Hello Canadensis…

As I sit here at my desk at the end of a work day, I have my i-Tunes playing in the background on shuffle mode.  All of sudden, in consecutive order, Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin'” came on followed by The Black Eyed Peas “Tonight’s Gonna Be a Good Night.”  Since these tunes have prevailed summer’s past, I took it as a sign to hop onto my blog and begin to post.

I hope everyone out there has had a great beginning to their new year.  Things here at Canadensis are better than ever!  I loved seeing everyone at our annual winter reunion at Jeepers.  What a cool new place we found!  I think it was great that we were able to have the place all to ourselves.  Plus, it was fairly obvious that all of the campers and staff loved all the games and rides available.  When all was said and done, it looks like we had a little over 300 campers and staff  in attendance!  Just awesome!

For us in the winter office (me, Eric, Pam, Cara and Matt), the day before the reunion was a lot of fun as well because we had the opportunity to talk camp with all of camp’s leadership staff, including Head Counselor Robin Forti, Assistant Head Counselors Karen Sharir, Alyssa Thibodeau and Mike Lindquist and Camp Mom Steph Vorcheimer.  It was great as we talked about a wide range of topics, including everyone’s favorite top secret discussion of Color War.  And yes, we have a good idea of the team names as of now.  The next step is to design the shirts and finalize the break!

A few days after the reunion, we had a great special guest come and visit the winter office.  Lauren “L-Mac” McGuire came by to say hello.  L-Mac wanted to give a big shout out to everyone at camp.  These days, she is coaching college track as well as working in a photography studio.  According to L-Mac, she thinks about camp everyday.  Of course, L-Mac’s hard work is evident in the 2010 Video Yearbook that was sent out a few weeks ago.  She did an amazing job capturing all of the action and fun we had last summer.  We hope you have had a chance to watch it.  If not, what are you waiting for?!?!  Here’s a photo…

As always, it has been great to get out and visit all of our camp families and see so many campers.  In Cherry Hill, NJ, I got to catch up with 5th Grader and Upper Inter Boy Sammy Miller who will be joined at camp this summer by sister Paige Miller, who is in the 2nd Grade and will be in Girls Bunk 2.  Sammy, who will begin his third summer at camp, told me that he is currently playing on two basketball teams this winter.  He was also busy with soccer and hockey and in the spring will once again be playing baseball.  This summer, he is really looking forward to super leagues such as the CHL and CBL as well as the new Inter Courts and Color War.  As for Paige, she has been active with dance rehearsals for her recital in June.  She also has a talent show coming up at her school, which she will be performing in.  On top of that, she also plays soccer and basketball.  This summer, she can’t wait for soccer, swimming, dance, gymnastics, gaga, the plays, Crazy Night, the camp plays and Carnival Day.  Here is a pic from my visit…

In Short Hills, NJ, I was excited to see 5th Grade Boy and Upper Inter Boy Sam Hunn who will welcome to camp younger sister Lexi Hunn, who is in the 3rd Grade and will be in our Junior Division.  Sam told me about this great program he has been involved with called “Odyssey,” where he and a team of students have to create an 8-minute skit using specific guidelines that will be judged with the winning team moving onto a regional and then possibly a worldwide round.  Right now, Sam is busy finishing the sets for the skit.  He is also playing saxophone and guitar.  In what will be his second summer at Canadensis, Sam is looking forward to the Hondas, the Foam Pit and Color War.  He also informed us about a great game to play at our morning line-up called “Counselors and Buckets.”  He said it is going to be great and I can’t wait to see it in action.  As for Lexi, she has been involved with acting classes as well as a fashion class where she has made T-Shirts and clothes.  She also told me that she is a fan of “old school TV” and loves shows like Full House and The Simpsons.  Finally, she loves just hanging out with her friends at home.  This summer, she is enthusiastic to try ceramics, woodworking, gymnastics, the ropes course and zipline.  Here is a photo…

In Livingston, NJ, I saw the Dersovitz Family and campers Alexa and Matt.  Alexa is returning for her third summer as part of our Upper Inter Girls Division and Matt is coming for his first summer in our Junior Boys Division.  Now in 5th Grade, Alexa plays travel soccer, basketball and lacrosse.  In the upcoming months, she is looking to plan a sleepover for the Girls of last summer’s Bunk 6, who she wanted to give a shout out to!  Matt is very active with soccer, basketball and baseball.  Both Alexa and Matt mentioned a great family trip to the Cayman Islands where they went snorkeling and banana boating.  As for Matt, he can’t wait for his first summer and try waterskiing as well as play soccer, hockey and tennis.  He is also excited for Color War.  Here is a photo from us hanging out…

In Merrick, NY, I saw Upper Inter Girl Julia Rosenberg, who will be joined at camp this year by twin brothers and Junior Boys Alex and Josh Rosenberg, who are in the 3rd Grade.  Currently, Julia is playing on a basketball team.  In fact, the night I was there, she was getting ready to play a team that included fellow Canadensis camper Alix Negrin.  Now in 5th Grade, Julia said that she is always hanging out with friends from home but also saves time to chat online with camp friends on the computer.  She wanted to give a shout out to the Girls of Bunk 7 from 2010!  In 2011, which will be her third summer, she anxiously awaits Color War and the annual trip to Dorney Park.  As for Josh, he plays soccer, basketball and flag football as well as playing the guitar.  This summer, he really wants to get involved with glass fusion, cooking (and eating), soccer, basketball, swimming and all the activities on Lake Lenape.  As for Alex, he plays baseball, soccer, flag football, basketball and plays the drums.  This summer, he is looking forward to baskeball, basketball, flag football and hockey.  Here is a pic from our get-together…

Also in Merrick, I got to get to know 3rd Grader and Junior Boy Josh Michals, who will be coming to camp for his first summer.  Josh told me all about the sports he plays, including baseball, hockey, soccer and basketball.  He also let me know that he is a big fan of WWE Wrestling, with his favorite wrestler being Rey Mysterio Jr.   This summer, we will be sure to see him on the baseball and soccer fields and the hockey and basketball courts.  But, he is also looking to play golf and try the wrestling elective.  He also remembers how fun the water trampoline and log were when he came to camp for our Tour and More Sleepover Weekend and looks forward to doing it again.  Here is a picture…

Certainly, I look forward to the weeks ahead when I get to meet even more campers, new and returning.  If you are a new family and haven’t scheduled a visit yet, please call our office at your earliest convenience and we’ll set something up.  For all of our new campers and families, you will also be receiving an e-mail shortly, informing you of our New Camper Bowling Event, which will be held on Sunday, April 3 at the Brunswick Zone in North Brunswick, NJ.  This is always a great event for all of our first time campers.  We hope you can make it!

A few weeks ago, we got a great picture from Upper Inter Girl Mallory Kanterman and Junior Boy Sam Kanterman, entitled, “If Canadensis Had a Cruise Line.”  Check it out…

In discussing one of my favorite topics outside of camp, I am really looking forward to this weekend’s football games and I’m sure all of camp’s Jets fans are really excited for the possibility of Gang Green to be in their first Super Bowl since 1969.  Right now, I can picture Jets fans like Justin Zak, Scott Sussman, Mara Bernstein and Max Hecht all proudly wearing their Green and White all week long, highly anticipating this weekend’s game.  Good luck!  However, as a die hard Giants fan, I can’t bring myself to rooting for the Jets and will be looking for a Steelers vs. Packers Super Bowl.

More blogging to come…Brian

Hello Canadensis!

Happy New Year!  2011 is now officially upon us which means one thing…camp time is getting even closer!  Ha Ha!  It also means that our Annual Reunion is this weekend on January 9 for all those campers and counselors that attended camp last summer.  Can’t wait to see all of you at Jeeper’s in Elizabeth, NJ from 11:00 am – 12:30 pm.

Does anyone have any good new year’s resolutions?  If so, I’d love to hear them.  E-Mail me at brian@canadensis.com.  As for me, one thing I’d like to do is blog more.  I have gotten comments from so many campers and counselors that they enjoy reading the blogs of myself, Eric, Pam and Cara, so we hope to bring more of it coming to you in the months leading up to camp.

I hope everyone had a very safe, fun and happy holiday season.  I have heard that some of you went away on some great trips and vacations.  Hopefully, you brought some Canadensis gear while away.  If so, send us your pictures and we will put them in the next Canadensis Courier newsletter or post them on our blogs.  As for me, I got to get away to San Francisco for a week.  Of course, as many of you know, it was music related.  I got to see The Black Crowes on the final three nights of their Northeast tour at the Legendary Fillmore Theater.  During the time there, Jaime and I did some great things including Alcatraz, Muir Wood, the Jelly Belly Jelly Bean Factory (and ended up spending over $75 on jelly beans, too), Fisherman’s Wharf, Haight-Ashbury, the Castro and Golden Gate Park.  While on the west coast, we had a great dinner with Mike Lindquist and Alyssa Thibodeau.  Here are some pictures of our trip…

During the holiday break, I did get the chance to visit a few camp families.  First, in Scarsdale, NY, I saw Jordana and Ben Kaller.  Jordana is returning to camp for her second summer as part of our Upper Inter Girls division.  In 2011, she will be joined, by Ben, who is in the 3rd grade and be in our Junior Boys division.  While at their house, Ben and Jordana talked a lot about Color War and both even suggested some Color War names for this year’s festivities.  They also presented me with a song called “The 14 Days of Camp,” to the tune of the “12 Nights of Christmas,” which goes as follows:

On the 14th day of camp, Brian gave to me…14 CITs, 13 camp fires, 12 chicken fritters, 11 noodles and kick boards, 10 head staff members, 9 pairs of flip-flops, 8 life jackets, 7 lazy Wednesdays, 6 great electives, 5 days of Color War, 4 awesome counselors, 3 bunks per division, 2 Color War teams and 1 long, long, long bus ride home.

Jordana also told me that she and her bunkmates have seen each other several times since camp ended, including her own birthday sleepover.  She is also starring as Peter in her school’s play of “Peter Pan.”  She also wanted to give shout outs to Mara Bernstein and Jeremy Tarica!  She is so looking forward to Summer 2011.  Ben has been busy this fall and winter with fencing and tennis and has even created his own business with a friend.  You can check it out at www.coolpaperplanes.com .  This summer, he can’t wait to try the Hondas and G0 Karts as well as go waterskiing and go on the Summit.  Here is a photo of us…

In Springfield, NJ, I met up with the Silverstein Family to see second generation Canadensis campers Josh and Zach.  Their mom, Jodi (maiden name: Shickler), was a camper at Canadensis in the 70s and 80s and she can’t wait to hear about all the camp stories her sons bring home this year.  Josh is in the fourth grade and will be in the Lower Inter Boys Division while Zach is in first grade and will be in our Junior Boys Division.  Both boys are huge Mets fans and I even got to watch a DVD of Mets Opening Day from a few years ago when the boys got on ESPN.  Josh plays baseball, basketball, sledding and has been in a number of musical theater productions including “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown,” “Once On This Island,” “Seussical,” and “The Pajama Game.”  This summer, Josh is really looking forward to being in the camp shows, gaga, fishing, the Canadensis Baseball League and Color War.  His brother Zach plays soccer, baseball, and basketball, enjoys sledding and spending time with his family.  He is really excited to have his birthday at camp along with playing gaga, fishing, kayaking, woodworking, Color War and being on a soccer team.  Her is  a picture from my visit…

Unfortunately I don’t have pictures to share, but over the break I also saw Amanda and Julia Mirsky who wanted to say hello to everyone at camp.  At a New Jersey Devils game, I saw Rylie Frieder and her dad Jason.  Unfortunately, the Devils lost that game as they have been losing most games this year.

Speaking of losing, I am ready to take my fair share of abuse from Eagles fans this summer after my Giants blew a 21-point lead to Philadelphia a few weeks ago and ultimately crushing our spirit.  Thanks to all you that chose to send me those “wonderful” e-mails reminding me of the debacle, too.  I really appreciate it.  Not!  With my Big Blue out of the playoffs, my rooting interest will go to the Ravens, Colts, Saints and Packers.

Well, that’s all for today.  More blogging to come.  After all, it’s my New Year’s Resolution!

Have a great day…Brian

Hello Canadensis…

I was down in the Plymouth Meeting office the past two days, which is a nice change of pace.  If you don’t know, I actually work most days out of my office (also known as my home) in North New Jersey.  But, I usually make the trip down to to our Pennsylvania once a week, sometimes twice.  However, last night I crashed at Pam’s place in Philly.  She has done a great job renovating her new place.  It looks great!

I hope everyone had a great weekend.  Got to a few more Black Crowes concerts over the weekend and had a great get-together with all of our Giants tailgate friends at Griffin’s in Cresskill, NJ…http://griffinrestaurant.com.  Owner and Chef Peter is part of our tailgate.  With an away game, he made us a tailgate at the restaurant.  A lot of fun!  Dylan Carruba and dad Rich, who live close by, even stopped by to say hello.  Of course, the game was great as the Giants really beat up on the Seahawks, 41-7.  Sorry, Marshall Weinstein.  Up next…the Dallas Cowboys!

Isn’t it funny how camp friends sometimes meet up in the most random places?  In fact, I got a great picture last week from the Stu Minion, father of Zach, Josh and Danny.  During teacher’s convention in New Jersey, the Minions decided to plan a quick family trip to Washington, DC.  Apparently, the Liebman Family (campers Justin and Lauren) had the same idea.  Coincidentally, they ran into each other.  Here is the pic…

On Monday, Pam and I got a chance to spend some time with the Lehrer Family from Merion Station, PA.  Ben, who is in the 3rd grade, will be joining us in Summer 2011 as part of our Junior Boys division and his sister, Talia, will be coming to camp in a future summer.  In the fall, winter and spring months, Ben is very active in a variety of activities including baseball, sailing, skiing and building model rockets.  He also has a work station in his basement, allowing him to build a number of different projects.  He even built a doll house for his younger sister!  Sister Talia likes soccer, swimming and playing on the playground.  Both enjoy playing with their two dogs, Oliver and McKenzie.  This summer, Ben can’t wait for water skiing, the ropes course, the Summit on the lake and rocketry.  Here is a pic from our visit…

Finally, I hope everyone is able to join us on Thursday and Saturday for our first two rounds of CANTEEN ON THE FLY.  Thursday we will be in Long Island and Saturday in New York City, Westchester County and Northern New Jersey.  Here is the info…

More blogging later…Have a great day!

-Brian

Hello Canadensis…

I hope everyone had a really fun time trick-or-treating this past weekend.  I was actually up at camp on Saturday and is the annual tradition up there, the town has been changed to Scarecroweville, PA for the week.  Again, if anyone has any good costumes they would like to share, please send them and we’ll post’em on our blogs.

As for me, I love Halloween and have always spent it in the usual fashion for the past number of years.  As many of you know, outside of my family and friends, I have several loves for which I am passionate about:  (1) CAMP (of course); (2) the New York Giants (yes, we are 5-2 this season); (3) Music (and live music for that matter).  So, Halloween has usually been about finding a concert and spending it with friends.

This Halloween was particularly special as my favorite band, The Black Crowes were coming to New York City.  About a month ago, I discovered that the Halloween show was going to be my 50th Black Crowes show.  Talk about love!  As a result, I had a special football jersey made up for my costume.  Here it is…

Pretty cool, huh?!  Anyway, the 50th Show was also celebrated with some of MY closest camp friends.  What could be better, right?  We had so much fun and the show was absolutely terrific, especially when they ended up playing my favorite song of all time called “Thorn In My Pride.”

As I said, I also made my way up to camp this weekend.  We have begun some new projects, including re-paving and re-surfacing the Inter Courts.  Here are some pictures of that project…

Right in the same area of camp, we removed the green fencing around the Inter Hockey Rink, which we will now replace with netting behind the goal areas.  Take a look…

The trip up to camp was great!  Of course, all my trips up to camp end the same way, by stopping off at Callie’s Pretzel Factory and loading up on some delicious treats.  I have become addicted to their Everything Pretzels.  Delicious.  To check out Callie’s and even shop online, go to their website:  www.calliescandy.com .

I also wanted to take this opportunity to congratulate any of camp’s San Francisco Giants fans on winning their first World Series in over 50 years.  When I try and think of any Canadensis campers or staff that root for the Giants, I can only think of one…Mike Lindquist.  I’m sure Mike is on Cloud 9 today after such a big win!  I know all of you Phillies and Yankees fans were hoping to be back in the series this year, but you can’t win every year!

Well, that’s all for today.  More blogging later this week.

All the best…Brian

Hello Canadensis…

So, what are you dressing up as for Halloween?  If you have any pictures of you in your Halloween costume, please send them to us and we’ll post them on our blog.

Now that October 31 is just days away, it makes me think about the Halloween we had at camp this summer.  This night was without a shadow of a doubt one of my favorite nights of camp.  It was great to see so much spirit as mostly everyone was in costume.  Here are some pictures to reminisce about…

A great day to remember!  Have a Happy Halloween everyone!  Get lots and lots of candy.

All the best…Brian

Hello Canadensis…

Yes.  I know.  I have been delinquent of my blogging responsibilities.  But, I am now back “in the swing of things” and promise to be blogging regularly to all of you out there in Canadensis CyberWorld.  I will also give Jason “J.Cal” Calabretta a lot of credit for lighting the fire to get me to blog again.  This blog is for you, J.Cal!

Speaking of J.Cal, I hope all of you are enjoying the first Canadensis Courier since camp ended.  What a great summer we had, celebrating the 70th Summer of Camp!  So many great memories that will stay with us for a lifetime.

I was actually up at camp a few weeks ago.  By the way, the fall foliage in the Poconos was just breathtaking!  The drive up Upper Seese Hill Road alone looked like a movie!  I went to camp to check out some of the work that is going on up at camp.  Yes, that’s right.  Already some projects in the works for Summer 2011.  We will keep you posted as the year goes on.

Here’s a shot of Lake Lenape in the fall with all of the leaves changing colors.  Just awesome…

I have already gotten a chance to see some campers and camp families over the past few weeks, some even by complete accident.  Got to see new camper Harrison Keim and his father Dan at our Giants tailgate.  Harrison and I got to throw the football around in the L12 Parking Lot before a Giants victory.  A few weeks later, Dylan Carruba and his parents, Kristy and Rich, stopped by the Big Blue festivities to eat and throw the ‘ol pigskin around.  We had a lot of fun.  Mom even got a picture of us.  Here it is…

By the way, it’s exciting to start hearing the talk of an all New Jersey Super Bowl, as the Giants and Jets are off to great starts!

A few weeks ago, I bumped into 2011 Upper Inter Oliver Shaw and his sister Avery, who will also be coming to camp next summer as part of our Junior Girls Division.  They were with dad Jonathan, grabbing some dinner at Hog Wild Barbecue, a new restaurant that opened up in Caldwell, NJ.  By the way, if you like BBQ food, I highly recommend it.  As soon as Oliver saw me, I was greeted with a great big hug and it made my night!  He let me know that he recently enrolled in the School of Rock and has been practicing Pink Floyd’s “The Wall.”  Awesome stuff!  If you remember, Oliver got a standing ovation at this summer’s Lower Camp Talent Show, to which he also treated the camp with an encore of “Hotel California.”

My home visits meeting new camp families have also started.  Got a chance to go to Short Hills, NJ to meet Jake and Ryan Garfinkle.  Jake is in 4th Grade and will be a Lower Inter next summer and Ryan is in 2nd Grade and will be a Junior.  In the fall, winter and spring months, Jake is busy attending his Science and Mysteries classes after school, plays the piano, violin and recorder and is part of his school’s Math Olympiad.  Ryan plays midfield on his travel soccer team, the Millburn Rangers, plays the guitar and enjoys building Legos.  Both also enjoy family ski trips to Hunter Mountain and Stratton, VT.  In Summer 2011, Jake can’t wait to try glass fusion, archery and waterskiing and is excited to be apart of camp’s Color War.  Ryan is looking forward to glass fusion, fishing, archery and soccer.  Here is a picture from my visit…

So, as they say, I am officially off the schneid.  My first new blog of the offseason.  I am now promising to keep this updated for all of you!

All the best…Brian

Hello Canadensis!

It’s been a while since my last blog, but all I can say is that things have been so busy putting together the BEST SUMMER EVER that the blog had to be put on hold for a bit. But, I’m back with a May MegaBlog for you all to enjoy.

This past weekend, the summer unofficially kicked off with our 4th Annual CIT Weekend up at camp. First off, the weather was so amazing that you would have actually thought it was summer. The weekend was a combination of different activities but also included several meetings putting our CIT Leadership Program in place. Hats off to Pam Levi and Cara Corradetti for planning such a wonderful get-together. Highlights of the weekend included the CITS spelling out “CANADENSIS CITS” along Lake Lenape using their bodies, designing the 2010 Seniors T-Shirt, a campfire with S’Mores and a lot of wonderful reminiscing of summers past as well as great discussions about the upcoming summer. Here are some pictures from the get-together. More pics will be available in the Media Room of our website very soon.

Seeing our oldest campers in action made all of the staff particularly proud.  For those new to Canadensis, our CITs spend 2 or more periods each day with a lower camp bunk and get involved first hand in creating an amazing camp experience for our younger campers.  Our CITs are a true asset in providing guidance for these campers.  After all, they have been at camp the longest and know exactly what camp is all about.

Speaking of our youngest campers, I really didn’t have a chance in my last blog to mention how wonderful our New Camper Bowling Event on Sunday, April 18 was.  So, I guess I just did.  It was wonderful!  Our new Juniors and Lower Inters had a great time bowling, eating pizza and getting to know one another with a game called “Camper Bingo.”  In addition to the winter staff of me, Aunt Terri, Eric, Pam and Cara, we were fortunate enough to have Girls Head Counselor Robin Hasson, Assistant Girls Head Counselor Karen Sharir, Boys Head Counselor Will Armon and counselors Pete Tarnoff and Jason Calabretta in attendance.  From this event, we have already heard that many campers have arranged future get-togethers before camp.  Awesome!  Pictures from this event can be found in the Media Room at www.canadensis.com .

Of course, Eric and I have been able to have some get-togethers of our own with some of our campers over the past few weeks as well.  We first saw Brad Skolnick from Englewood Cliffs, NJ.  Brad is in the fourth grade and will be a Lower Inter at camp this year.  He is also a second generation camper as his mother Heidi went to camp.  Brad is very busy all year round with soccer as he plays on both an indoor and outdoor team and can be found playing both goalie and forward.  He also plays on a basketball team in the winter and a baseball team in the spring.  At camp, he can’t wait for GaGa, Soccer, Basketball, Canteen and the Summit on the lake.  Here is a picture…

In Rye Brook, NY, I met up with Lower Senior Drew Schinik, back for his fourth summer, who will be joined by his brother and Junior Zach Schinik at camp this summer.  Both are busy with their respective sports season.  Zach told me that he has been playing baseball, football, basketball and soccer while Drew has been involved with both baseball (two teams) and football.  For the upcoming summer, Zach can’t wait for all of the sports, Color War, Hondas and Waterskiing and Drew is really excited about the trip to Lake Placid this year.  Here is a photo…

In Scarsdale, NY, I met up with Madeline and Griffin Frankel, who were both excited to tell me how pumped up they are for another amazing summer.  Madeline is back for her 4th summer at camp and will be in our Freshman Girls division while Griffin joins us for his 3rd summer as part of the Lower Inter Boys.  They had just returned from a great family trip from the Bahamas.  Madeline told me that she has a dance recital coming up in June for her Hip Hop Dance class.  Griffin let me know that he and bunkmates Oliver Shaw and Alex Frieder went into New York City to take a trapeze class.  He also told me that he recently had a sleepover with another bunkmate, Oliver Harris.  While there, I also got to meet their new dog Cooper.  Here is a pic…

Then, it was onto South Orange, NJ to meet 5th grader and Upper Inter Girl Leah Otner.  Leah has been involved recently with a theater class called the Performers Theater Workshop in which she learns about acting, singing and dancing.  The class has been working hard towards a performance in June.  She also plays tennis and volleyball.  Over the winter, she enjoys going to Vermont for ski season at Smuggler’s Notch and Mt. Snow.  This summer, she is really looking forward to waterskiing, the camp shows (either being onstage or backstage), special event Wednesdays, Color War and meeting a whole new bunch of friends.  Here’s a picture…

As I mentioned at the beginning of this blog, things have been so busy in putting together all of our preparations for the upcoming summer.  Last week, me, Eric, Pam and Roy met up in Central New Jersey for an entire day to review our master schedule of activities.  Planning a summer for over 400+ campers and 150+ counselors has its challenges, but we were able to work through all of the tweaks in making sure that each division has a well rounded activity schedule each and every week.  We also added several new Electives to the mix, including a Canadensis Today Show Elective, World Games and Outdoor Living Skills.  Elective choices will be e-mailed out in a few more weeks!

In addition to the return of the Canadensis Today Show, I hope all of you have been keeping up with Cara’s blog and the announcement of the all new Canadensis Tonight Show which will also be available to parents, grandparents, alumni and friends online this summer.  This show will be quite different from the Today show and plans are in the works to get as many campers and staff involved in its taping and production.  For now, I know everyone is having fun submitting their Canadensis Tonight Promo Pictures.  Me, too!  Here is mine…

In looking at the summer schedule, there are also so many great things returning to camp this year.  Activities like Rak Don are on the calendar along with Brad Henderson magic clinics and shows, Wild-N-Wacky Challenge, Pike County Inter-Camps, Super Leagues, Revolutionary War Day and Carnival Day!  Also, don’t forget…we are bringing Halloween to Camp Canadensis this summer, too!  Bring a costume!  Also, coming soon will be a vote for our campers and staff to pick the Drive In Movies for the summer so be on the lookout for that.

Over the past few weeks, I have been speaking with many of our counselors and staff.  Needless to say, they can’t wait for summer to arrive and be back in the Pocono Mountains.  To get in the spirit, Upper Inter Boys Group Leader Mike Lindquist told me that he was coaching a Little League baseball team in Eugene, OR.  Because Mike lives and breathes camp, guess what he called his team?  Named after a Color War team, his boys are known as the Blizzard.  Here’s a photo…

For all Canadensis Alumni, we are getting further to celebrating camp’s 70th Birthday and hope to see as many of you at the Reunion on Saturday, June 19!  Aunt Terri has been hard at work creating a very special Carnival themed day for families and friends.  If you haven’t done so already, please RSVP by calling our winter office at 484.674.1941.  All those that RSVP will get gift sent to them.

Of course, we also hope to see many of our families at the Open House at Camp on June 6.  Over the past few summers, this event has been a great way for campers to get familiar with camp and the staff as well as participate in a number of activities.

So, as you can see…a lot going on.  How many days until camp?  The clock is ticking down.  Tick…Tick…Tick.

See you all very, very soon…Brian

Hello Canadensis…

We had our New Camper Bowling Event this weekend on Sunday, April 18. It was an opportunity for our new campers (and some of our returning campers) in the Junior and Lower Inter Divisions to meet each other. Of course, our Canadensis Today Show was there to catch all of the action.

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Hello Canadensis…

Now, this what I’m talking about!  It’s 75-degrees outside and really starting to feel like summer.  Things here have been really busy as we are about 6 weeks from moving up to camp, ourselves.  Matt Unger actually moves up in just two weeks!  Wow!  As you may know, setting up camp is a tall order.  Our first pre-camp group arrives at the beginning of May.

Of course, the beginning of May will also mark our 4th Annual CIT Weekend at Camp!  For these past four years, we have always viewed this as the unofficial beginning to the summer.  Our CITs each and every year are truly the backbone to all of the amazing spirit that goes on at camp.  In fact, when I am in camper homes, many campers want to know who will be their CIT?!?!  How awesome is that!  For those new to Canadensis, the CITs are our oldest campers, those finishing 10th grade.  For several periods each day, a CIT is matched up with a bunk and be a leader for that cabin of boys or girls.  Other periods in the day, they are assigned to activity areas to help assist in.  And, of course, for Color War, our CITs are the team leaders.  We will have pictures for you from our CIT Weekend on May 1 and 2.

In just a few weeks, we will have our new camper bowling get-togethers at the Brunswick Zone in North Brunswick, NJ.  This event is for our new Junior and Lower Inter campers and those campers that were in Bunk 2 in Summer 2009.  This event has always been a wonderful opportunity for campers to meet other new campers and get the excitement for Summer 2010 underway!  This year, we are also happy to let you know that we will be flying in Head Counselors Robin Hasson and Will Armon for our campers and parents to meet.  If you haven’t RSVP’d for the event yet, please do so at info@canadensis.com.

Talking about meeting campers, I was on the road again to meet some more of our campers…new and returning.  First, I was in Woodbury, NY to see new camper and 5th grader Marissa Levine.  Marissa will be in Upper Inter in 2010 and has heard so many wonderful stories about Canadensis from her cousins Rachel and Matty Weiner.  In the fall, winter and spring, Marissa likes to a little bit of everything from tennis to dance to softball to basketball.  In a wonderful coincidence, Marissa is on softball and basketball teams with fellow Canadensis camper Ashley Shogan.  Marissa also plays the violin in the school orchestra and sings in the school chorus.  This summer, she can’t wait to try water skiing, tennis, softball, the water trampoline and all the activities in the Art Center. Here is a picture…

In Blue Bell, PA, I got to hang out with Junior Girl Valerie Solomon.  Currently in the 3rd grade, Valerie is also a second generation Canadensis camper as her father Bob was a camper and staff member in the 70’s and 80’s.  Valerie is definitely a busy girl.  First, she performs in the Young Starrs Theater Company playing roles in shows such as “Miss Nelson is Missing” and “Rumpelstiltskin.”  She is also involved in soccer and softball teams, gymnastics, swimming and bike riding.  She loves having sleepovers with friends, too!  When I got to their house, the family had just returned from a ski trip in Colorado.  When summer comes, she can’t wait to try horseback riding, the climbing wall, ropes course and zipline, the water trampoline and waterskiing.  Here is a photo…

At the end of last week, I got to be part of a really special treat.  Turns out that Diana Altman was having a sleepover at her house in Livingston, NJ for the Girls of Bunk 8 from Summer 2009.  Although the entire bunk couldn’t make it, a majority of the bunk showed up for a weekend of art projects, dinner out on the town and rollerblading.  I was able to stop by for a few hours to be part of the fun.  The girls were excited to see me and while I was there, all we could talk about was our favorite thing…Canadensis!  Of course, within the first few minutes, I was attacked with the pony tail treatment.  Here is a pic…

The next day, I got several calls from the girls in the bunk who let me know that they were on the radio giving a shout out to Camp Canadensis.  Click the following link to listen.

Click here to listen to Canadensis on the Radio.

Congratulations goes out to Greg Ricken, who was the victor of our First Annual Camp Canadensis Craziness College Basketball Selection Pool.  Greg apparently didn’t have Kansas, Kentucky or Syracuse winning the tournament and therefore won by process of default.  Ha Ha!  Only kidding, Greg.  Way to go!  Greg will win a very special prize as the winner, including a big hug from Jared “Groundhog” Katzman.  Now, that is special!  By the way, that final game last night with Duke just barely beating out Butler was one heckuva game!

I wanted to share with you a very cool new activity we will be doing at camp this summer that I think everyone is sure to enjoy!  A few weeks ago at the Tri-State Camp Conference, I had the opportunity of meeting Adam Issadore, who is a music teacher in Westchester County, NY.  Adam is also a very accomplished drummer.  When he was a child, he went to Camp Akiba and is very familiar with sleepaway camp.  This summer, he will be coming to Canadensis with his company Path To Rhythm.  For two days, campers and staff will be participating in drum circles.  For more information, please visit his website at www.pathtorhythm.com.  This is going to be an awesome activity!

More blogging coming soon.  Until then…Have a great day…Brian

Hello Canadensis…

It’s March Madness!  Originally, this saying was created to refer to the NCAA College Basketball Tournament (which I will get to later), but when you are in the camping business, it also means that camp is coming soon!  And, this year at Canadensis, it also means that we have been so busy seeing all of you at a number of our spring events.

First, there was our second Canteen on the Fly on Sunday, March 7.  We hit Cherry Hill, NJ as well as Wynnewood and Newtown, PA.  We probably got to see around 60 people at each location.  We were so happy with the turnout of both Canteen on the Fly weekends, which we estimated over 350 campers, parents, staff and friends attended!  Obviously, this is now a new tradition for Camp Canadensis.  Here are some pics from the March 7 day…

The following weekend on Sunday, March 14, Canadensis was so thrilled to help participate in the Jewish Relief Agency’s Passover Food Distribution Drive.  On a day filled with torrential downpours, we want to thank all of the families that came out to help this wonderful cause.  The JRA was an amazing experience as more than 700 people came to help box and deliver more than 2500 boxes of groceries to local low income Jewish families.  For more information on the JRA, please visit their website at www.jewishrelief.org.  Here are some pictures from this great event…

Of course, part of the March Madness also entails seeing some of our camp families.  In Short Hills, NJ, I got a chance to see new camper Sam Hunn and his sister and future Canadensis camper, Lexi Hunn.  Sam, who is currently in the 4th grade, will be a Lower Inter this summer.  At home, he enjoys Biking, Baseball, playing his guitar, Legos and video games.  This summer at camp, he can’t wait to try the Hondas as well as go Mountain Biking.  He is also excited for Water Skiing and the Ropes Course and Zipline.  As for Lexi, she takes Art classes throughout the year and plays the piano.  Here is a picture…

I also made it to Wilmington, DE to meet Alex Felzer.  Alex’s older brother Brian had been a camper at Canadensis for many summer, but now Alex is excited that it is now his turn.  Alex is in the 5th grade and will be an Upper Inter in 2010.  All year, Alex takes tennis lessons.  He just recently finished the season for his 5th grade basketball team.  In the upcoming weeks, he will be involved in the town baseball league.  This summer, Alex is really looking forward to Archery, Hondas and Mountain Biking.  Here is a pic…

Last week, part of the madness meant an annual ritual of professionals in the camping industry.  That is, our winter office headed down to Atlantic City for the Tri-State Camp Conference.

This conference is one of the many benefits we receive being an American Camp Association accredited camp.  Over the course of the three days we were there, we all attended a number of wonderful sessions that dealt with a wide range of camper, staff and parent topics.  All of us walked away with many new wonderful ideas on how to make the upcoming summer even better!  The conference is attended by over 3000 attendees which means we also get to talk with so many wonderful people at other camps.  At the same time, the conference has an amazing exhibit hall, which we walked through several times.  We got great new ideas for camp shirts, games we can play at camp and saw some items that might be fun for camp.  Here was one item, which looked like fun…

And finally, back to the initial reason why the term March Madness was created…the college basketball tournament.  As a sports fan, I find this to be one of the most exciting times of the year because of the drama of this basketball tournament.  As our Program Director always says to me, sports is the original reality TV.  For college basketball, this always seems to be true.  In fact, how many games last weekend came down to the very last two minutes?!?!  So many upsets, too!  Who expected Cornell or Northern Iowa or St. Mary’s in the Sweet 16?!?!  And, how awesome was that game involving Northern Iowa and Kansas.  Amazing!  Our staff has been involved in a Facebook pick’em bracket, who is currently being led by Justin Bruno.  As for me, I think you all know who I am rooting for…SYRACUSE!  Right now, I think I am in 7th place.  We’ll let you know who won.

Until then…Have a great day…Brian