Senior Camp Tells Us in Their Own Words...

Greetings from Senior Camp! Senior Camp has had a really great second session, though the excitement is far from over. With the help of returning senior campers, our new campers were able to learn all about senior camp in their first week here at Beaver Summer Programs. Everyone is still buzzing over the choices they get to make in Senior Camp. Chris B. says, “I like being able to choose everything.” Peter H. adds, “I just like being able to pick my electives and do whatever I want to do.”

 

Our second session of Senior Camp also brought two new Friday trips. During the first week we spent the day at Canobie Lake Park going on rides, playing games, and exploring the park. During the second week, campers can either have a beach day at Crane Beach in Ipswich of spend the day in Boston on a Duck Tour. We were very happy to offer the Duck Tour when we learned several of our campers had not been on one.

 

Senior campers are still highlighting the time spent in their electives. David C. said, “Gymnastics is the best elective because its super fun and you get to play games.” When asked about his tennis baseball elective, Ben T. shared, “It’s really fun and instead of using a regular bat you use a tennis racket that gets hits more often.” Thomas T. loved making animation during his video elective.

 

Senior campers are really enjoying the many activities they are doing throughout the session, but the flourishing friendships are making Senior Camp even better! Campers Jack Z. and Thomas T. are both new to Senior Camp and have quickly learned that they share a love of drawing for their first elective of the day in our Senior Camp Cove. Session 2 may be coming to an end, but everyone in Senior Camp is celebrating a great session and looking forward to session 3!

 

 

Upper Camp Session 2 Is a Hit!

Upper Camp hit its stride session two as we welcomed many new faces to our camp community. Some new staff joined our team, Taylor was excited to be part the Pioneers, Ollie couldn’t wait to be an Adventurer, and Katie simply can’t stop talking about how awesome the Challengers are. In honor of the all-star break and Big Papi winning the homerun derby we celebrated Baseball Day in true fashion. Campers have also enjoyed choosing exciting electives and trying new activities such as Pillow Hockey, Marble Paper Making, and Ceramic Clay Puppets.

 

One highlight of session two was the Upper Camp production of “Camp Badger”……hmmm sounds familiar. Campers wrote, acted, sang, danced, and painting backgrounds for this original play. All of upper Camp had the pleasure of watching this entertaining production. Congratulations to all of those who were involved, I can’t wait to hear those Tony nominations roll in.

 

The summer seems to be flying by and as we look forward to session three we are excited to be a part of the Camp to Belong Drive, a great cause that we enthusiastically support each year that promotes sibling connections. Pioneers are asked to bring in new beach towels, Adventurers should bring in new duffle bags, and the Challengers are asked to contribute sleeping bags. Also coming up in session three will be the annual Upper Camp Olympics where mixed groups of campers compete in several events. Much like the actual Olympics we will be promoting the thrill of competition, teamwork, and good sportsmanship. Citius, Altius, Fortius.

 

Middle Camp Thinks They Can Dance...and Do!

As in session one, session two offered many exciting Middle Camp experiences, including See-Me-Swim, Favorite Tee Shirt Day, and the much discussed, “So Middle Camp Thinks They Dance: Golden Beaver Challenge (GBC) #3”. This third challenge was preceded by the “Total Torch Makeover: GBC #2”. For this second challenge, groups were expected to decorate the “torches” given to each group during the first week of camp. While all groups did an incredible job making their torches unique and wonderful, ultimately, the coveted prize of Golden Beaver went to the Vikings and their bejeweled torch.

 

Other groups were not discouraged however, and prepared feverishly for the following week’s dance challenge. Middle Campers met in the front circle Friday afternoon and showed off their many moves to fellow campers and staff. See the video of the groups on our Facebook page. Judges were delighted with the white-gloved Buccaneers as they danced to “Beat It”, the Explorers sporting headbands while rocking to “Kung Fu Fighting” and the Navigators braving the jungle while dancing to “Jungle Boogie”. Equally as entertaining were the 1990’s dance moves brought to life by the Stargazers with “Rhythm Nation” and the Voyagers with “U Can’t Touch This”. The Vikings strut their stuff to “Everybody Dance Now”, while the Whalers found inspiration from Shrek as they danced to “Dance to the Music”. The winners of this exciting event? The Mariners with”Wannabee,” by the Spice Girls. Each camper donned a name tag with her/his personal “spice” name.

 

Middle campers were delighted when friends and families arrived to camp on two beautiful mornings for See-Me-Swim Days. Campers demonstrated just how much they have learned during swim lessons from Beaver’s wonderful lifeguards. It was a wonderful event for all who participated! We are pleased that so many families and friends were able to join us. Campers and staff also had great fun on “Favorite Tee Shirt Day”. Each Middle Camper and staffer came to camp wearing one of their favorite shirts for all to see. It is hard to believe that the summer is halfway through but we will keep the good times rolling with even more fun events in the next four weeks!

 

Lower Camp Shows Their Stuff in the Pool

Session 2 in Lower Camp has been incredible! We have had an amazing two weeks making friends, trying new activities and challenges, and learning exciting new skills! Last week, we held our annual See-Me-Swim visits down at the pool. The campers were able to show off some of the things that they have learned from our Beaver lifeguards. Everyone was eager to share their daily swim experience with family and friends. With this summer’s hot and humid weather, the pool has certainly been the place to be!

 

This week we had some special visitors from Drumlin Farm! Lower Camp groups met different farm and native animals and learned all about these unique creatures. Three-year-old groups had the chance to interact with a rabbit and a Bantam rooster. Campers were amazed by all the different foods that these animals eat and how they move around in their natural habitats. Our four and five-year-old groups met painted turtles and box turtles, as well as some beautiful female mallards. We even got to see the ducks go swimming in a makeshift pond! Campers learned all about these New England natives, including how to identify their tracks and where these animals make their homes. Everyone had an amazing time!

 

Next week, we are looking forward to a series of Lower Camp Concerts. On Tuesday, the Bunnies, Ducklings, Kittens and Puppies will invite their families and friends to come and watch as they perform a selection of camp favorites! On Wednesday the Koalas, Puffins, Penguins, Crickets and Dragonflies will have their chance to show off all that they have learned in Music this summer! They have chosen a great set of songs that we know everyone is going to love! Last, but not least, our oldest Lower Campers, the Chipmunks, Bearcubs, Robins and Chickadees will perform for their guests on Thursday! Campers have even learned some sign language that they are eager to share! We are thrilled to invite you all to come and experience a taste of camp and perhaps learn some great songs too!

 

On Tuesday, August 3rd, Lower Camp will have a Water Theme Day down on the field! We have all kinds of great sprinklers, water games and activities ready to go. If the summer heat continues, it is sure to be a perfect day!

 

Outdoor Explorations Hits the Road

Session two has been very exciting in the world of Outdoor Explorations! Our Extreme Sports campers have been surfing, skate boarding and indoor sky diving at Sky Ventures in New Hampshire. High Adventure campers are completing their second overnight trip by staying in the High Cabin on top of Mount Cardigan while Junior Naturalist campers are finishing their over night trip on Cape Cod. Nature Discovery has been all over eastern Massachusetts touring many wildlife sanctuaries, forests and farms. The Daytrippers have ventured all over the state with highlights including Walden Pond, Water Country, and a Pawtucket Red Sox baseball game. We are all pumped and ready to begin session three on Monday!

Studio Art and Beaver Off-Broadway Display Their Talent

Two of our Arts Adventure programs finished off a creative session in impressive fashion with a Studio Art exhibit and a Beaver Off-Broadway performance. Studio artists wowed their families with displays of graffiti art, monoprints, illuminated lettering, landscape drawings, and white line drawings. Our Broadway thespians performed two shows of Talli Tabuki and the Warlock of the Jungle. The costumes were impressive, the vocals were stellar, and the acting was spectacular! Congratulations to all of our performing and visual artists for all that they accomplished during this session. We can't wait to see what's to come during session 3.

Join Us for Our Family Picnics

We are pleased to invite you to a new event being offered by Beaver Summer Programs this summer....our Divisional Family Picnics. Our Family Picnics grew out of the suggestions of Beaver parents who wanted an opportunity to meet other camp parents and to have a chance to mingle with our staff. They are being held by division and will occur once during the summer. All families are welcome to come, even if they are not attending camp during the given session.

 

DETAILS:

* Attendance is entirely optional

* Activities will include games on the field, the playground, and swimming (the evening will be low key and will not include special performances or presentations).

* Our staff will be present to chat with parents and play with campers, but parents are responsible for supervising their own children during this event...particularly in the pool area.

* Families provide their own food.

* We will provide an ice cream sundae bar for dessert.

 

WHEN:

Upper/Senior Camp - Thursday, July 29 from 5:00-6:30pm

Middle Camp - Thursday, August 5 from 5:00-6:30pm

Lower Camp - Thursday, August 12 from 5:00-6:30pm

 

WHERE:

On Beaver's Lower Field adjacent to the swimming pools and playground. There should be ample parking on campus. If our lot is full, park on the school side of Woodland Rd.

 

WHAT TO BRING:

* A picnic or some food for your family

* A blanket to sit on

* Bathing suits and towels if you want to swim

 

Please RSVP so we know how many people to expect. Feel free to call the Camp Office with any questions. We hope to see you there!

Please Help Us Support Camp to Belong, MA

While our main priority here at Beaver is to provide campers with a wide variety of fun experiences in a supportive environment, we also hope to facilitate social and emotional growth. In particular, developing an appreciation for others is a significant goal. Teaching campers to take turns, to be thoughtful of others, and to be respectful of differences are daily occurrences in all of our groups. This summer, we will again help our campers to turn their compassion outside of our immediate community.

 

Beaver Summer Programs is proud to continue our relationship with Camp to Belong Massachusetts. Camp to Belong Massachusetts was launched in 2005 by Judy Cockerton with the mission of reuniting siblings who have been separated by the foster care system here in the Commonwealth. Seventy-five siblings are brought together for a one week resident camp experience in Western MA where they can deepen their connections and develop healthy relationships.

 

WHAT

Our goal is to provide Camp to Belong with a large number of donated items that directly benefit their campers. Rather than monetary contributions, we are seeking the donation of NEW items such as sleeping bags, flashlights and towels. All donated items should be new, not used. Please understand that participation in this effort is optional.

 

CLICK HERE for group assignments of what to donate.

 

WHEN

Campers may bring in their donations anytime between now and the end of Session 3. The drive concludes with a celebration on Friday, August 6.

 

WHERE

Please drop donations off with your campers in the morning. Donated items will be displayed in our arts wing foyer where campers will be able to keep track of their collective accomplishment.

 

MORE INFORMATION

Go to the Camp to Belong MA website for more information. There will also be Camp to Belong newsletters and photos in the foyer for the benefit of parents, campers and staff. Feel free to call the Camp Office if you have any questions.

 

Thank you in advance for your generosity and thoughtfulness!