Serendipity Summer 2007

Well, we finished camp on thursday night. We had a full day of camp and then the kids and their families came back at 6:30 for our annual drama night. Our theme this summer was "Fun in the sun". The show was a success and the kids were adorable! Each bunk created a skit related to the theme and at the very end the whole camp sang "At the beginning" from the movie Anastacia. Lastly, we all watched a slideshow of photos from the summer compiled by Liz Cheung. She did a great job and it really gave our summer closure and allowed it to end on such a sweet note!

After the show, the kids said goodbye and took pictures with the staff. Then they went on their way and hopefully will return next summer. Serendipity 2007 has been such a successful and enjoyable a summer. I am sure next year will be bigger and better. The whole drama night made me really realize not just how spunky our kids are, but also what a safe and nurturing environment Serendipity provides for these kids. Our campers really know and love the counselors and vice versa. While I went to sleepaway camp as a kids (from ages 6-15), Serendipity is a unique experience and I am convinced that there are not many camps out there like us. I cannot articulate how invaluable my experiences there have been and how much I have learned.

The pictures are as follows: 1) The entire camp practicing the Anasticia song, 2) Our wonderful counselors!, 3) The Directors: Betsy and myself.

recovering from the overnight!!

Hello all!!! I have not written in two days because myself, and the rest of the staff, is still recovering from the overnight. During the overnight the older campers return at 6:30 (camp ends at 4:45) and they stay all night and have a full day of camp the following day. The counselors normally are able to squeeze in about 3 hours of sleep so friday was a LONG day!!!

During the overnight the campers arrived and we had a bbq waiting for them. After the bbq we had about 6 tables set up with different casino games. We had craps, blackjack, and some other games I had never heard of before. We used monopoly money and the kids rotated around the tables. When it was dark we had our traditional Catman storytelling before the walk through the nature trail. Ben McDowell, a Haverford student, was kind enough to tell the story for us. He did an amazing job and the kids were pretty scared. During the story counselors left the cricket shed to hide in the woods and wait for the campers to come through. I walked with the second group of campers through the nature trail. I will admit that while I am positive that Catman does not exist, it was a bit scary walking through the dark nature trail. The kids look forward to this every year and it was a success. After the nature trail we headed to Ryan Gym for a dance party. After the dance we took the campers to the Campus Center and split up the boys and girls and put on movies.

The next morning we woke the kids up at 6 am and they ate breakfast in the dining center. I have to admit that while I have always loved the DC's breakfasts, I don't believe it ever tasted so good! Also, the caffeine and sustenance was much needed. We had a full day of camp except at 2 pm we took the kids to the DC again for "pig out day". Pig out day is an ice cream sundae party for the entire camp. It is a tradition and is always scheduled for the day after the overnight.

I took tons of pictures at the overnight, but we do not have photo releases for many of the campers and also it was with disposable cameras. Other people were taking pictures so I am hoping that I can upload some of them onto the website sometime soon.


More to come...

Tuesday at Serendipity

Today is the hottest day we have had in awhile!!! Pool time this morning was refreshing and much needed. Our days here at Serendipity are pretty structured. In the morning the kids have bunktime, morning actvitiy (relating to their themed week), pool time, and lunch. In the afternoon the kids have afternoon activity (they choose daily) and bunktime. Bunktime is a unique time in which the campers have the opportunity to really bond with their bunkmates and counselors.

The picture above is of Aleshia (bunk 5) playing dodgeball during her afternoon activity. Dodgeball is a favorite at camp and is even more fun when the counselors participate.

First day of the week!

Hey all! Monday is one of the most exciting days of the week here at Serendipity! On Mondays our campers pick a week long themed activity. The counselors "sell" their activities to the campers so they can choose their 1st and 2nd preferences.

This week's choices:

Older campers--Photography week, Indoor Games week, Party Week, and Team Competition Week

Young bunks-- Transformers week!, Pinata Week, Recess Games Week, and Science Week

Every morning (weather permitting) the kids swim for an hour in the faculty pool. In this picture Brianna McFadden and her counselor Mai Schwartz are chilling in the pool on a regular day here at Serendipity.

End of Olympic Week

We had a full week here at Serendipity! On Monday we started our Olympic Week which is a Serendipity tradition. The camp was divided into four groups: Indonesia, Morocco, Hungary, and Canada. Our olympic activities consisted of the following: team flag/cheer competition, water bucket relay, counselor water balloon throw, garbage bag scavenger hunt, dodgeball tournament, and keep it up! Today we will tally the points for the final time and announce the winning team.

On Tuesday the younger bunks (1-3) went to the Lower Merion fire station. The firefighters talked about their jobs, fire prevention, and let the kids use the hoses. Also, on Wednesday the entire camp went to Upper Darby High School to see their Summer Stage production of Mulan.

We are looking forward to our overnight next Thursay for the older kids (bunks 4-7). It is an event that the older kids look forward to each summer and one in which the staff have the opportunity to spend some quality time with the kids.

I have to go tally the points and announce the winners....