Southwoods. the. Step Right Up, It s Carnival Time. In This Issue: Issue 111 Summer 2012 July 14, 2012

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1 Southwoods the Way Issue 111 Summer 2012 July 14, 2012 Step Right Up, It s Carnival Time The smell of pizza, cotton candy, and hot dogs overwhelmed our senses last Thursday as we held our final Special Event of the session: Carnival! Widely regarded as one of the all-time best camp traditions, Carnival is the time to grab some friends, hit the bunkline, and play some games! The bunkline transforms throughout the day from our normal living quarters to a colorful, balloon-and-flag-filled path. Throughout the day, we are busy making signs, decorating the bunkline with chalk advertisements to come to our booths, and planning our games and prizes. Each cabin is responsible for planning and running their own booth. Then, in shifts, campers take turns managing their booth and playing games at other cabins. All the while, Head Staff is roaming around in costume and giving out delicious dinner and snacks. Among the most popular events at Carnival is the Dunk Tank, which the Seniors run. Head Staff take turns plummeting in the water as campers test their luck and aim for the target that will release them in the water. To close the night, the Seniors head to the backyard and sing some karaoke. The cotton candy machine has been turned off, the popcorn has been eaten, and the games have been played, but we ll always have our memories of Carnival to last us til next year! In This Issue: - Tribal Track - STaff of the Week - A Letter from Andrea & Scott - Lower Camp Play Review - Camper Contributions - Campfire Conclusion - This Week in Photos

2 Page 2 Sneakers & Laps at Tribal Track On Sunday, the tribes faced off in their second tribal day, Tribal Track! Mohawk, Iroquois and Navajo came ready to play in this classic Track and Field competition. We had scooter races, wheelbarrow races, sack races, and three legged races; there were softball and frisbee competitions, as well as traditional individual and relay track events. The day culminated in one of Southwoods most beloved events, the Great Sneaker Race! In this race, campers of each tribe take off their shoes and place them in the center of the soccer pitch. Then, mischievous group leaders and head staff mix up the shoes, tie them together while campers and staff from that tribe are turned around. Then, everyone races across the soccer field, finds their shoes, ties them on, and runs across the finish line! The team that takes the least amount of time wins the race. After the track games, each age group competed in individual sports and group games. They took on archery, kickball, volleyball, tennis and many more. When the day was done, the points were added and announced with the scores from Candy Hunt and Silent Dinner. Navajo remains the Tribal leaders, yet Mohawk and Iroquois are still nipping at their heels, with first and last place separated by less than 200 points. With plenty of Tribal left to go, we re in for another close finish heading into our last week of play! Staff Member of the Week: Playing sports is a big part of Southwoods. Our kids love to be active and run around with their friends, and one of our most popular athletic areas is soccer. Ready to provide coaching and skill building, Sierra works everyday to ensure our campers leave with great memories from the soccer field! Full Name: Sierra Kristine Thompson Nickname: Sugar Plum Fairy Hometown: Milton, Vermont Role at Southwoods: Soccer Specialist Years at Southwoods: 1 Favorite Activities at Camp: Skiing and Pines Favorite Events at Camp: The Day of Awesome Hidden Talents: Drawing, Painting, Snowboarding and Skiing

3 SouthwoodsWay The PAGE 3 A LETTER FROM ANDREA & SCOTT It has been another amazing week here at Southwoods. The activities have been fun, the trips have been exciting, the weather has been hot, and Paradox Lake has been cool and refreshing. Who could ask for more? Remember back to our first campfire when we talked about how much fun we were gonna have? Well, this past week you all sure did pay attention, because we saw some of the best camp spirit ever. Fantastic events like the Project Morry Swim-A-Thon, Lower Seniors trip to Burlington, Lower Camp play Anne, Lower Inter trip to Lake Placid, All Camp Carnival, Tribal Track, Upper Senior Karaoke, Rope Burn, Egg Drop, all the great inter-camp games, (soccer, softball, basketball, baseball and roller hockey), Trek trips and over nights (hiking, canoeing, caving and biking) Horseback Riding. How did we even find time to sleep with all this and our regularly scheduled programs? The Adirondack weather sure has been on our side this past week with warm temperatures in the high 80's low 90's. The waterfront has seen record numbers, skiing, sailing, swimming, tubing, and fishing. We have also used 1,800 gallons of gas in our boats so far. (In a car that would be about 50,000 miles) Talking about the waterfront, we want to thank all of our campers and staff for taking part in our 15th annual Project Morry Swim A Thon. Our campers and staff swam over 4,000 laps this session. Way to go, Southwoods! So as we head into the last week, we encourage everyone to take full advantage of all Southwoods has to offer. Be sure to stop and tell your friends how much you appreciate them and enjoy every second because before we know it we will have to wait 11 months to do it again. Love, Andrea & Scott Mission Statement: Southwoods is committed to empowering children. Our Goal is to build confidence and self esteem by reinforcing positive human values. We Achieve that goal through cutting edge programming implemented by a carefully selected and fully trained staff whose investment in children, like our own is unparalleled.

4 Lights, Camera, Action! Page 4 This Wednesday evening, the Southwoods Playhouse transformed from a 2012 camp Rec Hall to a 1930s era New York landscape. Our Lower Camp campers performed an exclusive one-night production of the classic story of Annie, an orphaned girl who finds family and hope in an unexpected place. Their acting, singing, and behind-the-scenes talents couldn t be saved til Tomorrow, as we couldn t WAIT to see what they had in store for us! Our actors, actresses, and stage crew have been preparing for weeks, practicing lines in their cabins, attending rehearsals during electives and Free Play, and singing their songs in the shower houses! Their hard work and effort certainly paid off, as we watched with awe as our youngest campers flawlessly move from scene to scene, song to song, line to line. Our Southwoods Productions are directed by Emily Birnstein, with the musical accompaniment provided by April Moodie, and Martin Castonguay working set design and the audio visual display. Along with our campers, these three staff members, along with countless others who have lent a hand during the session, deserve a huge Southwoods round of applause! We re so proud of everyone who participated! Cast Annie: Aerin Eberts July: Sara Gordon Mrs. Pugh: Sadie Gutterman House Helper: Bailey Ralls Sandy: Blair Solender Kate: Julia Berkman Molly: Rachel Burnett Annette: Izzy Klein House Helper: Christine La Grace: Sydney Ralls Cecile: Sarah Waring Miss Hannigan: Taylor Bazos Mrs. Greer: Laura Cardillo Cast & Crew listed by age group Tessie: Molly Gottesman Duffy: Lily Ives Lily: Kyra McTigue House Helper: Dusia Petrova Pepper: Emma Ralls Announcer: Olivia Strikowsky House Helper: Alex Nelson FDR: Jacob Burnett Mr. Warbucks: Zachary Brooks Bert Healy: Dylan Huff Mr. Bundles & Chauffeur: Gus Morrison Rooster: Will Goldmark Drake: Ethan Gutterman Dogcatcher: Lev Sandler Ward & Howe: Jack Waltz Crew Costume: Hannah Satty & Abbey Silverman Curtain: Paul Pagnozzi Stagehands: Savva Antimoniy, Andy Feinstein, Ben Greenspon, Gabe Sherman, Omri Tarlo

5 Camper Contributions On My Trek Trips By: Molly Gottesman, Lower Inter Girl Skylight Magic By: Olivia Strikowsky Lower Inter Girl Page 5 Reporting T-R-E-K, trek, trek, trek, Trek trips are one of the best things about Southwoods. Trek Trips are where campers have the option to leave camp and do things that they normally would not have the opportunity to do. One of my favorite trek trips was caving. Caving is where you explore an underground cave that would be pitch black without headlamps. As you enter the cave, Trekkie Jarred assures you that everything will be fine. After campers enter the cave, the Trek staff explains how caving is going to work. When you are in the cave there are a lot of tight spaces and you get very dirty. It was so much fun and my friends supported me the whole time, says Kate Kamerman. She went on the trip with me! Caving was so much fun, but it s not the only awesome Trek trip. Another fun Trek trip was mountain biking. When campers go mountain biking, Southwoods provides helmets and bikes. We went on several trails that were lots of fun. My favorite part was probably riding through an abandoned amusement park. It was really cool to see an actual ghost town, it made me feel like I was in a movie. Trek trips are lots of fun and give campers great new opportunities. Skylight: A bunk - a bunk filled with Justin Bieber posters and giggles at midnight. It s loud, fun and, crazy. Our friendships that we have made are amazing! Skylight is a bunk that ten to eleven year olds spend one wonderful month at camp Southwoods in this year We play games together, describes Molly. It is Molly s first year and she always has a smile on her face. You wake up and see a dozen eyes looking at you, Molly comments on all the posters we have up. Girls in Skylight really know how to decorate! On the first day of camp girls bring magazines galore and rip out all the posters to hang up. It s sometimes creepy and sometimes fun! Great memories are made in skylight and basically all around Southwoods. Excellence in camping is definitely not a lie! Fun with Friends By: Taylor Bazos Lower Inter Girl Whether it s laughing, playing, singing, or just being together, it is so much fun to hang around with your camp friends. At camp, your friends are more than just friends, they are like sisters because you spend all your time with each other. You spend time with each other both at activities or in the bunk. You sleep together, you play together, you eat together, and much more. You help each other out and you know you can always count on your camp friends to stick by your side. If you re new at camp, don t worry, you ll make lots of friends in an instant! Last year was my first year and I made friends right away. Friends are great to have, and it is so much fun to hang out with them!

6 Camper Contributions Campfire By: Sarah Waring, Upper Junior Girl Page 6 It s the end of a wonderful week at Southwoods. Tribal s over, and we are all together in front of a crackling fire, enjoying the cool night air. Scott walks up to applause from everyone, kids and counselors alike. Campfire is a time when everyone in camp comes together to watch skits, and sing songs and someone is always hosting campfire. They do the skits, and the other groups can do songs. Campfire always starts the same way, with a speech from Scott reviewing the week and how we can make the next week even better. Then, there s always a funny act by Jordan Frechtman, sometimes impersonating someone, sometimes a specific group of people, almost always using a new accent. Then, the skits and songs are introduced by the host in a funny way. But, the introduction has to match the campfire s theme. For example, if the theme is adventure, the introducers might introduce explorers. Next come the skits and songs. Skits always have to go with the theme. For adventure, it must be an adventurous skit. Most are really funny, the Upper Juniors did a Dora the Explorer imitation. The songs are always camp songs like Herman the Worm and Little Cabin in the Woods. But the best is always last. Every campfire ends with a guitar sing along with Johnny Drucker involving songs like Wagon Wheel, and This Land is Your Land. We are all sad to go, and sing all the way back to our bunks. Campfire is a wonderful end to a wonderful week at Southwoods. All About Camp By: Kate Kamerman Lower Inter Girl Southwoods is awesome and there is so much to do! There is tribal, which is 3 teams (Iroquois, Mohawk, and Navajo). In tribal, you have chieftains which are like your tribal counselors. They take care of you and sign you up for events and they do so much more. Next, there is electives which you pick and you get to go to what you signed up for. Then, you have bunkmates, it s so fun and you meet awesome friends! Then, my favorite part is line-up, Scott and Andrea both say who got fuzzies because they were nice or did something nice to someone. Then, they see if anyone lost teeth. They finally do announcements! They also have carnival, field trips, and so much more! Come to Southwoods!

7 Camper Contributions Bakugan Battle Brawlers: A Little Help from my Friends By: Ei Soe Lower Junior Boy My name is Da and my friends are Marusho, Alex and July. We are the Battle Brawlers. I went to my room to get my Bakugan and my mom told me breakfast is ready in the refrigerator. I was so excited, I could not eat my breakfast. Instead, I grabbed my bike and headed to the battle. I went to battle another boy s Bakugan. I was to focused to remember his name. I yelled, Gate Card Set. He said, Gate Card Set. Then I threw my Bakugan into the middle and he threw his in too. Within minutes, I beat the nameless boy. In the end, I received the infinity core and my dragon became the ultimate Bakugan! Pitchoff: The Lower Junior Girls Cabin By: Sara Gordon Lower Junior Girl Pitchoff is where the Lower Junior Girls live. The cabin is very neat, and a lot of people wake up looking at Ariana Grande, Selena Gomez and One Direction because of our posters. Our bunk is full of creative stuff such as: posters, magazines, and mail. Pitchoff is the only cabin with a rug. We are also lucky because we have a porch. Creative Writing - Elective Dogs By: Neal Gurland, Upper Junior Boy Dogs are interesting animals. I myself have a dog and I am only ten years old. Dogs are great for all age groups. Why are dogs interesting creatures? asked my fellow writer, Jacob Burnett. Dogs are interesting creatures and good for all ages. There are certain dogs for certain people. For example, if you are a kid, you might want a loving dog like a Golden Retriever or Pomeranian. Those are two dogs that I have and they are great! Page 7

8 Campfire Conclusion Life is An Adventure at Southwoods As we do every Sunday after a day of Tribal, we gathered around the campfire, this Sunday, arms around each other to close another week here at camp. This week we focused on adventures! Here at camp, many of us for the first time, we are on an adventure. We re on an adventure to learn more about ourselves and our bunkmates. That s what camp is all about, in the midst of playing games and trying new things, we are here discovering all the different parts of ourselves and our lives. This week, the campfire was hosted by the lower camp girls and they all performed skits to show how fun adventures can be and how to have a good attitude about new adventures. The lower junior girls of Pitchoff, took us through a journey across the world, including Russia, England, Australia and even Texas! While they were traveling they fought off a pack of wild bears. The upper junior girls of Algonquin showed us how to be brave in an adventure and to try new things. Working in a Dora the explorer theme, the girls helped Boots conquer her fears by climbing a rock wall, swimming in a lake and delivering the s mores to all the campers. Our Tabletop (Lower Inter) girls showed us how venturing into the past can help us with our futures in their time machine based skit. They traveled back in time to learn from people like Albert Einstein and Katy Perry to ace their math test. Finally, our Lower Inter girls of Skylight performed their skit on adventure. They taught us all about different animals around the world and how you can always come back to Southwoods in their adventure. They met polar bears, elephants, and even a Jordan Frechtman where they travelled. In between skits, we had our MCs, Lower Junior Cabin Specialist Josh Tilson and Upper Junior Group Leader Levin Westfall teach us about the trials and tribulations that come with an adventure. Their comedic take on Lewis and Clark had our sides splitting all night long. We also had songs and chants in between acts like the classic Little Cabin in the Woods and Herman the Worm. Group Leaders Kelsey Forsythe and Johnny Drucker strummed the guitar and sang us a few songs as we closed the night out. Overall, it was a great night to be at Southwoods and a fantastic night for a campfire. We learned all about adventures and exploring. We closed our week, bonded with friends and learned about ourselves and each other.

9 This Week in PhotosPage 9