Alkota Village

I'm honored this week. Lakota Village is running under the adjusted name "Alkota"! I've received many academic honors here and there - teaching awards, etc. - but I have to say this is an accolade that runs directly to my heart. They gave me my own clean copy of the weekly schedule, with its little Al sketch-icon in the top left corner.  Here is a link to a PDF copy of this schedule.

 

fourth-session coldness

Because we have some one-week-only campers (a special "try it" session during the first week of the usual two-week-long fourth session), it seemed a good idea to do our overnight camp-outs during this week, so the first-timer could have a camping experience. So most of the Wawayanda villages (Pokey-Totem, Forest, Susky, Lakota, and Outpost) will be hiking out this afternoon. And the weather shows: partly cloudy, then sunny, then a clear night. Perfect. Just one problem, a little: cold! It will go down to 44 degrees tonight. The stars will all be out, but everyone will be snuggling in their sleeping bags.

Just now I was walking around in the fields, watching Outpost setting up a soccer game. They were in sweatshirts and sweaters and extra layers.

MAC devo for Lakota

"MAC devo" is a regular activity here during recent summers. A member of the MAC staff comes to a village to talk to the kids about the MAC program - about what it means to be at a camp where "mainstreaming" children and young adults with disabilities is a regular feature of daily life. Often there's a discussion about the common use of the "R"-word, and why it's wrong and hurtful. Lakota had a little trouble scheduling a MAC devo in the evenings (when devo - or devotion - is usually done) so they decided to do it after lunch today. So here's a photo of the Lakota girls just before Olivia F., VC of STEP, came by to talk with them.

delivering camper mail is a priority

This morning, in the rain, we all took notice as three burdened figures crossed the field. They were Frost Valley's CEO, COO and CFO. Remarkable. But, let's face it, delivering the campers' mail is a high priority!

the face of a counselor

LJ, one of our counselors from the U.K. this summer, told her Lakota campers that they could make up her face. Well, then, ummmm, they got carried away. So here's the result.

try it for one week - Susky cabin 50

Most of the girls in cabin 50 this week (the first week of session 4) are "trying" camp for one week. You can tell from this photo - taken on the first day of the session at lunchtime - that there's already plenty of togetherness going on up there in 50. Some of the one-weekers will tell us, by midweek, that they want to say for the rest of the session. Judging from my conversation with them today, and from a beautiful game of Geronimo played in the sunny cool air this morning, I rather think many of them will stay.

what Katy Bowen saw from the car

Here's what Katy Bowen posted to Facebook a few minutes ago:

'Look at this picture, what do you see? I see Al bringing Susky together in what's more than just a game, Ben Stanford teaching campers how "footy" is really played, Shaylyn Decker so engaged in her campers needs even if it means laying on the floor kicking legs in the air as they appreciate the clouds. I see Sacky Hemlock getting to know their brother/sister cabins through P.A games, campers Mainstreaming at the hard courts and to top it off we are surrounded by beautiful scenery. So next time stop mid walk and get asked.. "Hey Katy what you looking at" there's your answer my friends.. 4th session!!'

Tehuti Barrett!

Tehuti Barrett and his wife brought their daughters to camp - Jasmin (Pokey) and Brianna (Susky). It was wonderful to see Tehuti - who was a camper in the early 80s, and perhaps started in the late 70s, when I was director. I remember him and his brother, as 10 year olds, very well. He was completely and utterly thrilled to have his girls starting their own Frost Valley journeys.

opening day, session 4 - a day for recent former staffers to return for a visit

From left to right: Eliza Berman and Steph Bloom, former staffers and lifers, saying hello to Nick Harley (current VC of PAC).

Seth Kallin is at right, visiting us after a few years away. Next to him, from left, are Kat Schneider and Kari Weinglass. Kat was a VC, etc., a few years back and his returned this summer to be the Assistant to the Director of Camping Services; Kari Weinglass, who directed MAC and was involved as staff in MAC for years before that, is back for August, also assisting the directors.

Allie Gendreau, left, CIT Coordinator; and Parker Van Nostrand, right, VC of Forest - happily reunite with long-time camper and staffer (VC and CIT Coordinator) Chrissie Mohle. 

JCITs

We call them "JCITs" - CITs from the first half of the summer who are asked to stay to work (for the first time - really be employees) as Junior Counselors. The phrase they use is "called back." As in: "I got called back as a JCIT." When this happens, and they don their staff shirts (blue this year) for the first time, it's a cause for celebration, especially on the part of their recently-former CIT Coordinators. As you see in the two photos above, taken just moments after the new staffers put on their blue shirts.

closing campfire, session 3

With the Hird, on Thursday night, the final night of session 3, singing "Old Wawayanda."

blog semi-hiatus

Rainy first night, but two wonderful indoors Opening Campfires. I sang rousing versions of "Father Abraham" for both camps, and they seemed to like the old standby. I tell a story to introduce it: Gavin MacLaren, the international counselor from the early 80s, lived half the year in Lebanon and half the year in Scotland, and we nicknamed him Abe, and so sang the song in a Lebanese-Scottish accent, which I proceed to do, oddly. Anyway, that was fun, and threw off my voice. But no need to preserve the voice this session, as I'm heading away for most of session 3 on a real vacation. Pardon the semi-hiatus here in the blog. Day 1 of session 3 dawned perfectly, and it is stunningly blue-skied and sunny today, with temperatures in the 70s. Perfect. I'll

lead Geronimo for Sacky-Hemlock and then drive off down the road, staring ever more attentively at the glorious beauty of this valley. The session 3 kids are remarkably familiar with camp and our ways. I saw forms where, even in the younger villages, so many kids are here for a 2nd, 3rd or 4th year. Excellence is paying off: kids come back every summer, grow up here, and so there's a great deal of continuity, more than ever. Session 3, way back, used to feel a little different - a bit like the customs needed to be re-explained each time. But not here. It's a remarkable feeling. Onward, session!

opening day session 3 sees scads of alumni here with their children

Amy Furman Melican was here today, dropping off daughter Abby. Lillian Rountree Lippincott drove in from Pittsburgh (staying at Eileen Bradley's house nearby) to bring daughter Jane to be a second-half JC, and son Cooper to spend another session in PAC. David Mager and Eileen Bradley came along for the ride. Bill Baker was here to volunteer at check-in and got to hung out with his former colleagues. Phyllis Gherardi Caputo brought her son Vincent for another summer of FV. The Schnauffers, who have been Family Campers since 1970, brought their daughter (who also grew up here) who brought her son for two weeks at camp. Lauren Eufemia Italiano also brought her daugther. There are more such alums wandering around camp today, but I didn't catch up with all of them.

From left to right: Nick Harley (PAC VC), Bill Baker, David Mager, Eileen Bradley, Lillian Lippincott - standing in the main room of Hird Lodge, the home of PAC village since its inception in 1985.

The Schnauffers - three generations!

From left to right: Eileen Bradley, Lillian Lippincott, Phyllis Gherardi Caputo, David Mager, Lauren Eufemia Italiano.

Jeff Daly is here

Start of session 3. Jeff Daly is here to lead a group of first-half CITs on a trip to Prague to attend an international YMCA conference. Kirsten Williams and FV's Senior Program Dirctor Vicky Williams will join him. At the moment Jeff awaits the arrival of his eight charges. Meantime, he and Dan Weir and I had a chance to catch up. Fun!

Eric Blum on Memorial Island

Eric Blum's ashes have been placed in the ground on Memorial Island in the middle of Reflection Pond. The other day I was over there doing an activity with Lakota and noticed Heather Bowman and her crew weeding, cutting, clearing, and I walked over there to say hello. Jerry Huncosky and Dan Weir and perhaps others had placed Eric's ashes there a week or so earlier, but I had not gotten the nerve to look for myself. I went to say hi to Heather and then saw the spot. Beautiful. And there's a bench there now, in Eric's memory. It's exactly like the log bench Eric liked to sit on in front of Margetts Lodge, in order to get the best view of everyone in the field and hardcourts while still getting a little shade. So now we can sit with him. Nice. Rest in peace, Blum. You earned it.

end of session 2, 2013

This was the big big session. All beds full. Session 3 is nearly the same size, but 2 is a peak. East Valley Ranch - full. Farm Camp - full. Adventure Trips - many & thriving. Adventure Village/Sequoia: 7 tents. Lakota is 5 cabins plus an overfull Turrell Lodge - almost 60 kids just there. The dining hall is packed, and loud. Olympics is crazy. Overnights coming and going. The fields are pounded by soccer-playing, frisbee-throwing, hangout-hangin' kids. After lunch each day the roof is raised by raised voices. And so on. Now that's done and there's a lull between sessions 2 and 3. The staff really need the break (to catch up on sleep, and family commitments and unfinished applications for majors and study abroad, etc.) and at the moment they are quickly cleaning up cabins and village area, in anticipation of loading up the cars and heading south to cities and suburbs and country houses. I posted the photo above and left on Facebook just now, whereupon John Ferris (distinguished old-time VC of Forest and Lenape, and now a great teacher of literature and writing in Vermont) commented as follows: "Tranquility Base."  Indeed. A calm inside a storm. Emotions rode high at closing campfires last night and this morning as multiple goodbyes were said, promises to keep in touch made. A thousand hugs. Genuine ones. And good tears. The VC of Hemlock, Dom, surprised himself by having such a strong reaction to the departure of many of his campers, and several of his staff. At both campfires last night we sang "Old Wawayanda," Jacob Nathanson (on accordian) and I backed up by all counselors who were leaving today after a month. For each of the two camps there were perhaps six or seven people leaving - college orientation, family commitments, a new job starting (Sam M.), a trip to Botswana to plan for (Alex J.), etc. These departing folks took it hard, and good. They sang with feeling. Everyone caught the essence of it. The night was cold and clear - a beautiful scene for a campfire. Hird did its fire at the edge of Big Tree Field, and there was the old tree, shadowy in the background. A reminder that some things can be counted upon, to be right there when you return. I have the honor of greeting parents picking up their children, and it's always a sight to behold: a tender reunion in every case. The child cries because it's hard to leave such new dear friends, and cries because it's overwhelmingly good to see mom and dad after two or four weeks away. It's a combination that leads to the most crucial life skill: independence from one's parents, someday. We start that path here.

After singing my song at both campfires, and I checked on the CITs, also spending their last night after a month. And then I went up to Lakeview Lodge to say hello to some camper parents we'd invited to spend a night at camp before picking up their kids. I walked into the common room of Lakeview and found two of the parents I'd sought, but they were there with the STEP village group. These are MAC campers who have "graduated" to a special village of young adults who learn to work jobs around camp. All of them I've known for years. This is the pinnacle of their years at camp. And they were having their final devo (devotions), going around to offer "rose, bud, thorn" - one thing good, one thing coming up next, and one thing not so good. The discussion was unforgettably beautiful, as each STEP person had something to say, and were affirmed by the positive responses of their peers. One guy, who's had anger problems for years, showed how far he'd come, and was as kind and generous as could be in his responses to others. The VC of STEP, Olivia, honored me by giving me a chance to offer my rose, bud, and thorn. Rose: I was feeling very proud of what they've accomplished and how hard they've worked. Bud: Looking forward to hearing about their jobs (and paychecks) out in the real world of work. Thorn: When they left Frost Valley to try their hands at work in the world, I would miss them. The thorn hurts but it's just a little prick. Let them go.

Ron and Aaron Vos

Ron Vos was also a camper here in the 1970s. Today he came to pick up Aaron, his son, who was a camper here during the session just now ending - Aaron's second summer here.

Vescio brothers - once campers, now parents

This ongoing blog started out specifically for the purpose of featuring visits back to Frost Valley of former campers and former staff - and of focusing on the children of former staffers who are now themselves attending camp. Each session there are many, many of these kids. It's by now impossible to keep track. We're doing an intergenerational thing. I have talk after talk with these parents who, fondly remember their own summers here, have the strongest and keenest feelings about their children falling in love with the place. When the magic does its thing, the parents are almost happier than the kids.

That founding purpose for the blog remains, although readers here will note that I write on and report about lots of other things too. But today we're back to celebrating the generations. John Vescio and Chris Vescio, brothers who were campers here when I was a director, each have had children in camp this past session. Here's a photo of the whole gang, plus yours truly. Chris has stepped up and is the 2013 Chairperson of Project 332 (thanks, Chris); he's in the yellow shirt.

CITs on the last day

A happily sad group. Their month as CITs has come to an end and they don't want to stop working at the waste stations.

a long-timer steps away

Sam Martinelli got a full-time job and knew that his Frost Valley summers would have to come to an end. In 2011 and 2012 he was a village chief. He negotiated a late-July start to the job, and decided to spend half the summer here as a counselor in Lenape, in part so that he could spend another summer with the campers who'd come up through the villages with him: Outpost, then Hemlock, now Lenape. And in part so that he could do his farewell summer in style, as a counselor. Now it's done. He leaves today and starts the job Monday. Farewell, Sam, and thanks for the years of service.

on a cold cold night, hosting the first "Ichabod Crane Revue" in many years

Last night, enjoying very cool temperatures and a bright moon overhead, Lakota, Outpost and Forest villages gathered for an evening program we haven't tried in many years: "The Ichabod Crane Revue." The Revue features debut stories and first-time story-tellers, plus skits as commerical-like in-betweens. Last night the story-tellers were Alex Toy, VC of Outpost, and Hannah Raskin-Gross, a much loved counselor in Lakota. Both stories were terrific. Alex's was a humorous tale of camp pranks from the old days. Hannah's was a "scary" story of noises coming from underneath cabin 46. The skits were two from the early years of camp: "The Important Papers," and the ol' "Ugliest Man in the World" (except that it wasn't "ugly" but "funny and weird facial expressions"). "His expressions are so weird...so weird....they'll make your eyes stick out like Kookamunga Nuts!" Sandy Shapiro Bohn was there and snapped several pix of your MC.

The cool temps prevailed. We held the event outside at the stage in Hirdstock Field. The kids spread out on the grass, Hirdstock style, wrapped in sweatshirts and blankets.

Later I told a story at Lenape ("Doubletop Plane Crash Mystery") until 11:30 PM and then brought with me to the Lakota CQ fire 8 jumbo juicy gourmet burgers, which were properly grilled over a welcome hot fire, and we all ate happily beyond midnight. As I walked back from this grill session, I counted my lucky stars to be that gastronomically satisfied, that late at night, under a million lucky stars indeed. And the cold? It was 44 degrees! Perfect. I slept like a rock.

informal historical tour of Hayden Lodge

Hird VCs have a night out

The Hird VCs prepare for a night out with their directors. Their in good moods, as you can see. What camp people. About to leave camp for a dinner out somewhere but they are easily drawn into the ultimate camp game: tug o' war. Hilarious. Such energy.

at the pottery shop

In our nascent "Program Village," we have now built a pottery shop and a woodworking shop. These are being used as "specialty" activities for campers this summer, and during the school year for school groups and weekend visitors. Pottery had taken place in "old Arts & Crafts" even after the new Arts & Crafts room was built on ground floor of the Guenther Family Wellness Center; the old site served nicely for wet and dirty projects, including pottery. But now that Leadership Lodge, built to replace Pigeon Lodge after its demise at the hands of Hurricane Irene, has replaced old Arts & Crafts, we had no place for the messy arts. Thanks to David Landsberger, who gave us a grant to get start on this big project, we've built two of what will eventually be, we hope, six small cabin-sized shops. Two are done, as I say. And here was a visit, with Lakota, during a specialty period, to pottery. Watch and enjoy.

informal historical tour of Smith Lodge (aka "the infirmary," aka "the Dialysis Unit")

informal historical tour of the Welcome Center/"Ad Office"

waving their flags

CITs are "in cabin"

Half of the July CITs are "in cabin" this week. It's for most of them the exciting part of the training experience. Here's Fiona Crane - who has been a camper here for many years - sitting with her Pokey girls. Finally she's made it into the role of the counselor, and she's loving it. And can't you tell from their expressions that the campers are loving her too?

easy chair ("The Hird Song")

Got the Hird Band together for an after-lunch dining hall version of "Easy Chair" ("Ooo-wee right behind" or "The Hird Song"). The video doesn't have very good sound (not to mention that acoustics in the dining hall are weird) but you get the sense that we rocked the crowd. It was fun. David S. on lead guitar and Colin Reilly on harmonica each had solos. We've been singing this song with "the Hird" since 1983, but it was adapted from a Bob Dylan song back in 1974 by me and John Mumford.

faces of the Frost Valley Olympics, 2013

Readers of this blog likely participated in the Frost Valley Olympics. Each year I've chronicled this major all-camp program. If you search here and also here for "Olympics" across the many blog posts over the years you'll find similar faces and familiar sights - painted bodies, sprayed-on T-shirt designs, national banners, happy screaming people, get as into it as it is possible to get into something so utterly contrived. But contrived? Well, not entirely. Our values here are international cooperation and sharing, and the glory of full crazy release (running, jumping, playing, cheering). Here are the faces of the '13 Olympic games.

the smelliest shoe

Challenge Night the other night: for PAC, Sunburst, and Mac Boys. What a fabulous combination of villages. We had fun. When it came time for the exciting (and for some - dreaded) "smelliest shoe" challenge, I encouraged Tara the CIT, who was serving as judge, to smell this really really smelly shoe. From the photo, taken by Sandra Shapiro Bohn, you can perhaps tell that Tara was tickled by the prospect.

cooling off in Biscuit Creek

It's been hot - very hot! The weather is breaking today and cooler temps will follow. But recently our campers have sought every opportunity to be cool - or, I should say, downright cold. The water of Biscuit Creek is always really frigid. What a good feeling. This Lakota camper - Lily - took advantage of our "Feeling Good" period to get cool before going off to play a hot game in the field for the next activity period.

my Forest summer - 1966

I was in cabin 6, Forest village, in 1966. My counselor was Lynn Desmond, a local guy from Grahamsville, NY.  Forest consisted of cabins 6-10 and these cabins were located on the same flat or level as the dining hall. Two of those cabins are still there - I believe called A and B. Where cabins 7 and 8 were located is now Hussey Lodge. Cabin 6 sat in the middle of the field, off by itself. Gone now. The last photo here, although blurry, shows those great white-and-orange Wawayanda Y shirts we all used to wear.