Busy! Busy! Busy!

Hello Canadensis!

I sit here on a Friday afternoon absolutely day dreaming about camp.  The weather outside is telling me that camp will be here soon and things are busy, busy, busy!

Jaime and I got up to camp a few weeks ago to see the progress on many of our projects and things look so good.  The new pool is really coming along great as is the new fitness center that will be at the back of the Rec Hall.  Here are some pictures of each…

The new pool from the Art Center side.

The new Fitness Center. We have already purchased some treadmills and elliptical machines. More equipment is still to come. Plus, the room will have rubber flooring that has yet to be installed.

Our weekend at camp was beautiful.  It’s really nice to be able to be up at camp when it’s completely quiet.  When we weren’t at camp, Jaime and I traveled into town to two of our favorite places…Callie’s Candy Kitchen for some very important candy and snack purchases and the Frogtown Inn for dinner.  Upon leaving camp, we took a pic at camp’s entrance…

A self pic of me and Jaime at the camp sign at the entrance. As you can see, it was a bit sunny.

Last week, the Canadensis Year-Round Team went down to Atlantic City for the multiple-day American Camp Association Tri-State Conference.  Each year, this event brings in more than 4000 members of the camping industry to discuss everyone’s favorite topic…CAMP!  Over a few days, we have the opportunity to attend workshops and sessions that deal with a wide assortment of topics from camp programming to staff training to working with children.  The conference brings in so many wonderful trainers and professionals that work with camps and kids.  Over the course of 3-4 days, we go to as many sessions as possible.  Personally, I find the best part to be just meeting with so many people from other camps to see what they are doing and getting ideas that way.  On top of that, the conference has an enormous exhibit hall that has more than 250 exhibitors.  Here, we get new ideas for foods to serve in the Dining Hall, ideas for evening activities and trips and meet with plenty of people that offer services for camps.  The range truly is endless and can include anything from companies that make the t-shirts for camps all the way through companies that make all the equipment for the lake.  At times, I even find the exhibit hall to be a bit overwhelming.  But, it is fun!  Here are a few photographs from our trip to the Tri-State Camp Conference…

Hey! That's Matthew Broderick! Actually, just a wax replica in the exhibit hall at the camp conference.

Cara and Eric with the Butterfly Girl!

Eric and Pam wishing they were at the beach!

Becky J used part of her Spring Break from college to attend the camp conference. For those of you that don't know, Becky J will be earning a degree in a very unique Camping Major at Springfield College. Here she is on an inflatable pony activity.

Last weekend on March 18, we also had our Annual JRA Community Service Event in Philadelphia, PA.  This was our third year partaking in this opportunity, which truly is a wonderful experience.  For those that are not familiar, JRA (Jewish Relief Agency) organizes food distributions that take place one Sunday each month throughout the year at their warehouse in Northeast Philadelphia. Volunteers work together to package kosher, non-perishable food in boxes.  After packing, volunteers load their cars and deliver the food packages to each of the less fortunate recipient families.  This year, the Camp Canadensis crew was responsible for boxing up and delivering more than 70 boxes to families.  Here are some pics…

Some of the Camp Canadensis Team at JRA.

Some of the Canadensis Team after making our deliveries.

Me with Lower Senior Boy Josh Brownstein.

The past few weeks also had me on the road, visiting several camp families…

In Rydal, PA, I got to see Eric and Ilana Miller.  Eric is back for his third summer at camp while Ilana joins us for her first summer.  Now in 6th grade and part of our Freshman Boys division, Eric told me that he is the Vice President of his school this year.  He just recently finished up his ice hockey season where he plays on wing on his team, the Royals.  He was also the captain of his school’s street hockey team that won the championship.  Sticking with the hockey theme, Eric wanted to make sure that I mentioned he said, “Let’s Go Flyers!,” knowing that I am a Devils fan!  Ha Ha!  This summer, he is looking forward to Color War, being on Freshman Hill, waterskiing and the CHL.  He also wanted to give a shout out to Boys Bunk 11 from Summer 2011.  Ilana is currently in the 3rd grade and will be in our Junior Girls division.  Ilana is very busy with dance classes and competing for her team called Zero Gravity, which performs in hip hop, jazz and lyrical.  In their last competition, Ilana’s team received a high gold finish, a top honor.  Ilana also enjoys gymnastics and playing on the computer.  Her favorite colors are blue and purple.  When I asked her what she is looking forward to at camp this summer, her immediate answer was, “Everything!”  In particular, she can’t wait for Color War and all of the lake activities.  Here is a photo…

Me with Freshman Boy Eric Miller and Junior Girl Ilana Miller.

In Gladwyne, PA, I got to hang out with Max and Wes Copley and Quentin Stoloff, all who will be enjoying their first summer at Canadensis in 2012.  Max and Quentin are currently in 4th grade and will be in our Lower Inter Boys division while Wes is in the 3rd grade and will be in the Junior division this summer.  Max told me that he is a big Philadelphia Phillies fan and enjoys playing first base in baseball, too.  His season will be starting in a few weeks.  Max plays in the Next Level Basketball League in the winter as well.  He also enjoys skiing and going to the beach.  When he comes to camp, he is ready to try the Hondas and the climbing wall as well as going on the overnights, going to canteen and staying up late.  For Wes, he told me that he is a fan of both the New York Giants and Buffalo Bills.  He also plays in the Next Level Basketball League and enjoys skiing.  Wes also loves to dance and currently takes hip hop and break dancing lessons and even performs.  He showed me some of his moves and I must say that I was extremely impressed.  Wes is looking forward to the new pool and the overnights.  Quentin Stoloff told me that he plays center and defense in a soccer league, plays pitcher and right field during baseball season in the Spring and is also a big Eagles fan.  He also enjoys going to the beach and skiing.  In Summer 2012, he is ready to try fishing, waterskiing, tubing, the Hondas, going to Canteen and being part of his division’s overnight.  Here is a pic…

Me with (from Left to Right): Junior Boy Wes Copley, Lower Inter Boy Max Copley and Lower Inter Boy Quentin Stoloff.

In Scarsdale, NY, I met up with the Binday Girls, Alexa, Carly and Jordana, all who will be at Canadensis in 2012.  Together, they make up a decade at camp as Alexa is back for her sixth summer as an Upper Senior Girl, Carly her third summer as a Freshman Girl and Jordana her first summer as a Junior Girl.  Now in 8th grade, Alexa is taking pop singing lessons with a personal coach, taking hip hop dance lessons with an upcoming recital in the spring and will be starting softball in a few weeks.  Alexa is ready for Color War this summer and wanted to give a shout out to Girls Bunk 15 from Summer 2011.  Carly is now in 6th grade and has been taking an art class this year.  She also told me that she sees several other Canadensis campers on a daily basis as a few go to her school.  Carly can’t wait for Summer 2012 to arrive and is excited for Color War and the Dorney Park trip.  She wanted to give a shout out to Girls Bunk 9 from Summer 2011.  Alexa and Carly are happy that they will now be joined by their youngest sister, Jordana, who is currently in the 3rd grade.  Throughout the year, Jordana takes cartooning classes and absolutely loves hanging out with her cat, Milkshake.  When she gets to camp, she really wants to do gymnastics and all of the activities at the lake.  Here is a photo…

Me with (from Left to Right): Junior Girl Jordana Binday, Upper Senior Girl Alexa Binday and Freshman Girl Carly Binday.

Got this really funny photo sent to me, featuring 2012 Freshman Boy Max Rapoport.  A few weeks ago, Max’s basketball team was playing the quarterfinals of their basketball league.  Upon seeing the other team’s center, it was clear that Max’s team was not going to win the game’s opening tip.  As a joke, the coach had Max take the jump ball.  Max’s team actually won the game and advanced their way to the semi-finals.  Here is the photo…

Max Rapoport at center court really didn't have a chance to win the tip against the other team's center. Max's team still won the game!

Speaking of basketball, great job by everyone that filled out a NCAA Tournament Bracket.  I think there were over 100 entries in all.  And, in case you were wondering who is winning the current moment.  Well, it’s me.  That’s right!  I am “TheGreatPretender22.”  In second, we have Lauren “L-Mac” McGuire.  And, in third is camper Josh Brownstein.  Will I be able to hold on and win?  Who knows?

Well, that’s all the blogging for now.  Looking forward to our New Camper Bowling Event on Sunday.  Should be a great time to meet all those campers that are currently in Grades K through fourth.  We will have pictures of that event for all of you next week.  Until then.   Have a Great Day!

– Brian