Camp memories can strike you in the most unlikely ways. Visions of Pinnacle or the Waterfront hit you during Algebra class or the taste of watermelon and hotdogs overwhelm you and you yearn for the crunch of white and grey gravel underfoot. Yet nothing holds memories quite like music….. Services, Camp cheers, Zimriah, Color War and Maccabiah all have words, tunes and individual meaning for each of us. Hearing them can transport us and revive our camp senses and emotions.
Every couple of years since 1963, Blue Star has released an album of camp songs and cheers for campers and alumni to enjoy at home. This year, that tradition has been brought into the most modern of formats. Camp alumni, and current recording artist, Mark Aaron James, (Mark Widerman, to those of us who went to camp with him) has, over the past year, collected and converted vintage camp classics and alumni recordings into MP3s. Mark has also been on-site in 2012, recording all of camp’s musical moments. Besides vintage albums and Camp specific and event titles, the website also contains Blue Star alumni; former staff & campers who have made professional recordings. Not to forget “Singing with Penny White and Blue Star Campers” among other tiltles.
The purpose behind all this work is to assemble everything on a private iTunes-like website; specifically for campers, families, staff and alumni, to stream camp music. It will provide the ability to download songs in several formats, compatible with all digital players and the ability for it to be continually upgraded with the most current Blue Star music. Now your daughter’s or son’s ringtone can be their cabin Zimriah song, or their iPod can contain this year’s color war anthem. Give “Blue Star Bandcamp” a listen at www.bluestarcamps.bandcamp.com and let those memories both old and new creep back in.
Not only has our Horseback Program expanded with a dozen new horses, it has added several field trips to the program. One especially designed for our Junior and Pioneer aged campers is a trip to Found Feather Farm. Found Feather Farm specialize in raising, breeding and nurturing authentic British and Irish Gypsy Vanner Horses. There, they have an absolutely stunning array of imported bloodlines and deal with individuals of the true “British Gypsy Fraternity”.
Nestled in the rolling hills of Mill Spring, North Carolina, their mission is “to bring honor, recognition and a better understanding to one of the world’s colorful and least understood societies and the horses they dearly love. To respect the spoken word of the Gypsies who have dedicated lifetimes in the pursuit of breeding the perfect caravan horse…..The Gypsy Vanner.”
Last week, Sara Buchsbaum was one of the luck Pioneer Girls that experienced the farm. She said it was “The best day of her life”. Jayde Cambell and Lisa Cushing were the instructors that took last weeks lucky group. Jayde said that “It’s a fantastic place for kids; fun, safe and educational. I love this place. These are a very rare and special breed. We’re so lucky to ride and learn about these Gypsies”
Education is a huge part of the trip and the staff at Found Feather Farm are sure to give the children a broad understanding and hands on experience. In the past, these horses had to be strong and athletic so they could manage the heavy vardos with the Gypsies family and it’s belongings. Besides being hardy, they had to be gentle and docile enough to tech the Gypsy children how to ride. Due to recent interest and importation of Gypsy horses, registries are being established here and abroad to protect and continue the established bloodlines.
Our campers had the unique opportunity to see the Gypsies for their many wonderful qualities. Not only is their beauty immediately noticed, but their warm, gregarious nature. They are both gentle and docile, allowing an unrestricted hands-on loving experience. To touch, ride, groom and learn of these beautiful creatures is a once in a lifetime memory, one that just maybe, they’ll get to re-live if they return to Blue Star next year. I think there might be some finger’s crossed and wishes made for just that.
“Fire is very mysterious still, even though we have captured it into a Bic Lighter, and in the mysterious there is a lot of depth and room for interpretation to project our own images and ideas.” – Jon Rousseau, Ancient Arts specialist at Blue Star.
For Abraham Goldstein and Levi Harris, their interpretation of fire till now, most simply was a box of matches or a Bic lighter. That was until their recent fire making lesson with Jon at Hawks Nest in the Ancient Arts Option. Flint and Steel fire building came after several series of technologies; the most commonly known was the Bow Drill where spinning a spindle is used to create enough friction and heat to produce an ember. What Abe and Levi did was to create a spark with Flint and Steel, into a tinder and dried fungus bundle and blow into that to create the fire.
Jon said that “My hope is that they got a hands on experience and understanding of what it took for our ancestors to actually make fire on a regular basis and that it wasn’t as easy as striking a match. It actually requires attention, focus, skill, hand-eye coordination and things like that in real time. Using their hands and their eyes to make this magical thing that we really take for granted.”
Placing the wood, twigs and kindle correctly along with creating the tinder bundle to accept the spark was the easy part for the boys, the striking of the flint and steel created a whole new challenge however. With his years of experience, Jon made the process look simple. The angle of the flint just right, the striking of the steel perpendicular to the flint with a deliberate blow, produced from Jon, a small flash of light resembling that of July 4th sparklers. The boys struggled to get the technique just right and took turns, switching hands and even supporting and steadying each other as they tried. After what seemed ages, and as the sweat beads formed, success was finally found.
As the “birds nest” of tinder and dried fungus smouldered, the boys blew on it with the assistance of their counselor. Once the flame was strong enough, they transplanted it into the pre-built teepee and continued to blow on the flames. Very quickly, the fire caught and the boys raised their arms in surrender and pride of an accomplishment well done.
Afterwards, Levi claimed about making fire, “it was great to not just light it with a match but to make it like the olden days with flint, steel and fungus. I like ancient arts, it’s fun to make stuff you don’t usually make – in cool ways.” Abe said, “making fire felt good; actually doing something really hard; to work for the flame. When the fire started, I really felt I accomplished something. Ancient Arts is a good way to use natural materials to make stuff and get to do stuff you wouldn’t do at home”.
Obviously it will be a rare occurrence that the boys will actually get to use their newly acquired skill at home, however the patience and lesson learned while creating fire might help bring alive a little of that magic in their sometimes “take it for granted” life.
Namaste has many definitions but generally, when said, it means that the best in me (or the light in me), honors the best in you; a philosophy that Blue Star Camp is always promoting. Camp has been lucky enough to have Andie Segal as their resident yoga specialist for the last 2 years. Andie has a long history with camp having been a camper, counselor and now a specialist and mother of two campers herself. The option is situated in the open Fred Burke Pavilion; surrounded by trees and presenting a pristine view of the lake and mountains, it offers protection while allowing fresh air and a place to center and find some quietude from the busy day.
Yoga has proved to be very popular with all camps from Juniors to Teen Village and not just with the girls. Senior Boys fill the serene setting of the pavilion, twice a day and show surprising focus and skill. The slow, flowing motions of yoga not only build flexibility but takes a lot of concentration and can help slow a young mind down. Yoga can help a child achieve balance in their lives and for kids is a means of helping them to develop better body awareness, controlling themselves, and flexibility and coordination.
“This is a unique opportunity to teach young campers how to slow down. In a schedule packed with fun it is important to have a special time and place to check-in with their feelings and learn to relax and breathe deep” says Andie. “I’m so lucky to introduce yoga to these kids while they are young; as the lessons learned can be taken off the mat and into stressful situations.”
Pioneer Girls and Juniors have a combined afternoon class. Lauryn Friedman is 9 years old and says about yoga, “It calms me down and I don’t worry about what’s coming next or anything.” Her favorite pose is the Corpse pose, which some say is the hardest of all; for to lay still and not fidget with your body or mind is a difficult thing. A close second for Lauryn is the Happy Baby pose. Her older sister Haylee, 11 is in the same class and says, “It’s really relaxing and calms you down. It relaxes your whole body but you exercise while you are relaxing.” Haylee’s favorite pose is the Corpse pose as well. Ailsa Kurzban 9, says, “I chose yoga because I want to be able to relax without getting all stressed – Just to relax.” Ailsa’s favorite pose is the Turtle pose. Tess Segal, a Junior states “I do yoga because I am always exhausted and you can fall asleep at the end. When that happens it gives me energy. My favorite pose besides the Corpse is the Turtle.”
Not only are the campers eager to choose yoga but the counselors are eager to attend as well. Monica, a Pioneer Girl counselor, swapped time with her co. just so she could take advantage of accompanying the girls to their option. Dana, a Juniors counselor attends as well. If numbers are an indication of popularity of a specialty area, Yoga ranks among the highest, which makes Andie very happy. It appears, she is not the only one as many little future yogi’s learn to center, reflect and create an intimate relationship with the natural world that surrounds them. With Blue Star Camp offering yoga, it might just help bring that marvelous inner light that our campers have, to the surface. Namaste.
To commemorate the 2012 Olympics in London, Blue Star Camps opened Second Session Carnival with a Parade of Nations and a Symbolic Olympic Flame and torch to light the Blue Star Menorah. Due to our international staff, 14 countries including Mexico, Europe, Australia and New Zealand along with America were represented in the parade. Many of these staff members have worked at camp for many seasons and serve in specialty, administrative and support areas; some as cabin counselors. Proudly marching with their countrymen and flags to their national anthems, the staff were excitedly greeted and cheered on by all the campers lining the parade route. Eszti Slezsak is Blue Star’s Video option specialist. This is her third year as a blue star staff member with her first two as a waitress in the kitchen. Ezsti is from Hungary, “I was proud to represent my country along with Csilla one of the mountain bike specialists, and am surprised at how many Blue Star Campers have a Hungarian heritage”.
Danny Brennan is from England and this is his inaugural Blue Star Summer. Danny is the Guitar specialist and says, “Being from Great Britain in the year in which it hosts the biggest sporting event in the world has enhanced my pride and desire to promote my country”. Not only do the campers appreciate Danny’s guitar teaching skills, they also get a kick out of his Northern English accent.
Each camp had a representative help with the declaration of ‘The Opening of the Carnival’ and the Menorah was ceremoniously lit with Blue Star Camps Olympic Flame. Campers were then let loose to enjoy the array of booths, rides and games available. The Whirly Bird, The Obstacle Challenge and The Dragonfly Swing rides were brought in especially and proved to be camper favorites. However, pony rides, marriage booth and mouse racing with Harry are still some of the most loved at every Blue Star Carnival day.
Just as we were all needing something a little more substantial than snow cones, popcorn and lemonade, the heat of the day rose, clouds formed, and a torrential yet cooling downpour occurred. While the dining hall staff rushed to move the hotdogs and watermelon into the rec hall, a few lucky campers (and staff) experienced a real Blue Star moment and continued to enjoy the oversized slip and slide as the heavens opened. While some enjoyed the slippery, soapy joy of the slide, several individuals were spotted doing cartwheels and headstands on the middle athletic fields. Nothing quite beats the joy of playing in the rain!
As the rain continued to fall and the carnival booths and rides packed away, rest hour was enhanced by the sound of rain on cabin roofs and a quiet moment felt throughout camp…….for an hour at least.
Fancy:
(show name “Bobs Fancy Bugs”) is from Landrum, South Carolina. This mare is a registered AQHA quarter horse and she weighs 1100 pounds. This 12-year-old mare loves to be with people. She is amazing with beginners and is a fun safe horse.
Nutmeg:
Nutmeg is a Palomino mare from Goldsborough North Carolina. She is six-years-old and has a natural lead change and has started over fences. At 15.2 hands, Nutmeg is a big bodied mare who has been trail ridden in the mountains and lightly shown. She is energetic, kind and gentle and the kids adore her.
Toby:
Is such a gentleman. He is a gorgeous sweetheart. Toby is a Palomino with paint markings and is 13-years-old and 15 hands high. This gelding is a great hunter horse with a sweet disposition. He has competed in shows at Greensboro, Pinehurst and Williamston and he is always in the ribbons.
Jazz:
(show name is “Jazz up my Music”) is a buckskin gelding born in 1998. Jazz can jump cross rails up to 2 feet 6 inches. He has competed in 15 shows but walked home with more than 120 ribbons.He is just bright and bubbly and seeks attention. He has loads of personality and is very outgoing and is a great teacher in everything.
Cooper:
At 13.1 hands, Cooper is the smallest horse. He is a great horse for beginners and he will stand as long as you want him to. Cooper will follow you around like a puppy and this gelding has been used for teaching basic horsemanship skills, leadline with Juniors, therapeutic type games, obstacle course, grooming and walk/trot/lunge.
Chance:
Is a ten-year-old gelding and everyone love this gorgeous boy. He is an excellent teacher and helps the boys and girls progress quickly. Everyone wants to take Chance home.
Cash:
(show name is “Walk the Line) is a gelding who was born on January 1, 2004. He is 14.2 hands and is a flashy pony jumper. He loves attention and will let you ride him all day every day. Cash also loves being bathed and loves having his feet done.
Dyllan:
Is a 12-year-old thoroughbred. He is quiet and placid and he’s like a big loyal dog. Dyllan is reliable and dependable and he loves camp and his camp friends.
Rufus:
Is 10-years-old and he’s the perfect roan pony. He can walk, trot, canter and jump. Rufus will be featured in the horse shows and is so elegant his moves make people stop and stare. He has a lovely nature an is trustworthy with the kids.
Patrick:
(show name Just Kidding Around) 14 hand palomino from Forest City. A beautiful well behaved pony and is ridden and shown by kids 11 and under. He loves to jump, is very kind and helps kids become great riders.
Rain:
Is a beautiful 15 year old, 14 hand mare. She is a great large pony that has been used in Therapy riding and English lessons extensively for many years. She is 4 years older than the rest of the group and she leads a great example for the herd.
Shian:
This is the pretty pony queen and the one to choose to have you photo taken with! Shian is 11-years-old and 14.3 hands. She loves teaching children how to post to the trot. She is very laid back and at 10 am every morning she takes a siesta!
Every session, Teen Village has an opportunity designed especially for them; a two night and three day trip. First session, Atlanta was their chosen destination. 2012 TV Atlanta Trip departed Monday 2nd July at 8am. The sway of the coach lulled many to sleep, however others, wound tight with anticipation, chatted and mingled for the 3 hour drive to the MLK National Historic Site. The MLK National Historic Site is a place dedicated to Martin Luther King, Jr., where you can go and hear his story, visit the home of his birth, and see where he played as a child. Teen Village took time to contemplate as they walked in his footsteps, and heard his voice in the church where he moved hearts and minds. It was an opportunity to marvel at how he was an instrument for social change.
After a sobering yet inspirational visit, a change of pace was planned; Six flags! Roller coasters and Acrophobia – the ride…where you can face your fears on a terrifying 20-story tower that ascends riders to the top, only to face gravity and free-fall straight down, all while standing up. If this wasn’t enough, when you reach the top, your seat is tilted 15 degrees so you have no choice but to look straight down. YIKES! So after an exhaustingly full day, Teen Village rolled back to the Comfort Inn at about 11pm. With four campers per room, there was little convincing needed for sleep, every one was very tired yet looking forward to what was still to come.
Campers were rousted up and out early to make their way to the The William Breman Jewish Heritage & Holocaust Museum. It is describe as a museum that “explores the universal themes of respect for difference, responsible citizenship, human dignity, and community building through the lens of the Jewish experience”.
At the Museum,Teen Village had the opportunity to hear from, and meet personally, with Helen Weingarten, a holocaust survivor. On departure, the campers had a hot and contemplative walk to The Georgia Aquarium. The Georgia Aquarium; the world’s largest aquarium with more than 8.5-million-US-gallon (32,000 m3) of marine and fresh water housing more than 120,000 animals of 500 different species. The aquarium’s notable specimens include four young whale sharks, four beluga whales, eleven Bottlenose dolphins, three Great hammerhead sharks, and four manta rays. The aquarium worked up a thirst and what better stop next but the World of Coco Cola.
The World of Coca-Cola, is a permanent exhibition featuring the history of The Coca-Cola Company and its well-known advertising as well as a host of entertainment areas and attractions. Not to mention loads of free sampling!
July 3rd happened to be Teen Village first session camper Carley Fischers’ 15th birthday. What a great way to spend her day! As coincidence would have it, the traffic that Barack Obama’s visit to Atlanta caused, allowed for an impromptu visit to The Varsity, the world’s largest drive-in restaurant. The Varsity sits on more than two acres and can accommodate 600 cars and over eight hundred people inside. On days of Georgia Tech football games up to 30,000 people visit The Varsity. It sells more than two miles of hotdogs daily, a ton of onion rings, 2500 pounds of fresh cut potatoes, 5000 homemade fried pies, and 300 gallons of chili, all of which are made from scratch daily. The downtown Varsity is also the world’s largest single outlet for Coca-Cola.This is where the now famous cry of The Varsity started “What’ll Ya Have”….
Full of hot dogs and onion rings, our campers day was yet to end and that night they attended a Braves Baseball game where the Braves well and truly beat the Arizona Razor Backs. Arriving late at the Hotel, once again, sleep was not hard to find.
Up early for the last few exciting events and a visit to CNN Atlanta, offering a once-in-a-lifetime view of the global headquarters of CNN. From here, the girl’s favorite place to be; the Mall of Georgia where a last quick shopping spree was had, working up an appetite for a quick Burger King pit stop on the way home. Teen Village arrived home Wednesday with the dusk, tired but full of great new experiences and stories to tell.
It is hard to believe the first session of the 2012 camp season is quickly coming to an end. It seems like just yesterday the campers were arriving, unpacking their clothing, getting settled in their bunks, selecting their options, and learning their way around camp.
It has been an amazing four weeks here at Blue Star. Old friends were reunited and new friendships were formed. Campers had the opportunity to participate in options ranging from waterfront, tennis, archery and basketball. They competed against their opponent in Color War, sang songs and performed in the Zimriah show. They went on overnight camp outs and out of town trips, and some even went zip lining and white water rafting. Now, campers are getting ready to pack up their belonging and their memories and head back home.
As the first session of camp is coming to an end, campers have a range of emotions. While most of them are excited to see their family and friends, everyone is sad to be leaving the place that they have called home these last few weeks.
This morning was the annual Friendship Circle program. The entire camp gathered in the HeRo for one last time. Jason welcomed the campers. “Today is a sad day because it is the last day here but this has been a wonderful opportunity to make friends and special memories,” he said before he thanked everyone for a wonderful summer.
Campers shared their original thoughts on how they felt about their time at camp and their feelings on going home tomorrow. Everyone expressed their sadness over leaving but shared how happy they are to have been here and have the experiences they had.
Carly Stevens and Jonathan Furman were selected as the “Ultimate Teen” and were presented with Blue Star Camps T-shirts.
Campers sang songs including the emotional Hallelujah which made some campers cry even harder.
The camp recited a Traveler’s Prayer and a video slide show was played, showing pictures from the last four weeks and Teen Village led the camp in singing “You Are My Friend”, a song that is only sung at Blue Star during the Friendship Circle event.
Tears flowed from almost everyone’s eyes. There were hugs and circles of friends holding each other, comforting those who were especially distraught.
Griffin Jacobs was in Juniors this year. This was his second year at camp. He is both happy and sad to go home. “I’m happy I get to go home because I will get to play with my video games and stuff but I’m sad to leave camp too,” said Griffin. His favorite part of camp was athletics, especially dodge ball and Griffin wants to come back next summer.
Myles Krachman lives in Tyler, Texas. He was also in Juniors during his first summer at Blue Star. He is sad to go home. “I have to leave this camp and I don’t want to leave.” Myles specially enjoyed Color War. “It was just so fun,” he said. “I want to come back next year.”
Brittany Blum is from Asheville, North Carolina. She was in Pioneer Girls 3 and this was her fifth summer at Blue Star. “I’m sad to be leaving. I will miss my camp friends,” said Brittany. The best part of camp for her was seeing all of her old camp friends and meeting new friends.
Senior Girl Rachel Nelkin said she was really sad to leave her friends. “We have to wait a whole year to see them again.” When asked what the best part of camp was, Rachel said, “The boys,” with a smile.
Lindsey Fields has been in Pioneer Girl 3. She will be going back to Memphis. Lindsey had a great time at camp and is sad to leave. “I’m sad to go. I will miss my friends,” said Lindsey. “The best part was seeing my old camp friends and making new friends this summer.” Lindsey especially enjoyed Color War. “I was on the Red team and we lost but I don’t really care. It was still fun. I’m going to miss being at camp.”
Jamie Kurzer lives in Miami. This was her first summer at Blue Star. She was in Juniors. Jamie has mixed emotions about leaving camp. “I’m happy I will get to see my parents but I will be sad to be away from camp because I like it here,” said Jamie. Her favorite part of camp was evening programs because she liked going to the lake, the delta and paint tag.
Dylan Heller was in Pioneer Girls 1 this summer. This was her first time at Blue Star and she is feeling both sad and happy to be going back home to Miami. “I’m sad because I’m going to miss my friends here but I’m also happy because I will get to see my family.”
Shoshanna Halperin was in Pioneer Girls 2 this summer. This is her second year at camp. She will be going home to Boynton Beach, Florida. “I’m sad because I don’t want to leave my friends,” said Shoshanna. She enjoyed taking tennis, archery, nature and web news this summer and she especially liked Color War. “I want to come back next year for sure,” she said.
“I’m really sad. I wish camp could go on forever,” said Senior Allison Schwartz from Boca Raton, Florida. “I’m going to miss seeing my friends. Of course I will be back next summer.”
Noah Stein from Miami Beach was also especially emotional about saying goodbye. “I’m sad,” he said, unable to get any more words out.
Senior Girl Breezie Edelson from Davie, Florida, shared her thoughts on the end of camp. “The moment when you realize you have a special connection with someone, if it’s your first or last year or you live near or far, you know in your heart you will always have that special connection with you wherever you go. And wherever you may go in your life, you will always know that Blue Star Camps is your forever home.”
