Hello Canadensis!

It’s my first day back!  After one of the best summers ever, I was up at camp for two more weeks putting the finishing touches on Summer 2013.  Then, I treated myself to some rest and relaxation after such a busy summer.  But now, it’s time to already set our sights in planning Summer 2014.  That’s right, time to do it all over again and work on topping the summer we just had!

Upon coming home, Jaime and I headed to the Jersey Shore, for some family time and sitting in the sun.  The weather was really nice as we enjoyed a few days on the boardwalk soaking up the rays, playing games and going on the rides.  Over the break, we also finally had some time to plan out our delayed honeymoon, after our wedding in May.  Jaime and I have set our sights on Hawaii in October-November.  Should be fun!  For my birthday, Jaime bought me a very cool gift…she got me a Wii video game system.  Last week, I spent several days playing my new favorite game…Grand Slam Tennis.  Over Labor Day Weekend, Jaime and I went to MetLife Stadium to see my alma mater Syracuse play Penn State in football.  Syracuse played good, but they weren’t good enough to defeat the mighty Nittany Lions.  Here is a pic…

In our first weeks back, we hope to review all of the information we received from the 2013 Camper Survey.  If you haven’t completed it yet, please do so, by clicking here.  The feedback we get really helps to put things in place for next year and get an idea of the activities you liked or how we can make things even better next summer.  We are also starting to plan many of our off season events, including our Canteen on the Fly Ice Cream Socials and our Reunion in January.  We will soon unveil all of these details in the upcoming weeks.

For anyone prospective family interested in touring Camp Canadensis in the upcoming months, we have established three Fall Tour Days.  They will be Sunday, September 22 at 1 pm; Saturday, October 26 at 1 pm; and Sunday, November 17 at 11 am.  If interested, call our Winter office at 484.674.1941 or e-mail us at info@canadensis.com .

Since the summer ended, it has been great to get e-mails, letting us know of camp get-togethers and reunions that have taken place already.  Here are some that we received…

If you have any pictures of reunions and get-togethers, we’d love to see them.  Please e-mail me.  Well, more blogging to come soon.  For all of our campers and counselors that are back at school, good luck on the upcoming semester and hopefully you get some assignments in the next few weeks where you can somehow relate it to your time at Canadensis.

Have a great day!

-Brian

Hello Canadensis!

It’s been about a week and a half since the buses took all of our campers home and I must say that I have begun to get sad now that camp is over.  I’m still up here at camp (for a few more days before I go home), but it’s just not the same without the 400+ campers and 200+ staff that make the summer complete!  So hard to believe that 49 days flew by so quickly!  Summer 2013 is certainly one to go down as one of the BEST SUMMERS EVER!

And, we want to thank all of those that have e-mailed and phoned us with the same sentiments.  It’s been great to hear all of your feedback.  We hope to see many of you at the Reunion in January and our other offseason events.  We also hope that many of you will plan your own camp reunions all winter long!

As I think back on the summer, there were so many wonderful moments from the summer, but here are just a few of the highlights from Summer 2013…

Color War between Nautical Blue and Apollo Gold comes down to the last few songs of the Sing to determine this year’s winner.  In the end, Apollo Gold claims victory!

We handed out 724 TAC (Tagged at Canadensis) awards to campers this summer.  For those that don’t know, TAC stands for “Tagged At Canadensis,” which recognizes random acts of kindness of our campers who go above and beyond to help out fellow campers and staff.  That means, there were at least 724 nice things that campers did for others this summer.  Way to go, Canadensis!

Our new camp alma mater was just beautiful and to hear it sung by all of camp, led by our amazing CITs, at the end of every evening activity was so very special.  “We watch the golden sunrise / In Canadensis blue skies / There’s nowhere else I’d rather be / Than on the shores of Lenape.”

Morning Line-Up continued to get the camp spirit going everyday with dynamic dance parties on the amphitheater.  This summer’s song of choice seemed to be Emblem 3’s “Chloe (You’re the One I Want).”  If you find yourself already missing line-up, click here.

The two great Fun Runs we had this summer, a Zombie Run and a Mud Run!

All of camp got surprised with a Bunk-O afternoon, which also included a frozen yogurt truck to serve everyone a cool treat!  For video footage of this, click here.

The new water slides were a huge splash, especially at the night time pool parties.

Thanks to Matt Cook and Jake Asman, the Gaga elective reached new heights with a wide range of game innovations, including multi-ball gaga and irregular shaped ball gaga.

The camp musicals of “Seussical The Musical” and “Once Upon a Mattress” produced standing ovations in the Rec Hall.

Campers had the chance to partake in the Evolution Lacrosse clinic, the Brad Henderson magic workshop and the Path to Rhythm drum circle.

Reveille, Morning Line-Up and Fireworks at night created one of the best Color War fake breaks of all time!

We had a Mystery Writer as campers find hidden notes around camp, revealing interesting facts and tidbits.  In the end, it was Junior Boys counselor Mike Morrissette who was revealed as the playful scribe.

Cade Mein wins the 2013 Ms. Canadensis Beauty Pageant.

Boys Bunk 3 and Girls Bunk 8 win Honor Bunk every single week of camp, earning an off camp trip to Callie’s Candy Kitchen.

Boys Bunk 16 wins the All-Camp MTV Night with their song “Let It Grow.”

The Seniors / CIT Glow in the Dark Dance rocked!

We will miss you!

And, for one last time in Summer 2013…

 

Have a great day!

-Brian

*Cara’s letter to the CIT Girls, Girls’ Camp Ceremony – Click to view larger…

 

I love opening day of camp!  After all the planning and staff training, we are about to have the campers arrive and the real fun will begin…it’s electric, and I have goosebumps as I type knowing that many of our campers are already on the buses on the way to their summer home – with us at Camp Canadensis.  We have an unbelievable summer in store, and we are so thankful to the parents, campers and staff members that allow us to spend our summers at Canadensis doing what we love.

The photo above is from Opening Day, 2012…it’s an annual tradition that we take one every year as we welcome kids off the bus.  When you check the website to see photos of your kids arriving this evening, you’ll probably see our 2013 group photo!  Being on a team with dedicated co-workers like Eric Forti & Brian Krug (the directors of camp), and all the winter staff including Cara Corradetti, Matt Unger, Aunt Terri Saltzman & Neil Sukonik is something I’m truly grateful for everyday.  We are so excited for the summer to begin, so get here already!!

Name: Lauren Gadol aka Lgadol

Years at Camp: This will be my 8th summer at camp!

Hobbies When You’re at Home: I sing, I dance, I act, hang out with friends and stud!!!

Secret Talent: I don’t really have a secret one because everyone knows that I can sing however I have a secret language, zubidik, that only I can speak. My second summer, I claimed I had a concussion after I banged my head on the bed board and I started talking strange and that’s what I called it! Silly but always remembered!!

 

Starting Monday, the camp office is officially setup for the summer at Canadensis, if you need to reach us call 570-595-7461.  With just a couple of more hours left in Philly, I’m packing up and getting ready for another wonderful season up at camp!  Before I head up to the Poconos, check out some of the amazing Canadensis campers I got to see this week!

 

Above is a photo of Jason & Luke (both coming back to camp for their 3rd year as Upper Inters!), Sabrina and Rachel (coming up to camp and receiving 5 year jackets as Lower Seniors!) and Sage (coming for her 3rd year as an Upper Inter).  We enjoyed some pizza, and talked A LOT about camp!  They are all moving into new sections of camp this year, and will get to enjoy lots of new changes and perks – extra trips, extra choice periods, and much more.  They had great suggestions for Evening Activities they’d like to do this summer, and I took notes!  Their camp enthusiasm is contagious!

 

I also got to spend some time with Anna (2nd year camper, will be a Lower Inter) and we made some bracelets on the rainbow loom.  I also got to hang out with her sister Lindsay (first time camper, will be a Junior…not pictured!) and we made some crafty cards which you can see below!

 

And, my week wrapped up with a lovely Shabbat dinner with Alexa (1st time Junior camper), and Brooke (1st time Lower Inter) was a special visitor who stopped by!  After dinner, we talked camp packing – and check out the super cool lounge chair (pictured above) that is coming to camp with Alexa!  The girls had a dance competition today, and I hope they had a great time!

Well, I’ve got some more packing to do myself…including these great Canadensis items my friend Sara spotted and was sweet enough to get…just one more way I’ll be showing my camp spirit this summer!

Hello Canadensis…

So, things have certainly been busy around here these days.  If you didn’t know, my BIG Day (aka my wedding) was last weekend up at camp.  Jaime and I then escaped to Lake George for a mini honeymoon.  We just got back the other day.  We want to thank all of those camp family and staff for the congratulatory e-mails and letters we have received.  It has meant so much to us that you took time out to wish us well.

As for the wedding weekend, itself, Jaime and I had a blast.  I am so happy that Jaime decided to have it at camp.  It was the perfect venue for our friends and family.  To give a little re-cap of all the festivities…on Friday afternoon, everyone arrived for the weekend.  That night, we had a BBQ dinner.  This was followed by an hour of live music from our band, The Grift.  The theme for the night was cheesy 80s songs set to bluegrass.  It was an absolute blast to hear tunes like Sweet Child Of Mine and Living on a Prayer set to a different melody.  Very cool and everyone that showed up seemed to have a good time.  We then moved over to the Health Center fire pit for (what else) S’Mores.  About 30-45 minutes into the campfire, it started to drizzle, but that didn’t mean the fun stopped as everyone made their way over to my house for a porch party.

On Saturday, the weather was a bit iffy, but that didn’t stop us from having a good time.  In fact, just like at camp, we had a rainy day schedule.  We played basketball game in the pavilion and had gymnastics / foam pit open in the morning.  In the afternoon, we got a few innings of a softball game in and still had a guided hike around Lake Lenape.  Guests also joined us for breakfast and lunch.  A few hours before the ceremony, the sun made its way out and the weather completely cleared up.  Our ceremony was officiated by my brother and Jaime’s sister and it was held in the senior boys dining hall.  From there, the cocktail hour was both inside and outside.  The reception was held in both the boys dining room and in the senior boys dining room.  We were completely amazed at how our caterer made over the venue for the event.  Just beautiful.  Our band rocked the night away!  As you may know, Jaime and I love our music and attend a ton of concerts throughout the year.  With that, our band played tunes from our favorite bands all night long…Phish, The Black Crowes, The Rolling Stones, The Beatles and The Grateful Dead just to name a few.  For the last hour of the night, hundreds of glow sticks filled the room (a Phish tradition).  A lot of fun!

On Sunday, our guests had an amazing brunch put together for one final hurrah.  We want to thank all of the Canadensis staff that helped with the weekend.  Your help was awesome!

Here are some pictures…

So, after such a BIG day, there is another BIG event coming up and that is my BIG move up to camp.  That’s right!  We all move up to camp next week.  That means my weekend will be spent packing.  Since this will be my 32nd summer at sleep away camp, I think I have it down in terms of what to pack.  However, it is usually a ritual that I wish just took care of itself.  Ha Ha!  Whereas I love moving up to camp for the summer, it is always a chore to pack.  Does anyone want to volunteer to pack for me?  Probably the hardest thing about being in the camp business is having to say goodbye to all of my family and friends for 3+ months.  As has become a tradition, my friends will be throwing me an Annual Bar-B-Krug on Saturday.  This way, I can say goodbye all at once.

So much going on up at camp these days.  During the wedding weekend, it was awesome to see the new water slides installed.  If you haven’t checked out the sneak peak video on Facebook, you should.  The water slides are massive!  So cool!  The new tennis courts and volleyball courts look amazing as well.  When we get up to camp, we will also be looking into ways of making the new Senior Canteen backyard come to life!  We are thinking about adding some cool lighting, seating and a fire pit to that area.  Should be an awesome space for our Senior and CIT campers!

We hope that many of you are planning to attend our Annual Open House on Sunday, June 2.  This is always a great day for camp families, new and returning, to spend a day up at camp and enjoy the facilities.  New campers will have an opportunity to meet other campers as well.  June 1-2 will also be our CIT Weekend!  Can’t wait to see all of you!

There is also one last home visit to tell you about.  A few weeks back, in Livingston, NJ, I got to hang out with Justin Nikpour, who is currently in 3rd grade and will be in our Upper Junior division in Summer 2013.  Justin plays lacrosse in the Livingston Lacrosse League.  In the Winter, he plays in a street hockey league.  In the Fall, he plays tackle football.  He is a huge fan of WWE wrestling and his favorite wrestlers are the Undertaker and John Cena.  He is also a big Yankees fan.  When he comes to camp this year, he is looking forward to wrestling, lacrosse, tubing and banana boating at the lake and the ropes course.  Here is a photo…

A few weeks ago, I was invited by the Rhodes Family to attend a sleepover hosted by Samara Rhodes for the Girls of Bunk 8 from Summer 2012.  It was great to see most of this gang together.  According to the girls and parents, they stayed up well into the wee hours of the night having a blast!  Here is a photo…

So, this is my last blog from my desk in New Jersey.  The next blog will be from camp!  Can’t wait to get there.  Have a great day!

-Brian

Name: Alix Steerman
Years at Camp: 8
Hobbies When You’re at Home: sports, art and hanging out with friends!
Secret Talent: Some people know me for my unique dance moves.
Favorite Camp Activity: Soccer, because who doesn’t love those rare occasions when you’re playing world cup after its rained and you go to kick the ball but wipeout instead.
Funny Camp Memory: My bunk forced me to be the star of our MTV night, multiple times, they were both equally embarrassing.
Advice for a First Time Camper: Don’t be nervous! Your camp friends will become your sisters/brothers no matter how weird they seem at first.
Something You Learned at Camp: Always be sure to photo bomb camp mom’s pictures, they make for some great entertainment for when you’re home over the winter.
I never leave for camp without my… color war face paint because one of the best parts of color war is going all out and painting your whole face.
If I could have any job in the world it would be… to be a lawyer.
My favorite place I’ve traveled is… the little shed under the dining hall where you can get toilet paper, if you’re lucky you can find some magnificent things in there.
One thing my campers will learn about me is… I love to have fun! Also I give great piggy back rides, just ask Lauren Grama.
One fun fact about me is… in 4th grade I watched the Scripps Spelling Bee and went out and bought a dictionary and started studying the words as if I was going to compete in the next one, luckily that phase only lasted a few days.

 

Name: Melissa Goldstein  

Years at Camp: 7 years!

Hobbies When You’re at Home: Hanging out with my friends and I am in a lot of clubs for school.

Secret Talent: I used to be a really good singer. I had a solo in chorus once.  I wish I could still sing like that but I can’t! But that won’t stop me from doing Canadensis Acapella.

Favorite Camp Activity: Cooking and Zumba             

Funny Camp Memory: Last summer I was at the hydration station with Carly Lieberman and there wasn’t a lot of ice left so she leaned all the way into the machine and as she was getting ice a new layer of ice fell on her head! It was the funniest thing!

Advice for a First Time Camper: I know this is what everyone will tell you but you really have to go into everything with an open mind and try everything.  You never know what you like unless you try it and you will never be able to do most of these things anywhere else but camp so don’t be afraid to try new things!

Something You Learned at Camp: (that you couldn’t learn anywhere else) The friendships that you create in camp will last a lifetime.  The bonds that are formed with your bunkmates and other friends in camp will never be broken and camp friends are the best friends!

I never leave for camp without my… Color war stuff!

If I could have any job in the world it would be…Being able to work with celebrities and going shopping with them.

My favorite place I’ve traveled is… China!

One thing my campers will learn about me is… I love to have fun and I always try to make the best out of every situation!

One fun fact about me is… I go to the same high school that Amanda Miller went to!

Last weekend was the 10-mile race I’ve been training for, and Carli Forti’s 1st Birthday Party!  It was great, and next weekend (Brian’s Camp Wedding!) is going to be awesome too!  I wanted to share some photos, and let you know to expect the Camp Canadensis Social Media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Blogs) to be all abuzz with updates from Brian & Jaime’s celebration soon!

My friends Katie & Jay came into Philly for the Broad Street Run.  Jay works at Camp KenMont/KenWood in Connecticut, and in the picture above Katie and I are both rocking our camp swag!  She’s an amazing runner, former collegiate athlete and it was incredible to have her expertise and advise right before and after the 10-Mile Broad Street Run.  Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would finish the race in under 2 hours, but I did it in 1:57:31 – a major accomplishment for a novice runner like myself.  I set a goal, and it felt great to achieve it!  I hope many of you start thinking about goals you want to achieve at camp this summer, anything is possible!There were 40,000 runners, and it was a perfectly beautiful day in Philly.  It turns out that after the run, the picture you see above of me at the finish line was randomly picked and used in a Philly Magazine blog.  My friend spotted it and shared it with me, so cool!  Maybe it’s because they liked my Camp Canadensis t-shirt?  (Of course I had to run with something to show my Canadensis spirit!!)

There wasn’t much time to rest after the race, because a year ago Miss Carli Forti was born!  It was time to celebrate this amazing little girl that has brought so much love and fun into the world!  She had a great party with music, games, and of course cake!  I got crafty and made her the birthday card above, it’s actually a “pop-up” card, and when you open it a birthday cake springs out!  Just a reminder, you can learn how to make awesome cards and envelopes like this by signing up for the Stationery Making elective!  (Keep an eye out for a blog post coming soon with a programming preview of all the new stuff at camp to try!)

There were so many camp friends at the party!  In the picture above is Sam, Dani, Cara and JCal.  But, I’m not the only one who got to see camp friends this weekend…

There was a camp friends gathering in NYC, and I got some adorable photos that I wanted to share with you!  Bailey, Julie and Jordan are all in 4th grade, and are going to be Lower Inter Girls at camp this summer.  They enjoyed spending time together, and it looks like they got to enjoy some milkshakes and Baked By Melissa cupcakes…could there be anything better than camp friends and sweet treats?