Camp Blog

Day 2
The grass danced and bent subserviently to the winds that blew across camp this morning. At first, the thick blanket of clouds that had sought in vain to dampen the sprit and ruach that greets this corner of the Catskills every morning had -in combination with the gale-force winds- created the impression that we would soon be privy to the washout of the summer.
But, true to that old adage “ There is NO rain in Camp Simcha”, nature’s trickery let up to reveal that the rumble in the distance was not a bird, plane, or the whole lot of Dembi’s lost socks coming back home. It was the din of impossibly large, imposing blades; those part of the helicopter that would take up campers and bring down pilots. Donning bright yellow tees with the proper credentials, campers were hoisted in threes to the skies over Glen Spey. Through the smoky fog eerily rising from the pines and the rain drops running up the windshield, all (save for the unlucky counselors) were treated to magnificent views the streams, complacent in their stillness, and the gently rolling hills that surround Camp Simcha Special.
It was not long before our new pilots needed to come in for a landing. Even as the soft thud reminded them that they were back on solid footing- even hundreds of feet below those elusive, solemnly beautiful skies, the smiles that beamed across hundreds of faces were a collective testament to the fact that the past 5 minutes had made soar not only campers, but spirits and hearts alike.

By, T.P.

As it seems by Ari Rosenberg
Friday, July 24, 2009

Here in Camp Simcha Special, it is not too difficult to see miracles. Miracles are when things that do not happen…happen. Purim in July is a good example. Here at Simcha Special, the only difference from Purim is the Megilla reading. We wear costumes, experience hidden miracles, and give out canteen food, every single day. However, it was not enough for us. Therefore, we made ourselves our own day for Purim. Why? Because we felt like it, because we can, and because we wanted to read our own Camp Simcha Special mad-lib Megilla. This congregation though, likes to celebrate more than it likes to boo. Therefore, instead of Haman, we have “UPROAR” –ten seconds of pure, chest pounding, floor thumping, party time.
What is Purim truly about? Is it all just groggers, sharing food, and dressing like a clown? Really, those are only what we do, not who we are. On Purim, that which we think is hidden is explained, and that which is obvious, becomes complicated. Allow me to explain this nonsense. Appearances can be deceiving. A pig looks kosher because of its split hooves. However, a closer look shows that it does not chew its cud, rendering it not kosher. Conversely, a bee is a non-kosher insect. Though give it a chance, and the bee will lead you to its sweet honey, which is not only kosher, but also delicious.
We read in the Shema every day-??? ????? ???? ????? ????? ?????? ??? ??? ???? ??????. “ Do not follow after your heart and after your eyes by which you go astray.” Only what Hashem tells us is true. Everything else can be questioned. So just like when you see a gorilla walking around or a nine-foot frog on the street during Purim, and you do not assume it is a real animal, do not always believe what you see in life. The world is full of great things and great people; we just need to close our eyes to see it all.

Canteen Correspondant- Pretzels by Camper Jake Plaut
Friday, July 24, 2009

They’re salty, they’re crunchy, and they’re tied in a knot. What are they?
PRETZELS! Everyone loves this majestic tasty doughy treat. There are so many shapes of pretzels, such as knots, rings, sticks, twists, stubs… Then there are different flavors, there are honey-mustard, sesame seed, salt less, jalapeño, peanut butter filled… there are also dips, chocolate, white chocolate, vanilla, chocolate drizzled, white chocolate drizzled, vanilla drizzled… for more info on pretzels, visit David Elephant at the canteen. By the way, the canteen is getting soft pretzels today.

Simcha Madness by Ari Rosenberg
Thursday, July 23rd 2009

It seems there is an unspoken law in Camp Simcha Special that everyone knows about. The law states that every time a Minyan or more is together as a group they all, without hesitation or exception, MUST…go bananas. I call this law Simcha Madness because it seems more like a psychological disorder that turns otherwise normal people berserk. Though nobody questions it, everyone joins in it, and those who do not are labeled “slackers.” This points to only one possible reason- it must be the law. Nobody is allowed to refrain from Simcha Madness because it is Camp Simcha Special Law.
The first night activity of the summer, Sky Divers, captured entirely what Simcha Madness is all about- just a whole lot of jumping and screaming. The Sky Divers, a team of three trampoline acrobats –including one Olympic Silver Medalist/ Guinness World Record holder- showed off their abilities to flip, spin, play catch, and even surf and hula hoop ten to fifteen feet in the air. They would only do this though, if Camp Simcha Special were loud enough. The louder the screams- the higher the jumps. And so it went, another episode of Simcha Madness: A whole lot of jumping and screaming.
However, there is something compelling about it all. As every body soars into the air –and into each other- a fresh breath of unity enters the body, grabs any bit of sadness it can find and exits back through the mouth, in the shape of a smile, ear to ear. So at the end of the day, it is not only sore calves and headaches that put us to sleep at night, but also the sore cheeks, because grinning all day is tiring, especially when you can’t help but do it. If we define madness as a great enthusiasm or excitement for rash or thoughtless behavior, then this madness called “happiness” is all right with me.

The Road to Happiness by Ari Rosenberg
Thursday, July 23rd 2009

The staff had been waiting anxiously while the campers traveled from Far and Wide. For too long, Camp Simcha Special had felt empty and lonely, as its campers went through their year. Almost as if Camp Simcha Special were alive, its future staff and campers could feel the camps pain. They all waited, counting the days go by as if something were missing. And then it came: Day One.
Before the campers had even set eyes on the camp, its counselors, waiters, specialty staff, and others were already experiencing what makes it unlike any place in the world. Singing, dancing and laughing with such sincere joy: where else can one fall in love in one day with such a place? Where else are the sad– happy, the bored– excited, and the ordinary– Extraordinary?
When the campers did come, they were welcomed in with open arms…then sandwiched. Greeted excitedly with roars and loud chanting of their names, it was as if they were a sports team coming back home after a win to be greeted by their town as heroes. Though these tiny heroes were also welcomed with the warmest smiles and biggest hugs, as a family greets one of it’s own after a trip that to both traveler and greeter alike, just took too long.
Smiles abound it soon became impossible not to catch the epidemic of happiness spreading from cheek to cheek. In all our lives, we shall never forget that there is a road in Camp Simcha Special that brings all people in, but only happy ones out. How special it is to be ?????!

After our final lunch together, where we heard graduation speeches from many of our campers, everyone headed to the Social Hall for a special concert by…Yakov Shwekey! Everyone had a blast singing and dancing at one last concert together.

After the concert, everyone made their way back to their bunkhouses to pack before heading to banquet. There we enjoyed all kinds of delicious food that was followed by a graduation procession. The graduation began with speeches by the valedictorians: Shayna, Ellen, and Esti W. Afterwards, the division heads called each “graduate” by name and and awarded each girl a diploma along with different distinctions such as cutest smile, best hugger, etc.

After graduation came to an end, everyone made their way to the social hall. There we heard all different camp songs sung by various staff, followed by many comedy routines and dances from a combination of staff and campers. Finally, it was time to watch the long-awaited Camp Simcha 2009 video where we re-lived all of this summer’s wonderful memories.

As the realization of the few hours left together set in, everyone made their way to bed, not yet ready for all of our amazing times to come to end, but happy knowing that the warm memories we have created this summer will follow us far into the year, especially when shared all together.

An an annoymous quoter stated: “Distance never seperates two hearts that really care, for our memories span the miles and in seconds we are there. But whenever I start feeling sad because I miss you, I remind myself how lucky I am to have someone so special to miss.”

One of many new workshops that campers enjoyed this session was Le Chocolat. In Le Chocolat, campers created different types of yummy chocolate creations by painting chocolate molds with melted dark chocolate and colored white chocolate. The molds ranged from various two dimensional flower molds to three dimensional flower molds which were made by the campers and then placed in chocolate vases. Our campers said “the workshop was really good.” Danielle S. said that “it was yummy!”

Another great activity that our campers loved was Glass Fusion. There, campers chose various projects that they wished to create out of glass, ranging from rings, plates, mezuzah cases, necklaces, picture frames, cufflinks, and even cell phone charms! The camper then decorated their creations with shapes, frit (small pieces of glass), or stringer (strings of glass). After their pieces were finished, their crafts were baked in a kiln for eighteen hours, resulting in unique, beautiful, professional looking pieces for each camper to take home and enjoy or even give as beautiful gifts. One camper said that she liked making momentos for her counselor!

From Arts and Crafts, Pottery, Leather, Photography, Baking, Sweet Shop, Scrapbooking, Candle Works, Jamming and so much more, Camp Simcha truly has so many wonderful activites to offer! Thank you to all of our terrific workshop heads for all of your hard work! 🙂

Today we begin our last full day of camp celebrating Simcha’s Graduating Class of 2009. This morning clad in cap and gown, everyone made their way to the dining room which was decorated with graduation streamers. After breakfast, campers went to various open workshops to complete any un-finished creations.

Following the completion of all masterpieces is a special activity in the social hall followed by our slide show showcasing all of this summer’s great memories.

Check back soon for more news on today’s happenings!

Our last shabbos together in Camp Simcha has come to an end and we truly were all saddened to see it go. Friday night, the camp gathered together for Kabbalas Shabbos and the beautiful singing continued throughout the rest of shabbos and deep into the night, long after shabbos ended. Inspiring Divrei Torah were given and the ruach was stronger than ever before. Our shabbos choir was even more spectacular than ordinary. Solos by Noa, Eden, Shaina, Mashy, Gali, Sorelle, Efrat, Miriam, Yehudis, Sarala and the rest of our singers were unbelievably stunning. A beautiful melody was song by our staff and Chumi West astounded us all with the songs she composed, including a “goodbye” song. Everyone held on to shabbos as long as they could, not wanting the last day of camp to arrive. “We don’t wanna go home” was chanted throughout the room. Despite all of our camp-ending blues, it ain’t over ’til it’s over…looking forward to our last day together, full of more excitement and more memories to take home with us!

This morning after breakfast, the buses were loaded as our camp embarked on a rafting trip down the Delaware River! When we arrived at our destination, everyone spilled out of the bus and onto the rafts. According to many of our campers, the best part of the ride down the river was when the rafts would occasionally get stuck on rocks and counselors would jump into the water to shake them off! Becky said “the Delaware was my favorite part of the year.” Tess said “It was so much fun, especially when Zoey fell out of the boat.” Isabelle said it was “wet”. After rafting was through, everyone ate lunch and then headed back onto the bus to go back to camp.

Once we arrived back in camp, everyone went off to various workshops to finish up their started creations and started preparing for our very last shabbos together in camp. As sad as we are to be going home soon, we’re looking forward to having more fun together this weekend!