Happy Holidays

Yesterday we mailed out our annual holiday card and a group photo to each camper from last summer.  As the cold wind whips the dry leaves around on the ground, its funny to see these photos of campers in their shorts, t-shirts and bathing suits.  We’re about as far away from the summer as possible these days.  Things are quiet here at camp; we are making repairs, storing supplies away from the cold, and catching up on our reading. But the lull is deceptive…

After New Year’s, many parents suddenly stare at their calendar and think “Oh my goodness, its 2012!  What will my kids do this summer?”  So we are getting ready now for the January rush of phone calls and emails.  We’re having 3 indoor Open Houses for any prospective campers and their families.  We also have a special type of open house just for younger children, ages 3-6, called the “Saturday Club.”  Check out our website for more information about both these programs.  We hope to see you sometime this winter!

Family Camp Day

The weather held off last Saturday, October 1, for our 3rd annual Family Camp Day. Each summer, parents always ask when THEY can come and play at Riverbend! Family Camp Day is that day. Moms and Dads climbed up the high ropes tower and zipped down, paddled canoes, and explored the intricacies of lanyard. Their kids were happy to show them what to do! It was a fun day. Visit http://www.campriverbend.com/camp/whats-new to see some photos of the day. It was also great to see so many of our camp families again!

Back to school!

Its hard to believe that our closing day of camp was less than one month ago! Today it really seems like fall with cold, rainy skies.

Its funny to walk around the camp grounds when it is so quiet! We are re-seeding the grass where many little feet played. The laundry baskets that held camper lunches are put away and the bulletin boards have been stored for the winter.

Coming up on Saturday October 1 is one of the best days of the year–Family Camp Day!  A few years ago when our high ropes tower was first built, parents kept asking when they could come and play at Riverbend, and so a tradition was born. Campers get to watch their parents climb the high ropes tower, shoot arrows and stitch lanyard (of course children can participate too!) When the kids challenge their parents on the gaga court, who do you think will win?  Check out our website for more information about Family Camp Day; RSVP is required.

A Rainy Day at Camp!

The forecast today was for rain in the late afternoon, but the weather decided to take an unexpected turn. It started drizzling during club time and by first afternoon period had turned into a deluge. Groups stayed put when the rain got heavy. Seen around camp…counselors and campers playing “I Spy” and other word games while waiting for the rain to abate…a mega dance party in the auditorium led by the pool staff…and, what do you know, the sun cooperating finally and breaking through just when it was time for all the campers to get on the buses at the end of the day. Splish splash!

Check our our Camp Spirit!

Today was the finale of the Camp Riverbend Spirit Week cheer contest. Each upper camp group created their own song, dance or cheer to express their group pride. At the end of the day today, our esteemed panel of judges (Asia from the spray park, Liam from the game pavillion, Mike from the sports shed, and Megan and Matt from the awning) listened to them all and awarded the coveted “Red Banners” to the F-31 Spicy Mangoes and the D-20 Dueling Dragons.  But the best part of the week was seeing all the campers and counselors getting into the spirit of Spirit Week!

Our teens have grown up!

Today the Day Trippers group is heading off to the theater in New York to see “The Addams Family,” and the Teen Travel group is heading off to their 10 day trip to Floriday to visit Disney World and Universal Studios. Many of these campers have been with us since they were little kids. We remember them dragging backpacks almost bigger than they were; now the Teen Travel campers drag overstuffed suitcases for their trips away from camp. Today the Day Trippers are all dressed up for their day in the city; was it that long ago that their idea of “all dressed up” was pigtails and new sneakers? Its amazing to see how much they have grown up over the years!

“Goodnight Goon” on stage

Mr. Breene starred in the counselor talent show as the Division Heads acted out “Goodnight Goon,” a parody of the beloved children’s book “Goodnight Moon.” See if you enjoy this creepy crawly version from our annual Counselor Talent show!  Click here to watch the video on YouTube!