Driving the Trolley

Jalisa and I are learning to drive the trolley today. Since we both have limited experience in backing up with trailers, today should be fun!
Today we also volunteered for the Children's Christmas Program at TrueNorth. It was amazing to see all the toys, games, socks, hats, mittens and other items that we were able to collect and give to families in need this season. It was a reminder that we work for a very wonderful organization! Way to go TrueNorth!

Santa and S'mores

Families came out to Camp Newaygo Friday night to enjoy the nice weather and some Holiday Cheer. Santa Himself made a special stop at Camp Newaygo. He hung out next to his sleigh all evening and enjoyed some colorful Christmas gift requests. 

His reindeer were stationed out at the Rangers Stables. Molly (still auditioning for the Santa Team) and Prancer snuggled up next to each other to keep warm. We found out that the clip clop you hear on your rooftop is actually the reindeer hooves! Who knew?!?

Santa's elves were busy at the Craft Shop helping families make ornaments and Christmas Cards for recovering soldiers. The elves, particularly Jalisa, got questions about height. It is a common misconception that all elves are short. How else would the elves reach toys on the top shelf?

Some kids were so excited to see Santa, they tired themselves out before they even made it to the main event. Check out April, David, and Brayden with Santa.

Everyone was excited to see Santa, but none more than Summer, from our Youth Advisory Council. Summer asked Santa for World Peace...and maybe a Pony. The Youth Advisory Council has met every month this year, and has helped out with several Camp Newaygo Events.

Now that Santa and S'mores is behind us, it's time to start looking forward to the Winter Reunion! Everyone get your tacky sweaters ready!!!

Santa is coming tomorrow!

I'm so EXCITED! Santa is coming to Camp Newaygo, and he's brought some elves and reindeer with him, too! (They got a bit restless and needed to get out and stretch their legs a bit before Christmas.) We're preparing camp for him and his elves - they've set up in the craft shop with areas for writing letters and making ornaments.

I've got my eyes glued to the weather reports hoping for snow tonight. It's December and no snow yet- come on weather, what's the deal! Jalisa is getting tired of waiting! We all want to see her jump into a big snow drift. As you can see, I got into the Christmas spirit with a fun game of "Stocking Antlers." Check it out:

Happy Camping!

Christa

Ladies Night: Music, Men and Merriment

We had such a fun evening at Ladies Night last night! If you missed it, check out some of the great photos taken by Jalisa:

The guests listening to the Bell Choir perform. They were spectacular.
The Bell Choir.
One of the lovely decorated tables. The jewelry table! So many pretty pieces!

If you missed out, don't worry - Friday is our Santa and S'mores from 6pm to 9pm. Come meet Santa and pet some reindeer!

Keep your fingers crossed for snow!

Poinsettias Everywhere!

The poinsettias have arrived at Camp Newaygo! Currently the Kresge Dinning Room and the Frye Room are covered in beautiful Poinsettias to be delivered. Camp could not be more excited. We're sad to see all these lovely flowers go - but we're excited they will be making your homes Holiday Ready this winter season. 

 Here's Sue, our new Business and Operations Director poising with all her Christmas Spirit. Come stop by camp this Winter to meet her in person!

Check out all our color choices! I wanted the pink ones....

  

If you missed out on the poinsettia sale this year - don't worry, there are still other ways to get involved with Camp Newaygo.

Check out all our great winter events here: http://www.campnewaygo.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=lk6uCKk2gn0%3d&tabid=37

We hope you have a Happy Holiday Season - and we hope you enjoy your poinsettias!

Christmas Time at Camp Newaygo!

Christmas at Camp Newaygo is in full swing! We had several volunteers out at Camp this morning, climbing ladders, hanging ornaments, and singing along to carols as we got Lang Lodge ready for our winter events. Trust me though, these decorations are better seen in person - so come check out our Winter Events seen here: http://www.campnewaygo.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=lk6uCKk2gn0%3d&tabid=37

Here's Jane admiring our NEW tree!!!

Here's a view of Foster Park with a little more Christmas Spirit!

Lake Pickerel is still Ice Free!!! ...For now....

Who wouldn't want to curl up next to this fireplace?

Need a location for the perfect Christmas event? Well, you've found it. Hope to see you sometime this December!

HAPPY TURKEY DAY!

It's Thanksgiving! Time to watch football, eat lots of good food, and relax.

And then go shopping ridiculously early the next morning.

Camp Newaygo wishes everyone a fun and safe Thanskgiving and Black Friday. Remember that Saturday is Small Business Saturday - and what better way to support your local community than by signing up for one of Camp Newaygo's Christmas events?


Check out the cool things happening in December on our website - there's so much cool stuff happening here! I love it.




The last of the leaves are sticking stubbornly to the trees, and I'm actually getting excited for some snow! Jalisa's first snowman is right around the corner!

The Barn is Finished!

It's the moment you've all been waiting for:

THE BARN IS DONE!

Behold it's majesty. What will this beautiful barn be used for? Why, Camp Craft of course? Remember all those trips you used to pack for in the depths of the lodge? Well, you can now pack for those in the barn. Our future tripping director is going to love this barn. Gone are the days of duct tape on trees and tents left out in the rain to dry out. 

Now, I know you're thinking: "But what about the goats?!?! Where are Bucky and Lacy???" Well, they are happy as clams. If clams were goats. 

Here's Lacy admiring her new barn view:

Some of the returning summer staff for 2012 have already toured our new building. We even skyped our staff from London, France, and Connecticut to show off our new digs. 

There's also a new retention wall by the tennis courts. There'a always something happening at Camp Newaygo! 

So, what do you think of the barn? And what's the wildest overnight trip you've been on at Camp Newaygo???

Snow at Camp Newaygo

It's official - Jalisa has seen her first Michigan Snow!

Here's what's been going on at Camp Newaygo: 

Scaredy Camp 2011: over 360 local families camp out to enjoy Halloween festivities at Camp Newaygo

Speak Up!: 40 high school and Middle School students came out 

Return Staff Retreat: Returning staff stopped by camp for a weekend of outdoor cooking, corn mazes, camp exploration, and brain storming for summer 2012. 

Tomorrow Gerber Federal Credit Union comes out for a conference. In other words: Camp Newaygo has been staying busy!

Check back for info on our winter events!

Pumpkins! Continued...

Our first casualty of Halloween! Igor the pumpkin had an unfortunate run-in with a car this morning. But he will make a tasty treat for the deer who visit Foster park at night. Bon appetit little furry creatures!

Pumpkins!

Last Friday the BBBS intern Nick and I went to Nelson's Farm Market in Grant, who generously donated a truckload of pumpkins for Scaredy Camp next weekend.

Alas, we didn't find the Great Pumpkin, but we had a great time hunting for every size pumpkin they had - tiny ones, lumpy ones, even this gargantuan monster Nick found in the back:

Our costumes are almost ready, and we're so excited for Halloween next week! It's going to be fangtastic! Bootiful! A terrorific time!

Gorgeous Weather

The weather has been truly beautiful lately, which made for a marvelous Girlfriend's Getaway. We even got to paddle board!

There was cake decorating, NIA with Kathy Streng, watercolor painting, massages and mani/pedi's. Saturday night we enjoyed a pontoon ride around Pickerel.

Camp didn't slow down on Monday - a school group of 190 came out to experience our ropes course and take in the amazing fall colors.

The dock will be coming out today, so keep an eye out for pictures!

It's Fall at Camp Newaygo

Fall is here and the leaves are changing! Camp Newaygo is so beautiful right now. If you are missing out on Women's Weekend - you should find an excuse to come out in the next few weeks to see these beautiful leaves. 

The G3 Program has concluded. Here are a few photos from this year's G3 Program: Check out the kids dressed like beavers and the famous Eye of the Bog. 

Today begins Girlfriends Get-a-way. We hope to see you there! If you can't make it, here's a picture of Hidden Lake to tide you over!

Happy Fall!!!!

If Camp Were My Computer...

Updates!

Storage Building Construction: 50% complete
G3: 99% complete
Women's Weekend: processing... (this weekend!)
Leftover Brownies from the High School Retreat: 100% DEVOURED.

Camp Newaygo is Under Construction!

The new building is finally here!

In case you aren't living at Camp Newaygo - we have some news for you: We have a new building! Remember where the goats lived? Well, Bucky and Lacy have been safely relocated. In their spot goes this:

So what will this beautiful new building hold? Camp Craft!!! That's right folks - all our tents and camping gear will live here.

And what will become of the Camp Craft Cabin? We're not sure yet. But most likely it will become staff quarters.

There is always something happening at Camp Newaygo!

My first post!

Yey! It's my first ever blog post!

Whoa, now, don't get too excited. You can jump and wave your arms ecstatically later. A+ for the enthusiasm though.

Since this is my first year at camp during the off-season, I've been wondering - and I bet some of you have, too: what really goes on at a camp after summer ends?

Well, here's a list of ten things that have happened so far -

1. Jalisa and Eduardo (the copier) got into an epic battle, and Jalisa was victorious...eventually.

2. I got into a battle with crazy glue while repairing some arrow fletchings. The glue won.

3. While furniture shopping for our new living spaces, Jalisa haggled with the salesman and offered him a high-five in return for a discount. I think it worked, too.

4. The power went out the day of a wedding. Crisis level Alpha.

5. I learned that spagnum moss is great for sponging off after it rains.

6. Oh the many hilarious answers of elementary students. What state has the tallest tree in our country? Canada.

7. Editing camp's website is Jalisa's new favorite pastime. And saying "This picture needs to be bigger! Where's this camper's counselor? She's unsupervised!"

8. Prom at Camp Newaygo! Next spring we will be rocking out in prom dresses and corsages.

9. Chipmunks take over camp in the fall. Those cute little stinkers.

10. The boat will NOT fit under the bridges to Sylvan Lake. Good thing we didn't try, huh?

So there you have it. Camp gets even crazier when those resident campers aren't around. I think I'm going to fit in here.