I must take a break from my regularly scheduled CIT Intro postings to tell you all about the amazing fun had with camp friends over the weekend!!!

For those of you who are new to my blog or have yet to meet me, you should know now that I loooove theatre – musical theatre and plays, from Broadway to community, I love it all. I spent my entire childhood and high school career performing in shows and now as a semi-grown-up, I try to see as much theatre as possible, as often as possible, with as many friends as possible. Loyal readers may have noticed that every few blog entries involves me being in New York with camp friends seeing a play or grabbing rush tickets to a musical. It’s just one of my favorite things…cue: Julie Andrews singing My Favorite Things from the Sound of Music…

My very first job at Canadensis was “Theatre Specialist” and it was here that [Junior Boy/now CIT] Brett Levine and I starred in the Camp Canadensis Production of “Once on this Island”.

8 years later we still talk about how much fun we had doing Canadensis theatre, and I have always wanted to go see Brett perform in a show in the off season – kid has some serious talent! The planets aligned and this year I made it my goal to get to his musical, and in the spirit of this upcoming summer, I got some of the other CITs involved in the fun! Brett had no idea we were bringing along some of his camp friends, and the result was an amazing evening of friends, fun, and musical theatre!

After the show the Levine family (who, if you haven’t heard, are AMAZING!) invited everyone back for snacks and silliness at their home. We talked about camp and our summer ideas and just had the most wonderful time being together. Camp friends may be miles apart, but when we all get together it’s as if camp was only yesterday!

And of course, no time with camp friends is ever complete without trying to take a selfie with their dog:

Name: Lauren Hannah Grama

Years at camp: This is going to be my 8^th summer (8 year jackets wooo!)

Hobbies when you’re at home: Cheerleading, I am the mazkirah (secretary) of my chapter board in BBYO (B’nai Brith Youth Organization), and of course thinking about camp!!!!

Secret Talent: I am probably the best acapella singer there is out there. I can sing but I am also good at modern dance, olden dance, and mermaid dancing which is a little different. I look forward to being the lead singer of Canacapella this summer so I can showcase these skills to such a large audience.

Favorite Camp Activity: Definitely tech booth doing the spotlight with J-Ro. But a close second is COALS!!!

Funny Camp Memory: My junior summer I was in mountain biking elective with Mindy Rosenthal. It was one of our first days at camp so we did not really know each other too well yet. As we were biking around the lake we had to cross over the dam that is right near the summit that had water running over it. I was the last one to cross and I of course was the only one to ride my bike into the lake.

Advice for a first time camper: I am sure you will hear this 100 times, but it is so important to really take it to heart. Literally don’t waste one second of camp fighting or disagreeing over the little things. You want to make memories in the few precious weeks you have at camp filled with only incredible things. So don’t sweat the small stuff! Also, don’t be afraid of what anyone thinks of you. Camp is one place where you can be yourself and no judgments will be passed. You don’t want to look back on your summers saying that you wish you did something; you want to look back on your summers being thankful that you did something. Savor every moment you have, because before you know it, you will be a CIT wishing that you could just relive it all again.

Something you learned at camp (that you couldn’t learn anywhere else): That your camp friends are the greatest people you will ever meet.  You wait all year to spend two crazy months with your best friends in the world.  You learn how to live cohesively with your sisters and to respect all kinds of people. It’s one of those lessons that you continue to expand upon each year at camp as long as you allow yourself to open up to new people and new experiences.

I never leave for camp without my: sleeping masks. I can’t sleep without them!!

If I could have any job in the world it would be: The owner of camp. I would be Aunt Grama and Aunt Terri and I would hang out ALL day. Also, Alex Feigin would be there.

My favorite place that I’ve traveled is: Camp. No vacation is better than camp!!!

One thing my campers will learn about me is: When I am in camp, I find that if someone calls me Lauren, I get very uncomfortable. My name is Grama in camp.

One fun fact about me is: My home friends yell at me whenever I talk about camp because that is probably the only thing I ever talk about!

Name: Hannah Schepps

Hobbies When You’re at Home: Cheerleading

Favorite Camp Activity: Archery

Funny Camp Memory: When I slid down the side of the bunk bed and ripped Carly Lieberman’s shirt!

Advice for a First Time Camper: Enjoy every moment of the summer because the friends and memories you make here last a life time!

Something You Learned at Camp: Color War Songs

I never leave for camp without my… Pillow Pet.

If I could have any job in the world it would be… Lion Tamer.

My favorite place I’ve traveled is… Dominican Republic

One thing my campers will learn about me is…  I am very funny.

One fun fact about me is… I used to live in Las Vegas

Name:Mallie Feldman

Years at Camp: 9 Years

Hobbies When You’re at Home: Tennis

Secret Talent: I can talk with my mouth closed

Favorite Camp Activity: Cooking and Ropes Course

Funny Camp Memory: That time my bunk had a huge shaving cream fight.

Advice for a First Time Camper: Camp goes by so fast so make every moment count.

Something You Learned at Camp: Camp friends are your best friends

I never leave for camp without my… Nutella

If I could have any job in the world it would be… A journalist

My favorite place I’ve traveled is… Paris

One thing my campers will learn about me is… I’m weird and fun

One fun fact about me is… I can touch my tongue to my nose

Name: Brett Levine

Years at Camp: 7 going on 8!!
Hobbies When You’re at Home: Singing, Acting and Hanging out with my friends.
Secret Talent: Has yet to be discovered…
Favorite Camp Activity: Definitely cooking.
Funny Camp Memory: loosing battle of the sexes and having to sing with my division at lineup.
Advice for a First Time Camper: Live every moment to the Fullest and try everything! Enjoy your time at camp because it goes by so quickly!!!
Something You Learned at Camp: I learned that I could still have an amazing time even though I was away from home and didn’t have my parents with me.
I never leave for camp without my… iPod.
If I could have any job in the world it would be… Either performing or a job at camp!!
My favorite place I’ve traveled is… Disney.
One thing my campers will learn about me is… I love listening to music.
One fun fact about me is… I have two dogs and a sister who is going to be an upper senior this summer!

Name: Mel Sukonik

Years at Camp: This is going to be my 8th summer at camp.

Hobbies When You’re at Home: Lacrosse, running, eating, sleeping, being with my friends.

Secret Talent: I can touch my tongue to my nose.

Favorite Camp Activity: Tennis!

Funny Camp Memory: Making up songs with my bunk.

Advice for a First Time Camper: Laugh with your bunk! The little fights are unimportant and not worth your time. You will end up laughing about them later on anyway!

Something You Learned at Camp: Don’t forget to ask if anyone needs anything! (D.A.N.A)

I never leave for camp without my… DS. You never know when you want to play an intense game of mario cart!

If I could have any job in the world it would be… A singer (if I could sing…)

My favorite place I’ve traveled is… St. Thomas.

One thing my campers will learn about me is… I love to be active! Camp has so much to offer each day and I love every part of it.

One fun fact about me is… The first and only time I’ve been stung by a bee was on my eyelid!

Name: Maddie Hecht

Years at camp: This will be my 8^th year at camp!

Hobbies when you’re at Home: I play soccer, I hang out with my friends and I love to eat

Secret talent: I am really good at impersonating movie characters

Favorite camp activity: Canacapella

Funny camp memory: THE HIKING TRIP

Advice for a first time camper: Make every second count. Where else would you be able to have a sleepover with 12 of your best friends for seven weeks straight?

Something you learned at camp: Don’t forget to ask D.A.N.A (does anyone need anything?)

I never leave for camp without… my blankie 🙂

If I could have any job in the world it would be… a famous person that can sing and dance!

My favorite place I’ve traveled is… Bermuda

One thing my campers will learn about me is… I’m always enthusiastic and I love camp so much!!!

Name: Mindy Rosenthal

Years at Camp: 8th Summer
Hobbies When You’re at Home: Canteen on the fly hopping & singing acapella in frozen yogurt places with other members of Canadensis.
Secret Talent: Can hike to camp site one while blind-folded.
Favorite Camp Activity: Lake Boats
Funny Camp Memory: We were on the sail boats with our CIT, Jess, on a not very windy day. Grama wanted to jump in the lake to cool off. Then all of a sudden the wind picked up and carried our sail boat into shore. Grama was now stranded in the middle of the lake and the lake staff had to rescue her.
Advice for a First Time Camper: Enjoy every second of every day. You can never have too much time at the best place on Earth with the best people on Earth.
Something You Learned at Camp: How to form friendships that will last forever.
I never leave for camp without my… Extreme amount of blue and gold accessories.
If I could have any job in the world it would be... Acapella instructor at camp.
My favorite place I’ve traveled is... London
One thing my campers will learn about me is… I love camp more than anything and I hope they will learn to love it as much as I do.
One fun fact about me is… I was one of the original Canacapella-ers to perform on the amphitheater stage!