CAMPSTOCK! - Campus Kids

Newsletter for the Campers, Families, Staff & Friends of Campus Kids-New Jersey
Business Office (returning here 8/20): Summer Camp at Blair Academy (6/10-8/19) :
Campus Kids-NJ 973-845-9260 Campus Kids-NJ 973-845-9260
P.O. Box 8 CKNewJersey@campuskids.com P.O. Box 369 CKNewJersey@campuskids.com
Madison, NJ 07940 Blairstown, NJ 07825
web site: www.campuskids.com * Facebook: Campus Kids New Jersey * Twitter: CampusKidsNJ
Tom Riddleberger, Director Stu Lisbe, Associate Director Jeremy Berse, Assistant Director Katie McNally, Assistant Director
Dear Campus Kids,
We’ve played some inter-camp games
recently, including yesterday’s home swim meet with
CK-Minisink, which was lots of fun. Our staff did a
great job organizing everything and we saw some
amazing races. Two of my favorites were relays in
which one team was practically knocked out of
contention, but came back on the anchor leg to win the
race. The crowd went wild. After the meet our
guests joined for Announcements and lunch. It was
fun showing them our camp and learning about theirs.
Our team and fans showed great sportsmanship and
we all made some new friends.
I had my best performance of the summer in
this week’s Ro-Sham-Bo snack-time tournament. This
CK-NJ version of rock-paper-scissors is just one of
the special activities that makes camp really fun. I’m
sad I didn’t make it to the finals, but there is one
more week to try!
Another CK-NJ special activity is Insley Ball,
introduced to us last year by counselor Celil, a Blair
alum who taught us this Blair Academy game. And now
this summer we are having our first-ever Insley Ball
Tournament, another milestone in camp history.
And another unexpected activity I attended
this week was the Taylor Swift Fan Club. I
inadvertently insulted Taylor during announcements
and needed to make it up to her fans by going to their
club. They did a very good job sharing their passion
for this talented singer and I, yet again, learned a lot.
It seems that every day there is something
new, something quirky, something exciting at camp,
which means there is never a dull day here. But it’s
time to push the pause button on camp while everyone
spends time with their family (or goes on the
Weekend Adventure). I’ll see you Monday. In the
meantime, be happy, be safe, be kind, and be on the
lookout for some more adventures next week — our
very special Week 8!.
tom@campuskids.com
Hey Campus Kids!
I’m Amanda Takesh, a Team A staff assistant. You
can usually find me at the
pool, or just around campus. I
can’t believe how fast this
summer went by, way too fast
if you ask me. Being a part of
the staff this year is such a
different experience but it’s a
good kind of change. A year
ago I remember preparing for
the Duper song, and just hoping
I would be back the following summer and I am
so happy I got that chance. I went from being a Pinball
Wizard, to a Barking Babe, then a part of the
Greek Goddesses, to a Bewitching Beauty, then a Lil’
Duper, and now I am in Things A, B, and D (staffies).
These six summers have been incredible and it’s all
thanks to everyone here! At camp I look forward to
Mondays and I hate Fridays, I dread that moment
school starts up again and I will be thinking the opposite.
Well, I don’t want to talk about the end of summer
anymore ‘cause it is too depressing. I hope everyone
is having as an amazing summer as I am and
make this last week count!
Amanda Takesh
CAMPSTOCK!
Next Thursday. Bring your white, 100% cotton
shirts for tie dyeing. You can also bring a 100%
cotton solid dark color shirt for bleach tiedyeing.
Superfragilisticexpialidocious Disney Show
Is Wednesday night. Don’t forget to bring
you’re your costume items. As we go to press,
we don’t have the list, but we’ll post it on the
NJ page of our website this weekend.

How are we here, the end of week seven?
It feels like just yesterday we began our first session.
So much has happened this summer at Blair,
For summer to end now, hardly seems fair.
Who will get ice cream after we’re gone?
And how can we eat without singing a song?
It’s easy to dwell on camp coming to an end,
So instead let me tell you what’s in store, my friend.
We will learn about all things that rhyme with ball,
As Insley ball ends, by the way, mine is small.
Remember that rock is the way to go,
as Sills hosts the last tournament of Ro-Sham-Bo.
This is the perfect chance to try something new,
So sign up for something that’s different for you.
Like Ga-Ga, Fencing or maybe skate park,
Sign up for squash (If your shoes do not mark)
and after you’re done there is no need to fret,
In terms of fun, we haven’t started yet.
On Wednesday we debut a show whose name is quite long,
I won’t try to say it as I’ll most likely get it wrong,
But campers and counselors of varying age,
Will act, dance and sing on our beautiful stage.
Then Thursday, again, is the night of our year,
Campstock is here, I’ll pause, while you cheer.
You can wear your best tie-dye and paint up your face,
As camp is transformed into a whole different place,
There will be lots of booths and incredible bands,
I’m telling you now, to cancel your plans.
It’s a perfect night to close out the year,
The last week is close, but it is nothing to fear,
We still have the memories of weeks that have passed,
and we have lots of strong friendships that will continue to last.
For those who are ending their final camp year,
I’d like to express how much you mean to us here,
Many have been with us right from the start,
but for those who joined late you play as much of a part,
The stories and memories you created won’t fray,
The impact on your counselors and campers will stay.
So thank you for being a huge part of this,
I speak for us all when I say you’ll be missed.
Ste, camp counselor
Notes from the CK Office
Picking up your Camper on the last day:
August 17?
If you are planning to pick up your camper on
the last day of camp instead of having him/her
ride the bus home, PLEASE contact our office
as soon as possible to let us know. You should
plan to arrive AFTER the buses have departed,
which means 4:00 PM or later. If you arrive
earlier in the day, we have to take staff away
from their camp responsibilities on a very busy
day to accommodate you. Come first to the
camp office in Annie Hall so you can let us
know that you are here and can sign out your
camper. Thanks.
Priority Enrollments for 2013
Our 2013 Priority Enrollment forms, exclusively
for returning campers and siblings, are
being mailed out. Deadline to take advantage
of the very lowest price for next summer is August
31.
Missed a “Sundial”?
You can read every issue of the Sundial at this
web page:
www.campuskids.com/readthesundial.htm .
We publish eight summer issues and at least six
issues during the school year. Articles or artwork
from campers, staff or even parents are
always welcome.
2012 Reunion is December 2
We’ll send you more details in the fall, but save
the date for our camper and staff reunion. Of
course, our website will always have the latest
information.
We Want Your Feedback
Questionnaires will be sent to all campers and
parents to ask for your feedback about Campus
Kids. We appreciate it when you take the time
to tell us what you like and don’t like about
camp and to share suggestions and ideas. You
can use the feedback form or send an e-mail or
call us.
Camp Tours
Our summertime tours for new camp families
end in a few days, but we will be offering tours
on the weekends again starting in late September.
Available tour dates are posted on the
website.

In Fifer Feffer Finer Arts
This week in fine arts we made duct tape wallets, sand
art, recreated t-shirts, ceramic beads, and catapults. We
made so many things. We still have one week left, so take
some time and try something new, something that you
wouldn’t usually do. It’s sad to leave camp, but your memories,
ART PROJECTS, and experiences are what you take
with you. Make sure this last week is so packed full of
memories it will last you all year!
Next week we will be doing tie-dye so make sure you bring 100% cotton white
shirts to dye and 100% cotton dark solid color shirts for bleach tie-dying.
Rose, Fine Arts
P.S. Did you know Anselm Kiefer was deeply interested in alchemy—the medieval
folly of attempting to change such base materials as lead into precious
gold. For Kiefer, the artist was an alchemist, converting raw materials such
as paint and canvas into objects of great profundity
P.P.S. How to properly wash your tie dye.
1. Rinse tie-dye in cold water until the water runs clear.
2. Dry your tie-dye in the drier. (This sets the dye so that it is less likely to fade)
3. Wash in cold water with nothing but other tie-dye, just in case there is any dye left to
rinse out.
4. Dry again, and you are ready to go.
5. Now you can wash and wear your shirt like normal.
Bleach tie-dye is a little different.
1. Rinse you shirt with cold water for a couple minutes.
2. Hand wash with detergent in cold water.
3. Wash and dry your shirt in a washer.
4. Now your shirt is ready to wash and wear like normal.
Hey there Campus Kids-
Another week of summer has escaped us. As our final session
reaches its midway point I started thinking what is it about summer
that makes it so much more magical than all the other seasons. Is
it just the vacation time? Or is it something more…? While I pondered
this I stumbled upon a few fun facts about summertime that
I think you’ll find very interesting. Hope you all had a fantastic
week 7!
France’s Eiffel Tower can grow by more than 6 inches in summer due to
the expansion of the iron on hot days.
The first Summer Olympic Games were held in 1896 in Athens. Women
were first allowed to compete in 1900.
Summer camps in the U.S. date back to the start of the 20th century.
People in the Southern Hemisphere have their longest day of summer in
December.
Many people enjoy throwing Frisbees in summer, but they
were originally designed as pie plates in the 1870s. Students
started throwing them in the 1940s.
Ice pops were invented by accident in 1905 by 11 year old
Frank Epperson. He mixed soda and water and left the mixture
out overnight with the stirring stick still in it. Since the
Hi fellow Sundial readers,
This is Jamie here from
the BTC. This week has
been a fantastic week at
Campus Kids and for the
BTC. The talent show last
night was a lot of fun and the acts
demonstrated a lot of impressive talent.
Several members of the BTC were involved
in the show and I was proud to
see their acts. Sadly this was the last
talent show of the summer, but we did
go out with a bang. However, around
the corner and into next week we have
the drama show and CAMPSTOCK. I am
so excited about both of these events.
Campstock especially has always been a
highlight of each of my two previous
summers and this year definitely won’t
let me down. I think it will be the best
yet. The BTC also has a pool party organized
for Monday. Pool parties are
always a lot of fun. This will be the
largest pool party we have had this
summer for the BTC so I am really looking
forward to it.
I wanted to extend a special welcome to
the newest members of the BTC. Each
one of you has transitioned smoothly
into the division and it feels like you
have been here for much longer than
you actually have. The division dynamic
has a great feel to it this session and
whatever bunk group I am hanging out
with, I am having a great time.
As always, stay safe this weekend and
have fun.
Love Jamie Woolass
(Younger Boys’ Head Counselor)
temperature was low, the mixture froze. He
patented the idea in 1924.
The word honeymoon has associations with
summer. The Pagans used that name for the
first full moon in June because they drank
fermented honey (mead) as part of summer
wedding celebrations.
s.e.u.s.s.q.u.o.t.e.o.f.t.h.e.w.e.e.k.
“There's no limit to how much you'll know,
depending how far beyond zebra you go.”
Nicole
Camper Support Coordinator

Hello Reader,
Sean here with the Playing Parts Performing
Arts. We had our last Talent Show of the
summer Thursday, and what a show indeed.
It was a night full of laughs and awes as the crowd was
thrilled by a variety of spectacles. We had dancing and singing
from all ages. We had some jokes from a standup comic. We
had musicians playing instruments such as the ukulele, guitar, piano,
and even a cello. Unfortunately, the show was so packed with
acts that we ran out of time, which means that the traditional
Duper Song will be presented at the end of next week’s musical
show. Thank you to all involved and to our wonderful hosts for
keeping us entertained. Next week we have the Superfragilisticexpi−
alidocious Disney Show; a medley of songs from Disney classics.
Our rehearsals are in full swing for our opening Wednesday night.
And Thursday night we will have the rocking Campstock to close
our amazing summer with performances by both camper and staff
bands. Looking back on the summer we have achieved so much and
created some wonderful shows. I'm proud to be a part of the
Performing Arts here, and can't thank everyone enough for the
hard work that has been put into each and every show.
And now for some word riddles! Figure out what word these
formulas are.
(3 – R)+ ________
( - )+T+( -W)_________
+ ( - W) ________
Kat in the Pool
Hello there camp people! This
week has been full of excitement. Big
events like the Week 7 talent show,
getting ready for the week 8 play,
Insley Ball tournament, and let's not
forget the most important event this
week: the swim meet! On Thursday we
had an inter-camp swim meet with
Campus Kids Minisink. It was a fun
morning in the pool. Everyone from
the swimmers to all the campers that
watched had a great time. Everyone
cheered and yelled with enthusiasm for
all the heats. The swimmers did such
a great job. What made me the happiest
was how sportsmanlike our
campers were. Even if the other team
lost we still cheered for them until
they finished. We did a bunch of single
races divided between girls and
boys such as freestyle, breaststroke,
backstroke butterfly,
and IM
(individual
medley), along
with relays such
has the 200
freestyle and
200 medley.
We even had
two counselor relays, which the kids
got the chance to announce and do the
clock for.
I’m looking forward to next week
for swim instruction. We have been
running the advance swimming lanes
that are called “the fitness swimmer”
and “fundamentals of diving”. In the
fitness swimmer we use the fins, pull
buoys, and pace clock. Here we work
on time and speed. And with fundamentals
of diving we add in difficult
dives such as the pike and tuck dive.
Also surface dives, shallow dives, deep
dives, and racing dives. I am really
excited to continue with these levels
next week. Have a good weekend everyone!!
Kat
Aquatics Coordinator

To my Green Egged Crew –
Greetings fellow Eggs & Man!
Things have been great at CK-NJ, and we’re
getting ready to end the summer with a
bang. We have been missing those of you
who have ended your summer already, but we
have an awesome group of guys to hold the
crew down. Between an awesome talent show,
the nerve-wracking ending to the 2012
Camper v. Counselor All-Star match, Poker &
Jookie tournaments within the division, and
Campstock coming up, we’ve definitely had a
lot of fun this week. For this week’s article,
I decided to try to test out some of my poetic
abilities and write you some haikus
about the division. I can’t believe this
leaves us with only one more week, but I’m
positive it’s going to be one to remember. I’ll
see you all next week!
Danny
Older Boys Head Counselor
Men of east and west,
what a manly green egged crew
summer of our lives
The end of week 7 is upon us. And what a great week it’s
been! We started the week with some
beautiful weather which is always nice.
With less campers than usual this session,
we’ve had a more relaxed feel to
camp and I’ll have to admit, I like it!
Don’t get me wrong, I love when camp is
high energy and full of people but at the
same time, I feel like we have become an extremely tight knit
community now and it’s a nice feeling. Sassical is having a
great week! The talent show was amazing as usual! I’m just
sad that it was the last one of the summer. But as always, I’m
super excited to hear all the camper and counselor bands in
Campstock and for the Disney musical! It’s the first time in 10
years at camp that I will be performing in the drama show…
woot! Have a great weekend and I’ll see you all next week
for…..WEEK 8!! WOOF. Let’s end this summer on the best
note possible!
Rachel Parker, Head Counselor, older girls
Fuddnudler brothers,
grinches, and spunky monkeys
rocking east/davies
Hunks, and cats and hats,
foo-foos, O.T.P.Y.B.
Supers and Dupers
Two thousand and
twelve,
what a summer it has been.
Lifetime memories
Two fantastic months,
seven awesome groups, gone in
the blink of an eye
Hey everyone! I’m Adam Sills, counselor for the
Junior Boys, a.k.a. the Blair Bro-ba-loots. I can’t believe it’s
already Week 7, it feels like camp just started! This is my 8 th
summer at Campus Kids and each summer has been the best
one yet. This summer I have taken on a very big responsibility,
the Ro Sham Bo Tournament. Every day at snack, I have so
many of you running up to me telling me that you’ve beaten
someone at this epic game. It’s so exciting looking around and
constantly seeing people challenging others and trying to fig-
ure out new strategies.
This being my 8 th summer here, I have seen quite a bit
at CK. Some traditions have died off, while others have only
just begun. It’s an interesting feeling watching all of the kids go
through what I went through not too long ago. People come to
this camp and instantly fall in love with it. Between activities,
talent shows, tournaments, and much more, there are so many
opportunities to grow and try new things. Being the last two
weeks, you should take a moment just look around and see how
far you’ve come since you first got here. I’m very excited to see
what these weeks have in store for us and get ready, because
Campstock is only one week away!
-Adam Sills

Hey there Bombastic Fantastic Sports Fanatics!
As I sit here typing this I cannot believe that we are already at
the end of week 7! It feels like yesterday that we were greeting
all of the campers that first day in June. But not to worry,
there are so many activities and tournaments this session to
keep the fun going for the rest of camp! This week we introduced
this session’s tournament the “Things that rhyme with
ball Insley Tournament”, which is for the sport of Insley Ball.
For those of you who don’t know what Insley Ball is, it is very
similar to European handball, and it is named after one of the
dormitories that we have at Blair Academy! It was a game that
was introduced to us by one of our counselors, Celil, who is a
Blair Academy alum, and who is also running the tournament!
Thanks for the introduction Celil! The team names include
Team Small, Team Tall, Team Fall, Team Call, and Team Wall
(which keeps the tradition of rhyming tournament names for
our Dr. Seuss summer!). The tournament is underway and the
games that we have played have been amazing and so much
fun to watch. I can’t wait to see which team comes out on top
next week in the tournament finals!
As the summer winds down, I like to look back at the sports
activities and think about the fun and learning that took place,
Hello campers, staff, friends, and family!
It completely blows my mind that we're already in
Week Seven. This summer has gone by way too fast.
My name is Haley and, while I was a camper at
CKNJ for five of the most amazing summers of my
life, this is my very first summer here as a counselor.
Shout out to my Daisy Head Mayzies of past and
present (campers Kat, Lisa, Anna, Carly, Taylor,
Mak, Emme, Jamie G., Sammy, Gabriella, Jamie R.,
and of course my amazing co-co Victoria)! You can
find me all over camp in lots of different activities
ranging from archery to drama games to tie-dye to
ultimate Frisbee and much more. One of the things
I've always loved most about camp is how activities
throughout the day can range so much. As a
camper I always made a point of doing a little bit of
everything, and I think that still stays with me as a
counselor. That is definitely one of the things that
makes Campus Kids so special- we are all so free in
the activity choices we make, and there are so many
options to try new things every day! Campus Kids is
where I first tried activities like fencing, ultimate
frisbee, slackline, washers, and skate park. Even
though the summer is almost over, it's never too late
to try something new! Campers, take advantage of
all of the opportunities you have left this summer,
and sign up for something you've never signed up
for before. I can't wait to spend an amazing last
week with you all, and I hope to see you making the
most of all of the amazing things Campus Kids has to
offer!
Haley Schulman, Counselor
and this session is no different. I have seen many of you try
activities that were new to you such as Rob Lou Jen, Insley
Ball, and even Washers! It has been so great to see everyone
try new things and even learn that they are good at these activities!
Also, walking around to all of the activities has allowed
me to really see the improvements that everyone has
made in sports, and everyone having fun while learning at the
same time! Keep up the great work! I am so looking forward
to enjoying a great Week 8 and ending the summer with another
fantastic week of sports.
Have a great weekend and remember:
Even though the end of summer is near
In sports we love to laugh and cheer!
Dave Lennox
Athletics Coordinator
Becoming a Staff Assistant
We get lots of questions about staff assistants: what they are
and who gets to be one.
First, it’s important to say that they are not CIT’s or LIT’s (we
don’t have those at CK-NJ). Staff assistants are 16 or 17
years old (entering 11th or 12th grades). They were all
campers at one time.
Staff assistants, or “staffies”, are fully members of the staff,
but do not have responsibilities for camper supervision or
discipline. Instead, they take on a variety of important tasks
around camp. Examples are distributing sports equipment,
helping the nurses at the health center, being part of our lifeguarding
staff at the pool, working in the summer camp office,
preparing evening programs, filling water stations, handing
out snacks, taking and posting photos for our website.
And the list goes on. We usually hire 15 staff assistants
each summer. Some staffies work one summer in this job,
others work two summers. A staff assistant must be available
for the entire 8-week camp season and also attend an
orientation weekend in early March.
The application process takes place in the fall. All of the
information and application materials are available on our
website by mid-August. Applications are accepted until November
1, along with three references. Interviews take place
Continued on next page . . .

Continued from previous page . . .
in November and hiring decisions are announced no later than
December 15.
Unfortunately for the many former campers who want to be
staff assistants, the process is very competitive because we
usually receive three to four times the number of applications
as there are openings. Quite simply, we are not able to offer
positions to all of the qualified applicants, so anyone applying
should think about that before starting the process.
Our decisions are based on a number of factors. One of those
is specific skills. In terms of lifeguarding, that obviously requires
taking a course and earning the appropriate certification,
or being able to do so. The web-photo jobs require photography
and writing skills. Other jobs require good office skills, organizational
skills, etc.
Who Crew
*Rhyming Couplets- Were We in Heaven? Or Was
this Week Seven?" by Devon*
Here we are in another new session,
You all have made a fantastic impression!
Some halls are quieter, but no worries there!
Hannah's got more time to braid tail your
hair.
The freshman have two cute girls named Piper.
With this new group, you'll find them all more
hyper!
Sophomore's have made living Facebook walls to
like.
So good at hunger games...did you use a bike?
In "Kiddie Pool Kickball" Juniors had great
fun.
It truly didn't matter who even won!
It's an odd week, so time
for a talent show.
What do you think about
Yurtle's rhyming flow?
Here's to a great week;
it's one for the books.
I hope your stories don't
get you crazy looks :)
We’re looking for applicants who can work hard and complete
tasks independently. Staffies also need to be strong team players
because most of our work at CK-NJ is collaborative. This
means having good communications skills, being a good listener,
being able to speak up when there are problems, knowing
how to problem-solve with peers.
Just as important, we favor those who are friendly to everyone
and who do not create social cliques. They also must be supportive
of the Campus Kids philosophy and be able to follow all
camp rules.
Lots more information will be posted very soon on our website.
Feel free to call or write at any time with questions.
Who Crew,
Hello my new little owls! It has been so nice
to meet you all and spend time with you during
bunk times, meals, or playing catch during
shade. You've picked a great two weeks to be
part of CK. We had the talent show this week
(you all were SOOOOOOO amazing!!!) Did you
hear me screaming?? This next week, we've got
the drama show and best of all, CAMPSTOCK!!!!
Bring your hippiest clothes and/or tie-dye!
You may have noticed how fast this week went
or if you've been here, how fast the weeks
have gone. Time does not wait for you. Do all
the things you've been waiting for and let
little bothers go. This is my favorite time in
camp, because it feels like everyone is cherishing
the small moments and smiles more often.
I love the sentimental gifts I find
throughout the art building and the sound of
bands practicing. Campus Kids has been a big
part of my life and means the world to me.
Hopefully you feel the same or are well on
your way. At the end of the day, we had this
experience together and for that I am grateful.
Have an amazing weekend! Bring back your
energy, because we've got lots to look forward
to!!!
"A friend is one who knows you and loves you
just the same." -Elbert Hubbard
All My Love,
Devon James YG Head Counselor

There are a lot of important
parts of my job, but the
most important is hiring, training
and supporting the staff.
Elsewhere in this issue you can
read about one type of staff
member here: staff assistants. I’d like to tell you
here a bit about our counselors, the heart of our
staff, and specifically how they are selected because
we get a lot of questions about this.
Counselors are all full counselors at CK-NJ; we
have no junior counselors or counselors-in-training.
They must be at least 18 years old and have completed
at least one year of college or other post-high
school experience. They must be “worthy of emulation”,
the type of person we all want to be responsible
for the safety and welfare of our children. They
must have extraordinary energy and be friendly and
enthusiastic. They must be able to teach one or more
P.O. Box 369, Blairstown, NJ 07825
of our camp activity skills. And they must complete a
thorough application-reference-interview-background
check process.
Beyond that we are trying to create a multifaceted
community, representing as much diversity
and different perspectives as possible. This means
including people from around the U.S. and the world.
It means not just hiring the many former campers
who want to be counselors. It means that we carefully
consider what each applicant might contribute to
the creativity and camaraderie of our camp community.
I wanted you to know this because you might
know someone who would be a good counselor candidate.
If so, I hope you will encourage him/her to
check out our website and submit an application for
next season. Many of our best counselors come to us
by referral. Thanks!
Read the “Sundial” sooner. This issue was published first online:
www.campuskids.com/readthesundial.htm
tom@campuskids.com