Posts Tagged ‘camp traditions’

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Reflections of a Camp Starlight Counselor and Former Camper

Wednesday, September 28th, 2011

As school starts back up again, I can’t help but think about Camp Starlight, my second home. Everything about Camp Starlight is amazing. When I need a good laugh, the first thing that comes to my head is a story from camp. I am the person I am today because of it. My best friends are those I met at Camp Starlight, not just as a camper, but when I made the transition to counselor. Being a counselor is one of the best life experiences a person can have. You are able to be a kid again and, at the same time, you are able to have an influence on your campers’ lives. This summer, the Upper Senior girls asked me to be their coach during rope burn, which is such an honor. As I watched the girls build the fire, it brought me back to my times as a camper. I remember being Upper Senior captain and thinking how rope burn was the most important thing I had ever done. Looking back, it probably wasn’t, but it was my whole camp experience that changed me. I know that I would not have been able to do most of the things I have done in my life without the camp experience. A great thing about camp is that you can learn something from everyone. Even your campers can teach you something. I have had the opportunity to grow up with such great role models simply because these people were my counselors. Camp Starlight is something that will be a part of my life for years to come because it makes me the person I like to be.

–Julia, Camp Starlight counselor and former camper

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Bazooka Bubble Gum

Thursday, September 22nd, 2011

At the end of every summer, once you have returned home, there is always one song or tune that you simply cannot forget or erase from your mind, thanks to Camp Starlight. I am not talking about the traditional songs like, “I Can’t Smile Without You”, “Singing in the Rain”, “Sweet Caroline”, or “Friends,” but the songs you grow to love. These songs somehow become some of our favorite camp memories and have created new Camp Starlight traditions.

Two summers ago, we were introduced to a song that focused on one’s facial hair; and things got kind of hairy. This summer, thanks to Girls Bunk 11 and their divisional award winning MTV night performance, we now have the “Bazooka Bubble Gum” song imprinted in our minds (and hearts). If you wish to find an easy way to return to the summer of 2011, listen to the song and fondly think of your Camp Starlight summer home and family. Just in case you need a refresher, here are the lyrics…

My mom gave me a penny,
She said to buy a henny,
But I didn’t buy a penny,
Instead I bought bubblegum,
Bazooka-zooka,
Bubblegum,
Bazooka-zooka,
Bubblegum.

My mom gave me a nickel,
She said to buy a pickle,
But I didn’t buy a pickle,
Instead I bought bubblegum,
Bazooka-zooka,
Bubblegum,
Bazooka-zooka,
Bubblegum.

My mom gave me a dime,
She said to buy a lime,
But I didn’t buy a lime,
Instead I bought bubblegum,
Bazooka-zooka,
Bubblegum,
Bazooka-zooka,
Bubblegum.

My mom gave me a quarter,
She said to buy a porter,
But I didn’t buy a porter,
Instead I bought bubblegum,
Bazooka-zooka,
Bubblegum,
Bazooka-zooka,
Bubblegum.

My mom gave me a dollar,
She said to buy a collar,
But I didn’t buy a collar,
Instead I bought bubblegum,
Bazooka-zooka,
Bubblegum,
Bazooka-zooka,
Bubblegum.

My mom gave me a five,
She said to stay alive,
But I didn’t stay alive,
Instead I choked on,
Bubblegum,
Bazooka-zooka,
Bubblegum,
Bazooka-zooka,
Bubblegum.

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Camp Starlight Senses

Thursday, September 15th, 2011

It has been over 3 years since I last stood in Starlight, PA, since I last heard the call to lineup, since I last smelled the Rec Hall, since I last tasted the chocolate chip pancakes, since I last felt the grass at kiddy campus, since I last saw a bim bam by the lake. And yet, my “camp senses” are as strong as ever.

Just a few days ago, I smelled something familiar. It was the kind of subtle smell that most would sniff without giving it a second thought. But I couldn’t; I recognized this smell. Without much thought, I knew what it was: banquet dinner, with those fancy mashed potatoes. Instantly, I was taken back to the last week of camp, when everyone on campus is squeezed into the mess hall dressed to the nines to enjoy a special meal to end the summer. I remembered banquets past and far past, what I was wearing, who I sat next to, who spoke and who had a star dedicated. I remembered the way I felt about the summer ending soon. And then, as quickly as it had come, the smell and the memory were gone.

In the same way that we never forget the taste of our grandmother’s matzoh balls, we never shake the “senses” that surround us each and every day at camp. These days, when I build a campfire, I am reminded of the way we built it at Rope Burn. When I hear a PA announcement, I am reminded of my days working the HC. After so many years at my second home, all it takes is the slightest nudge of the senses to take me back. In a way, I never left.

Marc Hassan, guest blogger

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Crazy Days and Whacky Nights

Saturday, July 9th, 2011

Parents, do you ever log onto your computer to check out the camp photos for the day, see your child painted in blue from head to toe or maybe wearing a crazy wig and big nerdy glasses and wonder, ‘What in the world?’  The answer probably has something to do with your summer camp’s special events and evening activities.  For fifty plus nights (and some days) summer camps entertain your children with some of the zaniest games and wackiest contests that they can come up with.  Why?  Because it’s fun to be painted in blue from head to toe…seriously.  Or at least it is when your bunk is performing a dance to the Smurfs theme in front of the entire camp and you’re Papa Smurf—or Smurfette.  And seeing images of your children and their counselors slipping, sliding, and splashing around in what appears to be multi-colored goo…it’s a camp thing…a really fun camp thing.  Eye patches are always fun.  So is spending a day pretending to be pirates and searching for buried treasure.   Becoming a secret agent and collecting clues to decode a message or pretending to be wild animals is also a great way to spend that occasional non-program day.  From trivia contests to talent contests and everything in between, some of the greatest moments of summer camp happen during the crazy days and wacky nights!

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What Makes Starlight a Special Place

Friday, June 10th, 2011

With camp right around the corner, I wanted to write something about what made Starlight a special place–something that I felt would really express what camp is all about. When I sat down to write, my daughter Gracie was right under my feet and made the task a real challenge. And then it hit me; it’s the people stupid!

Camp Starlight is an amazing place: beautiful, scenic, immaculately landscaped, state of the art facilities.  But none of that is what makes Starlight my 2nd home. It is the amazing talented, selfless people that give “my camp” its soul. I started my journey to Starlight some 13 years ago, I was a 20 year old kid looking to spend one summer having a great time teaching basketball and golf, meeting amazing people and hopefully making a small impact on a group of kids. I had no idea what was in store for me.

Over the next 13 summers I would meet countless friends, watch 13 groups of Upper Seniors “graduate” from camp, get engaged, get married, spend my daughter’s 1st summer at camp, work 10 years with my wife and sister, take part in another Starlight couple’s wedding, participle in 13 Olympics– from coach, to officer, to judge, to the person that oversees the event–watch my Star hung on the dining room wall, and countless other amazing memories.

So my 1st thirteen summers have been full of a lot of great things and I am looking forward to the next 13. I am the luckiest guy in the world.  I get to work with 150 college students, 500 campers, and 50 professionals every summer who have enriched my life more than they will ever know.

Thanks Camp Starlight!

Kyle

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The Starlight Playhouse

Wednesday, May 25th, 2011

As the summer of 2011 approaches, the Starlight Playhouse will soon come alive. There are images of the Rec Hall lights dimming while a hush rolls over the roar of the crowd running through my mind.  I hear Jeff Moss announcing “Ladies and gentleman and children of all ages, the Starlight Playhouse proudly presents…” At that moment, electricity ignites the lights, speakers, and microphones and the red velvet curtains open, displaying the talented and dedicated actors and performers that deliver once in a lifetime performances that the socks off the delighted audience.

As we wait to find out what the 2011 show production line-up has in store for us, we are excited to announce the return of the Starlight Playhouse staff. The one and only, master of ceremonies, Jeffery B. Moss will be returning for his 44th summer at Camp Starlight as Theater Director. Denes Van Parys, better known as DVP, will be tickling the ivories and striking up the band all summer as Musical Director. Behind the scenes, you will find Lindsay Jennings meticulously creating new and exciting costumes, while Stephanie Rubenfeld works hard as Jeff’s right hand woman, helping the campers learn their lines while encouraging them from start to finish. We are very thrilled to introduce the new Technical Director, Christopher Goslin. He is a Technical Director and Adjunct Professor at Miami Dade College with an abundance of knowledge and experience that he looks forward to sharing with us this summer.

Qynn

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Slope for Lope

Wednesday, May 18th, 2011

Slope for Lope is quickly becoming one of Camp Starlight’s favorite summer traditions. The excitement that builds in anticipation of the big morning is one that gets your motor running, blood pumping, and motivation to climb camp road at an all time high. The first time you do the Slope for Lope, many things are going through your head…

“Should I go out fast to get ahead?…Maybe I will start out at a leisurely pace and save my gusto for a strong finish!”

Maybe you’re a seasoned runner and you’re thinking about breathing patterns and the length of your stride. Whatever the mindset brings you up the winding road, the goal is the same, as you break the peak of the hill and begin the decline into the heart of camp.  You see the buzzing crowd waiting to greet the mass of runners. It is a race to the finish line where you’ll be rewarded with cheers, smiling faces, and a fresh slice of DEEEE-LICIOUS! We hope everyone is as excited as we are for Slope for Lope 2011!

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It’s a Small World after All!

Tuesday, March 29th, 2011

A wonderful, rewarding job where you get to meet people from all over the world? Yes, please!

Working at Starlight gives our staff the unique experience of interacting with people from all over the world in one place! With over 250 staff members, we have representatives from over 40 states in the U.S. and 15 other countries. Coming from all different places, we join together every summer for the same reason; to have the summer of a lifetime at camp!

 Starlight may physically be in Pennsylvania, but if you just look around and listen to the many accents and mannerisms of our counselors, you will soon realize that at camp, it really doesn’t matter from where you come. It’s our own Starlight world, and there is a lot to learn from working amongst so many different kinds of people.

 During the hiring season, we travel domestically and abroad to put together a terrific team of people based on skills, experience, and geography. Besides the traditional sports and activities our campers are taught, through their counselors, they also learn about customs and different ways of life outside of the regions they call home.

 We enjoy the excitement of the America vs. the World soccer game, Fourth of July takeovers by the Brits, stories about kangaroos and koalas from our Aussie staff, and celebrating Canada Day and Peruvian holidays at line-up. But what makes camp special for our diverse staff are the things that bring us together. Because waking up early for the Polar Bear Club, wrestling in slime, watching the burning of the lake, and an overall love for kids and camp are what make us the same, no matter from where we started our journey.

Camp friends are friends for life no matter where you live in the world. Even as the years go by and you move on from camp, you can count on a place to stay and a friendly face wherever you may travel. Ultimately a love for adventure, a yearning to make a difference, the same spirit inside us that is playful and fun with the desire to grow and change for the better is what creates a common bond, and makes a counselor’s summer an experience unlike any other.

 Alyson

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Are You Ready for the 10th Anniversary of the SWF?

Tuesday, March 22nd, 2011

Starlighters, in 2011 we will be embarking on a very important milestone in history.  This summer will be the 10th anniversary of the Starlight Wrestling Federation, an event unrivaled and looked forward to every year! We know the 10th annual SWF match will entertain with laughs and new champions from a fresh line-up of contenders, but looking back, what have been the best moments? Was it the shock of seeing our favorite bus driver, Kathy, step into the ring and body slam Tracy? We all remember the days of Team Canada being led in by Megan and backed up by the daunting strength of Hugh, a veritable legend in SWF history. Perhaps your favorite moment was when the Tambourine Trashers of Lower Camp put out the flames of the Upper Camp Fire Department. For me, it was when the entire Starlight branch of the Boczkowski family strutted their way to the ring to lead Kyle to victory! Whatever the moment, the Starlight Wrestling Federation match has wrangled its way into our hearts.  We can all look back and laugh and smile as we remember our counselors and key staff braving the pit of apple sauce, watermelon, creamed corn, Jello, or whatever else we had cooked up for the event. Who can guess what sort of shenanigans and characters we may see under the bright lights before us as we gather together this summer for the 10th time to cheer on the winner of the highly sought after gold belt?

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Radio Reminiscing

Thursday, March 17th, 2011

The other day as I was listening to the radio while driving down the road, in the blink of an eye, I was back in the Dining Room surrounded by the voices, noises, and even the smells of Camp Starlight. I love it when those moments happen. Something as simple as one song can transform your mood, surroundings, and energy. Not only do we come across unexpected moments that return us to our summer home away from home, but it creates an excitement, buzz, and energy that I know I can’t shake. When times like that happen, I’ll find myself on the phone or computer reconnected to a long lost camp friend.

More importantly, those quick, unexpected instances make me want to return to camp as soon as I possibly can. I am reminded each time those moments happen why I fell in love with Camp Starlight, its campers, and staff twelve years ago.  I feel I am one of the fortunate; I have had the opportunity to experience Camp Starlight, and I look forward to the next time I hear a song on the radio that sends me back to camp.

What brings you back?

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