A new session has just begun and already the pottery room is buzzing with activity! Campers are hard at work creating plates, bowls, mugs, keychains and even door signs. Everyone is busy sponging and smoothing out their clay. Maytal is making a plate in the shape of an icecream cone while other girls are working at the wheel. Already campers are excited to return and paint their pieces.

What’s that noise in Glen Spey? It’s the golden girls of Camp Simcha 2011! From early morning until sunset, the staff of Camp Simcha greeted our campers, performed in a three-ring circus, and spread the simcha of Camp Simcha!

Our three-ring circus featured clowns, hula hoopers and other colorful dancers who performed for each group of campers as they arrived to camp. Among our crowd of staff that greeted the campers, we had an abundance of colorful clowns, funny furry animals and even Mr. Potato Head!

As the day went along, we even got to cool off in the rain! Not even a little water and clouds could smother the incredible spirits and cheer of the staff and campers!

After dinner, we made our way to the Social Hall and saw a fabulous show: They Sky Riders! Using a huge trampoline, two high jumpers flipped and spun high in the air thrilling our campers with their act.

As the show ended, the Israeli division arrived! More dancing and cheering went on as the sky darkened.

Camp Simcha is thrilled to welcome the Chumee-Chums, Zlata’s Zlatees, Sarah’s Sparklers and the Rockers (Israeli division) for an incredible session!
Don’t forget to check back here for daily updates about all the happenings in camp!

Earlier today, the outstanding staff of Camp Simcha Girls 2011 were oriented and informed about all the magic of the upcoming camp session!

The staff heard from the medical staff, head staff, and division heads about the excitement they have to look forward to. As new faces and old came together, the atmosphere pulsated with the eager anticipation of the arrival of the most spectacular campers in the world.

Camp Simcha Girls 2011… Are you ready?

As our final night in Camp Simcha Special, all the “thank-yous” were due. And we said them: thank you to the waitresses, the lifeguards, the medical staff, the division heads, the counselors, all the workshop specialties, the photographers, the videographers, and everyone else who helped make this year in Camp Simcha Special so amazing! There were so many people who have worked behind the scenes, and of course we thanked them all!

After that, it was so nice to hear the beautiful song which Nechama wrote and Miri sang for us. Then came the most exciting part of the night: the long-awaited Camp Simcha Special 2011 video! Everyone really enjoyed watching it, and the memories of the past two weeks came flooding back. Right when it was over, we all rushed to the field and watched a great slideshow, while amazing fireworks shot out in the air. We danced and sang the night away. We will miss you Camp Simcha Special 2011!

Tonight was the graduation ceremony for those campers who are finished with Camp Simcha Special. The “graduates,” Jessica, Guli, Miriam, Ruchi, Rachel, Jasmine, and Francesca, walked to the stage as “Pomp and Circumstance” started playing. Some of the “graduates” were even wearing graduation gowns! They received their Camp Simcha Special diplomas, and Jessica and Jasmine said a few words of thanks. We are so proud of their accomplishments through so many years in Camp Simcha!

Afterward, each camper in Camp Simcha Special was called up and received a diploma from the Hogwarts school (after all, today was Harry Potter day). We had a great time this year with all the Golden Girlz, Chumee Chums, Goldie’s Gagas, and Sarah’s Sparklers.

Everyone was in for a fun morning with the petting zoo! There were pony rides, hay rides. goats, lammas, bunnies, and snakes. The best part, of course, was that all the campers got to pet and hold the animals. The pony and hay rides were a blast. Chana had an especially great time riding the pony. Blimie was running around with a snake in hand, trying to scare everyone!

Everyone was ecstatic to find an Ohad concert in the social hall on Friday afternoon! The room vibrated with dancing and singing. Lights were flickering on and off and the room changed colors. It was really a great concert!

Deep in the jungles of Camp Simcha, campers suspended from harnesses are climbing up trees and hanging from ropes. Swinging from trees and flying in the air, they are living it up at the ropes course! It’s really amazing to watch campers take advantage of this rare opportunity.

Our Camp Simcha actresses have been practicing and getting ready to put on the musical Annie for days! Well, tonight was the big night! After dinner, the actresses put on their costumes and got their makeup done. The entire camp showed up to the ‘theater’ and found a real black tie event awaiting them. Waitresses were walking around with hors d’oeuvres and a there was a full buffet set up outside, complete with hot food and fancy drinks. Finally, the lights dimmed and the show began. Everyone was truly terrific, and the play went better than we ever could have imagined! The songs were all beautiful, thanks to our wonderful singers, and the acting was superb, thanks to our wonderful actresses! Shout out to Tzippy Chait for directing this great production!

In Roofy Roofy, campers are doing cool nature projects and pioneering activities. For tie-dying, everyone gets a t-shirt which they tie up into a bulls-eye or spiral pattern and then spray with different bright colors. Then they untie the t-shirt and hang them out to dry.

Another fun activity is making nature journals. The back and front of the journal is two pieces of cardboard bound together by twine. The front has a muslin cover on which campers scrape leaf designs with rocks. They decorate and design it however they like. Simi is just starting on her’s and it is sure to come out looking great!