Newsletter July 5, 2009 First Session Campers Arrive!
The session one campers arrived bringing an end to the rainy days of counselor training. They departed from Rocky Hill, CT in the early morning and spent their day travelling the long journey to East Machias. They watched Peter Pan, Night at the Museum and Lion King to pass the time and were greeted by this year’s counselors at 3:45. “I was a little nervous at first because I don’t usually go away for so long but I am still very excited about being here,” said Kate D’Amica. The campers then took some time to unpack their belongings and learn how to properly make a bed before heading to a taco dinner. The rest of the evening flew by as campers took their swim test proving their skills both with and without a life jacket. An exciting game of Ga-ga followed tiring the campers out before bed. The playing of Taps signaled the first lights out of the season and the campers readied themselves for the next day’s activities.
Knowing the fun that awaits them, the session one campers hurry to gather their belongings from the bus and get settled into their cabins.
Rockin’ Around the Water Tower
Plenty of new things have been happening at Eagle Wing including an entire new activity. Rock Climbing, led by instructor Jon Bishop, an experienced climber, has been a popular addition. Set up on the water tower, there are many different routes to the summit. One of the favorite parts of the first few ascents was that campers were able to sign their names on the tower if they reached the top. The six daring campers that made it in the first round were Greg Boyes, Mike Funaro, Molly Majewicz, Elana Brooks, Sarah Neary, and Cat Flaherty. Congratulations to those campers! Climbing, however, is only half the fun in this adventure sport. There is also the challenge of belaying as well as tying knots. Campers are having a good time learning how to support their peers up on the ropes, checking their harnesses, and even voting on a name for the wall. Some of the options are “Eagle’s Nest” and “MIT (Maine’s intense tower).” Make sure to read further issues of our newsletter to find out what will be called! -Kasey Hill
Camper Greg Boyes reaches the top of the water tower in Camp Eagle Wing’s first ascent. More campers are sure to follow in his path!
2009 Cabins
As Camp Eagle Wing gained even more campers this year, the camp also has something else that’s new. A new cabin has been built to complete the row of cabins on the lake side of camp. The cabin has been divided into halves, like the rest of the other cabins. Currently, one side is home to the CIT Boys and the other side is home to the Bobcats. New names have yet to be decided for each side of the new cabin. -Kate D’ Amica
Front row (L to R): Ryan Neary, Caleb Norton, Greg Boyes. Back row: John Sanders, Brian Wilcox, Kevin Paulekas, Dan Swain, Kyle McInnich, Paul Aklilu.
Saco Cabin
Front row (L to R): Lilly McKenzie, Vanessa Koloski, Sarah Neary, Abby Heller. Middle row: Kasey Hill, Megan Geier, Jennie Hogan, Veronica Koloski. Back row: Karyssa Norton, Cat Flaherty, Amanda Gauthier, Anne Kalinosky, Sasha Yazdzik, Nicole Tabak.
Kennebec Cabin
Front row (L to R): Jon Lococo, Nate McKenzie, Joe McNaney. Back row: Jay Beal, Will Sanders, Matt McCullough, Matt Tabak, Mike Funaro.
Katahdin Cabin
Front row (L to R): Elana Brooks, Molly Majewicz, Megan Morrison. Back row: Caroline Riina, Lauren Swain, Kate D’Amica, Becca Demczuk, Katie Guptill.
Kineo Cabin
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Bobcats
There is an exciting new program at Camp Eagle Wing this summer. The Bobcats, a group of campers from Camp Eagle Feather, stay in Connecticut for one week then travel to Camp Eagle Wing for one week. The campers range in age from 10 to 13. Throughout the six weeks of Camp Eagle Wing, there are four 1-week sessions. There will be two girl sessions and two boy sessions and a maximum of 6 Bobcats per session. The first Bobcats arrived on the afternoon of July 3rd. The purpose of this program is to make campers feel more comfortable at an overnight camp and to answer some questions of what really happens at Eagle Wing. They will be participating in all the activities and staying in the brand new cabin. We hope this program will be successful and bring
more excited new campers to Eagle Wing.
-Elana Brooks and Lauren Swain
Bobcat campers Danielle Kling-Joseph, Jillian Gordon, and Olivia Marszal pose for a picture upon their arrival in their new bunk..
Person of the Week: Matt McCullough
How old are you? 19 years old What activities do you do at camp? Baseball and canoeing Who was your childhood idol? Michael Jordan Who is your favorite actor or actress? Will Ferrell In the future, what do you see yourself doing? I will successfully graduate college, move on to graduate school and earn my Masters degree in something. What are your goals in life? I would like to have at least one job offer by the end of college, something that I would enjoy doing the rest of my life. Who is your favorite animated character? Nemo, from Finding Nemo
-Sarah Neary and Molly Majewicz
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CIT Corner
The CIT program is very different this year. Not only are there eighteen CITs as compared to the five of last summer, there is a much more rigorous schedule. The CITs are working through intensive training just as counselors do. It is Chick BeVier’s hope that they acquire the skills necessary to be both knowledgeable and enthusiastic leaders in future summers. In order to achieve this, the CITs are participating in a lifeguard training program, learning land navigation, completing daily chores, spending time with counselors at a variety of activities and engaging in some intense quality time with Chick. Amanda Civitello and Alex McKenzie said that “Even though we were nervous at first, spending time with Chick turned out to be the best part. We have a lot of really great discussions. “ The CITs are also able to learn sailing from Matt Austin, Jon Bishop and Wes and Chick
BeVier on the Peggy Bee, a new camp sailboat. Eventually they will earn the privilege to sail the ship alone. Another exciting change from last year is that the CITs have their own cabins. The boys live with Wes BeVier and the girls live with Amy Paulekas. It is very nice that the CITs have more of an identity. The CITs are enjoying the summer and are looking forward to the remaining weeks. –Lilly McKenzie and Tori
DeCamp.
Back row: Wes BeVier, Thomas Ortiz, Colin Weber, Josh Murphy, Amanda Civitello, Chris Boyes, Claire Brooks, Abbey Foxen, Zack Heller, Matt Tollis, Amy Paulekas Front row: Connor Eckels, Tess Kalinosky, Danielle Sumoski, Tori DeCamp, Ryan Morrison, Alex McKenzie, Makayla McKenzie, Christian Dahlstrom
Camper Survey
What is your favorite activity at camp?
1. Sailing 2. Climbing 3. Canoeing
CIT Colin Weber speaks to Jennie Hogan about the joys of sailing. 4
Evening Programs
*Ga-Ga Ball– The traditional first EP of the season, GaGa is an exciting game played with bare feet, tennis balls, and many benches. Big winners included Colin Weber, Molly Majewicz, Lily McKenzie, Josh Murphy, and Tori DeCamp. *King Pin Dodgeball– This game divides the camp into three teams, each one attempting to knock down the other teams tower of canoe paddles. Connor Eckels, Jay Beal and Mike Funaro did great jobs defending their paddles and aiming their dodgeballs. * Picturrhea– a form of Pictionary and Logorrhea. The campers first had to draw out a picture and then speak for a minute straight about the picture. *Swim Test– The swim test is mandatory for all campers upon arrival. They must swim to a boat with a life jacket on. Then, without the life jacket, campers must also swim around the swim area. *Bus Stop Dodgeball– This is a dodgeball type game where there are no teams but every man plays for himself. The CITs worked well together in an attempt
The Saco boys peer eagerly at Kevin Paulekas’ drawing during the Pictionary portion of Wednesday’s second EP.
to vanquish the counselors. The Bobcats also enjoyed their introduction to the world of EPs. *Telephone Charades– This game is a combination of two favorites, Telephone and Charades. The campers were divided into cabins to pass on actions and Katahdin was the big winner.
Questions of the Week
Question #1: What is your favorite part of living in a bunk?
“Meeting each other.” -Jennie Hogan and Sarah Neary “Getting to talk your friends.” -Nicole Tabak
“Telling stories.” - Counselor Amy Paulekas
Question #2: What are you most looking forward to this session?
“Climbing.” -Mike Funaro “Campcraft.” -Will Sanders “Baseball with friends.” -Jay Beal
-Sasha Yazdzik and Kasey Hill
CIT Chris Boyes plays third base while Jay Beal pitches the ball during an afternoon baseball game.
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Around the Camp
Paul Aklilu and Ryan Neary dash into the water for the first evening’s swim test challenge.
Karyssa Norton and Sasha Yazdzik aim for the target under counselor Daniel Swain’s watchful eye.
CIT’s Tori DeCamp, Amanda Civitello, and Abbey Foxen smile as they add whipped cream, hot fudge and sprinkles to their ice cream on Sundae Night..
The 2009 Camp Eagle Wing staff take time out for a lakeside picture before the campers arrive.
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