We visited Camp Hilltop today in Hancock, NY with the rock and sponsorship goodies. Camp Hilltop and Camplified go way back – they’ve been with us since the very beginning. When our seasoned crew sees the director and counselors from Camp Hilltop – who they’ve been visiting with for years! – everyone gets very excited. As a rookie crew member this year I was caught up in the nostalgia as well. Camp Hilltop is a very welcoming place and their history with Camplified only makes the environment that much nicer.

We arrived with all our activities in tow and set up Cartoon Network’s FusionFall right as we entered the camp in the camp offices. We had a few dozen kids through the course of a couple of hours and they were clamoring for chances to play the game. We had some kids who already had accounts at home and were teaching US things, but Lisa (our own FusionFall aficionado!) was able to help start out the new kids while adding some tips to the games of the kids that were already playing at home. Tyler G. (10 years old) plays the game at home, but because of the internet lag (and summer weather!) he hasn’t been playing it very much. He told us that he likes the different missions in the game and helping the different CN characters. Lisa also noticed how he responded to the graphics – he was pumped!

FusionFall brings out the intensity in Camp Hilltop campers!

Down the way was Yu-Gi-Oh! where they were set up at the dining hall. Further down the road was Rockband – it was a beautiful day and they were outside. You could hear the music and singing from a few hundred yards away. They were a hit! Unfortunately, I was helping Lisa manage the Cartoon Network station, so I didn’t get images for either of those activities. But I’ll check in with my crew members and get some action shots for you.

Tonight’s concert featured Misha Williams, Duke Squad and Kicking Daisies. All artists drove in for the day’s activities and to perform. Camp Hilltop is a great supporter of the Camplified experience and encourages their kids to be involved – they hang posters and play the artist’s music for weeks before we arrive! When the concert started the kids had visited with the kids all day, listened to their music AND made their own handmade posters for Camplified ’09. We could tell this was going to be a good night!

Misha hit the stage first and blew everyone away. Playing with two full bands she may have been intimidated standing up there solo – but I sure didn’t see it. She danced, sang, played her guitar and tamborine and generally just put on a great show! The boys were very excited – there were more than a few professions of love over the course of the set. ; )

Misha starts the Camp Hilltop's concert off right!

Duke Squad was up next and they blew the roof off the place! The boys played a rowdy set and the kids jumped around, danced, and sang along with them. It was a rockin show and everyone had a great time. Even kicking Daisies rocked out as they jumped on their top of their van and cheered on Duke Squad! And, this time, the crowd’s professions of love were now coming from the girls. As the sun set over Camp Hilltop the energy level was high as all the kids jumped around with excitement.

Duke Squad brings up the energy level

Kicking Daises particularly enjoyed Duke Squad’s set!

Duran and Ben show their support during Duke Squad's set

Kicking Daisies closed up the night with an equally rocking set. Carly, Caitlin, Ben and Duran all played great tonight. Kicking Daisies have played a few shows on the Camplified ’09 tour and we are always looking forward to great shows from these guys. They’re so much fun to watch and they get the crowd up and dancing during every show.

Kicking Daisies finished the evening off with a bang

The evening was rounded out with an autograph session with the musicians and some Scholastic book-love. Everyone left the Camplified ’09 site at Camp Hilltop pretty happy. It was another successful day! See you next year Camp Hilltop!

Posted by Jess Fontaine, Crew Member