The sun was high and bright over Camp Starlight during Visiting Day yesterday, and the campus was teeming with a crew of enthusiastic new campers and their families. Everyone started gathering in front of the Office early in the morning. The day officially kicked off with a welcome brunch followed by games. Then an exciting scavenger hunt ensued that took campers all over the Starlight campus as they got to learn the lay of the land. Later, new campers got to enjoy their very first option period. It was hard to believe the day was already almost over when everyone sat down to an indoor cookout. Following the meal, everyone said their farewells for now and departed. It was sad to see everyone leave so soon, but after a day of getting to know the newest members of the Camp Starlight family, we’re even more excited for June 23rd to get here!
Posts Tagged ‘first year at summer camp’
A Very Successful New Camper Day!
Monday, June 10th, 2013Catching up with the Junior Girls
Tuesday, July 24th, 2012The Junior girls have had a very exciting year so far. In addition to Wayne County and Camp Starlight leagues, they’ve also had Spirit of Starlight, their camp show as well as the all camp show, a gymnastics meet, a dance competition, and more incredible evening activity and S-Day fun than we can mention in this blog. This year’s Junior girls are a spirited group who showcased their Junior pride very well when Junior girls bunk 6 won the 2012 MTV Night competition. They’re a spunky crew, lead by Division Leader Dena, that is always ready for a new day’s adventures and can’t wait to try everything! We recently spoke with one of them about her experience so far. She was happy to give us some insight into an exciting summer. Here is what Danielle S. of girls bunk 4 shared with us:
CS: What is your favorite camp activity?
Danielle: Dance. It’s so much fun and we learn a lot of cool dances.
CS: What has been your favorite S-Day so far?
Danielle: Alice in Wonderland. I liked square dancing with Lou & Sue, swimming, and making shrinky dinks. It was a really fun day.
CS: What has been your favorite evening activity so far?
Danielle: SWF and the Fourth of July fireworks.
CS: What is your favorite Option and Super 6th activity at Camp Starlight?
Danielle: Creative Writing for Option. I’ve gone three times. And Tie-dying for Super 6th. I really like tie-dying things.
CS: Do you have a favorite camp meal?
Danielle: Chicken nuggets and fries and cookout.
CS: What is your favorite part of camp?
Danielle: The first day because you have the WHOLE summer!
CS: Are there any activities that you tried for the first time at camp and now LOOOVE?
Danielle: Yes! Tubing, waterskiing, and paddle boarding. They’re all awesome!
CS: Are you on any Wayne County teams?
Danielle: Yes, I’m on the dance team and also the soccer team. The Starlight dance competition was so much fun. There were so many dances.
CS: To what are you most looking forward during the last few weeks of camp?
Danielle: The pickle ceremony cookout (aka “The Anniversary Party”), banquet night, Skate Estate with all of my friends, the dance competition on Wednesday, and making smoothie recipe cookbooks in Creative Writing.
Danielle also assured us that even though she’s had an amazing time at camp so far, she’s really excited about everything coming up within the next couple of weeks. She said that she’s sure her least favorite day of camp is going to be the last day because that means there aren’t any more days of camp left. We agree, Dani!
Camp Mom
Wednesday, July 13th, 2011
The Camp Mom here at Starlight is an extremely important person for our junior campers, especially the youngest boys. She is someone who checks that the children are taking care of their personal hygiene, applying lots of sunscreen and getting the clippers out to cut their nails when they need it. She’s the person who unpacks campers’ bags prior to arrival and helps out in the bunks on an ongoing basis with cleaning and tidying. Sure, counselors are there every day doing a great job at keeping on top of it all, but there’s nobody like a mom to make sure that things are being done really well. It’s not just about the practical things though – Camp Mom is your friend and someone who you can go to just to talk. She’s the one who helps you make healthy choices in the dining hall. She’s the one who personally says goodnight to each junior boy every evening. She’s the person who ensures that every child has the support they need, but also allows them to explore the independence that being at camp offers them.
It’s a big job, and this year we’re very happy to have Rusty as our Camp Mom. This is Rusty’s first year at Camp Starlight, although she joins us with sixteen years’ experience at sleep-away camp. She has two sons of her own, and lives in Long Island with her husband, Tom, and her dog, Sophie. When she’s not at camp she is Director of a Not for Profit camp which runs a kids club that meets year round. She also loves to run and has completed eight marathons in the last eight years and she’s hoping to get to ten – running around after all these campers will surely help!
