2009-07-03 Ewing Day Camp Newsletter

__________________________________________________________________________________________ July 3, 2009

VOL. 1

THE CAMP POST __________________________________________________________________________________________ From my view… The first week of camp was fun and exciting. As I walked around the campgrounds I saw tired campers enjoying the activities planned by the counselors and Specialists. I won’t forget the girls group that danced like a Beyonce video or the group that was singing as they were walking to the pool. Red/White and Blue day was fun and it was great seeing so many campers and counselors participating. Next week we will be making rafts out of foam noodles and seeing how they float in the pool. The Upper Unit will continue to eat lunch at the Snack Bar on their designated days. Remember to send $3.50 in exact cash for the combo lunch. Thursday will be our first trip of the summer. Grades 1-3 will be traveling to Fun Plex in Mt. Laurel, while grades 4-7 will be spectators at the Trenton Thunder game. Permission slips will be sent home early next week. Friday will bring Mr. Simon Says to camp. His entertaining act has marveled spectators at Madison Square Garden. The campers and staff will love it. Please remember to put your child’s name and group number on all notes. Campers should be dropped off between 8:20 – 8:30 am. Pick up is at 4:30 pm. Children still here after 4:40 pm will be placed in late hours and late hours pick up is at the pool. A person will be at the pool desk and parents may sign their child(ren) out with the desk person. We will then bring your child to you. On rainy days, sign out will be in the building. That’s all for this week. The camp phone number is 609/203-4963. Make it a good one. Ron

The Lower Unit Welcome to the wonderful world of Summer Camp. Camp is where ALL the fun begins. There’s so much in store this summer for the children to do. Grades 1-3 are gearing up for an exciting week. For starters, we will be having a Noodle Raft Day on Tuesday, July 7. Then on Thursday, July 9th we are all off to Fun Plex in Mt. Laurel, NJ. Parents, please make sure that your child received a camp shirt. They were given out on the first day of Camp. Camp shirts are to be worn on ALL camp trips. We as a camp, added something new for the Lower Unit this year, the Snack Bar. The Lower Unit will be allowed to buy lunch at the Snack Bar, which is located by the pool. The days that your child will be allowed to buy lunch are Thursday, July 30th and Thursday, August 13th. Their lunch choices are: Hot Dog, Hamburger, Cheeseburger, or Chicken Nuggets, that come with French Fries and any choice of drink for the cost of $3.50. I’m looking forward to having a wonderful summer with your children. Have a wonderful week.! Sincerely, Leah

The Upper Unit First things first, many thanks to our Campers, Counselors and Parents who have helped our opening go off so smoothly. It is week one of our eight week summer program and the excitement level is high. The Campers have been great. We are looking forward to a summer of new friendships and lasting memories. Camper for a Day Let us take a walk through the daily schedule of activities. The campers move through a nine period (40 minute periods) day. It all starts with morning meeting where the campers sign for birthdays, share jokes of the day, and reminders of sunscreen for the hours ahead. The campers will rotate through activities such as Music, Dance, Arts and Crafts, Sports and Nature. Let us not forget Instructional Swim, Free Swim and two periods of electives (children’s choice.). What to Play Today? This week the students have the opportunity to choose from a variety of electives, sure to keep the campers active and entertained. They may choose something from the world of sports like street hockey, ultimate Frisbee, or world cup soccer. Others may decide to check out the fun at swim games, hair design or board games. Who’s Who? . . . .Get to Know your Staff Hello, my name is Tony Benedetti. I am the Unit Leader for the grades 4th through 7th. I am a Health and Physical Education teacher at Copper Hill School in Flemington and a long time Ewing Township resident. I am thrilled to be close to home this summer riding my bicycle to work and leaving that gas guzzling pick-up truck in the driveway. I am excited about the opportunity to continue to help our camp grow and work with your children. Upper Unit Staff – the Counselors Our 4th – 7th grade staff is a nice mix of counselors returning from last summer and some new faces. Grade 4 Girls A Sr. Counselor – Sarah Agin Jr. Counselor – Courtney Stafford Grade 4 Boys A Sr. Counselor – Brad DeUmberto Jr. Counselor – Randy Forsythe Grade 5 Girls – Sr. Counselors - Nichole Bray and Stephanie Hunt

Grade 6/7 Girls – Sr. Counselor – Brittany Fortson Jr. Counselor – Andrea Stokes Grade 7 Boys – Sr. Counselor – John Ritchie Jr. Counselor – Colin Thomas

Grade 4 Girls B Sr. Counselor – Jodi Hunt Jr. Counselor – Brittany Kowalski Grade 4 Boys B Sr. Counselor – Annie Cook Jr. Counselor – Xavier Pierce Grade 5 Boys – Sr. Counselors – Nicholas Leary Kelly Messick Jr. Counselors – Jameel Copeland Kevin Dearden Grade 6 Boys – Sr. Counselor – Michael Cohn Jr. Counselor - Ryan Elder

What’s new in Week 2 Week 2 will be our first Upper Unit Field Trip. Next Thursday, July 9th, we have an opportunity to go support our home town EL champ Trenton Thunder. Hope to see you there.

Remember, Ewing Recreation Summer Day Camp is an outdoor camp. Please bring sun block, a hat and stay hydrated (water bottle). Label all belongings with your child’s name and group number in order to keep our Lost and Found empty. Thanks for a great start to camp. Tony CIT Program The Counselor-in-Training (CIT) Program allows students entering 10th grade to train to become possible counselors at the camp. The program is designed to develop a leadership experience, to give back to the community and to learn basic teaching and counseling skills. The CIT’s assist the regular counselors in their regular duties. In addition, the CIT’s will meet with the CIT Coordinator daily to discuss instructional techniques, problem solving, positive behavior support and evaluate the day’s activities. Kip Harrison Nurse’s Notes Happy Summer to All! My name is Robin and I am your Camp Nurse. Along with cleaning scrapes and bandaging booboos, I am the woman giving medications and icing GaGa knuckles. All campers need the Summer Camp Medical form and Immunization Records completed. In addition, any camper taking medication at camp must have the medication forms filled out and returned. Please don’t hesitate to contact me at 609/203-4963 if you need any form, have any questions or just want to discuss something about your child’s health during the time he or she is at camp. Have a safe and healthy summer. Nurse Robin Art Dear Parents: My name is Rosanna Bua and I am the Art Studio teacher. This week we have done a variety of activities – everything from bookmarkers to lanyards. Campers have expressed an interest in making tye-dye t-shirts. Tye-dye is a fun project we can do with all age groups! Campers will need to bring in a pre-washed WHITE cotton T-shirt. We will be tye-dying these Tshirts by Week 3 of Camp. Rosanna Nature Hello, my name is Bill Leonardo and I am the Nature teacher this summer. So far I have been having a lot of fun getting to know the kids at Ewing Recreation Summer Day Camp. This past week we had various

scavenger hunts in which the children collected items found in nature. This was played in an effort to have the children familiarize themselves with their surroundings. In the coming weeks we are going to do at lot of fun projects. At one point we are going to make our own village with teepees. If possible, please send in a lightly colored or white sheet for the outside of the teepees. I have been collecting them as well. I also need bamboo; therefore, if you know of someone with a bamboo forest, please let your counselor know. I am looking forward to the rest of the summer. Thank you. Bill Sports Hello Parents: My name is Sonny Pollosco. I will be working as a Sports Specialist at the Camp. I am a Health and Exercise Science major at The College of New Jersey. My experience working with children range from teaching Physical Education at both the High School and Elementary level, as well as teaching tennis at The University of Virginia. Our goal is to create an environment that is safe and fun for your children. I aim to accomplish this by implementing a program that keeps active learning and instruction at a maximum level. The students found soccer to be both healthy and exciting and hopefully they will enjoy next week’s activities – Flag Football! Music Hi, my name is Kelly. I am the Music teacher at the Camp. Over the past week the kids and I have been getting to know one another while talking about music and our talents, as well as singing, learning new songs, writing sons and performing. I am realizing that many of the campers play an instrument. I have invited them to bring them to camp in on their designated music day. We will also be making instruments starting next week. I would like you to send your son or daughter in with one or more of the following list:   

Empty paper towel and toilet paper rolls Folded and flat cardboard box – any size Empty coffee cans

I will continue to keep you informed of the exciting things we are doing as the summer proceeds. I look forward to meeting all of you and thank you in advance for gathering the requested items. Kelly