda is going to an incredible silks routine.
It's hard to believe that the first week of this session is nearly over.... these kids are truly awesome and for a lot of us staff, this group really shines in our hearts because they are such an outgoing, friendly and gregarious group that's really getting along well together.
Thanks for sharing them with us.
Timmy
It's been a heckuva 36 hours since our last blog. Both Yatiel and I apologize for not posting yesterday but we were just so dog-gone tired from our once every 3 years Accreditation review by the American Camping Association. And we passed with flying colors!
So to catch you up on what's been going on the last day and a half. Yesterday, all of us directors got to tour camp with the ACA reviewers and it was a beautiful day in camp. Breakfast was hot and cold cereal with fruit and hard boiled eggs - one of the techies popped on a song called Milk and Cereal and suddenly, there was an impromptu dance party by the staff at the kitchen. Definitely one of the most memorable and fun moments of this summer! Every class had happy campers learning new tricks and skills - magic was really full with 18 kids, beginning stilters were walking around, campers were up on the silks and trapeze, jugglers getting their 3 balls down and more. It was definitely a hot day - I think we were in the upper 90s so we headed up to the lake in the afternoon to evaluate the lake. There were about 30 kids up there enjoying the cool refreshing water. The reviewers were more than pleased by what they saw - one even asked for a brochure so that he could send his kid here next year!
Dinner was a new recipe of Mom's - yep, our head chef is nicknamed "Mom". She tried out a new orange chicken recipe with rice and asparagus and mushroom medley. I think it was a winner with the kids. After dinner came one of our favorite Evening Programs - Tornado of Talent-t-t!!! Over 30 acts on stage of skills, skits and talents that the kids brought from home. A lot of great songs, some jokes, a couple of dance acts and a whole lot of talent.
As for today... it was another hot one. I think we actually broke 100 in the afternoon today but the kids kept cool at the stream and at the lake. Today was the last day of classes so campers squeezed one more new trick in today. The weekend has some special programming called All Nations Day (but more on that tomorrow) and a nice low key Sunday to give campers a break before we head into Big Show week. This evening is called Guest Performance - where some of our master staff members show off skills that they don't necessarily teach here in camp. Zappo's doing a comedy sketch, Patrick is playing some awesome guitar, Zina's got a couple of clown skits and Amanda is going to an incredible silks routine.
It's hard to believe that the first week of this session is nearly over.... these kids are truly awesome and for a lot of us staff, this group really shines in our hearts because they are such an outgoing, friendly and gregarious group that's really getting along well together.
Thanks for sharing them with us.
Timmy
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Warm and Humid but still lots of Fun!
Camp is getting into full swing on this warm and humid day at Camp Winnarainbow.
About a third of camp was already awake by 6:30am and hanging out down at the kitchen this morning; playing chess, Magic the Gathering, dominos and sipping on warm mugs of hot cocoa. We sang a few songs and had a delicious breakfast of blueberry pancakes, bacon, and hot oats on the buffet. Afterwards, the campers had their first real tipi clean up. Of course one of the community agreements we all make is to keep a clean and tidy living space.
The conch blew and it was time for Wavy's morning ready. Wavy reads a wide assortment of things - famous birthdays from an almanac, a poem or two - how about some Pablo Neruda and then a feature story from some of his favorite books. It can be as varied as the I Ching to Walter the Farting Dog. After morning reading, the campers head off to warm ups - low (like yoga), medium (often dance-y) and high (a good strenuous workout). Since we're still learning camp, first period today was the Orientation tour around camp to learn all the safety rules of each site and the boundaries followed by second period Falling Class. Falling class is real important as we teach each kid 3 different kinds of falls that help prevent bodily injury should they take a tumble in one of their classes.
After a big lunch of deli sandwiches, chips, carrots and celery and our huge organic salad bar, it's afternoon free time! The lake opened and lots of kids went up to get swim tested and cool off in refreshing Lake Veronica. Those that hung out in camp could participate in afternoon activities like hanging out at the creek, pick up aerials and stilts classes and whatever little activities counselors wanted to offer.
Dinner was oven roasted chicken with squash, mashed potatoes and rolls. Afterwards, the performance was Teacher Talent Night - or as Wavy likes to say, If You See It, You CAN BE It!
All the skills teachers showcased all of the things campers can be taking - aerials, gymnastics, stilts, two kinds of dance, tightrope, unicycling, improv, juggling and much, much more. Afterwards, everyone settled into their tipis for a warm slumber under the stars.
We'll definitely have photos tomorrow posted so stay tuned and have a great night (if you're still up at this hour).
Timmy
About a third of camp was already awake by 6:30am and hanging out down at the kitchen this morning; playing chess, Magic the Gathering, dominos and sipping on warm mugs of hot cocoa. We sang a few songs and had a delicious breakfast of blueberry pancakes, bacon, and hot oats on the buffet. Afterwards, the campers had their first real tipi clean up. Of course one of the community agreements we all make is to keep a clean and tidy living space.
The conch blew and it was time for Wavy's morning ready. Wavy reads a wide assortment of things - famous birthdays from an almanac, a poem or two - how about some Pablo Neruda and then a feature story from some of his favorite books. It can be as varied as the I Ching to Walter the Farting Dog. After morning reading, the campers head off to warm ups - low (like yoga), medium (often dance-y) and high (a good strenuous workout). Since we're still learning camp, first period today was the Orientation tour around camp to learn all the safety rules of each site and the boundaries followed by second period Falling Class. Falling class is real important as we teach each kid 3 different kinds of falls that help prevent bodily injury should they take a tumble in one of their classes.
After a big lunch of deli sandwiches, chips, carrots and celery and our huge organic salad bar, it's afternoon free time! The lake opened and lots of kids went up to get swim tested and cool off in refreshing Lake Veronica. Those that hung out in camp could participate in afternoon activities like hanging out at the creek, pick up aerials and stilts classes and whatever little activities counselors wanted to offer.
Dinner was oven roasted chicken with squash, mashed potatoes and rolls. Afterwards, the performance was Teacher Talent Night - or as Wavy likes to say, If You See It, You CAN BE It!
All the skills teachers showcased all of the things campers can be taking - aerials, gymnastics, stilts, two kinds of dance, tightrope, unicycling, improv, juggling and much, much more. Afterwards, everyone settled into their tipis for a warm slumber under the stars.
We'll definitely have photos tomorrow posted so stay tuned and have a great night (if you're still up at this hour).
Timmy
Monday, July 22, 2013
Welcome to the Session D Blog!
Welcome to the Session D 2013 Blog!
What a fun and easy Registration Day we had up here today. Though it was warm - in the 90s, check in was mellow and campers were greeted to staff juggling in the tipi circle, ready to welcome them toward the fun.
At 5:30, conch blew and the campers had their first tipi time. Introductions were made within the tipi between all the campers and counselors begin starting a conversation about the tipi communication agreements that each tipi will have - appreciations, confidentiality, the right to pass, etc in the tipi.
At 6:00 another conch blew and we had our first dinner circle. A few songs were sung and then Supervisor Silver introduced all the tipi colors followed by a cute skit describing the showers and toilet facilities at camp. Then we moved onto strokes - where counselors recognize outstanding citizenship among the campers and award strokes. Get 8 strokes and you get a crystal from the garden in Wavy's labyrinth. Then all the campers moved up to the kitchen for dinner! Pizza and organic salad from our garden. Tons of different toppings available but of course, cheese and pepperoni are the most popular.
After dinner, tipis gathered and worked on their skits. The first night's evening program is tipi skit night - to help ease campers into the idea of performing, every tipi comes up with a short, sweet or funny skit where each camper has to say their name in front of the whole camp. Then the teen staff do a camper rules skit - important ones like drink lots of water to stay hydrated, no romantic relationships and no cursing at Camp Winnarainbow. Afterwards, all the Adult Staff introduced themselves and shared what they'll be teaching. (Though tomorrow is Teacher Talent Night! - but more on that tomorrow). Last but not least, Wavy came up on stage and shared his "Brush 'Em if you Got 'Em" story of how he lost his teeth by brushing them with snicker's bars instead of toothbrushes. It's a camp tradition! And then it was it off to bed in the warm, cozy tipis.
We'll try to share highlights from each day, occasional sets of photos and other fun stories about what the Session D campers are up to on here so you can be a part of your child's experience at Camp Winnarainbow. Be sure to check back (usually in the evenings) for the latest happenings in Camp. As a side note, every three years, Camp goes through an Accreditation process with the American Camping Association. This Thursday is our big review so please forgive us if we forget to post - however we're doing everything we can to make sure this session is as amazing and as safe as it can be.
We look forward to spending two amazing, fun filled weeks with your child and will do our best to share the fun with you!
Sincerely,
Timmy and Yatiel and the staff of Camp Winnarainbow
What a fun and easy Registration Day we had up here today. Though it was warm - in the 90s, check in was mellow and campers were greeted to staff juggling in the tipi circle, ready to welcome them toward the fun.
At 5:30, conch blew and the campers had their first tipi time. Introductions were made within the tipi between all the campers and counselors begin starting a conversation about the tipi communication agreements that each tipi will have - appreciations, confidentiality, the right to pass, etc in the tipi.
At 6:00 another conch blew and we had our first dinner circle. A few songs were sung and then Supervisor Silver introduced all the tipi colors followed by a cute skit describing the showers and toilet facilities at camp. Then we moved onto strokes - where counselors recognize outstanding citizenship among the campers and award strokes. Get 8 strokes and you get a crystal from the garden in Wavy's labyrinth. Then all the campers moved up to the kitchen for dinner! Pizza and organic salad from our garden. Tons of different toppings available but of course, cheese and pepperoni are the most popular.
After dinner, tipis gathered and worked on their skits. The first night's evening program is tipi skit night - to help ease campers into the idea of performing, every tipi comes up with a short, sweet or funny skit where each camper has to say their name in front of the whole camp. Then the teen staff do a camper rules skit - important ones like drink lots of water to stay hydrated, no romantic relationships and no cursing at Camp Winnarainbow. Afterwards, all the Adult Staff introduced themselves and shared what they'll be teaching. (Though tomorrow is Teacher Talent Night! - but more on that tomorrow). Last but not least, Wavy came up on stage and shared his "Brush 'Em if you Got 'Em" story of how he lost his teeth by brushing them with snicker's bars instead of toothbrushes. It's a camp tradition! And then it was it off to bed in the warm, cozy tipis.
We'll try to share highlights from each day, occasional sets of photos and other fun stories about what the Session D campers are up to on here so you can be a part of your child's experience at Camp Winnarainbow. Be sure to check back (usually in the evenings) for the latest happenings in Camp. As a side note, every three years, Camp goes through an Accreditation process with the American Camping Association. This Thursday is our big review so please forgive us if we forget to post - however we're doing everything we can to make sure this session is as amazing and as safe as it can be.
We look forward to spending two amazing, fun filled weeks with your child and will do our best to share the fun with you!
Sincerely,
Timmy and Yatiel and the staff of Camp Winnarainbow
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