traditions Archives - Camp Towanda

Posted on July 25, 2014 by camptowanda

How Sweet It Is to be at Camp Towanda (week 4)

How sweet it is to be at Camp Towanda! Our week kicked off with a trip to Bethel Woods, a local attraction and spectacular concert venue, for the James Taylor concert (nothing like going to a concert with 200 kids!). Stephanie and I joined the campers, which was a real treat for us.

We had a beautiful week of weather with so much to do packed into so little time. Activities, general swims, boating and canoe excursions, intercamp games, group photos, banana splits, trips to the Blueberry Farm (safari-style) and more! And that’s just during the day!

The excitement is building for everything leading up to Visiting Day on Saturday…canteen craziness, music happiness, sportsmanship “achievementness” and group togetherness! It is Towanda Time here in Honesdale!

We had our annual Venezuelan Pizza & Dance Party in The Mess Hall where Jared presented the annual gift to the campers and staff (Towanda Duct Tape they will take home at the end of the summer)!

Girls Sing was simply an amazing display of emotion, spirit, sisterhood, healthy competition and creativity. Win or lose, it really didn’t matter; all the girls sang with the hearts and the boys were a respectful audience.

In the end, the Inters and Nationals “Internats the Musical” took 1st Place! Thankfully I am not a judge as it was all too close– from the Despicable Debs & Dills, to the Tweens & Junior’s Namaste to The Senior Night Fever and the incredible Sesame Street Dorm…GREAT! Even the boys’ audience had signs of encouragement for their corresponding groups.

We ended the evening with a very special late night campfire with the Dorm Girls and Stephanie and I talked with them about their role, their responsibility and their growth. As the flames started small and grew, under the twinkling night sky an awesome shooting star flew above. The Dorm Girls began to reflect on what their final year as campers is all about…and with the loudest burst possible, they screamed their DORM cheer, it resounded thru the night sky as they walked back in the shadows of the night silently.

Stephanie and I had lunch with the camp presidents this week (our white glove service was served by the 8 former presidents still at camp). Good fun! We needed to postpone our carnival because of weather and went indoors for a Karaoke Night and games followed by a pre-Olympic psychout gathering in the mess hall and impromptu Beatles Vs Rolling Stones Dance party that concluded with McDonalds served to the entire camp. Still one of my favorite things is driving up to the local Mc D’s and saying I’ll take 246 quarter pounders, 13 plain burgers, 197 cheeseburgers, 17 with no patty, and 1 big mac…to go…oh and can I get a toy with that and 26 extra ketchups.

On Trip Day Thursday, the entire camp headed to Dorney Park, Wildwater Kingdom for a gorgeous day of rides and slides! And now it’s time to get ready for the big day TOMORROW!!!! Don’t forget to check out our latest Visiting Day issue of the Towanda Times here and look out for the latest edition of Friday Nite Flix, posted this weekend.

And I have been told that we are sharing some of our highlight photos on Facebook…so follow us there too!

We’re ready…are you?!

Posted on July 18, 2014 by camptowanda

We Rocked Week 3!

Week 3 started off with a bang- when stormy weather caused us go indoors for Upper Camp’s roaring production of Queen’s We Will Rock You! The show went on and we all really enjoyed! We didn’t stop the music because Monday night followed with the Battle of the DJs! A dance party of epic proportions!!!

We dodged some other showers on Tuesday evening to gather as a camp and watch the ALL STAR GAME live on the lawn on our extra-large outdoor projection screen in surround sound. This is one of our favorite crazy nights, complete with Bob and Matt Miller grilling dogs, the Club boys hawking the dogs, Jared giving out Yankees popcorn bags from our vendor cart, Dorm girls serving beverages from the canteen window and Senior Staff acting as ushers at the game!

The kids are busy enjoying culinary classes with Alumni Chef Ben- delicious, fun, educational. Recipes to follow at the end of the summer so you can make them at home and think of camp! The talented artists in Stephanie’s Fine Art’s class are becoming masters (of pride and art). General swims have kids swinging, sliding, sailing, windsurfing and swimming!

Another great evening activity this week was Electionality; our convention where each group comes as a “STATE” to cast their votes for the next Presidents of camp. State of “New Jerseys”, State of Selfies, State of Neon, State of Paper Plates and so on…… some very creative States…plus the state of the camp address and speeches by the candidates.

All good fun which ended with the election of our first ever international presidents, Maria & Juan from Madrid! Their successful campaign endorsed by the Giddiap Poll used the tag line: “We’re Number Juan”! They have promised Tapas Tuesdays and changing the name of rest hour to Siesta Hour.

Trip Day was wet and wild! Jets, Cadets, Debs & Dillies to Montage Mountain (lazy river and age appropriate water fun rides). Middies, Tweens & Juniors to Camelbeach! And Upper Camp to HERSHEY PARK!

And here we are now, completing the 3rd week of camp and I can only say this place is magical. The experience of watching the young campers with the older campers, the mixed personalities, the varied interests and abilities, combined with the different backgrounds and upbringings funnel into creating this special “family” we all feel part of.

This is the sense Stephanie and I have…everyone waves hello to each other, smiles are exchanged and we are overall the way the world should be. To think that camp will get better as the weeks go on is almost unimaginable. But we can’t wait!

There is so much MORE in week 4! Stay tuned…we know you will!

Posted on July 18, 2014 by camptowanda

Friday Night Sermons: Evan & Jillian

As many of you know, the tradition of Friday Night Services has always been a part of our weekly life at Camp Towanda. It is a time to reflect, grow and share as a family. Last Friday, we had two campers from our oldest age group, the Club and the Dorm, share what camp has meant to them over the years. For these campers, Towanda has always been a part of their lives, even before they were born. Towanda runs through their families for generations and the love and appreciation they have for what it has given them, is evident in the words they shared with us.

“Towanda isn’t just a place you go, but somewhere that you are part of forever.”- Evan Seiden

Good evening.

Camp Towanda has always been a part of my life, even before I came here as a Jet in 2007, 8 years ago. My grandfather, father, uncles and cousins have all taught me to believe in a place where “everybody knows your name”. Camp is a place where you make new friends with a bond that lasts a lifetime. I am proud to say that I truly care about every one of my brothers and sisters who sit in the back row tonight.

Camp has altered my life in a way no other experience has done before. When people ask me what I love about Camp Towanda, my answer is everything. When you come into a new environment and you are welcomed with open arms, it’s a feeling like no other.

Most people come up here and tell their story about how scared they were to walk off the bus. However, I was quite the opposite. After hearing the variety of stories spanning from breakout to Wayne County Fair, I couldn’t wait to arrive. As I quickly adopted the Camp Towanda traditions and way of life, I never wanted to leave.

As I reflect on my time at Camp Towanda, it seems crazy knowing that I’ve been coming here over half my life. It’s an honor to keep the Seiden name alive here, as there has been at least one Seiden at camp since 1998.

If you haven’t heard so already, prosper every moment because time really does fly by. Camp is one of the best places on Earth and being a part of it is something that I say with pride. I remember sitting in the front row looking at the Club boys in the back. After years of anticipation, I am now one of those Club boys and the feeling is nothing but surreal.

Towanda isn’t just a place you go, but somewhere that you are part of forever. I especially want to thank Mitch and Stephanie for being my summer parents for 8 years and counting.

Thank you and Shabbat Shalom.

“Camp is my true happy place and family.”- Jillian Horowitz

Hi everyone,

My mom never fails to remind me of the importance of a support system. How she always had that “someone” throughout her life. Her support was always her camp friends, and they still are. Not only am I lucky to have that same support, but also I have my whole camp family to lean on. One of my favorite things about camp is that we’re one huge family. We watch each other grow up, have fun and are always there for one another.

Towanda has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember and I have no idea who or where I would be without it. Camp has helped mold who I am today. Camp taught me how to conquer my fears, to not sweat the small stuff, that there’s no point in being insecure, and to make the best of every situation, whether it’s riding a two wheel bike for the first time, having crazy dance parties all over camp or losing your favorite pair of shoes. Camp it’s my most favorite place to be.

In the blink of an eye, I’ve gone from a quiet and scared new camper to a loud, confident and very excited Dorm girl. Camp has completely changed me for the better and I can’t put into words how appreciative I am for that. I now know I can cheer as loud as a blow horn, dance like nobody’s watching and put a positive twist on any situation I am in.

The memories and friendships that I’ve made over the past several years are the ones that will last a lifetime. I cherish every single photo shoot, dance party and girl talk in the rec hall. I can’t wait to see what else camp has in store for me because let’s face it—the Millers aren’t going anywhere any time soon! I want to continue to grow at camp and help other people develop the same love I have for this place.

Looking back at my time at Towanda has made me so appreciative for the impact that camp has made in my life. Camp has provided me with life skills that not everyone is as fortunate to have. I would like to thank: my role model, Amy Miler [Girls’ Head Counselor] whose most meaningful title to me is being “my mom”, for pushing me to come to camp and for giving me this gift; The rest of my family that is here for their endless love and support; Mitch and Stephanie for making camp my true happy place; The Dorm of 2014- I love you guys more than anything and thank you for being my support system. My love for camp and my camp family is truly indescribable. If I could give you one piece of advice to everyone sitting here, it would be to cherish every second you have here because it goes by too quickly.

Thank you and Shabbat Shalom.