I have a few crafty friends, but Sara takes the cake!  She is constantly inspiring me with her crochet creations, and she knows her way around an art supply store, as you will see in this blog entry!  She recently threw a birthday party for her amazing son Sammy (you might remember from a prior blog when he met Double Dare host Marc Summers!!), and I asked permission to show photos of how everything turned out.  She gets full credit for all the things you are about to see!

The theme was “Sam I Am”, based on the Dr. Seuss book (get it…her son’s name is Sam!).  Before you arrived, you already knew you were in store for a fun afternoon!

The day was all about celebrating Sam, and his first year!  Photos were on display in frames and on the walls (using a “clothes line” with tiny clothes pins).  Sara took a photo in the same place every month since Sam was born, so you could see how he changed month by month!

The color scheme of Orange and Green carried through every detail, even the food!

1. Sara’s husband Shawn displaying an awesome array of orange & green veggies

2. Orange and green cupcakes (with cupcake toppers that feature Sam’s face on the “Sam I Am” character)

3. A delicious and healthy rainbow fruit tray

4. Adorable “Green Eggs & Ham” made by using pretzel sticks, white chocolate and a green M&M…these were so perfect, and totally kosher!

Finally, every great party has great entertainment!

1. Guests could have their voices heard and cast a vote on which parent Sam looks most like!  I think he looks more like Sara, but you’ve seen both parents in this blog…what do you think?

2. There was also a “Sam I Am” book where guests could sign in and add a poem.  Sara is great with rhymes (this has come in handy when I’ve been a bridesmaid with her!).  Below is the sign that invited people to write something…guests got really into it!

But without a doubt, the best entertainment is an adorable kid, and Sammy’s got that covered!  He is also the happiest kid I know…so when you add a giant cupcake in the mix, you are going to get some memorable photos!

Thank you to Sara for letting me post these photos, and I hope they inspired some party planning ideas for you at home!

Captain Caila applies gold face-paint to one of her campers...

Caila Cohen

Melville, NY

Years at Camp: This will be my 9th summer

Position this Summer: General Counselor

Previous Positions: CIT (Color War Captain of Gold Arcade in 2011)

Favorite Camp Memory: My favorite camp memory would have to be when the CITs and I went out in a huge rainstorm and just danced. It was still warm out but since the rain was heavy we got soaked in less than a minute. We just went around the senior girls tennis courts, laughing and running. Then, we all went inside and dried off and had a great BUNKO day. This was amazing and was something we never had a chance to do until this past summer.

Advice for first year staff: Though I have never been a counselor before, I have learned from my camper experiences that it really means a lot to the kids when the staff member is there for them, for both support and for a good time. Yes, a counselor has a job to make sure that the kids follow the rules and have a safe camp experience, but it is also very important to make sure that the campers’ summers are the best and have endless opportunities to have fun and create memories.

One thing you’re going to do this summer that you’ve never done before: This summer, I am going to go on the triple dare which I have not been on in quite a few years. I’m sure that I will have a chance to go on with my campers or even my friends too.

Advice for a first time camper: My advice for a first time camper is to live every moment to its fullest. Camp is a privilege and though it seems like 7 weeks are a long time, it goes by in rapid speed. The memories you create, the experiences you have, and the friendships you make are like no other and they should be treasured.

Check out these awesome shoes camper JAKE GARFINKLE created!

Avery, Haley, Brittney and Ruby – all Lower Junior Girls

What a fun day!  On Sunday, we welcomed many of our super fabulous and awesome new campers at a bowling party in North Jersey!  The New Camper Bowling event is a great chance for campers to get to know each other, and we had families attend from states as far away as Maryland and Connecticut…we have the most dedicated Canadensis Parents ever!  I wanted to upload a few photos from the event so you could get an idea of what we did, and you can see more photos by liking us on Facebook here. 

I love a good game!  I’m helping 2nd year Junior Girl, Jordan

After putting on our name tags on, we started playing “New Camper Bingo” which is a great ice breaker that helps campers meet each other.  Each paper has a grid with 25 boxes that says things like…”Find a camper who…can do a cartwheel…has been to the top of the Empire State Building…has been in a show…can touch their tongue to their nose…etc”.  The campers race to meet new kids and find people who fit the description so they can write them in the box.

We end New Camper Bingo with the campers showing off their skills

When the game wraps up, we all come together and have a good laugh.  Then we break up into bowling lanes, and get to know even more campers!  Between all the great people to meet and delicious pizza to eat, we actually don’t do that much bowling!!  However, I did see a bunch of great strikes and spares on the lanes…

The last thing we do is take a group photo, so check out the great photos we took with our incoming campers!A HUGE thank to to all our staff & staff parents that were there for the day!  We’ll be formally introducing you to our Canadensis family soon.  An extra big thank you to Pete Tarnoff for always being willing to help!

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

I hope you have been enjoying the amazing weather we are having on the East Coast!  Today is another beautiful day (I can see it from my office window) and it reminds me how quickly camp is coming!  During the summer, one of my favorite afternoon snacks is to drink a Fresca, with a special straw…I actually use a Red Vine!  Red Vines are a much better version of the popular twizzler candy.  I know some people who don’t love the taste, but I think it’s a far superior candy, and it works really well as a straw!  When you drink it with the Fresca soda, it starts to melt and you get an extra burst of “fruitiness” with your drink!

I mentioned that this was one of my favorite snacks to Ilana and Alexis while I was giving them a tour of camp last summer, and they actually remembered!!  When I went to visit them this winter in NY, they gave me a parting gift with Red Vines and Fresca, and today was the perfect day to start enjoying them!  Thanks girls!

(Alexis and Ilana)

I’m excited to see you, and many more of our new campers at our New Camper Bowling Event this Sunday…it’s going to be so much fun!

Pete as Color War Counselor Captain in 2008

Pete Tarnoff, Group Leader
Kutztown University, Elementary Education.

Years at Camp: 14

Favorite Camp Memory: Color War 2008, being a Counselor Captain for Tropical Gold.

Advice for first year staff: Care about what you do. If you care about the kids and take pride in being a great counselor, the rewards are endless.

One thing you’re going to do this summer that you’ve never done before: I want to try and learn to wakeboard during free time if possible. I’ve been wanting to try it for years.

Advice for a first time camper: ENJOY EVERY MINUTE!!! The friends you will make will be treasured for a lifetime. You don’t get to be a Camper forever. ENJOY IT!!!

Some of our Canadensis families met us yesterday at the Jewish Relief Agency warehouse, which meets once a month to pack up food items, and then delivers it to households in need.   I know I usually blog on Monday’s about crafts…but I’m so impressed with the boxes of food we made and delivered yesterday, so I wanted to show you pictures from our awesome families that volunteered their Sunday morning!  Many people in the Philadelphia community come together each month to make JRA happen – and we like going in March to help with the Passover deliveries.  You can see how busy the warehouse was in the photo above!The first step of the process is that our volunteers grab an empty box, and walk down the line as other volunteers load it up with food.  It gets very heavy by the end of the line, but Rachel (a Junior Girl, shown above) was eager to do more heavy lifting!  Noah (a Upper Inter Boy) and Josh (a Lower Senior boy, both shown below), made many trips through the “conveyor belt” style line, loading up on things like matzah, carrots, gefilte fish, tomato sauce, crushed pineapple, potatoes and grape juice.The second step of the process is actually getting to deliver the boxes of food.  When we deliver as a group, they give us an apartment building where a lot of people are waiting for these boxes of food, so we can all be together.  When we got there, we unloaded all 60 of our boxes, and then we need to make sure each of them are going to the right place!  Valerie (a Upper Inter Girl, shown below) labeled each one with big, clear numbers.It was a really great event, and we definitely appreciate everyone who came out to help!  We have been helping JRA make deliveries for 4 years!  During the summer, we do it with our CIT’s, and we will plan to do it again next March…hope you will join us!

Some of our campers call today “Double Digit Day” because it is the day when we go from hundreds of days until camp, down to less than 100 days…hence, we are in the double digit figures!!  Can’t wait for summer 2012 at Camp Canadensis!!