Recently, we went back to Birchmont to check on a few camp improvement projects and enjoy the changing leaves. Our days were peaceful, but a little too peaceful. The rustling of the leaves in the grove area has almost a forlorn sound without the background soundtrack of campers’ voices rising and falling amidst the changing trees. But even without our campers, there was plenty of work to be done getting Birchmont ready for the winter. After meeting with Rod and Sandy, Bob Doe met us in the Orchard to release the quail we hatched from eggs and raised at Nature this summer. The birds are now fully matured and ready to fly and learn how to fend for themselves in the wilds of NH. In fact, they may even feel a bit like many of you when you think back to your first days of independence at camp; a little nervous, but excited to spread your wings and explore. If you didn’t see the quail at nature this summer, make sure to check them out in 2015!
Color War, Water Carnival, and Shrek 2!
The final camp countdown has begun.
What seemed like a beautiful endless summer of smiles and sunshine is now ending in just a few spirited days and starry nights under the Super Moon lighting up our lake and fields.
Our end of season camp musical production was Shrek 2, The Musical. 40 campers brought this animated feature to life with rousing songs, fantastic sets, creative costumes complete with a life-size dragon puppet created by Head of Performing Arts staffer, Steve and a team at Arts and Crafts and Woodshop. With 3 Fiona’s cast to represent the character at different ages, we had several female leads along with Shrek, Donkey, and a host of smaller comic roles. The show’s finale to the very campy “I’m a Believer” was delivered with great energy and joy and the entire camp audience joined the cast in song. It was just one of those spirited, spontaneous moments that represents camp life so well. Literally, everyone got into the act.
Booth Carnival kicks off our Color War which is also called Carnival Week. It’s a throwback to a long standing tradition where the camp is divided into four teams by color and named by parts of a circus. Barkers, Clowns, Roustabout, and Rubes. Campers quickly learn the roles these people played in the setting up and breaking down of what was once considered the greatest show on earth. Campers come up with crazy booths run by their bunks , while fellow campers try each booth and pay with beans which are counted at the days end, with prizes given for originality and popularity. Of course there are dunk tanks, and cotton candy booths and all manner of homemade treats. This year’s Pioneer Girls had the Dirty Desserty booth in which they made clear cups of chocolate pudding with gummy earthworms and crumbled Oreos on top for a muddy looking mess of deliciousness.
Games of chance, live animal Safarai , a music dedication booth, Kiss O Gram with Hershey kiss and note delivery system never failed to surprise and delight the recipients.
At Booth Carnival’s end, we announce the Color War teams and each group’s 4 Lieutenants chosen by their group counselors. Every child’s name is called out to join a team and campers run down the field to take their place. The weeks’ activities are almost at a close now. Impossible to explain all the events, and the level of enthusiasm and all out effort put forth by our campers all week long. Each group has their own Water Carnival at the lake…and this is surely a highlight. Swimming races, swamp a canoe, sailing, wake boarding, waterskiing, even fishing competitions all culminate in sunset BBques at the beach with “beauty burgers” and roasted “Indian corn” which has been shucked and soaked in canoes of lake water, dunked in butter and grilled to perfection. People who have long since graduated from their days at Birchmont still say that corn on the beach with camp friends is one of the sweetest of their camp memories , impossible to duplicate. Tomorrow we will have our full camp Field Day, Songfest, Friendship Pact reading and we still have our Fireworks, Banquet Ball, Camper/Counselor Day, Candlelight, Cabin Parties, Last Will and Testament… What are all these strange sounding activities… Ask your camper, they will be home soon enough. Until then we hold fast to living life fully and joyfully until each camp day is done and Taps sounds through the trees .
“The trouble with camp, is that camp ends , it ends for the summer, and then one day it ends forever….Decades later that first chilly rustle of leaves on a late August night still retains a mournful quality , that means saying goodbye to friends you won’t see for 10 months, if ever again… For those lucky enough to go to camp embrace it, it is at least as enchanted as the forest of Arden”
Frank Rich
New York Times
Theater Critic, Author
Birchmont’s Got Talent!
Saturday Night Birchmont campers proved “All the World’s A Stage” as campers performed in 25 acts ranging from magic card tricks to vocal solos with just about everything in between. The Amazing Nandoor of our support staff kicked off our Variety Show with the most sophisticated Yo Yo act ever to grace the shores of Lake Wentworth. We did not even know Nandoor was a European Yo Yo Champion when we hired him!
Explorer Girl Rene M. followed with an original song “Do you want to go to Notches” which really could have been presented on a Broadway Stage. No real surprise as Renee won the Bunk 1 sponsored Camp Idol contest with hundreds of entries from sleep-away camps all over New England. Hilda B. performed a lovely classical dance piece as a back-drop to Renee’s performance. Speaking of backdrop, Lu and Katie painted an eye-popping Picasso-esque gallery of portraits and colors setting the evening’s tone for bold creativity and fun.
Jamie M. accompanied herself beautifully on guitar to the popular song “Home” and Isabelle O. and Sydney F. did a terrific dance number to “Latch”. Staffer Steve F. and camper Eli G. delivered a high energy performance of the rap song “Can’t Stop”.
One of the nicest surprises of the evening was a captivating performance by camper Mark E. assisted by his Counselor, Group Leader Tohmas B. Mark’s card tricks were really amazing to see, and delivered real entertainment value; Marc brought a kind of a “Vegas comes to Wolfeboro feeling” as the camp wide audience participated in the fun.
The Break Dance performed by brother/sister act Raquel and Daniel G. was one of the tightest most exciting dance routines in the show. A break-dancing extravaganza to the tune “Make Your Marks”, this number brought the house down!
One of the other most memorable acts of the night, due mostly to the sheer adorable factor of the performers was the Pioneer group of girls singing a song they wrote called “We’re So Campy” to the tune of the chart-topping song “Were So Fancy”. Dressed in their blue Camp Birchmont sweatshirts our youngest girls did a great job with both song and choreography looking totally ready for prime-time.
Renatta G., Annika P., Skylar B., Sophie C., Sascha E., Brianna P., Antalya L., Jamie M., Aliza L., Jessie R., Sophia T. and Nicole N. all showed us their dance moves which were both exciting and well executed. The level of dance technique showed a lot of training which must have taken place throughout the year, this made for a lucky and appreciative camp audience. Two of the highlight routines were performed by Elena L. and Alejandra M., both hailing from Spain they met this summer and realized they love to dance. The girls performed to the song “Señorita” and their movements were uniquely refreshing, a perfect blend of cross cultural choreography.
Davis L.’s break dance entitled “Davis Dance” was also a show-stopping favorite, as the Pioneer boys cheered loudly for their energetic and coordinated friend hailing from Miami, Florida. There were several stand out instrumental and vocal numbers in the show. Sam G. playing the piano solo “Don’t Stop Believing” became a show highlight as the whole camp joined in to deliver this rock tune which, thanks to counselor Peter B.’s Dining Hall rendition, has become this summer’s camp anthem. The Cup Song was well delivered by Danielle K. and Maya B. Renee M. sounding a bit like Adele sang “Stay With Me” with great pitch and emotion. Natasha R. also had a powerhouse solo with the John Legend’s top single “All Of Me”. Natasha brought the camp to their feet, and although she almost didn’t perform due to nerves, you could not tell one bit from her poise and perfection on stage. Genieve F. deserves a shout out as one of our youngest girls who sang one of the cutest solos. A unique song, “Rhode Island Was Famous For You” was a throw back theatrical song which covered all the states with clever lyrics, required a great memory and sense of timing. She only faltered once which generated immediate support from her fellow Pioneer girls and when she found her place, nothing could stop her. It was a quintessential camp show moment of spirit and love. Eli G. was wonderful on guitar singing Lucky Strike, and Samantha B. sung “Not About Angels” in a sweet voice which finished strong.
Counselors Andrew C., Thomas B. along with some JC’s, Adam G., Jeremy K., Jacob L., danced with their campers to a hilarious parody of “The Devil In Plain Sight.” Nick I., Marcus K., Jack P., Daniel G. and Bruno R. gave a high energy hip hop performance which had everybody smiling.
As is tradition, the Super Senior Girls ended the show with a campy finale. Special thanks to Performing Arts Director, Steve V., piano accompanist, Sarah A., the Emcees, Sound by Jake G., Set design by Katie B. and Lu G.
Spirits Soar on Birchmont’s Spirit Day!
If ever a day at camp were aptly named, Spirit Day would be it; the energy level was off the charts as all of Camp Birchmont’s girls and boys engaged in a full out, all day competition at both Camp Birchmont and Kenwood/Evergreen. This year our boys traveled and our girls stayed home, each to defend our last year’s title. We competed in every sport at every age with each camper playing in a minimum of 2 events. Games included soccer, baseball, softball, volleyball, tennis, basketball, dodgeball, kickball and Gaga, a type of team Israeli handball played in a round court. For Birchmont, the taste of Victory was sweet, but what was even sweeter was the way the girls from both camps were fierce as could be during their athletic contests and friendly as could be when games were over. After a lunch of chicken patties, salad and Helen’s signature magic bars for lunch, Birchmont campers welcomed Evergreen girls into their cabins at rest hour and chatted, learned cheers and relaxed till play resumed.
Meanwhile at Kenwood, the Birchmont boys got their popular counselor Peter Brimstone to respond to the sound of thunderous table clapping to the chant “Sing a Song Peter, Sing a song”. Pete did indeed oblige and serenaded the Dining room of 400 boys to his rendition of Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing”. We will consider the standing ovation his 15 min of fame.
The girls camp competition day was finished with both camps participating in the host team’s chosen camp wide event. Last year our competitors selected a bucket brigade which was an activity they dominated, but the tide was turned when this year Birchmont girls clearly won the Water Mellon Eat with juice dribbling down every chin and rinds flying into baskets. The day was finished with a well earned dip in the lake before dinner for the girls, and after dinner for the boys arriving off the busses.
Listed below are the standings of Spirit Day, seemingly so important at game time, but not nearly as important as the day’s take-away which was competition in the spirit of camaraderie, sportsmanship and great heart.
Boys (Away@ Kenwood)
Birchmont Won 20 events
Lost 7, Tied 1
Girls (Home @ Birchmont)
Birchmont Won 17
Lost 10, Tied 1
This marks Birchmont’s 8th consecutive Spirit Day Victory overall. Thanks to all the campers and staff for the playing, coaching, cheering, driving, and a special shout out to Greg Howes who coordinated and planned the day with great enthusiasm and follow through.
Trips, Tennis, Pirate Hunts, Clubs and Campouts…Week 2 and Lots To Do!
Sleepaway camp is round the clock fun, so it’s no surprise that our evening activities have taken off with all groups involved in a variety of activities. The Explorer Boys had a terrific camp out overnight under the stars in the Orchard overlook with campfire and 4 man domed tents. Fireside cooking went well. Our Club program has begun during our evening activity and campers can choose between a wide variety of offerings. We have added some new clubs to our traditional ones like cooking, fishing, gardening, Indian village, rocketry beginning and advanced waterskiing etc. Popular staffer, Steve Payne has introduced the Circus club, and his assistant Nador is an actual bona fide European Yo Yo champion. Nador delighted the entire staff in our counselor talent show during orientation, and soon the campers will get to see his talents on display in our coming Variety Show. For now he is an awesome teacher of some fun, easy Yo Yo tricks. Speaking of Yo Yo’s, this was one of the treasures I got to give out to our Pioneer pirates last night.
At about 8:30 on a perfect evening, the night air was filled with swashbuckling sounds of little pirates running around camp in a scavenger hunt for treasure. The kids came with patches over their eyes and skull and crossbone bandanas to all the supervisor cabins. The separate groups were competing Amazing Race style and the game was on !! The Supes (as our older staff is known) were ready, with clues to the next destination, dressed more extravagantly than the kids with our cabin porches fully decorated and lit with candles. I’m embarrassed to report I scared one little boy who had to ask, “Laura, is that you”? As I wielded my sword and yelled a hearty “Hardy Har Maties”! Treats and trinkets were the reward for a pirate hunt well run. Thinking everyone slept very well after covering so much ground with so much excitement.
Our upper camp was on grounds yesterday, as our younger camp travelled. We hosted our Annual Boys Birchmont Tennis Invitational with 5 sleep-away camps traveling to our courts for an afternoon of really excellent match play. Our 13’s took first place with several medals awarded at a brief ceremony, and our 15’s put forth a valiant effort but had many less victories placing 3rd. The level of play was impressive, as was the display of sportsmanship all around.
Our younger camp were off on their first trips of the summer. The destinations of Watercountry and Mt Washington Ferry Boat Ride with stops of Funspot and ice cream were a nice start to a trip program which just gets bigger and better as the summer goes on. Geronimo was the killer slide ride at Watercountry which some campers proclaimed the best water slide ever, and the scenery on the famed Mount Washington Ferry towards an old-fashioned arcade and ice cream Sundae stop was a safe, relaxing day on the lake for our youngest campers.
2nd week of camp and it’s going, going, almost gone…Time flies…Here to catch it like lightening in a bottle! 🙂
Laura
Sunday Morning Breakfast Ride at Camp
Starting the day right, Martine takes some riders around camp before we all wake up on Sundays. Later revelllie makes for a perfect window for a peaceful ride as our camp wakes up and we all meet for a delicious breakfast of eggs, turkey bacon and banana bread. What were you doing at 8:15 this morning?? Don’t tell us, we know (zzz). Looking forward to a great 4th of July celebration tonight!
Enjoy your Sunday from PCB, you know we will.
Laura
Pioneers Tubing at Sunset
Sunny, hot, hazy days are certainly not lazy days at Birchmont!
The past two evenings our Pioneer girls and boys enjoyed a surprise night of tubing on the lake and s’mores at the beach at the Lookout.
The campfires and spirits were high after Greg Pierce and Waterfront Director Bobby Attonito drove the Barge and Mastercraft round the lake giving kids a great time flying around in the water with their friends. As the sun set behind the mountains and a crescent of a moon came up in the sky, we docked the boats as campers looked for that perfect stick for marshmallow roasting. S’mores is a simple recipe that just can not be messed up, one of the reasons we love them so, but the other reason is that melting, oozing, chocolate, toasty marshmallow combo. Who could resist ’em?
Last night we had a tremendous storm come through camp right before dinner, pretty well timed for Mother Nature as we got the whole activity day in. Some huge claps of thunder and a little lightening made for some excitement in the cabins, but did not even make us late for dinner as the campers watched films and made Rainbow Loops by groups for evening activity. We did lose our phone system for a while and did have to cancel cookie patrol, but these were just temporary set-backs because the storm cleared by morning giving us another nice summer day. Happy 4th of July to all…we will be enjoying barbeque, races, ice cream sundaes and fireworks for our upper camp, and of course, lots of red, white and blue camp-wide.
Laura
Hip Hip Hooray Opening Day!
What a beautiful day for camp arrival! All of our busses, planes, train and automobiles have delivered our campers safely to Birchmont. Whether children are returning or first time campers, everyone looks ready to settle in, meet their cabin mates and begin their summer adventure at Birchmont! Our counselors now know the reason for their week long training in meetings, and orientation scenarios…the campers are here and summer has officially begun! We fill the fields with games and take in the gorgeous weather, and get down to unpacking in the bunks which will become new summer homes. It’s just after dinner (a variety of homemade pizzas; the traditional, opening meal). Greg and I are about to get around to each cabin to introduce ourselves to the kids. Its always amazing how fast a bunk can look lived in. Greg will get around boys camp and I’m about to pop in and visit with the girls.
We are so psyched to start our 63rd season with your children. We welcome them, we celebrate them…We’re going to have a great time.
We have all heard the axiom…The magic of camp!
It is very clear to me, that the most effective camp directors truly understand the magic of summer camp as well as anyone. They understand what makes the environment that we call camp so special, and how camp is so different from the other ten months of the year. They get it, that special ingredient, that magic that we speak of!
Continue reading “We have all heard the axiom…The magic of camp!”