Spring Newsletter 2011
5/6/11,
Spring 2011
There is so much to be excited about for the upcoming summer, from staff to campers, to renovations and additions, we are eager to share the details with you. Please feel free to contact us regarding questions about the program or enrollment, as we still have openings, and we look forward to sharing another great summer with all of you who are returning for the summer of 2011!
2011 Staff: We are thrilled that we have many returning staff this summer, and wonderful new additions to our team. If you are interested in viewing the names of returning staff, please go to http://www.bucksrockcamp.com/office/staff.php for a complete list. We are also very pleased that we are approximately 95% staffed to date and are actively interviewing candidates to fill our few remaining positions.
Girls House: GH, which houses our youngest, female campers, is undergoing a complete renovation for the summer of 2011. The new camper rooms will house four campers each and will feature newly designed built-in bunk beds, each equipped with their own electrical outlets, and spacious cubbies for clothing and personal items. There are also new windows, doors and ventilation with improved airflow. A new Guidance Counselor room will also be built, as well as a new outdoor deck.
Our Summer Theater: Due to the unprecedented amount of snow this past winter, our cover at the Summer Theater unfortunately collapsed and looked more like a half-pipe than a tent. It will be replaced this spring with more pitch and stronger inner structure to endure heavier snow loads. Also, just in time for summer, the Summer Theater will feature new benches with BACKS for greater comfort as we enjoy our many wonderful performances.
Animal Farm: We are very pleased to have some new additions to our animal farm, namely a mother dwarf goat and her baby. Pictures are on our Facebook page and we are taking name suggestions there, too, so please join and share your ideas. Their names will be selected at camp. We also have adopted a female dwarf rabbit that we have mated with one of our lionhead bunnies from last summer. We are hopeful to have baby rabbits by summer.
CIT Meeting: 2011 CITs should mark your calendars as we hope that you will be able to attend the CIT meeting that will take place in New York City at 11:00AM on Saturday, May 14 at the 92nd Street Y (1395 Lexington Avenue/92nd Street 212-415-5500).
Open House: Our Spring Open House will be held on Saturday, May 21 from 1pm to 4 pm (rain date is May 22). On that day, we will be offering tours of the camp and facilities and would be pleased to discuss our performing and creative arts program with any newly enrolled or prospective families. Please call us at 800-636-5218 to advise us if you plan to attend. Driving directions to camp can be obtained from our website at www.bucksrockcamp.com
Enrollment: Enrollment for the upcoming season is strong and we have been enjoying meeting or speaking with our new campers. We currently have openings in all sessions, but a waitlist for girls in our Junior Camper Program. There is still plenty of room for boys in that program. The CIT group is a nice sized group and they have already shown to be excellent ambassadors to our new campers.
Buck's Rock News: Congratulations to Anjali Raghunathan for winning the Scholastic Arts Award for a painting she made at Buck's Rock. Maxine Padayachee from South Africa delivered her baby boy, Erik Mandrup Christensen, on April 9th.
With so many wonderful returning and new staff and campers, exciting enhancements to the facility and program, the summer of 2011 is one not to be missed!
Looking forward to a great summer,
Mickey and Laura
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Fall 2010
12/14/10,
Buck's Rock News
2010 Camp Reunion
Reunion this year will again be held at the New York Society for Ethical Culture School at 2 West 64th Street in New York City on Sunday, December 5th from 2:30 to 4:30 PM. As in the past, we anticipate over 300 campers and counselors to attend. There will be refreshments and a showing of the 2010 Memories DVD, as well as the chance to visit with friends. As requested by the School of Ethical Culture, please socialize only in the Social Hall and do not congregate inside or outside the building on the sidewalk. Those of you who have come to previous reunions know how enjoyable the afternoon can be. We hope to see you there and have the chance to speak with everyone!
2010 Financial Aid
As in past years, we are so pleased to have been able to financially assist over sixty eligible families this past summer. We are extremely grateful to Stanley Simon, a past Buck's Rock Director, who through his employer Houghton Mifflin Harcourt School Publishers, developed and coordinated a partnership with us. Together, we provided merit scholarships for eleven children from across the country who contributed in great ways to Buck's Rock and appreciated the new opportunities offered them. In addition, with Buck's Rock's Non-Profit Alumni Association, Friends of Buck's Rock, we continue to sponsor campers, and again had seven campers at Buck's Rock this summer. We want to especially thank Stephaine Hartmann and the Board for their dedication to selecting candidates and working with us.
We would also like to thank those families who made donations, as well as those who donated the remainder of their child's camper account to the Buck's Rock Scholarship Fund, which will assist us in continuing our dedication to financially assist eligible campers.
Projects and Plans for 2011
Our biggest undertaking this year is the complete renovation of Girls' House, one of Buck's Rock's original and largest camper housing facilities. Girls' House houses our youngest female campers, in addition to our junior campers during the last two weeks of the season. We are very excited to complete this project for the summer of 2011 and anticipate that campers and parents alike will be very pleased with the design and upgrades.
We are also creating new, permanent and more comfortable benches for our Summer Theater. We are sure that parents will be among the most grateful.
2011 Enrollment
We have begun to receive enrollments for Buck's Rock's 69th season and would be thrilled to be able to include your child among our 2011 campers. We are equally so pleased and honored that many staff from last summer have already committed to returning. In 2010, 73% of our staff were returners. We can only imagine that the summer of 2011 will be like all other Buck's Rock summers: creative, productive and life-changing!
If you are interested in enrolling your child for the upcoming summer, please go to www.bucksrockcamp.com and select "enroll now" on the opening page. All returning families have a personal login. To access your password, please enter your email address (the one this email was sent to) and select "look it up" next to "I don't know my password". Or, you can simply enroll as a new registrant and follow the prompts.
Please consider enrolling your child prior to December 15 in order to take advantage of the early 3% tuition discount.
C.I.T. and J.C. Applications
We are accepting applications for our Counselor-in-Training Program from all campers who are 15 before January 1 or entering the 11th Grade. We remind anyone who is eligible, that applications received by December 15 are reviewed together. For those who are still undecieded, We do accept applications up until the start of the summer season. Please contact us should you have any questions regarding the program. For those C.I.Ts who wish to be considered for a Junior Counselor position and JCs who wish to return next summer, please write to us at 59 Buck's Rock Road, New Milford, CT 06776 or email us. There is no formal application for Junior Counselor positions; letters are due by December 15. We will confirm all CITs of their acceptance and placement and advise JCs of our decisions by the end of January.
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Spring 2010
4/29/10,
Summer 2010
There is so much to be excited about for the upcoming summer, from staff to campers, to renovations and additions, we are eager to share the details with you. Please feel free to contact us regarding questions about the program or enrollment, as we still have openings, and we look forward to sharing another great summer with all of you who are returning for the summer of 2010!
ACA Accreditation: For those who were not aware, last summer Buck's Rock underwent a rigorous accreditation assessment with the American Camping Association. It takes months of preparation and the ACA evaluates our safety standards and procedures for all aspects of camp and our program. We scored an impressive 100% and as always remain committed to highest of standards for our operations, facilities and policies.
2010 Staff: We are thrilled to share that we have the highest returning number of staff in all of Buck's Rock history with 70% of alumni returning this summer. If you are interested in viewing the names of returning staff, please go to http://www.bucksrockcamp.com/office/staff.php for a complete list. We are also very pleased that we are approximately 95% staffed to date and are actively interviewing candidates to fill our few remaining positions.
New Swimming Pool: This fall we built a brand new pool on the same site and surrounded it with a beautiful new patio with outdoor pool furniture. We are very excited about the new pool facility and know our campers and staff will really enjoy it this summer.
Boys Annex: BA, which houses most of our boys entering the 8th and 9th grades, has enjoyed a complete renovation for the summer of 2010. The new camper rooms feature newly designed built-in bunk beds, each equipped with their own electrical outlets, and spacious cubbies for clothing and personal items. There are also new windows, doors and ventilation with improved airflow. A new Guidance Counselor room has also been built, as well as a new outdoor community deck.
CCUSA Spirit Award: We are extremely honored to have received the highly regarded Camp Counselors USA Spirit Award. This award is given to the camp that goes the "extra mile" for their international staff. CCUSA staff and Buck's Rock staff sponsored by CCUSA have selected Buck's Rock to receive this award based on their experiences while visiting or working at camp.
Rehearsal Stage and Set: The Rehearsal Stage behind the Summer Theater will enjoy coverage similar to the Summer Theater, making it weather proof and also defining the performance space. Actors and audience members alike will appreciate this significant enhancement: a beautiful oasis in the middle of the forest for Buck's Rock performers.
Also at the Summer Theater we will be adding more storage for theater set platforms, expanding the lighting and sound design booth and there will be some upgrades in the Costume Shop, as well.
Eco-Improvements: In our continued effort to be more eco-friendly we are adding yet another solar hot water system to our largest staff living area (The Hilton) and pool shower. The Kitchen system installed in 2009 significantly reduced the amount of oil consumed in that area. Additionally, in the Glass Studio we are planning to upgrade one of our large glory holes to increase its efficiency.
The Old Infirmary: The charming red house just before the Animal Farm, is also currently undergoing a renovation for staff housing. This old post and beam building is the oldest at Buck's Rock and was used as an infirmary/quarantine area during Buck's Rock's early years. After we centralized our Health Care facility to main camp, it served as staff accommodations and storage. In an effort to sustain part of Buck's Rock's history, we are making the Old Infirmary once again into useable space.
CIT Meeting: 2010 CITs should mark your calendars as we hope that you will be able to attend the CIT meeting that will take place in New York City at 11:00AM on Saturday, May 1st at the 92nd Street Y (1395 Lexington Avenue/92nd Street 212-415-5500).
Open House: Our Spring Open House will be held on Saturday, May 15 from 1pm to 4 pm (rain date is May 16). On that day, we will be offering tours of the camp and facilities and would be pleased to discuss our performing and creative arts program with any newly enrolled or prospective families. Please call us at 800-636-5218 to advise us if you plan to attend. Driving directions to camp can be obtained from our website at www.bucksrockcamp.com
Buck's Rock News: Congratulations to Ian Gittins and Alicia Brown on the arrival of their son Ethan James, December 23, 2009. Congratulations to Myq Kaplan who was on the Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien this past December doing a hilarious Stand-Up Comedy Routine. Congratulations to Andrew Lees who married Emily Pan in January; both will be joining us at Buck's Rock this summer. Congratulations to Ivan Rubenstein-Gillis and Sara Jacobs on the arrival of their son Jonah Jacobs Rubenstein Gillis born March 21st.
With so many wonderful returning and new staff and campers, exciting enhancements to the facility and program, the summer of 2010 is one not to be missed!
Looking forward to a great summer,
Mickey and Laura
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Buck's Rock Annual Festival Day
8/2/09,
Buck's Rock Annual Festival Day
Saturday, August 15, 2009
11:00am to 5:00pm
See a diverse collection of this summer's camper art projects in the Actors Studio. There will also be camper projects on display at the Glass, Wood and Ceramics Studios. There will be glass blowing demonstrations throughout the day and a selection of publications at the Pub Shop. An exhibit of staff artwork will be held at the Painting Studio.
11:00am to 3:00pm
Our Radio Station, WBBC 87.5 FM, will broadcast live. Selections will include camper recordings produced at Buck's Rock's very own digital recording studio, Studio 59.
11:00am
Pub Shop campers will read highlights of this summer's writings on the Sewing Shop porch.
11:30am
Also on the Sewing Shop porch, there will be a camper fashion show, highlighting projects designed and sewn in our Sewing Shop.
Noon until 1:00pm
A picnic lunch will be served to all our guests. Circus Arts will take place at Boys House.
12:30pm
Campers and counselors who have taken part in the daily Guitar Snack will jam one more time at the Bulova Memorial.
1:00pm
The Festival Day Show will be performed in the Summer Theatre: Largo Desolato, an Italian comedy directed by Jason Zimbler.
2:00pm
Buck's Rock dancers will perform highlights from the summer's earlier performance, and a Junior Camper Dance, at the Dance Studio.
3:00pm
Buck's Rock's youngest recruits present the Junior Camper Play at the Dance Studio, directed by Tamara Carroll and Carson Pinch.
4:00pm
The Clown/Improv Shop will perform improvised and sketch comedy in the Dance Studio.
5:00pm to 6:30pm
Hear anything from jazz to classical to rock to swing and vocal performances at this music extravaganza at Boys House.
6:00pm until 7:00pm
A picnic dinner will be served to all our guests.
8:15pm
At the Summer Theatre, Buck's Rock presents the 2009 Festival Musical Production of The Who's Tommy, directed by Ernie Johns.
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First Session Upcoming Events
6/29/09,
Each day we will be up loading new photos from performances and events at camp on our website Photo Gallery under the “Camp Life” section.
The Servant of Two Masters
Saturday, July 4th—7:15 PM & 9:00 PM
In this new adaptation of the commedia classic, Truffaldino theorizes that double masters equals double meals, and bites off more than he can chew.
Romeo and Juliet
Wednesday, July 8th—8:30 PM
Shakespeare’s tragic tale of love and hate, loosely set in post-Civil War South. We will explore the plethora of dualities in this play, which is far more complex and nuanced than it’s typically given credit for.
Rock Café
Friday, July 10th—8:00 PM
Rock Café showcases the myriad musical talents of our campers. Acts of all kinds have the chance to rock the socks off their fellow campers in a real live rock’n’roll show, complete with lights, sound and stage. Don’t miss this rock’n’roll spectacle brought to you by Buck’s Rock (‘n’Roll) Camp.
The Miracle Worker
Saturday, July 11th—7:15 PM & 9:15 PM
The story of the relationship between Helen Keller and her teacher Anne Sullivan, who teaches Helen to communicate with the outside world.
Camper Recital 1
Sunday, July 12th—7:15 PM
The music program at Buck’s Rock offers everything from jazz improv to classical voice and instrumental instruction. The camper recital will thus be a wonderful mix of talents and styles. Don’t miss the beautiful serenades and exciting jams.
Stand-up & Variety Show
Sunday, July 12th—8:00 PM
Come see how funny our campers are at the Stand-up and Variety Hour—ranging from stand-up to just about anything funny!
Video Showcase 1
Monday, July 13th—8:30 PM
The Video Shop is proud to bring you the cinematic experience of the year! It’s a scintillating and social evening held under the stars, when the campers’ movies are projected onto the big screen. You will finally bear witness to the many hours of hard work coming together in this visual feast. Video Showcase is an experience you don't want to miss!
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
Tuesday, July 14th—8:30 PM
A musical adaptation of the hilarious 1980s comedy about two competing con men on the French Riviera.
Clown 1
Wednesday, July 15th—7:30 PM & 9:00 PM
In collaboration with the Clown Shop, campers learn to take their comedic improvisations and turn them into hilarious sketches! The first Clown Show of the summer features sketch comedy created entirely by campers and directed by our staff of talented comics.
Music Shed Concert 1
Thursday, July 16th – 8:30 PM
This evening extravaganza will present Buck’s Rock’s orchestra, jazz band, choir, a cappella groups, chamber groups, pop and rock groups, and soloists.
JC Day Show: The Audition
Friday, July 17th—1:00 PM
The Audition is a spoof of the whole audition process. It’s about the possible traumas and goings-on of an audition. It’s quite silly and a lot of fun.
Dance 1
Friday, July 17th—8:30 PM
The first session Dance show deals with ‘Change & Transformation’ as metaphor and inspiration. All new choreographic works performed at the Summer Theatre. Another must-see!
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