During the thunderstorm, we had to stay indoors and I had to stay in the pottery room for about hour. There were only a few people there including the pottery director, a waitress, a camper and her counselor. During that short time, I watched as the homesick camper, who had never been to camp before and was having trouble adjusting, light up as she and Shifra, the potter, fashioned a mug, a bowl and a vase for all her friends back home. I think sticking her hands into the clumpy wet clay and then holding them around the lump of gray clay that would become a unique piece of her own was a transforming moment.

It’s Erev Shabbos and there’s just enough time to fit in … a concert ?! Surprise, Camp Simcha Special, Shloime Dachs is here for the first concert of the summer.

Disco lights on overhead, the social hall was shaking underneath our feet from the frenzied dancing. In Simcha spirit, the concert was a perfect prelude to Shabbos. Many campers were able to come out of their wheelchairs and dance with their counselors in a circle on on their counselor’s shoulders. Everyone sang up a storm — literally. It rained outside, but we barely noticed. Bracha sang us a solo. We love Shloime in Camp Simcha Special. As Shloime Dachs said, “Thank you so much. I’m so glad to be back here in Camp Simcha Special. . . I was so happy that I came.”

Today in honor of the baby shower, campers received light-up pacifier necklaces.

We’re now back to our regularly scheduled activities and are waiting to hear about the special activity of the day.

Tomorrow morning we are going to have a special Shabbos kiddush in honor of the CSS baby shower. Does anyone have any name suggestions? Campers can post their ideas at our party headquarters. The winning name will be announced tomorrow.

In honor of our baby shower, we had delicious pink and blue cupcakes decorated with teddy bears for dessert after lunch. Yum!

The Brain Show, the latest addition to the lineup of Camp Simcha shows, surprised us on this bright Friday morning. Our hosts, Chris and Arielle, let us know how the game is played. Before we began we had to take the The Brain Show pledge:

I, Camp Simcha Special, promise not to yell out or whisper the answers to the contestants.

You can’t lose points if you get the answer wrong, but you can lose points if you don’t do the “thing-in-between.” We had to dance the right moves to the dance music played in-between rounds.

The winners of the Brain Show were awarded the official “I am a Brain Show Maniac Medallion.” In an company statement, Chris warned, “Remember that medallion is worth exactly 49 cents.”

A big round of applause for our contestants!

From Glen Spey, Party City, NY, we bring you joyous news of a baby shower for CSS. At our celebratory brunch this morning, the dining room was piled high with gifts and baby merchandise.

In early morning races, we competed to see who could finish a bottle of apple juice first, who could finish the puzzle first, and who could make the best play dough sculpture.

Our precious bundles of joy are excited for the surprises the day will bring.

B’Shaah Tovah.

Congratulations to Molly Z. and Ahuva G. on passing the deep water test!

Congratulations to Baila Perel for walking up all the stairs to the top of the fun slide!

Malka S. drove the motor boat today!

We’re so proud.

Coming soon … a luau right here in Camp Simcha.

Reporting to you from the front lawn where a water carnival is visiting Camp Simcha Special, we’re cooling off with water activities. There are awesome rides like a fun slide and a moonwalk; but on this scorcher of a day, the dunk-your-counselor booth is definitely the hit. We’re having a ton of fun at the booths where we are playing ring toss, count the pennies, bowling. Jessica O. won a Dora the Explorer towel that she can’t wait to use at the pool. Prizes for the lucky include Elmo hats, plastic cell phones, stuffed animals, sunglasses, bangles, wristlets, lip gloss, decks of cards, bubbles.

I just watched a paraplegic camper, her face ecstatic as she slid down the slide with her counselors at her sides. Where else but here could something like that happen? It was gratifying to see the counselor and campers bonding and everyone enjoying themselves.

From deep inside the blogosphere, somewhere in the middle of Glen Spey, Party City, New York, this is your host Leah reporting live on an important new development.

We’re getting reports of Camp Simcha camped out at the beach. But this is no lazy day at the shore. It’s a Beach Party. We’re heading out on the ocean into new adventures on the high waves of Camp Simcha Lake. Decked out in leis, hula skirts, floaties and even towels, campers showed up for breakfast ready for the first full day of camp.

Simcha’s aspiring filmmakers are getting their start right here at Simcha Studios. This morning after breakfast, Rivky announced the Each camper has one day to document her experience in camp on film. At the end of the session, she is handed her film to take home for her family.

Next, we headed into learning groups. The theme for learning groups this season is charity and good deeds. I sat in with Bunks 6 and 7 for their session in the movie room. Led by shiur counselor Esti, campers told us about the good deeds they have recently performed. Libby said “today this morning I gave two people soda.” Jessica L.’s counselor told us that Jessica “always cares about everyone and texts them all the time.” Evelyn woke up early this morning and didn’t even wake up her counselor. She just waited in bed until her counselor got up by herself. Jessica O. brought water for other people who needed it. During lunch, campers had the opportunity to practice what they had learned in the morning and give tzedakah [charity].

Official Division Meetings followed Learning Groups. If you are not sure which division your camper is in, here’s a handy list.

Rockers
Jesters
Party Animals Bunks 6,7, 8, 9 and 10
Crashers Bunks 21, 22, 23 and 24
Shenanigans 25, 26, 29 and 30

Batsheva’s Party Animals went around the circle introducing themselves to the each other. Here are some interesting soundbites:

My name is Chani and I like fruits and vegetables and I’m from Argentina.
My name is Ahava and I’m from Toronto.
My name is Rena and I’m from the City of Angels.
My name is Alexis and one of my favorite things to do is knit scarves. I knit for my twin sister. We’re identical. I’m from Allentown, PA. I love to draw.
I’m Liat and I’m from California.
My name is Leah Chaya and I’m from Israel.
My name is Stephanie and and I just graduated elementary school.

At the Beach, we’re surfing USA. We would not have known that we were on the the volleyball court if not for the net on top of all that sand. There was a sand art painting and keychain making. We built a city out of sand in our sand castle building contest. After dancing through the sprinklers, we went on a seashell hunt.

Lunchtime at the beach and Camp Simcha is lounging around on beach chairs in the dining room. From their cabanas and grass huts, campers ordered smoothies and special mixed drinks. Chief Lifeguard Rivky Schwartz presided a contest in which five visiting beach bums (division heads) were in a hula hooping contest. But the catch was that the campers had to squirt water in their mouths at the same time.

Campers are going to pick out party favor: visors, Hallmark cards and hand sanitizer. [Sings: “Wash your hand, wash your hands, wash your hands with soap! Tra la la…”]

Until next time.