Archive for July, 2010

Focus on Golf at Starlight!

Friday, July 30th, 2010

Golf at Starlight offers every camper a great level of coaching from counselors who play golf at a high level all around the world. This year, the golf staff hail from Ireland, Australia and the U.S.A. During the recent Starcamp, golfers made a trip to Lake Lorain Golf Club, where the kids played 9 holes. The golf coaches have already observed much improvement amongst the players this summer. Chris, the Irish golf coach has mentioned that the returning campers’ games have improved from the year before, as well. He credits much of the success of the current program to the solid instructions the campers received in 2009.

Daniel

Sarah, the Cooking Specialist recipe of the week!

Thursday, July 29th, 2010

One recipe that has been really working well with all kids is butterfly cakes.

3 cups all-purpose flour

4 teaspoons baking powder

2 stick butter, must be soft for easy mixing

2 cup sugar

6 large eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla

1.5 cup milk

cupcake liners

  1. Preheat oven to 350F and line two 12 muffins tins.
  2. Sift the flour and baking powder into a large mixing bowl.
  3. Add the butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla, and milk.
  4. Using electric beaters, beat the ingredients together slowly at first, then increase the speed when the mixture begins to come together. Continue beating for 2-3 minutes the mixture becomes light and airy. Scrape down the sides from time to time to ensure even mixing. The mixture should be soft enough to drop easily from a spoon. If it seems too stiff, add 1 or 2 more teaspoons of milk and beat again.
  5. Using a tablespoon, transfer the mixture equally into the paper liners.
  6. Bake in a hot oven for 15-20 minutes, or until golden and well risen.
  7. Leave to cool completely on a wire rack.
  8. Take a sharp knife and cut the top each cupcake at a circular angle about a half an inch from the edge of the cake, so that you remove a cone shaped round, leaving a cavity in the center. cut each cone in half and set aside these will form the wings of the butterfly.
  9. Fill each cupcake with a teaspoon of whipped cream. Place the two cone shaped pieces of cake on top like butterfly wings.
  10. Dust, using a sieve, each cupcake lightly with powdered sugar or cocoa.

Starlighters Shine and Score at Starcamps

Monday, July 26th, 2010

July 13th and 14th, Camp Starlight welcomed several professional coaches and renowned artists who gave campers the opportunity to gain experience in a program area of choice. Tennis Star Camp helped campers improve their tennis game with extensive instruction, as well as gain feedback from the formerly internationally ranked Mel Purcell. Starlight baseball/softball players enjoyed an educational and enlightening trip to The Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. Golf players enjoyed a round of golf at French Woods Country Club. Basketball players dribbled, passed, and shot with renowned Five Star Basketball Camp. Triathlon specialist Stephanie put several of Starlight’s more ambitious athletes to the test of swimming, biking, and running around camp. A new Starcamp featured this summer was Magic, which involved a trip to the Harry Houdini Museum where campers enjoyed a magic show. Regardless of specialty, all campers gained a lot of new knowledge and experience in just two short days, and enjoyed themselves immensely.

Invite to a Fairy Tale Party – Part 2

Tuesday, July 20th, 2010

Dear Fairytale Friends

I am cordially inviting you to my fantabulous party. The following people will be coming: bunk 19 and many fairytale friends. Please wear wands/wings, if you are a fancy fairy–or your costume from your movie. It will be held at four o’clock on Sunday in Never Land, which is located on the second star to the right. The entertainment will be songs from your movies, karaoke. We will also make magic wands and decorate wings. I will provide food like soup, noodles, meat, salad, peanut butter, apples, cake, cupcakes, milkshakes and candy. I would love to see you there.

Love, Ally Fairy

Please respond by Saturday

Call: (888) NEVERLAND

Email: Fairygirl@fairy.com

Many thanks to Loren Javier for the wonderful photo.

Invite to a Fairy Tale Party – Part 1

Tuesday, July 20th, 2010

Dear Tinkerbelle,

Come join me and all of my friends at my fairytale bat mitzvah on May 27th, 2011. Meet me at the dragon’s castle in Camp Starlight. We will provide food, drinks, and lots of entertainment. (Don’t worry. I have fulfilled everyone’s eating needs). The dress code for the party is black tie or cultural clothing. You will be picked up by a horse drawn or pumpkin carriage.

Please, RSVP at (888) FAIRYTALE

I’ll be waiting!!

Thanks to Realtor Susan for the Tink pic!

Camp Siblings: Family at Camp Starlight

Monday, July 19th, 2010

As the sun sets on Perch Pond the second night of camp, Camp Starlight campers divide and gather by the lake for a traditional campfire. While Upper Seniors recollect their time spent here, campfire songs unite the campers and ignite the spirit of Starlight. The unity evident on this night is because campers, both old and new, have just met their camp siblings. In Jonah’s eyes, his camp brother is “smart, fun, and cool.” The camp sibling program allows for campers to experience a sense of unity and family between their siblings, while older siblings feel like role models to their younger siblings. These qualities elevate the spirit of Starlight throughout the summer.

The camp sibling program instills family and unity through young and old, who are given the opportunity to make a difference in one another’s lives. Zach looks up to his camp brother and believes, “He’s nice and it’s like having a family member at camp.” Through sibling activities such as lunches, dinners, and camp fires, older and younger campers can articulate to one another about the interests they share. A bond begins to grow that cannot be broken even years after campers receive new siblings. Reed reminisces on the bracelet his “brother” Reid created for him when he was a Junior in Bunk 3. Eight years later, Reed still believes that bracelet helped. “link the friendship” between them. In addition, they are campers who don’t have a blood related sibling at camp. The camp sibling program partners old and new campers, and allows them to feel like they have a family member at camp. Unity and family are two aspects of camp siblings that elevate the community Starlight campers have treasured for years.

Feeling like a role model for a younger sibling is another attribute of the camp sibling program. Adam has been here for seven summers and has always developed lasting friendships with his camp siblings. “The best feeling is when you tell your younger sibling to come to you when he needs someone, and they actually do it.” The establishment of a new camp sibling allows older campers to demonstrate maturity as well as leadership. “Some of my best experiences have been with my camp brothers.” Older campers become responsible in a time of maturity when they grow out of their childhood and become young adults. Stephanie Rubenfeld (Counselor) likes to watch her younger siblings grow; in fact, she was a counselor for campers that were once her camp siblings when she was a camper here. Her choice to return to camp has given her the outlet to watch her campers grow, and they still look up to her long past her last goodbye as a camper.

The Starlight World is driven by the community that enthralls campers to cherish the time they spend together. The camp sibling program assists in elevating unity and a sense of family among campers, while older campers become role models for their younger campers. Michael Strauss (counselor) enjoys watching campers grow up and be the big brothers for other campers that he was for them. This cycle of growth leads him as well as other campers and counselors to return to Starlight summer after summer.

Blake Turner

The Journey Toward One Mile Grows by Four More Feet!

Friday, July 16th, 2010

Earlier this week, the Camp Starlight population demonstrated its dedication to continuing to help those in need through their generous contributions in the annual Camp Starlight Stack the Caps event. Starlight staff and campers donated four more feet of caps to the Stack the Caps charity, which is sponsored by Camp Starlight! In the spirit of Starlight’s emphasis on community, the CA’s are also involved in a new project this year called “Paint the Caps”. Everyone is encouraged to bring more caps with them on Visiting Day. Let’s keep stacking those caps!

Keeping Fit at Camp Starlight!

Thursday, July 15th, 2010

The new Carriage House offers many different types of classes to keep fit. Some classes are kick boxing, zumba, spin, step, and all other forms of aerobics. Not only are their fitness rooms in the carriage house, but in the Field House there is a nice sized room with weight machines and treadmills. I like the fitness room because I enjoy keeping in shape and makes me feel relaxed. My favorite activity is spin because it works on all parts of your body.

____________________________

By Mollie (Lower Senior)

Photo of the Day

Wednesday, July 14th, 2010

This photograph, taken by Jenna, was chosen as the Photo of the Day because it clearly demonstrates the effectiveness of 200 zoom and how it is beneficial when applying the rule of thirds, which was the topic of today’s digital photography lesson.

Independence Day at Camp Starlight!

Tuesday, July 13th, 2010

The Fourth of July was packed full of sunshine, excitement, and entertainment! Stars and stripes were worn all around camp, and the mood was energetic. The evening main event was SWF (Starlight Wrestling Federation), one the most anticipated evening events of the summer. The junior boys opened the show with the Annual Starlight Thumb Wrestling Competition final match against Head of Basketball, Matt Marinchick. The preliminary matches were held earlier in the day between all junior boys. The winner, Zach from Bunk 4, proved he was a real thumb wrestling pro by beating Matt in the final! The main event featured a showdown of nations between Australia, England, Peru, Canada, and the USA. In the spirit of the holiday, the U.S.A. eventually emerged victorious. Also featured were matches between SpongeBob Square Pants and Fanboy, Dr. Seuss and Sesame Street, The Past and The Future, Vampires and Werewolves, and Bridezilla versus her Bridesmaids. The Main Event was an epic battle of Upper and Lower Camps as represented by Jeff Malis and Jason Glick. Jason emerged victorious to take the belt for Lower Camp after a hard fought and entertaining battle. After the wrestling, the entire camp was treated to a magnificent fireworks display on the waterfront, really topping off a fun filled evening and a great celebration of July 4th!