Hello Robin Hood Campers!

It’s hard to believe that it is already September and everyone is back in school. If you are like us, we think about camp every day. We reminisce on the stories, the trips, the delicious meals and dining hall dance parties that follow.

As summer moves to fall we hope that you are all working hard and enjoying the school year. Before you know it, it will be June and we will all be back in The Realm together. If you are wondering what is going on in the world of Robin Hood, we have started working on the yearbook and the pictures really capture the summer of 2014. The New York Reunion is set and we can’t wait to see everyone at Dylan’s Candy Bar for candy canteen on November 8th!

Although we have to wait a few months to get back, we want to stay in touch with everyone and know what you are up to. If you are ever hanging out with a group of camp friends, make sure to take a photo and send it to info@camprobinhood.com and you just might see your picture in an upcoming newsletter. 

Best,

Woody and DC

No way it’s over already… the last van just pulled out and The Realm is back to hibernation again. We woke up this morning with 400 people on the grounds- energy, laughter and tears everywhere. How did the summer go by so fast?

A little business first- in spite of the rain yesterday we had a perfect day. Our campers were not going to allow anything to get in the way of a Robin Hood good bye. Groups played final games on all our fields and collected projects to go home. Its very sad for me to watch- we all wait 10 months for these 7 weeks. It feels like the buses were just pulling into camp on opening day.

We ended the night in the Dining Hall giving out all-camp awards. As I hope you know by now, we are not big on awards. This is the one time of the year we recognize a few individuals who stood out throughout the summer. Watching our older kids get the all camp awards or the “Majors” as the alumni call them- was like an out of body experience. These kids have grown up before our eyes, from little Tumblers and TPJ’s to leaders of the boys and girls camp. Robin Hood’s future is in safe hands.

As we write the final WoodChuck of the season, I want to thank you again for sharing your kids with us. It has been an honor and pleasure to spend every moment together. We have learned so much from each camper and our kids have reminded us about what is good in this world. I only wish we could do it longer. As I leave here under the Robin Hood sign, wiping a tear from my eyes, I look forward to June 26, 2015 when we all return to our home and sing the Alma Mata as we enter under the camp sign. THAT is what gets us all through the next 10 months.

On behalf of DC and I, thanks again.

This is one of my favorite weeks of the year. The anticipation is always so much fun to watch. The kids talk about the BREAK and the CAPTAINS forever. It’s like CNBC and FOX networks all summer long up here-but its all RH news all the time. I must admit the FAKE break was amazing- kids went nuts. After a few victory laps- I started to feel sick. Only I would think that the fake was too good. How could the real Break live up to it- I thought.. These breaks are like my children- I grow very connected to and defensive of all their failures and live through all successes. That being said- the break was OK- without the fake it would have been top 5 for us- year 11 here. Must admit I am really going to hit it out of the ball park next year. 

RH got into day 2 with fury. Walking around today was a pleasure- your kids played so hard. Every field was on fire with competition and energy. We spentthe morning at the beach- the chants and cheers went on for 3 hours. I know that our pictures tell 1000 stories. I want to share 2 stories that pictures can’t capture.

My oldest girls called a meeting to make sure that a bunkmate who had hurt herself could participate. They were willing to change the way we did an activity in order to ensure everyone got to play. Both teams came together as one- Green and White stays out of the bunk. With these girls it means more than anything- their friendship is more important than any War. They will always be sisters….

During the swim meet I noticed one of my GL’s jump in the water before the final group race.  This Gl swam beside the camper during the entire event smiling and cheering the whole time. Best part for me was the GL was on the other team. Regardless of the War -that was and always will be her camper.  They were alone in the water for 30 seconds with 450 people yelling and screaming. It was their time-something both will remember forever. 

Years from now everyone will either be talking about the final score or the break. For me these are the memorable moments.

I am so proud of these kids… I am so proud of our staff… This place ROCKS!

Woody

Three years ago, we brainstormed during the winter about ways to enable camp to have a broader, more meaningful impact on our campers.  We know that camp is fun and that the kids love being here, but we also want campers to appreciate the boundless opportunities and advantages in life that they have.

In 2012, Woody discovered The Pihcintu Multicultural Chorus, which is comprised of young women refugees from all over the world.  Through music, these young women have adapted to new cultures and reclaimed their lives.  We invited a group of girls to spend the day at Robin Hood, and the experience proved to be extremely memorable for both Chorus members and campers.  The girls enjoyed lunch, spent some quality time with campers in girls’ camp, played gaga, did arts and crafts, swam, and enjoyed a cookout on the beach.  After dinner, they performed for us, which was very special.

Last year, we partnered with Dare2Tri Paratriathlon Club, a group that serves youths, adults and injured service members. Its mission is to provide athletic opportunities for disabled individuals and to inspire the community at large.  Six amazing Dare2Tri members spent a few days at camp with us, running, biking and doing the island swim with us.  Our guests made deep impressions on our campers, demonstrating how to face challenges with positive attitudes and determination.

We are excited to share with you our plans for this summer.  Today, Paul Frase will be visiting camp to help inspire campers.  Paul grew up just 45 minutes away in Concord and played football at Syracuse.  He went on to a hugely successful career in the NFL, having played for the New York Jets, Jacksonville Jaguars, Baltimore Ravens and the Super Bowl Green Bay Packers.  More importantly, Paul founded the Joshua Frase Foundation in honor of – and now in memory of – his son, Joshua, who died four years ago at the age of 15 following a life-long battle with the congenital disease myotubular myopathy (MTM). In addition to raising funds to help find a cure for MTM, the Foundation supports the families whose lives are affected by this terrible disease.  Paul will speak with the campers, and then over the course of the day, each group will participate in a walk in memory of these special children.  If you would like to learn more about the Joshua Frase Foundation, or if you would like to honor your child by making an online donation in his/her name in support of the walk on Giving Back Day, please visit www.joshuafrase.org.

We feel strongly that it is crucial for our children to not only appreciate the advantages that they have but also to develop empathy for others and to understand the importance of giving back.  What better place to be inspired than right here amidst the magic in the trees.