Session 1 Week 1 Newsletter Summer 2018

Sothue thwoods Way

Issue 128 Summer 2018 June 30, 2018

Welcome Home!

This past Sunday was lled with group played name games and
hugs, high ves, and smiles from engaged in introduction activities
ear to ear as campers poured out for an awesome rst day at camp!
of buses, cars, and vans. The
excitement was obvious as Since Sunday, we have sent our
campers practically ew off the Upper Senior Girls and Boys to
buses into the arms of friends hike Cascade Mountain, we have
they had missed since last gone on caving trips, trips to Fun
summer and to greet new campers Spot, gone to the rodeo, and we’ve
arriving for their rst experience all taken our skills assessment
at Southwoods. Group Leaders tests in both biking and swimming,
and Cabin Staff kept groups busy and earned our swimming tags at
by giving tours and playing games the waterfront.
while more and more campers
continued to arrive at In addition to Trek Trips and
Southwoods throughout the Intercamps, we started our rst
afternoon. full week of electives and bunk
activities. After all the
Campers had the opportunity to excitement of Week 1,
meet their counselors and cabin we can’t wait to see
mates, explore their bunks, and what adventures will
even more importantly, connect come in Week 2!
with new and old friends! Each

In This Issue: - a letter from andrea and scott
- Campfire conclusion
- Welcome Home! - camper quotes
- Fall into summer - venturing ABove
- Staff member of the Week

Page 2

FALL INTO SUMMER

We celebrated Halloween and the spirit of fall a lile early this year, Southwoods style! In the afternoon there
was a Fall Festival at the Soccer eld which included tons of in atable toys for everyone to have fun on. There
was even a hayride for the campers to ride on that took them throughout the camp! Following all of this,
everyone then got adorned in Halloween costumes ranging from lobsters to cheerleaders to even a dinosaur!
There were even costume pieces to borrow from Theater or costume preparation/decorating at Arts &
Crafts. The Arts & Crafts team set up a pumpkin bag decorating station as well. Later in the day campers

also got to trick-or-treat in their costumes! There were stations at
the Grove, Yurt, and so much more where head staff had treats to
hand out.

After trick-or-treating there was a Halloween Dance Party at the Rec
Hall! Although tribal did not break at the dance like everyone thought
it was going to, the hype of the day had everyone buzzing and
dancing to their favorite songs such as “The Cha, Cha Slide”, “Party in
the USA”, and much more! Campers danced their way into the evening,
wishing all the fun would never end! Throughout the festival and dance
you could feel the excitement in the air and everyone couldn’t wait to
see what fun was in store for the following day!

Staff Member of the Week:

This friendly guy never strays away from an opportunity to help others, no
maer how hot the weather is outside you can always rely on Ste to be
positive. From working at the waterfront to helping campers, this guy
always does it with a smile, bringing smiles to all those around him!

Full Name: Steven Brown
Nickname: Big Ste
Hometown: Liverpool, England
Role at Southwoods: Life Guard/Cabin Specialist
Years at Southwoods: 1st Year
Favorite Camp Song: “Little Red Wagon”

SoTuhethwoodsWay
PAGE 3
A L E T T E R F RO M A N D R E A & S CO T T

Dear Southwoods,
Once again the Paradox Lake and the entire Adirondack Mountain range have come alive to the chants of
1-2-3-4 we want Tribal War. With each additional day these chants have grown louder and louder. So loud in fact
that we have had people across the lake calling to see if everything was ok. Yes, it has been a magical first week,
one for the books, here at Southwoods. The spirit you have generated around all that we do is so thick that it
drips from trees like honey. This spirt is also evident in the way each group has come together so that everyone
in the cabin is made to feel special and that they are at home, their second home, Southwoods. It is not always
easy to be away from Mom and Dad for the first time, or even for the 10th time, but you all sure have made it
look like it is…the proof of this is in the fact that our fuzzy box is overflowing with nominations. This truly is
The Southwoods Way.
As far as the action in camp goes... Wow!!!! Just think of all the great things we have done in such a short
period of time. We have had: Arrival Day, Welcome Campfire, swim skill assessments, Lower Camp Air-band,
Mountain Biking Trips, Caving Trips, Hiking Overnights, Horseback Riding, Try Outs & Rehearsal for Wicked....
our Upper Camp musical, Halloween Day, evening ski & tube, inter-camp games and so very much more. Yes,
we did all that on top of our regular daily schedule...and that is just the first week! Can you even imagine what is
yet to come?
It is so great to everyone giving it their best at all the activities, as-well-as making each other feel so good about
being here at Southwoods. Remember what we always say...be sure to stop, reflect, and enjoy where you are
today because before you know it, camp will be over and it will be another whole year before you’re back at
Southwoods.
Go Iroquois, Go Mohawk, Go Navajo, Go Southwoods!
Love,
Andrea & Scott

Mission Statement:
Southwoods is commied to empowering people. Our goal is to build con dence and self esteem by
reinforcing positive human values. We achieve that goal through cuing-edge programming implemented by
a carefully selected and fully trained staff whose investment in children, like our own is unparalleled.

Camp re Conclusion

Campfire: Opening Night
page 4

There is no beer way to welcome our campers back after being apart for a while or to welcome new
campers, than hosting an all camp camp re! On Sunday night, as an entire camp we got together to
sing songs, learn new cheers, and enjoy being together. Due to inclement weather we met at the
Pavilion, but reminisced upon the camp re spot where campers have been meeting for over 100
years.

As we welcomed back old friends and invited new campers and staff to join us in this rich tradition,
we began to re ect back on our arrival day and think about how much fun and amazing memories we
will have this summer!

As our Program team, Peter and Katie introduced our spectacular staff who taught the new
campers our favorite camp re songs and put on skits to help ease our campers into their rst night
of camp, we enjoyed many performances. The Group Leaders sang their very own camp song to the
beat of a song from The Greatest Showman and the Girl Group Leaders had everyone in ts of giggles
with their skit! We also had a touching performance from the Iroquois Staff Tribe with their detailed
song about Southwoods, an altered song to the tune of “Our Song” by Taylor Swift.

We participated in a multitude of songs including those performed by our Trek staff singing “The
Hippo Song”, Andrea and Lauren performing “The Worm Song”, and our Waterfront staff teaching
everyone the “Baby Shark Song.” We love activities that make everyone feel so welcome to join in and
bring smiles to everyone’s face.

Every camp re is unique, however opening night camp re is truly special as we celebrate those who
continue to join us year after year. We honor those staff and campers rewarding them with our
Longevity Awards, which are: Three-Year T-shirts, Five-Year Fleece Jackets, Eight-Year Blankets,
and Ten-Year Sweatshirts. After taking group pictures to commemorate the occasion, we had
Group Leader, Jordan Shedrofsky and Cabin Specialist, Sarah Greenspon play us out with classic
sing-a-long songs like “Take Me Home, Country Roads” and “Riptide”. It was an evening to remember!

Page 5

CAMPER QUOTES

What Are You Most Looking Forward To This Summer?

Andrew Berkman, LSB: “I Danielle Samberg,
am most excited for Rainbow LIG: “I am excited for the
Warriors because we get to go carnival and guessing what
all over camp and compete
against other people.” avors of Skiles are while
blindfolded.”

Jessica Zawadzki, LIG: “I Eva Cichosz, LIG: “I can’t wait to Mahew Marchese, LSB:
am most looking forward to the participate in the talent show with “I am most looking forward to
talent show and participating in gymnastics tricks and to water ski!” going to Burlington because I
the play this summer!” cannot wait to visit Ben and
Jerry’s Ice Cream!”

VENTURING Above Corey Brooks
Upper Senior Boy
I was very excited for the Cascade hiking trip. The car ride there was Cabin: Nyestrong
really fun and it was great to spend time with my bunkmates. The

overall hike was prey far, close to two or three hours but we stopped
for lunch at a lookout peak and the view was awesome even if it wasn’t
at the top. I loved reaching the top of the mountain the most though
because of the satisfying feeling of accomplishment. Overall, it was a

great experience!

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This Week in Photos