Shloime Dachs Concert and Improv Show!

Straight after our carnival was over, we made our way to the social hall for a concert with Shloime Dachs who we're privileged to have perform for us every summer! Everyone sang, danced and cheered their hearts out as Shloimie sang many of our favorite songs! He even sang a song for Chani Katz in honor of her Bas Mitzvah and welcomed Sorelle back to camp! Thank you Shloimie for yet another awesome concert!

The entertainment continued after dinner where we enjoyed a "theater sports" show performed by improv artists from the Freestyle Repertory Theatre! The improvers (who called their teams the "Beach Bums" and the "Shpitz's") had us laughing away as they challenged each other in various comical improv acts. Many of our campers who were called up to assist in the acts included, Arianna, Rachel, Tzippy, Sarah, Ellen and Leora. Despite deafening cheers for both teams, in the end, the "Beach Bum" team were declared the winners and the "Shpitz's" came in second. This show as all previous summer performances by the Freestyle Repertory Theatres was hilariously fun and we look forward to future performances!

Now as we speak our camp is slowly making it's way to bed in preparation for tomorrow's exciting trip...down the Delaware!

Late Night News!

Tonight after dinner, the camp was bursting with activity! While our Hot Shot division enjoyed night-swim, Jeanie's Jellybellies gathered pajama-clad in the social hall for a slumber party, complete with mattresses, blankets, snacks and a big screen showing of Nancy Drew. Across the field, our Israeli chevra got together for a bonfire where they sang tunes, roasted s'mores and ate hot dogs. While all this action was taking place, the Shpitzes "bummed" around camp. Said Ellen G. "I love relaxing and hanging out with my counselor."

Once the clock struck nine, all the activity stopped and the entire camp came together on the lawn for a dazzling display of fireworks! Beautiful sparks of every color shot over our heads amd illuminated the sky. When it was over, everyone jumped out of their seats and began dancing, music blasting in the background. Mor, one of our Israeli campers said the fireworks were "really cool!" Shani said "it was amazing!" What a perfect end to another perfect day in Camp Simcha!

After a delicious supper accompanied by Tali's great singing and, of course, more dancing, we headed to the Social Hall for the very first night activity. Staff members from all areas of camp introduced themselves with their own entertaining versions of some of our favorite songs, and the hall really rocked as everyone danced and cheered along. The introductions were so exciting that we can't wait to try out all the fabulous workshops and activities!

That will have to wait until tomorrow, though. Right now, it's time to settle in, get to know the bunkmates with whom we will share some of the best moments of our lives, and rest up for tomorrow's party -- I hear it's going to be a real blast!

Party of a Lifetime

Hi, everyone, this is guest blogger Chavie reporting to you from the most beautiful party yet: a double bat mitzvah for two of our special campers, Alexis and Kylie. The pair missed having a bat mitzvah at home, but they were thrilled to celebrate among their Simcha Special friends. As Kylie said in her inspiring speech,

"In Simcha Special, it doesn't matter if you're different on the outside or the inside. Everyone is accepted, everyone loves you, and everyone is special."

Alexis said that she and Kylie felt fully prepared to take on adulthood, and she shared with us some of the good deeds that the girls have done already.

The party was magnificently arranged, with gold table linens and a mouth-watering birthday cake. Our favorite musician, Aviva, filled the room with her lively keyboarding as the girls and their counselors danced the night away. Then, the Van family singers entertained us, our head counselors Rivky and Zahava sang a moving song, and bunkmates read acrostic poems in tribute to the bat mitzvah girls.

It has been an evening full of friendship and happiness, dancing and music, and beautiful, beaming smiles all around.

Simcha Magic Watch it on Stage!

Now you see it, now you don't.

Smiles of amusement played on our faces as we watched Jeff Carson's magic show. He performed magic tricks with ropes, bubbles, handkerchiefs, cubes, mirrors, hangers, and balls.

A piece of rope has two ends, no more, no less. How long is that piece of rope? Carson showed us that they were all the same length, but then one was short and one was long. We're still scratching out heads on that one.

Wait a minute - this guy went to college and all he learned were a couple of magic tricks? Actually, he learned to juggle too.

We thought we had established that we had 10 dollar bills. But apparently, this number had an error of plus or minus five. The "Bob Little Eleven Dollar Trick" had us laughing and cheering for Peessy and Liat. Bracha D. played poker against the magician but he had too many tricks up his sleeve. Rina, assisted by Sara, won a half dollar after opening many purses and bozes.

Dinner and a Show at CSS

From WCSS News in Glen Spey, it's Leah. And it's time for dinner on this glorious Independence Day Party. But tonight Simcha's eating barbeque. We're outside feasting on All-American hotdogs and hamburgers heaped high with tomatoes, onions and pickles, views of Lake Simcha stretching behind us.

In a related story, we bring you news of the result of today's presidential elections. Rachel L. (as Miss America), Rina K. (as Mickey Mouse), and Breindy H. (as herself) established their platforms in campaign speeches and fielded questions from the audience. The race was close, but in the end, Mickey Mouse won. Congratulations to Mickey Mouse, we hope you can fulfill your campaign promise to keep Camp Simcha Special open all year round...

And then camp went dark! And then pop-pop-pop, fireworks illuminate the darkened sky over Lake Simcha. Music blasting in the background, the display a terrific rainbow of green, purple, red and orange against the black of night. A perfect way to end our Independence Day Party.

Simons Says "Simcha"

Here we go. . . Simon Says, "Please stand up!"

Steve Max's Simon Sez is one of the most engaging programs in CSS. The show was hilarious and more importantly, involves total audience participation. Steve led the entire camp in Simon Sez, Simcha Style. There was a special round in honor of Molly and Samarra's birthday. It was declared a tie - fitting for this duo.

In a special counselor-only round, staff proved that it can follow directions. To quote Steve, "The thing that makes this camp better than the next is the counselors." (N.B.: This is an unabashed plug for our devoted and talented staff.)

Where there's a fire drill, there's a (bon)fire!?

Camp Simcha gets an A+ on a perfect regularly scheduled fire drill. All was in order. But what was that smoke rising from behind the pool?

It's Leah here, investigating from the scene. There appears to be a small fire surrounded by stones and wood. Expert witnesses tell me this is called a bonfire. The natives are dancing in a circle around this structure. They're holding hands and swaying back and forth, singing to the music. Aviva Honickman and others are strumming away at their guitars. The natives are cooking hotdogs, popcorn and smores on long sticks. Other campers are busy decorating masks in honor of the Purim party. The sun may set and the fire may die down, but memories of tonight will flicker on.

Acrobatics Team Delights on This Superbowl Sunday

Chicago Boyz Acrobatics Team drove all the way in from Chicago to amaze us with their awesome stunts. They performed jaw-dropping flips, turns, jump rope tricks and even jumped over very brave campers and even Shaindy Lowenthal. One of the gymnasts, nicknamed Superman because he flew so high, leapfrogged over seven campers in a row. Rena stood on top of Head Lifeguard Rachel's shoulder and then one of the gymnasts jumped over them.