Are We There Yet?

Although Camp Simcha 2009 has ended, the memories will be with us forever.

Campers, counselors, and all alike will cherish the days and nights we spent together wishing we can do it all again sometime soon.

And with that we begin counting down the days to Camp Simcha 2010...

...343 days...


Just 343 days.
.

Campfires!

This activity is hot hot hot!

Each division will be spending a night out in tents up by the pool. There will be warm speeches, roasted marshmallows and cozy fires as everyone in camp feels the warmth that Camp Simcha provides: Memories.

Campers will reminisce about their greatest days in camp (every day!), counselors will share their most wonderful moments (every one!) and one and all will smile as the moon shines with just 57 hours and 36 minutes left to the most bestest summer ever...

...yes, "bestest" is not a word but when you are as excited about this summer as we are - it is.

Talent Show: Recap

To discuss each camper's talents in one blog post would seem ridiculous. It's practically impossible. It can't be done.

That leaves me in a pickle.


How do I convey to you the absolute amazingness (is that even a word?) that Camp Simcha featured on its stage last night? Many have tried, the same amound have failed.

Well, since words won't do the trick... How about we show you a small nugget from last night's performance?



At this point we'd like to inform you that Zachary only uses fake plastic swords and refraims from practicing when any children are around.

The people in the background are Zack's family who attended last night's show. Why were they hiding him for all this time? :-)

We love you, Zack!

...This was just 1 of the 103 kids here in camp...It just got better and better and better...

Simcha's Got Talent!

One would think it's illegal to contain so much talent in a mere 76 acres of land...

Camp Simcha has done the unthinkable.

One night only.

Tonight.

Each and every camper gets their moment of fame on the stage as hundreds of audience members watch in amazement as their jaw drops over and over again.

The talent show features singers, dancers, magicians, comedians and other performers of all ages competing for the advertised top prize of FREE CANTEEN! The show debuted in June 1932 for Camp Simcha Special. Starting its 106th season, critics are giving it two thumbs (plus a wheelchair) up!

Tickets have been sold out since last January and can be found on Ebay for prices higher than $10,000! Crazy, I know!

Want to know how it all goes down tonight? Well, you'll just have to tune in tomorrow morning.

Until then, booya!

Just 48 Hours Left...

to the 2009 Camp Simcha Musical!

We don't want to give anything away, nor do we want to leave you in the dark but Duvi Spiel-Becker has come up with something so amazing that on Wednesday night - you're going to want to be nowhere else than Camp Simcha' Social Hall.

Here's a taste of last year's masterpiece:



...47 hours and 59 minutes...
.

Super Sunday Recap

W-O-W.

That one word sums up last night's night activity.

We all got together in the gym for an experience of a lifetime as we clapped and drummed away on our very own set of drums... (one for each person!...)

Camper Justice commented,

"Rhythm is innate within us all - the beat of our heart, the way we walk, and the clapping of our hands. We explored the basics of rhythm and music in a fun and interactive way. This workshop gave each participant the experience of being a part of an orchestra or a band - in which each small contribution is vital to the making of something big, grand, and beautiful. Thank you, Drum Cafe!"

After concluding the drum activity, everyone made their way to the Social Hall where they watched in awe as the Head Staff whooped up on the Kitchen Staff in a game of Super Bowl Football (in a pre-recorded show).

Some asked, "When was this game filmed?", "Where was this game filmed?", while others asked, "Why was this game filmed?"

Well, to answer:

When was this game filmed? January 5th, 2009. The Head/Kitchen Staff made the trek up to camp to breathe some of that good ol' Camp Simcha spirit. Too bad we didn't bring winter coats.

Where was this game filmed? Deep in the forest. Near the Boogey Man's house. Others would deem this as: "near the baseball field."

Why was this game filmed? To stop all that bickering (we're kidding!) between the Head Staff and Kitchen Staff. The Head Staff prevailed 17-14. Ever since, the food has not tasted the same.

Wink!

P.S. - The commercials added to the W-O-W'ness factor. We saw advertisements for Geico by Shuki's division, Chumus by the Israeli division, Foxwoods by Foxy's division and even the Library was advertised by the youngest division!

Camp has not yet received the 12 million dollars due to them for these commercials to be made but they're not crossing their fingers...

See ya all laitah!

Commercial Making 101

Have you ever made a commercial before?

Well, if you answered no then you haven't been to Camp Simcha!

Steven Spielberg's third cousin once removed stopped by to film each division's commercial himself and was quoted as saying, "Wow, this group contains naturals!"

We couldn't agree more. In the off season, Camp Simcha signed 103 kids and teenagers to multi year commercial contracts. The campers receive loads of fun and prizes in return (and this is without mentioning the millions of dollars they receive as a signing bonus).

Jonah, who starred on Hannah Montana as an extra, played the role of the Librarian in a recent commercial. "It was absolutely positively awesome," Jonah said, "commercial making for all!" he continued.

Today is Super Bowl Sunday so commercials are a necessity. No ifs, ands, or buts.

So... the big question is:

What Were They Advertising?

Weeellll, you'll just have to return here later if you REALLY wanna find out...

Booya!

Day of Rest

...and rest we did.

Spirits were lifted, skits were performed, bingo was bingoed(?) and one and all enjoyed the Sabbath, along with its delicious meals prepared by Chef Reuvain and his unbelievable crew.

...Did anyone realize that that was a run-on sentence?...

Prayers, food, activities and sleep; sounds like the world to come if you ask me.

This was all followed by music and dancing following the Sabbath which was followed by game room activities, movie room attending and plain old Camp Simcha bench bantor.

Tomorrow is Super Bowl Sunday... We don't want to give too much away but rumor has it that the commercials cost 3.5 million dollars...

...Yeah, we're loaded like that....

Good Morning - But What's That Sound?

It's a bird... It's a plane... It's Superman...

Neither!

It's a helicopter!

The campers today were treated to a special ride around camp; from above that is. Camp Simcha's Aviation School is one of the top aviation schools in the country, ranking higher than Harvard, Yale and even Touro College's flying programs. The kids watched as bunks looked like mere lego pieces from hundreds of feet above the ground, the staff members appeared as simple ants while the trees turned into tiny bushes.

Just ask Nathan from Alaska***

"That was so cool! Let's do it again!" -Nathan from Alaska

*** = First Name and Place of Origin were altered to protect the identity of Joe from Monroe**.

** = Joe from Monroe is really someone else.

Here is an actual picture of a real helicopter:

Photo - Courtesy of Camp Chaya Sara

I Wanna Be A...

Sky Rider!

Camp Simcha currently has 387 people with their mouths open in awe as they exit the gym after watching the absolutely amazing Sky Riders. The Sky Riders (the NBA's top trampoline act for over 15 years, featuring Guinness World Record holder Ken Kovach and his international group of trampoline champions) have been entertaining for years and we were their fortunate next victims.

Words can only do so much; a picture may speak a thousand words...

...but videos? Ha, they are the greatest.

Here's a small sample of their work:

WARNING: HOLD YOUR JAW UP TO KEEP IT FROM DROPPING LIKE A SACK OF BRICKS

Camp Simcha has...

Begun!

Yes, Arrival Day has lived up to its name (yet, again) as arrivees came in by the dozen (totaling 275) yesterday. Water was flung, smiles were formed and the sun shone brightly.

Is it shone? Or shined? Okay, we'll have to look that up. Check back on that.

Kids and teenagers ran through the game rooms and activity centers like kids runnings through game rooms and activity centers (and candy shops, I guess) officially inaugurating Camp Simcha Boys 2009.

Here is a (not so) live shot of today's sunrise off White Road next to Camp Simcha:



...check back later today for more updates and free money...okay, only more updates...