Winter Newsletter 2012
5/7/12,
Greetings Buck’s Rockers!
Buck’s Rock’s 70th season will certainly be exciting and we hope to see many Alumni visit during the summer to honor this momentous anniversary. With many staff already committed to returning, skilled new hires, returning and new campers, along with our fifth season of the Junior Camper Program for 9 and 10 year olds, the summer is bound to be a great success.
We wanted to contact you now as we are especially excited about certain projects that we would like to share with you. And, to stay updated on all camp happenings, be sure to Like our Facebook page!
We very much look forward to welcoming you this summer and together enjoying what we have all come to love about Buck’ Rock.
Huge Project and More Renovations/Improvements
• As we announced in our Fall Newsletter, the Pavilion project is progressing very well and will be finished for our May Open House. With stone from our local area, the Pavilion is consistent in feel to the stonework at Girls’ House, the Porch and the Bulova Memorial. We are very excited to use and fill the space with summer activity.
• The stonework at Girls’ House, Boys’ House and the Porch has also been repaired and re-pointed.
• Forrest, Rigo and Hector have been very busy this fall and winter renovating and upgrading the Girls Annex Cabins where we house our female Junior Counselors.
Buck’s Rock’s 70th Anniversary
We will be commemorating our 70th Anniversary this summer. Stay tuned for details regarding a camp Reunion and celebration.
New Addition to Our Full-time Staff
We are very pleased to welcome Marion Piper to our full-time team. Marion, who has been a staff member at Buck’s Rock in the Video Shop since 2009, has joined us to develop our marketing program and serve as a liaison to prospective and newly enrolled campers and their families. During the summer, she will complement our Office Team and continue to promote Buck’s Rock and cultivate new relationships with interested families
Bracelets for Kate
As you may know, fellow Buck’s Rocker Kate Reardon passed away on September 2, 2011. Kate was a remarkable young person with a love of life and silliness that endeared her to people of all ages. She had a capacity for friendship and caring that was immeasurable. Kate was a loyal and dedicated friend and her loss is a tragedy to her family, her friends, and our Buck’s Rock community.
As part of ongoing efforts to raise money for the Kate Reardon Memorial Scholarship Fund (which offers scholarships to underprivileged youth to attend Buck’s Rock), please consider purchasing a MEMORIAL BRACELET. The turquoise rubber bracelets read “for kate ~ never forget ~ KRMSF.” Each bracelet costs $5 and all funds go to the scholarship fund.
To order your bracelet or bracelets, please mail a self-addressed, stamped envelope with your check for $5 for each bracelet made out to FOBR/KRMSF. Send to:
KRMSF
c/o Sherry Jonas
3 Bayberry Common
Westport, CT 06880

Sherry will mail you back your bracelet(s) promptly.
And if you haven’t already done so, please join us in honoring Kate Reardon’s memory by making a tax-deductible contribution to the Kate Reardon Memorial Scholarship Fund. Checks can be made out to “FOBR/KRMSF” and sent to the address above. Thanks so much for your support.
Any questions? Please email Sherry Jonas at sdjonas@optonline.net.
Upcoming Events and Dates to Remember:
Spring Open House
Our Spring Open House will be held on Saturday, May 19th at 1 PM to 4 PM (Rain date May 20). 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: www.bucksrockcamp.com
2012 CIT Meeting
The CIT Meeting will be held in New York City on May 12th from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM. We will discuss the CIT program, paying special attention to our expectations of this year’s CITs as Big Brothers and Sisters, followed by a pizza lunch. We will advise the location as we get closer to the date.
News from Buck’s Rockers
Julian Perricone was a Gold Key winner of this year's Scholastic Art & Writing Award contest for his movie camera which he created in the wood shop this past summer at Buck's Rock. Scholastic hosts an exhibition and award ceremony for all gold key winners next month -- 300 gold key winners out of 3500 submissions – and their work will go on to the national level contest. Congratulations Julian!
Jessye Kass, a camper from 2006 and Sewing CIT in 2007, and now a current junior at Brandeis University, has founded an art therapy organization in Ghana with a local artist named Serge Attukwei, where she worked for 6 months after graduating from High School. Now an officially registered program, they work with over 800 children living in poverty, victims of abuse and children with disabilities. Jessye writes: “My time at Bucks Rock helped me develop as a leader and also be creative despite not being a great painter or something specific. I have now been published on the subject of my organization, spent 3 summers there and am headed back in a few weeks.” The program accepts volunteers from around the world and continues to grow each day. Their website is www.attukweiartfoundation.org
Submissions to Time Out New York
Time Out New York Kids, the preeminent resource for tri-state families, will soon be announcing its annual Summer Camp Guide and is seeking reader submissions on their favorite summer camp experiences to be featured as Readers' Picks in the upcoming guide. If you are interested and wish to submit a Buck’s Rock experience for their Readers' Picks, please visit: http://www.facebook.com/timeoutkids?sk= ... 8839841421
College Scholarship Opportunity from the Milton Fisher Organization

The Milton Fisher Scholarship for Innovation and Creativity, a FOUR year college scholarship offers multiple awards of up to $20,000 (up to $5000 per year for four years) for exceptionally innovative and creative high school juniors & seniors, & college freshmen 
applicants must be:
(a) a student planning to attend or attending an educational institution in Connecticut or the New York City metropolitan area or,
(b) a Connecticut or New York City metropolitan area resident planning to attend or attending an institution of higher education either anywhere in the United States
Due date, April 30, 2012
Apply for this scholarship if you are a student who has solved artistic, scientific, or technical problems in new or unusual ways, a student who has come up with a distinctive solution to problems faced by your school, community or family, a student who has created a new group, organization, or institution that serves an important need.
VISIT: www.rbffoundation.org for a description of the award, the application, and FAQ’s.
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Check us out on NBC!
8/1/11,
Here is a link to a short segment that was aired on NBC. Sorry this link is not available outside the US.
Enjoy,
Mickey and Laura
http://www.nbcconnecticut.com/on-air/as ... 43448.html
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Our 69th Annual Festival Day Schedule
8/1/11,
Buck's Rock's 69th Annual Festival Day is Saturday, August 20, 2011. The schedule for the day's events are as follows:
11:00am to 5:00pm
See a diverse collection of this summer's camper art projects in the Actors' Studio and also on display at various studios. There will be glass blowing demonstrations throughout the day. 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 and can be heard at the gazebo on the lawn, our new solar powered listening center. 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.
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: "Charlotte’s Web," directed by Marla Truini. Perfect for younger visitors. All are welcome!
2:00pm
At the Dance Studio, Buck's Rock dancers will perform highlights from this summer's earlier recitals, and an all-new Junior Camper piece will be performed.
3:00pm
The Junior Camper Play is a fun-filled celebration performance by our youngest campers. The Junior Campers crafted and developed an entire theatrical script under the supervision of directors Izzy Atkinson and Charles Cohen. Enjoy!
4:00pm
The Clown/Improv Shop will perform improv and sketch comedy highlights from our 2011 season in the Dance Studio.
5:00pm to 6:30pm
Hear selections from some of the summer’s biggest performances, including Rock Cafe, Woodstock Tribute Show and the Mushed concert at this music extravaganza in front of 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 2011 Festival Musical Production of Gypsy, directed by Ernie Johns.
All 1st and 6 week Session campers are invited to return to camp that day to enjoy the festivities.
Hope to see you there,
Mickey and Laura
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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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