webmaster, Author at Camp Simcha & Camp Simcha Special

Arabian Nights

June 7, 2014Leave a Comment

We’ve got a palace, we’ve got princesses, and at dinner we had a royal banquet. There was a delicious buffet of steamed rice, sesame chicken, franks in blankets, egg rolls, and vegetable lo mein – there were even carving stations set up were in Aladdin’s palace, and Italian ices served for dessert. Then princess Jasmine along with all her fellow royals hopped onto the magic carpet and flew to a magnificent night activity. The excited campers filed into the Social Hall where an emotional Thank You presentation took place. Both staff and campers cheered to individually thank each staff member that made CSS 2014 possible. We thanked lifeguards, maintenance, specialty, division heads, medical staff, head staff, and so many more…

We listened to a song written by Henny, and then we excitedly settled in for an entertaining video that covered the past two amazing weeks. We all cheered and laughed as we remembered the good times. The Queen of Hearts, a petting zoo, pirate capture the flag, and a paint fight and lots of smiles were just some of the images that flashed across the screen. After the video everyone headed to the fire-pit to roast s’mores and watch a slideshow. The happy memories illuminated the screen. Sitting around the bonfire while remembering the good times was a beautiful close to a beautiful day, and a truly amazing session. Tomorrow, CSS 2014 will come to an end, but the memories will last forever.

Reunion Weekend in Wesley Hills

April 2, 2014Leave a Comment

Last weekend, our campers and counselors enjoyed an awesome reunion complete with horseback riding, ATVs, fun and games. Many thanks to Menny and Basya Schwab for generously hosting!

Friends N’ Fun Weekends are dedicated in memory of Sari Ort, a”h.

Wesley Hills Weekend

Austin Mahone’s Message for Tallie

March 9, 2014Leave a Comment

Childhood cancer warrior Tallie was scheduled to see an Austin Mahone concert but had to cancel because she wasn’t feeling well.

Austin sent her this message!

Many thanks to our incredible volunteers for making this possible.

A Letter from a Team Lifeline Runner

February 5, 2014Leave a Comment

In the weeks leading up to February 2nd, whenever I told anyone I was running a Half Marathon with Team Lifeline, I was met with looks of awe, amazement, and for the most part, confusion. You are running how far? Why??? And in a few words, I would try to explain about the journey I was embarking on but it was never enough.

On Sunday February 2nd, together with over 300 runners from all over the US, Canada, and even Israel, I ran in the Lifetime Miami Marathon with Team Lifeline. Our goal: to raise money (over $2 million!) for the incredible kids of Chai Lifeline, to give our warriors battling illness a summer of magic in Camp Simcha. My goal: to once again run 13.1 miles, beating my own personal time, and rock the blue and yellow with pride.

From the start of the weekend which began with dinner with the Team Lifeline runners, Chai Lifeline families, supporters, Camp Simcha staff and volunteers, I knew I was in for a memorable weekend. Friday night was one of inspiration, meeting runners and reconnecting with friends.

And then came the pre-race pasta party. In the uproar of the music to pump us up, the cheering that couldn’t be silenced, and the singing, things were starting to get real.
We are here. All of us together.

Ari Weinberger, Chairman of Team Lifeline, spoke about his journey with Chai Lifeline. Round one of tears and cheers.

We watched the Camp Simcha boys video from Time Square (Wall of Fame) and another video about the journey of two campers. Round two of tears and cheers.

Then a mother of a Camp Simcha camper came up. Keeping my eyes from totally blurring, I listened in awe to her family’s story and how Chai Lifeline was a part of it. Round three of even more tears, and even louder cheers.

We heard about Team Power Players, the team of counselors and campers who ran to raise money to rebuild their lost bunk house.

It was an intensely emotional evening, capped off by the excitement of knowing on Sunday, we would run. For our collective cause. For personal reasons. For Chai Lifeline.

Sunday morning met us bright and early at 4 a.m. Team Lifeline boarded the buses to the start line. We took a group photo and then we took off for our corrals.
With much anticipation, we waited for the starting gun…. and then we were off!

Throughout the course, Team Lifeline runners could be seen in their yellow and blue running shirts, with pictures of campers pinned to their backs. I was fortunate enough to pace with two Chai Lifeline parents. Seeing them, knowing their struggle and knowing they were here with me for the cause, propelled me throughout the race.

One of the highlights was the mile seven cheering squad. Staff, volunteers, families, all in yellow and blue cheered on the runners as we passed.

Following the race, as we all smiled through our aches and pains, we enjoyed a much deserved victory meal and got to listen to personal accounts of some of the runners.

Team Lifeline 2014 was an experience that will stay with me for a long time. The camaraderie, happiness, devotion, motivation and most of all, love, has left an incredible impression on me.

I cannot wait for the 10th Anniversary of Team Lifeline in 2015. See you all there!

Samara, Childhood Cancer Warrior

January 5, 2014Leave a Comment

See what this incredible warrior has to say about camp, Chai Lifeline, and her story:

Happy New Year!

January 1, 2014Leave a Comment

Here’s wishing our entire Camp Simcha family a happy and healthy new year!

Disney Trip

December 12, 2013Leave a Comment

This past week, our cancer warriors were treated to a magical four day journey to Disney World in Orlando, FL with their Camp Simcha counselors. Thank you to Ohr Meir for making this trip possible! Read more about the trip here!

Did you know?

October 15, 2013Leave a Comment

Did you know that Camp Simcha fun continues year-round with hospital visits/parties, and get togethers around the globe? Check out the continual magic of Camp Simcha as some of our Israeli campers have the flight of a lifetime piloting an airplane. Thank you to pilot Nir Doron for your generosity and patience!

Victorian Era

August 19, 2013Leave a Comment

This morning, the dining hall was draped with red velvet and gold trimming. The camp was filled with ladies in fancy ball gowns and a few dashing young men. Two stately white horses ornamented in plumed black headdresses plodded the campus paths. They pulled white Cinderella carriages decorated with ivy and white roses, and gave campers rides throughout the day.

At lunch, we celebrated the bat mitzvah of every camper who turned twelve this year. The bat-mitzvah girls sat at a table with elegant red flowers and lace centerpieces, and received a special shout-out during the meal. Then, we had a special “Mazal Tov” song and dance in the center of the hall in their honor. The bat mitzvah girls presented a gift to Camp Simcha: a stunning painting of lit candles to decorate the dining hall on Shabbat.

Afterward, Camp Simcha’s incredibly talented cast performed the musical Cinderella onstage for the whole camp. Their beautiful voices filled the theater, and their riveting performance left us spellbound.

Following the show was a ball in the dining hall. The room was filled with round tables covered in delicate lace cloth. A lavish banquet was displayed along the sides of the hall, and waitresses circled the room holding trays of hors d’oeuvres to the lilting sounds of a live harp.

Later, the camp watched as fireworks burst in bright, colorful explosions, before joining together to dance under the starlit sky. Tomorrow we will temporarily part ways, but as we all go to our respective homes, we will always keep in our hearts and minds Camp Simcha, our second home.

-T

Jousting Tournament

August 18, 2013Leave a Comment

Two dark horses galloped onto the field, each adorned in fabric bearing its knights colors. Astride the striking beasts sat two knights in full armor: Sir Devon of Yorkshire and Dame Fiona of Orkney. Trailing beside each was a female squire, dressed in puffy white shirts with lace-up corsets.

Sir Devon addressed the gathered crowd in a bellowing voice, setting the terms of the tournament. The first competition in which the knights competed was charging on their respective horses holding out a spear and attempting to capture rings held up by the squires. Then, galloping down the field, they had to slash a sword at spherical targets resting atop poles, and then aim a spear into a pile of hay. For the next challenge, the knights donned helmets with a crest rising up the front. The objective was to smash the crest on their opponent’s helmet while preserving their own. Next, the knights had to strike at each others’ shields, points awarded for each shield that was broken. Then, the knights had a joust, beginning on horse, until one of them surrendered. The sound of clashing metal accompanied the sparks that flew from the swords. Dame Fiona was knocked off her horse, yet still she did not submit. They fought until both stood on the ground, facing each other, gasping for breath. In a triumphant finale, Dame Fiona defeated Sir Devon, forcing him to the ground, where she stood over him, victorious, as he admitted defeat. Dame Fiona was titled champion of the Camp Simcha jousting tournament for the second year in a row!

-T