24k Dance Party at Camp Starlight from Camp Starlight on Vimeo.
24k Dance Party at Camp Starlight
July 13th, 2017
Arts & Crafts Keep Me Returning Every Summer
July 13th, 2017
At the end of the day you can find me splattered in paint, tied up in string or caked in clay because I am the Arts and Crafts Specialist at Camp Starlight and I have the best job on campus. Being able to make a beautiful mess everyday with campers is one of many reasons I believe I have the best job at camp, and these messes look different every single day. I get to work with all campers from all divisions, boys and girls, and see how their varying ages and personalities affect their artwork during my time with them. Watching these campers explore their creativity with the almost endless amount of materials we have at the Arts & Crafts area is inspiring to say the least, especially when they get to play with all the paints—seeing what they design with a paintbrush in their hand is a magical moment for me. Another element I love about my job is that there is no wrong way for a camper to express their artistic side, unlike sports activities that have grounded rules; Arts & Crafts has no limits and no set rules to be creative. This space truly encourages the campers to embrace their art and whatever pops into their head when they hold a pencil, sculpt with clay or craft a friendship bracelet. Not to mention that the cool projects we give to campers always amazes me and it’s so fun to do a different project every period with the different divisions. What I love most about my job is that the only consistent aspect is change—designs, ideas and inspirations are always changing with all the different campers and their ability to keep me on my toes is what has me coming back for my third summer.
Dance Parties Bring the Magic to Camp Starlight
July 12th, 2017
Gold streamers are littered all over the Rec Hall while music is being blasted through the giant speakers. Gold balloon arches are set along with a rainbow of lights swirling through the crowd: this is a Camp Starlight dance party. The magic is in the air for this 24K Magic themed dance party to kicks start the summer. Campers are clad with gold beaded necklaces and glitter is speckled on their cheeks to compliment their bright smiles as they dance the night away. Everyone is jumping up and down to the beat of the music and experiencing the celebration of this dance party because after a week of activities these campers are ready to have even more fun. These themed dance parties allow campers to get together in a large space and bond as a camp, the theme inspires all the campers to dress up and be silly. Dance parties are held to bring the camp together so that a cohesive blend of friendship can blossom, the campers can celebrate together the completion of the first week of summer camp. For first time campers this can be a big deal and so these celebratory dance parties really show how Camp Starlight appreciates their dedication to camp. This first dance party sets the tone for the rest of the summer and reminds campers to hold on to the magic they felt dancing all night together as a camp and as a new family.
The Top 10 Ways to Celebrate the 4th of July at Camp Starlight
July 12th, 2017
Before you know it, campers and counselors are settled into the routines of camp life and then the 4th of July sneaks around the corner. One of the most fun holidays of the year, the 4th of July is celebrated in many specials ways at Camp Starlight and here are the top 10 ways to celebrate the 4th of July here at camp!
- Backyard Games: What is more American than healthy competition under the sun? Campers play beach volleyball, badminton and all the classic games played in the backyard during a 4th of July barbeque.
- American Flag Lunch: During lunch time, all the burgers, sliders and hotdogs are topped with American flags to add some patriotic fun to the day. Nothing tastes better than freedom.
- Flag Raising: At morning announcements, the American flag is raised up the flagpole with the national anthem being sung. The lyrics ring throughout camp and raises the American spirit inside everyone.
- Bomb Pops: The red, white and blue popsicles serve double purpose to campers, the popsicles are a cooling treat at the end of the day and allows campers to celebrate patriotism in a sweet way.
- Friends: What better way to celebrate the 4th of July than with all your best friends at camp? The friendships formed at Camp Starlight are so special and this holiday only strengthens those connections between campers.
- Starlight Wrestling Foundation (S.W.F.): Bringing together the entirety of campus, S.W.F. is a highly anticipated wrestling match to watch by all the campers. Counselors wrestle in Jell-O-like gooey substances to bring camp together and celebrate the freedom to wrestle in such conditions.
- Belly Flop Competition: Counselors from each division compete to perfect the art of belly flopping into water. The smacking sound of the water rings louder than the freedom of this country.
- Watermelon Mania: This iconic food staple in an American barbeque is added to the celebration to bring some comical fun. Watermelon themed activities and challenges invite all of camp to be silly and enjoy this fruit flavored day.
- Dress Up: The entire camp is saturated in colors of red, white and blue to celebrate this holiday. Every single camper and staff member is clad with gaudy decorations, costumes, glitter, bandanas and American flags to show their patriotic spirit.
- Fireworks: The best way to celebrate the 4th of July is of course with firework that you can almost touch in the sky as they light up the lake.
Powder Puff Football
July 11th, 2017
Tutus and face paint of pink, black, white and blue decorate all the Senior girls as they face off for the Powder Puff flag football game, a tradition no Senior is unprepared for in terms of accessories and costumes. The Seniors go all out for this flag football tournament, covering their entire body in beaded necklaces, headbands, face paint, stickers, tattoos, tall socks and gloves in their team’s color. The Seniors bring the intensity in dressing up but bring even more passion to the field. From the sidelines, the flag football tournament has the same amount of spirit and energy as the Super Bowl–everyone is chanting and cheering for their team, screaming their lungs out for every touchdown and turnover. The energy is simply electric and when the field lights turn on as the sky darkens, the intensity is amplified. This is when the finals start and the last two teams fight to the finish line for the champion title. Counselors cheer for the two finalists from the sidelines as the girls sprint down the field, cleats flinging up tufts of dirt and grass into the air. The spirit that is shared among the teams, counselors and flag football viewers is so mesmerizing to see, everyone is gathered down at this football field to cheer on their friends and watch goals become achieved. The camaraderie of all the Senior girls and everyone at the field shows how Camp Starlight really brings people together in a positive way. These campers show what it means to be a leader, to portray good sportsmanship and how to work successfully as a team when they get to play their hearts out on the field. With the opportunity of Powder Puff flag football, the real side of campers are shown when they get together, work as a team and achieve something they never knew they could
Lower Senior Girls Basketball
July 11th, 2017
The Lower Senior girls opened up their Wayne County season with a dominating 48-24 win over Chenawanda. Alex S. and Sam E. combined for 39 points. Alex S. had 21 points while point guard Sam E. added 18. Amanda S. had an impressive defensive game leading the team with 8 steals and added 4 points. Sabrina W. added 4 points and 5 assists to the team’s first win. Ryan G. had a block party with 5 blocks and added 1 foul shot to the team’s total. Dani S. and Ellie K. dominated defensively causing 13 turnovers. Nikki L. and Daryn C. combined for 6 assists as guards while Kaylee W. got 2 steals and Tessa G. got 2 rebounds and 1 assist. The entire team put in effort to get the win and is hungry for more victories.
Junior Boys Basketball
July 10th, 2017
Starlight Junior boys basketball team started the season well with a big 34-0 win over an undermanned Perlman. Passing proved to be the difference in a strong win with assists coming in bunches. Leading scorers for Starlight Carter B. and Harrison R. both put in 6 points. Closely following were Lucas L., Justin J. and Eric R. with 4 points. Other scorers included Reid S., Calem W., Benjamin W., Jackson H. and Rhys B. each with 2 points. Also strong contributions were made by Marc F., Same R., Max S., Max Sh. and Jesse J. all over the court.
Camp Siblings at Camp Starlight
July 10th, 2017
As the sun sets behind the trees and a lavender sky, new camp families are joined together in the grassy fields. Stretched out into a giant circle, girls from Lower Camp are spotted in between their new camp sister on the softball fields and brothers on the tennis courts. Boys and girls from Upper Camp mentor the younger campers, providing a sense of support and care just like older siblings do at home. For many campers, this is their first time fulfilling the role of big brother or sister while for others this is the first time they will experience the relationship of having an older sibling that will specifically advise their growth at camp. The older/younger sibling dynamic at camp gives the opportunity for younger campers to also look up to a big brother or sister when they look up into the stars- more often than not these views tend to be one in the same in the eyes of the little sibling.
“When I was younger and I was the little sister I looked up to my big sisters. Now that I have the chance to be a big sister I want my little sister to look up to me like I did years ago,” said Dani, Upper Senior girl.
Camp Starlight creates the perfect summer day for campers every day of the year, but when a camper does find him or herself craving a touch of a home, their camp sibling is there to pick them back up again into another day of fun and make them feel just as welcome as opening day. With a camp sibling, Camp Starlight can always feel like home away from home.
Working at the Camp Starlight Waterfront
July 9th, 2017
It is often stated that if you love your job then you’re never really working. A smile is usually accompanied with this statement if you realize that you are one of these lucky people fortunate to earn a living by doing what they are passionate about. At Camp Starlight, every single staff member feels this way, they all believe they have the best job at campus, trusting that their specific duty is the most fun to do. To put this to the test, a series of interviews will be held all summer asking staff from different specialties why they believe their job is the best at Camp Starlight.
Starting at the most iconic point of Camp Starlight, waterfront staff member Beth offered insight into why she has one of the best jobs on campus.
“Being on the waterfront staff is the best because I get to be on the water all day. What is not to like about the waterfront? I go find frogs some days with my campers and on others paddle board on the lake,” said Beth.
Clearly enjoying the flexibility of the waterfront program, Beth notes that every single day at the waterfront can be different but it’s always fun.
“Nothing is more rewarding than when the kids have never done a certain skill before and then when they learn to use the right techniques they say “WOW! I did it!” said Beth.
As a waterfront staff member, Beth is able to help campers achieve personal goals every day, whether it’s successfully teaching a camper how to swim, water ski or paddleboard.
“You can tell that these kids really want to be here when they are here at the waterfront, and that’s why I always want to be at the waterfront,” said Beth.
