Camp 2014: Weekly Wrap Up: Week 6

Week 6: Knights and Ladies at Middlesex County Camp started off with a twist. Both Kids and counselors were split into 12 groups all under the rule of a Greek God or Goddess. Teams competed in daily trials and competitions to see who would be the true Demi-God or Demi-Goddess of MCC.

Following the Cook out on Monday night, we had the Dance on Tuesday. This caused Green Tile Night to be switched and, in turn, there were a lot of Chicken Dances for those who stepped on the green tiles at dinner. The dance was certainly a hit with everyone joining in and having a fantastic night. There were dance offs, sing offs and most importantly Cathy’s cookies.

The weather stayed clear and beautiful for the most exciting part of the week – Laser Tag! As the teams battled it out on the Laser Tag field, the remaining teams battled it out on the Nuke ‘Em court, all striving for points earned towards their houses and the chance to be crowned 1 of 5 possible Demi-Gods or Demi-Goddess’ of Middlesex County Camp.

In Archery core this week we had CIT Kaelene G. top the class by shooting a bull’s-eye! As well as many other amazing shots this week, we had Camper Ben P. in core 1 score a fantastic 32 points and the winner of core 2 was Zac E., who scored 23.

At Pool core this week, the kids not only got to chill at the pool and learn how to do water rescues, but they also had the time of their lives on the Slip and Slide! Soaking wet and covered in soap, the kids ran as fast as their little legs could carry them to the edge of the tarps where they dived, slipped and slid to their hearts content. With the pool staff joining in, ALL of the fun was had! Pool staff Rick and Samantha also had the pleasure of racing Camper Nicole S. to the bottom, all three drawing at the finish line. Even the photographer got taken out at the end of a Staff vs. Camper race to see who could go the furthest.

All camp was on Thursday night this week and once again the Greek God and Goddess teams were out and fighting. Three stations were set, one being Balloon Pop. Quick thinking and swift movements were needed in order to be the last one standing. The second station being Direct Path, this game involved trust, teamwork and balance. The last station was Revenge Dodgeball – this was the teams’ final chance to earn points for their teams and eliminate their biggest threats.

For final scores and the crowning of 5 Demi-gods or Demi-Goddess’, come to Candlelight at 6:30 Friday night at the Amphitheater!

Camp 2014: Weekly Wrap Up: Week 5

If the mythical underwater city of Atlantis and the 2014 science fiction movie “Divergent” had a baby, its name would be Water Week at MCC. This week, we imagined ourselves in a dystopia submerged in the ocean. In this “Divergent”-esque world were five distinct factions. Members of each faction subscribed strictly to one particular value or characteristic as indicated by their title—Valor (honor), Unwary (impulsive), Harmony (peaceful), Convivial (social), Sagacity (wisdom). Each group sees their values as dictating their entire life philosophy. Campers and counselors were to display their factions’ characteristic throughout the week. For example those in the Convivial faction were expected to behave in a social manner throughout the daily activities, even outside of competitions. Lucky for the campers, members of each faction already possessed the qualities their particular faction required.

Factions competed in water-based games throughout the week, which included a slippery water slide, sponge dodge ball (or dodge-sponge, if you will), water relay races, and, not to mention, just simply throwing entire buckets of water on unsuspecting victims. No one was safe! There were also garden hoses and water guns to make certain no one went to his or her cabin dry, though the slide was the biggest hit and definitely got everyone soaked. Campers crab walked backwards up the soapy slide, retrieved a small cone from and slid back down in a screaming, speeding blur. The kids loved it, and they got really creative with their techniques!

Even though the theme was “Water Week”, there were still some standard activities we just couldn’t get away from. Monday night, campers played a combination of Zombie Tag and Escape from Camp, a game in which campers begin at the inside edge of the woods and run into the camp toward the flagpole in hopes of not being tagged by counselors. Tuesday night’s overnight activities were held in the woods and went off without a hitch, and the Thursday night dance was great, complete with loud music, freshly baked cookies, and energetic dancing.

Another week has come and gone, but the fun’s not over yet. Next week is Myths and Legends (with laser tag)!

Camp 2014: Weekly Wrap Up: Week 4

Four weeks ago, we began the camp season. It’s hard to believe we’re at the halfway point, having already made so many memories along the way. The summer is passing quickly, and we intend to savor every moment. There are some very exciting themes ahead and we anticipate even more campers. We’re ready! Let’s go!

This week, counselors dropped like flies in the dining hall! Don’t worry; it wasn’t because of the food. It’s Murder Mystery Week! Breakfast, lunch, or dinner; the killer had no preference. Just as everyone would begin enjoying their meal—sudden darkness and blood-curdling screams. Just like that, the elusive criminal would claim another victim! Campers had to discover which of their beloved counselors had been committing these meal-time murders. With each passing day, as teams considered the clues, the mysterious assassin carried out her gruesome agenda. Beside the body of each unfortunate soul was a cryptic note, taunting investigators, a.k.a Forensic Scientist Teams A, B, and C; and Field Agent Teams A, B, and C. The suspense was overwhelming with this murder mystery alone, but there was more!

Our camper-detectives had a second case to crack—the brutal slaying of Parker Matthews on Adventure Hill. The six teams were briefed with the cause of death, a list of suspects, their possible motives, and relevant information. They would have only one chance at the end of the week to identify the murderer and the murder weapon. Critical thinking was quite necessary. Luckily, each team was able to compete for several additional clues.

During All Camp night, campers were treated to a theatrical journey that revealed the back stories of all the Matthews murder suspects as portrayed by counselors in full costume. Investigative camper teams cooperated to complete challenges and earn each of the four story parts, which took them from Upper Field to Adventure Hill, the scene of the crime. All of the facts were exposed, but would that be enough for anyone to solve the mystery?

Early in the week, the forensic scientists and field agents created the most hideous, murderous monsters they could imagine, and then brought them to life. Each monster was judged by a panel of four on appearance, sound (i.e. roars/shrieks), horror story, and dance routine. Yeah, that’s right; we judged fictional monsters on their ability to dance. It was fun  . . . and even a bit scary. Some of the counselors really threw themselves into their roles!

The Arts and Crafts cores got in on the theme. Artistic campers made ransom notes on Tuesday using newspaper and magazine clippings. Quite a few were humorous and light-hearted. Wednesday, they got to make colorful chalk body outlines on the floor of the Morton building. Some painted trails of footprints on long strips of paper to decorate their fictional crime scene.

Lastly, and speaking of decorations, Horse core members painted Maxwell. Although he’s a horse, he seemed fully aware of how ridiculous he looked, but he was a trooper anyway. The campers loved it, and the paintings came out wonderful!