It is nine in the morning and campers are eagerly awaiting the buses that will take them on the major trip of the summer. The buses back in and everyone excitedly boards the six giant coach buses. Attendance is taken and the buses pull out.
The first stop is Paramount theater, in in Ausbury Park New Jersey, to see the talented Cirque Ziva. This theater is located along a pier. So, while campers wait for the doors to open they are busy mini golfing, surrey riding, or exploring the shops along the pier. Bekkie drives a surrey, easily navigating around the pedestrians. While Sari pedals quickly to help move the bike along. Eventually the doors open and everyone files into the theater. Everyone is pleasantly surprised to discover that Pepsi is handing out free drinks to anyone from Camp Simcha! Campers and Staff find their seats, lights are dimmed, the curtain is raised and the show begins! Cirque Ziva is a group of acrobats whose skills are unbelievable. Among the many acts is a lady who balances a glass lantern on the sole of her foot while twisting her body into different shapes and a man who holds himself in a one-handed hand stand on top of stacked chairs that almost touch the ceiling! When the show comes to a close the entire audience gives the performers a standing ovation.
Everyone leaves the theater and walks across the pier to the convention center for lunch. Waiting on stage is none other then Shalsheles. They begin to play and everyone cheers. Everyone is jumping and dancing to the music. Dana and Arianna are dancing together from on top of their counselors shoulders. A massive conga line begins to form and people are giving each other high-fives as they pass. Sari, Gali, and Noam come on stage and sing beautiful solos. Then, to end the amazing concert, Shalsheles sings a slow song and everyone forms one giant circle. At the end of the song they begin to sing ‘Waving Flags’ and everyone joins in. The concert comes to a close and it is time to board the buses again.
The buses pull into Cocoa Keys Water Kingdom, an indoor water park. There are inner tube slides, a swimming pool, and a massive water jungle gym. There is a pool with five round floating platforms and rope handle bars on top. The goal is to make it across without falling into the water. Anna made it all the way to the end but her counselor fell in three times before giving up.
After a day of fun it is time to head back to camp. Thank you to everyone who made this day possible!