Camp Echo E-Newsletter August 27, 2002 Back issues are archived at The Camp Echo E-List is now at 478 members. Spread the word! If you want to be removed from this list, reply and let me know. ***** Next issue: 2 weeks, September 10 ***** Announcing ---------- Alumni Play Weekend (a work weekend without the work) September 13-14-15, 2002 Come back to Echo to swim, sail, ski, do archery, canoe around the lake, play softball, or simply hang out on the peninsula. Returning alumni will run the areas. Children will need full time supervision from their parents; this is an unstructured weekend, and is not set up like a true 'Family Camp'. $100 adults 18 or over $ 50 children 2-17 $ 25 children under 2 Choose tent camping in the trip center field; dormitory living on the hill; or shared family cabins on the peninsula, all at the same rates. Meals served Saturday breakfast through Sunday lunch. To register: REPLY TO THIS EMAIL and request a PDF form via email attachment, or a printed form via snail mail (include your snail mail address!) Questions? Email Tom Fischl . First Timers Camp ----------------- 142 campers in 15 cabins attended a successful First Timers Camp for five days and four nights in mid-August. Echo alumni Mike Geline, Anje Schaefer, Amy Wilde, John Donohue, and Katie Trippi joined first-time staffers Bobby Schaefer, Jenna Dim, Michael Arfa, Shanna Gordon, and Charlie Gubman and a core group of 2002 staff members for session F. Cabin groups rotated through activity areas including horseback riding, archery, bag of tricks, swimming games, fishing, sailing, drama games, B & C, war canoe, arts & crafts, nature, and various sports. Campfires, a General's Game, and a clever Information Hunt devised by Bartek Bartoszewicz filled the evenings. Kudos to Kelly Shea who attended and worked as the first-ever participant in Camp Echo's SIT (Staff In Training) program, which has LITs returning for Session F by invitation only. Family Camp Week ---------------- 28 different families spent a recent Saturday-to-Saturday enjoying the meals, activities, and evening programs of Camp Echo. Long time staff member and family camper Terry Brenner was the Program Director, joined by husband Jon and daughters Jane, Erin, and Lily. Vince Kemperman called two evenings of square dancing; we had a Carnival, a Talent Show, and a Mr/Miss Echo pageant; Rob Johnston was the host of Tool Time, and led a canoe trip on the White River with Jon Brenner; and families went blueberry picking, swam across the lake and back, and challenged the staff to volleyball and softball games. Wow! Alumni Notes ------------ Gil Hoel writes, "Sounds as if you have had a very successful and productive summer this year. Julie and I would love to spend a week at camp next year working in any capacity you have available for two old time alums. We thought about your invitation to work over the Labor Day weekend but couldn't swing it. Julie is starting her 15th year teaching and will begin her new career in the same school district as a kindergarten teacher. I have been listening to Raffi songs and moving doll houses over the last month. I will return to Bosnia in October to revisit some of the refugee camps I worked in in 1993. I am hoping to find some of the kids I worked with who are now young adults. Peace, Gil Hoel" Marc Morris , a former family camper, camper, and staff member now flying F-15s for the USAF writes, "Well, just a quick note to let everyone know that I am off to Some Middle Eastern Country ending in 'Stan.' I'm looking forward to the sun and fun. I will let you all know how it was when I get home next month." Classifieds ----------- Anyone in the Chicago area on Saturday, August 31st is invited to my cross-country meet at Palos Hills. If they want to come, they can email me or call me (312-738-1475) for directions. Tristan Roche Hi All, Dawn Summers here. As you may or may not know, I am a year- round employee with McGaw YMCA Camp Echo and will be working at camp from April - September and at the Y the balance of the year. I am interested in hearing from any of you who have or know of housing possibilities. I am very interested in a house-sitting position from October - March/April. Otherwise I will need to rent an affordable space year-round. I would be willing to share a space with a roommate or live alone and I have a well-behaved cat. A large studio or one bedroom would work well and I would like to keep the rent under $750 if possible. I would consider anywhere in the North Shore area. I can be reached at camp (231-924-7076) until about the end of September, which means a space that is available October 1 would work well. I am interested in creative solutions. Thanks for your help. Songs of the Week ----------------- THE PIRATE SONG When was one ... "I had a lot of fun!" (or anything that rhymes) The day s/he went to sea I climbed aboard the pirate ship The captain said to me: We're goin' this way, that way, Forward, backward, over the Irish Sea; A bottle of rum to warm my tum And that's the life for me! When was two ... And so on ... ECHO-I-TI-TI-EH (Reprise) (Appropriately sung as a descant*) Oh, Echo-i-ti-ti-eh; Oh, Echo-i-ti-ti-eh. Oh, Echo-i-ti-ti, Echo-i-tiki-tiki, Echo-i-tiki-tiki-eh. Oh, we are from Camp Echo; Oh, we are from Camp Echo. Oh we have the pep and fun; We play 'til day is done, We are the kids from Camp Echo! * des-cant Music a. An ornamental melody or counterpoint sung or played above a theme. Feel The Spirit! -- Rob Grierson Camp Echo Director rg@mcgawymca.org