The boys at Camp Horseshoe in Rhinelander, WI, were psyched to see performances by rockers Thomas Fiss and The Early Strike, and the excitement only got more intense when campers were treated to Juicy Juice (complete with fake tattoos!), Mad Libs books and a cool Vladimir Tod Scavenger Hunt, sponsored by Penguin Young Readers. Check out our exclusive photos above, featuring Camplified musicians, Meet & Greets and a few happy Camp Horseshoe campers. Photos courtesy of Greg Leddy.
Last May, I was heading to Central Park on my bike like I do every year to join the Skier family (of AMSkier Insurance) and many of their friends for the TD Bank Five Boro Bike Tour, which helps support the American Diabetes Association. As I was on my way to meet the group, I noticed an incredibly tall man and a petite woman by his side speaking to Henry Skier. Both faces looked very familiar, but I couldn’t place them right away — maybe because it was 8am in the morning, and I don’t like to be up before the crack of noon (especially on a Sunday). I began to wake up real fast when I realized that this couple was Marc and Caroline White, the directors of Kutsher’s Sports Academy, the camp I attended over 25 years ago! Memories from camp flashed through my head and in typical Aimee fashion, all I wanted to do was chat them up about camp, old friends, counselors and the latest on the new spot in Great Barrington, MA, where the camp is now located.
Fast forward to last Sunday, when the opportunity came to be that Camplified, in its ninth season, would roll onto the new KSA property — sound crew in truck, staff in Camplified van, followed caravan-style by Thomas Fiss’ branded Samsung van, Rachel Platten and Highbench. This would mark the first time that Camplified would embrace Kutsher’s, as well as my first time back at camp since the 1980s, a place that shaped many parts of my life, my brother’s and many of our Florida friends. Driving up to camp, along the windy roads, I nearly jumped out of my skin with enthusiasm, as if I was back on the bus so many years ago, pulling into camp with all my friends. And then there was that moment, where you realize your not 13 anymore, you are grown up and in front of you rests the place that inspired Camplified in its entirety. It was so surreal — the tears rolling down my face partially attributed to happy childhood memories of camp and also the reality of what my life was like back then. I remembered Parents’ Day at camp, when my grandmother was still alive and she would accompany my parents to see all the activities her grandchildren were enjoying at summer camp. It amazes me how fast we all grow up. (more…)
Hello from the road!!! My name is Holly, and I’m part of the road crew that is bringing Camplified to a camp near you. So far, we have visited seven camps, and every day is so much fun! Not only does the crew help out with the music, setting up the bands and such, but we also bring the activities to life that the campers participate in. Of course, we also make time to jump in the lake and bounce on the trampoline with artists like Josiah Rea.
I spend much of my time helping out at the Penguin Books tent, and my favorite activity to do there is make luggage tags. I’ve been teaching the campers to make luggage tags out of duct tape and everyday the kids get more and more creative! I have seen tags in the shape of guitars, puppies, names, boxes and one girl even made an actual purse. The idea for the luggage tags was inspired by the Penguin book by Robin Palmer, Yours Truly, Lucy B. Parker: Girl Vs. Superstar, because, just like campers, Lucy uses her backpacks and suitcases to travel. Luggage tags not only decorate your bag, but they could save you from losing your bag forever!
I am so excited to see what ideas the campers come up with next. I’ll have to keep you posted… for now, check out some of my personal photos from the tour, below. -Holly
Photos clockwise from upper left: Eagle River Day Camp welcomes Camplified, campers at Golden Slipper stock up on books courtesy of Penguin, campers score some Vlad Tod tote bags thanks to Penguin Books, campers at Camp Matoaka get crafty by making luggage tags sponsored by Penguin, a camper gives a crew member a hand with the camera at Golden Slipper Camp. Photos courtesy of Holly Cannon. Click image to view in full.
Photos clockwise from upper left: Dexter Scott poses with Camp Matoaka girls, Rachel Platten rocks the keys, campers give Thomas Fiss lots of love, band members from Highbench pose with campers at the Meet & Greet, relay sponsored by Juicy Juice, Vlad Tod scavenger hunt, Rachel Platten gets swarmed at the poster signing, campers get craft with luggage tags, Highbench performs. Photos courtesy of Greg Leddy. Click image to view in full.
So I know CampLifeguard gave you the rundown on yesterday’s first Camplified tour stop at Golden Slipper. Josiah Rea, Jessica Prouty Band and Thomas Fiss most certainly brought the rock. Click here to view the video taken by our Camp Crew at Golden Slipper Camp. Judging from these amazing photos that just came in from the Camp Crew — it looked like total a BLAST!
Photos clockwise from upper left: Some of our crew hangs out at the Stardoll tent, winners of the Stardoll T-shirt design contest, Meet & Greet with poster signings, two campers dress their Moxie Girlz Teen Dolls on Stardoll.com, Golden Slipper Camp rocks out, winners of the Penguin Vlad Tod Scavenger Hunt, campers coolin’ off at the Juicy Juice tent. Photos courtesy of Aimee Berger. Click image to view in full.
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