Hello Canadensis!
I hope this blog finds all well with everyone in the Canadensis Family! I just got back this weekend from an amazing trip up to Camp Canadensis in the dead of winter. Jaime and I, along with my camp friend Alan and his wife, went up for a Valentine’s Weekend in the Poconos and we had a blast. On Saturday, we walked through camp as best as we could as there is somewhere between 2 and 3 feet of snow on the ground. And, I got to do something that I had never done before…I walked across a frozen Lake Lenape right to the center. It was a very strange feeling. I took some video footage of it and will see if Jay Cal can add it to a future Canadensis Today Show for all to see. Camp sure looks strange in the winter. So quiet and very, very cold. We got to see some of the great projects that Tom and Jimmy have been working on and we will unveil in the upcoming months. Of course, what would a trip to the Poconos be without a stop to Callie’s Pretzel Factory. We loaded up on some great pretzel goodies. On Saturday night, we went to the Mount Airy Casino and Lodge for dinner at one of my favorite restaurants up there called Red Steakhouse. For any parents looking for a great place to eat before or after Visiting Day, I would highly recommend this place. Then, we went to the casino and had some fun playing the slots. To be honest, none of us are big gamblers, so after we lost about $40, it was time to call it a night. On Sunday, we hit Alpine Mountain for some snow tubing. It was so much fun! If you are in the Pocono Mountains this winter, definitely check it out. Here is a photo…
Me, Jaime, my Camp Friend Alan and his wife Mika went snow tubing at Alpine Mountain. You can see the trails in the background. We had a blast!
Of course, this time of year means more and more visits with camp families. I love the time I get to spend with campers, their siblings and parents talking about my favorite topic…Camp Canadensis!
In New York City, I met up with the Pearlman Brothers, Jones and Ozzie. Jones is returning for his second summer at camp and will be a Lower Inter Boy while Ozzie will spend his first summer in our Junior Boys Division. Both boys have very busy schedules when not at camp. Jones plays in the Dribble Basketball League in the city, has been sledding a lot with all of the snow we’ve been having in Hippo Park as well as plenty of ice skating. He also loved seeing his bunkmates and friends at the recent Camp Reunion. When I asked what he is looking forward to this summer, he emphatically replied, “Everything!” Specifically, he is excited for GaGa, Newcomb, all of the activities at the Lake, especially Waterskiing, Hondas and Color War. As for Ozzie, he is busy with a lot of sports, including Lacrosse, Basketball, Football and Baseball. He also told me that he just recently helped out with his school’s winter coat drive, in which the school donated over 100 coats. Awesome! At camp this summer, he is ready for Color War, Basketball, Archery, Newcomb, the Lake activities, Go Karts and Hondas, Glass Fusion and Lacrosse. Here is a photo…
Me with Lower Inter Boy Jones Pearlman (left) and Junior Boy Ozzie Pearlman.
Attacked by Super Heroes! Here are the siblings of Jones and Ozzie and Future Canadensis Campers Sonny (Batman), Cash (Spiderman) and Paisley (Super Girl).
Also in New York City, I met up with 4th Grade Boy and Lower Inter Zach Sher, who will be coming to camp for his first summer. Zach has an extremely wide range of interests and is really looking forward to camp this summer where he will be able to try so many different activities. In the fall, winter and spring months, he is a yellow belt in his Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) class. He also takes a film making course and plays the piano. He plays sports like basketball, football and soccer and can be found rooting for his favorite teams, the Yankees, Jets and Giants. He loves snow skiing and has skied at places like Hunter Mountain, Windham and Mountain Creek. He is also a big fan of the WWE and his favorite wrestlers are the Undertaker, John Cena and Randy Orton. This summer, he is so ready to try The Summit, Hondas, Cooking, Every single Water Activity and Fishing. Younger brother and Future Canadensis Camper Ben Sher told me that he likes video games and reading and will be sure to write his big brother letters while he is at camp. Here is a photo…
Me with Lower Inter Boy Zach Sher (left) and Future Canadensis Camper Ben Sher.
We did a silly pose, too!
Onto Lower Gwynedd, PA where I hung out with the Rapoport Brothers, Blake (Lower Senior, returning for his Five Year Jacket) and Max (Upper Inter, returning for his 3rd Summer). Both boys have been heavily involved in sports. Blake played his first season of football in the fall and is now playing basketball on his middle school team. Max is also currently playing lots of basketball, but really can’t wait for lacrosse season in the spring. Both are so excited for another summer at camp and want to see how we can top last summer’s Color War break. Here is a pic…
Me with Lower Senior Boy Blake Rapoport and Upper Inter Boy Max Rapoport. Blake is now as tall as me, so I won't be taking him in one-on-one hoops anymore! Ha Ha!
In Woodcliff Lake, NJ, I saw first time camper and Junior Girl Sydney Schair. Currently in the 3rd Grade, Sydney loves animals, especially dogs and more particularly, her own dog Sasha. She is also involved with Horseback Riding lessons, Karate and Basketball. When not at all of these activities, she can be seen hanging out with her friends. When she comes to camp this summer, Sydney can’t wait for a lot of the activities including Waterskiing, Swimming, Archery, Horseback Riding, the Ropes Course / Climbing Wall, Basketball and Gymnastics. Here is a pic…
Me with Junior Girl Sydney Schair and her dog Sasha.
Driving to Glen Rock, NJ, I got some time with Freshman and 6th Grade Boy Alex Aronson, who will be joined at camp this summer by brother Ben Aronson, who is in the 3rd Grade and will be in our Junior Boys Division. Alex told me that he has really been enjoying his transition into Middle School and is liking many of his teachers. He told me that he has been involved in competitive Cross Country Running and will also be going out for the Track team in the Spring. Alex has also been spending a lot of time snowboarding and skiing. He told me that he just cannot wait for camp and said that “camp is a relief from school.” Entering his 4th summer at Canadensis, he looks forward to seeing his bunkmates and friends as well as things like Taco and Grilled Cheese lunches and the Corn Man. He wanted to give a shout out to the boys of Bunk 10 from Summer 2010 and had a message for them…Low Shower Bar! Ben has been very busy with his Ice Hockey Team, the Glen Rock Panthers, where he plays both Center and Wing. He also likes to ski and snowboard in the winter as well as play Golf and Lacrosse when the weather is nice outside. This summer, he looks forward to going Waterskiing, the Hondas and Go Karts, the Corn Man and making many new friends. Here is a picture…
Me with Junior Boy Ben Aronson (left) and Freshman Boy Alex Aronson (center).
In Tenafly, NJ, I caught up with Dylan Carruba, who will be back at camp for his second summer and be in our Lower Inter Boys Division. Now in 4th grade, Dylan plays on a town rec Basketball team, the Hawks, who were off to a 3-2 start to begin the season. He just recently finished up his Wrestling season and perfected his finishing move he calls the “Ball and Chain.” Dylan is a true student of the game of basketball, too, and can be found following his favorite teams, the Knicks and Lakers, all season long. At camp this summer, he looks forward to many more games of Zoogle and continuing a game that he and his bunkmates created last summer called Mennis. Dylan also wanted to say hi to his Bunk 4 bunkmates from Summer 2010. While at his house, Dylan and I played an intense games of Nok Hockey (who won that game again?) and Bey Blades. Here is a photo…
Me with Lower Inter Boy Dylan Carruba.
In Plymouth Meeting, PA, Pam and I got a chance to see Junior Girl and first time Canadensis Camper Jenna Nurick. Currently in the 3rd Grade, Jenna has been very busy with her dance classes of Hip Hop and Kicks, Jumps and Turns as she prepares for her recital in the Spring. She has also been involved in an acting class at Arden Theater where she has been writing her own character sketch. She loves hanging out with her friends and even just had a sleepover party that had fellow Canadensis camper Sage Snyder in attendance. Finally, Jenna let us know that she loves to listen to music. When she gets to camp this summer, she is excited to try the Ropes Course, Zipline and Climbing Wall, all the activities in the Art Center, including Ceramics, Glass Fusion and Photography and she will be involved in the Canadensis Theater Production. Here is a pic…
Me and Pam with Junior Girl Jenna Nurick.
Looking forward to seeing a lot of our camp families next week at the New York Knicks Canadensis night. More blogging to come…
Have a great day…Brian.
