January/February, 2012 - Campus Kids

Newsletter for the Campers, Families, Staff & Friends of Campus Kids-New Jersey
Business Business Office Office (fall/winter/spring): Summer Camp (on the campus of Blair Academy) :
Campus Kids-NJ 973-845-9260 Campus Kids-NJ 973-845-9260
P.O. Box 8 P.O. Box 369
Madison, NJ 07940 Blairstown, NJ 07825
email: CKNewJersey@campuskids.com
web site: www.campuskids.com * Facebook: Campus Kids New Jersey * Twitter: CampusKidsNJ * Tumbr: CampusKidsNJ
Tom Riddleberger, Director Stu Lisbe, Associate Director Jeremy Berse, Assistant Director Katie McNally, Assistant Director
Dear Campus Kids,
A year ago at this time, I was writing
to you in between giant winter storms, but
this winter has been much gentler. It just
goes to show that we can’t rely on the
weather. On the other hand, we definitely
can rely on the fact that when summer comes
it’s time for camp!
There’s so much excitement as we
plan for camp, but the best part is finding out
who the people will be, the campers and the
staff. This issue begins to answer those
questions for us.
You’ll enjoy our first installment of
“The Kids of CK”, our traditional introductions
of campers, new and returning. We have a
few campers to kick it off in this issue, but
you can look forward to lots more from now
until summer.
We also like introducing the staff, so
you’ll be reading articles from some of our
leadership team and our staff assistants.
The rest of the LT and the “staffies” will be
in the next issue. Also, of course, we’re
looking forward to having you meet our
counselors.
The “Sundial” will be published
monthly now until the summer, so there’s lots
of opportunity for you to be included. Please
send us your intro or article or your
“Welcome to Camp” questionnaire:
sundial@campuskids.com .
Give us holler if you have questions or
just want to chat. We’d love to hear from
you!
tom@campuskids.com
Rachel Parker!
CLAP CLAP, clap clap clap!
Hello everyone! I’m Rachel Parker and this
summer I will be the older girls’ Head Counselor!
This is my first summer in this position but I am
not new to Campus Kids-NJ. I spent 5 summers as
a camper, 1 as a staff assistant, and I just finished
my third summer as a counselor (Shout out to my
Lil’ DUPES!). I’m so, SO excited for this new position
and I have no doubt that this summer will be even
more amazing than my past 9! (Though, that’s a
pretty hard thing to imagine!)
Within a few days I will be starting my last
semester at Quinnipiac University. I’m majoring in
film, video, and interactive media with a minor in
fine arts! I’m going to spend the semester working
on my senior film as well as applying for jobs so I
can become a “real person” after camp. I’m also
going to spend the semester enjoying time with my
friends, cooking, and continuing to teach myself the
guitar! I’m definitely one of the Campus Kids people
who would run around with a big “#1 fan” sign if I
could! I started at camp when I was 11 and now I’m
22. This camp has absolutely
made me the person I am today
and I am SO excited for all of the
new campers and counselors to
join us and feel the inevitable joy
and happiness that camp will
bring you! And as for all of you
who are returning, I can’t wait to
spend another amazing summer
with all of you. Have a great rest
of your school year. Congratulations
to anyone (like me) who is
graduating at the end of the semester.
I’ll see you at camp for
the best summer yet!
Rachel Parker
Older Girls Head Counselor
rachel@campuskids.com

Notes from the CK Office
First Parent Mailing
We are sending out — soon — the first “Parent Packet” to
families of enrolled campers. This contains the health forms,
personal information form and camper clothing list. You can
also find all of this material at the forms library of our website.
Online Forms Library
Everything we mail to parents is also at the “forms library” of
our website. In fact, it’s there before you receive it in your
regular mailbox. Health forms and clothing lists and other information
are ready now.
Welcome Back Beth!
Remember Beth, our summer camp office manager last summer?
Well, she’s re-joined us in our CK-NJ Madison office,
two days a week, as our Camp Registrar. She’s handling all the
details of camper enrollments, payments, acknowledgements,
forms, etc. and is very good at keeping this all in ship shape.
Don’t worry, though, on the days Beth’s not in the office, Jeremy
and Tom can still help you out and answer questions.
Weekend Adventure Dates
We are pleased to announce three Weekend Adventures: July 13
-16, July 27-30, August 10-13; these are the middle weekends of
our two-week session blocks. Weekend Adventures are available
for campers entering 7th grade and older and provide a
chance NOT to go home for the weekend. Instead, our WA kids
and staff head off for a fun-filled weekend of lakeside cabin
camping and special activities. Sign-ups and specific information
about each trip will be mailed out in early February (and
posted first on our website).
HERE’S THE STORY ON OUR
SPORT SPECIALTY PROGRAMS
Campus Kids is not a specialty camp, as you know. However, in 2010 Ryan
Belline had the idea to offer a specialty program for Campus Kids-NJ’s unofficial
favorite sport: Ultimate Frisbee. The idea was to incorporate some advanced
skill training into the regular Campus Kids program, which he did by running
ultimate “clinics” during the regular activity periods, morning or afternoon, for two
weeks. This allowed the campers to gain the advanced skills and team strategies
they would get by going to a one-week camp devoted exclusively to a single
sport, while also enjoying the rest of what CK-NJ offers: choosing their other
activities during the other periods (sports, fine arts performing arts, swimming),
being part of a bunk group, doing evening programs and special events. In true
CK fashion it was the “best of both worlds” and it became very popular.
We’re now ready to offer our third summer of the
ULTIMATE FRISBEE SPECIALTY (Weeks 5-6, July 23-August 3)
and are also going add two more options:
SQUASH (Weeks 1-2, June 25-July 6), utilizing Blair Academy’s seven indoor
(and air conditioned) squash courts.
TENNIS (Weeks 3-4, July 9-20), utilizing the 10-court tennis center at Blair.
Ryan will coordinate all of the sport specialty options this summer, making sure
they offer great skill instruction while also keeping them running with that special
“CK Spirit”. Assisting him in all the sports will be specialty counselors on our
staff, along with some visiting guests with appropriate coaching experience.
Camp Tours Take Place Year-Round
We give individual family tours of camp on most Saturdays and
Sundays throughout the year, even winter (camp is beautiful in
winter!). If you have friends who want to take a tour, please ask
them to call us for an appointment. Or come on out if you’d just
like to visit us at our amazing Blair Academy site. Stu and Tom
do most of the tours, and we often have special CK-NJ guests
join us!
Campus Kids 2012
Summer camp dates this summer are June 25 to August 17. If
you haven’t signed up yet, you can print an enrollment form on
our website or we can send one to you by e-mail or regular mail.
Bunk Group Theme 2012
If you were at the reunion, you heard it first: our 2012 bunk
group theme will be “Dr. Seuss”! Now we need your suggestions
for bunk group names that fit the theme. Send them to our
office or submit your ideas on the NJ Page of our website
(where you can also see all the ideas that have already been sent
to us).
Staff Assistants
As you read some of their introductions in this issue, you may
wonder, “What are staff assistants?” Our staff assistants are 16
and 17-year-old former campers who are now employed at CK-
NJ to do a variety of important jobs (lifeguarding, office work,
program logistical support, web page work, health center support,
etc.). They are too young to be counselors so they don’t
supervise campers, but without their work our camp wouldn’t
function as efficiently as it does.
Our Sports Specialties will provide two tracks. One is for athletes advanced in
that sport who want continued, concentrated skill advancement. The other track
is for campers familiar with the sport but without much formal training or game/
match experience. Many campers will have the goal of improving their performance
on school teams or working up the confidence and skill level to be able to
try out for a team.
Participation in these programs is limited to our campers, boys and girls, who are
entering 7th grade and older. THERE IS NO ADDITIONAL CHARGE for any of
the programs. We just need you to be signed up during those weeks as a CK-
NJ camper and let us know that you want to participate in the sport specialty.
We also want you to have the desire to play hard and learn a lot.
None of the sport specialties will interfere with our regular camp programming.
All campers will still be able to sign up for the regular periods of those sports,
just like before. Because of the abundance of magnificent facilities at Blair, we
are able to do both things at once.
We’ll be sending you a separate mailing (ready in early February) with more
details, and posting information on our website, but feel free to call any time with
questions (973-845-9260).
2012 Sport Specialties
NO EXTRA CHARGE
SQUASH (Weeks 1-2)
TENNIS (Weeks 3-4)
ULTIMATE (Weeks 5-6)

It’s always exciting to recruit,
select and hire our staff for
the upcoming summer, a combination
of experienced Campus Kids
folks, new counselors who used to
be campers, and new counselors
who haven’t yet been to Campus
Kids. During the first part of the fall I was focusing on
our Leadership Team (LT). (You can read about the 2012
team in last month’s “Sundial”.)
One of the most rewarding parts of selecting the
LT is that we’re asking staff who have been counselors to
take on different responsibilities: as a head counselor or
an activity coordinator or assistant director, etc. As you
might expect, these wonderful people are honored to be
asked. But as you might not expect, they almost always
have a concern that causes them to pause before accepting
the new job.
What are they worried about? That they will “lose
touch” with the campers. Understandably, they are afraid
that by not being a counselor they will have less impact on
the campers than they used to. Time and time again our
counselors tell us that the most rewarding part of their
work is seeing the impact they have on campers’ lives, of
knowing that they are important role models.
Our new Leadership Team members know that
their primary job is to support the work of the counselors
and they fear that this might put them one step away from
the campers, even though we are not a large camp and everyone
knows everyone else. So as we planned our LT training
retreat (which took place in early January), we reserved
time to talk about this issue. The entire 14-person
team was involved because none of us, including me, wants
to become just an administrator. We come to camp to be
with the campers, to have fun with them, to teach them, to
be part of their lives.
Hey Campus Kids! My name is Arielle Kafker
and I cannot wait to be a Team D staff assistant
this summer! I am so excited for a third summer
at camp, but this time as a staff assistant! While
waiting for the summer to come, you’ll either find
me at J.P. Stevens High School, my youth group
USY, hanging with friends, laughing, or enjoying
my new acoustic guitar, Francesca.
I made so many memories at camp,
(kiddy pool kickball, the slip n’ slide, bunk bonding,
dance parties, and the Ultimate Frisbee tournament,
just to name a few), and I could never
wait to go home and relive them all through looking
at the pictures. This summer I get to be the
one behind the camera, watching all of you
make memories as I make new ones of my own!
I can’t wait to see you all at camp!
Arielle Kafker
Team D Staff Assistant
So I was really proud of our LT members that they
selected this topic for the retreat and wanted to prevent
themselves from becoming isolated from the campers. I
knew it would never happen because of how much they love
the campers, but the fact that they were concerned told
me that they understand what camp is really all about.
I thought about this again when I saw this comic:
“The Price of Normalcy” could describe a camp counselor.
What makes counselors special is that they do the normal,
every day stuff really well. They spend time with their
campers, without distractions. They have fun doing simple,
everyday things. They laugh a lot, are funny, and seem to
have boundless energy. They like their campers and let
them know it. Pretty normal stuff when compared to the
folks who are “getting on TV”, as Hammie puts it. But
stuff that makes a difference.
Stuff that’s so important that staff return every
summer, as long as they can, to do this important, rewarding
work. We love what we do. We love the normalcy.
I hope your camper is getting as excited about the
summer as we are. Don’t forget to give us a call or send an
e-mail if you have any questions. Summer will be here before
we know it.
Comic: Copyright 2012 Baby Blues Partnership.
Dist. by King Features Syndicate.
tom@campuskids.com
Hiya Campus Kids! How's it going? As you may not know me, my name is
Sadie Jezierski and I am going to be a part of the Team A Staff Assistants.
Since I’m on Team A, you will probably find me lifeguarding at the pool or
putting out the sports equipment during camp. This is will be my 3rd summer
at Campus kids and I could not be more stoked for it. I live in Westfield, NJ
and I am a sophomore are Westfield High School. During the year I play
saxophone in my school's marching band, volunteer in various places, playing
tons and tons of Ultimate Frisbee and of course hang out with my friends.
Somewhere in my schedule I complete my school work. Honestly, I don't
know how I get it done. Currently, I am volunteering at a youth theatre, helping
the directors get the kids to focus on the play and everything. It's actually
pretty fun. As midterms are approaching in my school, I think
about the fact that camp is only getting closer. While I was
a camper my favorite activities were tenniball, squash,
dodgeball and of course Ultimate Frisbee. I love Ultimate
Frisbee if you didn't get that. Anyway, I can't wait until I
get to be at camp again! So get pumped!!!!
-Sadie Jezierski
Team A Staff Assisant

February
Birthdays
HAPPY
BIRTHDAY TO
YOU!!!!!
Campers:
2/1 Ryan Chen
2/3 Emma Bearison
2/5 Gabriella DeCastro
2/5 Evan Ziegler
2/6 Lisa Morgenthal
2/7 Emily Gorham
2/7 Jordan Green
2/8 Max Simmons
2/8 Jess Tarriff
2/11 Carly Benson
2/11 David Robusto
2/12 Grayson Everett
2/13 Robbie Economou
2/13 Ally Morgenthal
2/14 Sarah Cziner
2/15 Daniel Arnold
2/16 Alex Deutsch
2/17 Chelsea Hayet
2/17 Sydney Altman
2/18 Miles Friedman
2/18 Charlotte Thomas
2/18 Parker Zentner
2/19 Josh Hammer
2/19 Fiona Quinlan
2/19 Caroline Thornton
2/20 Kenny Romaine
2/22 Jillian Rakin
Hey, Campus Kids!!
My name is Nicole Friedenberg. This will be
my 5 th summer at Campus Kids, and my first
summer as a Team B staff assistant. You will
most likely find me working in the office, the
health center, or helping out in the arts department!
I am so excited to be coming back
to Campus Kids and am counting down the days
‘till summer!
I live in Mountainside, NJ and am currently a
sophomore at Governor Livingston High
School. During the school year, I spend a
lot of time fencing and am on my
high school’s fencing team. We are
currently preparing for Districts, one
of our biggest tournaments of the season.
In addition, I am an active member
of my school’s Interact Club, Art Club,
and Auxiliary Club.
As I said before, I can’t wait to come back to
camp and am looking forward to seeing all the
new and returning staff members and campers!
I can guarantee that this summer is going
to be filled with more AMAZING memories
that will last a lifetime! See ya soon!
Nicole F.
Team B Staff Assistant.
2/23 Nick Contillo
2/23 Emily Schnittman
2/25 Endla Feustel
2/25 Kelly James
2/26 Georgia Mraz
2/26 McKayla Barto
2/28 Kate Matlin
2/28 Sam Schrage
2/28 Emily Simone
2/29 Kyra Sofia Luke
Staff:
2/7 Jared Comras
2/9 Lauren Folsom
2/11 Simon Hilder
2/14 Beth Gottesman
2/15 Katrina Hill
2/16 Vanessa Voskinarian-Berse
2/27 Koen Schreij
Hey CK!
It’s Matt Zajac and I am going to be returning as a
Team B Staff Assistant this summer! This will be my
eighth summer at Campus Kids (2005 seems like just
yesterday), but only my second as part of the staff. I
really enjoyed being a member of the amazing Campus
Kids staff last summer and can barely wait to be part of it
once again. As a member of Team B, you will
most often see me in the office making
schedules, the health center making Gatorade,
the art rooms making bead looms,
and at canteen eating ice cream.
Right now, I am a junior at Kinnelon High
School in Kinnelon, New Jersey. It has
been quite a busy year with a ridiculous
amount of schoolwork and the beginnings of the
college application process. In fact, I am taking
a break from studying for my history midterm to write this
article! Thinking about camp definitely helps distract me
from the stresses of midterm week. When I’m not doing
homework, I am either working at my town’s library reshelving
books, tutoring math, or playing clarinet in the
pit band. While I am busy throughout the year, I do find
time to relax, hang out with friends, and most importantly,
sleep.
While my school year may sound like fun, it never compares
to the excitement I feel at camp. I definitely look
forward to the day that I make the trip out west to Blairstown
for the first day of yet another fantastic eight weeks.
I can’t wait to see everybody again and make even more
unforgettable friends. Stay frosty, Campus Kids!!
-Matt Zajac
Team B Staff Assistant

Many years ago, the “Sundial” editors began a tradition of introducing our new campers and welcoming back the returning
ones. That tradition lives on today. Welcome to the first installment of this year’s, “The Kids of CK!”. These write-ups come
from the “welcome forms” you all fill out. If you’ve sent one and you don’t appear in this issue, DON’T WORRY! We’ll get to
you in later issues (at this time of year we start publishing every month). Also, if you haven’t sent your welcome form back
to us, PLEASE DO IT TODAY! Mail it to us or write an email about yourself and what you’ve been up to and send it to sundial@campuskids.com
. We look forward to hearing from all of you and introducing you in “The Kids of CK!”
Our first welcome back for the 2012 season goes
out to Stephen Campanella from Congers, NY.
He is a 7th grader returning for his 2nd summer
at CK-NJ. In his free time,
Stephen takes taekwondo
classes and drum lessons.
This year he got to be part
of a drums battle at his
school’s winter concert.
He loves to draw and had
one of his drawings appear
in Sports Illustrated for
kids. Stephen is a peer leader and is a member
of the student council at his school. He’s a huge
Harry Potter fan and loves to read, too! Stephen
says that his favorite memories from camp last
summer were all the fun evening programs, the
nice counselors and his cool bunkmates. He
can’t wait to see everyone back at CK and declares,
“This is the best camp in the whole wide
world!” Thanks, Stephen!
*****
Macen Lantzman will be returning to Campus
Kids for her 4th amazing summer! Macen is a
7th grader from Livingston, NJ. She likes to play
sports and hang out with her friends. When she
isn’t at camp, Macen likes to spend her summer
days going down to the shore. She is very excited
about returning to camp in 2012. Her favorite
memories from last summer were the Rock of
July (July 4th celebration) and all the great evening
activities. To her camp friends, Macen
writes, “I can’t wait to see everyone again and I
am counting down the days!” To the new campers
coming to CK-NJ for the first time, Macen
Drawn by Stephen
writes, “It may seem scary at first, but once you
come you will adjust and love it. Don’t be shy,
introduce yourself and you will have the best
summer of your life.” Thanks, Macen!
*****
HEEELLLLLOOO CAMMPUUSSSKIIIIIDSSS!
My name is Zoe Federbusch and I am 15 years
old. I attend Westfield High School. This is
going to be my 8TH year at the best place on
earth! Outside of camp, I compete in gymnastics,
hang out with my friends, stalk old camp pictures,
listen to music, shop, and sadly, do homework.
The best thing that has happened to me since
camp is starting high school (minus the work) and
the trip I’m going on to Costa Rica before camp!
My favorite camp memory was the WEIRD show
because it was weirdly amazing! :D To the new
campers I have to say, "THANK YOUR PAR-
ENTS FOR THE AMAZING EXPERIENCE YOU
ARE GOING TO HAVE!" To my bunk group I
only have to say, "I CAN’T WAIT FOR CAMP!
LOVE YOUZ!" I CAN'T WAIT FOR CK-NJ! I AM
WRITING THIS PROCRASTINATING STUDY-
ING FOR MIDTERMS BECAUSE THIS IS MORE
IMPORTANT! (to me, not to my parents...)”
SEE YOU SOON CK-NJ! Love, Zoe.
*****
It’s time to welcome back Taylor Brazinsky!
Taylor is a 5th grader from Montville, NJ and this
will be her 2nd summer at Campus Kids. Taylor
participates in gymnastics, Girl Scouts and tennis.
She also enjoys singing and dancing. In her
free time, Taylor likes to hang out with her friends
or talk about how great camp was with her sisters.
Her favorite memories from camp last summer
were hanging out at canteen with her bunk
mates and going to advanced gymnastics. She
also met her two best friends at camp last summer!
To her camp friends, Taylor writes, “I love
you guys! You are the best bunk mates and
friends ever!” To the new campers, Taylor promises
“You guys are going to love it. It is the best
camp you will ever go to. Can’t wait to meet you
guys!” Thanks, Taylor. See you soon!
*****
Hope you’re sitting down. This next one is a
really big deal. Seriously! It is the first new
camper to be welcomed this year in “The Kids
of CK!” She was the first to send in her welcome
form and she gets the first spot! Her
name is (DRUM ROLL
PLEASE) Emelia Young!
Emelia is a 5th
grader from South
Orange, NJ. During
the school year,
Emelia participates in
dance classes. She is also
involved in activities at her synagogue. She is
excited to make the switch to Campus Kids-NJ
this year. At camp this summer, Emelia is
most looking forward to meeting new friends.
The activities she most wants to do are arts &
crafts and dance. You won’t be disappointed,
Emelia! Those are two of our many specialties!
We can’t wait to meet you!
*****
Welcome back, Josh Ingber for his 3rd summer
at CK-NJ! Josh is a 7th
grader from Armonk, NY.
Josh’s hobbies are baseball,
basketball, skateboarding
and air soft. He
also likes skateboarding
and break dancing. Josh
has practiced a lot since
last summer and we’re sure
he’ll bust some moves at
camp. Josh says his favorite
memory from camp last
summer was WATER
WORLD! He misses hi camp friends SO MUCH
and he can’t wait to see you again. To the new
campers, Josh says, “Don’t worry about anything.
Trust me! You will love it!” And who wouldn’t
trust a guy sitting on a toilet in an umbrella hat
with a Dr Seuss book, right? Hee hee! Thanks,
Josh! See you soon!

Heyyyyyyyyyy!!!! I’m Anna Anna Kas- KasKasmanoff manoff, manoff and who missed me?!? I’m
in the 5th grade at Calvin Coolidge
School in Wyckoff, NJ This
will be my 2nd summer at CK. I
like acting, basketball, and singing
so I’m doing all those things
right now. I’m also on the travel
soccer team, in the school band
and chorus. I also play the piano,
attend Hebrew School and am in
the Girl Scouts. The best thing that
happened to me since last summer
was making the travel soccer team!
A message for my camp friends:
Heyyy!!! Wassup? If you’re coming
to CK-NJ for the first time, It’s the
best camp ever!!! Don’t worry, you
will have so much fun! Thanks for writing,
Anna! See you at camp!
*****
Welcome back, Briana Valletta! Bri is returning
for her 4th summer at CK-NJ. She is from Rockaway,
NJ. During the school year, Bri coaches
3rd grade cheerleaders and plays varsity lacrosse
for the indoor winter league. She’s looking
forward to trying out for the
spring team as well. Bri is also
getting back into gymnastics
which she had taken a break
from. Her favorite memory
from camp last summer was
the last night of camp. Her
counselors took her bunk
group out to the bowl after canteen for a night
time “shade” with one of the boys bunks. To her
camp friends, Bri writes, “ I love you guys so
much! Last year, girls! Let’s make it a good
one!” To the new campers, “Camp is the best
place on earth! You become so close with everyone
and you will never want to leave!” Thanks
for writing! Rest assured, Bri, that your duper
summer will be the most amazing yet!
*****
Welcome back, Austin Ruffino! Austin is currently
in the 6th grade and this will be his 2nd
summer at Campus Kids. He is from Summit,
Hey Readers Of The Sundial!
My name is Eric Cantor or (can-TOR as some people call me) and I am a
new team B staff assistant for this upcoming summer! You will probably
see me in the office, arts and crafts areas and in the health center, although
I only hope to see you in the health center for good reasons...like to say,
“HELLO!”
Well anyway, I am a sophomore at Westfield High School in Westfield, NJ
and I play on the school’s Ultimate Frisbee team. By the way, you should
try Ultimate at camp because it’s really fun, and while you’re at it try all the
other activities CK has to offer because there’s soooooo many!
So! As I am writing this...THE GIANTS GOT INTO THE SUPER BOWL!!!
NFC CHAMPS BABY!!! So yea I am really excited if you can’t tell! My
adrenaline is pumping from that crazy game!!! I hope you will be rooting for
NJ. Austin plays hockey and collects state quarters.
He also enjoys handball and playing with
Legos. One of the best things he’s done since
camp was participate in S.I.T.E. (Student Inventions
Through Education). When he gets to
camp he will have to tell us all about it. His favorite
memory from camp last summer was launching
the model rocket he made at the rocketry
activity. If you’ve never seen a model rocket
launch, you are missing out because they are
completely awesome! He hopes to see his camp
friends from last summer back again. To new
campers, Austin says, “Campus Kids NJ
RULES!!!” Thanks, Austin! You rule!
*****
Welcome back, Carly Benson! Carly is a 5th
grader from Montville, NJ. This will be her second
summer at CK. Carly is a Girl Scout. She
also participates in cheerleading, softball and
basketball. She also enjoys acting, singing and
playing the piano. Carly likes to spend her free
time hanging out with friends. She says the best
thing to happen since camp was getting her own,
cell phone. Her favorite memory from camp last
summer was meeting her new camp friends and
camp counselors. Carly writes to them, “I had so
much fun last summer and I’m so excited to see
you all next summer!” To the new campers,
Carly writes, “You guys will have so much fun
meeting new friends and trying new activities!”
We completely agree with you, Carly! See you
in a few months!
*****
Emma Bearison is coming back to CK-NJ for
her 4th summer! She is a 7th grader from
Mountainside, NJ. Emma plays field hockey,
volleyball and tennis. She also plays clarinet in
the school band. Emma volunteers some of her
free time at her temple. She loves to make pancakes
and play in the snow. Emma also enjoys
reading and surfing. She is really excited about
her upcoming bat mitzvah. Her favorite memory
from last summer was playing in the gaga tournament.
Emma wants her camp friends to know
that she loves them and can’t wait to see them
again. To the new campers, Emma has this advice:
“Don’t worry about getting homesick. The
second you get to camp you will have so much
fun and there is no time to be homesick!”
Thanks, Emma! Have a great time at your bat
mitzvah!
*****
Our next “welcome back” goes out to Maddie
Jacobs! Maddie is a 7th grader from Westfield,
NJ and this will be her second summer
at CK-NJ. Maddie plays basketball
and does gymnastics. She also
likes to draw! She’s also involved in
activities at her temple. Maddie
says she really enjoyed her first
sleep-away camp experience. Her
favorite memory from camp last
summer was the first day when she
met her bunkmates and counselors. She can’t
wait to see her old bunk group, Written in the
Stars, again! She loves you all! To the new
campers, Maddie says, “Don’t be nervous. Once
you meet everyone it’s like you have known them
forever. There isn’t a single mean person!”
Thanks, Maddie! Get ready for another AMAZ-
ING summer!
*****
My name is Matthew Geyman but I like to be
called "Matt." I am now in 7th grade at Heritage
Middle School in Livingston, NJ. I play midfield
position on Livingston travel soccer team and our
team is called "Launchers." I also play basketball.
I take guitar lessons and play guitar in a
rock band. I play chess and go to Hebrew
School. In my free time, I play video games and
practice my soccer skills outside. The best thing
that has happened to me since last summer was
that I scored more goals than ever before during
the fall soccer season. My favorite memory from
camp last summer was the Slip-n-Slide. The
message for my camp friends is that "I can't wait
to see all of my friends and I look forward to another
great summer at Campus Kids!" Here is a
message for all of the kids coming to Campus
Kids for the first time: " Everyone at camp is very
nice. All the counselors, campers, and staff are
great and make camp very fun!"
*****
Dont Worry if you werent in this
installment of the kids of CK! We
have FOUR more issues before
camp and we will make sure that
everyone who sends in a welcome
form will be included!
the Giants with me, but I understand if
you are a Pats fan….because no matter
what, everyone’s a winner!
I absolutely cannot wait for summer to
start and camp to begin. Every year new
stories emerge from my experiences with
Campus Kids and I LOVE telling stories!
If this is your first upcoming year I can’t
wait to meet you, and if you are returning,
then you know EXACTLY what I am talking about when I say, COME
SOONER SUMMER! PLEASE!!!
Good luck to all in the next few months and see you all soon!
-Cantor (Eric)
P.S. Sign up for weekend adventures. They are amazing.

Hi CK’ers!
For those of you who don’t know me, I’m David
Lennox, born and raised (and still living) in the small
town of Mount Tabor, New Jersey. Last year was my
first year at CK, and I am so excited that it will not be
my last! Last summer I was a sophomore boys counselor
for the Parking Meteors, and a sports counselor
during activity periods. Spending my summer at CK
was the best decision of my life, and I cannot wait to
return and start making more amazing memories.
Since camp ended, I have been working as a sales
associate in a department store and as a substitute
teacher in various school districts. I’ve applied to
graduate schools in New Jersey, and once I find out
exactly where I’m accepted (fingers crossed for Rutgers!!),
I will be starting classes in September. But until
then, I have used this time to travel and visit my
fellow CK counselors!! Needless to say this has taken
me all over, to Pittsburgh, Buffalo and New York City
just to name a few. Also, this spring I will be making
my first trip to Europe to visit all of those international
counselors we miss so much! But when I’m not
traveling, I love to just sit back and read a book,
Hey Campus Kids!
I’m Bria Bartsch, and after four
amazing summers here at CK-NJ, I am
happy to say I will be spending my fifth
as a staff assistant on Team A!
Right now, I am a sophomore at
Mount Saint Dominic High School in
Caldwell, New Jersey, and I spend most
of my time playing softball, snowboarding,
and just like all of you, doing schoolwork.
When I get enough free time and I
can just sit down and have a little time
to myself, I love thinking about how
great this summer will be. Every summer
here at camp just seems to be even
better than the last (hard to believe, I
know), and I just can’t wait to see what
this summer will bring! Even though my
school year seems to be flying by
pretty fast, summer can’t come
soon enough! This summer you will
most likely find me lifeguarding at
the pool, helping out with evening
activities, or working at canteen.
I can’t wait to see all the familiar
faces and meet new people! Get
ready for an amazing summer!
-Bria Bartsch
Team A Staff Assistant
watch a movie, or play some sports (mainly baseball)
with my friends.
This summer I will be taking on a new role at camp
as the athletics coordinator, and I am pumped to
make my mark on CK’s awesome sports program. Being
the athletics coordinator basically means that I will
be organizing both the indoor and outdoor sports activities.
I also will be coordinating all of those CK tournaments
we know and love. Since I graduated with a
degree in physical education, I am so excited to bring
some new ideas and activities, while still keeping
those CK classics.
I’ll be signing off for now, and although I haven’t
officially started counting down to CK 2012 (it will
happen soon), I can assure you that it will be here before
you know it. I cannot wait to hear all of your
voices down in the bowl awaiting
new activities. I hope you all are
having an amazing year so far,
and I will see you in June!
David Lennox
Athletics Coordinator
david@campuskids.com
HELLO CAMPUS KIDS!
I’m Brian Zilberberg and I am going to be coming
back to CK for my seventh year. This will also be my second year as a
staff assistant on Team A, so you will usually see me lifeguarding or setting
up sports activities. I just want to say that I cannot wait for this summer.
I’m already wishing for school to end and I will soon start counting
down the days until camp!
I live in Westfield, NJ and am currently a junior at Westfield High
School. I love playing tennis and am on my high school’s team. The tennis
season is about to start, so I am getting very excited. However, I am
not nearly as excited for tennis as I am for camp! CK is one of the best
places on earth, and I can’t wait to be there. If you see me, whether or
not it’s at camp, don’t be afraid to say hi! See you all this summer!
-Brian Zilberberg
Team A Staff Assistant
Hi Campus Kids!
My name is Avalon Singer and I am beyond excited for my fourth summer at CKNJ,
but my first as one of your Team B Staff Assistants! Being on Team B means that
you will probably see me working in the camp office, helping the nurses at the health
office, or (my favorite) assisting in the arts department. Currently, I am in my sophomore
year of high school in West Nyack, NY. Besides waiting at the edge of my seat
for camp to start, I spend most of my time doing different kinds of dance. I take hiphop,
jazz, and tap classes but the type I really enjoy doing the most is definitely hiphop.
Another activity I do is acting. The reason I absolutely love acting is because
it’s fun to be able to behave like someone that you wouldn’t normally act like any
other day. Music is also big part of my life and without it I don’t know what I would
do! I am so pumped for another amazing summer at camp, and I feel like I’m going
back to a second family that I’ve been away from for way too long! I can’t wait to see
everyone that I’ve been missing throughout the year and I’m looking forward to meeting
the new members of the CKNJ family. To everyone that is new to camp and is a
little nervous, my advice to you is that I was EXTREMELY nervous my first year too
but (like I did) you’ll fall in love with camp and will meet friends for life :). See you
guys soon!
-Avalon Singer
Team B Staff Assistant

Hello Everyone!
My name is Devon and I am the Younger Girls Head-
Counselor. This will be my 7 th summer with Campus Kids-
NJ! I’ve worked with the youngest, the oldest, organized
day trips/evening activities, and have spent the last two
summers working in this position. What I love about this
division is that it feels like a family! Some of the girls jokingly
call me “Grandma” (although I am not quite old
enough). It makes me smile, because I make it my mission
to assist each counselor to be the best at creating a safe
and fun environment for each of their campers.
Recently, I have moved from Mississippi where I received
my MFA in Acting, to Denver, CO. I now work as a nanny
and continue to audition for stage, film, and commercials.
I am also a teaching artist and work as an educator for
ages 4-adult. Another fun fact is that my husband, Sean
Scrutchins, works at camp. He is the Performing Arts Coordinator!
If you have read my “Sundial” articles before,
you know they come with a poem. Here is your winter
edition. I hope you enjoy!
Much Love,
Devon
Younger Girls Head Counselor
devon@campuskids.com
P.O. Box 8, Madison, NJ 07940
WINTER IS MY SPLINTER
Winter is my splinter because it’s just so,
Hard for me to wait so that I may go
Back to camp with all my friends even Tom too.
Maybe while I wait I’ll take a tour with STU.
At night I sleep and dream on my soft pillow,
About all the laughs, fun, and pie of FRITO.
Will this year be different will I be the same?
If I’m new will everyone think that I’m lame?
These questions will haunt me till my first bus,
Once I’m there I know camp loves all of us!
For those of you who’ve never been to camp,
It will change your life and your school labeled stamp.
Here we accept you for all that you are.
We’ll help you succeed and feel like a star.
Some good news for all you sadies out there,
Camp is not just here, it is everywhere.
If we all can pass on something we’ve learned,
Then maybe the world can be what we yearn.
I hope to see your smiling faces,
When the winter goes and the heat races.