Hello Canadensis!
I don’t think I mentioned on my last blog, but last week was a travel week to Michigan and Ohio for the beginning of our Staff Recruitment tour to a number of college campuses around the United States. Also, I’m sure all of you have followed Eric Forti on his travels in an attempt to find some great international staff as well. The staffing process is always an interesting and fun one as we know that it will be our staff that is going to play a huge role in making the summer such a success. Meeting all of the applicants in person sure does make the search process all that more effective!
I think this was my tenth or eleventh year doing this trip to the Midwest. I know it doesn’t sound like Eric’s blog where he gets to go to places like Australia, but I have always enjoyed this annual voyage to Michigan and Ohio. This year, I took along our Assistant Director Pam on the trip as well. Pam has been instrumental in our staffing this year and it only made sense to have her accompany me and meet as many applicants as possible. In our week, we met close to 60 applicants! Of course, one of the highlights is also getting to see many of our current staff who are in the areas we visit.
At Western Michigan University, we saw Nora Tkac, who will be returning for her second summer and once again working in Ceramics. Nora said her sophomore year at WMU is going well. Things are busy with her, but she had time to pop in between our interviews to tell us that she has really been thinking about the upcoming summer and how she wants to continue to expand the Ceramics program. She wants to see as many campers as possible work on the pottery wheels this summer. I thought that was a terrific idea! Here is a pic of me and Nora…
Me with Counselor Nora Tkac at Western Michigan University. Nora will be back in 2010 for Summer #2! She will also be in Ceramics again.
At Central Michigan, we met up with a slew of counselors and even got a chance to have dinner at a place called “The Cabin,” which Pam and I thought was so appropriate for a camp dinner. There, we saw Chris Poag, Tony Davis, Sarah Smalley, Andi Riemersma, Jacob Fedewa and Rachel Kauffman. Throughout the dinner, so many wonderful camp stories came up and all were happy to report that things are good with them. Most of this bunch is excited for their return to camp in 2010! The Cabin, by the way, was a great choice as we had some delicious pizzas. My particular favorite was the sausage and pepperoni, but the Hawaiian pizza was also surprisingly good. Good suggestion, Andi. Here is a pic…
Me and Pam with the Central Michigan University Gang! We had an awesome dinner at The Cabin in Mt. Pleasant, MI.
In East Lansing, MI, home of Michigan State University, we had dinner with Amanda Dixon, who will be back for her second summer and once again working in our Dance program. Also with Amanda was her sister Amber Dixon, who will be joining our Canadensis staff in 2010 and working in our Soccer program. Amber, who has her Bachelor’s degree in Education, mentioned to me that when she came at summer’s end to pick up her sister Amanda, who continually raved about the experience, she said to herself that she wanted to work at Canadensis the following summer. She applied immediately for the position. We are happy to have her on board. Amanda can’t wait to get back to the 18325 as well and has some really good ideas in store for the dances this summer. Amanda is really enjoying her second year at MSU as well and says hello to all of her girls from Summer 2009’s Bunk 8! Here is a shot…
Me and Pam with Amanda and Amber Dixon at the Michigan State Hall of Fame Cafe.
At Bowling Green University, we saw Bridget Haley, returning for her third summer and will also be part of Swimming program in 2010. Bridget, who loves talking about camp, was also instrumental in helping us out while we were on campus. At this college visit, we also had a table in the Student Union to help promote positions at camp even better. Bridget took out a large part of her day to help us out. Since the end of camp, Bridget mentioned that she has remained in touch with many people from camp and can’t wait to be back in Canadensis, PA this summer. On top of her education classes at BGSU which keeps her awful busy, Bridget also still works at a one of the coolest record / CD stores in the country called “Finders.” A music person like myself could spend all day in there looking through all the CDs! While on campus, we also met up with 2008 Staff member Shawn Bally, who says hello to everyone at camp. Here is a picture of me with Bridget…
Me with Bridget Haley. Bridget returns for her 3rd summer at camp and will be part of our Swimming program!
At Ohio University in Athens, OH, we saw and had lunch with Martha Archer. As always, Martha just wanted to know if it was June yet and if camp was ready to begin. I think the counter on our home page, which tells you how many days until camp, was created for people like Martha as she always has camp on her mind. In fact, she greeted us wearing her 2009 Big Apple Blue Color War T-Shirt! So Martha, right?!?! In addition to all of her classes (I think she has taken on a third major or something like that…ha ha!), Martha goes on many of the outdoor adventure trips that her school provides. At the same time, she has been active in working for a charity that helps with poorly treated animals in the area of Athens. This summer will be Martha’s third at Canadensis, where she will also be working in the Archery program. Here is a photo…
Me and Pam with Martha Archer, coming back for her third summer at camp. Notice the Big Apple Blue T-Shirt!
Five schools in five days was a lot of fun! Seeing the returning staff and meeting so many wonderful new people got things off to a terrific start to our adventures in staffing. We are going to have a tough task on our hands in a few weeks when we review all of our applicants once again to make job offers to the people we thought will make amazing camp counselors. This week, Pam and Cara will be in the Northeast part of the country, visiting campuses like University of Vermont and Lyndon College.
Both before I left on my travels and when I returned, I got to meet more of our camp families. Before my trip, I was in Wayne, NJ to see two families. First, it was off to see Josh Halpern, returning for his second summer at Canadensis where he will be an Upper Inter in 2010. Since camp ended, he has been busy playing his saxophone in the school band and playing indoor soccer. This summer, he is really looking forward to mountain biking and hondas, including the SSR. He has also been introducing the game of zoogle to his home friends, which also allows him to practice his zoogling skills. He told me to say, “Look out Will Armon this summer when it comes to zoogle!” Here is a photo…
Me with Upper Inter Boy Josh Halpern, who had his zoogle in hand.
Also in Wayne were the Schwed brothers, Alex and Matthew. Both will be back at Canadensis for their summers at Canadensis as Upper Inter Boys. Matthew was ecstatic to tell me that he got one of the leads as the Sultan in the local Y’s production of “Aladdin,” which will be performed on March 13 and 14. He is also testing for his high green belt in martial arts. Brother Alex is also testing for his high green belt while also busy with basketball and indoor and outdoor soccer. While there, I also got crushed in Madden 2010 by Matthew, although Alex helped me out by getting my team’s only score in the game. Here is a picture…
Me with Alex and Matthew Schwed, who will be Upper Inters in 2010, and younger brother Ben, a future Canadensis camper.
Upon returning from my trip, I went up on Saturday to Redding, CT to meet with Alexis and Justin Schachter and welcome them to Canadensis! Alexis and Justin are twins currently in the 6th grade and they will be in the Freshman division in 2010. Both have been at sleep away camp before and both are excited to be at Canadensis for their first summer this year. In the winter, Alexis is busy with jazz, tap and hip hop dance classes, practicing for her spring recital. She also loves art and even showed me a Knock Hockey table she made custom for her dad. Lastly, she loves skiing and cooking. Justin was excited to tell me about his Siburtek Hockey Team in Ridgefield, CT where he plays defense. He is also into mountain biking, baseball, roller blading, woodworking and skiing. Here is a photo…
Me with first time campers Alexis and Justin Schachter, both who are in the 6th grade.
On Sunday, I was in Albertson, NY to visit with the Liebermans. Older sister Carly, currently in 7th grade and back for her fourth summer at camp as a Lower Senior Girl, is happy to welcome her younger brother Eli Lieberman, who is in the third grade and will be a Junior in 2010. Eli filled me in on the activity he does the most in the winter time and something he has started to become really good at…fencing! Because I don’t know much about this unique sport, Eli filled me in on some of the techniques he’s learned as well as how his bouts get scored. It was really interesting. Eli has also been busy with skiing in the winter. This summer, he can’t wait to try activities like woodworking, especially since he even does some of it at home with his dad. Eli showed me a cool sword he made out of wood. Eli will also continue with his little league baseball clinics in the spring. As for Carly, she just had her Bat Mitzvah last weekend, in which her fellow bunkmates from Girls Bunk 11 in 2009 was in full attendance! Mazel Tov! She is also active with soccer, basketball and skiing. Both Carly and Eli have birthdays in upcoming weeks! Here is a pic…
Me with Carly and Eli Lieberman.
I can’t wait until tomorrow when I get to see more camp families, campers and even alumni when we have our second basketball game get-together at the Knicks game at 7:30 pm on Tuesday. As we mentioned to those going, for those that can get there at 6:30 pm, meet us at the 8 Penn Plaza entrance to Madison Square Garden (33rd Street & 8th Avenue) so that your camper can participate in the Fan Tunnel for the team warm-ups. How cool is that?! Some of our campers will be on the court at MSG!
Over the past few weeks, I got some great e-mails from campers and staff that I wanted to share with you. First off is Carly Fleischer. Here is Carly’s e-mail to me…
Just wanted to say hi and thought I’d send you a couple pictures because last week at my school was spirit week. One of the days was “Indian Day,” so I decided to go all out and dress in camp clothes (since it is, of course, my favorite kind of clothing). I have been really busy with school (I have an accelerated earth science midterm this week) ,soccer (we haven’t stopped since the end of the summer) and riding horses. In 2 weeks, for February break, my dad and I are going to surf camp in Costa Rica for 7 days. We will also be using ATVs, horseback riding on the beach, zip lining and scuba diving. Kinda reminds you of camp, huh? Well I’m really excited and feel free to use my pictures and/or this little update on me for your blog. I can’t wait for camp!!! 150 DAYS!!!
Here are the pics from Carly’s Spirit Day…
Carly in her Indian Get Up, using last Summer's Senior T-Shirt. Great stuff!
Peace!
Counselor Lauren “L-Mac” McGuire, who will be back at camp for her second summer and also shooting and editing our Video Yearbook again, e-mailed me a great photo from her weightlifting competition. Here is the e-mail…
Lauren McGuire power lifts 310 lbs! She was modest about the record thing. That looks like a record to me! Way to go, L-Mac!
Chris Parno teaches Rak Dan Line Dancing to his fellow classmates at University of Minnesota-Duluth.
