Certain special events are reserved for the last 2 weeks of camp. Camp wide events such as Pinnacle Beach Resort, where campers are treated as guests at a resort location and choose their activities to reflect that and Color War, which is always held in the second half of the session. Individual camp events are also held. Senior Boys had a hamburger cookout on SB hill, competitive basketball games against other campers and their trip to Carowinds, just to name a few.

This year we added something completely new and exciting –  the inaugural Senior Boy Iron Chef Chicken Wing Challenge.  Evan Grabois, Senior Boy Camp Leader came up with this crazy scheme and once he presented it to Kitchen Manager, Tracey Kirwan, they ran with the idea. Evan saw it as “an opportunity for boys to experience cooking at its finest and to gain a better understanding of what our chefs have to do to feed everyone at camp.”

The stakes were high as each cabin selected two representatives to prepare their wings. First place, a cabin pizza party, second, an ice-cream party and third an omelet breakfast. Are you catching the ‘food’ theme here?  Flavors were drawn at random out of a hat. Choices were diverse and ranged from spicy to sweet; citrus to BBQ – ten in all. Subsequent stations were set up with appropriate ingredients.

As part of the learning experience, special attention was made to explain hygiene rules that apply to our kosher kitchen. All hands were washed and gloves and chef hats donned. Boys were then given free reign to create their own masterpiece marinades, all under the careful, culinary eye and advice of Tracey (although not a trained chef, Tracey is a wonderful cook!). They were encouraged to taste and change their mixes. As Tracey said “ if it tastes bad now, it won’t taste better cooked!”

Once the wings were tossed in the marinades and placed on trays, they were carefully wrapped and refrigerated in the meat cooler for 5 hours to soak up their flavors. Prior to lighting the grill, and as per guidelines, the wings were pre cooked in our meat ovens. It should be noted that special attention was paid at all times to keep our allergic kids safe by keeping peanut satay wings separate on all occasions.

Now came time for our second pair of cabin reps to place the final char on our contenders at Jimmy’s BBQ Palace. Two large grills were prepared with hot coals and divided into sections to allow each of the ten flavors of wings to be cooked and finished to perfection. The boys got to experience the extreme conditions of standing in front of a smoking hot grill on an equally smoking hot afternoon, leaving them with even more appreciation of what it takes to prepare the food that they often take for granted.

Once completed the wings were separately whisked into the boys dining hall where eager judges and campers awaited the final adjudication. Our auspicious judges were – Ben, Program Director; George, “Salad Man” and Kenny, Chef. At one point Kenny was required back in the kitchen so Tracey (reluctantly) took his place. Many a wing was eaten by campers and judges alike before the final scoring round took place. As each cabin and flavor was called the judges raised their scores; with the final victor being SB-5 with their amazing “Spiced Crumb” wings.

Jacob from SB-1 who helped prepare Lemon Pepper wings said, “I think the coolest part was actually learning how to make the sauce and be in the kitchen to see how the chefs at camp have to prepare food every day. It took a lot to prepare just 30 wings, I can’t imagine how much these chefs have to cook.” Andrew from SB-11 helped make BBQ wings, “I really liked being in the kitchen and watching all the chefs prepare the food and also cooking for senior boys.” Zack, also from SB-11, thought “that we did really well even though we came in last. I learned basically how to prep the wings and how to marinade them and I think the coolest part was cooking dinner for senior boys. I cook at home sometimes but for breakfast usually. I learned that teamwork really helps and I think that Andrew and I worked really well together as a team.”

The first ever Senior Boy Iron Chef Chicken Wing Challenge was without a doubt one of the culinary and overall highlights of the last two seeks for the senior boys. It created not only a wonderful exciting learning experience, but a new appreciation for the campers of what it takes to satisfy the nutritional needs of Blue star campers and staff.

Gypsies, Of The Horse Kind.

Not only has our Horseback Program expanded with a dozen new horses, it has added several field trips to the program. One especially designed for our Junior and Pioneer aged campers is a trip to Found Feather Farm. Found Feather Farm specialize in raising, breeding and nurturing authentic British and Irish Gypsy Vanner Horses. There, they have an absolutely stunning array of imported bloodlines and deal with individuals of the true “British Gypsy Fraternity”.

Nestled in the rolling hills of Mill Spring, North Carolina, their mission is “to bring honor, recognition and a better understanding to one of the world’s colorful and least understood societies and the horses they dearly love. To respect the spoken word of the Gypsies who have dedicated lifetimes in the pursuit of breeding the perfect caravan horse…..The Gypsy Vanner.”

Last week, Sara Buchsbaum was one of the luck Pioneer Girls that experienced the farm. She said it was “The best day of her life”. Jayde Cambell and Lisa Cushing were the instructors that took last weeks lucky group. Jayde said that “It’s a fantastic place for kids; fun, safe and educational. I love this place. These are a very rare and special breed. We’re so lucky to ride and learn about these Gypsies”

Education is a huge part of the trip and the staff at Found Feather Farm are sure to give the children a broad understanding and hands on experience. In the past, these horses had to be strong and athletic so they could manage the heavy vardos with the Gypsies family and it’s belongings. Besides being hardy, they had to be gentle and docile enough to tech the Gypsy children how to ride. Due to recent interest and importation of Gypsy horses, registries are being established here and abroad to protect and continue the established bloodlines.

Our campers had the unique opportunity to see the Gypsies for their many wonderful qualities. Not only is their beauty immediately noticed, but their warm, gregarious nature. They are both gentle and docile, allowing an unrestricted hands-on loving experience. To touch, ride, groom and learn of these beautiful creatures is a once in a lifetime memory, one that just maybe, they’ll get to re-live if they return to Blue Star next year. I think there might be some finger’s crossed and wishes made for just that.

“Fire is very mysterious still, even though we have captured it into a Bic Lighter, and in the mysterious there is a lot of depth and room for interpretation to project our own images and ideas.” – Jon Rousseau, Ancient Arts specialist at Blue Star.

For Abraham Goldstein and Levi Harris, their interpretation of fire till now, most simply was a box of matches or a Bic lighter. That was until their recent fire making lesson with Jon at Hawks Nest in the Ancient Arts Option. Flint and Steel fire building came after several series of technologies; the most commonly known was the Bow Drill where spinning a spindle is used to create enough friction and heat to produce an ember. What Abe and Levi did was to create a spark with Flint and Steel, into a tinder and dried fungus bundle and blow into that to create the fire.

Jon said that “My hope is that they got a hands on experience and understanding of what it took for our ancestors to actually make fire on a regular basis and that it wasn’t as easy as striking a match. It actually requires attention, focus, skill, hand-eye coordination and things like that in real time. Using their hands and their eyes to make this magical thing that we really take for granted.”

Placing the wood, twigs and kindle correctly along with creating the tinder bundle to accept the spark was the easy part for the boys, the striking of the flint and steel created a whole new challenge however. With his years of experience, Jon made the process look simple. The angle of the flint just right, the striking of the steel perpendicular to the flint with a deliberate blow, produced from Jon, a small flash of light resembling that of July 4th sparklers. The boys struggled to get the technique just right and took turns, switching hands and even supporting and steadying each other as they tried. After what seemed ages, and as the sweat beads formed, success was finally found.

As the “birds nest” of tinder and dried fungus smouldered, the boys blew on it with the assistance of their counselor. Once the flame was strong enough, they transplanted it into the pre-built teepee and continued to blow on the flames. Very quickly, the fire caught and the boys raised their arms in surrender and pride of an accomplishment well done.

Afterwards, Levi claimed about making fire, “it was great to not just light it with a match but to make it like the olden days with flint, steel and fungus. I like ancient arts, it’s fun to make stuff you don’t usually make – in cool ways.” Abe said, “making fire felt good; actually doing something really hard; to work for the flame. When the fire started, I really felt I accomplished something. Ancient Arts is a good way to use natural materials to make stuff and get to do stuff you wouldn’t do at home”.

Obviously it will be a rare occurrence that the boys will actually get to use their newly acquired skill at home, however the patience and lesson learned while creating fire might help bring alive a little of that magic in their sometimes “take it for granted” life.

Namaste Y’all.

Namaste has many definitions but generally, when said, it means that the best in me (or the light in me), honors the best in you; a philosophy that Blue Star Camp is always promoting. Camp has been lucky enough to have Andie Segal as their resident yoga specialist for the last 2 years. Andie has a long history with camp having been a camper, counselor and now a specialist and mother of two campers herself. The option is situated in the open Fred Burke Pavilion; surrounded by trees and presenting a pristine view of the lake and mountains, it  offers protection while allowing fresh air and a place to center and find some quietude from the busy day.

Yoga has proved to be very popular with all camps from Juniors to Teen Village and not just with the girls. Senior Boys fill the serene setting of the pavilion, twice a day and show surprising focus and skill. The slow, flowing motions of yoga not only build flexibility but takes a lot of concentration and can help slow a young mind down. Yoga can help a child achieve balance in their lives and for kids is a means of helping them to develop better body awareness, controlling themselves, and flexibility and coordination.

“This is a unique opportunity to teach young campers how to slow down. In a schedule packed with fun it is important to have a special time and place to check-in with their feelings and learn to relax and breathe deep” says Andie. “I’m so lucky to introduce yoga to these kids while they are young; as the lessons learned can be taken off the mat and into stressful situations.”

Pioneer Girls and Juniors have a combined afternoon class. Lauryn Friedman is 9 years old and says about yoga, “It calms me down and I don’t worry about what’s coming next or anything.” Her favorite pose is the Corpse pose, which some say is the hardest of all; for to lay still and not fidget with your body or mind is a difficult thing. A close second for Lauryn is the Happy Baby pose. Her older sister Haylee, 11 is in the same class and says, “It’s really relaxing and calms you down. It relaxes your whole body but you exercise while you are relaxing.”  Haylee’s favorite pose is the Corpse pose as well. Ailsa Kurzban 9, says, “I chose yoga because I want to be able to relax without getting all stressed – Just to relax.” Ailsa’s favorite pose is the Turtle pose. Tess Segal, a Junior states “I do yoga because I am always exhausted and you can fall asleep at the end. When that happens it gives me energy. My favorite pose besides the Corpse is the Turtle.”

Not only are the campers eager to choose yoga but the counselors are eager to attend as well. Monica, a Pioneer Girl counselor, swapped time with her co. just so she could take advantage of accompanying the girls to their option. Dana, a Juniors counselor attends as well. If numbers are an indication of popularity of a specialty area, Yoga ranks among the highest, which makes Andie very happy. It appears, she is not the only one as many little future yogi’s learn to center, reflect and create an intimate relationship with the natural world that surrounds them. With Blue Star Camp offering yoga, it might just help bring that marvelous inner light that our campers have, to the surface. Namaste.

Fancy:
(show name “Bobs Fancy Bugs”) is from Landrum, South Carolina. This mare is a registered AQHA quarter horse and she weighs 1100 pounds. This 12-year-old mare loves to be with people. She is amazing with beginners and is a fun safe horse.

Nutmeg:
Nutmeg is a Palomino mare from Goldsborough North Carolina. She is six-years-old and has a natural lead change and has started over fences. At 15.2 hands, Nutmeg is a big bodied mare who has been trail ridden in the mountains and lightly shown. She is energetic, kind and gentle and the kids adore her.

Toby:
Is such a gentleman. He is a gorgeous sweetheart. Toby is a Palomino with paint markings and is 13-years-old and 15 hands high. This gelding is a great hunter horse with a sweet disposition. He has competed in shows at Greensboro, Pinehurst and Williamston and he is always in the ribbons.

Jazz:
(show name is “Jazz up my Music”) is a buckskin gelding born in 1998. Jazz can jump cross rails up to 2 feet 6 inches. He has competed in 15 shows but walked home with more than 120 ribbons.He is just bright and bubbly and seeks attention. He has loads of personality and is very outgoing and is a great teacher in everything.

Cooper:
At 13.1 hands, Cooper is the smallest horse. He is a great horse for beginners and he will stand as long as you want him to. Cooper will follow you around like a puppy and this gelding has been used for teaching basic horsemanship skills, leadline with Juniors, therapeutic type games, obstacle course, grooming and walk/trot/lunge.

Chance:
Is a ten-year-old gelding and everyone love this gorgeous boy. He is an excellent teacher and helps the boys and girls progress quickly. Everyone wants to take Chance home.

Cash:
(show name is “Walk the Line) is a gelding who was born on January 1, 2004. He is 14.2 hands and is a flashy pony jumper. He loves attention and will let you ride him all day every day. Cash also loves being bathed and loves having his feet done.

Dyllan:
Is a 12-year-old thoroughbred. He is quiet and placid and he’s like a big loyal dog. Dyllan is reliable and dependable and he loves camp and his camp friends.

Rufus:
Is 10-years-old and he’s the perfect roan pony. He can walk, trot, canter and jump. Rufus will be featured in the horse shows and is so elegant his moves make people stop and stare. He has a lovely nature an is trustworthy with the kids.

Patrick:
(show name Just Kidding Around) 14 hand palomino from Forest City. A beautiful well behaved pony and is ridden and shown by kids 11 and under. He loves to jump, is very kind and helps kids become great riders.

Rain:
Is a beautiful 15 year old, 14 hand mare. She is a great large pony that has been used in Therapy riding and English lessons extensively for many years. She is 4 years older than the rest of the group and she leads a great example for the herd.