The Finishing Touches

In workshop news on this graduation day, campers completed the projects they have worked on this summer. They are coming home with gifts for family and friends and mementos for themselves. Handmade headbands; hair clips; scrapbooks; calendars; photography projects, with pictures of themselves and more abstract art; mosaic jewelry boxes; small leathers goods like belts, cell phone holders, albums; pottery including mugs, bowls, spoon rests; wooden napkin holders and key racks; party favors and more items too numerous too list. Campers are wrapping these up in paper and memories and storing them in their suitcases and later their hearts and minds. Certainly, these projects represent to them far more than the items themselves. Each piece is a piece of a summer held dearly to their hearts.

Party Favor: Birthday Pins

It's blinking birthday pins for today's party favor. Campers are amassing quite a collection of blinking objects. I imagine the whole Camp Simcha literally glowing in the dark. But then again, isn't CSS a beacon for so many of us already?

Simcha Ages Gracefully

We start off our birthday bash with party games namely pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey, hot potato and pass-the-present. In our version of pass-the-present, each girl opened a layer of wrapping paper and received a small gift.

Happy Birthday Simcha Special and Mazal to all of the Bat Mitzvah girls!

Party Favor: Flag Pins

In keeping with the patriotic theme of the day, campers received USA-shaped flag pins for party favors. The pins light up and will remind campers of camp long after they have to returned to their homes all across America and the world.

A Beau-Tea-ful Party

Our ladies who lunch were decked out in fanciful garden dresses, lace gloves and hats with flowers. Stepping into the CSS Garden (we continue to be be surprised by the different faces of the dining room), they let themselves take it all in. The tables were set with heavy brocade floral tablecloths, delicate china tea sets, bouquet centerpieces. A buffet of finger sandwiches, napoleons, custard cakes and petit fours graced the back table. Yet another station was set up where campers decorated straw hats with ribbons and bows and lace. Classical music played in the background as we dantily sipped out tea. 'Twas simply lovely.

Party Favor: Masks

Hear ye, hear ye. It has been decreed by Queen Rivky that all Camp Simcha campers should receive masks in honor of today's Purim Party. We also gave mishloach manos (candy-grams) to our friends.

Party Favor: Caps

Party City is reporting that popular athletic hats have been completely sold out. In a related news story, in honor of the Simcha Superbowl, campers received athletic hats for party favors.

Party Favor: Necklaces

Today in honor of the baby shower, campers received light-up pacifier necklaces.

We're now back to our regularly scheduled activities and are waiting to hear about the special activity of the day.