With a sea of blue dominating campus, the Happy Blue Day girl’s team made a great breakthrough for the start of Olympics. With cheers to the left and chants to the right, Happy Blue Day was full of spirit and ready to come out on top for this year’s Olympics. Each division from happy Blue Day competed against the Grand Stand Whites to rack up as many points possible. Starting the opening day with a great blue bang, the Lower Camp girls competed in a boating meet in the morning, slicing through the lake water with all the blue spirit to win. On the other side of camp, the Seniors were taking total control of the field by playing a great game of flag football and blowing out the competition for the soccer shootout. The Upper Debs put their blue hearts out onto the field during an exciting game of soccer and fought against the white team with passion on the tennis courts, serving up some serious trouble. Thrashing around in the sand, the Lower Debs smacked down in beach volleyball, bringing a fierceness so blue that the girls couldn’t be stopped. Their spirit shined brighter than any amount of glitter splattered on their faces when they battered up for softball. Taking it to the streets, the Inter girls showed off their skills for street games and practically knocked out the whites in a great blue game of knockout. Each girl played with pride for Happy Blue Day, celebrating all their accomplishments for the first day of Olympics with cheers and chants that bonded the blood of the blue team even deeper. It’s a great start for the girls in the Olympics, and the thunder of Happy Blue Day has only begun.
Camp Starlight Olympics: Blue Girls Day 1
August 8th, 2017
Counselors Help Campers Overcome Challenges
August 7th, 2017
Counselors help campers overcome many challenges they face in sports and activities when they are at camp, it’s their goal to help campers achieve their own goals. Counselors encourage campers to keep practicing their overhand serve in beach volleyball, to continue going over their scales in piano and trying their best to get the right angle for a picture in Digital Photography. Even though counselors give a helping hand in activities that are a part of summer camp, they also help campers strive to overcome very unique challenges. A Lower Senior boy names Jason came to camp with the goal of solving a Rubik’s cube in under sixty seconds. Before camp, he had only been able to solve it in a minute and a half, but when he met his counselors, he received the moral support to overcome his challenge. Shaving forty five seconds from his fastest solving time, Jason had been motivated by his counselors to practice every day, having them time him and mix up the puzzle for him to solve. Even though the Rubik’s cube is a small puzzle, Jason’s counselors transformed the puzzle into an impressive feat for Jason to master, pushing him to not only overcome his original goal of solving under a minute, but to go further and solve it under forty five seconds. The counselors could have congratulated Jason as soon as he reached his goal but they decided to take it a step further because they saw his potential and wanted him to realize his own potential as well. The counselors motivating their camper to be their best in something unrelated to a sport’s team or an activity they are apart of for summer camp shows how they help campers succeed outside of summer camp too. This small act of encouragement portrays how at Camp Starlight all campers are pushed to see their true potential in whatever they are passionate in.
Upper Senior Volunteers Are Serving up Smiles
August 7th, 2017
Camp Starlight gives a camper everything they could practically want when they are at summer camp: fun, adventure, music and anything else under the sun. To acknowledge everything Camp Starlight gives to its campers, the Upper Senior boys and girls give back to camp by volunteering at every camp cook out. Preparing, serving and smiling, the Upper Seniors help out tremendously by sacrificing their own down time to make every campus cookout run smoothly. Often wearing punny shirts that say “Lettuce Serve You,” the Upper Seniors make volunteering and giving back to camp a really fun experience. Handing out every hotdog and hamburger with a smile, they show how volunteering can be a rewarding experience and they give the support staff a well deserved break. Their hard work in setting up the food and serving all of camp sets themselves as great role models for Lower Camp as well, portraying qualities of responsibility and leadership that are a part of Camp Starlight’s philosophy in teaching campers important lessons. When the campers from Lower Camp see the oldest campers give back to Camp Starlight, they are inspired to do the same and take the initiative to be selfless. The Upper Senior’s volunteering sets a chain reaction for other campers to follow in these acts of kindness. While the Upper Seniors are helping out campers enjoy a fun cookout, they are also helping Camp Starlight continue to become a more positive place all summer long.
Camp Starlight Celebrates 71st Anniversary
August 6th, 2017
Since its founding in 1947, Camp Starlight has been a home away from home for campers, counselors and staff from all over the world. For all these years, Camp Starlight has been bringing people together from every and any place imaginable and this year is the celebration of Camp Starlight’s 71st anniversary. Looking back at all the memories Camp Starlight has helped inspire and create, a great celebration for all of camp took place around the flagpole, the quintessential point of camp. Gathered around the flagpole, the place where every morning starts and evening begins, all of camp sits together to enjoy a giant cook out to celebrate the history of Camp Starlight. Mustard is spread along foot long hotdogs and blue and white sprinkled cupcakes rest in the hand of every camper, everyone is enjoying the company of an all camp cookout. With all the great food, the entirety of camp looks back at how far Camp Starlight has come since its beginning in 1947, recognizing so much can change for the better in 71 years for a summer camp. Even though so much has changed, Camp Starlight has never changed its message and goals of making campers happy and enjoy a summer like no other. Buildings have come and gone, activities have been added and special traditions have been tacked on to the growing history of Camp Starlight, but one thing has truly remained the same, and that is the ability to make campers who come to Camp Starlight experience an amazing summer and smile every day they are here. Helping campers smile, laugh, overcome challenges and learn new things, Camp Starlight has been able to transform every camper’s summer into a magical experience and that is something to truly celebrate today, tomorrow and in the future.
National Friendship Day
August 6th, 2017
It’s National Friendship Day and campers at Camp Starlight know how special it is to celebrate the friendships they have formed at summer camp. Campers know that summer camp is a magical place like no other, there are an infinite amount of different things to do so there are just as many ways to make memories and build friendships. When you spend an entire summer with the same people living in your bunk, friendships form just as naturally as the flowers bloom. Friendships at Camp Starlight are so special for that reason, campers spend quality time with others in large quantities of time, transforming friendships in positive ways. Campers are always able to rely on their friends to support them when things get tough or when they feel homesick, their friends are there to help them fall asleep at night or pull them back up to get back into the game. They also support each other when things are going in the right direction, cheering them on as they are winning the game or performing on stage, these friendships battle the bad and the good for the sake of each other’s happiness. Campers know they have friends to back them up and encourage them to do their best. Additionally, with the amount of silly, ridiculous and outrageously fun activities campers get to experience, campers are able to deepen the bonds of friendships when experiencing these activities together. They are able to make every moment turn into a memory because it’s with their friends. When campers look back at every sporting event during Olympics, every dance performed for Spirit of Starlight or every challenge that was overcome during relay races, they look back at who was standing next to them, laughing and smiling along with all the ongoing fun. These special memories are why friendships at Camp Starlight should be celebrated, they will stand the test of time and last forever in each other’s memories.
Ceramics and Woodworking Brings Camp to Home
August 5th, 2017
When campers come to Camp Starlight they always brings pieces of home with them, packing pictures, stuffed animals, blankets and all sorts of objects that remind them of home and make them feel safe. Campers bring pieces of home to camp because of how much they love home and want to remember it, so when campers return home, they also want to bring pieces back that will remind them of the summer. Camp Starlight is a special place to stay for an entire summer but two months at summer camp is a shorter amount of time than ten months spent at home. To hold on to those summer memories, campers bring back handmade crafts from ceramics and woodworking to their home so they can always have a part of Starlight with them. At ceramics and woodworking, campers get to build all sorts of crafts of all different sizes that symbolize their time spent at summer camp. At woodworking, campers can create welcome home signs, key holders and even mailboxes to install in their homes and when campers make these items from scratch, it makes them even more special. The hard work put into sawing and nailing the bits of wood together makes the craft much more meaningful for the camper and the new home it will stay in. At ceramics, campers will mold bowls, cups and all sorts of sculptures for their homes, glazing with detail and precision to make the item that much more beautiful. For campers to make their own art with their own hands is remarkable, not to mention that it is art that functions in their home. All these crafts the campers create for their homes is a special way for campers to keep the spirit of Camp Starlight at home with their families, crafts that will last long after a camper’s last summer.
Carnival Is a Time to Celebrate Fun
August 5th, 2017
Every day at Camp Starlight is full of magic, but when the Carnival comes to camp, the magic and fun reaches a whole new level. Bouncy castles and blown up obstacle courses are scattered around the grounds while sticks of fluffy cotton candy and bags of fresh popcorn are spotted in the hand of every camper. Giant slides tower over everyone and water splashes those who pass by the dunk tank–fun is seen around every corner and you can tell that every camper is enjoying the playful atmosphere not just because a tiger or butterfly is painted on their face, but because they have a huge smile. The atmosphere of the day is electric with happiness and laughter because Carnival is a day that entirely caters to the playful personalities of campers, encouraging campers to run around, play on the blow up obstacle courses and games, eat cotton candy and laugh with their friends when they get dropped into the dunk tank. It is truly a day where campers let loose and enjoy an entire Carnival with their camp friends, an opportunity that does not come very often in life. Camp Starlight provides the Carnival to campers as a chance to let campers have as much fun as they want, but to also remind them there is so much for them to celebrate towards the end of the summer. Carnival is a celebration of fun and playfulness, but most importantly it’s a celebration of the good times at Camp Starlight. The fun and games of the day reminds campers to celebrate all the friendships they’ve made and to celebrate the all the fun they’ve experienced at Camp Starlight. Even though Carnival is at the end of the summer to show campers there is still so much fun to experience at camp and this is the time to celebrate all the fun they’ve enjoyed so far, and all the fun they will enjoy in this summer and in more summers to come.
All Teams Win With Starlight Leagues
August 4th, 2017
After battling other teams all summer long for the title of Starlight League Champion, the winners of Starlight Leagues have come out on top. The Starlight Leagues divided all the divisions into four different teams that went head to head at all sorts of sports on campus. Taking it from the sand of the volleyball courts or the pitch of the softball and baseball mounds, the teams had to work together all summer long to win the game and then ultimately a Ben & Jerry’s catered ice cream party. Every single camper contributed to their team’s wins, meaning they had to practice respectful sportsmanship, encourage their teammates–especially during the tough times–and work together as one team and not rely on one individual to succeed. The Starlight Leagues competition also helps campers meet new friends at camp from outside their own bunk, creating more unified divisions across campus. The bonds these campers make when fighting for the win on the basketball court or kicking a soccer ball for the goal with all their strength is what really unifies and strengthens the connections between campers. Even though only one team from each division won the chance to enjoy an ice cream party, every camper got to experience the joy of cheering on their teammates and in turn forming new found friendships. The point of Starlight Leagues was not to stress the focus on winning or losing in sports, but to show how important it is to truly work as a team and see what you can achieve when that does happen. There is no denying that Ben & Jerry’s ice cream is sweet, but nothing is sweeter than forming new friendships from team work, regardless if the points added up to 100 or 0.
No Strikes for Campers at Baseball Game
August 4th, 2017
Camp Starlight excels in providing campers with the most traditional summer camp experience of their lives, helping campers have all sorts of fun under the sun. While there are many activities and traditions campers can enjoy on campus, there are a few that require sending campers outside and into bigger fields. The Lower Camp was able to attend a professional baseball game and experience one of America’s favorite summer pastimes. Nibbling on popcorn, spreading mustard along a hotdog and root, root, rooting for home team, the Lower Camp enjoyed a wonderful night of American tradition at the baseball game. The stadium lights illuminate the campers almost as much as their smiles do as they sit back and cheer for the players on the diamond, embracing all the energy and fun of the crowd. Even though they aren’t on the field playing, they get to sing along with the chants in the stands, do the wave and laugh at the silly faces they make on the jumbotron. All the fun of the baseball game is what enables campers to transform these moments into lifelong memories. Taking the campers out to a baseball game allows them to experience a true American summer because no summer is complete without attending a baseball game and eating as many hotdogs as there are homeruns. It’s a night completely meant for the happiness of the campers. Camp Starlight goes the extra mile–or the extra base–to ensure a camper enjoys their summer and is able to look back and love their summer as much as they loved eating a baseball helmet full of popcorn.
Lower Senior Girls Basketball Headed to Championship
August 3rd, 2017
For the first time in the team’s history, the ninth grade girls are going to the championship. Starlight clawed its way out of a 12 point deficit to win against Levi 37-49. Starlight started out slow with only 6 baskets in the first quarter and only 14 points in the first half. Sabrina W. scored 6 of the first 14 points. Ellie K. and Dani S. dominated defensively with 4 steals combined. Tessa G. and Kaylee W. were the positive source, bringing nothing but smiles and hustle. Daryn C. and Brooke E. came in the second half ready to go, forcing 6 turnovers. Ryan G. was a post threat, shutting down Lavi’s post player and pulling down 6 rebounds. Chloe W. and Nikki L. helped spark the team with their loud cheers and quick defense. Amanda S. came out in the second half pulling down 6 rebounds, 4 assists and scoring 6 points. Alex S. lead the team offensively with 18 points. Sam E. took on the leadership role and brought the team together to pull out the win, scoring another 15 points in the last quarter. Ellie K. scored the last basket to seal the win. The girls will be playing Westmont for the championship and are eager to bring home the trophy for the first time.
