SCATICO BLOG
Boys 2015 Color War
It was a particularly eventful weekend at Camp Scatico, as boys Color War broke on Saturday afternoon with a specially designed raffle!
To the A Court!
It was a particularly eventful weekend at Camp Scatico, as boys Color War broke on Saturday afternoon with a specially designed raffle! Tradition usually has it that Color War breaks following dinner, but this summer we shook things up and announced boys side would be holding a raffle of customized Scatico swag at breakfast, lunch, snack time and dinner. Every one received a raffle ticket at each meal time, and each had an equal chance of taking home prizes (including a deck of cards featuring an aerial view of camp, a mug emblazoned with the road path, and Nat Holman luggage tags). The breakfast and lunch raffles went off with excitement, but nothing out of the ordinary, but at the snack time raffle one of the prize items was a large blanket stitched with a photograph of the boys A Court that read "Color War 2015." Well, everyone knew what that meant...
Girls 2015 Color War
It was an exciting Monday night at Camp Scatico. Following the co-ed show "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown" the girls headed to back campus for milk and cookies only to discover "Color War 2015" pillow cases...
1, 2, 3, 4... WE HAVE COLOR WAR!
It was an exciting Monday night at Camp Scatico. Following the co-ed show "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown" the girls headed to back campus for milk and cookies only to discover "Color War 2015" pillow cases laid out on their beds! As news of the Color War break quickly travelled to all of the divisions, the girls gathered by the flag pole as Kerri read aloud the Color War pledge and Generals and Lieutenants. Then every one headed up to the tennis courts for a match between Generals Aliza Dodge and Emma Georger to determine who would be Green and who Grey, before the divisional dodgeball matches began. During divisional dodgeball as each camper gets out they run to the Chief Judges to learn what team they are on. The last girl standing in each divisional dodgeball match receives a point for their team. Check out the girls' side splits below, and know that boys' splits will be posted as soon as their Color War begins!
Summer 2015, Edition #5: CIT Trip
As many of you know, this summer we decided to shake things up and our CITs (counselors in training) traveled to the Dominican Republic to run a one-week day camp for local children...
As many of you know, this summer we decided to shake things up and our CITs (counselors in training) traveled to the Dominican Republic to run a one-week day camp for local children. We are thrilled to report the experience was simply incredible, and want to share the daily blog we maintained while there.
Please join in on all the DR camp magic!
Summer 2015, Edition #4: July 13th-July 22nd
Between the Boys and Girls Nat, Visiting Day, Tribes, the Gong Show and Carnival it's been nonstop action in the 12523. Carnival this year was Oscars-themed and Scatico turned out in their red carpet best, posing alongside our very own "Hollywood" sign (it said Elizaville)...
Lights, Camera, carnival!
Between the Boys and Girls Nat, Visiting Day, Tribes, the Gong Show and Carnival it's been nonstop action in the 12523. Carnival this year was Oscars-themed and Scatico turned out in their red carpet best, posing alongside our very own "Hollywood" sign (it said Elizaville), helping themselves to popcorn, and enjoying all the traditional booths (dunk tanks, zap mail, marriage booth and more!) The Upper Seniors brought their A-game with a very freaky circus-themed haunted house, and Cory Schwartz set up our very own Scatico photo booth complete with props.
Besides Carnival camp has been busy with a slew of tournaments. Both Nat teams played their hearts out, the boys advancing to the finals and losing in the final seconds in a real nail-biter to Wah Nee (Matt Cohen hit a three-pointer with 12 seconds remaining to give us a two point lead after we'd been trailing by 10 midway through the fourth quarter...but Wah Nee hit their own 3-point shot at the buzzer) . The girls Dance Team (composed of Jints, Ints, Centers and Debs) went to a tournament at Timberlake and competed in five dances! Our Debs snagged one third place prize, and Marlee Fass came in first for her solo performance! Plus Scatico hosted it's first ever Soccer tournament for lower hill (dubbed "The Nick" for soccer-head Nick Goodacre...wonder who came up with that name) and won! (Shout outs to MVP Leia Pinals, goalie Halle Press and goal-scorers Emily Holzer, Lara and Brooke Tolstoi, and Ryan Lapatine!)
This week has also marked a few classic Scatico evening activities. The girls playhouse opened Saturday night for the Deb and Sub show, Mamma Mia!, and Wednesday night we held our annual "Miss Ugly Pageant" (the name explains it all). Soopers Melanie Krieger and Sara Feldman walked away in first place for their hilarious spoofs on Les Miz songs. Over on boys side there was the annual Gong Show, highlights including the Sub Seniors reenactment of the opening scene from The Lion King (Bart Turri played Simba), Jake Vandercar's hat juggling act, Drew Winiarski's dead-on impersonation of a cow mooing, and Jack Wasserman's "phenomenal" karate act, quote from head counselor Dave Fleischner, with the entire Soph division.
Nat players run onto the court before the first game.
Lower Hill girls cheer along the side of the A Court.
Divisional Snapshots
GIRLS SIDE
Jinters- The last of the Jinters passed their deep water tests, and the whole group celebrated with s'mores and an evening swim at the waterfront.
Inters- Are dressing in all black and holding a spy theme day, complete with an extra long scavenger hunt in search of a "missing counselor."
Centers- Enjoyed their hike to Catskill State Park and hosted a favorite evening activity, Family Feud, where each division dresses as a different famous family (this year's highlights included Subs as The Kardashians, Jinters as Spongebob characters, and Senior Staff as the "Modern Family" family.)
Debs- Released Scatico's first butterflies into the wild after their cocoons had hatched from our own habitat. Plus they are interviewing people about their favorite elements of camp in preparation for their Friday night services.
Subs- Had a Dora the Explorer theme day, complete with Spanish lessons and guacamole making!
Seniors- Have started rehearsals for their show "Legally Blonde" with the Jinters plus most of the Seniors went on a Volleyball tournament to Kindering and advanced to the finals.
Soopers- Switched DLs with the Upper Seniors, and enjoyed ceramics, T-League and teaching the Sooper cheer with Quinn!
Soopers cheer on the Girls Nat.
Centers at cooking.
BOYS SIDE
Sophomores- Nabbed first place for the Gong Show with a group karate act led by Jack Wasserman, plus went on their first divisional blind hike (where they are led through camp blindfolded by their counselors).
Sub Juniors- Had their divisional waterfront cookout as well as their overnight, where they participated in a game of "Commando" (kids crawl through the dark and when a counselor shines their light on them they have to freeze).
Juniors- Not only had their divisional hike off-camp but are also prepping for a hike through Mosquito Hollow, considered relatively uncharted territory on Scatico property.
Inters- Got their brooms and brought back an early 2000s favorite with a game of Quidditch!
Sub Seniors- Had a boy band bonanza theme day where they were split into different throwback boy bands and wrote their own songs.
Seniors- Were victorious at a late night baseball intercamp to Kenmont. Shout outs to Ryan Ditkoff, who pitched, and Shay Rubinson for making the final out of the game when he caught a line drive!
Upper Seniors- Swapped DLs with the Soopers and had their very own rendition of Tribes, complete with plaques with Jane Rosenfeld!
The Boys Nat repping the Elizaville zip code with the 12523.
Summer 2015, Edition #3: July 7th-12th
Lots happening at Scatico as the summer already seems to be flying by. Girls' Side had its first Tribes Day on Tuesday, with the four teams competing in a track meet in the morning and variety of sporting events in the afternoon...
Life in Elizaville
Lots happening at Scatico as the summer already seems to be flying by. Girls' Side had its first Tribes Day on Tuesday, with the four teams competing in a track meet in the morning and variety of sporting events in the afternoon. At the evening's Tribal Campfire, the girls showcased songs and a human pyramid routine they'd been working on for the past several days. Plus the Scatico Playhouse opened with its first show Saturday night: the Inters and Centers in The Lion King!
Over on Boys' Side the full camp participated in a "synchronized dance competition," where each division picks a song to choreograph a dance to and then perform. The Sophs did a dance to "Lean On," Sub- Juniors to "Everything is Awesome" from the Lego Movie, Juniors decided to forgo traditional music and instead drummed on their stomachs, the Inters stole the show (and won) with "Respect," Sub-Seniors performed to "Fergalicious," the Seniors to "Cheerleader" (hands down the song of the summer), and the Upper Seniors to "Monster Mash" (perhaps in anticipation of their Carnival haunted house?). As Hoops League, Soccer League, and T-League continue in full force, it's always nice to shake things up and boogie down.
The Inters bask in their "RESPECT!" dance competition glory.
Centers and Inters in the Lion King.
Plus boys and girls have been participating in several tennis tournaments to much success! At Scatico Tennis, Soopers Emma Georger and Melanie Krieger made it to the finals, and at a tournament at Kindering on Sunday we came in 2nd place overall (winning three of the six available trophies!).
Divisional Snapshots
BOYS' SIDE
Sophomores- Had their hike to Mohonk Preserve on Wednesday, plus participated in a Super Stars day later in the week, where the Sophs are split into teams and compete in a variety of "events" like water chugging and broom tosses.
Sub-Juniors- Played their first ever game of slap ball (always a boys' side favorite) plus a lot of the division went on a baseball tournament to Pontiac, winning their first two games and ultimately nabbing third place!
Juniors- Appreciated one of the best sunsets of the summer thus far during their walk along the Sunset Trail (located behind the boys' ball fields) and then had their overnight.
Inters- Besides celebrating their dance victory, the Inters enjoyed a game of Subs n Heroes, in which each kid is assigned a sandwich ingredient and then stack themselves to appropriately make the sandwiches that are called out.
Sub-Seniors- Had an NBA All Stars weekend in which they imitate and NBA Draft Combine, complete with basketball drills and interviews.
Seniors- Played a heated (literally) game of Inferno Trivia: campers wear as many layers as possible (starting with a bathing suit) and answer trivia questions in teams. For every correct answer they get to remove a layer, for every wrong answer add one. The team that makes it down to their bathing suits first wins and gets to rush to the lake.
Upper Seniors- Participated in a "Tough Mudder," which included crawling through a seaweed obstacle course, swimming in the lake, and running up an enormous slip n' slide.
Soph boys observe the broom toss in All Stars.
The Sophs Green team for All Stars.
The Sub-Juniors embark on a Blind Hike.
GIRLS' SIDE
Jinters- Visited the Mills Mansion and Buttercup Garden, a historic site located just 15 minutes from camp, and enjoyed skipping rocks in the Hudson River!
Inters- Had a spur of the moment inter-camp to Kenwood, where they participated in a variety of sports and won all of them (!) plus learned new games from the Kenwood campers.
Centers- Had a Girl Scout Theme Day complete with sash making, baking cookies and a nature walk on Scatico's own Sunset Trail ending with s'mores over a camp fire!
Debs- Hiked to Sunset Rock where they were able to enjoy a dip in a lake and then tested out a new ice cream place at the "General Store."
Subs- Have been expanding their athletic horizons with cricket! Plus the entire division decided to show their Scatico spirit and all tried out for a Pontiac soccer tournament together.
Seniors- Had a High School Musical 2 theme day where they dressed up and filmed a music video to "Bet On It" (a song that apparently takes place on a golf course) on Scatico's own golf course.
Soopers- Got pumped during their "Women of the Wild" theme day, which included dressing in safari gear and a scavenger hunt through camp.
Above: Deb girls at Ceramics. Below: The Centers aka Troop 12523 all dressed up for their Girl Scout theme day!
Parting shot: Chowing down at the Cooking Center.
Summer 2015, Edition #2: July 3- July 6
It's been a great, rain-free few days in Scatico, with all of the activities and events revving up to high gear. Fourth of July always seems like a milestone of the summer...
Land of the Free, Camp of the Brave
It's been a great, rain-free few days in Scatico, with all of the activities and events revving up to high gear. Fourth of July always seems like a milestone of the summer, with the whole camp coming together for the first time with our co-ed barbeque, talent show and fireworks. As always the talent show was a highlight with acts as varied as gymnastics, karate, balloon blowing and juggling, piano, singing and a little rock n roll. After the show all of camp made its way to the golf course (red, white and blue popsicles in hand, of course) for a fantastic fireworks show.
A Jinter and Inter perform gymnastics.
CIT girls sing "Fast Car" by Tracy Chapman.
A Sub-Junior boy plays "Penny Lane" by the Beatles on the piano accompanied by boys' music staff.
Two Jinters sing "Tomorrow" (from Annie) during the 4th of July Talent show.
The co-ed activities continued Monday night when the Soopers and Upper Seniors enjoyed a waterfront cookout, the Seniors and Subs (boys and girls) participated in a trivial night, and the Debs/ Inters and Centers/ Sub-Juniors went bowling!
Around camp
On boys' side College Bowl dominated for two days, with the boys split into four teams to compete in a variety of activities. Capture the flag is always a traditional favorite, and the boys' tried a new activity in the Pavilion that had mini-teams rotating between several timed stations to see who could hold the record (number of foul shots made in 2 minutes, number of times the team can rotate a hoola hoop around their bodies, etc.). College bowl concluded with a campfire, that was luckily outdoors this time around.
On girls' side the first camp sister event was held-- double trouble-- where older and younger camp sisters dress up in duo costumes (milk and cookies, ketchup and mustard, etc.) and perform a skit. Also, ceramics has embarked on a girls' campus wide project: the creation of our own Alma Mater totem pole. Each division is in charge of making an artistic, clay representation of a few lines of the Alma Mater (for those not in the know, the girls' Alma Mater is sung every night and lyrics and audio can be found here), which will all be assembled in a large totem pole to decorate girls' back campus.
Camp also had several tournaments these past days, with two girls soccer teams and a boys basketball team going out, plus, Scatico hosted it's first tennis tournaments for boys and girls in 7th grade and under!
Divisional Snapshots
Boys Side
Sophomores-Had their first overnight, making s'mores and fire cakes (pancakes made over a fire) after hiking along Sunset Trail (a Scatico-made path in the woods behind the boys' ball fields.)
Sub Juniors- Threw a swamp party! All the Sub Juniors got into the crib (shallow part of the waterfront) threw in some canned sodas to float around and drink, and enjoyed some good music.
Juniors- Enjoyed a spirited game of Slamma Jamma, where the boys deck themselves out in basketball jerseys and lower the hoops so that everyone can dunk. They are also making mushroom houses in ceramics!
Inters-Organized a water fountain safari, sporting their bucket hats, as they tested every water fountain in camp (much debate over whether the office water cooler or Health Center water fountain is the best.)
Sub Seniors- Enjoyed an intense game of rugby (ended in 9-2) and made pita chips with avo-yogurt dip and OMG Brownies (Chef Ally's secret recipe) in cooking.
Seniors- Had a mystery hike (where counselors lead their campers throughout camp blindfolded) that ended in kayaking on the lake.
Upper Seniors- Have the distinction of making the first basket during a slap ball game in as long as people can remember, which means a pizza party.
Girls Side
Jinters- Had a thrilling 4th of July scavenger hunt where they had to piece together clues to find and figure out how to rescue Ken (head of girls' ceramics) who had been mysteriously locked inside his studio.
Inters- Had their hike to Catskill Preserve, where they were able to swim in a fresh (and cold) lake!
Centers- Had girls' sides first camp out, and started to learn their divisional sing folk song while sitting around the fire. The Cents also put the cherries they picked to good use, making cherry cheese cake in cooking.
Debs-Have been excelling in Scatico's newest competitive sport: Bocce! They also started to make trivets in wood shop, which they will then mosaic in arts n crafts.
Subs- Were the first girls division to hit wood shop, and made beautiful hooks and desk bookcases that they will paint in arts n crafts.
Seniors- Had their hike to Break Neck (always the most challenging and rewarding of the hikes) and threw a "wedding" ceremony (complete with rings and bridesmaids) on the top of the mountain for girls' head counselor Kerri and her husband Michael, who accompanied them on their hike and were celebrating their 12th anniversary!
Soopers- Headed to Wah-Nee for a soccer tournament, where Sara Feldman scored a "ridiculously good" (according to coach Nick Goodacre) goal (it was also the team's only goal) to much celebration.
Creations from our cooking center! Left: Chef Ally with patriotic cupcakes. Right: Cheese straws.
Summer 2015, Edition #1: June 27-July 2
It's been a great, rain-free few days in Scatico, with all of the activities and events revving up to high gear. Fourth of July always seems like a milestone of the summer...
First Days in the 12523...
After 10 months of counting down the days the 2015 camp season has finally begun! Once again there are cheers in the dining hall, races down the road path, games of catch on back campus, and the familiar sounds of camp friends playing on boys' and girls' campuses (with plenty of new voices added to the mix). Despite some 48 hours of cloudy skies and rain, kids have fallen into the rhythm of camp and summer 2015 at Scatico is in full swing! This summer, we will try our best to share some of the magic and a few highlights on our blog! Check for posts on Thursdays and Mondays.
A little of the old, a little of the new
The first few days of camp are always filled with long-time Scatico traditions that bring former campers back into the feel of things while welcoming new members to our summer family. Opening campfires, selecting camp sisters, swim tests, sports skills day, Twilight League, and Meet the Counselors are all crammed into our first 72 hours. Rain had the boys' campfire moved indoors to the social hall, but that didn't stop them from running fool ball and divisional pillow fights. On the girls' side the Soopers led a beautiful (and outdoor!) campfire at our newly renovated site, sharing their favorite Scatico memories.
Dave begins the boys opening campfire in the Social Hall.
Randy leads lower hill Fool Ball.
Soopers lead "Circle Game" at the girls' opening campfire.
Along with the familiarity of old traditions comes the excitement of all that is new! After decades of hearing about Twilight League, Tuesday night kicked off the first ever T- League on girls' side! Upper hill campers, staff and CITs were split into six teams to compete in volleyball, soccer, basketball and softball under the girls' athletic field lights, a new tradition that will occur at least once a week. Plus a new game, brought by first-time Senior DL Jamie Meyers, has taken girls' side by storm: Shake & Pop! Let's just say you have to see it to understand it, but girls can be found making dance circles to the shake & pop song whenever there is a moment of down time.
On boys' side camp's initial rainy days led to a full Lower Hill dodge ball tournament, but luckily there was still enough sun for the start of the 2015 Twilight League season on Monday night. Down at media, John Hickey is already busy making the first film of the summer: a hazards video with boys from all divisions that will be shown before the co-ed talent show on July 4th. And in what is sure to become a oft-utilized prop this summer, during outdoor adventure boys found a mysterious tiki doll in the woods (more details to come). They also spotted an enormous turtle all the way up on the boys' ball fields!
DIVISIONAL SNAPSHOTS
Boys' Side
Sophomores- Were the first division to enjoy cooking with Chef Ally, and made cheese puffs and granola. Plus they've started making clocks at wood shop!
Sub Juniors- Got pumped in an "epic" (DL Chase Madorsky's words) game of European Handball for a rainy day activity, ending in a score of 20-19.
Juniors- Had a highlight divisional activity with Spud, and kicked off the highly-anticipated Inter/ Junior Twilight League on Wednesday night.
Inters- Had a full bunk dance party lead by DL Ryan Kenny before they all slid down the golf course in the rain (it's never too early for mud sliding), plus started Twilight League with the Juniors on Wednesday.
Sub Seniors- Were hyped during a full division game of Slamma Jamma (a boys' side classic) and a lot of the division left on the boys' first tournament, playing basketball at Wahnee on Thursday.
Seniors- Were victorious on the first-ever intercamp of the summer, playing hockey against Berkshire Hills! Shout-outs to Brian Schindler with 4 goals, Simon Mandel with 3 and goalie Jared Simons!
Upper Seniors- Participated in a Scavenger Hunt with the Sophs and Sub Juniors, and have already gotten started on their haunted house for Carnival.
CITs- Enjoyed their first van night to Sal's (of course!) and have been hard at work helping counselor Nick Goodacre plan all of College Bowl.
Boys hanging out on the Mets side of the boys' HC.
Sub Juniors take a break from tennis.
Girls' Side
Jinters- Will be dressed in style this independence day after making hats in arts n crafts...Some jints have already signed up for singing and dance acts for our annual 4th of July talent show.
Inters- Had auditions and received their parts for the first show of the summer...the Lion King, to hit the Scatico Playhouse on July 11 along with the Centers!
Centers- Went on the first mystery ride of the camp season to go cherry picking followed by a pit stop to get ice cream at Holy Cow (where else?)! The cherries will be used in a secret recipe with Chef Ally.
Debs- Have been busy at cooking with Chef Ally, and made smoothies, guacamole and pancakes!
Subs- Left on the first hike Thursday morning, traveling to nearby Mohonk Reserve (also to be followed by ice cream).
Seniors- Were taught a new game by first-time British counselor Lucy called SPLAT!, which they have now spread to all of girls' side. It involves quick pointing and ducking and has become a division favorite.
Soopers- Somehow found time to all tryout for the Nat Basketball Tournament together between leading the opening campfire and Tribes breaking.
CITs- Have taken advantage of what is sure to become a popular tradition: an activity every afternoon for just them as a division. Games of SPUD and downhill tennis baseball have been bringing out the camper in them.
Jinters take a break on sports skills day.
Centers cherry picking on their blind hike.
College Bowl and Tribes
... Are on the horizon! Girls' Tribes broke during the "Meet the Counselor Talent Show" last night and the boys' College Bowl campfire is tonight. For first time parents Tribes is akin to Color War, except the girls' are split into four teams (red, yellow, blue, and green) and competition takes place once a week over the course of three weeks. For College Bowl the boys' participate in a full day of competition, and are also split into four teams.
Soopers whip out their gear the morning after Tribes breaks.
Girls 2015 Tribes
Exciting news...Tribes 2015 has begun! During a step performance by the Division Leaders during the "Meet the Counselor Talent Show"...
1, 2, 3, 4... We HAVE Tribal War
Exciting news...Tribes 2015 has begun! During a step performance by the Division Leaders during the "Meet the Counselor Talent Show" the four big chiefs emerged to much shrieking and excitement. Racing Wind (yellow team), Blazing Arrow (red), Flying Eagle (green), and Thunderbolt (blue) will compete in three weeks of competitive sports, singing, and art projects. Below find what teams all of girls' side is on!