Thanks for a great summer! See you next year.
Friday, August 3, 2007 Last night we celebrated our 62nd Banquet – enjoying a spectacular feast in the magically decorated dining room. Everyone cleaned up and dressed up and filed into the dining room that had been hung with spruce boughs and tiny white lights. It was a beautiful night of giving thanks for each others’ friendship.
Wednesday evening brought us Music Night. It was the scene of numerous talented acts: Irish flute playing by Skyler; a counselor jam on piano, guitar, cello, and violin; some well-sung ballads, including a soaring rendition of Stairway to Heaven by Joe, an Eagle camper; and a beautiful puppet show by the Foxes that played out the African folk tale of Anansi the Spider.
Today the campers are busily packing, in between completing Tournaments and preparing for Barges and Appreciation Night. It has been a great year and we wish all of our Glen Brook Family a safe trip up to Glenbrook. See you all tomorrow.
Wednesday, August 1, 2007: The Falcons returned from caving in the Schoharie region of Upstate New York yesterday. They reported that everyone enjoyed the experience, although the conditions were not for the faint of heart: walking through an underground stream in 55-degree water up to their chests and wriggling through muddy, narrow passages on their bellies. To enter one cave they had to belay one another down a 60-foot sinkhole – thereby using their freshly-learned rock-climbing skills from the previous week. They camped in the nearby Cavers’ Cabin, which was a welcome change from their usual tents. Freshly showered, today they are preparing for their “solos,” a contemplative rite of passage for Adventure Campers during which they spend 24 hours out of sight of any other person. (Although within earshot of their leaders and subject to numerous supervisory checks!)
Foxes swam and canoed at Greenfield State Park in Greenfield, NH., after spending the night down at the lake – cooking dinner and camping in the tepee.
Thursday is Banquet Day. The entire day is focused on the sumptuous candlelit feast whose origins date back to the camp’s beginnings in the 1940s. While campers and new counselors hike to a nearby beach at Stone Pond, the old-timers transform the dining room. A complex trellis is erected the whole length of the hall, and is covered in evergreen boughs and strings of lights. The tables are elegant and a multi-course meal is laid before us. Campers find their places by the place cards made by their counselors that are unique to them. No words are used on the place cards, so counselors must choose images of that camper's summer that identify them. The Deer do the same for all the counselors, staff and CITs. All dress in fine clothes and spend an hour socializing and taking photos. Then into the hall to find our places. After leisurely feasting, we take a break outside for a bit, then onto delicious fudge sundaes. Each counselor group then makes a speech to recognize the campers in their group. We end the evening with a song with over 100 verses, each verse made up for a single camper, CIT or counselor. Banquet begins about 5 pm and ends six hours later (hopefully not! - LB).
Friday is packing day, tournament finals, more swimming, a big cleanup and inspection. There will be a “Barge Ceremony” in which each bunk decorates a barge, its candle is lit, a memory of the summer and a wish for the future are told to the whole camp, then the long line of barges is towed into the twilight as counselors sing across the water. And then campers spend Appreciation Night in their cabins. Each camper in a bunk has drawn the name of another and has made a gift for them. The campers will also go around the circle to express their appreciation for each in turn. There is also a basket of special treats.
Friday, July 27, 2007: The Raccoons returned from the Battenkill River in western Vermont this afternoon after two days of tubing. They set up their tents at a site by the river last night and before dinner discovered that the muddy riverbank was an ideal place for a group mud bath. They rolled in the mud like gators, and then, after cleaning off in the river, enjoyed a campfire dinner of pasta -- followed by s'mores!
This morning they packed up their tents early and were on the river -- tubing down the rapids! -- by mid-morning, just as the heat of the day was getting intense. The cold water provided plenty of opportunity for cooling off, though. The Raccoons took a break at a covered bridge where they discovered two sources of amusement: a rope swing that dropped them into the river, and a large cornfield, that they all wandered through.
They're now back in time for dinner -- meat, tofu and vegetable stir fry over rice.
The Falcons also returned from their sea kayaking trip on Sheepscot Bay, Maine. We'll have some pictures shortly. The Foxes will be traveling out in the remaining days of camp. We'll give you the details soon.
As we get ready for the final week of camp, the pace of life at camp really takes off. So much to do in the last 8 (!) days; trivia night, music night, tournaments, projects to finish, banquet, barges ceremony, appreciation night, etc. The counselors are all working hard to arrange sleep-outs, evening swims, and camp fires. We'll be putting up pictures as often as we can so stay tuned...
Friday July 28, 2007: Some families new to camp may have been wondering about our Never Never Land Gallery of Photos and wondering just what Counselor Hunt is anyway? Monday morning the children were awakened by the CITs and informed that their Counselors required "rescuing." Teams were quickly formed and campers searched high and low throughout the grounds, finding the various characters pictured below, answering riddles and finding clues to the delight of all.
Wednesday, the campers and staff hiked Blueberry Hill in Stoddard, NH, for the annual blueberry harvesting extravaganza. The camp was divided into teams and challenged with this question: “How much can you pick?” For the next two hours everyone fanned out into the bushes and alternately gobbled berries and filled their cans. Colin’s Colossal Collectors, of whom there was suspicion of eating more than they saved, managed to nonetheless collect 4 pounds; Nick’s Nifty Nabbers harvested 5 pounds, 9 ounces (again, suspicion of over-eating); Emma’s Eager Elbow Benders took in an impressive 6 pounds, 12 ounces; Lily’s Loopy Lifters – the winners of the camper teams – brought in a staggering 7 pounds, 10 ounces of blueberries. (Counselors gloated, however, since they brought in just over 14 pounds of blueberries.) All told, the camp picked more than 38 pounds. The 
kitchen promises to fold berries into the cooking in the coming days: pancakes, muffins, cobbler (for Kyle’s birthday celebration), and some sort of stroganoff involving a complex blueberry reduction. (Chef Ash says say they won’t quit until every berry is gone.)
Adventure Campers are all paddling the coast of Maine along the Maine Island Trail this week for their sea kayaking adventure. The Eagles returned yesterday from their caving expedition – very, very muddy, but thrilled to have spent the previous days wriggling through the rocks in Upstate New York. And the Raccoons all headed for the Battenkill River yesterday for a whitewater tubing adventure.
Saturday, July 21, 2007: The Otters left for the Battenkill River in Upstate New York this morning for a few days of tubing. The Battenkill is an old favorite – its rushing crystalline water are perfect for running with the inflated tube of a tractor trailer tire.
Meanwhile, a bit of Potter-mania has descended on the camp with the arrival of the last of the Harry Potter books (see photos). We’ve spotted enthusiasts with their copies of Deathly Hallows all over the camp: lounging in their bunks at rest time, perched in crooks of trees, slumped against buildings, seated on tricycles, and even nestled in the bushes. Parents: if your children enjoy the series, and they are of an appropriate age, feel free to send one along (as many of you have already). If your child does not care for them, don’t worry; there’s an equal number of folks who don’t partake of the craze and reading is only one of the many quiet activities that goes on during rest time.
Today is one of the most beautiful days of the summer – a clear blue sky and a light, cool breeze. The haying continues in the meadow by neighbor Hank (who also supplies us with maple syrup for Sunday pancakes). And it’s perfect swimming weather. The Goslings went to Blueberry Hill this morning and stuffed themselves with blueberries. Parents, if you can keep a secret, here’s something your children don’t know yet: they’ll be headed to Blueberry Hill shortly for Trip Day to pick blueberries for pancakes and pies. (We keep destinations secret until the day of the hikes.)
Thursday, July 19, 2007: Today we are all headed to Gap Mountain for a hike. Gap Mountain has impressive views of Mount Monadnock right next door. It’s warm and foggy today, which means a good day for a swim after the hike.
Meanwhile, the Deer are in Massachusetts on a whitewater rafting expedition down the Deerfield River, and the Falcons (Adventure Camp) are finishing the third day of their rock climbing trip in the Berkshires. We heard from them on the phone last night. Leader Jesse says everyone is strong and happy and looking forward to putting their newfound skills to good use on the ledges today.
Wednesday, July 18, 2007: Two perfect days of weather – clear blue skies, puffy white clouds! – began our second session this week. Last evening we had an ad-hoc game of softball in the meadow, led by veteran counselor Keith. And our neighbor Hank was here yesterday with his hay bailer, winnower, and hayricks. He managed to make a sizable dent in our fields, so the camp’s fields have a fresh haircut. But today it is damp and drizzly. Keith is leading knock-out ping pong in the Rec Hall; there are games of cards and flying paper airplanes in the living room; the wood shop is alive with the pinging of hammers and the scraping of chisels; and the Foxes are watching the farrier trim and shoe horses in the barn.
Friday, July 13, 2007: The Foxes have had a busy week. On Trip Day, they hiked Mt. Monadnock (with the whole camp) and then on Thursday they enjoyed a day trip to The Putney School in Putney, Vt. They visited the school’s dairy farm and spent time with the pregnant cows and newborn calves. Several newborns were so enthusiastic they slurped the children’s fingers and even, in one case, a girl’s hair braids. The children also caught enormous frogs in the school’s pond! Some of the bullfrogs were about a foot long (with their legs stretched out) and must have weighed over a pound! It was a magical day.
Parent Weekend Reminders
Saturday Visiting starts at 9:00am with the children’s performance at 11:00 in the morning. Visitors should be sure to see the garden (where we grow some of our camp food) and check out the ongoing Fox stepping-stone path project. And in the Main House Library we have hung samples of the wonderful camper art and wood projects completed throughout the session. A picnic lunch and family swimming immediately follow the performance. Camp will be closed from 3:00 PM Saturday until 1:00 PM Sunday. Second Session Check-In is on Sunday, July 15, anytime between 1 PM and 2:30 PM. Full Summer Campers should be back in camp by Sunday at 3 PM.
Here we are!
Tuesday, July 10, 2007: Iron Camper: This past Sunday, Glen Brook was the scene of the second annual “Iron Camper” competition. Campers had the opportunity to sign up to compete in a rigorous quadrathlon relay, or solo quadrathlon, around the Glen Brook property. The event was open to everyone. A dozen campers chose to compete. The timed race followed the following course: a swim across the lake; a paddle by kayak back across the lake; a bicycle ride up the steep lake path, around the Ropes Course, and back down to the lake; and then a run on foot through the fields and around the lake to the finish line. Twenty-five campers competed in the event. See the attached video! We'll get some pictures up soon.
The Raccoons recently returned from their canoe trip to Wilgus State Park in Vermont on the Connecticut River. They endured a challenging paddle (and a dramatic rainstorm last night), but they are now enjoying hot showers and meals in the dining hall by way of recovery.
The CITs and Adventure Campers had a “mixer” two nights ago – a barbeque and group swim down at the lake. It was an opportunity for the Adventure Campers to get to know their older counterparts and also stay connected to the main camp. They also got a chance to chat with the CITs about what the job is like so they can apply next year knowing what they are getting into.
Tomorrow we climb Mt. Monadnock! We’re expecting nice weather, if a little warm – which will make General Swim feel all the more refreshing.
It does not always rain at Glen Brook but it has seem that way at times this summer. We thought you might enjoy this reprint from several years ago...
And the Forecast Is . . .
By MICHAEL RUBINER
Wednesday in New York : Rain. Heavy at times. Followed by periods of precipitation.
Thursday : Lingering showers throughout the day. Chance of rain 800 percent.
Friday : Moist. Damp. Sodden.
Saturday : Rainish. Showery. Precipitacious.
Sunday : Light rain followed by heavy rain followed by pouring.
Monday : Unseasonably rainy in the morning. Uncharitably rainy in the afternoon. Unconscionably rainy in the evening.
Tuesday : Endless showers broken up by occasional flooding.
Wednesday : Remember "Waterworld"? Like that, only with more rain.
Thursday : Not sunny. The opposite of sunny. Just forget about sunny, O.K.?
Friday : Clearing just long enough for you to make weekend plans. Followed by obscene amounts of rain.
Saturday : Take a wild guess.
Sunday : Incessant, spirit-crushing rain. The kind of rain that makes it futile to get out of bed in the morning. The kind of rain that seems as if it will never end. And guess what? It never will. Ever. Do you understand?
Monday : Please go away.
Tuesday : Ample, brilliant sunshine throughout the day. Wait — did I say sunshine? I meant rain. Really hard rain.
Michael Rubiner is a screenwriter.
Monday, July 9, 2007, Adventure Camp update: The Adventure Camp spent the past three days climbing in the Berkshires of Massachusetts. They climbed increasingly difficult rocks at Chapel Ledges and Rose Ledge. They learned the requisite climbing knots, how to belay, and, most importantly, how to trust and encourage one another. They returned with scuffed sneakers and raw fingertips, but otherwise happy and ready for the next adventure.
It came soon enough. Yesterday our Adventure Campers spent a good portion of the day in the kitchen. By seven a.m. they were suited up in chef uniforms – crisp, clank and white, double-button smocks – mixing batter and flipping pancakes, slicing fruit, and heating up maple syrup. (All our maple syrup is drawn from our own maple trees.) They provided the camp with almost 500 pancakes that morning! Their coup de grace was lunch, however: ginger stir-fry vegetables (from the garden), roasted chicken, and home-made mashed potatoes. The service in the kitchen is part of the “stewardship” element of the Adventure Camp philosophy. Not only do they go on outdoor adventures, they also 
are encouraged to think about ways to serve their community and the natural environment. It’s a tall order, particularly for a teenager, but it’s a recipe for success in encouraging responsibility in a young adult. Their faithful leaders, Jesse and Katie, are doing a fine job of bringing out the best in them all.
The Adventure Campers have been running two miles every day before breakfast. They have been shopping for and preparing their own meals, washing their own laundry, and managing all the chores of living without electricity and running water. They will be coming home fully capable of taking care of some of their own 'up keep'!
This morning they departed for the White Mountains, where they will spend the next three days hiking in the Crawford Notch area, including the Sugar Loaves, King’s Ravine and Mount Mariah – tall, rocky peaks that include several 4,000-foot ascents.
More news to follow when they return.
Saturday, July 7th, 2007: It is a quiet day in camp today: the Deer are out on the Saco River in Maine, and the Falcons are out rock climbing down in the Berkshires. It is a bit warmer today and the recent rains have helped drive up the humidity. I expect we'll all have a welcome respite from the heat at general swim this afternoon.
This evening we are planning to continue our 4th of July celebration with a bonfire and fireworks at the lake! There is nothing quite as disappointing as having the party rained out, but it does let us keep the festivities going just a bit longer. Tonight all of the groups will be back in camp again and the party can roll on!
Before the Falcons left for Chapel Ledges in Massachusetts, they spent the day with Glen Brook's former Assistant Director, Matthew Betz, up in on the ropes course. He was able to get some pictures which I've included below. Not all of the Falcons are pictured, but you will see some very happy faces. Enjoy!
Wednesday, July 4, 2007: Independence Day began with these words in the Eagle girls’ cabin: “C’mon, girls, time to get up. We’re a free country!” Counselor Kya’s cry effectively rallied the girls, and they trooped to breakfast to find the dining hall had once again been visited by prankster elves. This time, the theme was red, white, and blue bunting. Balloons and streamers filled the space; tables were bright with color. A crepe paper and balloon star hung on the front of the Rec. Hall.
Following breakfast, everyone hiked to Babbage Reservoir – a two-mile loop that culminated back at the camp for a General Swim. After lunch, the meadow was an Olympic arena and teams of campers competed against one another for the coveted Pirate Medal: three-legged races, dizzy races, a “throne race,” and an awkward-looking two-person race involving a balloon squeezed between one’s foreheads. The campers’ favorite was an event that required pelting their counselors with water balloons. Rain began in the afternoon, in time for the treasure hunt, but spirits stayed high. Teams found clues all over camp: in the woods by the waterfall, hidden in the vegetable garden, beside the Granite Ring, and on the Wet Deck in the lake. They found the treasure at the Rope Course – attached to the Zip Line.
Rain came down more steadily, however, so we repaired to the Barn for a cookout feast: marinated tuna, barbeque chicken and beef, skewers of pineapple, tofu, and all manner of vegetables. For dessert we enjoyed blueberry and strawberry-rhubarb pies – decorated with stars of crust and topped with vanilla ice cream. Throughout the event, music was supplied by counselors Charles, Daphne, and Ivan playing keyboard, cello and guitar. The evening ended with two stories recited by Louis, one about a rabbit and another about his strange Uncle Perry. We all wobbled off to bed at dark, damp but well fed and in high spirits. Fireworks and the candy treasure will have to wait for Sunday.
The Deer boys and girls departed this afternoon for the Saco River in Maine for their three-day canoe adventure. The Saco is unique in New England because of its swiftly-moving, shallow water over a very sandy bed. There are no rocks, and one can float with the current and be carried effortlessly downstream like a modern-day Huck Finn. It’s not the most demanding paddle, but it’s one of the most beautiful in all New England.
We're still looking for pictures of the Falcons! They went off to the Chapel Ledges area of the Berkshires in Massachusetts this morning (Friday). We'll have a report from them when they return. Stayed tuned...
Tuesday July 3,2007: Saturday Night Entertainment is a longstanding tradition at camp. This past Saturday featured homegrown talent, the counselors putting on an improv skit that recounted life at camp during the previous week. The scene was a small town barbershop. The gossip flew as wildly as the shaving cream. And to return our lost and found items (towels left on the beach, baseball caps in the meadow) to their rightful owners, the counselors employed creative audience participation techniques. But it was the music and dance that enthralled the audience. Staff and campers alike turned out professional quality performances.
An autumn-like chill the past few days brought on an early trick or treat surprise. We awoke yesterday morning to find the dining room transformed in full Halloween splendor. The Deer girls (with their counselors’ supervision!) had sneaked into the dining room early in the morning and covered the ceiling with black and orange streamers, decorated the tables with ghosts and jack-o-lanterns, and left candy at each place. Many counselors and campers from other groups joined the fun, searching the mythic Glen Brook costume closet for outfits sublime and ridiculous.
Good news from the coast of Maine! Our Falcons returned Sunday evening, tired but happy after a week of paddling about the islands of Muscongus Bay. Following the islands of the Maine Island Trail, our campers spent days paddling the chilly waters alongside seals and cormorants and nights snuggled in warm sleeping bags listening to owls and lapping waves. We'll have some pictures up on the website soon. Keep an eye out! The next Falcon trip (following a trip up Mt. Monadnock today) will be down into the Berkshires of Massachusetts for a bit of rock climbing.
The boys and girls of the the Eagle group left yesterday morning for a canoe trip on the Connecticut river. Departing from the mouth of the West River in Brattleboro, Vt., the group will be returning this evening having paddled down into Massachusetts. We'll be sure to post some pictures when they return.
Friday, June 29, 2007:
Sorry folks, we had a bit of computer glitch this week but we're back! The news of the week is below along with some great pictures. Come back soon for more!
Thursday, June 28, 2007:
Our first square dancing event was a great success. We all donned our finest clothing, combed our hair, and gathered at the Barn where counselors Bethany and Charles pounded out traditional tunes for several dances, including Sudeo and Sally Down the Alley.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007:
All of our campers prepared their own lunches for Trip Day, making sandwiches and selecting fruit, which they put into their backpacks. The whole camp then climbed Gap Mountain, which offers impressive, close-up views of the bold face of Mt. Monadnock. It was a hot day, so everyone enjoyed a prolonged General Swim following the hike.
Afterward, the Fox girls listened to stories while sitting in the shade of the large sugar maple in the meadow. They then had enough energy to play a few rounds of Duck, Duck, Goose and “Thumper.”
Tuesday, June 26, 2007:
This week our oldest group – the Falcons – set out for Muscongus Bay, Maine, for their annual sea kayak expedition. They will spend four nights camping on islands that are part of the Maine Island Trail, a string of island campsites open to the public and reachable only by boat.
The Eagle girls learned salsa and swing dancing on Tuesday in the Barn, and then the whole group went for a hike along a trail that follows a creek. They followed the hike with an evening swim, since the weather has been scorching this week.
The Foxes have been busy working in the garden, harvesting vegetables for our dining room. They supplied the whole camp with lettuce from our own beds.
The Deer spent a productive morning on the Low Ropes course – effectively conquering the Wall, a 13-foot monster that requires considerable team effort to get the whole group over. They also practiced trusting one another by performing numerous “trust falls,” an exercise in which an individual falls backward into the arms of his or her comrades. (Real trust occurs when a person does it with his eyes closed!)
The camp continues to be well fed by our able team in the kitchen, which provided fresh muffins and oatmeal for breakfast and home-made lasagna for supper.
Monday, June 25, 2007 First Day of Camp:
Perfect weather marked the first day of Summer 2007. The sun shone; temperatures rose into the low ‘80s; and the sounds of children playing resounded around the camp. Up in the barn, the morning’s activities began with the Foxes (our youngest group) participating in shearing our three sheep (with the assistance of our visiting shearer Bruce). The sheep are now a bit silly-looking in their newfound nakedness, but they are no doubt more comfortable.
Our first Fox Farm Life activity welcomed Shepherd Bruce Clemens to shear our three Glen Brook sheep Biggs, Lamby Cakes and Perry Night Star. The children watched as the fleece fell from sheep to floor, revealing an outline that looked remarkably like a flattened outline of the sheep itself. Each camper was later invited up to try a bit of shearing under the watchful eye of Mr. Clemens.
Yesterday at General Swim we had most people try out for the various swimming qualifications, the most rigorous of which allows a child to swim into deep water to the “Wet Deck” and to utilize the water slide. Less ambitious swimmers enjoyed splashing in the shallows.
Our cooks Ash, Kristen, and Bunny have been keeping us well fed indeed. Today for lunch we had freshly-made vegetarian chili with corn bread, and this evening everyone delighted in the macaroni and cheese (with sides of broccoli and salad, for those parents who want to be sure their children eat their vegetables). We finished supper by singing Happy Birthday to our new friend Walker – celebrating with piles of peach cobbler and fresh whipped cream.
It’s been a fine first day; your children are happy and healthy.
Summer 2007: is Under Way! Squeals of recognition, hugs of joy, and smiles greeted camper, staff and CITs as car after car arrived. Luggage was delivered to 81 camper's beds, the nurse met with all of the campers and many of their families, 423 games of tetherball were played, 14 ping pong balls were lost and 7 games actually competed (!). We had a delicious picnic of pasta primavera, tuna salad, potato salad and sandwich fixings (as well as a bit of shrimp scampi!) out in the meadow. The evening was topped off with a spirited game of softball - traditional on Sunday evening - and prisoner volley ball for the younger kids. As the evening bells rang for each of the camper groups, a tired but happy bunch of campers went marching off on their first official night of camp 2007. We'll have some pictures and a bit more information about the first days activities shortly. Please stand by...