What a day! Today’s activities were fun, educational, and meaningful, all complementing each other to make each other truly great.

It was so cool to see the amazing creation that went on in the gym. Thousands and thousands of different colored Lego bricks were brought in for the campers’ creative enjoyment. The children sat in the gym and built and shaped and constructed a whole assortment of different things out of their Lego bricks, eventually coming together to represent a city chosen at random by the children. Given the current state of affairs in Israel, Jerusalem was picked to be built out of the bricks, and everyone had a great time re-creating the city together.

Here are some of the highlights from today’s intense baseball game. Noah S. made an amazing diving catch, Max R. and Noah G. teamed up together and pitched two perfect innings. They even managed to strike out our head counselor, Ari Dembitzer! Tomas got his first ever hit in a baseball game, a major milestone in any boy’s life, as it surely was in his. And last but certainly not least, Bruce got himself a base hit!

Usually Camp Simcha is just B-A-N-A-N-A-S, but today we were MAD! Mad scientists that is, as we were treated to an awesome scientific show. The big hit of the day was the dry ice, (frozen carbon dioxide, for anybody who doesn’t know) which our performer put into different types of cups and containers and made all kinds of crazy steam. Several campers, including Yam, Adan, the 3 Noahs, Max, Danny, and more, were called up to assist.

All in all, it was a great day, an exhausting day, and all of our campers went to bed nice and early in excitement and expectation of tomorrow’s major trip! We can’t wait!!!

Wow! There’s nothing like sitting around a bonfire, linking arms together with your friend, singing your heart out. And that’s exactly what happened tonight in camp. At around 10:15 P.M. or so tonight, Bentzi Brown and Co. set up a tremendous bonfire behind the pool area in camp, around which all of the campers and counselors were able to sit, link arms and truly release their emotions through slow, melodic song, as opposed to the usual wild n’ crazy dance party music that we are used to listening to. Our head counselor, Ari Dembitzer, spoke about our innate instincts to help one another in a moment of need or a situation of danger. It was really a great way to bond with each other, and to emote outwards to others, as well as feel and commiserate with everyone else’s emotions at the same time.

Superman! Batman! Spiderman! Even Captain Underpants was spotted roaming around camp today. The theme of the day is superheroes, and I have to say, everyone did a super job dressing the part.

We had some super activities as well today. In glass fusion the boys made pendants, plates, necklaces, cuff links, and anything else the mind can “imagine”. In leatherworks the Israeli boys made key chains, belts, etc. Candle-making was exciting as always, with crazy things from regular candles to enormous blobs to hand molds being made out of hot, melted wax.

Today’s highlight though was the incredible show featuring Steve Max, world-renowned for his difficult and confusing Simon Says challenges. A total of six campers were called up to be a part of the show, as well as two counselors to be stumped and bamboozled time and time again. Luckily, one of our counselors Dovid S. managed to overcome the challenge and win the title of Camp Simcha Simon Says Champion 2010. When Adan and Simon got called up for their turn, Steve got totally mixed up about Simon’s name, and kept saying it wrong! Adan wouldn’t stand for such injustice, and made sure to correct Steve until he got it right. Steve was so impressed with Adan’s concern for his friend, and made a point of showing everyone how a person should behave toward his fellow. We’re all looking forward to tonight’s bonfire-side sing-a-long.

Tonight the Yeshiva University Maccabeats stood on stage in front of us, Camp Simcha. Before they began the night, Dovid H., one of our Campers, opened up his voice to us, and what an opening it was. When the hands went up and the feet began to move, we knew the night would be ruled by the beat of our feet, and so it was.

The Maccabeats had expected to play their usual A Capella style, casual crowd, proper dressed procession…but we had other plans. The first words out of the mouths of the crowd roared “untuck your shirts! Untuck your shirts!” and the proper dressed entertainers untucked, and so began the night.

The entertainers started slow, with a few of their first songs. However the pump up of the crowd made it something more, something body moving, and the crowd in the Social Hall of Camp Simcha made a mosh pit to A Capella music. After a little body surfing, the group brought back Dovid H. to join them and as his backup, they quieted the crowd and the night so we could all listen and be uplifted.

Before their close the Maccabeats brought up Staff member Mordy T. to help beat box on stage. They finished with the song the crowd had been demanding all night, their version of Matisyahu’s “One Day.” This hit single rocked the crowd. And as we shouted and jumped to the beat of the song, the crowd gathered toward the Maccabeats to close the night.

In the words of one of the Maccabeats “We had so much fun!” Well we here at Camp Simcha are glad to bring those who entertain, here to be entertained.

Now that all the girls from CSS 2010 are safely home, we would just like to say that we miss you all tons! Here’s a recap of our fantastic summer:

(Sung to the tune “Simcha Magic”, written by Shaindy & Avital)

Simcha magic feel it in the air
Can’t explain it just know that it’s there
Simcha magic what a feeling it’s hard to believe
I’m gonna take it home with me

Simcha Magic Feel it in the Air
From the moment each of you came here
Imagine if you were in a Land of Make Believe
Disney dancers, magic was achieved!

Dazzled by Jabali Acrobats
We were on the Moon- Imagine that!
Laser tag and Carnival, Helicopter rides,
Avraham Fried’s concert put us on a high

Imagine that you were a Millionaire
Game shows galore to win our share
Steve Max the Simon Says Man had us laugh and follow
Imagine the World made of Chocolate tomorrow.

Chocolate creations, competitions, Chocolate slide,
The Bas Mitzvah with chocolate fountains on the side
Imagine if you were in the Wild Wild West
Square dance, Bonfires, horse back rides- the best.

Imagine if you were a Super Hero
On to Garrity’s Magic Show
The pre-Shabbos Simcha Spa made us look beautiful
We love Shabbos in Simcha Special!

Imagine if you lived in the olden days
Outdoors breakfast- in the morning haze
Eli Gerstner, petting zoo and colonial fair
We watched our staff get eggs in their hair!

Imagine if you were a Super-star
Laughing with Improv -it was bizarre
Simcha’s Got Talent was a great hit
We loved seeing our campers do the splits!

Underwater with Scuba science we swam
Sushi making was filled with lots of glam
With the trampoline show, we reached great heights
The jumpers almost touched the ceiling lights!

Imagine if you lived in a haunted house
The dining room decorations had a mouse
Excitement filled the Freaky Fotos scavenger hunt
The solo circus included scary stunts.

Imagine if life was a Fairy Tale
Was it champagne or was it ginger ale?
A Fairytale ball with Shloime Dachs was a blast
Finally Ever After and fireworks last.

The new infirmary we appreciate
To all those who toiled to make it so great
Going bowling was so much fun, we’d like to go again
As twins and in the spa with our friends.

Swim – Lake and Workshops 2010 were so amazing!
Arts and Crafts, Dark Room, Leather, Candles and Baking
Creative Memories, Swoosh, Teambuilding, Sweet Shop, Roofy Roofy,
Ropes, Wood, Mosaics, Scrapbooking, Pottery, and Karaoke.

Intensive Workshops were top grade,
Embroidery, Drums, Keyboards, Drama, Pottery and First Aid.
A few short trips gave us all the thrill that we did need
Horseback riding and Bowling at great speed.

Rabbi K, Bency, Avi, Rivka and Estie made things run,
Rivky, Zahava, Chumy, Sara, Goldy, YC and Shana made it fun,
The Doctors, medics, Rachael and the nurses made us safe,
Ruvain, Shaindy and Tzippy had us gain weight.

Simcha magic feel it in the air,
You all contributed to bring the magic here,
Summer 2010 was a slice of heaven
We can’t wait for summer 2011!

One thing, two thing, red thing, blue thing
After Breakfast get your belongings
Open workshops to retrieve them all
Wrap them well, big and small
Motorcycles here to give you rides
Then swim and lake and water slides
Come to lunch and be on time
This is getting hard to rhyme!
Off to see the doctors in the gym
As they play volleyball and get slim.
Pack your bags, don’t forget a thing,
Tag them, put them out and give us a ring.
Pack your clothes, your shoes and jewelry too
Your shirts and skirts and pj’s, by FIVE, bless you.
See you at the banquet, promptly at six
For a wide array of Ruvain’s finest tricks.
On to the social hall where you will see
The greatest Camp Simcha video in history.
A few thank you’s and tears we will all share,
We can’t wait to see you in Camp Simcha next year!

You’re not seeing double. Today is twin day in CSS! At lunch, our real twins were called up to the stage for a presentation. Esti and Malki, our parent trap twins, did a dance. Mollie and Samara (triplets), and Frannie and Rebecca (not really twins, but dressed so you would think that they were…)  played sister-sister to see who knew their “twin” better. Questions included “what is your twin’s favorite food in canteen?” and “what is your twin’s favorite song?”

Right before Shabbat, the Simcha Spa opened once again. Jess got her nails painted purple because it’s her favorite color. Elana got her hair half up, and Bethany got an up-do. Other campers got their makeup done or massages. Then, our beautiful campers took some pre-Shabbat pictures in preparation for another beautiful Shabbat at Camp Simcha Special!

Once upon a time there was a camp where all princesses could go to have the very best summer that they could imagine. This camp was located in Glen Spey, NY and its initials were CSS. Some say that CSS stood Cool Stupendous Sanctuary, and others say that it stood for Camp Simcha Special.

On July 8, 2010, all the princesses at CSS dressed up in their tiaras and ball gowns for a magical day. In the first activity of the day, the youngest princesses got to play a game called princess power. Winners won a variety of prizes including princess puzzles, scrunchies, stickers, and jewelry.

After lunch, princesses from Shana and Sarah’s divisions left for a trip to the bowling alley. Though bowling is not exactly a royal-like activity, the princesses enjoyed the experience nonetheless.

At dinner, Shloime Dachs came to sing at CSS’s grand ball. The princesses danced and sang until they were exhausted, at which point it was time for the three princesses of CSS: Princess Emily, Princess Nechama, and Princess Rivky to perform. Emily wrote a speech saying that though CSS is undoubtably the best camp for princesses in the world, if she were to be elected princess of CSS, she would have a transport limousine for each bunk and breakfast in bed. Nechama composed a beautiful poem detailing why she should be elected princess of CSS. Finally, Rivky sang a song with a chorus of: “vote Rivky D!” All princesses were winners, and were crowned princesses of CSS!

After CSS’s grand ball, the Silbers joined the CSS royalty for the ribbon cutting ceremony of CSS’s brand new infirmary. CSS’s new infirmary was rumored to be a large, technically advanced, and welcoming facility complete with the most top of the line medical equipment. The younger princesses especially liked how the rooms were decorated to look like a farm, though some could not understand why there were stuffed animal heads on the walls. On behalf of all the princesses of CSS, we would like to publicly thank the Silbers for our infirmary. THANK YOU!!!!

The princesses were treated to yet another activity when some fellow princesses put on a play called “Finally Ever After.” The play centered around the storyline of some famous princesses including Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, Jasmine, and Ariel. The CSS princesses that performed were Evelin, Gavriela, Leah, Chani, Frannie, Chumie, Miriam, Rebecca, Ahuva, Rina, Shterna, Rachel, Malka, Rebecca, Ziva, Liat, Rachel, and Alexis. The play was phenomenal!

The princesses capped off their night with a fireworks show in the field at CSS. After a long night, the princesses headed off to their royal bunkhouses to get some sleep in preparation for another exciting day at the one and only camp for princesses in Glen Spey…

Good morning Camp Simcha Special! I’m really glad that it’s morning because if it was night, I’d be pretty scared in the dining room. There are zombies, skeletons, ghosts, and cobwebs. Most campers agree that it is “pretty gross,” but I’d like to focus on the “pretty” and say that though it looks scary over here, it does looks “pretty awesome.”

At lunch today, we had a screaming competition between Samara and Mara to see who could do the best spooky house shriek. There were no winners because everyone was just too excited that our hearing was still intact. We also called up a couple of campers who got blindfolded and had to guess what they were feeling inside of a bowl. Rivky got ketchup and Chaya got cottage cheese. A little later in the day we got to see some division heads and counselors in their zombie best perform their rendition of thriller!

For night activity, we had a one man circus by Michael Dubov. We were really impressed with his juggling skills and Rachel W. only had to pick up the balls that he dropped a couple of times. Then, Rachel L. was called up to help with a card trick. When Michael pulled her card out of his mouth, Rachel was impressed, but she decided not to take it back. Then, Chumie and Krak were called up and Michael tried to guess what word they were thinking of. We were astounded when he guessed that Krak’s word was newspaper! For the finale, Mr. Dubov juggled machetes on a tightrope. After a most entertaining show, our campers headed to their bunkhouses to rest up for whatever CSS will bring us tomorrow. Have a great night!