Category Archives: News

Tribal Campfire

One of the most highly anticipated traditions at Chestnut Lake is our Tribal Campfire. All of the returning campers and staff deck themselves out in either green or white, while the new campers and staff anxiously wait to find out which Tribe they will be on.

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But before we officially started Tribal Campfire, we announced our Community Service Award winners. Each week, campers and staff turn in Community Service Nominations for someone in camp who they feel represents everything Chestnut Lake Camp stands for. The campers and staff whose nominations are chosen, read them aloud to the whole camp and then announce who is receiving the award. While the recipient is always thrilled to have their name called, what makes this such a special CLC tradition is that the person who gives the award is even happier!

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Once the Community Service Awards were finished, it was on to Tribal. The new campers and staff went to the lake and recited the Tribal Oath. When they walked back up to the campfire site, they were surprised to find the Unami and Minsi teams lining both sides of the path. At the campfire, each division was called up, and as they faced the campfire, they received one stripe of their new Tribal team’s color on each cheek. As they waited anxiously, they were told to “face your new tribe”. Every time a new division turned around, their new team was there to welcome them. Now the Unami Turtles and the Minsi Wolves can’t wait for the first Tribal Competition!

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4th of July Celebration-CLC style

Chestnut Lake celebrated America’s birthday in typical CLC style…with a whole lot of spirit!

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The whole camp was split into Red, White and Blue teams for our annual CLC Regatta. Campers worked together to design and build boats out of duct tape and cardboard.  Our Varsity, Kaya and Sani campers created parade floats out of the camp golf carts.

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Then the whole camp lined Chestnut Lake Avenue as the procession of regatta boats and floats passed by.  The floats threw candy to the crowd as they cheered them along.  Everyone was decked out in 4th of July outfits…Miss Massachusetts, Florida, New Jersey, Idaho, Colorado and Illinois even made a special appearance.

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Then it was time for one of Chestnut Lake’s favorite traditions: CLC Regatta.  Each team and division chose their own captains to paddle their boats across the pool to victory.  There were many various designs.  Some worked and some didn’t, but everyone had a blast cheering their boats on!

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1ecbf6bd-cc20-4de0-b8d3-bc956c005282 We capped the day with a very special performance by the Yazhi and Ciqala.  They reminded the CLC family what Independence Day is all about and performed a few patriotic numbers.  The grand finale of the show was an amazing display of fireworks that everyone enjoyed.

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Chestnut Lake Camp Staff Talent Show

Three words can be used to describe the main purpose of Chestnut Lake Camp, and those words are. . .

BRING IT OUT!

This catchphrase aims to encourage campers to try new things. Participating in activities they’ve never tried before can bring out a whole new side of a camper!

Our staff firmly believes in the “Bring It Out” philosophy. Each year within the first few days of camp, the staff put on a talent show. They put on the show to encourage the campers to not be afraid to get involved.

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Counselors and division leaders perform silly parody skits, lip syncs, dances, and anything else they want to showcase.

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Later in the summer, campers themselves are able to participate in the annual camper talent show!

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Chestnut Lake Camp 2014 Officially Kicks Off!

July 03, 2014

Summer Camp kicked off as the buses started rolling in at Chestnut Lake. Excited campers were greeted by Debbi and Paul as they stepped off the bus. Then they ran through the counselor tunnel where their counselors and friends were waiting for them on the other side!

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The day was filled with fun activities as returning campers reunited with old friends and welcomed new campers into the CLC family.

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The official start of 2014 was celebrated with Opening Campfire.  It’s always exciting to see the campers and counselors gathering at the Campfire Site.  CLC spirit was on full display as the campers and counselors laughed and sang together.  Chestnut Lake Camp has a very special tradition that signifies how the spirit of every camper carries on from summer to summer.

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Each division contributes a plank of wood that every camper and counselor signs.  These planks are stacked on top of the campfire before it is lit.  The youngest campers (Ciqala had the honor this summer!) dig up the ashes from the previous summer’s Closing Campfire.  The ashes are sprinkled on the planks, and then the fire is lit.  At the end of this summer, the ashes from Closing Campfire will be collected and buried so that the spirit of CLC 2014 and every summer before will carry on to every future Chestnut Lake Camp summer.

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Catching Up with Chestnut Lake’s Boys’ Head Counselor: Dan Craig

CLC Head Counselors

Hello Chestnut Lake!

Seeing the staff and meeting new families a few weeks ago at Spring Fling only intensified the desire for camp to start! It was a wonderful weekend that allowed us to get a little taste of what the summer of 2014 at CLC has in store. After 10 summers with Trails’ End and now 4 with Chestnut Lake, the excitement doesn’t lessen as Opening Campfire approaches.

CLC Head Counselors ready for Halloween

CLC Head Counselors ready for Halloween

It has certainly been a busy year. Teaching high school English is always a rewarding experience, and I am so proud of my students this year. They are truly one of the most dedicated and passionate groups of students I’ve had the pleasure to teach. This year, I was also able to coach my son Sean’s soccer team to another winning season. Sean has also had another amazing year in school and we couldn’t be prouder of his progress. Our younger son Matt also started his first experience playing soccer this spring and it has been a wild ride. Laurie and I are preparing for Matt to take the big plunge into kindergarten this fall! In addition to our busy schedule, we managed to squeeze in some great hikes along the Appalachian Trail, swims at the Jersey Shore, and some vacation time with the grandparents in Virginia.

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With Staff Education Week coming to a close we are excited about all the things we have planned for boys’ campus. We can’t wait to see all the boys back on campus welcoming those new to Chestnut Lake. Until Opening Campfire. I look forward to seeing you on Visiting Day!

Only 68 More Days Until Opening Campfire…Helping You Prepare For Camp!

 

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With less than 70 days until Opening Campfire, it is officially time to start packing and preparing for the upcoming summer. It is also time to finalize some of the important details that might still be on your “to-do” list.

 

Have you placed your camp clothing order yet?

Camp orders must be placed by April 25th in order to guarantee delivery in time for trunk pick-up.  If you have not placed your order yet, please click here to view the packing list and place your order.  If you have questions regarding the packing list, please call Debbi at 516-221-8800 ext. 22.

 

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Have you scheduled your trunk pick-up?

Camp Trucking will provide baggage service for Chestnut Lake families.  Baggage service can be one-way or round trip.  The enrollment deadline for first session families is May 9th and the deadline for second session families is June 6th.  Once the bags arrive at camp, Chestnut Lake staff will unpack them to make sure everything is in order before the campers arrive.  If you have not scheduled your pick-up, click on the link on the left for more info on the Camp Trucking service. Please read through the packing reminders carefully to find answers to frequently asked packing questions.

 

 

 

Have you RSVP’d for Spring Fling?CLC_SpringFling

Spring Fling is a day of fun and excitement for our current camp families.  Your child will meet other campers in their age group, spend time with their Division Leader and Head Counselor and take a tour of camp.   While the campers take part in fun activities, parents can attend our parent orientation program in which Debbi and Paul help prepare you for the final days leading up to camp.  We will also have activities available for younger siblings.

Please e-mail Corey Peters at [email protected] by May 9th with your RSVP. Click below for more Spring Fling information.

 

MyCLC

MyCLC is your online portal to everything you’ll need to prepare for camp and the best way to stay connected throughout the summer. MyCLC contains all the important forms and documents you’ll need to complete prior to camp.  The Forms and Documents section not only contains online versions of all forms and documents, it also lets you know when they’re due and whether you’ve already completed them.  MyCLC is also where you can enroll for Specialty Camps, e-mail your child during camp and view pictures and videos of your child during the summer.

We are so excited for the upcoming summer, and we can’t wait until the buses arrive and we reunite with our summer family!

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Olivia Marshall Discovers Chestnut Lake Camp

For one weekend every summer, prospective campers have an opportunity to take a journey through the life of a Chestnut Lake camper and experience all that CLC has to offer. Discovery Camp is a two day adventure for current 1st-4th graders which will give them the opportunity to see and feel the warmth and spirit of Chestnut Lake Camp.  We spoke to Olivia Marshall, one of our 2013 Discovery campers, to find out how her weekend experience helped prepare her for her upcoming summer at Chestnut Lake.

Olivia Marshall

Hi! My name is Olivia Marshall. I am 9 years old and I am in 4th Grade in Howell, New Jersey.  I do not have any brothers or sisters but I do have a whole lot of cousins and a beagle named Buddy.  I like to sing, dance and act.  I also like to play school, the clarinet and Mine Craft.  When I grow up I would like to be a teacher.

 

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Describe your Discovery Camp Experience:  My Discovery Camp experience started when I got off the bus.  I went through the tunnel and at that very moment I knew that I was part of the Chestnut Lake Family.  Everyone made me feel welcome and special inside.   I was very nervous in the beginning but I was assigned “Big Sisters” and they were always by my side.  I knew I wanted to come back to CLC.  When it was time to leave after Discovery Camp I got very sad and didn’t want to leave.  As soon as I got in the car I told my mom and Dad..”I HAVE to go back for 3 weeks! Pleeeeeeease!!!!”

 

What was your favorite thing about Discovery Camp:  I can think of lots of favorite things about Discovery Camp.  I liked hanging out with new friends, going on the blob in the lake, having Big sisters, S’mores, activities at night and the games you play in your bunk before you go to bed.  Actually, I liked everything.

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Favorite Band/Musician:  Selena Gomez

Favorite Song:  Slow Down by Selena Gomez

Favorite Book:  Dork Diaries Series of books

Favorite Foods:  Pasta-with butter and garlic, salad, pizza, macaroni & cheese, mozzarella sticks, raspberries, Ramen noodle soup

What is one thing that you are looking forward to the most about your first summer at CLC:  Doing theater and seeing my counselors, swimming in the lake and playing games in the bunk at night before bed. (sorry-couldn’t pick just one)

Click here to watch the Discovery Camp Video.

 

Introducing The Tribal Times

Introducing the Tribal Times

Welcome to the first edition of Chestnut Lake Camp’s official blog. The Tribal Times will provide you with fun and exciting news about CLC and your summer family. While we all have to say goodbye after Closing Campfire, The Tribal Times will help us stay connected throughout the year. During the fall, winter and spring, the blog will feature articles on upcoming events, camper and staff spotlights, updates on camp as well as other topics. During the summer, our staff and campers will post blogs that will provide parents with another avenue to hear about all the amazing memories being made at Chestnut Lake Camp. Please feel free to email us with articles, photos and any suggestions of what you would like to us to share in The Tribal Times.

Chestnut Lake Camp Reunions – Friends, Fun & Bowling

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Summers at CLC provide us with amazing friendships and special memories that last a lifetime. We can’t wait the entire school year to see each other again and relive those special moments, so every winter Chestnut Lake Camp hosts bowling reunions to provide our campers an opportunity to reconnect with one another while also welcoming new CLC campers into the family.

While we host our reunions at bowling venues, it’s easy to see that the reunion is about much more than strikes and spares. Our reunions have become such a tradition with our campers that families travel great distances to attend not only the reunion, but also the numerous sleep-overs that have become a part of the reunion weekends.

While the campers love reconnecting with one another, they are just as excited to see their favorite staff members. CLC Division Leaders and Head Counselors fly in from all over the country, as well as overseas, to take part in all the fun! The reunion weekend is definitely the highlight of the staff’s winter, as they take a break from teaching and college to reunite with their summer family.

Many Chestnut Lake campers reconnected at the reunions held in New York, Florida and Maryland. Paul even reconnected with some Chestnut Lake campers in Paris! But we still have one more reunion left before Opening Campfire. Spring Fling is a full day of fun activities designed for the whole family. We invite you to join us at Chestnut Lake Camp on May 18th for our Annual Spring Fling. Please click on the link below for the invitation and more details.

– SPRING FLING –

If you ever have your own CLC reunion, don’t forget to send us a photo so we can put it on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!