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.

Hello Camp Simcha Special!

This year for the first time, we’re having live blogging straight from camp. This is Leah here and I’ll be your source of news and developments from our headquarters in Glen Spey, Party City, New York.

I’m only on the bus up to camp, but sources close to camp tell me that camp this year is going to be quite a party. I’m heading up from Monsey. The trip is about an hour and a half so by the time I look around we should be right there. . .

And here we come up the road, I can see the signs. Camp Simcha Special, we have arrived. WELCOME TO THE CAMP SIMCHA SPECIAL PARTY!
A huge banner on the front gate ushers campers into what will be a spectacular two weeks.

We are greeted by droves of clowns and entertainers — whoops, I mean staff members — already there. They are singing and dancing and look there’s Aviva playing away at the piano. From the window, I can see Rivky Schwartz and Esti Kleinkaufman buzzing about. I recognize my friends from last year and a host of new faces.

I grab my bags and head to the office to get my room assignment. Then off to Room 604 of the Hotel, where I will be staying for the next two weeks. My bunk is neat and clean and comfortable as always, and I quickly put everything away so I can head back outside, into the action. It’s almost time for supper, but before then I descend into the lower level, past the library and arcade room, past the computer room where I notice a line of shiny new computers, and into our Headquarters. It’s from that I’ll be compiling the newspaper and keeping you posted on the latest news exclusively from CSS.

Top officials from the newspaper office, including a new staff member named Nechama, met today to discuss top secret information about this summer’s newspaper. The content of that meeting will be revealed tomorrow around lunch-time. When asked about the theme of the newspaper, the newspaper office declined to comment. This leaves no choice but to wait anxiously until then.

In the meantime: dinner and then dancing! The excitement in the dining room is palpable and the floor is almost shaking beneath us as campers and counselors dance to the beat.

GIVE ME A “C”
GIVE ME A “A”
GIVE ME A “M”
GIVE ME A “P”
GIVE ME A “S”
GIVE ME A “I”
GIVE ME A “M”
GIVE ME A “C”
GIVE ME A “H”
GIVE ME A “A”

What does that spell? CAMP SIMCHA ! ! !

Please don’t stop the music … but the Rebbe’s Tisch is about to begin in the social hall. And now for the first night activity of the summer. What’s it going to be? You guessed it — more dancing! Disco lights on overhead, CSS got into camp spirit as the video screen dropped down from the ceiling. We watched the CSS ’08 video. This summer promises to be even more fun, with even more jaw-dropping activities and surprises.

Each specialty made a presentation. The waitresses reminded us that “I’m a fork, spoon and knife — spatula.” Aviva contacted the American Academy for Arts and Crafts to find the best arts and crafts heads. In an interview, these experts told us they were trained in the best schools. Among our staff members are graduates of TAG and FIT.

The camp-famous tenor Libby sang us a solo. The song is her original composition. “If we weren’t here we would be really sad. Now that we’re here and having fun let’s say a a cheer with everyone!”

After this introduction, the specialties performed a dance number set to a song recorded exclusively for CSS. The lyrics are perfectly appropriate to the theme for the summer.

It’s your party, you’ll make it. We’re waiting, come on. Yes, you got it. Let’s rock it, don’t wait around too long. Now you’re invited, don’t miss it. Step up. Come on. Dream. Dream. Dream. Dream. Life is but a dream.

The main activity for tonight was a “Get to know you” game. Everyone split into their camp divisions and assembled in circles. The game showed us how we are all connected: The object of the game was to get to know our bunkmates. A ball of yarn started in one camper’s hands. Then, description was called out and the ball was tossed to the girls who fit the requirements. The first girl still held on to the end of the string, making a connection between the two girls. Then another description is announced and the second girl threw it to the third. At the end, there was a whole web of yarn, connecting everyone to each other.

Who has green eyes?
Who has five kids in her family?
Who is the only girl in her family?
Who is the middle child?
Who is wearing a pink shirt?
Who plays an instrument?

The game was going well until they asked “Who loves Simcha Special?” There simply not enough string to go around for that question. When all the string was gone, we saw a slideshow of campers from last summer. Off to the canteen, the arcades, the gym or bed.

Good night, everyone! Can’t wait to speak tomorrow.

After hours at the canteen: A dozen campers were spotted at the canteen after night activity. After filling up on their favorite hot pretzels and knishes, some campers headed over to the gym for a karaoke session.