Tacos for Lunch

Lunch, to say the least, was great today. A favorite of many campers...TACOS! Don't worry about the vegetarians, they ate pretty well too. In addition I was able to sneak a couple pictures of our waiters and waitresses helping prepare for the meal by setting all the dishes, utensils, and cups in the proper places for their cabins.

Unit Night Programming

So we're about to complete the first full day at Camp this session. Right now, all the units are doing their individual programs, and I was lucky enough to get a quick peak to what the junior girls are doing...Girls Night Out! Definitely ask your girls about tonight next time you see them, it certainly looked like they were having a great time when I saw them!

Opening Day Session One

What a great day it was for all! The scattered storms in Sunday's forecast never came and we enjoyed one of the nicest opening days in recent memory. After we got settled, completed swim checks, ate dinner (spaghetti and meatballs) and finished unpacking. It was time for opening campfire and the introduction to this session's theme...Prehistoric Chingachgook!

Wow, we're pretty awesome!

I present your 2009 Summer and Adventure Staff! We're a pretty large group, and the scariest part...that's not everyone! The CIT's have just arrived and there are about a dozen staff members coming in from all over just to be with you for the summer. BTW...less then 70 hours until session one kicks off!

Staff Auction a Hit

Last night was the third annual staff auction at Chingachgook. Everyone got together for a great cause and had quite a bit of fun. For those of you new to the idea of our auction it's pretty simple. The 2009 staff provide all the items that are up for bid (both silent and live) and they act as the bidders themselves! The money raised goes towards the YMCA's Reach Out For Youth (ROFY) Campaign. Would you believe these kids raised over $1,800! That makes our three year total just a tad over $5,000!

Session One Starts SUNDAY!

We hope you are as excited to kick-off this summer on Sunday as we are. I wanted to pass along a few reminders that will help simplify your opening day experience at Camp.

· Junior campers (ages 7-12) and adventure trippers may start arriving at 1pm

· Senior campers (ages 13-16) may start arriving at 2:30pm

· Once you have arrived, you will walk to the dining hall for check-in (balances that may be due on your account, camper skill class schedules, health forms and questions for the medical staff, if needed)

· After check-in you will be able to drive your child to their cabin to help them move in and meet their counselors. We do ask that parents leave Camp shortly after meeting the counselor, as campers have a busy schedule and long goodbyes can be difficult

· There will be an optional Welcome Parents session in Rotary Lodge with Summer Camp Director, Aaron Cantor @ 2:30pm

· Save time on opening day by adding money to your child’s store account online before you arrive.

Don’t forget to register with “Parent Communicator”, the one-way email communication software Camp uses that allows your parents to send one-way email to you at camp and view photos that are uploaded several times throughout the session. The website is www.parentcommunicator.com/CampChingachgook.

Drive safe and see you Sunday!Aaron :)

Staff Swim Checks

This is for all you campers out there. Just like each of you, the entire summer staff also must complete a swim check at Camp. I've even attached a few pictures of this crew trying

their hardest to complete the entire check. A few staff members when asked about the temperature of the lake, called it "hot tub warm." That should be an encouraging sign for all you kids out there about to do their swim checks in the next several weeks!

It's Good to See You Again

Finally! We're all here (almost). Now the only thing that stands in the way of first session is a measly seven days! Currently all the counselor are in their respective units preparing for Opening Campfire which starts in approximately six hours. Everyone, please cross your fingers and pray for the rain to hold off!

Three Day Hikes!

It's all part of the job...

Yup, staff love three day hikes as much as the campers do, which is why we organize a wonderful three day hikes for all of our counselors to go on before the campers arrive. It's a great way for the counselors to get to know each other and have a little fun in nature at the same time. These guys canoed, hiked, and cooked all their own food over the last couple days. Are you ready for hikes? They are!

The Staff Are HERE!

I'll let the video do the talking....

Training Support Staff...

Training the Support Staff is a lot harder then all of you might think. We have a lot to go over...like tetherball training, canoe race practice, vespers, morning activities, and my personal favorite...the swim test! The fine folks arrived at Camp several days ago to begin their preperations for you, for this summer! We've talked about session themes, chapel, hikes, and let me tell you, there have been a lot of great ideas shared. None of you will be dissapointed with the fabulous program these kids are putting together!

Getting ready for Wilderness Hikes

Real quick update on this HOT Saturday afternoon. Several of your soon to be counselors are here at Camp this weekend preparing for overnight hikes by take a Wilderness First Aid Course. Here are some of the photos that I am sure they want me to share with you! They are now more than equipped to take of your every need this summer!

This Camp is Your Camp...

Very possibly my favorite Camp song right now!

This Camp Is Your Camp
Variation of this land is your land by Woody Guthrie

Chorus:
This camp is your camp
This camp is my camp
From the top of Buck Mountain
To the Lake George water’s
From the Chillin’ Penthouse
To the Senior PERCH
This camp was made for you and me.

As I was walking that super highway
I saw above me that endless sky way
I saw below me that golden valley
This camp was made for you and me

Chorus

I roamed and rambled
I followed my footsteps
To the sparklng sands of beginner’s bay
And and all around me a voice was sounding
This camp was made for you and me.

Chorus

As I went walking, I saw a sign there
On the sign it said “no hippies come here”
But on the other side it didn’t say nothing
This camp was made for you and me

Chorus

Now that it is June...

Wow...less than 28 days stands in our way until first session gets started at Chingachgook. A lot has to happen and will happen in the next several weeks. What exactly is going on you ask?

Here are some highlights happening at Chingachgook before June 28

-The Chingachgook international staff will arrive

-Unit Directors start planning for their units

-Two different lifeguard trainings

-Counselors and Program staff show up at Camp

-Skill classes are prepped for the summer

-The Summer Staff participate in opening campfire in mid-June

-Session One has it's theme decided

-Reveille and TAPS are heard throughout Camp

-Summer staff plays, "Giants, Wizards, and Elves"

-Mike Poleto does a belly flop off the rope swing