Photo by camper, Sienna
Posts Tagged ‘sleepaway camp’
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.
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.
Boys Campfire at Camp Starlight
Monday, July 3rd, 2017
Shuffling to the boys waterfront, campers and counselors from boys side prepare for one of the greatest traditions at Camp Starlight: the opening boys campfire. The water of the lake slows down steady and the tee pee pile of logs rest next to the beach. All the boys sit huddled around the logs of wood, looking up to see if the night stars have peaked through the clouds resting on the navy and royal blue sky. Listening to the Head Counselor Jason lead cheers and songs, none of the campers have yet to notice the missing Upper Senior boys who have sneaked out to the other side of the Lake while the rest of the camp headed to the waterfront. The Upper Senior boys have secretly descended upon multiple war canoes as coordinated by the director of the camp, David. Silently wading through the still lake water, the canoes carry the Upper Senior boys from one side of the lake to the other, their shadows encroaching further and further to the rest of boys side. The only hint that anyone was moving along the lake was the single lit torch held by camp director David in the front, leading the Upper Seniors across the water.
Once the Upper Seniors land ashore, David begins to light the fire; passing off the lit torch to every Upper Senior as well to take part in lighting the enormous campfire. The campfire requires the spirit of the campers that have spent the most summers here at Starlight, they are the individuals that understand the values of the camp best and have the strength to carry these traditions forward. The fire rages and the flames shoot upward, igniting an electric mood across the waterfront. What makes this fire so powerful is that when every Upper Senior boy reaches the torch into the wood, they announce why they are spending one last summer at camp and what has been their favorite memories at this special place. Many Upper Seniors recount how they wanted one last summer with their brothers behind them or to experience the traditions they have grown to love and cherish Their memories and emotions fuel a powerful fire and inspire all the younger campers, especially the groups from lower camp, to get ready for the summer of a lifetime. The Upper Senior’s tradition enables the younger campers to look forward to experiencing the same amazing time at summer and to create similar memories with their friends. Most importantly of all, this allows for them to eagerly anticipate the day they get to light their own campfire and to feel that same power within them.
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.
Lower Inters Dominate the Baskteball Court
Sunday, July 2nd, 2017
Camp Starlight cruised to an easy 44-2 win against Pointelle for the Lower Inter’s first basketball game of the summer. Pointelle brought a great team but was clearly overpowered by Starlight’s Lower Inter group of boys. Ben S. led the way for Starlight with 12 points and 8 rebounds. Finn M. and Caden Z. also added 6 points each. Jared M, Avi K. and Jack K. all added 4 points. 2 points each were scored by Jordan K., Reese M., Gabe M., Asher W. and Matthew S. Zach B. was superb on the defensive end with 4 rebounds and 2 steals. Overall, Camp Starlight played spectacularly as they earned their first win of the season.
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.
New Counselors at Camp Starlight
Wednesday, June 28th, 2017
Just like many new campers, I step one foot in front, then the other follows along, as I explore the Camp Starlight campus for the very first time as a new counselor. I notice how big and tall the trees are and the dew on the grass soaking through my shoes. Just after a few steps, all my senses come alive–almost awakened. The sunlight shines and lights up all the particles of dust in the air that my presence has kicked up, transforming even the smallest elements of nature into dancing fairies. A celebration of natural life bloomed all around me. The vast open sky above affirmed that this special place holds no bounds for what can happen next, magical or real. Once you arrive at Camp Starlight you realize the idyllic summer that is Camp Starlight, this is where the true blossoming celebration takes place. To pass along through the road is just the beginning to experience the celebration.
