Welcome to Camp Simcha Special 2009 !

Hello Camp Simcha Special!

This year for the first time, we're having live blogging straight from camp. This is Leah here and I'll be your source of news and developments from our headquarters in Glen Spey, Party City, New York.

I'm only on the bus up to camp, but sources close to camp tell me that camp this year is going to be quite a party. I'm heading up from Monsey. The trip is about an hour and a half so by the time I look around we should be right there. . .

And here we come up the road, I can see the signs. Camp Simcha Special, we have arrived. WELCOME TO THE CAMP SIMCHA SPECIAL PARTY!
A huge banner on the front gate ushers campers into what will be a spectacular two weeks.

We are greeted by droves of clowns and entertainers -- whoops, I mean staff members -- already there. They are singing and dancing and look there's Aviva playing away at the piano. From the window, I can see Rivky Schwartz and Esti Kleinkaufman buzzing about. I recognize my friends from last year and a host of new faces.

I grab my bags and head to the office to get my room assignment. Then off to Room 604 of the Hotel, where I will be staying for the next two weeks. My bunk is neat and clean and comfortable as always, and I quickly put everything away so I can head back outside, into the action. It's almost time for supper, but before then I descend into the lower level, past the library and arcade room, past the computer room where I notice a line of shiny new computers, and into our Headquarters. It's from that I'll be compiling the newspaper and keeping you posted on the latest news exclusively from CSS.

Top officials from the newspaper office, including a new staff member named Nechama, met today to discuss top secret information about this summer's newspaper. The content of that meeting will be revealed tomorrow around lunch-time. When asked about the theme of the newspaper, the newspaper office declined to comment. This leaves no choice but to wait anxiously until then.

In the meantime: dinner and then dancing! The excitement in the dining room is palpable and the floor is almost shaking beneath us as campers and counselors dance to the beat.

GIVE ME A "C"
GIVE ME A "A"
GIVE ME A "M"
GIVE ME A "P"
GIVE ME A "S"
GIVE ME A "I"
GIVE ME A "M"
GIVE ME A "C"
GIVE ME A "H"
GIVE ME A "A"

What does that spell? CAMP SIMCHA ! ! !

Please don't stop the music ... but the Rebbe's Tisch is about to begin in the social hall. And now for the first night activity of the summer. What's it going to be? You guessed it -- more dancing! Disco lights on overhead, CSS got into camp spirit as the video screen dropped down from the ceiling. We watched the CSS '08 video. This summer promises to be even more fun, with even more jaw-dropping activities and surprises.

Each specialty made a presentation. The waitresses reminded us that "I'm a fork, spoon and knife -- spatula." Aviva contacted the American Academy for Arts and Crafts to find the best arts and crafts heads. In an interview, these experts told us they were trained in the best schools. Among our staff members are graduates of TAG and FIT.

The camp-famous tenor Libby sang us a solo. The song is her original composition. "If we weren't here we would be really sad. Now that we're here and having fun let's say a a cheer with everyone!"

After this introduction, the specialties performed a dance number set to a song recorded exclusively for CSS. The lyrics are perfectly appropriate to the theme for the summer.

It's your party, you'll make it. We're waiting, come on. Yes, you got it. Let's rock it, don't wait around too long. Now you're invited, don't miss it. Step up. Come on. Dream. Dream. Dream. Dream. Life is but a dream.

The main activity for tonight was a "Get to know you" game. Everyone split into their camp divisions and assembled in circles. The game showed us how we are all connected: The object of the game was to get to know our bunkmates. A ball of yarn started in one camper's hands. Then, description was called out and the ball was tossed to the girls who fit the requirements. The first girl still held on to the end of the string, making a connection between the two girls. Then another description is announced and the second girl threw it to the third. At the end, there was a whole web of yarn, connecting everyone to each other.

Who has green eyes?
Who has five kids in her family?
Who is the only girl in her family?
Who is the middle child?
Who is wearing a pink shirt?
Who plays an instrument?

The game was going well until they asked "Who loves Simcha Special?" There simply not enough string to go around for that question. When all the string was gone, we saw a slideshow of campers from last summer. Off to the canteen, the arcades, the gym or bed.

Good night, everyone! Can't wait to speak tomorrow.

After hours at the canteen: A dozen campers were spotted at the canteen after night activity. After filling up on their favorite hot pretzels and knishes, some campers headed over to the gym for a karaoke session.