Archive for August, 2015

5 Signs That You’re Campsick and Miss Camp Starlight!

Monday, August 31st, 2015

1. You Can’t Stop Singing Camp Starlight Songs

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Have you been caught randomly singing a camp song in public? If you’ve become a walking camp jukebox, chances are you’re missing Camp Starlight a lot more than you know. But hey, where’s the harm in introducing some of your favorite camp songs to your school friends? “Friends, friends, friends….”

2. You Won’t Take Any of Your Friendship Bracelets Off

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What do you mean I have to eventually cut these off? Let’s face it, those colorful pieces of thread wrapped around your wrist signify every friendship you made while at Camp Starlight and the thought of getting rid of them is just too hard. That’s okay though, more are to be made next summer!

3. You Wake Up In The Morning And Ask Your Mom What Time You Have Water Skiing

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Sigh, there’s no disappointment equivalent to waking up in the morning expecting a nice water skiing session on the lake, but being told that it’s actually time for school.

4. You’re Always Craving a S’more After School

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Forget the ice cream! There’s nothing that beats the gooey deliciousness of a s’more right after a long day of math equations. They may be known as a Camp Starlight delicacy, but why not treat yourself to one as you reminisce over your favorite camp memories?

5. You’re Sooo Bored!
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Yes, it is nice to sleep in and not wake up to the sound of the bugle. It is also nice to have a break from all the activities throughout the day. However, it is just soooo boring being back at home.  Who doesn’t miss having your friends around 24/7.  

Final Camp Starlight Olympics Score

Thursday, August 13th, 2015

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Camp Starlight Rope Burn

Thursday, August 13th, 2015

Screen Shot 2015-08-13 at 2.02.22 PMIt’s a night that defines a summer. From Juniors to Seniors, all enjoy the most intense night of Camp Starlight Olympics: Rope Burn. Here, the oldest division in the camp throw themselves into a fire, working vigorously to take down the three ropes that bring the glory of a victory. The pristine Perch Pond will feel the best it’s ever felt when that third and thickest rope is burnt down. For either the victor or loser, Rope Burn will forever be engrained in the memories of all the campers’ summers.

The night begins with a single blow of a whistle signifying the start of the gathering. In this moment, the Lower Seniors as well as some willing Upper Seniors sprint into the woods looking for the driest sticks that will help raise the picturesque fires to take down the brutally difficult ropes. As the “gatherers” run back down the hill with piles of sticks and hay twice as high as their own height, their respective teams ignite with cheer, encouraging them to gather even more from their next run.

Screen Shot 2015-08-13 at 2.03.04 PMWhen time comes for those who will be building the fire, the true unification of each team begins. Chants and screams toward specific Upper Seniors “in the pit” rapidly increase their perseverance and motivation to burn down the ropes. Whether one is an introverted lower Junior or a timid Plebe counselor, they understand the intensity and seriousness of the night, screaming their heads off, as well as maintaining a positive attitude even if their team falls behind.

Rope Burn is one of the most pivotal events of the summer, and its impact prevails for the cold brutal winters, only to remind the “campsick” children and counselors the true beauty of Camp Starlight.

 

Big Easy Blues

Monday, August 10th, 2015

Screen Shot 2015-08-10 at 4.52.05 PMThe day began well for the Blue team, starting 115 points up and with an uplifting Billy Madison reference by General Ben Kadel. As the day progressed Big Easy Blues fought as White Madness attempted to ease the lead.

In the Upper Plebe Gamma game, Cooper G. and Kyle F. both caught several touchdown passes. Even with their impact, Blue was overpowered by Abe W. and lost 70-54. This afternoon the Junior Gamma hockey game was decided by just one goal and it was the Blue team that had it. With time running out, Owen G. scored our team’s sixth goal and then ended the chance of a comeback by White. Tonight is rope burn, one of the most exciting nights of camp, our Seniors look to continue our impressive run and improve our lead.

Day 2 Big Easy Blues Boys

Monday, August 10th, 2015

11846686_10152980612916960_8942165549698953028_nToday the day started off almost in a tie. We, the Big Easy Blues, were only down by two points! We had thought that we might be up due to our triumph over the white, but what we thought turned out to be false. The day started off as usual, 7:55 wake up, 9:30 meetings and so on.

First, the Upper Camp had their swim meet, where the Lower Plebes lost and the Upper Plebes and Seniors won, which pushed us to the victors of the Upper Camp Swim Meet. Next came Junior Newcomb where after a very hard fight, the Junior Gamma and Sigma teams lost to White Madness. Then, the Upper Inters played hockey and again, after a long and hard fight, Sigma and Gamma lost to the White Team. Finally, the Lower Inters fought and the Blue Gamma team won, but unfortunately the Sigma team lost, resulting in a ‘split’.

In the next 24 hours many points are up for grabs. Who will be in the lead? Hopefully the Blue! See you guys tomorrow!

In Pursuit of Trivia

Saturday, August 8th, 2015

Screen Shot 2015-08-08 at 8.46.16 AMNo question about it, Olympics at Camp Starlight comes in a flurry of excitement, and campers are immediately thrust into the action that begins the first night with the Trivia Bowl. Dressed in team colors and Olympic regalia, faces painted in various patterns, teams silently marched into the Field House or the Rec Hall. Festooned with Blue and White, the stage was set for the first battle of brains and wit.

Screen Shot 2015-08-08 at 8.46.09 AMCampers and counselors came up by division in three heats, the final heat being the lightning round where it was all about speed and accuracy. Questions ranged from pop culture and movie trivia, history and geography, to algebra and geometry. Not a sound could be heard from the audience as the moderator posed the questions. Campers buzzed in, their color lighting up the room as they attempted to make the right answer. The battle of the Blue V White was off to a great start.

Up in the sky, it’s a bird, it’s a drone, it’s Olympics!

Friday, August 7th, 2015

Anticipation, Excitement, Tears & Cheers,- those are some of the words to describe this year’s Olympic break.

Screen Shot 2015-08-07 at 8.57.49 AMIt was a typical Thursday afternoon at Camp Starlight. The sun was shining, the birds were chirping, and the campers had just started their 5th period activities. But, if you know David and Allison, what was about to happen was anything but ordinary. At approximately 3:15PM campers noticed drones in the sky with signs reading, “Follow Me”, that led the camp to the Snack Shack.

Screen Shot 2015-08-07 at 8.59.26 AMA “Special Delivery” truck had driven and stopped, alerting our campers that something epic was about to unfold. Two uniformed men stepped onto the roof of the truck with a package dropping a cryptic sign that read “GOOD”.

Screen Shot 2015-08-07 at 9.00.21 AMBy this time, campers and counselors had come running from all corners of the camp screaming with excitement and cheering, “1, 3, 5, 6 we want Olympics!” The drones reappeared, hovering above the mass, again revealing signs saying, “Follow Me” leading campers to the Rec Hall. There, Jeff Moss stood atop a platform holding a medium sized package with a sign that unfurled reading, “Things come in . . .”

Screen Shot 2015-08-07 at 9.01.32 AMBy now the campus was in a frenzy of excitement and anticipation. More drones overhead led campers running towards the Dining Hall where David stood on the porch holding a small package. Knowing how hungry the children and staff were for Olympics, David slowly unrolled the final note that read, “Small packages.”

Just as a wave moves across the ocean as it breaks its way to shore, the whole camp moved towards the carriage house, following the drones and the sound of a low-flying helicopter that was now circling overhead, dropping hundreds of small packages.Screen Shot 2015-08-07 at 9.01.42 AM

They raced and scrambled to pick up and open these special deliveries where they found blue and white M&Ms emblazoned with the names of this year’s Olympic Teams: Big Easy Blues and White Madness. The drones reappeared once again with the most important message of all, OLYMPICS flying from the banners.

Screen Shot 2015-08-07 at 9.02.37 AMAnd madness it was as finally, the coveted Olympic lists were dropped from the sky, fluttering down to outstretched and awaiting hands revealing what the campers have been waiting ten months for, their team’s color. United in excitement and spirit, sportsmanship and friendship, the camp was ready to begin the most anticipated week of the summer. This is one Olympic Break that turned an ordinary day into an extraordinary memory that will last a lifetime.Screen Shot 2015-08-07 at 9.03.09 AM

 

Lower Inters Basketball 29th July

Friday, August 7th, 2015

Screen Shot 2015-08-03 at 10.20.11 AMLower Inters Basketball 29th July

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Starlight got off to a slow start and was down by 8-4 in the first quarter. However we broke out of our shell in the second quarter after Jesse W hit a 3 to lead at half time making the score 18-12. Starlight was tied 20-20 after the third quarter. We played very hard in the fourth quarter with Charlie H driving and Jackson F rebounding everything. We finished the game strong and won 32-24, everyone played very hard. Camp Starlight are the champions and they had an amazing performance today.

Star Camps

Thursday, August 6th, 2015

Screen Shot 2015-08-06 at 8.43.13 AMCamp Starlight was full of excitement as our campers participated in their favorite Starcamps. This special part of our program gives campers the chance to focus on one area of interest for two days. Campers get to work closely with our guest coaches and instructors, as well as our entire Starlight staff, who bring all sorts of skills to the table, from basketball to painting.

This year Camp Starlight had some incredible individuals leading Star Camps. Campers had the opportunity to learn hip-hop from the impressive Larry Albright.. At our sporting sessions, campers were able to learn hockey from hockey pro Bob Markowick, and tennis from Tennis star Mel Purcell. And there were tons of other sports workshops, too! From lacrosse, to golf, to water skiing and Krav Maga, campers had the chance to enjoy all sorts of sports activities. Campers were also able to rock climb, golf, and hike. But it’s not just sports that campers were excited about, campers were also able to enjoy Starcamps in: acting, photographing, arts and crafts, and other creative preforming arts. And for the first time ever students were able to make and mix their own music at our music workshop, which was held in our brand new music recording studio! It was another great year at Starcamps thanks to our amazing kids and great staff.

Starlight’s Annual Slope for Lope

Thursday, August 6th, 2015

11822645_10152961554666960_5919444231073674892_nIt was an early start for most campers here at Camp Starlight this week. Morning began at 7 a.m. as many campers and staff members prepared for the Slope For Lope, an annual Camp Starlight tradition where campers run a distance of 1.8 miles, much of which is uphill. On the day of the event, campers and staff gathered at the beginning of the Camp Starlight road and the excitement built. David Miller started the race and led the way up the mile long road. Campers and staff ran side-by-side as they made their way through campus. The uphill run was a struggle for some, however everyone powered on, and finished the race. Some even beat their personal bests. After running the grueling 1.8 mile route, campers were given delicious, fresh cantaloupe and a Slope for Lope bracelet to commemorate the event. As always the talent and perseverance of our campers was easy to see, and we are so proud of them.