Archive for July, 2014
Photo of the Day
Sunday, July 27th, 2014Rain: No Problem!
Saturday, July 26th, 2014
Ideally, every day at camp is sunny and warm. Unfortunately, Mother Nature doesn’t always prescribe to human ideals and, although not often, occasionally the skies are a bit more gray than blue and the weather a bit more wet than dry. Although such conditions are “ideal” they certainly don’t bring the fun and activities to a halt. Quite the contrary, those rare thunderstorms are an opportunity at camp to allow campers to enjoy special activities that are reserved for such days rather than a regular part of the daily camp program.
Camp Starlight has plenty of multi-purpose indoor space that can accommodate small as well as large groups of campers. Despite the gray skies, the mood is decidedly sunny indoors as campers take advantage of the extra time they have to catch up with bunk/cabin mates. Rain also slows the pace and gives campers time to reflect on their time at camp thus far. Many also use the time to write the letters home or catch up on reading.
It may be a stretch to claim that the weather outside is perfect every single day at camp, but regardless of the weather, the mood is always sunny.
Catch Up with Gymnastics Head Victor Randazzo
Saturday, July 26th, 2014Camp Starlight’s new Gymnastics Head Victor Randazzo has been coaching for more than 35 years although this is his first year at
camp. When we caught up with him to find out more about him as well as his goals for the Camp Starlight Gymnastics program, he was exuberant about Camp Starlight’s performance in the recent annual Camp Starlight Gymnastics Invitation.
Victor hails from Long Island, though he currently calls Las Vegas home and was educated at the University of New Mexico and Southern Connecticut State University. He chose to become a gymnastics coach in order to promote gymnastics. He enjoys teaching people amazing skills and says he was drawn to camp because it seemed fun. As for how he found Camp Starlight, he says “we chose each other.”
In addition to his coaching history, Victor’s resume is deep. He was a 2 time National Champion and a 3 time member of the All American National Championship team. His favorite thing about Camp Starlight, so far, is SWF, which he thought was “amazing.” During the winter, he likes to travel and hike. He has also visited all 48 of the lower 48 states and—something many Starlighters don’t know about him—loves both cooking and baking.
Wayne County Update
Saturday, July 26th, 2014
Boys Basketball vs. Camp Tioga, July 23
The 8th grade boys won a huge game 30-26 against Camp Tioga. The boys played as a team the entire game with tough defense to advance to the next round in Wayne County. Dylan T. led the team in scoring with 13 points. The boys are really playing like a team and having fun doing it. They are excited and looking forward to their next game!
Top Scorers- Ryan K. 5 points, Spencer W. 2 points, Dylan H. 2 points, Danny S. 2 points
Final Score 30-26, W
Coaches Dan Mutz and Kyle Galin
Tennis vs. Camp Weequahic, July 23
The 5th grade girls camp through again with a close victory over a strong Camp Weequahic team. All three singles positions won
sealing up their victory while the 2 doubles teams fell in close matches. Kylie M. won on convincing fashion 8-1 with solid ground strokes and consistent play with Olivia S. outlasting her opponent in many long rallies.
Emily overpowered her opponent 8-3. Doubles teams of Alex S. /Ashleigh S. lost 8-2 to a strong team with Chloe W. / Marlie K. falling 8-5. Congrats moving on towards the finals.
Final Score 3-2
Coaches Craig Cooper, Alice Twomey Rachel Mills
Boys Soccer vs. Poyntelle, July 25
The 7th graders hosted Poyntelle in their second round game and ran out winners 11-0. There were a number of good individual performances from the likes of Eric M., Ethan W., Michael S. and Elijah E. For much of the game it was one-way traffic towards Poyntelle’s 18-yard area, although on the odd occasion when Starlight’s goal was threatened, Elijah E. proved too much for the opposition’s forward line. A good result, but the boys will need to find an extra gear in the next round as they face-off against perennial foe Wayne in the final.
Boys Basketball vs. Camp Tioga, July 25
Starlight got off to a slow start trailing at the end of the first quarter 2-11. The second quarter, however, was the beginning of something special. Starlight went on a 24-0 run to start the quarter and never looked back. It’s on to the championship now!
Top Scorers:
Zach R. 13 points, 14 rebounds 3 assists, 3 blocks
Jared G. 9 points, 1 rebound, 3 assists
Jordan K. 7 points, 1 assist
Ethan E. 2 points, 1 rebounds
Oscar O. 2 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assists
Gregory K. 3 points, 1 rebounds
Matt F. 4 points, 8 rebounds
Fisher R. 2 points 1 rebound, 1 assists
Jake M. 6 points 4 rebounds
Noah R. 4 points
Final Score 52-24, W
Coach Diego McCoy
Girls Basketball vs., Camp Tioga, July 25
Great win! The girls played with much determination. Their will power continued throughout the game as the girls played defense and intense offense. The team is very excited for the win. Starlight is on a roll!
Coaches Janelle Floyd and Erica Perchick
Photo of the Day
Saturday, July 26th, 2014
Recipe of the Day
Friday, July 25th, 2014We are starting a Recipe of the Day feature on the Camp Starlight Blog. These will be delicious recipes for campers to try at home with their parents. Today we checked in with Visitor Center Cooking Specialist Emma L., from Washington. Emma is helping the campers whip up the perfect mix of breakfast and dessert…cake batter pancakes! YUM!
Ingredients:
1 ½ cup of flour
½ cup of cake mix
1 tablespoon of baking powder
1 tablespoon sugar
2 eggs
¼ cup butter
1 ¾ cup of milk
Directions:
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Heat griddle and grease with vegetable oil.
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Combine ingredients in a large bowl (flour, cake mix, baking powder, sugar, eggs, butter, milk).
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For an added touch fold sprinkles into the batter.
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Pour ¼ cup of batter on to hot skillet and let cook until bubbles form.
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Flip the pancake and let cook for one minute.
Wayne County Update
Friday, July 25th, 2014
Baseball vs. Camp Chen-A-Wanda, July 20
7th grade Starlight lost a tough game at Chen-A-Wanda at home. Fielding proved to be the most important factor in this game. Camp Starlight committed 7 errors while Chen-A-Wanda only committed 1 error. Starlight had 4 hits while Chen-A-Wanda only had 2 hits, but 8 walks in a 7-1 victory over Starlight. Great efforts by Eric M, Ben G., Cooper G. and Gabriel F. must be noted. Additionally in the 7th grade game, Starlight was not selective at the plate swinging at anything close early in the count. Not waiting for the right pitch definitely proved to be important and detrimental for the Starlight hitter. Also, many players lost focus after being down early and never gained it back. Final score of 14-1. Jacob P. was strong for 5 innings of no hit pitching!
Baseball vs. Camp Lavi, July 21
The 4th grade team pitchers threw 4 innings of no hit ball! Pitcher Jared S. and Charlie G. only walked 2 while the offense scored 6 runs in a 6-1 victory over Camp Lavi! Key batters were Jackson F. and Ryan G., both with 2 hits each.
Boys Tennis vs. Camp Tioga, July 21
The 5th grade and under boys are moving on to the finals in Wayne County Competition with a convincing win over Camp Tioga 4-1
in the semis. At 1st singles Sloan S. fell 8-6 to a strong player from Italy. At 2nd singles Jaden Y. maintained his concentration and focus played the big points smart and won 8-5. Jake P. at 3rrd singles had to fight back and then took control of the match winning 8-6. In fine fashion the 1st doubles team of Max G. and Ben M. played solidly and communicated will in a dominating 8-2. At two doubles the new team of Dylan K. and Jonah M. played together in winning their first match 8-3. Congrats to the entire 5th grade team, moving on to the finals. We are excited for great things to come!
Final Score 4-1, W
Coaches Craig Cooper and David Wilford
Girls Tennis vs. Camp Wayne, July 21
The 5th grade and under girls came through gloriously with a sweep 5-0 over Camp Wayne in their second Wayne County match. Emerson P. and Hannah S. were tested in their matches and came through 6-4, 6-3 respectively. Heather G. won going away 6-0. Both doubles teams oh Hannah J. /Hannah W. and Sklyer C. /Juliette S. dominated by winning (6-0)-(6-0). Everyone is having fun competing and learning more about the game of tennis every day. Congrats moving on Starlight 5th grade girls!
Final Score 5-0, W
Coaches: Craig Cooper, Dani Rubenstein and Amanda Gilberg
Photo of the Day
Friday, July 25th, 2014
Photo of the Day
Thursday, July 24th, 2014
8 Things that Are Quintessentially Summer Camp
Wednesday, July 23rd, 2014
It’s hard to believe that another summer is almost half over. It seems like just yesterday that campers were arriving, excited for another summer. Time passes so quickly at summer camp that it’s sometimes impossible to not miss some things. But there are certain things that, no matter how busy, chaotic, or crazy things get at camp, remind us of camp and are a big part of what it’s all about.
1. Campfires—Every camp’s campfire has a unique significance to it. Campfire traditions, songs, and activities vary from camp to camp but one theme is consistent from camp to camp: the campfire has a sacred relevance and, as such, is a very special event at camp. So special, in fact, that the campfire is symbolic of summer camp itself. The fire embodies camp life, and the smell of burning embers raises an immediate reminder of sylvanian settings in which camps are located.
2. S’mores—What’s a campfire without s’mores? Anyone and everyone who has ever been to camp craves the gooey delight of melted chocolate and marshmallows between two graham crackers. S’mores are so distinct to camp that biting into one instantly harkens memories of camp.
3. Sing Alongs—Sure, karaoke is a popular activity for get togethers. But there is nothing more harmonious than an entire camp—
counselors too!—singing their camp’s favorite tunes together. Camp sing alongs are more than just time spent together singing songs, however. They’re a way of bringing everyone together to celebrate the place that has brought them all together.
4. Bunks/Cabins—As the saying goes, ‘If only walls could talk…’ And, oh, the stories so many summer camp bunks/cabins could tell. Bunks/Cabins are more than just places where campers and their counselors sleep at night. Bunks/Cabins are facilities in which campers become families. They are also places in which the vast size of sleepaway camps shrink to an intimate setting in which friendships are nurtured and memories are made. Each bunk/cabin family is unique, with its own jokes, songs, traditions, etc.
5. Arts & Crafts—According to the American Camp Association, Arts & Crafts is one of the five most popular activities at camp, and for good reason. Who wouldn’t want to spend a portion of each day in an area stocked with beads, lanyard, glitter, paint, glue, markers, scissors, and just about any other craft supply one can dream up? The possibilities are endless in Arts & Crafts. The relaxing atmosphere gives campers opportunity to decompress and reflect while still being social. Arts & Crafts is an activity that allows campers to spend time with their friends.
6. Bugle Calls/Bells—There has to be some way to move campers through their program day at camp. Whether it’s bugles or bells, campers know instantly what each unique sound is telling them to do from waking up in the morning to turning out the lights at night, and everything in between.
7. Camp Shows—Those who are not familiar with camp may wonder what makes camp shows different from other types of shows.
Anyone who has ever been involved in a production that goes from auditions to performance complete with full sets and makeup in a week or less knows that this is precisely what makes camp shows a camp entity all unto their own.
8. Crazy Wardrobe Choices—We mean C-R-A-Z-Y—as in more is definitely more when it comes to showing spirit or “dressing up” for a special camp occasions. In fact, camp is probably the only place at which one is complimented for arriving at a function wearing body paint and/or temporary tattoos, bright colors, a tutu, crazy sunglasses or hats, a wig (or two) and mismatched socks.
