Hello Canadensis!
I hope this blog finds everyone in great Fall spirits and that there is a sense of Halloween excitement in the air as we are less than one week away from the trick-or-treating festivities. As always, we hope that our campers and staff e-mail us their Halloween costumes so we can see all of your awesome costumes!
It’s been a few weeks since my last blog, so I’m glad I found sometime today to catch up with everyone! Things here at camp are great! Plans for Summer 2014 are already in the works. We have begun to talk with a number of counselors and staff that are planning their return to camp next year. We have begun to call many of the companies, entertainers, vendors and activities that make the summer special for us each year. In fact, just recently, I spoke with everyone’s favorite magician Brad Henderson. He says hello to everyone at Canadensis! Once again, we begin our plans for the BEST SUMMER EVER!
Yesterday, we got a nice Fall treat as Me, Eric, Pam, Matt and Neil headed up to camp yesterday to check up on things and continue with all of the ideas we have for off season improvements. We have a lot of cool things in the works and will begin to unveil what is in store for the Canadensis campus in the upcoming months. In the meantime, here is a picture of Canadensis in the Fall…
In the Fall, there isn’t anyone to say GOOD MORNING to at Line-Up, but the trees are changing to nice colors.
Recently, we were excited to announce the details of our Annual Reunion. For those that don’t know, the Summer 2013 Reunion will be held on Sunday, January 26 at Funtime America in Eatontown, NJ from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm. The event will include unlimited carnival rides, laser tag, rock climbing and motion simulators. Of course, there will be pizza and soda and each camper will also receive 20 game tokens. While the event is going on, parents can enjoy the convenience of the Monmouth Mall nearby. We hope that many of our campers and staff from Summer 2013 can make it!
As a reminder, we will also be hitting many of the local areas for our Canteen on the Fly Events in November. We hope to see as many Canadensis families and staff as well as any future families interested in camp at one of the following locations…
In this blog, it is great to report on several home visits I got to do. Last week, I got to get out on the road and see a few of our camp families in Westchester County, NY.
My first stop was in Millwood, NY, to see Elizabeth Knox. However, when I got to the door, I not only saw Lizzy, but was surprised by Ally and Sammi Forster. The four of us chatted all about camp and how great Summer 2013 was, while also eating some homemade chocolate chip cookies. All the girls told me what they have been up to since camp ended. Lizzy, now in 5th grade, who will be an Upper Inter in 2014 for her third summer, has been involved in gymnastics, tennis, field hockey and basketball. Ally and Sammi, currently in 6th grade and will be returning to Canadensis as Freshman next year for their fourth summer, are playing soccer, softball and dance. Here is a picture…
Me with Upper Inter Lizzy Knox and Freshmen Ally and Sammi Forster.
I had to share this with everyone because I thought it was so cool. Here was a photo that Lizzy did on her computer to put it in the shape of the Canadensis Indian Head. Nice work, Lizzy!
In Dobbs Ferry, NY, I saw the Spielbergers, Drew and Ruby. Drew is back for this third summer as Lower Inter while Ruby joins us for her first summer as a Lower Junior. Now in 4th grade, Drew is running for Student Council at his school. He is also playing pitcher, center field, catcher and first base for his Dobbs Ferry Fall Ball baseball team, the Eagles. Very soon, he will also be playing basketball. Drew reminded me that he is also enjoying watching his New York Jets have a very good season so far. Since camp ended, he has even gotten together with bunkmate Ben Keim. As for Ruby, currently in 2nd grade, she told me that she is playing in a soccer league on her team, the Hammers. She also told me how much she loves animals, especially her dog Charlie and her fish Cody. She also likes watching her new favorite TV show called Mighty Med on the Disney channel and her favorite band these days is One Direction. Here is a photo…
Me with Lower Junior Ruby Spielberger and Lower Inter Drew Spielberger.
In Tarrytown, NY, it was time to hang out with Max and Julianna Edelman. Max will be back for his second summer as a Freshman and Julianna will be a Lower Junior in her first summer. Max, now in 6th grade, has been playing center field on his Fall Ball baseball team. He is also active playing tennis. Very soon, he will be playing basketball, too. Next summer at camp, Max is excited for his private tennis lessons, cooking and just being with his friends. He wanted to give a shout out to the boys of Bunk 11 from Summer 2013. As for Julianna, currently in 2nd grade, she is involved with gymnastics and soccer. She is also performing in her local theater performance of “Winnie the Pooh.” When at home, she loves playing with her dog Lucy. At camp next year, she is really looking forward to horseback riding and the water slides at the pool.
Me with Lower Junior Julianna Edelman and Freshman Max Edelman.
As is always the case, when people send me pictures related to camp, I love posting them here on my blog. Well, a few weeks ago, we got some great photos from a reunion from the Girls of Bunk 3, which took place in Bellmore, NY. Here is one of the photos that were sent out our way…
Girls Bunk 3 from Summer 2013 had a get-together. From Left to Right: Annabelle Levi, Sydney Bergman, Alexa Verne, Jordan Levien, Alexa Baer, Zoe Richman and Reilly Katz.
It is always nice to be able to get to these in person when we can and our schedule allows for it. Last weekend, I was able to make two separate sleepover events. Here are some photos from those get-togethers…
In Essex Fells, NJ, Avery Shaw had Girls Bunk 8 from Summer 2013 over to her house for a sleepover. Although, I’m sure with all of the energy in this bunk, there probably wasn’t much sleeping. From Left to Right (bottom row): Avery Shaw, Katie Beyda, Zoe Bustin, Annie Wiener, Brooke Bednoff; (top row): Mandi Kurtz, Paige Miller, Skye Kades and Kailey Brecher.
At a hotel in New Brunswick, NJ, the girls of Bunk 7 from Summer 2013 had a sleepover. When I got there in the morning, there was still so much energy and camp spirit going on! From Left to Right: Jillian Wexler, Joey Dallow, Julie Pulewitz, Jordan Plant, Ilana Miller and Bailey Germain; also at the event was Rachel Stern and Mackenzie Fuerth (however, they were picked up before the picture was taken).
On a personal note, Jaime and I have been busy planning our long awaited honeymoon. Very soon, we will be off to Hawaii and we are really excited! Neither of us have been there and we have an amazing trip planned which includes a helicopter ride, a catamaran cruise to watch the sunset, hiking and a lot of beach time! We will share pictures in my next blog.
Finally, a few weekends ago, we headed up to Cheshire, CT to see a few friends of ours. There, we took a ride to a neighboring town to experience the Apple Harvest Festival. Situated around the beautiful Southington Town Green, the Apple Harvest Festival is a family-oriented event which attracts an estimated 100,000 visitors annually. Over the course of two weekends each autumn, the festival offers a wide variety of live music & entertainment, food, contests, crafts, children’s activities, carnival rides and more. Also highlighted each year is our parade, an arts & crafts show and a spectacular evening fireworks display. Here is a pic…
Me and Jaime in Connecticut with our friends Rick and Arielle at the Apple Harvest Festival. To note, me and Rick are camp friends dating back to 1983. Proof that your camp friends are the best kind of friends.
Well, that’s all of the blogging for now. HAPPY HALLOWEEN everyone!
Have a great day!
-Brian
