Hello Canadensis!
First off, let me say, “Shame on me!” It’s been a few weeks since my last blog entry and I didn’t want another day to go by without catching up with online cyberspace camp community. There are no excuses except for the fact that since our Reunion a few weeks ago, things have started to move quite rapidly in our plans for the upcoming summer.
But, first things first. Since I haven’t had a chance to comment yet, myself, I wanted to say thank you to all those campers, parents and staff who made it to our Annual Reunion. Once again, we are happy to announce that we had over 300 campers in attendance along with more than 50 staff members there as well. What a turnout! The two hours we had together seemed to go by in such a hurry but it was so great to see everyone. If you haven’t done so yet, be sure to check out the reunion pictures as well as a Special Reunion Canadensis Today Show in the Media Room.
As I mentioned in a previous blog, we also use this weekend as an opportunity for our leadership staff to get together and discuss camp. Our winter staff, head counselors and programming staff spent the entire Saturday coming up with new plans and ideas for the upcoming summer. It was a great day as we discussed a full array of different topics from Special Days at Camp to Evening Activities to the menu to Color War. In fact, the Color War names for Summer 2010 have been picked! But, of course, that will remain a secret until Color War breaks on August (oh wait, that is a secret, too…Ha Ha!).
It was also great to see a number of camp families join us on Wednesday, January 13 for the Philadelphia 76ers game versus the New York Knicks. Because it was part of the Jewish Heritage Night, all tickets were rewarded with a hebrew 76ers T-Shirt. After the game, won by the Knicks by one point, Grammy Award winning artist Matisyahu performed for all fans that chose to stay. Audio and Videos from that performance can be found here: http://www.matisyahuworld.com/tourarchive#2010/01/13 . On February 9, we will be doing the same event in New York City. Hopefully, many camp families will be able to attend this as well. We hope you can join us.
On February 9, Camp Canadensis will be at the New York Knicks game. To be part of the fun, e-mail Matt Unger at matt@canadensis.com.
In the past few weeks, I have continued to “hit the road” to see our camp families. Here’s who I’ve seen…
I was in North Caldwell, NJ to see 2010 Lower Inter Boy Alex Frieder who will also be joined at camp this year by his younger sister Rylie Frieder. Rylie, in the 3rd grade, will be in the Junior Girls division in 2010. She is involved in a number of activities in the fall, winter and spring. Her soccer team, where she played as a midfielder, finished in 1st place this past fall. She is also involved in hip hop dance classes, a Brownies troop and an Indian Princesses group that just recently went rock climbing as well. On top of that, she is a big New Jersey Devils fan and has been to several games this year. This summer, she is excited for waterskiing and the opportunity to make new friends. As for Alex, he was so thrilled to let me know that he just recently got the lead role of Mowgli in the JCC of West Orange production of “The Jungle Book.” For those that would like to see Alex in this role, performances are scheduled for March 11, 13 and 14. Back in the fall, Alex also took the stage for the same theater company in their production of “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory,” where he was in the Candyland chorus. Alex has also been busy snow skiing every Tuesday in Mountain Creek as well as playing tennis. This summer, he can’t wait to get back to camp and hang out with all of the friends he made in 2009’s Boys Bunk 4. He is also excited to be up in the Art Center, particularly in glass fusion. Here is a picture…
Me with Alex and Rylie Frieder as well as their dog Baxter.
I got a chance to make my way to Scarsdale, NY to see 2010 Freshman Girl Alexa Binday who is coming to camp for her fourth summer with Lower Inter Girl and sister Carly Binday. Both Alexa and Carly have been taking art classes and each showed me the pictures they had been working on. Carly had some really great cartoons to show me while Alexa has been working with chalk pastels and creating a number of human figure and scenic drawings which were really amazing! Both told me about their recent trip to the Sanibel Islands which they really seemed to enjoy. While at home, Carly, who is currently in the fourth grade, also likes to play soccer, gymnastics, tennis and swimming as well as just hanging out with her friends. Alexa, who had a great time at the reunion, was also happy to tell me that she also has one of her bunkmate’s birthday parties this weekend and will be seeing some other camp friends as well. Here is a photo…
Me with Alexa (left) and Carly Binday.
In Armonk, NY, I saw the Kruman Family, where 2010 Freshman Girl Alyssa Kruman will be back at camp this year for her 4th summer and once again joined by brother and 2010 Junior Boy Max Kruman, back for his 2nd summer. While having a pizza lunch, they filled me in about their recent and annual family trip to Aruba. Max, currently in 3rd grade, told me that he was once again playing left wing and center on his ice hockey team. The past few weekends, he has also been into watching the football playoffs on TV. Recently, he had a get together with bunkmate Ethan Cohen. This summer, he is really looking forward again to Mountain Biking, an activity he enjoyed last summer. Big sister Alyssa, now in 6th grade and returning for her 4th summer, continually video chats with camp friends each and every day. She recently had a great time at a fellow camper’s Bat Mitzvah that was heavily attended by Canadensis campers. This summer, Alyssa is really looking forward to the Hershey Park trip. Max and Alyssa let me know that they plan on guest blogging in the next few weeks. Here is a picture from my visit…
Me with Alyssa and Max Kruman.
In Cross River, NY, I saw first time camper and 2010 Junior Girl Rebecca Seiler. Rebecca, currently in 3rd grade, can’t wait for the summer to start and is excited for a number of different activities. She is really looking forward to the zipline, climbing wall and water skiing. In the fall, winter and spring, she is involved with activities such as basketball, soccer and tennis. She also let me know that she will be playing the role of Kaa The Snake in her drama class’s upcoming production of “The Jungle Book.” Performances are scheduled for January 22 and 23. Rebecca will also be joined at camp this summer by her big sister Jessica Seiler, who will once again be returning to camp as part of our camp staff. Last summer, Jessica was a counselor in our Junior Girls Division. Here is a shot…
Me with Junior Girl Rebecca Seiler and her dog Beau.
In Tenafly, NJ, I got to see two more camp families. First, I saw 2010 Lower Inter Girl Samantha Waldman, back for her third summer at camp and now joined by younger sister and 2010 Junior Girl Ally Waldman. Ally is excited to finally get the chance to come to Canadensis after she has seen all the fun Samantha has been having the past two summers. Ally, in the 3rd grade, is involved with soccer, gymnastics and fashion design. She also told me that she is going to be in her school’s variety show performing a self-choreographed dance with one of her friends. This summer, she can’t wait to do horseback riding, soccer and water skiing. As for Samantha, in 4th grade, she is busy with tennis and basketball. She was so thrilled to see her bunk mates at the reunion and is counting down the days to be with the girls from 2009’s Bunk 4. Here is a picture…
Me with Ally (left) and Samantha Waldman.
Also in Tenafly, NJ, I got to meet first year camper and 2010 Lower Inter Girl Simone Steinberg. Simone, currently in the 4th grade, is a third generation Canadensis camper as her father Adam and grandfather David were campers at Canadensis back in the day. Simone, whose older sister Madeline and cousins Leslie, Phil and Mitch also attended Canadensis, has heard so many wonderful stories about camp that she can’t wait to go herself! She is really looking forward to kayaking, lake boats, water skiing, ga ga, Color War and canteen (as she is a self-proclaimed chocoholic). This year, she was also the goalie on her travel soccer team. She was also excited to tell me about an upcoming school project she will be doing on Betsy Ross. At home, she also loves hanging out with her good friends. Here is a photo…
It's all about peace, love and Canadensis for me and Simone!
My trips on the road have been great. Talking about camp with returning and new campers has just been absolutely wonderful! Between now and the summer, I hope to see as many campers as possible.
I also wanted to let our new campers that are currently in grades 1 – 4 know that our new camper get-togethers will be held on April 18. Times are still to be determined. But, mark your calendars!
Our camp families should have also received our first mailing for Summer 2010 which included the new clothes catalog from our camp supplier The Camp Spot. You can also view this information on our website under the “Camp Store” link in the “Canadensis Families” section. Also in the mailing was our new “Priceless Referral Program.” For any family that refers a new camper for 2010, we will award your child with a “priceless” prize of their choosing. The list includes being interviewed on the Canadensis Today Show, making camp announcements for an entire day and even watching 4th of July Fireworks from the middle of Lake Lenape.
Finally, I wanted to congratulate all those New York Jets fans out there. As much as I root against the Jets, I am happy for all those fans of Gang Green that will be watching their team play in the AFC Championship game this weekend. But, I will write more about the football playoffs later in the week.
Until then, I leave you with a question I’ve pondered. What do we call this upcoming decade? Is it the 10’s?
Have a great day…Brian
