We are writing home with exciting news from the family of our CE Senior Group Head Eric Premisler, his wife Jen, and now big brother Jackson.
Around half time of the spectacular Upper Senior Soccer Game on Monday night, Jen and family made their way to Wayne Memorial Hospital and on August 6th, 2013 at 2:44am gave birth to a beautiful baby boy – Carter Alec Premisler.
Sheryl, Richie, Adam and our entire Equinunk and Blue Ridge Family send their love and congratulations to the Premisler Family and could not be more excited to welcome Carter into his camp family. After Carter’s first visit to Equinunk this morning, Premy and Jen are sure he is already excited to be an Upper Senior in 2028 !
As long as I can remember, generations of campers have entered the Equinunk Social Hall and have been immediately drawn to the Color War plaques mounted on the walls surrounding the “Bernie Strauss” basketball court.
The plaques begin to tell a story of Camp Equinunk… The folklore of the Red and Gray, Color War, The Upper Senior Basketball Game, lovingly known as “The Game”, the names of the teams, the Seniors, the scores of the “game” and of the “war”. The real story behind the plaques is the lifelong Legacy of Brotherhood, Tradition and Family that Seniors and all of the campers, staff and parents have embraced throughout the ages.
The plaques are Equinunk national treasures, yet only this week I believe I have uncovered an answer to a question or should I say a mystery that has perplexed me and perhaps you as well. We all know that Camp Equinunk was founded in 1920, so why no plaque until ’42? Early yearbooks dating back to the ’20s reference “the game”, list the teams, players, scores and totals. So why no plaque until 22 years later?
My story begins with the early pioneer leaders, Seniors and other campers. These Camp Equinunk visionaries anticipated that someone or something so extraordinary would come along in the future that would be worthy of commemoration in a Senior plaque, a symbol of profound excellence. Their patience and wisdom was rewarded as number 42 was worn by Jackie Robinson, as he became the first “Negro” to cross the color line and integrate the sport five years later.
His number “42”, the title of a recent movie, depicts Robinson’s courage, intelligence and greatness in making his teammates and everyone around him more understanding and compassionate in a time when ignorance and bigotry often was the norm.
It’s no small wonder that “42” is the first plaque that adorns the walls of the CE Social Hall and that Major League Baseball followed our lead at camp and placed “42” plaques on the outfield walls of every big league stadium.
Just as early CE leaders and campers anticipated that greatness was coming in ’42, our current leadership and campers are expecting greatness in all of you this summer. We are so excited and sure that your friendship and kindness will continue to enrich the Camp Equinunk legacy in 2013.
Hobbies: Traveling, Dance, Zumba Favorite Color: Purple Favorite Book: The Art of Racing in the Rain
Tell us a little about yourself:
I am from Boca Raton, Florida and I love spending my summers at camp! I have spent 17 summers at a sleep away camp in the Catskills as a camper and staff member. I have dabbled in a little bit of everything at camp, from camper to junior counselor, counselor, group leader, and assistant programming director. I started out as a shy 8 year old at camp and little did I know how much camp would shape me into the outgoing and adventurous person I am today! I spent the past two years teaching English in Madrid, Spain. It was an amazing experience to live, work, and travel abroad and I know that I have camp to thank for that!
My hobbies include dance, cheerleading, zumba, traveling, and playing with my dog Kylie. I love being active but if I may reveal a secret, I’m not athletic at all! Camp has taught me that you don’t have to be good at something to enjoy it!
What are you most excited about?
I am really looking forward to getting to know the girls of Blue Ridge and learning about the culture and traditions. I am also looking forward to sharing my camp experiences and stories. I’ve heard amazing things about the CECBR community and am very excited to become a part of something so special.
What is your favorite camp quote? Camp is like a joke you have to be there to get it. (it’s so true!)
Favorite camp moment:
It’s so hard to pinpoint one favorite moment! There are just too many! Sometimes, it’s those moments just sitting around laughing over nothing with your camp friends which are the best ones. Also I found watching my former campers grow up to be amazing counselors a very rewarding experience.
What is your favorite camp meal?
Hands down, French toast (with extra powdered sugar), but barbeque is a close second!
What is your favorite camp activity?
I enjoy anything that involves dance and I love zumba! I also like gaga and a game called BBG – it’s a mix of basketball and kickball!
We caught up with Equinunk Head Counselor Gil Kreiss to talk about the summer, his love for camp and more! Check it out:
What is your favorite camp moment?
The first evening’s flag pole line up, is the first time the whole camp lines up around the flag pole. This is such a special time to see the new campers faces as they take part in a tradition that has gone on in camp since day one. The returning campers have taken their “NEW” place. I get to speak to Camp Equinunk as a whole for the first time, making announcements and some very important introductions of key staff and of course, our Directors Richie and Adam. The moment continues as we enter the Mess Hall for the first time and have our first meal. The energy is stupendous and when the seniors start to sing, it is truly amazing!.
Any advice for anyone new to Equinunk?
Be prepared to have the time of your life. Yes, you will need to be ready to be away from your parents for the first time, but the family at Equinunk that awaits you will welcome you with open arms and make you feel right at home. Be open to trying new activities, meeting new people and experiencing new things. If you are open-mided, then the 7 weeks at Camp Equinunk are going to race by quicker than you can say “sign me up for next year!!”
Are there any special events you are looking forward to this summer?
There are a few annual events that I truly look forward to, The Hamen Hockey Classic, Square Dancing and Premi’s BBQ’s. This will be the 6th annual Hockey Classic and it seems to get funnier and better each year! To see the staff play roller hockey is pretty incredible. These guys get out there give it their all even though they have little to no ability to skate. The game itself can be one of the funniest all camp events. For square dancing, Sue and Lou Flago bring such a high level of excitement even when just their names are mentioned. Now add in the camp atmosphere of campers dressing up and the night becomes a big costume party with incredible square dancing with a world renowned caller. The NIGHT is SPECTACULAR!!!!! Last but certainly not least, I am also looking forward to Premi’s BBQ. Anyone who is lucky enough to ever have Eric Premisler cook for them at camp would most definitely say that they always look forward to Premi’s cooking and that the event is something to cherished.
What keeps you coming back?
The true sense of family that I feel when I walk onto the campus keeps me coming back each summer. Right away I feel like I am home and everyone surrounding me is my family. I hope to make everyone that I come in contact with at camp feel the same way. I hope to help the staff have a great summer and also facilitate a great summer for the campers. I come back year after year because I truly enjoy being at camp and want to continue doing a job I started a number of years ago and keep improving at it each and every summer. I try to challenge myself all the time to be better and if I take on that philosophy, the staff I work with sees that, I’m sure that they will work harder to ensure the campers have an amazing summer.
What does “we live for this” mean to you?
We Live for this – means to me that camp is an important part of my life and my family’s life. We all enjoy camp and think that the experience we all gain from being at Equinunk and Blue Ridge is invaluable.
We caught up with Blue Ridge Head Counselor Lori Scheck and asked her some questions about Summer 2013 and camp itself! Check it out:
What are some of your favorite camp moments?
One of my favorite camp moments every summer is watching each camper walk down the Social Hall floor during formation of Group Sing. Seeing all those huge smiles is incredible and the sheer excitement is so apparent as each camper makes their own contribution to Sing. The returning campers are so happy to be taking part in another Sing, however, it’s watching the first year campers which makes the moment so special for me. The looks on their faces are priceless, knowing that they have now become part of the history and tradition of Blue Ridge.
Any advice for anyone new to Equiunk and Blue Ridge?
I would advise all new campers to try something new, perhaps something they never even thought that they would do. And, do this with new friends! It might be swimming in the lake, or climbing the wall, or trying out for a show. Even if you are not sure if you will like something…give it a try and ask a friend to do it with you! We will be there supporting you and cheering you on
Are there any special events you are looking forward to this summer?
All of them!! It’s hard to pick just one. Whether it’s Sports Day, Tribal Day, Square Dancing, or Colorwar Sing…They are all very special in their own way. What these all have in common is that we come together as a camp and experience these events together, and I get excited each and every time. What keeps you coming back?
The entire experience and essence of Blue Ridge is what keeps me coming back. It all starts with the campers and counselors . Then mixed with the lake, sunshine, spirit, meals in the Mess Hall, general swim, traditions, and flagpole line-up (I could go on and on!) it all comes together and I keep coming back for more.
What does “we live for this” mean to you?
“We Live For This” means that there is an ever present special feeling of being connected to an awesome place – A home that I can return to every summer. I feel so fortunate that I can help create a place where others feel that connection and special feeling.
We hope you are enjoying our Winter Issue of The Buzzer! We would love to send copies of The Buzzer to your camper directly. In order to do so, please fill out the form:
As members of our Camps Equinunk & Blue Ridge family, you are well aware of our commitment to maintain a Wholesome, Inclusive and Nurturing Environment during the summer months and year-round. It is with this philosophy in mind that we take a stand against bullying. CNN has produced a documentary called “The Bully Effect” which follows the stories of a number of people filmmaker Lee Hirsch introduced audiences to in his remarkable 2012 film “Bully.” These are kids and parents who have taken their pain, their suffering, their grief and turned it into action. The documentary will air this evening on CNN’s Anderson Cooper at 10 PM.
We strongly encourage CECBR parents, staff and campers to tune in tonight and invite you to join the conversation and take a stand on bullying.
Hi CECBR! I took this picture of the Equinunk lake in the beginning of the summer. Early in the morning I was on the camp boat and it was a nice day out so I thought it would be a good picture. The picture was taken when the boat was in the middle of the lake. Can’t wait to see everyone at the reunion!
We’ve been running into camp families everywhere we travel and hearing how much they are enjoying Richie’s stories. Our hope for you is that you will listen to them over and over and begin to tell them and re-tell them, re-make them and re-invent them in your own way. Embellishments of the original tales have been added to and augmented in bedtime re-telling’s for generations of Equinunk and Blue Ridge campers.
To grow-up steeped in these telling’s is to learn two unforgettable lessons: first, that some of these stories may have not been “completely” true. (There are no real genies in bottles or flying carpets) but even if they were not true they could make you feel and know truths that the truth could not tell you, and second that they all belong to you, just as they belong to us. They are yours to alter and renew, yours to laugh at and live in , to give these stories life and to be given life by them in return. The stories are your Equinunk and Blue Ridge birthright.
