Camp Simcha & Camp Simcha Special
Simcha Magic: Feel It In The Air!
Looks like the Genie is on a roll today… After a busy day filled with helicopter rides, a spin on the motorcycle, and packing (sadly), we were treated to refreshing ice cream from an ice cream truck. Chocolate, vanilla, strawberry… campers could order whatever they wished.
We can no longer deny the inescapable truth – Camp Simcha Special 2014 is coming to a close… But instead of getting down about it, we are doing everything possible (and impossible) to make certain this is the greatest and most memorable day ever, and so far today’s proving to be utterly magical… We are spending the day with Aladdin and Jasmine today in their majestic palace. Honestly, a palace is set up in the Dining Hall – 4 walls, a golden throne, flowing curtains – there is a legit palace standing in the center of the Dining Hall. There is even a suspended magic carpet in the center that campers were able to sit on. The sun is shining, campers and staff are dressed as queens and princesses – Middle Eastern style. Talk about the ultimate photo op…
But there were even more amazing magic carpets to ride. From everywhere in camp you could hear the whirring, and we all took a double take – was that a helicopter?? Yes. Yes, we have a helicopter in camp. Campers are able to go up in a helicopter where they can get a birds-eye view of the entire camp. As if helicopter rides (helicopter rides!!) wasn’t enough, there are loud revving noises coming from the entrance of camp where motorcycles (motorcycles!!) are giving campers an exciting ride.
Even lunch was amazing, complete with pizza rolls and a dance party, rocking out to our in-house band Faux Real (Check them out here). We also cheered for our graduating campers. There were tearful goodbyes as each graduating camper was called up for an award pointing out their individual qualities which made their presence in camp so special. We’ll definitely miss them next year. But 2014 isn’t over yet!! Stay tuned to this space to find out more about what’s happening on this super exciting day of camp!
On Friday night counselors and campers came to the meal wearing gowns that they got from CSS’s impressive costume collection. It was a little chilly that night, so the steaming chicken soup tasted even more delicious. Two campers said a few inspirational words that they had prepared. After the tasty meal everyone put their arms around each other and sang. On Shabbat day campers performed a wonderful skit. Later campers played bingo, and winners received great prizes. Campers could choose to go to the library and listen to a hysterical story teller read books while another staff member acted the plots out. Campers got involved and started acting out the stories too. At 5:30 Rivky Plaut, a riveting speaker, told her uplifting story. After dinner a sundae buffet was set up. Campers piled cookie crumbs, chocolate chips and marshmallows on the sweet scoops. A choir made up of talented CSS campers sung beautiful melodies on the dining room deck as the sun set behind them. On Shabbat night the music was turned way up, the disco lights went on and the wild dancing began. The CSS session is nearing its end, but the unity felt as everyone sang together this past Shabbat will last forever.
Broadway came to Simcha’s dining room… waitresses performed a Marry Poppins themed dance in Matti M.’s honor during lunch time. Campers constructed and decorated their very own kites as ‘Let’s Go Fly a Kite’ played over the loud speaker. Then the English guests (dressed in red, white and blue) enjoyed some scrumptious birthday cake. With the sweet taste of icing in their mouths (after all, we all know how important a spoonful of sugar is), campers made cuddly teddy bears. They stuffed and sewed them up before dressing them in pretty pink shirts and adorable polka-dot ribbons.
‘Ello, top of the morning to all, welcome to a universe where nannies are practically perfect, penguins wear formal wear, and umbrellas are an acceptable mode of transportation. The rainy weather is only fitting as today we’re in London with Marry Poppins herself. (Plus, our umbrellas are being put to excellent use.) When we arrived at the Dining Hall it was as if we stepped through a painting, to be transported a London rooftop. There are (rather dirty) chimney sweeps and tuxedo-wearing penguins dancing up a storm.
Amidst black getups of the chimney sweeps, there is a fair share of red, white, and blue scattered among campers and staffs costumes. The fact that we are in London today is in no way diminishing the celebrations planned for Independence day. At breakfast we all said the Pledge of Allegiance and sang the national anthem – and the celebrations will continue throughout the day.
There are awesome activities planned, including fencing, arts & crafts, ductigami… Campers also will have an option to have extra time in pottery so they could finish projects. There will also be the famous Simcha Spa open for business later. Today is also extra special as we are all so excited to celebrate Matti’s Bat Mitzva!! More on that later…
There’s no place like Camp Simcha Special (stage cue: tap heels together here). After hours of practice, campers of the older divisions performed the old-time favorite, ‘The Wizard of Oz’. A professional makeup artist did the actors makeup, stunning scenery was hung up for the occasion, and a lighting crew sat ready to execute some really cool effects. Naomi who played Dorothy and all the other talented stars dazzled on stage. The actor’s solos were infused with passion and beauty. After a few verses the audience couldn’t help but clap and sing along. Friendships were formed and life lessons were learned as the plot unfolded before the eyes of the spellbound audience. When the last line was uttered everyone erupted in cheers. The actors’ faces shined.
Ring Ring… that’s the bell. Time to find your seat in Ms. Frizzle’s classroom although rest assured you will not be sitting for long. First on the agenda: Maker Space. Campers created a circuit using wire, a lightbulb, and a small battery. Then they learned how movies are made, and even created their very own moving picture. Did you know that movies are called by that name because they are moving pictures? A man explained how robots work, and then each camper got a turn to control the robot. Ms. Frizzle was proud of her junior engineers.
Ring Ring… that’s the bell again. Time for home economics. The diligent pupils made scrumptious Swiss mocha muffins. They gobbled up the warm pastries with gusto.
At supper campers got to choose four school supplies from a wide selection which included colorful post-its, highlighters, note pads and crayons.
Arnold, no… this is NOT a normal field trip, because the Magic School Bus has arrived at the extraordinary Camp Simcha Special! And Mrs. Frizzle and her class, consisting of the wonderful campers and staff of CSS, are all here to stay for the day. Pigtails, knee socks, and plaid pleated skirts are all the rage, and there are a handful of graduates and teachers among the mix as well. Mrs. Frizzle conducted class in the Dining Hall with so much awesome zaniness that campers are attending classes in the summer!
While we are in school (the greatest one of all time) we may as well learn a thing or two. The wonderful people of Maker Space have come to Camp Simcha, and they are teaching us all about robotics. They explained to campers the basics of how circuits work, and we were able to watch an adorable robot amble around on a track.
Everything seemed ordinary at lunch – spectacular food (as per usual), laughter and chatter, rocking music, waitresses lunch ladies wearing aprons and hair nets dishing out lunch when… FLASH MOB!! Our waitresses surprised us all with an choreographed dance. As if we weren’t surprised already, the cleaning staff joined in as well! Eventually we all joined in, whether we knew the dance or not… and had an amazing dance party.
As our Dining Hall is currently a jungle, we have also stumbled upon a monkey we know and love: Curious George! The Man in the Yellow Hat is here as well, and he treated us all with ice cream sundaes and banana splits after a delicious lunch.
The imaginative adventures of Camp Simcha Special only continue to amaze the campers and staff of Camp Simcha Special. Especially today, when we entered Max’s dream world from Where the Wild Things Are. As we made our way through the green forest that was the Dining Hall, we also dodged furry monsters at every turn. Campers had a lot of fun dressing as the furry monsters.
In the 1st and 2nd activity, campers are continuing their projects (or starting new ones) in the different workshops. Elsewhere in camp, the talent show continues! We are consistently impressed at the talent inthe camp. The cheering for each individual camper can be heard as you approach the Social Hall.
As if today isn’t exciting enough, (and honestly, we are still so energized from last night’s Lipa Schmeltzer concert!!) later Camp Simcha Special will be welcoming the Tour de Simcha cyclists! Campers are busy between activities rehearsing the songs and dances that will be performed for the cyclists when they arrive.
