Photo by camper, Sienna
Posts Tagged ‘camp activities’
Digital Photography at Camp Starlight
Tuesday, July 4th, 2017Wonders of the Waterfront at Camp Starlight
Tuesday, July 4th, 2017
The first image that will pop into your head when you think of Camp Starlight is the iconic twin lakes that rest on the shores of Camp Starlight. Offering stunning sunsets in the evenings and the most scenic view in the day to accompany a summer of absolute fun, the waterfront is a favorite among campers and staff. When considering campers return summer after summer after summer for the fun on the lake, there is definitely a special element of camp that is unique to the lake. The calmness of the water can help a camper slow down in the middle of a busy day of summer camp. Of course, the seemingly endless amount of water toys, boats and waterskiing provides campers amp up the excitement in their day. Whether a camper wants to slow down the pace of their day or really embrace their energy, the waterfront welcomes all new and old campers to its shores every summer.
Digital Photography at Camp Starlight
Monday, July 3rd, 2017
Photo by camper Amanda S.
Lower Plebe Boys Ice Hockey
Monday, July 3rd, 2017
Camp Starlight starts the hockey season off with a bang! Seventh grade boys of the Lower Plebe division were lead to a victory by Ryan G. who opened scoring in the first minute of the game. Matthew G. hurried the biscuit in the final minute of the play. The brothers finished with a combined five goals. Ben K., Lucas M.and Luke B. each had a hat trick. Ryan W., Ben A., Zach S., Jake C., Charlie G., Charlie H. and DJ C. all had goals of their own. David G. and Jack A. shot down Chen-a-wanda shooters, stopping all five shots on goal. With a spectacular start to the season, the Lower Plebes have high hopes for another win.
Girls Campfire at Camp Starlight
Sunday, July 2nd, 2017
A stillness settles on the water, the only vibrations are the domino effect of echoes that beat from striking the canoe, louder and louder and then faster and faster. The echoes call for the moon that has finally peaked through the lilac sky only as a sliver. Whispers are scattered in the sea of campers and staff, all are curious to see the tee-pee style pile of wood light before them, hoping to see the flames dance on one another, the embers floating into the air like angels. It takes more than one individual to light the fire, the ceremony requires a total of six people to symbolize the six pillars Camp Starlight rests on. These six pillars must join together to bring the campfire and traditions of Camp Starlight to life. Before the fire is ignited, the now indigo sky casts a dark shadow over all of the campers but once the smoke rises, the fire roars and the light reflects off every Junior, Inter, Plebe, Deb, Senior and counselor–the fire glowing brightest in their eyes.
All the divisions lead girls camp with a song or cheer, allowing the Upper Senior to go last and share a personal song that symbolizes their past seven summers at Camp Starlight. Each girl in this division stands up, states their name and why they are ecstatic to experience one last summer with their life long friends. Their nostalgia floods the camp with old memories when girls explain they are eager to relive the traditions of camp one last time or look forward to becoming the role model they have always looked up to at camp. Vibrant shades of orange and gold illuminate the camp and now bond everybody into one powerful force by the light and activities of the campfire. The smoke of the campfire floats through the air and coats the entire camp. The lake in front carries the echoes of songs and tradition across the water, no element of nature goes untouched by the spirit of the girls side campfire.
Kicking Off the Summer with Camp Starlight Leagues
Sunday, July 2nd, 2017
Rushing out onto the grass of the flagpole during morning announcements to the sound of college fight songs the entire camp cheers and shouts as we kick off Camp Starlight’s College Leagues! The competitions of camp have begun. Throughout the entirety of camp, all the divisions are separated into four groups within their division: orange for Idaho State University, green for Portland State University, red for Southern Utah University and blue for Montana State University.
“I love competing with my friends against my other friends. You get to know everyone at camp in this mini-olympics event,” said Elizabeth, an Upper Deb.
Camp Starlight kicks off the summer with this competition to start teaching the important ethics and morals of games and sportsmanship.
“It allows them to improve skills in all varieties and teaches teamwork,” said Jeffrey Foster, Athletic Director on Boy’s Side.
“It’s healthy competition and it’s fun to watch them try and put maximum effort into their team that they want to represent. There is a lot of support too, they encourage all their different teammates,” said Meredith Primm, Athletic Director on Girl’s Side.
After a Girl’s Side Upper Deb’s soccer match, campers celebrated their win with a cheer that spelled out P-S-Y-C-H-E-D. Shouting this cheer not only congratulated their team’s success, but embodied the attitude these Starlight League games instill into all of camp.
Simple Kindness as a Standard
Wednesday, June 28th, 2017
When I walk around campus I’m surrounded by inspiration and I’m always surprised when more often than not inspiration walks straight up to me. Taking a second to myself to appreciate the sweeping valley of trees, shades of light to dark green portray a gradient of texturized forests. It’s like looking at a landscape painting at the Metropolitan or Art Institute of Chicago, but instead of moving on to the next landscape after a few moments of silent viewing, you are alive for as long as you want inside this painting. In this case I was noticing how the trees follow a wave like pattern in the valley that mirrors the placement of slow rolling puffy clouds in the sky above when an Upper Plebe simply called out to me. “Want to join us?”
He was smiling up at me and extended out his golf club to me to take and play along with his game of golf. Standing in the grass a few feet away from he, he waiting patiently for my reply and this pause made me realize he was genuine in asking his question. Before I replied I looked back again to the driving range where many Upper Plebes were launching golf balls into the sky. I look back to the Upper Plebe and answer, “Yes, I will join you.” “Great! My name is Mason.”
Mason’s question may have been simple but his implications are much deeper. When he asked me–just another staff member that happened to walk by the golfing activity–that question, he asked more of me than just joining a game of golf. He asked me to join his friends, his community and to become a part of his summer, a time in his life he always looks forward to and regrets leaving in August. This is an honor to be invited into a child’s world and be presented with the opportunity to help him become a better individual, or sometimes to just play a game of golf.
Mason’s small act of kindness plays a huge part in highlighting what kind of special place Camp Starlight represents. This place is more than just a summer camp, it is a world where kindness, friendship, trust and the initiative to share happiness with others, regardless if you know them or not, are the pillars that hold this place up and together.
Digital Photography at Camp Starlight
Wednesday, June 28th, 2017
Taken by Camp Starlight camper Brooke E.
Camp Starlight Opening Show
Tuesday, June 27th, 2017
On the first day of camp, the overflow of emotions from the bus arrivals don’t settle once the hugs are embraced and each high five has been returned with enthusiasm, this is when the celebration only begins. Fast forward to the unpacking the Camp Starlight gear, sports equipment and precious stuffed animals, the bunks are filled with decorations of old memories, but all returning campers know to leave a large amount of space for the new memories they will make this summer. Since the sun is setting just in time for the stars to peek through the night sky, the opening show is ready to be begin.
For the first time this summer the entire camp gathers in the Rec Hall for the Opening Show and the camp is ready to make their official grand welcome. The lower juniors are excitedly curious to see the show for the first time in the front rows while the seniors happily embrace the nostalgia for seeing the show for the last time in the back. Regardless of age, every camper will stretch their neck, their eyes and even their toes to watch every song and dance–the audience is just as engaged as the performers on stage. It’s as if you feel tiny fairies pull the corner of your cheeks upward in a smile as soon as you enter that rec hall and the chords of the first song is played. A happiness so natural occurs among all the campers and staff it makes you feel so warm on the inside you start to wonder if you’ll melt into a puddle of bliss right there. The cheers are contagious, the laughter spreads and by the end of the show every individual–old and new–is swaying arm and arm with each other, singing the lyrics to songs as if they have been singing at camp their whole lives. The voices join into one glorious union and when you catch a glimpse into a camper’s eyes, you see they have finally come all the way back home at Camp Starlight. The opening show is not just a songs and dances, it’s a homecoming.
1, 3, 5, 6 We Want Olympics!
Monday, May 22nd, 2017As the summer comes to a close, a feeling of anticipation fills the air. A quiet sound starts to arise that begins to get louder and louder…. “1, 3, 5, 6 we want olympics… 1, 3, 5, 6 WE WANT OLYMPICS!” The sound of this all too familiar cheer echoes across the camp as campers ranging from juniors to seniors clap and shout at the top of their lungs. Even the counselors join along in excitement as they know that the fun and spirit has only just begun.
Breakout
Before we know it, the chants turn into a reality and OLYMPICS IS HERE. We spend all summer guessing what the newest breakout could be, but when it finally comes we couldn’t even IMAGINE how awesome it is! Ice skating at the flagpole? Running around camp to decode the drones’ secret message? What will it be next!? Whether it be at night, during the day, or early in the morning, the surprise of Olympic breakout is destined to be a highlight of everyone’s summer!
When the moment arrives, the entire camp uproars in excitement as the team lists fly into the air and campers search frantically to see whether they are on Blue or White. The Leadership teams are announced and David declares that Olympics has officially begun! The first team meeting kicks off Olympics and it’s time for everyone to get P-S-Y-C-H-E-D!
The Spirit
B-L-U-E we got the spirit! W-H-I-T-E that’s how we spell victory! Dressing up head to toe in your team color and learning the multiple cheers is one of the most fun parts of Olympics. It’s a chance to get decked out and show just how spirited you are! Both during games and in between, campers and counselors alike can be seen walking around camp cheering for their team with the utmost enthusiasm. It’s a time for everyone to bring out their creative, silly, and SPIRITED personalities.
The Events
Aside from the spirit that Olympics brings out, getting to compete in different sports is the best part for many. Olympics is a time for campers to show all that they’ve learned over the summer and bring out their athletic side. From a soccer game on the alumni that goes into a shootout to an intense game of basketball that goes into double overtime, you truly never know what to expect when the Blue and the White face off.
Even if you don’t consider yourself to be a major athlete, Olympics has something for every camper to enjoy! A part of Olympics that campers and counselors alike look forward to is the apache relay. Whether it be catching a pancake and eating it, writing with your foot in chalk, or breaking a shirt that’s trapped in ice, the Apache Relay is always an event that is sure to be full of twists and turns that will keep the entire camp in high suspense. For all of our campers and counselors that know their random facts and figures, the Trivia Bowl is a perfect time to shine as the Blue and White battle it out in a series of intense, (and silent!) rounds. And how could we forget one of the biggest parts of Olympics- Sing! As the Blue and White practice with energy and dedication, they are able to show off their talent and hard work when they compete head to head at the Rec Hall.
Closing Ceremonies
In the blink of an eye, the past five days of spirit, intensity, and fun all comes to an end as the teams rush the lake and put a close to our Olympic competition. Later, as both teams come back together and gather around the flagpole to watch the Olympic torch go out, Olympics is officially declared to be over. Everyone around camp is left in anticipation of what next summer’s Olympics will bring and wishing we could fast forward time.
