Does camp really end on Wednesday? Where did all the time go?
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Today has been a Super Day. A Happy Day. A Fun Day. A SUPER HAPPY FUN DAY! With just a few days of camp left we shifted the typical schedule to accommodate extra special activities. After what seemed like a typical start to the day fireworks went off during the ropes course morning meeting and it was soon clear that today would not be a run of the mill day at camp. The morning became a rematch of capture the flag. Siesta became Fiesta and the afternoon was Dunny Day. What is Dunny Day, you might ask. Dunny Day is an afternoon with the entire camp at the waterfront with rope swinging, swimming, boating, face painting, stenciling, a waterfront cook-out and so much more. It is a much anticipated activity and the weather was perfect for an afternoon at the waterfront. We're capping off Super Happy Fun Day with the all camp dance; music is bumping across campus as I type!
Super Happy Fun day comes on the heels of the last small living unit (bunk) night. Last night was surely a memorable night with campers baking pizza, exploring the island, venturing into Hillsborough for a scavenger hunt and ice cream, dressing in costumes, and sleeping at Windswept; a nearby campsite previously home to the Bridges program. Unfortunately the morning was a bit hazy and the sunrise didn't cooperate, but the view is spectacular just the same.
Earlier in the week campers searched for "gargoyles" (counselors) hidden throughout camp and earned points for each pound of gargoyle they carried safely to the basketball court. It is no easy task given that in the game of Hotrodicus Supersonicus gargoyles turn to stone as soon as they are tagged by campers. With teamwork and determination the campers were able to gather enough weight to save camp. Prior to Hotrodicus campers are journeyed around the world during the international day evening activity and learned fun facts about different countries represented at camp. They also completed air band performances and indulged in the artistic talents of fellow campers during Joel's coffee house. It's been an eventful week, and there is even more to come tomorrow with our annual Andy Upton 5 mile road race ending with ice cream!
Because Wednesday is the final day of camp, a few reminders are listed below.
Campers being picked up at camp should be picked up between 9am and 12pm. The New York bus departs at 9am so we encourage parents to wait until 9:15 or so to avoid the bus rush. Most campers are usually picked up by 10 or 10:30. If you’re going to be late please let us know.
The Boston Van is scheduled to drop campers off at 11:30am at the Riverside Station on the Green D line (Newton, MA)
The New York Bus is scheduled to make three drop offs.
-Hartford at 12:00pm – Parking Lot near Motel 6 and McDonald’s
-Mt. Kisco at 1:30 pm – Bedford Rest Area on the Southbound lane of route 684
-NYC at 3:00 pm – 62nd Street between Columbus and Amsterdam
We encourage parents with children on the bus to NYC to call the office around 2pm to ask for an updated arrival time. By then we’ll know if the bus is running early, late or on schedule.
We do our very best to hand back all Lost and Found items to campers before they leave camp, but if you notice something missing when you begin unpacking please send an e-mail to Deidre@WindsorMountain.org and we’ll do our best to get the item(s) shipped home as soon as possible. When picking up your camper from camp or the bus please be sure to collect all their luggage.
If you have any other questions about closing day please call. We've had a wonderful July session and thank you for entrusting your children in our care!
Monday, July 26, 2010
Monday, July 19, 2010
Is it already week three?!?
Click here for photos from the last week To return to this blog after viewing photos, click on the "back button" of your browser.
We had a wonderful Visiting Day yesterday and enjoyed opening campus to so many families, friends and siblings. Everyone basked in the sunshine and appreciated the occasional breeze that would pass through campus. Festival performances from the A Capella group, reggae band, step class, air band, and others kept the audience entertained before many campers enjoyed the afternoon off campus with family and friends. We even had an impromptu whole camp dance party last night before bed! After a busy day we were happy to have a delayed wake-up this morning followed by a Sunday-style morning meeting with a friendship theme.
If you were able to join us for visiting day you saw first hand some of the activities campers have been participating in and the finished products from some of our art classes. During week two campers participated in classes including Isn't it Organic, The Sandlot (baseball), Paper making, Canoeing, Jam Band, Jog with me, Outdoor Cooking, Puppet High Tea, West African Dancing and Paper Mache bowls. A few trips off campus have taken our LITs (Leaders In Training) to Vermont where they did some community service and explored Burlington, a green team class to a local farm, and our international campers to Boston where they were able to walk along the harbor, cool off in a fountain (be sure to look for photos) and explore Faneuil Hall.
In the evenings campers have kept busy with activities including a "who-done-it" mystery adventure, camp fires, Jabborwocky (a two-headed camp legend which campers defeated with team work)and bunk nights. On Wednesday each large living unit participated in their own activity. The Tent Unit had a hunger banquet, the cabin boys played Gatorball (a Windsor Mountain original sport combining the rules of many more traditional sports), and the dorm girls had a spa night. A variety of activities indeed!
In the next week we look forward to hosting an open water swim meet for some of our campers and kids from the local YMCA (this afternoon) and international day - complete with internationally themed meals.
A quick reminder for parents who are picking their children up on July 22 - please plan to be at camp around 9:30am. Morning meeting ends around that time and you'll be able to meet your camper(s) on the deck and then collect their luggage.
Looking forward to week three!
We had a wonderful Visiting Day yesterday and enjoyed opening campus to so many families, friends and siblings. Everyone basked in the sunshine and appreciated the occasional breeze that would pass through campus. Festival performances from the A Capella group, reggae band, step class, air band, and others kept the audience entertained before many campers enjoyed the afternoon off campus with family and friends. We even had an impromptu whole camp dance party last night before bed! After a busy day we were happy to have a delayed wake-up this morning followed by a Sunday-style morning meeting with a friendship theme.
If you were able to join us for visiting day you saw first hand some of the activities campers have been participating in and the finished products from some of our art classes. During week two campers participated in classes including Isn't it Organic, The Sandlot (baseball), Paper making, Canoeing, Jam Band, Jog with me, Outdoor Cooking, Puppet High Tea, West African Dancing and Paper Mache bowls. A few trips off campus have taken our LITs (Leaders In Training) to Vermont where they did some community service and explored Burlington, a green team class to a local farm, and our international campers to Boston where they were able to walk along the harbor, cool off in a fountain (be sure to look for photos) and explore Faneuil Hall.
In the evenings campers have kept busy with activities including a "who-done-it" mystery adventure, camp fires, Jabborwocky (a two-headed camp legend which campers defeated with team work)and bunk nights. On Wednesday each large living unit participated in their own activity. The Tent Unit had a hunger banquet, the cabin boys played Gatorball (a Windsor Mountain original sport combining the rules of many more traditional sports), and the dorm girls had a spa night. A variety of activities indeed!
In the next week we look forward to hosting an open water swim meet for some of our campers and kids from the local YMCA (this afternoon) and international day - complete with internationally themed meals.
A quick reminder for parents who are picking their children up on July 22 - please plan to be at camp around 9:30am. Morning meeting ends around that time and you'll be able to meet your camper(s) on the deck and then collect their luggage.
Looking forward to week three!
Monday, July 12, 2010
One week has already flown by!
Click here to view photos of the first week To return to this blog after viewing photos, click on the "back button" of your browser.
The sun is setting behind the mountains and a light breeze is spreading through camp cooling us off after another hot sunny day. The voices of laughter, chatter and strategic planning can be heard through the windows as campers play a game called "Zombie Apocalypse". Humans try to remain humans while zombies search out humans to become zombies. Only the 7 CDC members floating around campus can reverse the zombie curse! With all the running around campers are sure to sleep well tonight!
We've had an eventful week at Windsor Mountain with only a touch of rain. After so many hot, humid days the rain offered a bit of relief from the hot temperatures. Otherwise campers took full advantage of the sunshine. Some classes from the 2nd rotation included Archery, Stomp, Gimme Mo...saics, Patchwork Pillows, Random Acts of Kindness, Garden Gnomes, Jungle Safari (low ropes), Rock Lobsters (a 3-day off campus wilderness trip), Guard Start, Boulder Lake Spa and Canoe Wars. Starting today, campers began their third rotation of classes including Risky Business (high ropes), Disc Golf Course Making, Zen Flower Garden, Pane in the Glass (stained glass), Advanced Tennis, Beserker Sailing, Extreme History II: The Renaissance, Aqua Yogging, Reggae Band and Folk Fest Prep to name just a few. Phew!!! So many great classes to choose from!
Along with the array of creative classes we've explored camp legends and created a camp song list at morning meetings, and explored the topic of Bringing Worlds Together at Sunday Morning Meeting. Sunday morning meetings are unique in their silent theme. We began with a guided meditation followed by the opportunity for campers and staff to share their thoughts on this week's topic. Many thoughtful contributions got us thinking about how wonderful it is for a group of people to come together from all over and become our own community.
We've remained entertained into the evenings with evening activities including a camper fire (the otter song was a big hit), and Big and Small living unit nights - on Big Living Unit nights all the dorms, all the cabins and all the tent unit campers gather with their respective groups for an activity. On small living unit nights campers gather with their counselors and do an activity with just their bunk. Some bunks got dressed up and chatted over cheese, crackers and cider, others gathered around fire pits and roasted s'mores. Some went to the waterfront and one bunk even slept out on the island!
Time is flying and before we know it we'll be seeing many of you for Visiting Day. Keep an eye on your inbox for Visiting Day details being e-mailed tomorrow. If you have any questions after receiving the Visiting Day invitation please call the office at 603-478-3166. If you can't make it to Visiting Day, but want to give permission for your child to go off campus with a friend's family in the afternoon (after the Folk Fest) please e-mail Deidre@WindsorMountain.org. Any campers who don't go off campus with their family or a friend's family will have the opportunity to go for a light hike and/or get ice cream off campus with a few staff.
If you're the parent of a 2-week camper who is returning home on Sunday we welcome you to arrive around 10:30 and join in all the visiting day festivities (especially if your child is performing in the Folk Festival).
See many of you on Sunday!
The sun is setting behind the mountains and a light breeze is spreading through camp cooling us off after another hot sunny day. The voices of laughter, chatter and strategic planning can be heard through the windows as campers play a game called "Zombie Apocalypse". Humans try to remain humans while zombies search out humans to become zombies. Only the 7 CDC members floating around campus can reverse the zombie curse! With all the running around campers are sure to sleep well tonight!
We've had an eventful week at Windsor Mountain with only a touch of rain. After so many hot, humid days the rain offered a bit of relief from the hot temperatures. Otherwise campers took full advantage of the sunshine. Some classes from the 2nd rotation included Archery, Stomp, Gimme Mo...saics, Patchwork Pillows, Random Acts of Kindness, Garden Gnomes, Jungle Safari (low ropes), Rock Lobsters (a 3-day off campus wilderness trip), Guard Start, Boulder Lake Spa and Canoe Wars. Starting today, campers began their third rotation of classes including Risky Business (high ropes), Disc Golf Course Making, Zen Flower Garden, Pane in the Glass (stained glass), Advanced Tennis, Beserker Sailing, Extreme History II: The Renaissance, Aqua Yogging, Reggae Band and Folk Fest Prep to name just a few. Phew!!! So many great classes to choose from!
Along with the array of creative classes we've explored camp legends and created a camp song list at morning meetings, and explored the topic of Bringing Worlds Together at Sunday Morning Meeting. Sunday morning meetings are unique in their silent theme. We began with a guided meditation followed by the opportunity for campers and staff to share their thoughts on this week's topic. Many thoughtful contributions got us thinking about how wonderful it is for a group of people to come together from all over and become our own community.
We've remained entertained into the evenings with evening activities including a camper fire (the otter song was a big hit), and Big and Small living unit nights - on Big Living Unit nights all the dorms, all the cabins and all the tent unit campers gather with their respective groups for an activity. On small living unit nights campers gather with their counselors and do an activity with just their bunk. Some bunks got dressed up and chatted over cheese, crackers and cider, others gathered around fire pits and roasted s'mores. Some went to the waterfront and one bunk even slept out on the island!
Time is flying and before we know it we'll be seeing many of you for Visiting Day. Keep an eye on your inbox for Visiting Day details being e-mailed tomorrow. If you have any questions after receiving the Visiting Day invitation please call the office at 603-478-3166. If you can't make it to Visiting Day, but want to give permission for your child to go off campus with a friend's family in the afternoon (after the Folk Fest) please e-mail Deidre@WindsorMountain.org. Any campers who don't go off campus with their family or a friend's family will have the opportunity to go for a light hike and/or get ice cream off campus with a few staff.
If you're the parent of a 2-week camper who is returning home on Sunday we welcome you to arrive around 10:30 and join in all the visiting day festivities (especially if your child is performing in the Folk Festival).
See many of you on Sunday!
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
First Few Days...
Wow! What perfect summer weather we are having in
Click here for a link to photos from the first few days (please remember the photos are posted to provide a general illustration of camp life. While we try our best we aren’t able to post a photo of every camper. Be sure to check back each week for more photos). To return to this blog after viewing photos, click on the "back button" of your browser.
It’s hard to believe camp started just a few days ago. So much has happened since July 3rd. On Sunday we were busy celebrating the 4th of July and getting to know one another. At morning meeting we learned what does and does not belong in the camp “bubble”. From there each living unit (Cabins, Dorms and Tent Unit) rotated around campus checking in with the nurse, demonstrating their swimming skills at the waterfront and playing games with their bunkmates during big and small living unit times. At 5pm campers and counselors met on the softball diamond for the annual camper vs counselor softball game. After numerous great hits and close calls at home plate it was hard to say who won. One thing was for sure – a great time was had by all! Following the game we enjoyed a 4th of July cookout followed by the annual carnival. Campers had their faces painted, took their turns at the wet sponge toss (counselors were the targets), tried to catch greased counselors on the sports field, had their fortunes read, and tried their hand at the pudding drop among other activities. As soon as it was dark enough campers gathered along the fence of the sports field and watched with smiles on their faces as we had our very own fireworks display. Campers (and staff) were beaming as they returned to their living units.
Yesterday marked the first day of activities with campers taking part in classes such as Acapella, Cliff Hangers (low ropes), Fun on the Farm, Modern Day Treasure Hunt, and Welcome to the Waterfront. The same set of classes continues today and tomorrow before we head straight into the second rotation of activities on Thursday.
Wish you, too, could be at camp? Well, if you live in or near the
The bell is ringing for lunch; it’s time to re-apply the sunscreen, grab a water bottle and head to the dining hall!
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