Hello Canadensis…
I just walked to the mailbox to send off a few letters. My dress for the day? How about jeans and T-Shirt! It’s March 8 and I didn’t even have to wear a jacket for the brief walk! It made me wonder…is winter over? In fact, I was thinking…did we even have a winter this year? Aside from a few chilly days here in the Northeast, it didn’t ever feel like winter came this year. Of course, I am now fully willing to take all the “heat” (no pun intended) if we are now to have some random snow storm in the upcoming weeks by tempting Mother Nature. Ha Ha!
But, today made me very excited for the summer! That is my real point. Nice weather is always the first true indicator that summer is on it’s way! Another true indicator…how about…the Color War names for Summer 2012 were decided this week. And the 2012 Color War names are… Ha Ha! No chance!
A few weekends ago, we had our Annual Leadership Retreat Weekend where we bring together many of our summer head staff to discuss all aspects of the summer. On the agenda were things like our TAC (Tagged At Canadensis) Program, which recognizes and rewards campers for doing random acts of kindness. The program was awesome in its first summer last year and will continue to grow and evolved in 2012. Last summer, we gave out 366 TACs to campers. Just awesome!
They got TAC! Summer 2012 CITs Dani Schapiro, Chloe Siegel and Olivia Wind show of their TAC necklaces. Last summer, we handed out 366 TACs for Random Acts of Kindness.
Also discussed over this two-day get-together were topics such as Staff Orientation and the Summer Calendar of Events and Activities. As you can imagine, the summer calendar of everything we do takes a lot of time and precision. But, just like UPS likes to tout, we love logistics! We have already put a lot of the traditional activities, trips and entertainers on the calendar for the summer. Of course, we are always looking for new ideas. If you have one, please e-mail us at info@canadensis.com .
As many of you know, over the past few summers, it has been the campers and counselors that vote on the Summer Drive-In Movies. For those new to camp, our Drive-Ins happen three or four times over the summer and is where the entire camp watches a movie together under a sky of stars. For the past two years, campers and counselors voted from a list of approximately 20 films to choose from. If you have an idea for a movie that should be on the list, please e-mail it to info@canadensis.com . Please make sure your movie is an appropriate selection for the entire camp.
Help decide the Drive-In Movies for Summer 2012. Send any movie titles to info@candensis.com. We will then compile a list to be voted on by camp in the Spring.
Great job as always by Jason “J.Cal” Calabretta on his latest viral video for camp. In this one, J.Cal captures all of the fun and excitement we have at camp’s amphitheater, whether it be for morning line-up, MTV Nights, all camp activities and more. If you haven’t seen “Party Rock on the Amphitheater” yet, check it out here…
I got some very cool news about former camper and now counselor Carli “CJ” Sukonik, who is in her freshman year at Lehigh University and playing on the Girls Varsity Lacrosse team. This week, CJ earned her first Patriot League Award as the conference’s Rookie of the Week. According to the article, CJ had a big game versus Robert Morris and finished the week with three points while adding three groundballs, six draw controls and a caused turnover. The highlight came Saturday when she posted six draw controls, tying for the most by any Lehigh player over the last six seasons. CJ also scored a pair of crucial goals, making it 7-4 after Robert Morris pulled within 5-4. For the season, CJ is fourth on the team with six points (four goals, two assists) and third in goals. She is also second with nine draw controls. Way to go, CJ! Here is a photo of CJ in action…
Are you ready for March Madness? With the annual college basketball tournament right around the corner, we will once again be having camper and staff selection pools with prizes going to the winner. We will send out e-mails next week for everyone to make their choices. Last year’s winners were 2012 Lower Inter Boy Jake Brownstein and CIT Head Counselor Cara Corradetti. Good luck to everyone with their picks.
We will once again be having our March Madness Selection Pools next week for campers and staff.
As a reminder for all new camp families with campers currently in Grades Kindergarten through 4th Grade, if you haven’t RSVP’d to our New Camper Bowling Event on Sunday, March 25, please do so by e-mailing us at info@canadensis.com or calling our winter office. This event is also open to 2011 campers that were in Girls Bunk 2 and Boys Bunks 2,3 and 4.
Also, a note to all parents! Be sure to start the camper forms process. There is another mailing coming soon that will ask you to complete more forms, so get what you can done now!
Some great home visits to fill you in on over the past few weeks. For starters, I met Brett and Sammie Tomback in Wayne, NJ, both who are coming to camp for their first summers. Brett, currently in 3rd grade, will be in our Junior Boys division while Sammie is in the first grade and will be in our Junior Girls division. Brett loves baseball and plays on a travel team called the Wayne Warriors. As a pitcher, short stop and catcher, his team will be defending their Little League Championship title in the upcoming 2012 season. In the fall, Brett plays basketball for his Wayne PAL team, the Wolfpack, who also just recently were tournament champs. Brett also plays flag football and soccer. This summer, he is ready for activities like GaGa, Tennis, all the sports, swimming, cooking and zipline. Sammie is very busy with hip hop, jazz and acro dance classes and will be performing a recital in the Spring. She is also rehearsing for an upcoming play “Honk,” where she has been cast as both Froglet and Turklet. On top of all that, she plays basketball, soccer and loves having “virtual sleepovers” with friends. That is where through technology, she can have a sleep over with friend while each remains at their own house. Very creative! When Sammie comes to camp in 2012, you are sure to see her in the Art Shack, Glass Fusion and Cooking. Here is a photo…
Me with Junior Boy Brett Tomback and Junior Girl Sammie Tomback.
In Gladwyne, PA, I got to hang out with 3rd grade twins Luke and Sammy Finkelstein, both who will be at Canadensis for their first summers at Canadensis as part of our Junior Boys Division. Luke enjoys playing the piano and keyboards. He is currently in a band that calls themselves “The No Names” and has even played a few gigs so far. Luke also plays tennis, goes skiing and in the spring will be playing baseball. He likes joking and hanging out with friends. When not doing all of these things, Luke likes to read and write. In Summer 2012, Luke will be all about the water sports, photography, the high ropes course and zipline, the climbing wall and the overnights. As for Sammy, he plays both forward and goalie on a travel soccer team, the Lower Merion Limitless. He likes to ski, play tennis and will also be playing baseball in the spring. He also enjoys playing pool, foosball and reading long books. When he gets to camp, Sammy is excited for the banana boat, GaGa, soccer, woodworking and ceramics. Here is a photo…
Me with Junior Boys Sammy Finkelstein (left) and Luke Finkelstein.
In Villanova, PA, I saw Madison Wolfgang and her brother Carter Wolfgang. Madison is back for her second summer at Canadensis and will be a Lower Inter Girl. Now in 4th grade, Madison is very involved in hip hop, ballet and lyrical dance classes. She is getting ready for her first competition and will be performing at recital in June. She recently got together with her camp sisters from Summer 2011’s Bunk 5 at a sleepover. Madison wanted to give a shout out to all the girls, too. When I asked her what she is looking forward to at camp this year, she quickly replied, “Everything!” Madison is thrilled that she will be joined at camp this summer by Carter, who is currently in the 2nd grade and will be in our Junior Boys Division. Carter plays basketball on his team the Wildcats. In the spring, he will be playing baseball. His favorite sport to watch is football. He is in a Cub Scouts troop and enjoys hiking, nature and swimming. This summer, he can’t wait for all the activities at the lake, including the banana boat, triple dare and summit, Gaga, Free Play and the foam pit. Here is a pic…
Me with Junior Boy Carter Wolfgang (left), Lower Inter Girl Madison Wolfgang and Future Canadensis Camper Pierce Wolfgang, and their dog Ray Ray.
In Livingston, NJ, I met up with 4th Grade girl Emma Zuckerman, who will be in the Lower Inter Girls division in her first summer at Canadensis. Emma plays lacrosse on a travel team, the Livingston Junior Lancers, as well as a soccer team. She also does gymnastics. She loves to cook and bake. Her personal favorites are cupcakes and cookies where she can decorate with different flavored frostings. Emma also likes music and to dance. In fact, she will be performing a hip routine in an upcoming school talent show. Emma also told me that she loves animals and really loves her two cats, Razzle and Dazzle. At camp this summer, Emma is very much ready for the Summit, the banana boat, the triple dare and water trampoline. She is also looking forward to ceramics, tie dye and the high ropes course. Here is a picture…
Me with Lower Inter Girl Emma Zuckerman.
In Merrick, NY, I spent some time with Julie Pulewitz. Julie is coming to camp for her first summer as part of our Junior Girls division. Currently in 3rd grade, she plays forward and midfield on two different soccer teams, a local P.A.L. rec league and a travel team. She recently just finished up her basketball season where her team completed an undefeated season. Her other interests include going on trips and vacations with her family, a love for animals (ducks and dogs in particular), playing with her own dog Ruby and doing arts and crafts projects. In Summer 2012, Julie can’t wait for the lake activities, the new pool, Color War, trying new things and making new friends. Here is a photo…
Me with Junior Girl Julie Pulewitz and her dog Ruby.
Well…that’s all the blogging for now.
Have a great day!
-Brian
