The Way January 2021

SoTuhethwoods Way
ISSUE 153 WINTER 2021 JANUARY 26, 2021
let the countdown to camp begin!

We have made it to 2021! All of us here at the Southwoods Headquarters IN THIS EDITION
would like to wish you a very Happy New Year! This milestone also means that we
are that much closer to camp and what will surely be the most much-needed, Countdown to Camp
amazing summer of our lives! We know the past few months have looked and felt a Staff Spotlight & Virtual Fun
little different, but with everything in life, you have to look for the silver lining.
A Note from Andrea
Throughout the COVID climate, it has been difficult to have face to face Camper Connection
interactions. But we overcame and found different ways to stay connected with our Richard Yozamp Art
friends, family and even our teachers. There were zoom calls, FaceTiming sessions
and even traditional voice calls. We know this wasn’t always easy, but we did it!!! S’more Camp
There is some evidence that says we actually became more connected to our Friend Referral Information
relationships over the past twelve months than ever before. Hey Southwoods, pick-
up the phone!!! *We are here to help you stay connected to Southwoods! As we get Steven Sez
closer to camp, be on the lookout for monthly Southwoods Zooms that may include The Southwoods Desk
camp activities, games, songs and much, much more!
Parent Page
The past year has given us a deeper understanding of what it means to take Unplugged
care of ourselves and each other. We learned how to social distance and still be Project Morry
social. We now even know how to smile with our eyes! Taking care of each other is Girl’s Side Line Up
something reinforced each and every summer at Southwoods, so we know this one Boy’s Side Line Up
wasn’t too tough for our community. Cooking with Andrea
Camp Photos
We learned how to entertain ourselves. There were moments that felt like a Birthdays
never-ending rest hour that didn’t include letter reading/ writing, card games or our
camp friends. We created games, became music video producers/actors, and went to
the park. *Speaking of producers and actors, we cannot wait to see you on stage this
summer as the Southwoods Playhouse presents it’s rendition of The Jungle Book!
Luckily for us, self-entertaining is a skill that we can take with us for the rest of our
lives. This skill alone can spark creativity, imagination and helps release endorphins
that make us feel good. We are excited to play these self-created games with you and
see some of these music video productions acted out at air band.

It is not always easy to find the good in tough situations, but there is so much
that we can look back on, smile with our eyes and be proud! We stayed connected,
looked out for each other and continued to live the “Southwoods Way.”

We are all very excited and cannot wait to see you soon! As always, we are
just a phone call, email or message away!

Staff Spotlight! Page 2

Name: Luis Enrique Cornejo Perez VIRTUAL
Nicknames: Quique EVENTS
Hometown: Tlaxcala, Mexico
Birthday: August 17th REVERSE PANIC
Pets: No
Favorite Meal at Camp: Chicken SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21st
enchiladas 7PM
Favorite Beverage: Ginger ale
Favorite Singer/Group: Bruno Mars All the excitement of PANIC, but
Favorite Actor: Ryan Reynolds YOU get to be the judge!
Favorite Actress: Rachel McAdams
Favorite TV Show: Breaking bad ART NIGHT
Favorite Movie: Batman: The Dark Knight Rises
Favorite Subject in School: Accounting SUNDAY, MARCH 14th
Favorite Fast Food: French fries 7PM
Favorite Color: Blue
Person you would most like to meet: Lionel Messi No matter the supplies you have at home,
Place you would most like to visit: Patagonia, Argentina you’ll be able to join in the creative fun!
Favorite Quote:“ Why do you want this so badly?…
Because they said I couldn't have it.” (Men of honor)
Favorite Sport: Soccer
Favorite Camp Song: Moose Song
Favorite Camp Memory: Bowling party (first year)

Name:Willa Kuhn
Nicknames: None really
Hometown: Chappaqua, NY
Birthday: October 6
Pets: 3 dogs and 2 cats
Favorite Meal at Camp: Circle Pizza
Favorite Beverage: Earl Grey Tea
Favorite Singer/Group: Taylor Swift
Favorite Actor: Chris Pine
Favorite Actress: Anna Kendrick
Favorite TV Show: Psych
Favorite Movie: Get Smart
Favorite Subject in School: Math
Favorite Fast Food: Chipotle
Favorite Color:Yellow
Person you would most like to meet: Emma Watson
Place you would most like to visit: Italy
Favorite Quote:You’ll never do a whole lot unless
you’re brave enough to try. – Dolly Parton
Favorite Sport: Field Hockey
Favorite Camp Song: The Moose Song
Favorite Camp Memory:Woman Hunt!

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A Note From Andrea

fuzzies s’mores paradox Lake

stars laughter growth campfires

silliness smiles friends

Stop for a minute and think… What are your camp words? What are the first ten words
that pop into your mind when you think about camp? Are you smiling now? Do they make
you think about the people and places at Southwoods that go along with those words?

When I think about my camp words I can’t help but smile and my heart feels happier.
When I think about those words and all the stories, people and events that go with them I
am grateful that camp has given me all those memories. I am grateful for my summer
home on Paradox Lake and I am grateful for my camp family. Southwoods memories carry
me through tough Fmes. They help me remember a place where I can be me. I love that I
can say my words to my camp friends and they know exactly what I mean AND that some
of our memories are the same.

I’ve sure missed camp a lot. I know you have too. I can’t wait to see you there this
summer, where we can make some more memories and add to our list of words.

There is one more word, my favorite actually…Southwoods.

See you soon,

Love, Andrea xo

Our Mission Statement...

Southwoods is committed to empowering people. Our goal is to build confidence
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staff whose investment in children, like our own, is unparalleled.


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Camper connection

1. What do you miss most about Southwoods?
Pierce - The thing I miss the most is the people and the
counselors.
Spencer - One thing I miss about camp is the waterfront.

Pierce Mar@n (USB) 2. What is your favorite thing/activity at Southwoods?
Spencer Mar@n (LSB) Pierce - I like swimming and free time, they are kinda chill times
and that is good to have.
Spencer - One of my favorite things to do at camp is the Tribal
games.

3. What are you looking forward to most next summer?
Pierce - Seeing everyone and seeing how everything changes after a pandemic
Spencer - I am looking forward to no more bunk snack & Canteen every night!

Southwoods Collection

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s’more Limited Spaces!
camp Call to reserve
your camper’s
GET A TASTE OF
SOUTHWOODS! spot!
(914) 214-8780
An opportunity for 2nd, 3rd, and 4th
graders in Sept. 2020 to experience
sleepaway camp for 4 days/3 nights.

$625, includes transportation
from NYC Metro area.

Refer A Friend! SOUTHWOODS CAMPERS ARE
HELP US SHARE THE ENCOURAGED AND CHALLENGED TO
JOY OF CAMP! TRY NEW THINGS AND STRETCH THEIR
COMFORT ZONES! ALL WHILE HAVING
INTRODUCE SOUTHWOODS TO A NEW THE GUIDANCE AND CARE OF MATURE
FAMILY BY PROVIDING US WITH THE ADULTS AND COUNSELORS SAFELY
PROSPECTIVE CAMPER’S FAMILY NAME AND
CONTACT INFORMATION. WE WILL DO THE GUIDING THEM ALONG THE WAY.
REST!!! IF THEY ENROLL AND ATTEND CAMP,
WE WILL REIMBURSE YOU FOR THE THAT’S WHAT SOUTHWOODS
REQUIRED CAMP SPOT CLOTHING LIST! IS ALL ABOUT!

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STEVEN SEZ

Hi Southwoods!!!

First and foremost, I hope you are all well and safe. It has been a difficult year for so many of us and let’s hope we have begun
to turn the corner. The great news is that we are plowing forward and preparing to give our campers and staff an experience
Steven Bluth they will have for the rest of their lives!
Director To say that I am excited to be a part of the Southwoods family would be an understatement. I am so excited to see Southwoods
in action. To feel the energy, enthusiasm and passion from our staff. To hear the sounds of children laughing, singing and playing.
I cannot wait to see, hear and feel what it’s like to be a part of everything that happens on Paradox Lake!… And to stand in awe at all that takes place at our
Trek Program! I am looking forward to seeing our athletes on the courts and fields, and our artists, musicians and creators filling camp with so many
wonderful projects.

Like so many of you I have many interests. Having been a college athlete and high school athletic director, sports have always been a big part of my life. I
played baseball, lacrosse and tennis in college. I still play tennis and am in a fast pitch softball league.I love playing and competing. I also love music. I am a
huge Allman Brother’s, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin fan (to name just a few). I was in a band in high school and still play the drums at home (I am fair at best!). I
also love working with kids. My entire adult life has been about teaching and working with kids. It started when I was a group leader at camp, then a
teacher and coach, and administrator. There is no doubt that all of those children taught me as much, if not more, than I taught them! I also love building
teams and families. I love taking a group of people and turning them into a cohesive unit all going in the same direction with the same goals. I love the hard
work, the adversity that comes with it, the passion and love that is shared. I have been blessed with 3 women in my life. The greatest gift I have are my
daughter’s Nicole and Stefanie. Being a father, for me, is the best job in the world... and the toughest job! They have taught me so many things. Most
significant is what it means to be a man. I guess in a weird way my family is a passion of mine… the most important team and family that I have ever had
the good fortune of building (my wife is the architect. I can’t lie).

Having the ability to work with Andrea, Lauren and Johnny these past couple of weeks has been amazing. Seeing their love for camp in how hard they work
and hearing the passion pour out of the words they use to describe The Way, our campers, our staff, our program and all things Southwoods is both
motivating and powerful!

I leave you with one of my favorite quotes (I am a quote guy!).
“Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right.” -Henry Ford)-

Wishing you health, love and happiness in 2021...

@ C A M P S O U T H W O O D S ATStay Connected to CAMP!
TENTION PARENTS! Instagram

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parent page

We're excited beyond words for summer 2021!
We know your children want and need camp more than ever and we can't wait to be on Paradox
Lake together. While the news has begun to include ar@cles sharing why it is so important to get our
children back to camp, no wri@ng speaks more wisdom than the following le\er we received from
one of our Southwoods families...
Dear Southwoods,
PLEASE TAKE OUR KIDS BACK TO CAMP! While we love our children greatly, they need to go to
camp! We have valued more family Fme this year, but they need to go to camp! Southwoods can
provide all the things we cannot; acFviFes to keep them occupied, friends to talk to and BE WITH,
nature (that doesn’t include walks around a neighborhood), singing songs, trying new things, being
silly, independence, and gedng FUZZIES! But the best part may be what you do not have-SCREENS!
There is no doubt that this past year has been weird and hard for everyone. Every kid has lost
something and/or someone that they won’t be able to get back. Our kids have had to learn how to
deal with all of these disappointments and they will be stronger for it. However, it’s Fme they all start
to have things to smile about and look forward to. For our children, being able to return to the sports
that they love has been invaluable. Even being physically in school part-Fme has afforded them the
ability to start feeling “normal” again. But the one thing they are most excited for is camp, yet at the
same Fme they may be slightly hesitant to be too excited. What if COVID makes it impossible for camp
to operate again? For them, that would be devastaFng. One thing we do know is that as long as
Southwoods can run, it will, and it will be safe. There is no doubt that Andrea, Steve, Lauren, Johnny
and the rest of the Southwoods team will make sure that every kid will have the best, safest
experience possible. We are counFng down the days here in our house. For some reason going to
canteen (aka the pantry) doesn’t seem to have the same effect as it does on Paradox Lake in the
Adirondacks!
With Warm Fuzzies,
Andrea and Scoh Spolansky
Parents of Danny (USB) & Lauren (UIG)
This le\er brought a smile to our face and a warm fuzzy to our hearts. Our families understand why
camp is so important and you know the value that a summer at Southwoods provides for their
children. Healthy movement, in person socializa@on and screen free play is more important than
ever and summer camp provides those things and more. Here in our Southwoods winter office we
have been planning for summer 2021 for so long and we can’t wait! Get ready for your children to
spend their days running, playing, swimming, laughing-just being kids! Hang in there parents, camp
is just a few months away! -Andrea

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southwoods - unplugged!

Snow Day?
sNOw PROBLEM...
Let’s play a Carnival game!

Flip-Tac-Toe How to Play:
•Teams line up behind each other & when someone says GO! the first
Materials:
• Masking tape person on each team gets a cup of their team color/pattern & places
• 2 different colored plastic cups – 3 of each open side up, on the edge of the table beside the taped Tic Tac Toe
board.
color • Use one finger on one hand to try to flip their cup over so the cup lands
• A flat surface a card table on its open end. When it lands properly (open end down) on the table,
• Set up begins by taping a tic tac toe board of 9 the player must then place it on the board quickly in a square to help
advance their team in tic tac toe.
spaces. • It’s the next players turn. You got to move fast & think quick, keep your
• You may need to measure by putting one of eye on the other team! Where are they going to put their next cup!
• If the cup rolls or falls & doesn’t land open end down, the player must
the cups you’ll be using in a space to make sure continue setting the cup on the edge & try to flip it again & again, until
they will all fit. they are successful!!
• Be sure to leave room around your board. • The game keeps going until one team has Tic Tac Toe!
You’ll need room to set the cup down on the
edge to flip it over.
• Once all the taping is done, you’re ready to
play!!

Project Morry

Kids That Give

Project Morry’s “Kids That Give” program is comprised of youth who have
been inspired to support the organization throughout the year. By creating

fundraising initiatives and in-kind donation projects, each participant
dedicates their time to helping the organization grow and develop. This is a
fantastic opportunity for youth looking to stay involved with Project Morry.

100% of Participation Ideas Include: 90% of Project
Project Morry’s youth
Morry’s youth ~Bar/Bat Mitzvah Projects~ ~Donation Drives~ who attend a
participants
graduate from ~School Clubs~ ~Walk-A-Thons~ college or
High School. university secure
~Community Fundraisers~ ~Support Sundays~

~Bake Sales~

For more Information contact: [email protected] a degree.

914-592-3055

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girls side line up!

Let’s talk TikTok… Lauren Hohman
I have a confession to make to all of you… I LOVE TikTok. I think it is one of the Girls Side

most creative, funny, and entertaining social media outlets out there. However, there is Head Counselor
danger in the land of TikTok. I don’t necessarily mean content, although you should
always be aware of what you’re putting into your brain. In this particular moment, I want
to discuss the danger of the time-suck that is the land of TikTok. Raise your hand if
you’ve spent over 30 minutes continuously on TikTok without having a CLUE you had
been on the app that long….. *everyone raises hand*. That right there is the danger in
TikTok. You literally lose part of your life to it every single day. Now hear me out; I’m not
advocating for you to not enjoy the app, but I would like for you to remember to LOOK
UP from the app from time to time.

What do you gain from looking up that you cannot gain from looking at TikTok?
The same things you gain when you’re at camp: the ability to be present in the moment
and make personal connections with the people around you - make eye contact, PLAY
- go outside and be a kid!, and probably the most important, calmness and meditation -
turn off the “likes” and “comments”.

In today’s world, we need Southwoods’ campers to be present. The kindness
you show, the love you have for the world around us cannot be wasted. I encourage
the entire Southwoods community to take more time to look up from our phones
between now and camp time. Let’s make every moment of our day count! -Lauren
“That’s all we have to say… So ladies, HAVE A GREAT DAY!”

boys side line up!

As we enter into a new year, and are yearning for normalcy and hoping for better Johnny Reinke
times, let’s not forget the memories we have together and what makes being part of the Boys Side
Southwoods community so Extraordinary… Our Friends!
Head Counselor
Southwoods friends are the best friends! Do you remember getting off the bus for the
first time and seeing all of those weird people, smiling and cheering? Flash forward to the
end of that summer and how it felt leaving our newly acquired Southwoods Family. Because
of that process we all know what true friendship really is. Amazing Activities: We have so
much fun at camp and there are always so many things to do. Moreover, Southwoods is that
one place in the world where it is ok to mess up at something and still become better and
stronger! No matter how well we did our first time waterskiing, shooting a basketball, or
creating an air band, it truly didn’t matter, because we were having fun and being the best
version of ourselves! Do you remember how others helped by encouraging us to do our
best (especially those friends previously mentioned)? That was awesome! It feels amazing to
be part of a place where trying something new for the first time pushes us to do it a second,
a third and so on.

We have grown so much during our time at Southwoods and had so much fun
together! Fortunately for us we get to have that time together again in just a few short
months! If you are like me, you may sometimes close your eyes and imagine swimming in
the lake or ascending the wall. Open your eyes, because summer 2021 is going to be
amazing! I am so excited to see you at camp soon! Until next time... Keep dreaming BIG!

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Cooking with Andrea!

Monkey Bread Muffins

INGREDIENTS
• 3 (12 oz) packages of refrigerated biscuit dough
• 1 cup of granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
• 1/2 cup raisins (optional)
DIRECTIONS
• Heat Oven to 350 degrees. Put foil liners into muffin tin

• Mix sugar and cinnamon in a plastic bag. Cut biscuits into thirds, and
then cut into smaller pieces. Shake biscuit pieces in plastic bag and add
all pieces to 1 muffin cup.

• Continue until all biscuits are gone or muffin tins are full.
• In a small sauce pan, melt the butter and brown sugar over medium

heat. Boil for 1 minute.
• Spoon 1 teaspoon of mixture over each muffin tin. Bake at 350 for 17

minutes.
• Let cool and eat! The muffins should just pull apart.

Cookies (or monkey bread muffins) can fix a lot of things…
“Today me will live in the moment. Unless it is unpleasant. In which case me

will eat a cookie.” —Cookie Monster

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memories that
last a lifetime

Southwoods
PO Box 201
Granite Springs, NY 10527

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Brody Thomases 12/1 Maren Kenna 12/25 Ben Healey 2/1 Alison Zou 2/25
Ava Mendez 12/1 Miya Huang 12/28 Rylee Landau 2/1 Spencer MarFn 2/28
Audrey Cook 12/4 Poe Reh 12/31 Mark Oliver 2/2 Diego Allen 3/2
Roy Mendelson 12/5 Ellie Mendelson 1/1 Joe Lehane 2/5 Rosie Whitesell 3/3
Jessie Feinstein 12/6 Emma Greenberg 1/4 Kayley Lehane 2/5 Oliver Faranda 3/4
Michelle Huang 12/6 Ivy Pralle 1/9 Isla Gelber 2/5 Maya Freemon 3/6
Jillian Mckiernan 12/8 Jessica Zawadzki 1/9 Leyla Kalagoglu 2/5 TJ Brodsky 3/8
Rianna Goenka 12/8 Rohan Garten 1/9 BrianaDuprey 2/6 Nicole Bazos 3/12
Quinn Halprin 12/8 Alessandro Grimaldi 1/9 Robbie Gutheil 2/8 Julia Hammerschlag 3/12
Sarah Warshofsky 12/11 Zachary Chalnick 1/10 Carly Gelles 2/9 SToyplehrie S Hcahmildmkerrascuhtl a3g/ 31/51 2
Joseph Asselta 12/11 Brooklyn Ford 1/10 Nicholas Wu 2/12 Kimberly Silverman 3/15
Josh Bludorn 12/11 Alex Dunn 1/11 Kaiden Rosenberg 2/13 Tristan Crihenden 3/16
Aiden Kalaau 12/13 Jake Feinstein 1/11 Amelie Prudent 2/14 Ty Maschhoff 3/16
Daniel Miller 12/14 Tatum Maschhoff 1/12 Nathan Renninger 2/15 Richard Lu 3/16
Nathan Milkes 12/14 Heidi Mansfield 1/12 Hunter Heidel 2/16 Balthazar Liste 3/28
Dora Lu 12/15 Lauren Spolansky 1/12 Ploe Kaw Thaw 2/18 Henry Rothman 3/29
Tony Gill 12/19 Zoe Winkler 1/17 Hayden Goldstein 2/19 Isaac Rothman 3/30
Jessica Lapidus 12/20 Lane Renninger 1/19 Czarina Adewunmi 2/19
Eva Cichosz 12/20 Andrew Sacks 1/20 Joshua Chang 2/19
Piper Migden 12/21 Philip Belin 1/23 Alice Chen 2/19
Christ Eh 12/21 Adam Rothenberg 1/23 Natalie Berson 2/19
Tiger Xiong 12/22 Finn Simmons 1/26 Raquel Nossel 2/23
Alina Anderson 12/23 Will Kessler 1/27 Junie Blaise 2/23
Noah Anderson 12/23 Eli Beinstein 1/31

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