Camp Simcha & Camp Simcha Special
Simcha Magic: Feel It In The Air!
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We are a wonderful lot of “goodbye procrastinators!” We’ve managed to spend an entire evening singing with Dalia Uziel who showed up for a surprise dinner concert while the waitresses popped in with a hip-hop flash mob! We’ve posed for last minute pictures, admired the black and red decor set up for our final banquet freckled with wands, balloons and card-suits center pieces. And still, we haven’t managed to say our goodbyes. Or maybe, we just aren’t trying hard enough. Either way, our banquet was followed by a ceremonial session in the social hall where we said our tremendous “Thank-you’s” to our dedicated staff and watched the culmination of our color-saturated craze this session put together by Malky, our Video Media Head, Meryl and Dina, our videographers and Rochel and Michelle, our video editors. A huge shout out to the entire Media Department for their efforts and devotion this entire session! And still, amidst the memories, the moment by moment reminiscing, we just haven’t found a spare moment for goodbyes. Our final event of the night, a sky full of fire works, welcomed in our very last night of Camp Simcha Special and still, we procrastinated our goodbyes. Maybe the true magic of Camp Simcha is that every single one of our girls knows that there really is no such thing as goodbyes. Just, “See ya laters” and a sweep of a red cape, and a swap of magic dust and a black hat full of memories.
Snap! Whoosh! A sweep of coat tails. White gloves concealing a wand. And then…BAM! Motorcycle rides at the front on campus for every single girl! While candle making and pottery spinning began this morning in the Arts and Crafts Pavilion, each division was called up to experience a flash-tour of camp riding shot-gun on the back of a motorcycle. Cherry was our first brave rider, followed by Niya and Hope. Our Camp Simcha staff is definitely keeping the last-day realizations off of our minds with jam-packed scheduling and perpetual activity today, keep the magic coming!
There’s definitely a dab of Simcha magic in the air this morning, a smattering of cards and the tip of a magician’s hat. It’s black day in Camp Simcha Special and black cats are mingling with hatted rabbits and striped mimes. Abracadabra, the day is spun with open workshops, a post breakfast magic show by Faigele, and an afternoon graduation for some of our beloved campers. With the snap of a finger and the wave of a red handkerchief, these past two weeks have disappeared in a magic whirlwind of late night dancing and color war madness, morning costumes competitions and afternoon water fights. And, as usual, the audience is left dumbstruck, always wondering at what precise moment the slight of hand, the manipulative trick had actually taken place before their critical eyes.
Friday night’s Royalty ended in a candlelit feast attended by campers draped in gowns and tiaras. These past two days mark our last weekend in Camp Simcha Special and we made them count! Between bingo games at three and the Famous Shabbos choir at nine, the afternoon also included banana grams and Jenga in the gym and story telling in the library. Singing on the porch in a foggy moonlight became a full on dance party in the dining room with our one and only Aviva on the keyboard! Caitlyn, Gabby, Tess and July shared their stories on the porch after dinner and while no stars were visible on this second to last night in camp, the porch was ignited by a burst of cheers and a lingering applause that echoed for a long, long time.
The better part of Friday afternoon was spent sipping purple slushies while enjoying some pleasant ballroom music and booking various royal appointments for gown fittings and makeup sessions. The spa and costume closet have been open to accommodate our campers as they prepare for a royal dinner tonight. The costume closet was chock full of twirling skirts, sweeping frills and layers of lace as racks were hastily emptied and gowns were found for every girl. The spa was opened for manicures, makeup and hair-styling with several famous makeup artists and hair designers waiting on our girls as they prepare for a festive evening. Royal Friday is slowly winding down into a regal night and a magnificent weekend.
In they paraded, first the jesters, jacketed in thick stripes and polka dots. Next came the Knights, their rigid arms beneath silvered armor steering cloaked horses. These were followed by the footmen, expressionless, a thick mass of uniforms and pounding boots. Finally, at the very last thread of the entourage, they rode in all their magnificence, the royal purple King and queen looking out at their Camp Simcha Kingdom with delicate waves and perfect smiles. Royal purple had come to Camp Simcha! All morning long, campers draped in purple wigs and garb have been riding an ornate purple coach around the dining room as the queen in her very best gown looked out at her loyal subjects. We have royal makeovers scheduled and appointments to book. Camp Simcha Special, have a very royal day.
Opening night was a huge hit here at Camp Simcha Special’s Broadway! Our actors and behind the scenes lighting and musical experts completely outdid themselves, setting unbelievably high standards for all future Camp Simcha performances. We are so proud of our girls and all of their efforts invested in making tonight such a memorable one for all of us.
You all continuously amaze us.
In honor of our Great Big Apple day, our Camp Simcha Special stars will be hitting the Broadway stage! All afternoon, actresses have been practicing their songs, staff members adjusting costumes and lighting and makeup artists applying the final touches. For the very first time ever in Camp Simcha special history, we present to you our very own performance of The Little Mermaid! A New York sized thank you to all of our staff members who are, at this very moment, working behind the scenes to arrange props and rehearse lines with our superstars. Looking forward to opening night…
For lunch this afternoon, we will be serving fresh pretzels, hot off the stands of New York City’s vendors with a side of lottery ticket scratch-offs for every camper, in the city where anything can happen. Remember folks, all you need is a dollar and a dream!
