ParentSpace Blog

Down in the workshop room campers are busy creating bags, purses, wallets, flip-flops and even suspenders all completely out of duct tape! There are many different rolls of tape in different colors and patterns. Girls have fun cutting strips of tape and sticking them together to form these fun, unique and durable creations. Maddie’s bag has purple and white stripes on the outside and hot pink and turquoise stripes on the inside with a zebra pattern strap. Michelle is making purple suspenders and Reagan is designing her piece to look like the American flag. Everyone is doing a remarkable job.

Campers are in the fields and very busy attempting to wash the staff cars. There are sponges, shaving cream and lots of water. Hoses are spraying everywhere and everyone is dripping with water. There are girls busy having shaving cream wars and buckets of water are being dumped on counselors heads. Nobody is leaving this activity dry!

Everyone is running to the social hall to hear the amazing Shloime Dachs live in concert! The excitement is tangible. Music is blaring and everyone is dancing and cheering.  Dana has an entire circle of people copying her surfer style dance moves while other campers and staff start a conga line. Then, the music slows and girls are sitting on the floor  in a giant circle, singing along to the music. When Shloime begins to sing waving flags everyone is back on their feet and singing along. Shloime sang Elisheva’s favorite song and many people sang along. Everyone had fun singing and dancing along to the live music. Thank you Shloime Dachs!

A new activity has arrived to Camp Simcha and everyone is excited to give it a try. First, campers are taught how to stand in a fencing pose.  Then, the instructor demonstrates how to advance, retreat and lunge. Campers practice these techniques in a game of Simon Says that has everyone laughing. At last, it is time to gear up. Campers are given vests, helmets, gloves and fencing swords. They are paired up and the game begins!  The goal of the game is to be the first person to receive five points. Points are awarded to the player whose fencing sword touches their opponent. Counselors cheer for their campers as the game continues. The room suddenly transforms into a blur of lunging, advancing, retreating and smiles.

Night activity tonight was the amazing Two Show! Mark and Jason preformed a spectacular juggling act. The brothers juggled balls, clubs, knives and even fire. The room went dark and light up ropes in many different colors were waving, twisting and spinning creating a spectacular sight. Then one of the brothers twisted himself to fit through a tennis racket! Campers and Staff alike were cheering for the amazing duo.

Campers are heading to the social hall to meet Two Show – a juggling group. Everyone is excited because today Two Show is teaching Camp Simcha to juggle! First they share their secrets then… its practice time! First one ball then two some even attempt to juggle three! Bracha laughs as her counselor threw her balls into the air and watched them all fall to the floor. Everyone cheers as Molly successfully throws and catches her ball. Everyone is learning just how hard it is to juggle. We can not wait to watch them preform tonight!

Excitement fills the air as the Camp Simcha Parade makes its way around camp. Music is playing as floats with people in hard hat costumes pass by. There is a lion, giraffe, monkey, frog, dog, and elephant. Following the floats are clowns blowing bubbles and dancing with streamers. Amongst the train of performers are a juggler, unicyclist, and a stilt walker handing out balloons. As the parade makes its way through camp more and more campers come to join in the excitement. Sharon is dancing beautifully with a red streamer and Chaya Suri is waving from the floats. As the parade comes to a stop the dancing continues. But, eventually, it is time to head to the next activity where the excitement will only continue!

A new session has just begun and already the pottery room is buzzing with activity! Campers are hard at work creating plates, bowls, mugs, keychains and even door signs. Everyone is busy sponging and smoothing out their clay. Maytal is making a plate in the shape of an icecream cone while other girls are working at the wheel. Already campers are excited to return and paint their pieces.

What’s that noise in Glen Spey? It’s the golden girls of Camp Simcha 2011! From early morning until sunset, the staff of Camp Simcha greeted our campers, performed in a three-ring circus, and spread the simcha of Camp Simcha!

Our three-ring circus featured clowns, hula hoopers and other colorful dancers who performed for each group of campers as they arrived to camp. Among our crowd of staff that greeted the campers, we had an abundance of colorful clowns, funny furry animals and even Mr. Potato Head!

As the day went along, we even got to cool off in the rain! Not even a little water and clouds could smother the incredible spirits and cheer of the staff and campers!

After dinner, we made our way to the Social Hall and saw a fabulous show: They Sky Riders! Using a huge trampoline, two high jumpers flipped and spun high in the air thrilling our campers with their act.

As the show ended, the Israeli division arrived! More dancing and cheering went on as the sky darkened.

Camp Simcha is thrilled to welcome the Chumee-Chums, Zlata’s Zlatees, Sarah’s Sparklers and the Rockers (Israeli division) for an incredible session!
Don’t forget to check back here for daily updates about all the happenings in camp!