April/May 2013 Rainbow Connection - Camp Kamaji

Kamaji’s RAINBOW CONNECTIONPage 3 April/May 2013THINGS WE CAN’T FORGETFIRST SESSION: Swim Train . . . The Storyof Rory . . . T-Swift Obsession . . . ‘noops’and ‘krofs’ . . . itchy, itchy, scratch, scratch. . . counselor melodies . . . bon qui qui . ..dance to Katy Perry’s ‘Wide Awake’ . . .YOLO . . . taquitos . . .SECOND SESSION: Northern Lights . . .tomato cheeks . . . Pause! . . .Carnival . ..the paper clip song . . . Polly and Jiggy . .. L-L-L-L-Late again . . . fish bracelets . ..”Most Likely to Be ” . . . GummyBear Song . . .2013 RETURNING KAMAJI CAMPERS 2013 NEW KAMAJI CAMPERSSince the last issue of the RainbowConnection went to press in February2013, the following veteran Kamaji campershave enrolled for the summer of 2013:EMILY KLEIN (returning for her 2 nd summer)of Austin, TX will be a first session camperand SOPHIE RHODES (2 nd summer) ofChicago, IL will be a second sessioncamper. WELCOME BACK IN 2013!!Since the last issue of the RainbowConnection, the following girls havesigned up to be first year Kamaji campersin 2013: CLAUDIA BALLEN (4 th grade) ofChicago, IL; CHLOE CEDARGREEN (5 thgrade) of St. Louis, MO; and ALEXIA LARA(6 th grade) of Hanover Park, IL will be firstsession campers; and CAMMI AVERY (5 thgrade) of Glencoe, IL; BELLA BLIWAS (4 thgrade) of Glencoe, IL; KATHRYN HEMMER(5 th grade) of Glencoe, IL ; ALYAMACDONALD (4 th grade) of Chicago, IL;HONOR MICHEL (3 rd grade) of Evanston, IL;LAURA PARENTE (5 th grade) of Wayzata,MN; CAROLIINE PEREZ (3 rd grade) ofPasadena, CA; and ROSIE SALZER (4 thgrade) of Northbrook, IL will be secondsession campers. We are delighted towelcome you into Kamaji’s summertimefamily and look forward to spending a partof camp’s 99 th season with you!WELCOME!!Thank you so much, Kami Sisters, who aretaking very seriously honoring theircommitment to Kamaji’s 2013 NewCampers! We have had a few camperscontact us to say they’ve misplaced theemail address or phone number of theirKami Sisters — those are easily fixablewith just an email to mike@kamaji.com.Not so easily remedied is a new camperwho feels ‘neglected’ by her Kami Sister.So make sure that you are staying in touchwith each other between now and the startof camp by setting aside some time eachweek to drop a quick e-note or making atelephone call just to let your Kami Sistershe has a Kamaji ‘connect’ through you.Thanks!!KAMI SISTERS 2013ATTENTION 2013 NEW KAMAJI CAMPERS:All new campers need to respond positivelyto letters and calls they receive from theirKami Sisters. It’s likely as summerapproaches, you will have questions andconcerns that a veteran Kamaji campermight be able to help you with!!! If you havenot yet been contacted by (or have lostcontact with) a veteran Kamaji camper,please let us know now.2013 CAMP KAMAJI COUTURE CLOTHING COLLECTIONCAMPER ENROLLMENT 2013As of April 1 st (and this is not an AprilFool’s Day joke!) Kamaji’s 2013 enrollmentis bursting at the seams!With 159 camper spaces filled for firstsession, enrollment for first session is(overfilled and) CLOSED. And with 152campers already enrolled for secondsession, there is VERY limited space in afew age groups. Please have your parentscontact mike@kamaji.com if you are notyet enrolled and would like to return to helpus celebrate the Kamaji’s 100 th 99 thSummer!!We uploaded the 2013 Kamaji ClothingGuide this past weekend – just previous tolearning that 2013 won’t be the 100 thsummer of Kamaji after all. So I will bemeeting with the clothing design artists(one of whom is ‘Ets’) this week to ‘tweak’any of the images that celebrate 100summers and will upload a new versionjust as soon as it’s available. So be sureto check back later this week –http://kamaji.com/wp-content/uploads/2013CampKamajiClothingGuide.pdf– to see what is available to order as well asthe specifics as to how-to-order on-line!Stay tuned . . .

Kamaji’s RAINBOW CONNECTIONApril Fools’ Day/May 2013 Page 42013 CAMP KAMAJI PARENT HANDBOOKAttention 2013 Campers and Parents:Most of February was spent preparingHEAPS of information about the upcomingsummer and how to best prepare for it.The 2013 KAMAJI PARENT HANDBOOKcontaining all this info was snail-mailed toall first year campers and their parents on13 th . We also snail-mailed the handbookto those veteran Kamaji parents whorequested a hard-copy.For Veteran Kamaji Campers andParents – We also snail-mailed on March13 th an envelope containing forms only tothose veteran Kamaji parents whopreferred to reference the on-line copy ofthe handbook which can be found onKamaji’s website on the Current CampFamilies Parent link:http://kamaji.com/wp-content/uploads/2013parenthandbook.pdfAll the usual camper forms – health forms,packing list, clothing information, etc. canalso be found at www.kamaji.com. Wewould ask our families not to use the onlineforms as the ones in the mailing to ALLKamaji parents are color-coded. The snailmailedforms are the ones parents shouldcomplete and return to Kamaji.Have your parents telephone us314.721.0475or email kathy@kamaji.com ormike@kamaji.comwith any questions about informationcontained in the 2013 CAMP KAMAJI PARENTHANDBOOK or on the camper forms.RANDY’S RAMBLINGSHard to believe it is only a few months untilKamaji’s 99 th summer begins. Not certain ifSpring has sprung where you live but hereat camp Springtime seems far off! Sincemy last ‘ramblings’ Winter has grabbed holdof the northwoods and is not loosening itsgrip anytime soon. Snowstorm-aftersnowstorm-after-snowstormhas left at least30 inches of snow blanketing Kamaji. Lastyear this time the ice on Wolf Lake hadcompletely melted. Fast-forward to nowand you can find two feet of snow cover ontwo feet of ice on the lake! Adding insult toinjury last week there were two successivemornings where we woke to temperaturesof 16 degrees below zero! That led to iceforming on top of the snow! March isdefinitely not exiting like a lamb – on thelast day of March the best Mother Naturecould do was a high of 33 degrees withwinds making it feel as if it were 14degrees. This first week of April promisesdaytime temps in the 30s and 40s –hopefully by June 1 st when I next writeMother Nature will let go of her April Fools’temperatures and, with a laugh, blowsoutherly winds in camp’s direction.Renovating Club Med has had all myattention these last two months. In additionto putting new windows (where needed) anda new exit leading out of Club Med, newelectrical and plumbing has been installed.New floors and ceilings are in the works too.Meanwhile Mike is heading here later thisweek and will have a draft of the design andlayout of the new treatment room. Once thatis finalized I will be able to finish the interiorwalls and begin installing cabinetry andcounter space. I even plan on building along, long bench on one wall of Club Medso those who have to soak sore, tired feet(from wearing NCA shoes;-) can sit. So forsure there has been considerable progressmade on this hugeproject.As for my assistants Patch and Oreo —they are patrolling the grounds and makingcertain that small animals (think squirrelsand chipmunks especially) don’t disturb meor my work. Actually the ‘work’ they dolooks more like play! In fact, Oreo has somuch fun patrolling camp that when itcomes time to leave at day’s end, he runsin the opposite direction from me. I haveto bribe him with a doggie biscuit just to gethim into the truck so we can leave.Speaking of leaving it’s time for me to signoff and get back to work. By the time younext hear from me, camp will look entirelydifferent than the photos posted here(which were (taken last week). Keepthinking SUMMER!Randywith Maintenance AssistantsPatch and Oreo

Kamaji’s RAINBOW CONNECTIONPage 5 April/Did we getcha?/May 2013The following was written by Kamajicamper LEILANI FITZPATRICK (ChevyChase, MD ‘11 - ‘13) in her own words:Skiing on Wolf Lake: A MemoirPicture a lake with cool, clear water flowingin it. Sailboats are adrift to your left. Infront of you, you pause, and look atchildren run down a dock, screaming,laughing and jumping into the water. Tothe right, there are paddle boarders,windsurfers, and water skiers. The wholelake is filled with happiness. TheMinnesotan air is crisp, the water is cold,but you can’t help but smile as you pauselooking at every single person happy to behere.Just the week before, you arrived at camp,eager to begin your second year. Youhave settled into your cabin, and tomorrowyou are to begin something you’ve nevertried before, waterskiing.Bong. Time to wake up. I drearily openedmy eyes to the sound of the morning bell.Around me, I heard a few of mycabin-mates get up, grab their toiletries,and shuffle out into the early morning cold.As I started to close my eyes once again,not eager to join the rush of girls at thewashhouse, Emily beside me shook meuntil I was forced to look up.“What?!?” I sleepily spoke.“It’s time to get ready for breakfast!”Unwillingly, I followed Emily out of thecabin. The pine leaves crunched my feet.After breakfast, my cabin-mates and Icleaned up our cabin, getting ready forinspection. Although the morning wasalways the same, Kamaji was neverboring. Every day, you had new activities,new people to see, and new places to go.Today, for example, I was to start my firstclass of waterskiing. I’d never water skiedbefore, and was nervous and excited atthe same time. Within the few minutes wehad between cleaning up our cabin, andfirst morning activity, my cabin and I talkedabout what our day would be like. Whenthe first morning activity bell rang, mycabin said our goodbyes for the day. Withmy swimsuit on, a book and a towel, Itrudged my way through the trees,searching for Dock Five, where I’d goevery morning toski. I made my way down the beaten pathleading out to the dock where many othergirls stood waiting.“Hey Guys!” I announced, recognizing afew girls in the group.IN HER OWN WORDS“Hey Leilani,” one of the instructors said.“Grab some skis from the shed back there,and we can go ahead and get started.”“Great!” I exclaimed, excited to begin.Waiting on the dock, watching everyoneelse go, seemed like ages. Finally, onceeveryone had gone, it was my turn. I slippedinto the sopping life vest everyone hadpreviously worn. After tightening the vestaround my swimsuit, I put on my skis andglided into the water, feeling the cold waterwash over me. As I swam out into WolfLake, the other girls shouted words ofencouragement, wishing me luck on my firsttime. I smiled, hoping I would get up, butknowing in the back of my head that noteveryone got it on their first try. Grace, theinstructor shouted over the loud engine ofthe boat, instructing me on what to do. Ifollowed her commands, bending my kneesand keeping them together, making surethat my arms were straight out and a littlebent. To no avail.After many days of trying, I could still notget up. Frustratingly I had to wait a week totry again, letting other girls, who were justas inexperienced as me, give it a try. Overand over again, I kept going up and down,up and down. The water seemed like all itwanted to do was swallow me up. Ofcourse, I knew this was not true, but despitemy persistence I got nothing in return.A few days before the end of camp, I wasthe last one to ski. Before entering thewater, Grace asked me whether I wanted tostay and ski, or go to lunch, where a tastymeal of tacos was awaiting us. I knew thatwe were both hungry and tired, but I couldsee that Grace looked hopefully at me, as ifshe knew I could do it if only I would give itone more try.“Can we stay?” I asked.“Of course,” Grace responded and steppedinto the boat, giving me some final pointers.I shifted my feet around, nervous andexcited. I put on my skis, buckled my lifevest, and slipped into the water. As I swamout away from the dock, my skis trailingbehind me, I thought about all the lessons,tips and tricks that Grace and other girlshad given me. Do not pull the rope towardsyou. Keep your arms straight. Remainbalanced. Do not look at your skis.Remember not to lean to forward. Let theboat do all the work. It was almost as if Icould hear their voices drilled in my head.You can do this, Leilani.I pulled my knees up to my chest and heldmy arms straight in front. Grace gave methe questionable thumbs up as I shouted“HIT IT!” the boat lurching forward. Keepingmy chest high, I stayed up. I tried to thinkof other things, avoiding the realization thatI was in the middle of the lake with thechance of plunging towards the water.Before I knew it, the boat was slowing to astop back at the dock, and Grace wascheering.“You did it!” she proclaimed.Omigosh. I had actually done it. “Grace!” Iswam over to her and pulled her into a hug.“I could not have done it without you!Thank you so so much!”Grace smiled, pulling me into a tighter hug.Behind her, I could see that very sameview I had seen weeks earlier, only thistime from a very different viewpoint. Eventhough everyone was gone, I couldimagine it perfectly: girls laughing andscreaming, paddle boarders, sailors andwater skiers. Looking back, I neverimagined that one day I would be one ofthem, skiing on Wolf Lake.

Kamaji’s RAINBOW CONNECTIONApril/May 2013 Page 62013 KAMAJI STAFF LINE-UPStaff contracts continue to come into Kamaji’s winter office. Folks who will be joining us as Kamaji Staff for the summer of 2013 includethe following —SAMANTHA ADAMS k ~ Cabin Counselor/Art Instructor, 1 st summerJULIA ADDIS ~ Junior Cabin Counselor/Swimming and ArtInstructor; 9 th summerKELSEY AGATHER k ~ Cabin Counselor/ Water-ski instructor; 1 stsummerLINDSEY ARONSON ~ Junior Cabin Counselor/ Photography andPaddle Boarding Instructor; 8 th summerTAYLOR BANNISTER ~ Cabin Counselor/ Art Village Instructor; 2 ndsummerLUCY BEHN ~ Cabin Counselor/ Sailing Instructor; 10 th summerMORIAH BENNETT ~ CIT; 5 th summerADAM BLONSKY ~ Camp Doctor; 6 th summerJORDAN BLONSKY ~ CIT; 7 th summerNIC BLOODWORTH ~ Waterfront Director; 5 th summerKATE BOWKER ~ Cabin Counselor/ Sailing Instructor; 10 th summerSARAH BRONSON ~ Cabin Counselor/Waterskiing Instructor; 10 thsummerMARGARET BYLSMA ~ Cabin Counselor/Sailing and WaterfrontInstructor; 11 th summerROBYN BUSSWELL k ~ Cabin Counselor/Drama Instructor, 1 stsummerMAUDIE BROWN ~ Junior Cabin Counselor/ Dance & FitnessInstructor; 9 th summerMARIA CAPANNI ~ Cabin Counselor/Swimming Instructor; 2 ndsummerARIEL CANADA k ~ Administrative Assistant, 1 st summerKATIE CIAGLO ~ Cabin Counselor/ Sailing Instructor; 9 th summerMARGARET COMBS ~ CIT; 7 th summerBEC CRIBBES ~ Unit Director; 6 th summerLAUREN CURRY ~ Junior Cabin Counselor/Activity Instructor; 8 thsummerGABBY GEERTS k ~ Assistant Cook, 1 st summerEMMA CUSACK ~ Junior Cabin Counselor/Activity Instructor; 5 thsummerKATE DARBY ~ Cabin Counselor/ Tennis Instructor; 3 rd summerCAT DEAN ~ Camp Doctor; 16 th summerELLEN DEXTER ~ CIT; 8 th summerKATIE DOCK~ CIT; 4 th summerBECCA ELLIOTT ~ Riding Director; 4 th summerERIC ERVASTI k ~ Assistant Cook, 1 st summerELLA FIES ~ CIT; 6 th summerLANEADRICK FORD ~ Assistant Cook; 2 nd summerLOTTIE FRANKERL k ~ - Cabin Counselor/WIndsurfing Instructor, 1 stsummerELIZABETH GELMAN ~ Cabin Counselor/Photography Instructor; 8 thsummerKATHRYN GERNSTEIN ~ CIT; 7 th summerMEREDITH GOODALE ~ Cabin Counselor/Fishing Instructor; 11 thsummerMARIA ‘FER’ HERNANDEZ ~ Housekeeping; 2 nd summerPAOLA HERNANDEZ ~ Kitchen Assistant, 2 nd summerTERESA HERNANDEZ ~ Kitchen Assistant, 3 rd summerTERRIE INDER ~ Camp Doctor, 3 rd summerBALI IZQUIERDO k ~ Housekeeping, 1 st summerRON KEREN k ~ Camp Doctor, 1 st summerBRIANNA KINGSBURY k ~ Nursing Assistant, 1 st summerJESSICA ‘KA’ KINYICKY-ARECHEDERRA k ~ Nursing Assistant; 1 stsummerCASSIDY KLEIN~ Junior Cabin Counselor/Art and WindsurfingInstructor; 6 th summerROSIE KOPMAN ~ Cabin Counselor/Canoe/Kayak Instructor; 10 thsummerBECCA LANGSAM ~ Cabin Counselor/Fishing Instructor; 8 th summerYARIS LINARES ~ Kitchen Assistant, 2 nd summerEMILY LIPSON ~ Cabin Counselor/Climbing Wall & Low RopesInstructor; 1 st summerOLIVIA MARTIN ~ CIT; 8 th summerCAMILA MARTINEZ ~ Junior Cabin Counselor/ Dance & FitnessInstructor; 7 th summerELAINE MASKUS ~ Cabin Counselor/ Sailing Instructor; 7 th summerAMELIA MATHESON k ~ Administrative Assistant, 1 st summerJORDAN MCCLENDON ~ CIT; 8 th summerJUDY MEISNER ~ Camp Doctor; 17 th summerJENNY MENDELSON ~ Camp Doctor; 13 th summerMEAGAN MESIROW ~ Cabin Counselor/Canoe/Kayak Instructor; 8 thsummerARIANA MICHEL ~ Junior Cabin Counselor/Tennis and SwimmingInstructor; 8 th summerMORISSA MILLER ~ Cabin Counselor/Swimming Instructor; 10 thsummerSOPHIA MILLER ~ Cabin Counselor/ Sailing Instructor; 10 th summerSYDNEY MORISON ~ Cabin Counselor/Sailing Instructor; 10 thsummerAMY MOSCOWITZ ~ Trip Leader; 10 th summerREBECCA MURRAY k ~ Cabin Counselor/ Photography Instructor; 1 stsummerMALAINA MYERS~ CIT; 6 th summerJEFF NEIL ~ Camp Doctor; 4 th summerSOFIA NICOLELLA ~ CIT; 4 th summerRANDY NYBERG ~ Camp Caretaker; 7 th summerSARAH PASSMORE k ~ Camp Doc, 1 st summerMIKE PHIPPS ~ Trip Leader; 4th summerORLEE ROZA ~ Trip Leader; 9 th summerJULIA SACHS ~ CIT; 8 th summerMICAH SCHARFF ~ Cabin Counselor/Canoe/Kayak Instructor; 7 thsummerMEGAN SCHLIESER ~ CIT Director; 12 th summerLAINE SCHWARBERG ~ Cabin Counselor/Swimming Instructor; 10 thsummerALEXIS SCHWARTZ ~ CIT; 8 th summerDANA SCHWARTZ ~ Cabin Counselor/Canoe/Kayak Instructor; 7 thsummerSTEVE SCLAMBERG k ~ Camp Doctor; 1 st summerMARISA SEDLAK k ~ Cabin Counselor/Climbing Wall & Low RopesInstructor; 1 st summerk 2013 NEW Staff

Kamaji’s RAINBOW CONNECTIONPage 7 April/May 20132013 KAMAJI STAFF LINE-UP continuedFELICIA SHAW ~ Cabin Counselor/Dance & Fitness Instructor; 8 thsummerRISA SIEGEL ~ Camp Doctor; 4 th summerMARJENA SLOAN ~ Head Cook; 33 rd summerSAM SPEICHER k ~ Cabin Counselor/Art Instructor, 1 st summerEMMA STANICEK ~ Junior Cabin Counselor/Activity Instructor; 8 thsummerIMANI STOKES k ~ Assistant Cook, 1 st summerEMMA TIGERMAN ~ Junior Cabin Counselor/ Dance & FitnessInstructor; 6 th summerJO TIMBERLAKE k ~ Cabin Counselor/Riding Instructor, 1 st summerEMILY TRENTON ~ Junior Cabin Counselor/Sailing Instructor; 9 thsummerRINKA VAN DOMMELEN ~ Cabin Counselor/Riding Instructor; 2 ndsummerLAU VELAZQUEZ k ~ Kitchen Assistant, 1 st summer ELISA VARELA ~CIT; 6 th summerLANE WASHBURN ~ Cabin Counselor/Waterskiing Instructor; 8 thsummerSHAINA WASSERMAN ~ Junior Cabin Counselor/ Drama Instructor;7th summerHANA WHIZIN ~ Unit Director; 6th summerELLIE WIGDALE ~ Cabin Counselor/Tennis Instructor; 7 th summerMEL YEMMA ~ Trip Leader; 10 th summerk 2013 NEW StaffFor more detailed information about the staff lineup for next summer please visithttp://kamaji.com/wp-content/uploads/2013kamajistaff.pdfwhere you can MEET KAMAJI’S 2013 STAFF.STAFF NOTESKamaji's Staff Line-Up is looking great! You can Meet the Staff bylogging online to Kamaji’s website and heading to ANY page —Visitors, Camp Families or Staff — where you’ll find the mostrecent copy that tells you a little about each of those who will bepart of Kamaji’s 2013 Staff Lineup! Be sure to check backregularly as we hire additional staff to fill the remaining few staffopenings.Speaking of . . . we are still looking to fill a few more positions forthe upcoming summer:1. Cabin counselors (must be female) who can teach:Archery (1)Art (1)English Horseback Riding (1)2. Wilderness Trip Leaders — Must be at least 21 years old andhave canoeing, camping and wilderness trip experience. Willbe required to be currently/become certified in Lifeguarding,WFA and CPR/FA/AED. (Female or Male)3. Nursing Assistant: must be at least 21 years of age and havealready at least completed the 3 rd year towards a B.S.N. at anaccredited college/university. (Female Only)4. Assistant Cook: Must have training and/or experience in arelated field such as Culinary Arts, Baking & Pastry, Nutrition,Food Science and the like (Female or Male)5. Maintenance Assistant: Must be at least 21 years of age andmust have training and/or experience in Carpentry,Construction, etc. (Female or Male)Please email kat@kamaji.com if you have friends who might "fitthe bill"! Also, if you are a veteran staff member who is thinkingabout returning to Kamaji this summer — NOW is the time tocommit!

Kamaji’s RAINBOW CONNECTIONApril/May 2013 Page 8PRE-CAMP STAFF SNAIL MAILINGAll staff will be snail-mailed a large packetof information and forms later this month.We warn you that, at first, this packet mightseem more than a little daunting. Pleasetake the time to sit down and read throughit all carefully. The information is veryimportant and helpful (and also hopefully alittle interesting) when planning for camp.We hope, too, that it will answer questionsyou may have . . . as well as questions youhadn't thought of yet!Kat has emailed the entire staff askingeach to email her with the best (snail) mailaddress that she should use to send thepacket. If you have not written her yet,please email kat@kamaji.com with theaddress where you will get the packageNOW as the information is time-sensitive.All the information that is being (snail)mailed is also posted on the Staff Info linkat www.kamaji.com – please refer to theon-line information as a reference only. Itis important that the forms you completeand send back to camp are the color-codedones included in the soon-to-arrive staffpacket.Kat will email everyone once she hasmailed off the hard-copy packet of material.Those living in the United States will likelyreceive the mailing within a week of itsmailing. It does take ten days to twoweeks for mail to reach international staff(including Mexico, Europe, Australia andNew Zealand) so please be patient. Eitherway, if you do not receive the mailing byApril 30 th please contact kat@kamaji.comimmediately.Kat has emailed all staff two separatemessages that outlined in some detailSTAFF ARRIVAL DATES and CERTIFICATIONCOURSES being offered at/near CampKamaji in early June as well as offeringTRAVEL TO CAMP options. This sameinformation will be included in the packet ofinfo being snail-mailed this month. Whilethe information may seem ‘redundant’ wewant to eliminate any worry staff may befeeling when working on how/when to getto camp.We urge you to make your travel plans tocamp NOW (especially if you are flying).Kat has just set up a CAMP KAMAJIFacebook Group for 2013 Staff (sorrycampers while you can see the names ofmembers, it is a ‘locked’ page). This is agreat place for folks to ‘connect’ with othersworking at Kamaji this summer as well aswork together to coordinate travel to/fromcamp with each other.STAFF TRAVEL TO CAMPPlease use all of this information to its bestadvantage. We truly want to make travel tocamp as worry-free and stress-free aspossible.If you still have questions after reviewing allof the Travel Info please emailkat@kamaji.com. Thank you!This summer – Kamaji’s 99 th !! – we want todo something really really memorable –something that is generous, is from theheart, has a positive impact and makes adifference.We are asking for volunteers among our2013 campers and staff to lose their heads. . . of hair for a great cause!The Professional Salon Academy inBemidji, MN is not only willing to do the‘cut’, they will also wash, dry and style allshortened hair of any campers and staffwho wish to donate.99 PONYTAILS TO CELEBRATE KAMAJI’S 99 TH SUMMERKamaji’s ponytails will be donated to threedifferent organizations —LOCKS OF LOVE which provides hairpiecesto financially disadvantaged childrensuffering from alopecia, as well as burns onthe scalp, and other permanent medicalconditions. Locks of Love does not providehairpieces to children with cancer.(Minimum length of ponytail: 10 inches)BEAUTIFUL LENGTHS which is a partnershipbetween Pantene and the AmericanCancer Society. Pantene provides thefunds to turn hair donated to BeautifulLengths into free, real-hair wigs for womenwith cancer. (Minimum length of ponytail: 8inches)WIGS FOR KIDS which provides, free-ofcharge,wigs to those children who arestruggling with the repercussions of hairloss caused by any condition — includingburn accidents, cancer or alopecia.(Minimum length of ponytail: 12 inches)So, if you have long hair (or even mediumlength hair) and are thinking of getting anew ‘do – don’t!! If you have long hair andwant to shed some length – wait!! If youare thinking about going long with yourhairstyle – do!!And then plan for a summer cool-downtransformation that will create newbeginnings for children and women affectedby hair loss due to cancer and chronicillness.P.S. We will ask parents to sign aPermission Form for any camperand/or staff person under the age of18 who wishes to donate a Kamajiponytail this summer.

Kamaji’s RAINBOW CONNECTIONPage 9 April/May 2013NEWSBITSThis section of the Rainbow Connectionis devoted to special events in currentcampers’ and staff member’s lives. If youhave any NEWSBITS, please emailkathy@kamaji.com with details and photos(if available).“Congratulations!!” to . . .. . . CLARA AEDER (Chicago, IL ‘10 -‘13)who will become a Bat Mitzvah in NewOrleans on April 20 th . Clara’s family invitesany Kamaji people in the area to thecelebration.HANNAH ALLEN (Evanston, IL 09 - ‘13) andher dance team from the Sheila TullyAcademy of Irish Dance for placing 4 th atthe World Irish Dance competition held onMarch 28 th in Boston, MA. It was the firsttime the World competitions have been inthe US in 10 years. Hannah competed ona team of 16 girls who did a very intricatedance, called a choreography or figuredance. (Hoping Hannah will perform inKamaji’s Variety Show this summer - hint!)ELLA SULLIVAN (Lawrence, KS ‘10 -‘13 ) ongetting her black belt in karate.AMY ROGIN (Highland Park, IL ’08 - ‘13) isrunning with the ‘Big Dawgs’ (as afreshman) on the Highland Park HighSchool girls’ Varsity track team. HPHSwon the Girls Indoor ConferenceChampionship March 14th Amy ran ablazing 50 yard dash and was a member ofthe winning 4 x 400 relay team for theConference winning HPHS Giants.ALYA MACDONALD (Chicago, IL ‘13) is amember of a circus troop, GravityKids.They recently produced an ariel show ofthe ‘Nutcracker’ in which Alya played(flew?) the role of Clara.JENNY BRAVERMAN (St. Louis, MO ‘08 -‘13)recently starred in the role of Dorothy in theWydown Middle School (Clayton, MO)production of The Wizard of Oz.OLIVIA RONK (Edmond, OK ‘09 -‘13) –pictured on left in photo below – finished6 th in Floor Routine in the OklahomaAll-State Competition in Level Excel! Wayto GO O!! That’s quite an achievementgiven that you had only a couple of weeks’practice and only one qualifying meet atthis level prior to All-State Meet!REBECCA STRULL (San Rafael, CA ‘10 -‘13), a high school freshman, made her highschool's varsity soccer team! Rebeccaalso was recently in her high school'sproduction of A Hard Day's MidsummerNight's Dream – a Beatles’ musicalversion of the Shakespearean classic play.SAMMIE AXELBAUM (Chicago, IL ‘12 - ‘13)joined the track and cross-country team atschool.CARLY FRISONE (Deerfield, IL ‘09 -‘13 ) iscaptain of her JV high school (Deerfield)softball team. When she is not playing,rumor has it Carly is behind the wheel of acar as she learns to drive. (Golf cart time!!)LUCY MAREMONT (Needham, MA ‘12 - ‘13)is on the JCC Karishim swim team, whichjust won the New England Swim TeamChampionship. Lucy won two individualblue ribbons for backstroke andbreaststroke.SOFIA BOGUCKI (Purcellville, VA ‘11-‘13) isnot only taking a jazz dance class she isalso learning to play the guitar.EVELYN BALLARD-LABRUM (Rochester, MN‘08 - ‘12)will be performing with Ballet Westa professional ballet company in theirperformance of Alladin on April 6th andApril 9 th .

Kamaji’s RAINBOW CONNECTIONApril/May 2013 Page 10KAMAJI PAPARAZZI KAPTUREDOver the past month the following Kamaji folks were captured by anonymous Kamaji-camera-wielding photographers:

Kamaji’s RAINBOW CONNECTIONPage 11 April/May 2013ANNOUNCEMENTS! ANNOUNCEMENTS!! ANNOUNCEMENTS!!!'Proud Mama and Papa Jay' announce theengagement of their 'daughter' KATHRYNEMARTIN to JASON NELSON (who still needsto be voted on as to IN-or-OUT as is thepractice at Kamaji - JK).All kidding aside and in spite of this beingApril Fools’ Day, we congratulate bothKat and Jason on their engagement!!We wish them a lifetime of health, joy,happiness, love and daughters!!LATE BREAKING NEWSKAMAJI…APRIL/MAY POEMA place where I can be myself withoutworrying,A place where it is okay to be different,A second home for not only myself but theKami Family,A home where I met my best friends fromacross the U.S.A.,A camp full of laughter and giggles allsummer long,A place where we standing on the tablessand sing our lungs out,A summer camp where we try new things,A camp with a CRAZY morning wake upcall,A place where “Rainbow Burgers” are thebest dinner…That’s what I was looking for in a summercamp. I found Kamaji and now im NEVERletting go!IN CLOSING . . .And so the countdown until Kamaji’sSummer of 2013 continues!! Only 77 daysremaining till those first bus loads ofcampers drive into camp . . . and 105 untilthe second lot of buses stirs up the dust onthe dirt road!!We cannot wait!! Between now and then,we will continue to focus our full attentionson getting camp ready for the summer!!That said, this brings us to the close of yetanother edition of the RainbowConnection. Be on the lookout for the nextissue in early June. Till then, take care,keep in touch... and THINK SUMMER!Chairs and Benches Up!Kathy, Mike, Kat & ‘Ets’P.S. The April and May Birthday Listsbegin on Page 12.For more great Kamaji photos captured by the paparazzi this past month please link tohttps://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152718499315327.1073741825.741630326&type=1