The air was heavy with rain, and our hearts were heavy with the sadness of parting….
Camp Simcha 2010 has officially come to an end.
Oh, the memories that we shared this summer… the concerts– Avraham Friend, Eli Gerstner, Yaakov Shwekey, Shloimie Dachs, Yehuda Green, Maccabeats and Aryeh Kunstler… the shows– those hysterical French Twins, Jabali Acrobats, Chicago Boyz Acrobatz, Sky Riders, Simon Sez, Magic of Illusion, Talent Show, Camp Simcha Musical 2010!, and so much more… the activities– Paint Ball, Helicopter Rides, Motorcycle Rides, TRANSPORT (Yes, it’s an activity), BBQ…. the workshops– Arts n’ Crafts, Sweet Shop, Glass Fusion, Candle Making, Ductigami (or Ductigamee), Pottery, Mosaics, Lake and Swim, Ropes Course, Shooting Range, Recording Studio, Photography Studio,Wood Working, Intensives- First Aid, Drums, Crocheting…
Wow! We did a lot!!
The Camp Simcha Boys Musical was of course a fantastic hit! Produced by Duvy “The Legend” Becker, it featured great performences by our amazing campers and staff. For the grand finale, staff member Benjy Weintraub and camper Luke sang a duet of “I Believe I Can Fly.” At the end, Luke actually flew right over the cheering crowd!
During Camp Simcha Special, Bike4Chai cyclists rode 135 miles from Lakewood, Brooklyn, Baltimore, and Deal, NJ to Camp Simcha. The bikers raised nearly $200,000 to benefit the campers. The ride culminated with a triumphant entrance into Camp Simcha, where the campers performed a spectacular choreographed wheelchair dance to welcome the riders. We are Rollin’ in Camp Simcha!
The epic trips to New York– Camp Simcha stormed Times Square and blew away Brooklyn…
The boys’ New York trip was one for the books. After an exciting day of boat rides and STOMP, we took over Time Square for the performance of a lifetime. Flags waving, we sang to the sky, to the world, about how strong we are and how strong we will be. Hundreds of blue flags, hundreds of voices strong, we showed the world the power of Camp Simcha… and made an amazing music video from it!
The girls’ New York trip was one of empowerment. Our march across the Brooklyn Bridge for Hope, Health and Happiness was a reflection of everything that Camp Simcha stands for. There was a breathtaking moment when hundreds of blue and pink balloons were released into the sky, a symbol of our hopes and dreams taking flight. Anyone who was there or saw the videos (check them out!) felt chills at that moment.
All the friends we made, the lasting bonds we created…
Now home safe and sound, our unbelievable campers now have memories to last til next summer to keep them going strong and happy. They now have the strength of confidence of a summer in Camp Simcha to help through the year which we hope to fill with so much fun they won’t have time to miss camp.
And to our amazing Camp Simcha and Camp Simcha Special staff…. this summer would not have been possible without you. Your countless hours of work, intense devotion and unending love was palpable every second of our time in camp. Your dedication to your work and to our campers is truly an inspiration. There are no words for what you did, for the children you renewed, for the memories you created and for everything else that you did.
So yes, the last bus may have rolled out of Glen Spey, taking with it our incredible campers but we know it won’t be long til we see them again…
Stay tuned for more exciting posts here… this may be the Camp blog, but just because Camp is over, it doesn’t mean we won’t keep you posted on all the great things that we experienced and the even greater things to come..