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| there are 118 days till Session 1 2021.... |
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Dear French Woods Families
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Last month, twenty of my camp friends got together on zoom to visit and reminisce about what camp was like twenty plus years ago. There are truly no friends like camp friends!
Camp plans are full speed ahead and the staff is starting to take shape. We still are looking for staff in a variety of positions from tech theater and waterfront staff to kitchen, office and medical staff. Do you know someone who is interested in a camp job this summer? Applications can be submitted on our website.
We can’t wait to see you all this summer!
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February 1
Adelaide Fargo
Alexandra Krum
Carolina Cuomo
Ilana Rikon
Scarlett Gitterman
February 2
Azul Girola
Constantino Barahona
Evan Persbacker
Eve Traxler
Micah Bierman
Sofia Ayral-Hutton
February 3
Ava Testa
Charlotte Holcman
February 4
Agyness Valente
Gianna Previdi
Matteo Salimbeni
Rianna LaVerdiere
February 5
Adrienne Guss
Alana Melillo
Casey Peckham
Ella Maruszewski
Isabel Portillo-Collell
Maria Portillo-Collell
Nikkilyn Fields
February 6
Amelia Werkheiser
Howard Roslyn
Samuel Dell
Sutton Greenberg
February 7
Adyson Schwalb
Sophie Paul
February 8
Alexandra Haberman
Audrey Andrews
Brea Gladstone
Isaiah Woods
Oscar Gluck
Sammy Scheiner
Samuel Pincus
Tanner Tierney
February 9
Bennett Resner
Kayla Giribaldi
Phoebe Barlow
Ryan Witz
Stephen Vellucci
February 10
Amara Freundschuh
Jadeyn Foster
Sadie Storch
Shoshana Levine
Sienna Schott
Theodore Broder
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February 11
Casey Moskowitz
Ella Chapin
Emma Rose
Katherine Borenstein
Luisa Tripoli-Krasnow
February 12
Caitlin Fisch
Charlotte Tuttle
Delphine D'Hollander
Fiona Brown-Kempf
Jake Friedman
Noah Abel
Tiffany Kumar
Yash Chaddha
February 13
Ava Hurley
Hinda Goldstein
Kiera Chiu
Maxwell Seelig
Samuel Sherman
February 14
Alice Weinstock
Sadie Horvath
Sedona Raphael
Tristan Knauf
Valentina Gomez
February 15
Brandon Goldberg
Joseph Ham
Josephine Bullock
Simon Maxwell
Zoe Chapin
February 16
Anatole Blechman
Grace Khuzami
Sarah Rappoport
Serena Dugan
February 17
Austin Perkowski
Haley Garis
Isabel Denbo
Jeeya Ballaney
Scarlette Bejarano
Setareh Trojanow
Zachary Rider
February 18
Dashiell Cranmer
Remington Burden Holz
February 19
Aille Sweeney
Ella Stabile
Evan Singer
Mya Warner
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February 21
Adeyemi Lewis
Grant Herman
Hannah Melnick
February 22
Benjamin Hoffman
Chasidey Brown
Madeline Tulagan
Truman Steinberg
February 23
Evan Lansburgh
Finley Rolontz
Greta Vaughn
Noah Levine
February 24
Avi Puthan
Brooke Goldberg
Lily Jaramillo
Naomi Shrem
Olivia Kaplan
Tiffany Marcus
Zoe Hudgins
February 25
Carly Gaynor
Charles Morris
Ekua Dufu
Eliana Herskovitz
Jack Glick
Sophie Pugh
Teshura Goldman
Veruka Salomone
Willa Hart
February 26
Alison Dell
Gina Wilson
Skyla Perkowski
February 27
Annemarie Foley
Bradley Cordero
Elsie Ross
Harrison Shear
Jade Morisseau
Layla Gerstin
Leah Gottsegen
Maya Brimfield
Noah Hertzman
Samuel Greenwald
February 28
Amelia Garrett
Daniela Barros
Fischer Farbman
Lauren Herman
Raphael Allnutt
Sienna Larren
Stephanie Contreras
February 29
Eli Bomse
Harry Ellis
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Aladdin Kids Ages 7-9
Aladdin gets mixed up in a nefarious plot by Jafar, the advisor to the sultan. He discovers the secret of the lamp and the comic hilarity that lies inside. Aladdin gets three wishes from the Genie in the bottle and Al’s life will never be the same. Will Aladdin fulfill his deepest desires, or will he rescue the princess and take a magic carpet ride into the sunset?
Annie Jr. Ages 9-11
"Annie" is a spunky Depression-era orphan determined to find her parents, who abandoned her years ago on the doorstep of a New York City Orphanage run by the cruel, embittered Miss Hannigan. In adventure after fun-filled adventure, Annie foils Miss Hannigan's evil machinations, befriends President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and finds a new family and home in billionaire Oliver Warbucks, his personal secretary Grace Farrell and a lovable mutt named Sandy.
Bugsy Malone Jr. Ages 9-11
This is a pie-flinging, pinstripe-wearing, pint-sized classic. It seems Fat Sam, who runs one of the most popular speakeasies in town, is in danger of being closed down by his “business rival,” Dandy Dan. Enter - baby-faced Bugsy Malone, a killer with the ladies and a definite asset to Fat Sam. Unfortunately, Bugsy has also caught the eye of Sam’s girlfriend Tallulah – though he has set his designs on the showgirl, Blousey Brown.
We Will Rock You Ages 9-11
This show is based on the songs of Queen with a book by Ben Elton. Elton fashioned this hilarious futurist comedy around more than 24 of Queen’s biggest hit songs. WE WILL ROCK YOU reflects the scale and spectacle that marked Queen’s live performances and earned the band its pinnacle position in rock history.
Honk Ages 11-12
This is the story of Ugly, whose odd, gawky looks instantly incite prejudice from his family and neighbors. Separated from the farm and pursued by a hungry Cat, Ugly must find his way home. Along his rollicking and harrowing journey, he not only discovers his true beauty and glorious destiny, but also finds love and acceptance in all its forms.
Crazy for You Ages 11-14
Bobby Childs is a well-to-do 1930’s playboy, whose dream in life is to dance. And despite the serious efforts of his mother and soon-to-be-ex-fiancee, Bobby achieves his dream! It’s a high energy comedy that includes mistaken identity, plot twists, and fabulous dance numbers. With Classic Gershwin tunes including I Got Rhythm, Nice Work if You Can Get It, Embraceable You and more
Do Re Mi Ages 11-14
The reformed gangster, Hubie Cram, is trying to make it big in the juke box and music promotion business. However, when things don't go as planned, gangsters re-enter his life causing further troubles to his marriage. The only thing he does succeed at is making a star out of a young singer.
Beehive Ages 11-14
BEEHIVE celebrates the powerful female voices of the 1960’s with such timeless hits as My Boyfriend’s Back, Be My Baby, Son of a Preacher Man and Me and Bobby McGee. Told from the perspective of six young women who come of age in this enigmatic decade, BEEHIVE takes us from their first Beehive Dance to the challenges we faced as a nation.
On the Town Ages 11-17
With a fluid integration of drama, comedy, jazz, classical and popular ballads, On the Town stands as one of the great innovative works in the history of musical theater. Three sailors - Gabey, Chip and Ozzie - let loose on a 24-hour pass in New York and the Big Apple will never be the same!
Parade Ages 11-17
In 1913, Leo Frank, a Brooklyn-raised Jew living in Georgia, is put on trial for the murder of thirteen-year-old Mary Phagan, a factory worker under his employ. Already guilty in the eyes of everyone around him, a sensationalist publisher and a janitor's false testimony seal Leo's fate. His only defenders are a governor with a conscience and, eventually, his assimilated Southern wife, who finds the strength and love to become his greatest champion.
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum Ages 11-17
The musical tells the bawdy story of a slave named Pseudolus and his attempts to win his freedom by helping his young master woo the girl next door. The plot displays many classic elements of farce, including puns, the slamming of doors, cases of mistaken identity (frequently involving characters disguising themselves as one another), and satirical comments on social class. The title derives from a line often used by vaudeville comedians to begin a story: "A funny thing happened on the way to the theater". Music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart..
Failure a Love Story Ages 11-17
By the end of 1928, all three Fail sisters will be dead -- expiring in reverse order, youngest to oldest, from a blunt object to the head, disappearance, and finally consumption. Tuneful songs, and a whimsical chorus follow the story of Nelly, Jenny June, and Gerty as they live out their lives above the family clock repair shop near the Chicago River, before their time unexpectedly runs out. A magical, musical fable where, in the end, the power of love is far greater than any individual's successes or failures.
Stop Kiss Ages 11-17
A kiss is still a kiss, but the world doesn't always welcome lovers. Callie learns that fact the hard way in Stop Kiss, a play by Diana Son.
*Subject to Change
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Since, last March 2020, we’ve all spent a great deal of time using computers, tablets and smartphones as a means to communicate with one another and stay informed.
For most of you, your digital devices also have become a replacement for classroom learning; your parents are home trying to work online/ on Zoom and it’s also the way we keep up-to-date – with everything. The reliance on social media and digital technology to keep us informed and entertained also has increased, (What shows are you binge watching now?) driving us to check notifications and scroll more frequently than ever before.
There is little doubt that during this time at home, social media satisfied cravings for attention and positive reinforcement. We’ve lost and somewhat forgot what it's like to be ‘in the moment’. The lack of social gatherings, the lack of in-person school, the close quarters with our siblings and parents – all have given us more time to interact with devices.
Camp, gives us the ways and the means to take a digital detox from our digital dependency. At French Woods, we believe whole-heartedly that our campers desperately want and need in-person interaction. Even if it is with safe social distancing and masks (until we create that ‘bubble’) we know that returning to in-person communication and acting and singing are all so exciting and vital to good mental health and well-being.
For the good of us all, campers at French Woods will not be allowed to bring any cellphone or electronic device that has access to WIFI, cell service or is otherwise able to transfer data to camp. Campers who are flying to FWF may bring their phones on their journey, but must turn them in to the office upon arrival. We will store the phones in the office until those campers finish their stay at FWF.
Parents, please be respectful of our rules and partner with FWF by communicating this message at home. For any summer, including 2021, this cell phone and electronic policy aligns with our mission of allowing campers the opportunity to gain independence, learn self-advocacy, and immerse themselves in our camp culture and program. We know parents and children want that too.
While WIFI is out, we do recognize that reading and music play a key role in a French Woods camper’s daily life and their mental health. Music Players (like an iPod Nano Shuffle or inexpensive MP3 player) must have music already downloaded since campers will not be able to stream or download any item while at camp. For note taking – bring a notebook and pencil; for reading – bring books. Campers requiring school or professional contact may do so in our WIFI classroom or from the camp office. If a camper is found with a cell phone or any device that is WIFI capable, that device will be taken away.
Every FWF cabin has a computer set up for email which is open every session after the first few days. In addition, camp phones are open for calling out after the first week of every session. For campers staying more than one session, we will facilitate a video call. Further, we suggest every camper bring a disposable or digital camera to camp to record their stay.
Keep counting the days! 118 days till Session 1 and 137 days to Session 2!
Isaac
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2nd Year CIT, Lana Schwartz founded the non-profit organization Nxt Generation Theatrics (www.nxtgentheatrics.com). NGT is an NYC-based theater company run entirely by teens. All functions related to both the organization and its productions are performed and managed by teenagers. The organization was formed in order to create more opportunities to empower teens and to help the next generation gain experience and exposure to the arts by jumping in and managing every aspect of creating a theatrical experience.
NGT is currently producing their 2021 Winter Concert, that will be streamed online on February 20th. It features 24 talented young performers, many of whom are also French Woods campers (Robert Avigdor, Ali Baldacchino, Lizzie Buller, Jalen Bunch, Lizzie Chin, Maddie Dick, Simone DiNota, Collin Flanagan, Tiffany Kumar, Lizzy Molfetto, Grace Riedy, Lily Ventura, and Morgan Ziegler).
The cast unanimously agreed that to donate 10% of the proceeds from the Concert to our Hancock-French Woods Arts Alliance (hfwaa.org). Here’s the ticket link: bit.ly/NGTWinterConcert .
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CIT/Leadership Program Update
February 6th was Super Bowl Sunday but it was also our first CIT Zoom Sessions that discussed the Impact Artist™ leadership program with 49 2021 CIT’s, Carolyn, Jade and me!
It was so great to see so many of you! There was a lot of enthusiasm for the new component to our traditional CIT program and a lot of happy excitement for us all to be together again, even if on Zoom. We hope we answered your questions and we loved all the brainstorming that ensued of just how to integrate the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into each person’s passion and artistry. If you missed it, here is a recording link of the Feb. 6th, 3:30 pm meeting. https://youtu.be/EcZG2x4SVLs
We urge all our CIT’s to get involved and if you did not have an opportunity to complete our CIT questionnaire, it’s not too late. Here is the link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdqfAjM71LF8Eko7uOEVIF8WXovteUUdTitZIKLj8s3Ir5fNQ/viewform
So, what is the FWF CIT program? Here is a short run-down:
• 1st and 2nd year CIT’s sleep in bunks with their peers
• Super CIT’s sleep in a bunk with younger children and are like junior counselors (in the bunk) but still enjoy their own camp activities.
• Carolyn will offer both before-camp training via zoom and in-camp training where you can practice team building, brainstorming, learning how to deal with different personalities and do situational role-playing.
We have a new component that will enhance the existing CIT program.
The Impact Artist™ leadership program focuses on empowering young people to build a more loving and sustainable world through creativity, expression, passion and artistic activism. We are collaborating with the non-profit organization, Entertainment for Change, and utilizing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) including (but not limited to) good health and well-being, gender equality, climate action, no poverty, quality education, poverty and reduced inequalities.
Jade Zaroff, FWF alum and founder of Entertainment for Change, will join us at camp this summer and will facilitate this portion of the program. She will utilize leadership and empowerment tactics, engaging games to explore intrinsic beliefs around important cultural topics, safe spaces to express yourselves freely and authentically and of course education around the UN SDGs and how to collaborate effectively.
We want our CITs to want to be empowered by offering them the opportunity to BE the change by BEING an Impact Artist™ and amplifying their youth voices. We are inviting alum to get involved in this program.
CIT’s have the option of taking Impact Artist™ leadership program as a major or minor. In addition, they will be a part of the traditional CIT program that focuses more on specific camp counselor training and service to French Woods.
Overall Time Requirements for CITs*:
1st Year CITs: 1 hour per day
2nd Year CITs: 2 hours per day
Super CITs: live in a younger camper bunk + 2 hours per day
*Carolyn will work with you if this time requirement conflicts with your daily activities. Single session CIT’s have a lesser commitment.
Community Service hours are available.
Please email cit@frenchwoods.com with any questions, comments or concerns.
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Important Online Forms and Documents
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It is not too soon to get started on your camp forms regardless of which session(s) your child is registered for!
Forms and documents are accessible online. The forms you submit online become attached automatically to your child’s file. Please, please help us by getting this done timely. Fill out your Bunk Requests now.
ONLINE INSTRUCTIONS: Please go to frenchwoods.com and in the toolbar, click on “Login”. From there you will enter the parent email address that we have on file for you. If you have not yet had the chance to sign into CampIn Touch or if you forgot your password, click on retrieve/set password. Once you get your password, you will be directed to your Forms Dashboard. Click on Forms and Documents and there you will see two types of forms - the ones with a barcode icon must be printed out, filled in and signed by either the physician and/or parent.
The Registration, Physician’s Exam, Health Care Provider OTC’s, Parent Medical Authorization and Meningitis Vaccination forms are all forms to be printed out. Once completed and signed, you can scan the completed/signed forms into your computer and upload each form on to your dashboard or you can fax them back to the designated faxback number on the bottom of the forms (845) 468-7078. (It is important that you use this faxback number only to faxback forms.)
The other forms type has a computer monitor icon. Those are all web-based forms and can be filled in online. The Application, Bunk Requests, Transportation, Health History, Immunizations, Activity Preference, Tennis lesson signup, Race for the Arts and Verification forms are all web-based forms. Please call the office if you need any assistance at all. We are here to help you. (607) 637-8400
Below the Forms and Documents for your camper you will find Forms and Documents for Your Family. There you will find important information including a revised 2021 packing list and information about CampMeds. If your child takes medication, New York state requires individual packaging of all meds. CampMeds can help you take care of this requirement. Please note that no child will be admitted to camp without a completed medical form signed by your physician. In addition, all immunizations must be documented. These are New York State Health Department rules that we must abide by.
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Hey Frenchwoodite,
You can’t believe how beautiful the camp looks right now, covered with 20 plus inches of snow. One of our neighbors called a few days ago to ask if he could drive his car out on the lake and go ice fishing! Louie sends me pictures all the time. I miss going up in the winter and enjoying the snow.
Now that we’ve received out covid shots, Barbara and I are able to get out a little more. For months, it has been back and forth to the office and little else. Now, Beth and Tristin were able to join me on the beach last week.
We’ve been able to eat out, but only in outdoor restaurants. It’s still important to stay safe.
As soon as you can, try and get your vaccinations. You will love the feeling of freedom they provide. I can’t wait for camp for a sense of normalcy to return.
Anyway, Happy Valentine's Day. Camp is almost here.
Ron
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The Performer is Your Newsletter
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The Performer is only as good as the contributions we receive from the French Woods community. Let us know what is going on in your life.
Your camp friends love to hear what you are doing.
email admin@frenchwoods.com, call 607-637--8400 or write us at P.O. Box 770100, Coral Springs, FL 33077-0100.
We love hearing from you.
You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter
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