Two of the most overused expressions in recent years were certainly not apropos to describe the experience of January 11th reunion. Campers, counselors, staff, and parents were all swept away in the excitement and emotion of the weekend. Months of planning, preparation, and delivery of the entire program enabled 900 members of our camp family to enjoy another wholesome event that is part of the Equinunk and Blue Ridge endless summer experience.
The values that we embrace as a camp community, the high regard that we hold one another, the love, compassion and friendship that was so visible on Saturday is an extension of what happens every day all summer long. Watching this take place in the short span of three hours in a narrow setting magnified for many of us how special, unique, and rare this is in society that regards some of the best moments as “whatever” or “it is what it is.” Those who know us best recognize that CE and CBR moments are tangible, measurable, and life changing. See you at the next one! : )
Looking for plans on Long Island this Sunday? Get out of the cold and come cheer on the CE Alumni Roller Hockey Team. Many current and former CE counselors have gotten together with friends from other camps in the area for a “Winter Classic Inter-Camp.”
Games will be played throughout the day on Sunday alongside a separate tournament — a number of high school aged campers have organized for themselves. We hope to See you there …Lets Go EQUINUNK!
Skate Safe America 182 Bethpage Sweet Hollow Road. Old Bethpage NY 11804
On Tuesday November 12th, Equinunk and Blue Ridge will take part in International Wear Your Summer Camp T-Shirt Day! All around the world, campers, staff, parents and alumni will take part in this big event to help raise money for SCOPE – Summer Camp Opportunities Promote Education. For every photo submitted to @CampCraze on Twitter and Instagram using the Hashtag #CampTShirtDay — CRAZE Interactive / Camp Craze will donate $2 to SCOPE to help give the gift of camp to children who would otherwise not have this life-changing experience.
Last year the same #CampTShirtDay initiative helped to raise money for families impacted by Superstorm Sandy, and this year we are raising money to support one of our favorite things – camp!
We are so grateful for our wonderful camp families and know you and your children truly value the summer camp experience, so we would love for you to join us in helping to give back in the “season of thanks and giving.” All you have to do is send a photo of your camper (or yourself) in a camp shirt on Nov. 12 and CRAZE Interactive/Camp Craze will do the rest! For every photo you send, they will donate $2 – think of the difference we can make! Let’s show them how much Camps Equinunk & Blue Ridge care about helping others!
Click Here and select “Events” for additional information on how to participate in #CampTShirtDay 2013! In addition to submitting the photos to the folks at CRAZE Interactive / Camp Craze – be sure to send them to us by emailing scott@cecbr.com so we can share in this great day of camp spirit and community!
We wanted to send out some additional information for our Winter Reunion set for January 11th in Westchester for all 2013 CECBR campers! We hope to see you there!
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 !
We hope you have enjoyed the long Memorial Day Weekend! This is a friendly reminder that our New Camper Picnic will be held this Sunday June 2nd at Camp Jacobson at Robin Hood.
The annual New Camper Picnic is designed for your child(ren) to meet other campers who are attending Equinunk and Blue Ridge for his/her first summer. The children will enjoy exciting activities, learn camp cheers, and share a buffet lunch with his/her new friends and counselors. Our New Camper Picnic is meant for new campers only. Siblings may attend, but may not participate in new camper events. Be sure to have your camper wear sneakers to the picnic so he/she may participate in all of the action! We are also asking for campers to be in “camp uniform” – Red or Gray for Equinunk and Blue or Grey for Blue Ridge!
Here is all of our 2013 Event Information:
Sunday, June 2nd @ Camp Jacobson at Robin Hood 340 Wheatley Road Old Westbury, NY 11568
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!
