Hello ILC Families! Today was another beautiful day in Starrucca, PA with bright blue skies and temps reaching the low 80’s. It was another perfect summer day for sleep away camp. Today was a busy day so lots to share with you, including a special blog tradition, so keep on reading.
Here is the link to our week 2 video. Be sure to check it out. It features activities and our special 4th of July celebration. https://youtu.be/oCTDZrwoL-I
In ILC sports, our 9th – 11th grade girls went out of camp this morning to play in a tennis tournament, which lasted through the afternoon. They just returned and several of our campers made it to the semi-finals as well as the finals. Our 8th & 9th grade boys played in a basketball tournament this afternoon out of camp. We also started our annual ILC Open this morning. It’s an in-camp tennis tournament for kids of all ages and all levels. The tournament will be completed with a list of winners to come towards the end of the 1st session.
The answer to yesterday’s riddle was the letter “T”. Today’s riddle is a bit easier (since even I figured out the answer at breakfast): I can be driven but have no wheels. I can be sliced but still remain whole. What am I?
Last night a bunk of girls entering 8th grade decided to throw a B’nai Mitzvah for 2 girls in their bunk who are not Jewish but attended all of their Bat Mitzvahs this past summer. The 2 girls brought dresses to camp for their big night & the whole celebration was hysterical. Female campers from all of the neighboring 8th grade bunks attended as the kids gave speeches, had a photo montage (someone has a mini-projector), and they had a big dance party. Of course, I had to drop by and take some photos of this classic event. Below are a few highlights:
Today I’m continuing my tradition of asking the oldest girls’ bunk, G24, to come to my office to blog about their summer camp experiences throughout the years. Although we have 3 bunks of girls going into 10th grade, many of these specific girls started at ILC at a very young age and have circled around girls’ campus from bunk 1 through bunk 24. Here’s what they had to say about their summers at their home away from home. They told stories and gave me quotes:
Shana: So I think it was our G12 summer and we went to Dorney Park. There was the thunder canon ride, which was rapids, and our bunk had to split up because there wasn’t room for us on 1 boat. So I decided to throw my flip-flop from 1 boat to another and Elaina decided to toss it in the river. And then we watched it float away. When we got back to camp we buried the lonely flip-flop behind our bunk. My nickname for the next two years was “Lonely Flip-flop”.
Mackenzie: This story is titled, “The Journey of Mr. Bubbles.” It was a few months before camp and I decided that our bunk needed a new addition this summer. I decided I was going to get us a bunk pet. I couldn’t bring any furry animals so why not bring a fish. It’s not like anyone can be allergic to them. So it’s the day before camp starts and I go to the pet store and I buy a fish. The morning of the start of camp I put it in a water bottle and I put it in my bag to take on the bus. Once we got on the bus I open the water bottle and he was just sitting with Montana and me the whole time. We get to camp and we try to slyly set up the bowl and introduce him to the whole bunk. Everyone came into the bathroom so the surprise was ruined but it’s 2 ½ weeks later and he’s still thriving. We even made a video about him.
Camp Pranks 2016- we teepee’d Matt’s office porch so he put our beds on the picnic tables. We then spray chalked and shaving creamed “16”, our bunk number, all over his office windows. He then screwed our bunk doors shut. We then saran wrapped his entire golfcart. He then took our shoes and our mirrors and made us bow down to him in front of the camp to get them back. We then had a truce for the rest of the summer.
Spider Club- when we were in G12 we had to all pick up a spider behind our bunk in order to overcome our fear of spiders. We then named ourselves the “Spider Club”.
“Because we get to do stuff we never have the opportunity to do at home and we get to form bonds with people that you wouldn’t get at home, it makes camp different. You live with them 24/7.” –Jessica
“No phones!” –Elaina (Note: They said they love not being connected here at camp!)
“It’s been such an amazing 7 years. I can’t believe this is our last summer.” –Mackenzie
“At camp no one is afraid to hold back. Everyone just always has a great time. We get to just go for it. It’s a no judge zone. Each day we get to make good memories. We get to be crazy together. It’s a little bubble. Island Lake has become such a special place for all of us over the past 7-8 years. It’s the sweetest escape. You get to make a new home and a new family.” –all of the girls
I hope you enjoyed hearing what G24 had to say. Tonight’s evening activity is our super duper much anticipated 1st session SOCIAL! An outside DJ comes to camp to spin some tunes in the gym and get our campers up and boogying all night long. Ok, perhaps they don’t call it “boogying” anymore, but ya know what I mean. Our girls love to get dressed up and do their hair and make-up for the socials. You should see how cute our little girls look! On the boys’ side, if they shower, comb their hair, and put on a clean shirt then we consider that a win.
Today’s special feature is the G24 BLOG! Sari and Olivia missed the fun while they were out of camp playing in the tennis tournament. Disclaimer: Ignore my finger at the top of one of the photos! Enjoy a few photo highlights below and until tomorrow, ILCUTHERE!
