Hello Canadensis…
As I sit here on a Saturday morning, all I can think about is camp. This time of year, as the weather starts to get nicer, camp starts to be on everyone’s mind. We have heard from a lot of our camp families over the past few weeks in everyone’s preparations for the best summer ever. Our Winter office is busy at work, finalizing our staffing for the summer and putting together our summer calendar of activities and events.
Over the next few weeks, we’ll be announcing a lot of great new stuff at camp and introducing our Summer Leadership Team!
Of course, even before camp begins, we’ll have a few Canadensis events that continue to add to all of the excitement. Tomorrow, on Sunday, April 17, we’ll have our New Camper Event for campers in Grades 1-4. Then, on June 4-5, we’ll have our CIT Weekend up at camp. That weekend will also include our Annual Open House.
CIT Weekend will be June 4-5 at camp!
Matt Unger and Andrew Gordon in our full time office actually head up to camp in a few weeks to start getting camp ready. Both work with our pre-camp crew, setting up all of the facilities as well as working with all of the pre-camp groups that join us at Canadensis.
As for the Canadensis campus and program, there have been a lot of grade upgrades and improvements. Here is a list of everything we’ve accomplished since last summer…
- Our outdoor Amphitheater and Dining Hall back deck is now completed with the new trex decking.
- The Spectrum (camp’s indoor hockey rink) will complete the second year of a two-year plan of renovation with new hockey boards and storage cubbies.
- A new paver fire pit was built near one of our pool areas (now, pool parties at night can also include marshmallow roasting).
The new fire pit is right near the Blue Pool.
- Several of our bunks have received upgrades and renovations.
- Basketball Courts will be repaved, repainted and have new hoops.
- We purchased a new Water ski Boat.
- The Horse stables received a new paddock and riding ring.
A new stable fence for the horses.
- A new ropes course element, called the Vertical Challenge, was built.
- The Weight Room Floor will receive new flooring.
- We will be improving the Trail signage for the miles of trails that surround our private lake.
- The baseball fields will have new bleachers and improved scoreboards.
- Our fleet of Honda dirt bikes were upgraded.
The new ropes course element.
Me with Lower Junior Boy Caden (left) and Freshman Boy Luke.
Also in NYC, I got to hang out with Steven, who will be in the Lower Inter Boys division in his first summer. Now in 4th grade, Steven plays in the Big Apple Youth Basketball League and takes tennis lessons. He has also gotten involved in Parkour. When he is chilling at home, Steven enjoys building Legos, drawing and coloring, playing basketball in his room and listening to music. When he comes to camp in June, Steven is ready to try the ropes course, all the activities at the lake, and the food in the dining hall. Here is a photo…
Me with Lower Inter Boy Steven.
In Brooklyn, I met up with Sam and Abby, both who are joining us for their first summers at Canadensis. Abby is in the 3rd grade and will be an Upper Junior while Sam is in the 5th grade and will be an Upper Inter. Sam loves cars! His favorites include Ferrari and Bugatti. Sam takes a scratch computer programming class where he is currently even making his own video games. Of course, he also likes to play video games with Minecraft and Road Blox being his favorite these days. Finally, Sam enjoys bowling and has gotten better on the lanes with lessons. At camp, Sam is ready for the quads and golf. As for Abby, she loves to sing and perform! She just finished a performance of “High School Musical” and will also be on stage in “The Wiz.” She sings in a glee club, too. On top of that, she plays guitar. Finally, Abby is involved in gymnastics and dance. At Canadensis in 2016, Abby can’t wait for horseback riding, basketball and gymnastics. Here is a picture…
Me with Upper Junior Girl Abby and Upper Inter Boy Sam.
In Long Island, I spent time with Jamie, who is currently in the 2nd grade and will be in our Lower Junior Girls division this summer. Jamie is an actress and just recently finished up a show where she played Flotsam the Eel in “The Little Mermaid.” Very soon, she will be performing in her school talent show, signing “Stitches” with her brother Jake. Jamie also plays the drums. She plays forward and midfield on a soccer team, too. Finally, she takes gymnastics classes, with the bars and trampoline being her particular favorites. For her first summer at camp, Jamie is looking forward to so many different things from gymnastics to soccer to making new friends to performing on stage. Here is a snapshot…
Me with Lower Junior Girl Jamie.
In Northern New Jersey, I saw Mason and Jackson. Mason is back at camp for his third summer as an Upper Inter while Jackson joins us for his first summer as an Upper Junior. Jackson, currently in 3rd grade, plays tackle and flag football where he plays WR, DL and OL. In the Winter, he plays in a basketball league. Now that the weather is getting nicer, he will switch to playing baseball. On top of all that, Jackson wrestles. When at home, Jackson likes to play video games as well as rooting for his favorite teams, the Giants, Patriots and Panthers. At camp, he is excited for the quads, football, Color War and having his birthday at camp. Mason, who is in the 5th grade, is starting baseball season this time of year. This year, he’s also been taking a coding class where he is learning how to create his own video games. Each month, Mason is also active in his Boy Scouts troop. When he’s at home, you can usually find Mason playing Minecraft. Mason wanted to give a huge shout out to the Boys of Bunk 7 from Summer 2015. When he gets to camp, he is excited for hondas, Color War, electives and having his brother at camp. Here is a photo…
Me with Upper Junior Boy Jackson (left) and Upper Inter Boy Mason.
Also in Northern New Jersey, I had fun with Avery, Matthew and Dayton. For Avery and Matthew, both currently in 3rd grade, this will be their first summer at Canadensis, but for older sister Dayton, it is Summer #3. Avery plays soccer for Montclair United. She is also rehearsing ballet and tap routines for a dance recital in June. This Spring, she will be playing on a softball team. At home, you will most likely find Avery listening to Taylor Swift music or cracking jokes. At camp, she is ready for activities like cooking, zumba, dance and Gaga. As for Matthew, he loves to play the drums. He loves classic rock and bands like Fall Out Boy. In fact, he has an upcoming gig at a local restaurant in town. Matthew also soccer for Montclair United in the Fall and Spring. When at home, Matthew might be found playing video games like Minecraft. In his first summer, Matthew can’t wait for Gaga, the Banana Boat, canteen and the trip to Dorney Park. Dayton, who is now in 6th grade, is ready for the upcoming softball season for her travel team. She wanted to give a shout out to Girls Bunk 9 from Summer 2015. This summer, she is excited to have her brother and sister join the fun and the trip to Hershey Park. Here is a pic…
Me with Freshman Girl Dayton (left) and Upper Juniors Matthew and Avery.
In Central Jersey, I was with Sophie and Alexa. This will be Sophie’s first summer while Alexa returns for her 3rd year at camp. Sophie, who is in the 3rd grade, is very busy with her soccer team, tennis lessons and golf. At the same time, she is involved with her local Girl Scouts troop. When she’s at home, Sophie enjoys reading, coloring, watching TV and listening to The Beatles. This summer at camp when she will be an Upper Junior, Sophie is really looking forward to waterskiing, Color War, lake parties, Dorney Park and having her birthday at camp. As for Alexa, who is now in 6th grade, she is also playing on a soccer team, taking tennis lessons and actively involved with her Girls Scouts troop. Recently, she has also had opportunities to hang out with her camp friends. This summer, Alexa is once again ready for things like waterskiing, Color War and tennis. However, now a Freshman, she is excited for her trip to Hershey park. Here is a photo…
Me with Upper Junior Girl Sophie (left) and Freshman Girl Alexa.
In New Jersey, I saw Stella, who is currently in the 3rd grade and will be joining us at camp as an Upper Junior for her first summer. Stella just finished up basketball season and now that Spring is upon us, she will be playing SS and 3B on her softball team. She is a big sports fan and enjoys rooting for the New York Giants (her favorite player is Odell Beckham, Jr.), the Golden State Warriors and the University of Michigan Wolverines. When at home she enjoys watching “The Simpsons” and playing with friends. When she gets to camp, Stella told me that she is looking forward to “all of it,” but the lake, sports, tennis and water trampoline were a few things she also mentioned, on top of making new friends. Here is a picture…
Me with Upper Junior Girls Stella.
In Connecticut, I got to hang out with Dylan. Dylan is in the 3rd grade and will be in our Upper Junior Boys division. Dylan plays both Fall and Spring baseball. His favorite position to play is 2B. He also takes a Zaniac computer programming class where he makes his own video games. On top of all that, he takes a break dancing class. I’m sure we’ll get to see his awesome moves at morning line-up this summer! Dylan likes animals. In particular, his favorites are wolves and sloths. He is also a fan of the Detroit Tigers and New York Yankees. In his first summer at Canadensis, Dylan is ready for Gaga, cooking, all the activities at the lake, exploring the outdoors and going on his division’s overnight. Here is a snapshot…
Me with Upper Junior Boy Dylan.
In Westchester, NY, I spent time with Derek, who will be in our Lower Inter Boys division in 2016. Currently in the 4th grade, Derek plays on basketball teams in the Winter and Spring on top of playing on tackle and flag football teams all year round. He enjoys playing video games with Madden and Call of Duty being his personal favorites. Derek roots for his favorite sports teams, the Kansas City Chiefs and Golden State Warriors. In his first summer at Canadensis, he will be playing in the IBL (Inter Basketball League) and looks forward to all the water sports and athletics at camp. Here is a pic…
Me with Lower Inter Boy Derek.
It’s pretty amazing when you can go all the way to California to visit some of our new campers. And, that’s exactly what I got to do to meet Paisley, Cash and Sonny. Paisley, currently in the 2nd grade, loves to dance and is rehearsing towards her Spring recital in Hip Hop and Tap. She also does gymnastics and likes the bars the best. Her favorite TV show is iCarly and her favorite movie is “Daddy’s Home.” As a Lower Junior Girl at camp, she is looking forward to jumping in the lake, the Art Center and making new friends. Paisley’s twin brother Cash plays 1B, SS, RF and LF on his little league baseball team. He is a big fan of WWE Wrestling. He likes to play video games and watch You Tube videos when just hanging out at home. Cash also plays soccer. Cash can’t wait for Color War this summer as a Lower Junior Boy and thinks that his bunk will be winning the Honor Bunk prize for cleanest bunk. As for Sonny, currently in the 4th grade, he plays both travel and little league baseball where he is a second baseman and catcher. On top of that, he plays soccer and flag football. His favorite teams to root for are the Patriots, Celtics, Red Sox and Bruins. In his first summer at camp, he is ready for the hondas and motorcycles. Here is a photo..
Me with Lower Juniors Cash (left) and Paisley and Lower Inter Boy Sonny.
While in California, I also got to meet up with former camper and counselor Jake Asman, who is currently in Los Angeles working on an internship. As many know, Jake is an aspiring sportscaster. His currently role on the West Coast has him working on Jay Mohr’s sports talk show. Jake is loving it! He has also put together an amazing website, showcasing a lot of his work. Check it out at www.jakeasman.com. Here is a picture, too…
Me with Canadensis Alumni Jake Asman while in California.
Well, that’s all the blogging for now.
Have a great day!
-Brian
