Hello Canadensis…
As the saying goes, the month of March goes in like a lion and out like a lamb. I can only hope this holds true this year. This winter has been pretty chilly, so I’m sure hoping that the weather outside can at least start to make me think that Summer 2015 is soon upon us. I know it’s been quite some time since my last blog post, but life in the Canadensis Winter Office has been super busy over the past few months. Just recently, I “hit the road” on one of our many Winter recruitment weeks. I had the pleasure of travelling to upstate New York and experience some lovely temperatures, which at one one point reached -33-degrees. Wow, that’s cold! However, along the way, I got to see some of our amazing staff from summers past, including Emily Schmeichel (Alfred University); Jake Asman, Maggie Maurice and Mike Levien (Ithaca College); and Paige Gindi (Binghamton University). Here are some pictures from my visits…
Me and Jake Asman on the campus of Ithaca College.
Me and Paige Gindi had dinner at Tully’s near the campus of Binghamton University.
A few weekends ago, we also had our Leadership Weekend, which is where we have many of our leadership staff come in for two days to talk all things camp. This “meeting of the minds” is something that really kicks off many of the ideas for the upcoming summer. We discuss everything from new activity and program ideas to ways of improving the camp day to facility updates. We also had a great team building exercise to learn about our working personalities. At night, we took the team out to a cooking class, where we made our own dinner. Here are some pictures from the weekend…
The Leadership Team takes a break from talking all things camp.
Here is the 2015 Leadership Team.
Making our own dinner.
Pete, Pam, Cara and Robin making crab cakes. Yum.
Dave and Eric making some veggies.
Just recently, we opened up registration for enrollment to our 75th Summer Alumni Reunion. We cannot believe all of the responses so far. It looks like we will have campers and counselors from most, if not all, decades present at this amazing event on Sunday, June 14 from 12:00-5:00 pm. If you haven’t registered already, you can do so by clicking here.
Summer 2015 marks camp’s 75th Summer. To celebrate, we are having an Alumni Reunion on Sunday, June 14 at camp!
With so much time having passed since my last blog, here are some home visits to update everyone on…
In New York City, I hung out with Max and Zach Ehrlich, who are both in the 3rd grade and will be part of our Upper Junior Boys division this summer. Max and Zach are also 2nd generation Canadensis campers as dad Justin attended as a camper. In the Spring, Max will be playing baseball. He also plays flag football. When at home, he enjoys playing Madden Football on his iPad. Max told me that his favorite movie is “Million Dollar Arm.” When he gets to camp this Summer, he is really looking forward to Flag Football, the Hondas, Waterslides and Tubing. As for Zach, when Spring rolls around, he will be playing in the Chelsea Piers Soccer Club, playing defense. Right now, in Winter, he plays Futsol. When at home you can find him rooting for his favorite teams, the Barcelona Soccer Team or the Seattle Seahawks. At camp this year, he can’t wait for the Quads and Hondas, the Waterslides and Flag Football. Here is a photo…
Me with Upper Junior Boys Zach and Max Ehrlich.
In New York City, I also spent some time with Eli Goldman. Eli is in the 3rd grade and will be an Upper Junior in 2015. In the Winter months, he plays on a basketball team. But, as soon as the weather warms up, he will move into baseball. Eli loves to root for his favorite teams, which are all of the New York teams such as the Yankees, Mets, Giants, Jets, Knicks, Nets and Rangers. Eli also enjoys hanging out with friends and family as well as watching some of his favorite TV shows on the Cartoon Network and Food Network. For his first summer at Canadensis, Eli told me that he can’t wait for all of the sports at camp, making new friends and decorating his area. Here is a pic…
Me with Upper Junior Boy Eli Goldman.
In Syosset, NY, I saw Jack and Molly Cohen. Jack is back for his 3rd summer at camp as an Upper Inter boy and is happy to introduce his sister Molly, who will be joining us for her first summer as a Lower Junior girl. Molly, currently in 2nd grade, is a competitive ice skater and figure skates in a number of shows. She also likes to do art, watch movies and build Legos. She also is involved in Girls Scouts, takes dance classes and does yoga. In the Winter months, Molly told me that she enjoys building snowmen. At camp this year, she is ready to try activities like Ceramics, the Waterslides at the Pool and the Banana Boat at the Lake. As for Jack, now in 5th grade, he is busy with two travel basketball teams where he plays guard on the Syosset Braves and the AAU Lightning. In the Fall and Spring, he plays WR in Flag Football leagues. Jack also wanted to give a shout out to the Boys of Bunk 8 from Summer 2014. At camp in 2015, Jack can’t wait for the IBL (Inter Basketball League), the Lake, Color War and seeing all his friends. Here is a picture…
Me with Lower Junior Girl Molly Cohen and Upper Inter Boy Jack Cohen. We are holding up our Canadensis “C’s.”
In Short Hills, NJ, I got to know Samantha Rose, who is a 2nd generation Canadensis Camper as her dad Scott and two uncles attended camp back in the day. Samantha is in the 2nd grade and will be a Lower Junior this summer. She likes to play tennis all year round. In the Fall, she played on a soccer team. In the Spring, she will be playing on a softball team. She likes all sports, but also enjoys arts and crafts, playing on the Wii, as well as playing board games like Monopoly and chess. Samantha roots for her favorite team, the New York Yankees. When enjoying some quiet time, she likes to read books, preferably biographies or anything from the Junie B. Jones series. This summer, Samantha let me know that she is really looking forward to making new friends, playing Basketball, Waterskiing, Rock Climbing and going out for the Camp Show. Here is a snapshot…
Me with Lower Junior Samantha Rose.
In Syosset, NY, I got to meet Ava Graff, who is currently in the 3rd grade and will be joining our Upper Junior Girls division in Summer 2015. Ava is very busy right now with her ballet and jazz dance as she is rehearsing for a recital in the Spring. She is also taking an acting class called “Stage to Screen.” On top of all that, she plays the piano. In the Spring, she will also be playing softball. When at home, Ava can be found doing art projects, drawing or listening to her favorite music like Arianna Grande, Taylor Swift and One Direction. Ava also let me know that she is very involved with raising money for causes such as ALS and Canine Companions. This summer Ava is excited for Swimming, being in the Camp Show, all of the Lake activities and making new friends. Here is a picture…
Me with Upper Junior Girls Ava Graff.
In Syosset, NY, I also saw Darren and Jordyn Weinstein. Darren joins us for his first summer as an Upper Junior boy and is happy to join his big sister Jordyn, who returns for her 4th Summer at Canadensis as a Lower Senior girl. Currently in 3rd grade, Darren plays in the Syosset Basketball League. In the Fall and Spring, he plays flag football. He also plays on lacrosse and soccer teams. When at home, Darren enjoys playing Minecraft, Clash of Clans and Madden 2015 video games. When he comes to camp, he can’t wait for Football, Basketball, Color War and Canteen. Jordyn, who is now in 7th grade, has been seeing all of her camp friends on the Bar and Bat Mitzvah circuit this year. Jordyn wanted to give a shout out to all of the Lower Senior Girls for Summer 2015. She is also very busy with her competitive dance teams in hip hop, jazz, lyrical, ballet and tap. Her competition season is already underway. Finally, Jordyn plays on her school volleyball team. This summer, Jordyn is ready for all of the great stuff ahead of her on Senior side, including her trip to Lake Placid. She is also happy to have her brother at camp. Here is a photo…
Me with Lower Senior Girl Jordyn Weinstein and Upper Junior Boy Darren Weinstein.
In Syosset, NY, I also go to see Jack Bahrenburg, who will be joining our Upper Junior Boys division as a current 3rd grader. Jack plays a lot of ice hockey in Syosset Hockey League where he plays both left wing and left defense. In the Spring, he will also be playing baseball. On top of that, Jack takes tennis lessons. Jack is musical, too, and plays both the violin and piano. When at home, you can find him rooting on his favorite teams, the Islanders and Mets, as well as playing NHL ’15 on his X-Box. In his first summer at Canadensis, Jack is looking forward to Waterskiing, the CHL and meeting new friends. Here is a pic…
Me with Upper Junior Boy Jack Bahrenburg.
In Plainview, NY, I got to know Max Marcus. Currently in the 3rd grade, Max will be in our Upper Junior Boys division in his first summer at camp. These days, he is playing in the Plainview Basketball League on his team, the Thunder. In the Spring, he will play both baseball and soccer. In the Fall, he plays soccer and flag football. At home, you will find him dunking on his bedroom basketball hoop as well as rooting for his favorite sports teams, the Giants, Mets, Nets and Rangers. When I asked Max what he is looking forward to the most this summer, Max enthusiastically responded, “It’s camp! I’m looking forward to everything!” Here is a snapshot…
Me with Upper Junior Boy Max Marcus.
Finally, here was a great photo I received from some of our 2015 Lower Inter Girls that recently had a sleepover. It was nice to see that they had a special guest appearance from counselor Lindsay Gelber.
Some 2015 Lower Inter Girls staying up late on a camp sleepover.
Some of our Upper Junior Girls for Summer 2015 got together recently at a 76ers basketball game…
Misha Cohen, Ava Krasin and Kylie Rubin are court side at a 76ers game.
Well, that’s all of the blogging for now. More to come soon.
Have a great day!
-Brian
