ParentSpace Blog

The last night of camp is here and to honor the evening a special banquet has been prepared. There are different foods from sesame chicken to carving stations.  At every campers seat there is a cookie with her face on it. After everyone finishes eating their is a raffle. Amongst the many prizes is a rib-stick, ipod speakers and an ipod shuffle. Then, the division heads hand out awards to each camper; one for completing the summer and another for participating in setting a world record.

After everyone receives an award, it is time to head to the Social Hall. Everyone takes their seats as Rivky Schwartz comes on stage. It is time to thank all of the people who make Camp Simcha possible. To the lifeguards, waitresses, mothers helpers, specialty staff and medical staff every single one of them put their all into camp and we are eternally grreatful. Then, special shout outs were made to Aviva Honikman, Tzippy Chait, Rivkah Kravitz, Bency Brown, Rabbi K, Rabbi and Rebbatzin Feiner, Rabbi Scholar, and last but certainly not least Rivky Schwartz. Every single one of them has put their heart and soul into making sure Camp Simcha is the best it can be. Thank you to each and every one of them!

Then, Shaindy Lowenthal and Ronit sing a song all about camp and the division heads sing a song of their own. The projector screen rolls down and everyone cheers as the video begins. Campers and staff alike enjoy reliving their favorite camp memories. Everyone is excited to recieve a copy of the video!

As soon as the video ends everyone rushes to the field to get front row seats for the slide show and fireworks! There is a projector set up and pictures from all of camp are playing across the screen. As the slide show comes to an end fireworks shoot into the air. Sparks whiz, flash and crackle as they light up the sky. As the grand finale a series of fireworks are shot into the sky and the Camp Simcha Emblem is projected into the smoke. Everyone is given glow sticks and is singing and waving them around. Rivky bends her gold stick into the shape of the awareness ribbon and everyone joins in waving their “ribbons” to the music. Then as the music picked up the pace the last dance session of Camp Simcha 2011 took place. For the last time this summer everyone shouted in unison “We are golden!”

Five…four…three…two…one! Avraham Fried is on the Camp Simcha stage and preforming live! The music is pumping and the floor is shaking from all of the dancing.  Everyone is having fun jumping and singing along. Dana’s counselor is on someones shoulders so Dana goes up to join her. Girls start the fly while others make a large circle. Noam stands on stage and sings her favorite song with Avraham Fried as everyone is laughing and dancing along. Thank you Avraham Fried for an amazing concert!

Campers speed through the grounds on full sized motorcycles. There are standard bikes, bikes with three wheels and bikes with side cars.  There are people handing out helmets to all the campers waiting in line. Everyone is excited to ride the motorcycles. Anna zooms around on a three wheeler while Sharon waits for her turn to ride. Noam dismounts saying “it was so much fun!” Camp Simcha loves riding motorcycles!

Wands are waving and cloaks are flowing as everyone heads towards the dining hall for breakfast. As campers walk into the building they step into the wizarding world. There is Honeyduke’s Sweet Shop, Eyelop’s Owl Emporium, Zonko’s Joke Shop, The Hog’s Head,  Platform 9 and 3/4, and the Great Hall of Hogwarts. When campers finish eating they all sit in front of a stool with a shaggy hat propped on top. Dumbledore arrives and begins to sort campers into houses. Reagan is the first to be summoned to place the sorting hat on her head. “Gryffindor!” the hat exclaims, to a roar of cheering from the crowd. Among the many to be sorted is Tom Marvolo Riddle (aka Anna K.). A chant of “Slytherin, Slytherin,” begins until the sorting hat is forced to comply. “Slytherin!” the hat shouts and Anna bursts into an excited grin. Once everyone has been sorted it is time to head to the first activity of the day.

Hammers pound, volcanoes explode, and bubbles fly at the Camp Simcha science fair. There are many different booths all around the gym. Campers are busy excavating for dinosaur bones, constructing exploding volcanoes, making slime and goop, shooting bubbles out of a bubble gun and even making icecream in an ice cream maker shaped like a ball. Zoey is having fun playing kickball with the ice cream maker as Rochel Leah drops mentos into Pepsi causing it to explode. Judges walk around handing out ribbons to the winners.

Today, every camper has the chance to soar.  Everyone gathers in the dining hall to receive an official Camp Simcha helicopter shirt. When it is their turn, campers cross the road to the heliport and board the helicopter. Everyone wears special headsets in order to block out the noise of the helicopter. The door is closed and they take off! The helicopter flies in a circle around camp. Campers have fun looking out the window to see all the little people running around camp.

Tonight, all of the campers who have recently celebrated or will soon celebrate their Bat Mitzvah were honored with a party and ceremony. In the social hall there was several booths with activities. There was cupcake decorating, jewelry making, sushi making, washing cup decorating and a photo station. A staff member was walking on stilts and handing out balloon animals. Then, everyone was told to take a seat and all of the Bat Mitzvah girls were called on stage. Dana, Arianna, Bekkie, Zoey, Sydney,Tess, Michelle, Dina Sara, Yuval, Gali, Ilanna, Eden, Sophia and Rivka presented a poster that they made together then each said one line of a poem about becoming Bat Mitzvah. Ilanna gave a speech about prayer and then Rebbetzin Feiner spoke about the beauty of everyone coming together from different backgrounds to share in this moment. Then Gali sang a song in both English and Hebrew. Once the ceremony was complete everyone headed to the dining hall were there was a dessert reception waiting. Waitresses were walking around serving hors d’oeuvres. There were tables of different pastries, fruits and candies and a cotton candy machine. After, a few minutes all the campers sat in a giant circle and played a game of pass the present where there was a prize on every layer. Then, a silk acrobat showed some of her tricks then taught campers how to climb up a silk rope. Last, but certainly not least, it was time to cut the cake. All the girls gathered around and Sydney and Dana cut the cake. Mazal Tov to all of the Bat Mitzvah girls!

Official Video:

Campers are lined up and waiting for their turn to enter the room. Inside there are tables filled with all sorts of toys. Campers have fun taking a massive bag and filling it with as much stuff as they can. There are sunglasses, watches ,pillows, towels, nail polish, lip gloss, t-shirts, pajamas, socks, pillow pets, bubbles, slinkys, silly bands, binoculars, camera cases, mp3 players, and digital cameras. Thank you to all the members of the Deal community who make this possible!

It is campers vs. counselors in an intense game of baseball. Each division has their chance to go up against the counselors. The first pitch is thrown and the game begins! The campers are hitting fly balls and home runs while the counselor can not manage to score. There are hot dogs, popcorn, and candy for all the campers. During the second inning stretch a drumming group  performs. The game continues and the counselor still can not manage to score. Congratulations to the campers for winning!