ParentSpace Blog

Friday, The Stone Age…

August 2, 2013Leave a Comment

Wow, what a way to end off an action-packed week in Camp Simcha Special!

We went back several thousand years to the Stone Age today… Firstly, the dining room was transformed into one big cave! Well, not quite. But it did have cave to fit several people, fully furnished with lanterns and..rocks. If you look around you may catch a glimpseof members of the Flintstones and a couple of cavemen.

We had a unique opportunity today, in light of the theme. We had a visit from R’ Shimon Deutsch of the Living Torah Museum here, in camp! He brought with him several real ancient artifacts from some of his museums, all of which we were able to hold and/or wear. He is known for his fully hands-on exhibits, which people come from all over the world to study and ‘touch the past.’ He has actual items, including weaponry, eating utensils, clothing, manuscripts, and currency mentioned throughout the Torah and during the times of the fist and second Temples. He brought with him a chain vest and helmet worn by gladiators, a sword and shield, a spear, and more, which we were able to wear and hold. It was a fascinating experience! He explained everything that was on display and we even got a free book of his to take home with us!

One afternoon activity was car washing some of the cars in camp. It was a lot of fun playing with the soap; whoever was there got his share of it! Another activity taking place was a hockey game in which everyone was able to play. In addition, the pool and lake were open for swimming,boating, and many other activities and workshops that camp has to offer. Wow, what a week! Well, Shabbos is coming up and there is plenty more in store for us…

Let the Good Times Roll – Bike 4 Chai’s Arrival in Camp Simcha Special

August 1, 2013Leave a Comment

The entire Camp Simcha Special family, along with friends and family of the bikers, waited with great anticipation earlier this afternoon for the arrival of the unbelievable Bike 4 Chai bike-a-thon riders. While gathering near the entrance of camp, we watched and cheered as the bikers ‘rolled’ in at approximately 3:30, as they crossed the ‘Greatest Finish Line in the World,’ completing their journey of 175 miles from Asbury Park, NJ to Camp Simcha in Glen Spey, NY. After two days of intense bike riding and perhaps months of training, the bikers smiled as they crossed the finish line and acknowledged that their efforts ‘paid’ off. While they made their way through the entrance and into camp, upbeat music played as the crowd and the bikers danced and cheered. We all immensely appreciate the work that these people put in, and the funds that the bike-a-thon raised for Chai Lifeline.

After the bikers received their much-deserved greeting in camp, the camp and guests headed to the gym for a special program for everyone to enjoy. First some of the campers ‘rolled’ into the gym, with a fog machine and lighting to add to the scene, to the song ‘Rolling,’ specially modified for today’s event. The camp danced to that beat as well. Then the bikers put on a special performance of ‘Never say Never,’ dancing in the bleachers before the crowd. Dembi thanked the bikers and their sponsors before the crowd, expressing the appreciation of the Camp Simcha and Chai Lifeline family.

After the ceremony in the gym, the guests went to the tent by the tennis courts for a BBQ while the camp went to a Benny Friedman concert in the social hall. Some members of the Rosenblatt Orchestra, including a trumpet player and saxaphone player, were added to the concert. It was awesome! We went wild when he sang his popular ‘Yesh Tikvah’ and everyone enjoyed it very much. Even after an afternoon of dancing for Bike 4 Chai, we still had energy for the concert; Benny helped us out with that!

Following the concert and then supper, we went to night activity in the social hall, which was Simon Says by Steve Max. It looks easy, but it’s not when you’re trying to keep up with him! He talks so fast that almost everyone gets out, but one person got a t-shirt for lasting the longest without getting out.

What a day,here in Camp Simcha Special! We had so much fun here in camp, but there’s only a few days left! Well, there are always plenty of surprises in store…

The Roaring 20’s…

July 31, 2013Leave a Comment

Wow, there were so many unique activities today that I don’t even know where to begin!

Today’s theme involves many different kinds of characters and settings. There’s the American-style 20’s, of the silent-film production, early automobiles, and phonographs, and then there’s the old European villiage/shtetl setting of the close-knit, isolated communities

The Magician making Yaakov Singer, counselor, float in mid-air before Camp Simcha Special

The Magician making Yaakov Singer, counselor, float in mid-air before Camp Simcha Special[/caption]

. In our camp we went back in time (like all the other days of ‘Simcha Time’) to experience it all. The dining room’s props featured old wooden crates, a phonograph, old video camera cutouts, and ‘bootlegger’ and ‘speakeasy’ signs attached to the stage. The time machine in the dining room took us back to the streets of NYC of the 20’s and Charlie Chaplain, and lots of people were wearing hats and other attire. A lunchtime performance by some of the campers, acting out some songs by “Fiddler on the Roof” brought us yet deeper into the setting.

One special activity today was ‘Silent Film Production,’ which is when those by the activity act out a video, which is then converted to black-and-white and has old-time music added to it. Another activity was ‘Dek the Bek,’ which is when those by the activity get to decorate a bekishe, or hasidik garb, to their own taste. It was done using glitter paint and small tiles and stuff.

Another unique activity in the schedule for today was ‘Campfire and Corn Peddling at fire pit with Nature Boy.’ This is when the entire division sits around a bonfire, roasting corn (after removing the husk from fresh corn), marshmallows, or s’mores. YUM!!! …and a rather natural experience.

The waiters of Camp Simcha Special performed a one-of-a-kind dance for the camp, while using the power of illusion, beating the eye into thinking that every two dancers were really one. Hands became feet and their bodies were blocked by sheets.

Speaking of illusion, the night activity following supper was a…MAGICIAN! He performed stunning acts for the camp, including making birds appear and disappear, making someone rise in mid-air, and “accidentally” loosing a raccoon. Several campers volunteered in some of the acts and the entire camp enjoyed the show.

Whoa, that was a ton for one day! Everyone is looking forward for the Bike 4 Chai riders’ arrival tomorrow into camp, as we are the ‘greatest finish line in the world,’ as they put it. To arrive in the greatest camp in the world to catch a glimpse of what they’d worked for pushes them all the way through, and we all appreciate very much what they are doing for us. Day 2, the final day, is yet to begin, and we are just as excited as they are to greet each other. Good luck!

Greco – Roman Day, Color War! and more…

July 30, 2013Leave a Comment

Oh, man! From one activity to another the camp was on a roll today… Firstly, competitive learning groups in the morning gave the campers the unique opportunity to earn points for their teams. Several activities throughout the day also involved competitions between the two teams, including races in the lake, pool, and gym. Several team times throughout Color War gave the teams time to learn their theme songs and Alma Maters. The theme was sung during lunch in the dining room and–oh, did I mention those props and decorations? They were fantastic! Many staff members helped out last night decorating the dining room with streamers, banners, posters, and signs for the team colors and themes. For the theme of the day a huge palace of ancient Greek/Roman architecture was constructed around the stage, fully equipped with doors, columns, drapes, and more. Some people ran around with ancient Greek costumes, while others adorned their team colors.

COLOR RUN!

Following some more team-competitive activities, a highlight event in camp took place. The famous ‘color run’ is when campers and staff members alike run through a tent and spray each other with washable, powdery colors, while wearing bathing suits and white t-shirts. It was a lot of fun playing with those colors, especially since it was Color War!

Following supper, the camp had the privilege of a visit of the great Rabbi, HoRav Matisyahu Salomon, shlita, who came to share some inspiring words of wisdom and encouragement. We all had a chance, whoever wanted to, to shake his hand afterwards and receive precious berachos (blessings) from him.

The Grand Color War Finale took place afterwards, when the two teams acted out their comedy skits, and then sang their meningful Alma Maters. With the combination of music and lighting in the background, the camp waited in sunpense to hear the winning team, but Dembi of course just wouldn’t say it right away. But finally he announced it after repeatedly stopping right before saying the team, “The winning team is GREEN!!!!” However the points were truly close and a tie was imminent, which only shows how hard everyone worked to win. It was an awesome Color War!

Oh, my, it took some time just to type this blog, but there’s STILL MORE!!!!!!!!

A special late-night activity took place under a tent out on the baseball fields. It was a..pajama party!! A bunch of mattresses and blankets were lined up, and after changing into pj’s, all the campers had a chance to go the tent, with popcorn and nosh from the canteen, and watch a movie on the ceiling, while laying on the mattresses. It was really cool! Most of the campers went back to the bunks to go to sleep afterwards, because it was a little too cold to sleep out.

Speaking of sleep….theres a whole ‘nother day ahead of us tomorrow to rest up for!!

Planet of the Apes Day/Color War, Part II

July 29, 2013Leave a Comment

And off we are with Color War! Props are being built, streamers hung, and signs posted in the dining room. “Green and blue” are all over camp, as the camp is now in Color War mode.

To kick it off, there was a ‘sneakerless’ basketball game in the gym, of members of the two teams versus each other. It was amusing to see players running around in their socks and trying to score points for their teams. Some of the players were wheelchair-bound campers who joined the game, scoring points for the game, which Blue Team eventually won.

The theme of the day still being Planet of the Apes, Dembi hosted a banana-eating competition during supper. Two sets of two competitors, one from each team were called up to compete. The one to down 10 bananas first won. Okay, that is not something I would try at home…and it isn’t easy,either!

The night activity was a show in the gym: the Chicago SkyBoyz, an acrobatic trampoline-jumping team. They had a few trampolines and a huge cushion on the floor, to allow for really high, multiple-flip jumps. Many of the acts involved ecstatic campers standing on or next to the acrobats and having them jump over them. One such jump, over seven people (some in wheelchairs) in a row, came really close to the one standing in the end, but everyone was just fine and enjoyed the show very much.

Teams meetings took place a little later and further preparations are taking place now. Songs are being composed, scripts are being written, and excitement building up for the big day ahead tomorrow, the official day of Color War 2013.

Planet of the Apes Day/ Color War Breakout

July 29, 2013Leave a Comment

Dembi wasn’t seen much last night or this morning around camp since he wasn’t feeling well. –or so he claimed. Today’s theme is ‘Planet of the Apes,’ and based on the theme the props team constructed a makeshift forest around the stage in the dining room. Plenty of people were ‘monkeying’ around today and one suspicious gorilla didn’t attract too much attention. During lunch today when the gorillas were dancing on the stage, one unmasked itself, which turned out to Dembi! As he did so, he yelled, “COLOR WAR!” and Color War became officially unleashed in Camp Simcha Special 2013. He repeatedly told camp that there will be no Color War this year, but he always has something up his sleeve!

Following the breakout, the teams and captains were announced. The two teams are ‘Blue’ – Tzahala, and ‘Green’ – Rina. We are awaiting a staff basketball game in the gym sometime today, including a special halftime show. I’ll keep you posted on the special events…

Native/Colonial American Day Part II

July 29, 2013Leave a Comment

Continuing our journey today, we had the privilege to attend a live concert in the Social Hall, featuring not one, but TWO singers! Shloime Gertner and Shloime Dachs both came all the way to entertain Camp Simcha. We were on a high as we all became involved in the concert and the energy penetrated the air.

A short while later we had a unique show: Freestyle Repertory Theatre. It involves two teams of actors/actresses which compete in skits acted on-the-spot. The show starred professional actors/actresses, but some of the campers were called up to participate in the acting. The camp votes for the best skits and some of them are timed, aside from being acted without any practice.

Due to the weather, night swimming wasn’t a very practical option for late-night activity, so Despicable Me 2 was played in the Social Hall for anyone interested in watching it.

That was a very busy day, even in the rain! Looking forward to tomorrow…

Native American/Colonial Times

July 28, 2013Leave a Comment

This morning, it felt like we walked through a time machine! Oh, wait. There actually is a time machine in our dining room! Firstly, the stage is decorated with heavy shipping ropes, nets, and broken barrels. It looks like it just got pulled out of an old shipwreck. Next, there is an actual teepee in middle of the floor which we are able to climb into and out of. Tons of campers and staff members are running around with bongos and feathery Indian Chief hats like a bunch of American Indians. It felt like we went back five hundred years. Some people wore colonial American costumes with all the works: toupe`, hat, outfit, etc.

A highlight of the props is a huge time machine sitting in middle of the dining room floor. Now, don’t get me wrong, it will actually send you back in time!! Try it as you may, its exterior is built with wooden boards to mock iron sheets bolted together and has pipes and tubes coming out from all over. Upon walking inside, you will be astonished to find yourself sitting in middle of a man-to-man combat war in middle of the 1600’s!! It’s dark inside with light coming from only a green web-light and blue tree light. It is equipped with a large mixing board with working buttons, a sound system, and most of all, a screen playing native/colonial American scenes. An additional, much larger screen is atop the craft playing the same scenes for everyone else to see. The entire craft was built right here in camp, and everyone appreciates the hard work which went into building it.

The camp is now in the Social Hall for some theme activities and awaiting a surprise. I’ll definitely keep you posted on what it is…

Biblical Times – Friday, Day Two of Camp Simcha Special

July 26, 2013Leave a Comment

Following one action-packed day came another…

The day began with the much anticipated helicopter rides over Camp Simcha. The excited campers got a chance to hop into a helicopter just outside of camp and go for an exhilarating ride over the campus. They said it was WAY COOL looking down at the camp from so high up. Everything looks so small! It was a bit scary, though, when the pilot made some sharp turns in mid-air, but it was a lot of fun.

To add a touch to the theme of the day, Biblical Times, Camp Simcha brought in ‘Noah’s Ark,’ a mobile ark from which a pony and sheep emerged and everyone got a chance to check it out. Additionally there was a rabbit, snake, monkey, and fish! There were also some fun games and hands-on displays and exhibits which we had a chance to experience.

The dining room featured some exciting displays, too, in relation to the theme of the day. There was a well, Egyptian pyramid, Pharaoh, wagon, and more.

Throughout the afternoon we got a chance to participate in some of the many fun workshops and activities camp has to offer at all times, and go for a swim or boat ride.

Wow, that was another fun day here in camp. There’s so much more to come…

Hippie 60’s – Thursday, First Full Day of Camp Simcha Special

July 25, 20131 Comment

The least I can say right now is…WOW! The amount of activities packed into today is enough to fill an entire week!

Peace, Dude! Today was a rather colorful one (when is it not?!) – colorful T-shirts, bandanas, tie-dyed outfits, etc. to match the theme of the day. Following the morning activities and a pumping lunch, the camp was treated to the first special surprise today: a fleet of fancy luxury sports cars, including a Ferrari, Lamborghini, Bentley, Mercedes, two Audis, and an Infinity, some of which are convertibles. The campers had the privilege to get a chance to go for a spin in them around camp. Those mighty engines made the cars sound like race cars…or perhaps they are…

Following the cars the camp was led into the Social Hall for yet another surprise: half of the Twins from France (as Dembi put it). Being that his twin is away, the remaining twin put on an equally as exciting show. The twin captivated the audience as he rolled around the room on unicycles (including a 7 ft. one!), dodging the front rows by mere inches! He jumped over some campers laying on the floor while he was riding to make it even more scary. He even had some brave campers on his shoulders while he was riding around. Too bad riding atop the table didn’t work, as it buckled beneath him in the beginning of the act, but that only added more excitement to the show. He also rode a bike upside down, and juggled fire and razor-sharp knives. He then proceeded to swallow a knife and blow fire out of his mouth. Camp Simcha Special proved to him that we can indeed blow out the flaming torches, which he challenged us to blowing out.

If you think that was enough for one day, it was actually far from over. For night activity we were led back into the Social Hall for ‘Simcha Stock,’ which turned out to be a live Yehuda Green concert, for good ol’ times’ sake, and to ‘throw-it-down’ on the dance floor. While the camp enjoyed the music and dancing some campers and staff members organized a protest in response to Dembi’s “No Color War” announcement. Signs went up after the concert declaring that camp cannot happen without a Color War. Well, we’ll see about that…

Outside the Social Hall there was a tie-dye station in connection with the theme of the day–Hippie 60’s. Whoever participated was able to take a bandana and tie it several times while twisting it around, and then spray some colorful paint on it at the end of the table in order to transform a simple bandana (or shirt) into a bright, colorful one.

The day is STILL not over!! A short while later, following marriv, the older divisions along with the staff joined in the annual simcha of a siyum hashas in honor of the seudas hodaah (celebration of thanks) for the miracle that occurred 12 years ago in camp when a fire burned down the main building and miraculously everyone (and everything else) was safe throughout camp. The camp has rebuilt even stronger since and the siyum was made by R’ Yitzy Muller in honor of the miracle.

Whoa! That was a ton for one day of camp! Well, stay tuned for even more on the way, along with plenty of surprises…