Hello Canadensis!
I hope this long overdue blog finds everyone in a wonderful holiday spirit! Things here the in Winter office are starting shape up in terms of our plans for Summer 2016.
Back in November, our full time team of me, Pam, Matt, Carli and Andrew headed up to Macungie, PA for the Annual Keystone Camp Conference. Very different from the conference we attend in March in Atlantic City, the Keystone provides a more intimate feel as all attendees stay at the same hotel and share all meals together. They days away from our office allowed for our year-round team some good bonding time (we took a great hike in the miles of wooded area at the hotel) as well as some nice summertime reflections. Attending these conferences always gets our creativity going in our plans for the upcoming summer and the workshops we partake in always adds to our expansive knowledge of the camp world.
The Full Time Team on a hike during the conference.
In Early November, the full time Canadensis team left the office for a few days and headed to Macungie, PA and these beautiful grounds for the Keystone Camping Conference.
Because it’s been such a long overdue blog, I personally wanted to thank all of those camp families and staff that attended our JDRF walks in New York City and Philadelphia to help support Type 1 Diabetes research. These walks really coincided with our Canadensis Values program and is something that we look forward to doing in the years ahead. So, mark your calendars for 2016 so you can be part of it. For more info about JDRF, click here.
With the support and contributions of friends and family, the Camp Canadensis team surpassed our goal of $1941 for diabetes research.
Up at camp, there are already a number of renovations, upgrades and improvements going on to the facility. Several of our Lower Boys bunks are currently receiving some makeovers. The Outdoor Amphitheater and Stage are receiving a facelift with new decking. We have also purchased a new motorboat for Lake Lenape as well as a number of new bikes for the Hondas program. Right next to the Blue Pool, campers in Summer 2016 will be able to enjoy a brand new stonework fire pit for roasting s’mores at campfires. In the Spring, we will also be making upgrades to the Office Basketball Courts, Spectrum Hockey Rink and High Ropes Course. Stay tuned!
How cool is this new fire pit?!?! Anyone got a marshmallow?
Now that Fall and soon to be Winter is here, there are of course an update on some of my home visits. Over the next few weeks and months, I also look forward to meeting and seeing so many new and returning camp families.
In Long Island, I met Ben, who is currently in the 3rd grade and will be in our Upper Junior Boys division in Summer 2016. Ben is a yellow belt in karate and just finished up his flag football season on his team, the Vikings. When at home, he likes playing video games, his favorite right now being Super Smash Bros, as well as watching WWE wrestling and rooting on the New York Mets.
Me and Upper Junior Boy Ben.
In Plainview, I saw Evan (1st summer; Lower Junior Boy) and Marissa (3rd summer; Upper Inter Girl). Evan has been busy playing soccer and hockey (both ice hockey and deck hockey). He also enjoys rooting for his favorite sports teams, the New Jersey Devils and Ohio State. When at home, you might find Evan reading or playing video games. Marissa, who is constantly in touch with her camp friends almost daily, is also busy with a lot of sport activities. She is also a fan of the Colorado Avalanche and Chicago Blackhawks. She also loves to just chill out at home when she has free time.
Me with Lower Junior Evan and Upper Inter Marissa.
The same night, I went over to hang out with Carly, who is in the 3rd grade and will be an Upper Junior this summer. Carly is involved in the Take a Bow drama program and will soon be performing in “The Little Mermaid.” She is also an avid ice skater and likes to dance. When at home, she loves music and singing as well as watching her favorite TV show “Dancing With the Stars.”
Me and Upper Junior Girl Carly.
In Briarcliff Manor, NY, I spent some time getting to know Samantha. She is in the 4th grade and will be a Lower Inter this upcoming summer. When she gets to Canadensis, she is really looking forward to the Ropes Course, Swimming, all the activities on the Lake and Horseback Riding. When at home in the Fall, Winter and Spring, Samantha likes to dance and skateboard. She also might be found listening to music. These days, her favorite singer is Adele.
Me and Samantha.
So, the other day, I was going through some of my “Camp Stuff” and I realized that I came home with all of these White team bands from Color War. Since most of camp is placed on the Blue or Gold teams, the White team bands tend to be somewhat rate and coveted by our campers. With that in mind, I thought I would use this blog as a time where we could do a BAND CALL. For those note “in the know,” band call is a Color War activity. Each camper and staff is given a band of their team’s color to wear on their wrist. Each summer, we have a Band Call song that can be played at anytime during the day. When the song is played, everyone must run to a band station and drop their band in the respective bin. The team with the most bands for that call wins the points. With that same sentiment in mind, here’s how the BLOG BAND CALL will work. And, I will do this throughout the year in future blogs, too. I will give a camp related question here in the blog. And, the first five campers or staff to reply to my e-mail, which is brian@canadensis.com , will have a band sent to them in the mail. So, for our very first BLOG BAND CALL, here is your camp related question….
ON WHAT DATE THIS SUMMER DID COLOR WAR BREAK?
White Team Band Call Bands will be sent to the first five campers or staff that can correctly answer my BLOG BAND CALL question.
Finally, I wouldn’t be doing a good job on this blog if I failed to mention just how wonderful it was to be part of the PAVE (Pam and Dave) Wedding a few weeks ago. Seeing my Co-Director Pam and our Senior Boys Head Counselor Dave getting married was truly a wonderful occasion for our Canadensis Family. The Wedding Weekend was filled with so many amazing festivities. In short, it was totally Pam and Dave (and, if I’m being honest, more Pam than Dave…Ha Ha!). Thanks for allowing me to be part of such a memorable weekend.
The beautiful couple…Pam and Dave (aka PAVE).
Well, that’s all the blogging for now. And, I promise, the next blog will be sooner than later.
Have a great day!
-Brian
