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.
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Dance Parties Bring the Magic to Camp Starlight
Wednesday, July 12th, 2017The Top 10 Ways to Celebrate the 4th of July at Camp Starlight
Wednesday, 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
Tuesday, 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
Tuesday, 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
Monday, 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.
Upper Plebes and Lower Senior Boys Hockey
Sunday, July 9th, 2017
Starlight Upper Plebes and Lower Senior boy’s hockey fell behind early in the first few minutes of the game against Wayne County but recovered with a strong comeback. Down 2-8, Jonah S. and Jared F. each scored to change up the pace of the game. Then the boys found themselves down 5-8 going into the 3rd period, but Jonah S. was able to score using his hat trick technique. Jackson F. put himself in the right spot scoring on a onetime from Jonah S. and then again from Ozzie F. Jackson F. completed his hat trick with the game winning goal 8 minutes into the 3rd period. Starlight closed out the game and securing their win with their airtight defense.
Senior Girls Soar as Eagles
Saturday, July 8th, 2017
The one tradition Lower Seniors and Upper Debs look forward to at the start of the summer is the Eagle Ceremony. In reference to a cheer begun a few years ago, Lower Senior girls fly high as Eagles instead of quacking around like ducks because at this stage in their lives they become the leaders instead of the followers. At the ceremony, Upper Debs watch as the Lower Seniors are initiated as Eagles with camp director Allison, the Upper Debs are present so that they can look forward to experiencing the same ceremony next summer and begin to uphold the characteristics that define an Eagle. The idea of leadership is very important for Camp Starlight to instill among the Upper Camp because it is a positive theme for the girls that are getting older, achieving more responsibility and fulfilling the roles that require leadership qualities.
The Lower Seniors–now Eagles–can now fly high at Camp Starlight.
Lower Inter Girl’s Softball
Friday, July 7th, 2017
Camp Starlight’s Lower Inter girl’s softball team beat Wayne 8-2. Harper L., Taylor M. and Lilly T. combined to strike out 11 batters. Lilly T. drove in 3 runs and Avery K., JoJo G., Lilly F., Ava F. and Brooke G. all scored and drove in runs. Ari Y. performed the catching outs for the winning squad. With the first win of the season under their belt, the Lower Inter girls have high hopes for another easy win.
Friday Night Show at Camp Starlight
Friday, July 7th, 2017Once the sun lowers from the peak point in the sky on a Friday afternoon the entire campus begins to buzz about the Friday Night Show at Camp Starlight. Wondering what skit will be performed and who will make guest appearances, camp eagerly awaits the spotlight that will illuminate the stage. The Friday Night Show is a newer tradition at Camp Starlight where staff members Jason and Hayley host a sketch comedy show for all of camp to enjoy and laugh.
All of camp is in an electric mood when the hosts make an appearance on stage; everyone in the audience straightens up in their seats anticipating to laugh so hard their stomachs will ache with joy. For almost the entire show the audience is laughing, giggling and chuckling at all the silly shenanigans that take place and applaud when exciting surprises appear when least expected. During the Friday Night Show, campers are encouraged to be goofy because this is a special time that embraces jokes and witty gags played on audience members. Feeling like a fool while watching the show is part of the fun and is what makes the experience so entertaining.
Dedicating Friday nights to laughter creates a bubbling anticipation for these Friday Night Shows among campers and encourages them to utilize skills in sketch comedy, theatre and stage productions. More often than not, when campers are exposed to these special forms of entertainment a new passion will blossom before them. Nurturing these passions is what allows for these Friday Night Shows to get better each year with the help of campers. When these campers share laughter together, they transform these Friday night moments into memories.
Junior Girls Basketball
Wednesday, July 5th, 2017
Starlight’s Junior girls basketball had a dominating victory against Westmont with a score of 18-4. Mikayla T. started us off strong by winning the tip off. After the jump ball, Starlight had a slow start until Dylan S. quickly broke the streak by scoring 12 points. Mikayla T. contributed with 2 points on offense and then 4 steals and 6 rebounds on defense. Miley Y. and Lilly A. scored 2 points each adding to the total. Starlight would not have been able to limit off Westmont’s defense without Claudia C., Avery G. and Lilly P. Leading the team assists were Ella G. and Hannah G. The entire team really pushed through for the first game of the summer to get an easy win.
