New York State of Mind

Hello Campus Kids Friends,

One of the best parts of working for camp is we get to think about camp everyday. So while many of you are in school or at work, we are in the camp office working on programs for next summer. Another fun part of the job is giving tours to new families. So here is another opportunity to walk on the grounds of camp and dream about the summer. Minisink is amazingly beautiful during the fall season. The colors have already started to change around the lake. Following the trail from behind the blob towards the aqua zip and up past Wolfjaw is a great hike. Of course, you can continue up that trail all the way to High Point State Park. That would be some walk to take a prospective family. We always show our new campers the beautiful view from lookout point. That view into the dairy and farming region of New York is awe inspiring. Don't forgot that our camp reunion is in December and it will be a great time to relive the summer of 2010 and get fired up for 2011. Invitations for the reunion will be mailed out in November.

In October we have a few big projects that we will be starting. Our new CIT program was a huge success. We will be working on information, and applications for those who are eligible to apply for 2011. We know there is a great group of people that are interested and hopefully Mark will be able to return to oversee the program again. We will also be working on the first step of organizing the staff for 2011. We need to establish our staff charts and numbers for the new season. We will also be working on putting together our Weekend Adventure Trips. The excursions in 2010 went so well. One of the highlights was the day at Six Flags in New Jersey. The weather was very overcast that day and it kept the crowds away. So everyone was able to ride their favorite coasters as many times as they wanted. We can now claim to have tackled the tallest and fastest coaster in the world. (Just to go on record we were not scared before going on the ride---the scared look in our eyes was just an act) So please let us know if you have any thoughts about WEA 2011. We were thinking of planning a bang out trip to Boston. We will keep you updated.

Speaking of Boston, we would be rude not to mention that the baseball playoffs will be starting next week. It should be vary intense matches for all the teams. The baseball playoffs usually showcases better pitching and each inning carries so much pressure. Unfortunately the Red Sox and the Mets did not make the playoffs this year. (When is the last time the Mets made the playoffs?) So the Yankees will be the only local team to represent our area. Hopefully Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera can find the magic and bring home championship number 28. It should be fun!

Well it is time to stop day dreaming and get back to work. Enjoy all the nice weather we are having even the few days of rain. Have a great week and we will visit more next time.

Adios,

Brad and Tricia

Summer days drifting away

Today is the last official day of summer. At least it is still warm enough to wear shorts. There has always been a simple rule in our camp office. (Ok--it is not really a rule but something we just stated out loud) The rule is that shorts have to be worn until summer ends. That does mean some chilly September nights of shorts and a sweat shirt, but rules are made to be followed. Now it is time to dig out some warmer clothing and maybe the ugly long-johns that your grandparents sent you for Christmas. (I like the ones with the footies) Of course if you need to warm your insides, just think back to all of our great memories from camp. It is hard to imagine that camp ended four weeks ago. It feels like we were just at Minisink enjoying the outdoors. If you close your eyes can you picture some of our great camp adventures? Can you see intense games of Ga-ga and Newcomb? Can you remember Simon teaching Fencing or the Lady Gaga shuffle? Are you getting excited because Luke just hooked you up on the ropes course and your next journey is 25 feet off the ground? Are you heading towards the arts complex to work with Tom and his crew on some creative project? How about some canoeing action or taking a spin on a sailboat? Maybe you need to get your heart pumping with a game of basketball, soccer, tennis, golf, or softball? So as the weather turns cooler, just take your mind's eye back to those warm fun filled moments.

So the title of this blog comes from a song from the musical Grease. We are guessing the music influence came from watching "Glee" last night. Do you watch it? Of course you do--even if you don't want to admit it. The show is really well done and has such an interesting cast of characters. Have you seen those recent facebook surveys where you can figure out which Glee cast member you are most similar to. Tricia was Quinn, Kathryn was Rachel, Brad was Finn, Jani was Tina. Of course this survey was not done during normal business hours. Anyway, do you think we should offer more Glee type activities at camp? We have so many talented campers and staff that love to sing. I am sure that Emily, LaToya, and Cory could create something fabulous! (have you ever heard Cory sing Les Mis?)

Speaking of TV, do you watch the show Modern Family? It was new last season and it was amazing. Check it out if you get a chance. It is on Wednesday night at 9:00 PM on ABC. (We do not receive any money for recommending this show--we just really love it) Well blog fans, time to get back to some real work. It was nice touching base with you and we will see you next week.

Happy camp memories to all and welcome to the fall season.

Brad and Tricia

Back to the Future

Happy Monday! We are back full time to the camp office as most of you are back to school and work. So back to the desk and thus begins the planning for the future, CKM 2011. We will rock it. (Sorry for that reference but we watched the VMA last night--just a thought, but what was Lady Gaga wearing? Do you think that Lady Gaga likes to play Ga-ga? Let's get her to camp to try it. Plus she needs to meet Simon!)

So the preparation for next summer is in full swing. This Sunday will be our first fall tour day. We love showing new families around camp. Once the fall fully arrives the colors on the trees are absolutely amazing. The lake is still warm enough for a few more zips down the aqua zip line. Maybe Luke can fly back from the UK to set it up for us. (He won't mind)

So the next few weeks are busy ones in the CK office. Although it feels like we just ended camp yesterday, it is time to start thinking about dance themes, bunk group names, special events, and new crazy events for the apache relay. During the year we will send you some fun surveys to get your input. We love hearing your feedback so don't be shy.

This past weekend we met someone who was not familiar with the concept of summer camp. We spent an hour sharing stories from the summer. It felt great to relive so many amazing memories. We directed this person to our website to see some of the zany photos from 2010. I know that pictures and words will not capture all the magic of camp, but we think he will get the idea. Speaking of photos, if you have any camp pictures that you want to share---please send them along. We love adding camper and staff pictures to the CK site.

So we are all back to school and back to work. Baseball season is winding down as the Yankees head towards the playoffs again. (Sorry Mets and Red Sox fans) Football season has just started and the Giants and the Patriots had good week one wins. Hopefully, the Jets will win their game on Monday night. (I wonder if any of our campers and staff will be there)

So have a great week and we will chat with you soon.

Brad and Tricia

PS. If you have not seen the movie "Back to the Future", you have to put that on your must see list. Download it today or move it up on your netflix priority list. It was made more than 25 years ago and the Flux Capacator still works!