SSA Summer Programs Blog 2011

Camp got pretty creative thinking of ways to keep campers cool today.

Swimming

The pool was gloriously cold on my toes this morning, and campers were living it up in the freezing water. Campers seem to love two things about the pool: diving, and splashing each other.

Some campers lined up for a chance to dive through a hula hoop into the deep end. They loved showing off their skills. The dare-devil campers had Counselor Liana hold the hoop almost up to her neck! Over and over campers jumped in the pool, and then ran to try it again.

The campers in the shallow end were overjoyed to play a splashing game. The entire period campers splashed their friends and ducked--it was endlessly exciting for them.

Fun in the Sun

The pool is an obvious way to escape the blazing heat, but staff members didn't stop there. Day Campers were led onto the lower fields where a huge baseball field sprinkler was watering the turf. Campers ran screaming through the industrial water sprayer, thrilled at the chilling droplets.

A bunch of friends wrestled and horsed around under the arching spray. Some campers, wet enough for their liking, lounged around on the blocking sled (the things football players push across the field to get in shape), sharing secrets.

Target Practice

Outdoor Adventure Specialists Tia and Erika continued the cool-down theme. They coached the oldest Day Campers during a wet target practice!

Tia and Erika had drawn chalk animals on the side of a building, and the campers' mission was to erase the chalk by throwing wet sponges at the wall.

Campers loved this game! What started as a controlled aim and throw became a hectic race to clean the wall.

Kids ran back and forth, grabbing sponges, chucking them at the wall as hard as they could, and screaming at the chalk animals the entire time.

The campers got soaked, and had a bunch of fun  competing to see who could throw most accurately. The group cleaned the wall completely.

Jump Up, Jump Up, and Get Down

The older campers stayed cool by taking advantage of the Hillman's amazing air conditioning. Walking into the building felt too good to be true!

Spotlight Director Lindsay taught a group of campers a super fun hip hop dance during Choice Time. She walked campers through the moves (like hair flips, slides, and jumps) a few times, and then put them to music!

Campers were geeked to get to learn moves to their favorite Katy Perry song. They not only learned the moves quickly, but performed them with attitude!

When they were finished, they were ready for the dance party!

Counselor Asher, the DJ of the Camp Ren Rave, DJed again for the dance party today. Campers got their groove on in the Black Box to the hottest hits.

Staff danced with campers--getting the party started, and soon almost everyone in the room was on the dance floor. Campers taught counselors the newest dance moves, and staff dusted off their joints to show the campers theirs.

A cluster formed around Asher, and song after song was requested, getting the campers to dance even harder!

Pic(k) of the Day

Day Campers screamed in the wake of the sprinkler! A fantastic action shot.