Hello Canadensis…
I write this blog on a Friday afternoon with a threat of a blizzard in my area! It’s already been snowing since 8 am this morning and anywhere from 6-10 inches more are soon to follow. Sure does not feel like it is anywhere near summer. Anyway, a good blog writing session will help melt the snow (at least in my mind).
As is usually the case, this is the week when I really start to set my sights on the next summer. Maybe it has something to do with my other love of football season being over?! Another exciting Super Bowl! About five minutes before the game, I officially decided that I was rooting for the 49ers, but was not disappointed at all to see the Ravens win. I’m sure our Maryland campers and staff were super excited as well! As many of you know, I treat the Super Bowl like a National Holiday and of course invited some of my closest friends over to watch the game and eat tons of food. By halftime, my belly was super full! In the second half, when the stadium black out hit, I found myself even eating more!
As for the camp side of things, we are now really busy into our staff recruiting season. Currently, Eric is in Australia hiring new Aussie counselors, Cara and I will be hitting the road to Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania next week and Pam will be leaving on a plane to go to Arizona. While on the road, it is always great to see all of our returning and former staff at these colleges. We will be sure to include pictures in our future blogs.
In a few weeks, we will have our Winter Leadership Meeting in which our Head Counselors, Administrative Staff and Programming Staff all join together to talk about the upcoming summer, including summer scheduling and new ideas to make Summer 2013 better than Summer 2012! A hard task, but we always want to top the year before!
For all of our Super Senior Campers, we hope you received our recent e-mail, which asks for your input on the 2012 Super Senior Trip. This year, you will determine where we go on your 4-day out of camp trip. Exciting!
For all those that have been to camp in the past few summers, this blog is about “Campers! Campers! Campers!” And, when I write this, I hope you can picture Nurse Freddie saying it over the camp P.A. system. “Campers! Campers! Campers!” That is, over the past few weeks, a good portion of my time has been spent seeing so many of you. It has been great to hear what everyone has been up to since camp ended and what you are all looking forward to in 2013. So, here we go with all of the campers I’ve seen recently…
In Livingston, NJ, I met up with a whole bunch of Canadensis campers! First, I saw 2013 Lower Inter Joey Dallow. Now in 4th grade and back for her second summer, Joey told me that she is constantly connecting with camp friends on Instagram and is already counting down the number of days until Summer 2013. She also wanted to give a shout out to the Girls of Bunk 5 from Summer 2012! Since last summer ended, Joey has been taking boxing classes, working out, playing on a basketball team and playing lacrosse. This summer, she is looking forward to everything, especially canteen! Here is a picture…
Me and 2013 Lower Inter Girl Joey Dallow.
That same night, I saw Stella and Oliver Scheier, two second generation Canadensis campers as Mom Mindy (maiden name: Menkowitz) is a long time alumni of camp. Stella is back for her 4th summer as an Upper Inter Girl while Oliver is coming for his first summer as part of our Junior Boys division. Now in 5th grade, Stella filled me in how she plays soccer in the Fall, Winter and Spring as a midfielder on the Livingston Flight team. She is also currently in basketball season. Stella wanted to give a shout out to all of her camp friends and cousins who are also at camp! In a few weeks, she is really looking forward to a bunk sleepover that she is hosting. As for brother Oliver, currently in 2nd grade, he plays tennis and soccer. He also takes acting and hip hop classes as he is a big fan of music from Katie Perry to Taylor Swift to Victoria Justice. Now that its Winter, he also spends time skiing. When he gets to camp, he is definitely ready for Crazy Night, tennis and making new friends. Here is a photo…
Me with Upper Inter Girl Stella Scheier and Lower Junior Boy Oliver Scheier.
Continuing on my Livingston journey, I got to hang out with Samara and Andy Rhodes. Samara is back for her 2nd summer and will be an Upper Inter Girl as she is in 5th grade while Andy will be in our Upper Junior Boys division for his first summer now that he is currently in 3rd grade. Samara continues to be very active in gymnastics as a member of her “Go For The Gold” team, competing as a Level 5 gymnast. These days, her favorite part of competing is when she is doing her beam routine. Recently, she competed in the New Jersey states meet. Since last summer ended, she told me that she has had several get-togethers with camp friends and wanted to say hello to the Girls of Bunk 8 from Summer 2012. She also mentioned how she can’t wait for Color War this year. Andy Rhodes is currently playing in a basketball league and was happy to let me know that he scored his first basket a few weeks ago. He also plays tennis, lacrosse and soccer. When he comes to camp this year, he is very excited for the water slides at the pool, all the lake activities including the Summit, his camping overnight and making new friends. Here is a pic…
Me with Upper Inter Girl Samara Rhodes and Upper Junior Boy Andy Rhodes.
My final stop in Livingston had me meeting with the Bustin Girls, Zoe and Cate, another set of second generation Canadensis siblings as mom Dina (maiden name: Willensky) spent many wonderful summers at camp. Zoe, back for her second summer, is now in 4th grade and will be in our Lower Inter Girls division and she is excited to introduce her sister Cate to camp. Cate is in the 2nd grade and will be a Lower Junior in her first summer. Zoe let me know that she has seen her camp friends a few times since the summer ended and wanted to give a shout out to the Girls of Bunk 5 from 2012 and Counselor Paige Gindi! When I asked, “What are you looking forward to this summer?” Zoe simply replied, “Everything!” When not at camp, Zoe enjoys hanging out with friends, dancing and gymnastics. As for Cate, she is currently taking a Future Fashionistas class where she is making her own pajamas. She is also involved in gymnastics, dance and loves to sing (Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez being her favorite). Cate told me that she is really looking forward to horseback riding, swimming, rock climbing, ceramics and cooking when she gets to camp. Here is a photo…
Me with Lower Inter Girl Zoe Bustin (left) and Lower Junior Girl Cate Bustin.
In Summit, NJ, I spent some time with the Ufberg Family. Lily Ufberg and Cole Ufberg are also second generation Canadensis campers as father Jeff attended camp as both a camper and counselor back in the day. Lily is now in 5th grade and back for her third summer while Cole is coming for his first summer and is in 2nd grade. Lily, who will be an Upper Inter Girl in 2013, told me that these days she LOVES TAYLOR SWIFT (she even told me to type it in all CAPS) and is her #1 Fan. In fact, Lily is super excited to see her in concert when she comes to town in March. Lily also mentioned that recently she had a sleepover with her camp friends and together, they cannot wait for Summer 2013 to start! Cole, who will be a Lower Junior Boy in 2013, is busy with a little bit of everything. He is an avid skiier, who now even does jumps on the slopes, plays football, baseball and lacrosse, and takes a karate class, where he just passed his test for a white and black belt. At camp, he is very ready for the hondas and quads, waterskiing and sailing. Here is a picture…
Me with Upper Inter Girl Lily Ufberg and Lower Junior Boy Cole Ufberg.
In Gladwyne, PA, I got to share a lot of laughs with twins Sammy and Luke Finkelstein, both who will be back for Summer #2 in our Lower Inter Boys division as they are now in 4th grade. Both Luke and Sammy have had several opportunities throughout the year to see many of their bunk mates, which they said is always a good time. Both also told me of their recent trip to Vermont, where they skied on black diamond slopes. As for Luke, he is playing alto sax and piano. He is also on a swim team at Friends Central Aquatics because of his experience of being on the swim team at camp. Sammy is playing travel soccer all year long and currently also playing basketball. In school this year, he also took up playing the viola. Both are very much looking forward to another amazing summer at camp. Here is a picture…
Me with Lower Inter Boys Sammy Finkelstein (left) and Luke Finkelstein.
In Merrick, NY, it was time to see Alex and Josh Michals. Josh is ready for his third summer as part of our Upper Inter Boys and will now be joined at camp by Alex, who is starting his first summer in our Lower Junior Boys division. Now in 5th grade, Josh has been very busy playing point guard on his travel basketball team, the Merrick/Bellmore Cougars. He also just recently went skiing. Currently in 2nd grade, Alex plays baseball in the fall and spring, soccer in the fall and basketball in the winter. He also enjoys playing X-Box, exercising and going skiing and snowboarding. This summer, he is very ready for all of the activities on the lake, all the sports at camp and being away from home. Here is a pic…
Me with Lower Junior Boy Alex Michals (center) and Upper Inter Boy Josh Michals.
In Bellmore, NY, I loved spending time with the Levien Girls, 2013 Freshman Girl Alexis and 2013 Upper Junior Girl Jordan. Now in 6th grade, Alexis has been singing a whole lot. First, she is in her all county chorus group at Shore Road Intermediate School, where she also just sang a Taylor Swift song in the school’s talent show. Recently, she starred as Lumiere in a production of Beauty and the Beast. In the Spring, she will also be auditioning for other upcoming musicals. On top of that, she also plays in a basketball league and takes tennis lessons. This summer, which will be her third at camp, she is pumped to be able to have cooking as an elective and her trip to Hershey Park! Jordan, who is in 3rd grade, is busy with her hip hop dance competition team, which just recently won first place in a competition. In addition to dance, she also takes gymnastics classes, plays in a basketball league and takes tennis lessons. When she gets to camp for her first summer, she is looking forward to meeting new people and making new friends. Here is a photo…
Me with Freshman Girl Alexis Levien (left) and Upper Junior Girl Jordan Levien.
In Merrick, NY, I got to know Ethan Lowenstein a lot better as he will be joining us for his first summer in the Upper Junior Boys division. In 3rd grade, Ethan likes playing sports. He plays center forward on a soccer team and is on a swim team. He enjoys riding bikes and swimming and boogie boarding in the ocean. Ethan also showed me an original comic book that he and a friend wrote called, “The Adventures of Captain Underpants and the Zombie Robots.” In Summer 2013, Ethan can’t wait for a whole bunch of different activities, including soccer, swimming, the zip line, rock wall, lake and water skiing. Here is a picture…
Me with Upper Junior Boy Ethan Lowenstein.
In Newtown, PA, it was time to chill with the Robinson boys, Logan and Chase. Logan, who is in the 5th grade, will be back for his second summer in the Upper Inter Boys division while Chase, in the 3rd grade, will be starting his first year at camp in our Upper Junior Boys division. Logan is playing travel soccer this year on his team, the Newtown Patriots. He is also playing in a flag football league. When not busy with those activities, he enjoys playing Call of Duty on the X-Box. He told me that after camp, he traveled to Italy, where the highlight of the trip was eating a lot of gelato. Logan is once again ready for all of the sports this summer and wanted to give a shout out to the Boys of Bunk 7 from Summer 2012. He also had a secret message for them…squat thrust! Chase also plays travel soccer for the Newtown Patriots as a midfielder, plays in a basketball league and flag football league. His X-Box game of choice is FIFA ’13. Chase said that he is looking forward to the sports at camp, making new friends and eating as much as he can. Here is a photo…
Me with Upper Junior Boy Chase Robinson (left) and Upper Inter Boy Logan Robinson.
In East Brunswick, NJ, I got to hang out with 2nd grade girl Ella Simmens, who will be at Canadensis for her first summer in our Lower Junior Girls division. Ella is very active on her “Encore Dance Team,” which competes in all kinds of dance, including hip hop, jazz, ballet, tap, lyrical, acro and tumbling. She also plays on a soccer team and will soon be trying out for a travel soccer team. She is a big fan of music, with some of her favorites being Justin Bieber, One Direction, Nicki Minaj, Selena Gomez and Katy Perry. She also likes dancers Bella Thorn and Zindaya. When she comes to camp in a few moths, Ella will be all about trying horseback riding, the lake activities, basketball, the banana boat and making new friends. Here is a photo…
Me with Lower Junior Girl Ella Simmens.
Also in East Brunswick, NJ, I saw Joey and Andrew Ziets and Camp Nurse Joanna Ziets, all who will be back for their second summer at Canadensis. Joey is now in 5th grade and will be an Upper Inter while Andrew is in 3rd grade and will be an Upper Junior. They filled me in on a recent trip to Florida for some fun in the sun. The Ziets Family also just recently added a new member to the family, a dog named Riley. Both Joey and Andrew told me that they have been practicing their musical instruments in the past few months; Joey on piano and guitar and Andrew on piano. Both say hello to their bunk mates from last summer and both think that the 130+ days until camp is way too many. Ha Ha! Here is a pic…
Me with Upper Junior Boy Andrew Ziets and Upper Inter Boy Joey Ziets.
As you can see, a lot of miles put on the car in the past few weeks, but all well worth it! I love seeing all of our camp families! More blogging to come after the snow melts!
As always, for the most updated Camp Canadensis news, visit our Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/campcanadensis . Always good stuff posted there!
Have a great day!
-Brian
