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Dear French Woods Families
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Being together in person for the summer of 2021 was a gift to us all. Thank you to each and every camper and counselor that made this summer possible!
The casts of Songs For A New World, Gypsy, Newsies and Cinderella made my summer.
Our maintenance crew will continue working on upgrades to the bunks, and we are discussing upgrades to the theaters. Stay tuned.
While we are enjoying the quiet time, we miss the creativity and laughter. We can’t wait till we see you again in 2022!
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The 2022 Proposed Show list*
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Session One 11-17 Anastasia Hello Dolly Funny Girl
11-14 Anything Goes Redhead The Pajama Game Do Re Me
7-11 Finding Nemo The Jungle Book The Phantom Tollbooth Disney’s Aladdin Session Two 11-17 The Prom Sweeney Todd Seussical Catch Me If You Can
11-14 Guys and Dolls The Boy Friend A Year With Frog & Toad My Favorite Year
7-11 101 Dalmations The Aristocrats Freckleface Strawberry Frozen How To Eat Like A Child
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Session Three 11-17 Fiddler on the Roof Mama Mia On The Town Nine
11-14 Camp Rock She Loves Me Bye Bye Birdie Beauty and the Beast Oliver
7-11 Bugsy Malone Free To Be You and Me The Happy Elf Snow White
Session Four 11-17 Annie Ragtime Amelie
11-14 The Drowsey Chaperone Wonderful Town Annie Get Your Gun James and the Giant Peach
7-11 The Little Mermaid Tangled Finding Nemo Rapunzel
Stock Show Come from Away
Two Dramas each session to be determined
*All Shows Subject to Change
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Theater The theater that was created this summer was extra special. We saw so much heart and joy each and every day, from rehearsals, to classes, to troupes and everything in between. While we missed Festival Days with families in attendance, our campers perfromed live and it was great. We still had Premiers including Theory of Relativity, The Other Josh Cohen, Beehive, Spongebob Squarepants, 57th National Mathlete, Mean Girls, Moana Jr and the newest version of Cinderella. We cannot wait to see you grace the French Woods stages again in 2022!
Costumes From the students in our classes to the apprentices who worked on the shows, thank you so much for creating with us! We had a blast getting to know you, thanks for being "sew" great.
Music Congratulations to the ENTIRE music program at French Woods for bringing music back to French Woods stronger than ever in 2021. You certainly made up for no music in 2020 by bringing even more. And for the second time in the past two summers of in person programming, we had an all-camper pit and it was the closing show! Congrats to our Concerto Night and Side by Side Soloists and to all who had a chance to work with such a dynamic staff and guest artists from The Baltimore Symphony, The New York Pops and The Pittsburgh Symphony. I cannot wait to see what is in store for 2022!
Circus This summer we were able to see campers face their fears and do more than they ever imagined possible! We hope they attack the coming year with the same spirit they have at camp. Thank you for your trust, dedication, and enthusiasm. -Ashleigh, Arron, and the 2021 Circus Staff
Waterfront It was super great having you all come down to waterfront and the pool this summer despite the quality of the weather we had. We loved seeing you all learning new water sports skills, creating awesome Ski shows and swimming - even in the rain. Cannot wait to see you all return in the summer of 2022 where we will be BIGGER, BETTER, SUNNIER, and WETTER! Love you all, from Billy-Ray and the waterfront team... “BUDDY CHECK”!
Cooking I am so proud to have seen all of the kids learn so much, cook and bake their hearts out, and of course give their all during Chopped!! I hope you ALL take what you learned here and fearlessly cook for your friends and family! Don’t forget to keep an eye out on the IG page for more recipes from this summer! ❤️ Follow @ FWF_CCRecipesLove ya!
Fine Arts This has been an extra special year to see smiles and share hugs and spread joy at Frenchwoods. We hope that everyone stays healthy and can return next summer!
Dance The Dance Department had a busy summer filled with creativity, teamwork and dedication. Dance classes and choreography in an environment always looking to get the best from our campers as they improve their craft and have fun! Looking forward to seeing everyone next year!
Film We had such an amazing summer in Film! Our campers produced 84 short films which can all be seen on our YouTube page, FrenchWoodsVideo. Please check them out! Can't wait to see you next summer and make more films with you all!
Magic Lots of fun in the Magic Department this year -- cards, coins, ropes, balloons... and of course, Trick of the Day. Next summer? We look forward to an even larger staff and lots of big stage performances!
Skatepark It’s been amazing seeing everyone come with a lot of determination and enthusiasm to learn so much more than they thought they could. I hope you all continue to practice what you learned and hope to see you all next year!
Rock Shop This summer at Rock Shop over 150 different bands performed together on a stage. We feel honored to have had the chance to make music with so many talented and hard-working people! Hope to see you all next year!
Horseback Such an amazing summer with the horses and all of you, I can't believe it's over! Please keep in touch - you can follow our Instagram at @FWFhorseback for pics and posts from the summer, plus occasional updates about our horses and how they're doing. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm still busy picking out bits of hay from everything I own. Love, Cat (and Rio)
Impact Artist I miss our Impact Artist family so much! What an incredible first year. I am so beyond proud of each and every one of you for being brave and empowered enough to share your voice, your passion, and your truth. Please follow @entertainmentforchange and hashtag #ImpactArtist so we can stay in touch! Endless, unconditional love! 💚 - Jade
Ropes Project Adventure empowered an amazing group of kids with courage that reached the Sky and beyond! Big shout out to all the staff who made this happen! Thank you and hope to see you all again next year!
Sports The Campers worked hard and dedicated themselves all summer to improving their skills and having lots of fun while doing it. SPORTS!
Fitness From the entire Mo Fitness Center staff to you, we hope you all had an awesome and motivated summer. Hopefully the soreness has passed, but that the memories remain. We all enjoyed having you spend time at the gym and allowed us to keep you safe and engaged. Stay safe, stay motivated, and remember… GET YOKED!
Tennis We welcomed John from India as our Head of Tennis this summer. Camper/Camper tournaments, Camper/Counselor Tournaments, 900 private lessons and clinics and of course fitness when it rained! A great time was had by all. See you next year.
Kitchen The kitchen and dining room staff had such a great summer this year! We certainly worked hard... but knowing how much everyone enjoyed the meals certainly makes it all worthwhile. Special thanks to our Campers who were part of the internship program.
Program Office & HFWAA Majors and Minors, Race for the Arts, sooo many parties, Self-Tapes, arrivals and departures, more parties, and seeing the campers everyday kept the 2021 Program Office motivated, excited, busy and just happy to be back. See you in 2022.
Head Counselors The Head Counselors (Carolyn, Debbie, Carson, Emma, Mariana, Bernard and Robson) have such amazing memories: talent shows, dances, gaga ball, Brain Wars, Sing, Banquet, bunk bonding, taking masks off! - too many great events to name! It was so wonderful to get to know so many campers and we can’t wait to see everyone again next year! Please keep in touch.
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Hey Frenchwoodites:
This was a summer like no other. Covid, a ban on international staff and the effects of having the camp closed in 2020 left us with so much to overcome. Wow, did you guys come through.
Everyone helped, from camper thru counselor. Super CITs rose to the occasion and helped train the counselor staff. Counselors, who had no idea of the performing arts became aware of music and theater.
Despite many sleepless nights, we went thru a Covid-free summer. Even though there was almost no visiting, the performances excelled.
I want to thank the casts of Damn Yankees, Mary Poppins, Blood Brothers and Oklahoma for their excellent work and giving me such pleasure. I think I will be singing the songs from Oklahoma all winter long. When I was asked by Beth to direct Mary Poppins I never even guessed what a great show it is. Damn Yankees has long been one of my favorites and Blood Brothers can always make me cry.
Well, on to 2022. I don’t think I will ever lose the love of French Woods.
Hope to see all of you.
Ron
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Session 5 is another awesome French Woods tradition that gives new and returning campers the chance to experience a short time away from home, participating in performing arts and traditional camp activities with the feeling of success that comes from both.
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Lost items that were labeled with the campers' complete names have been sent out. All other nonlabeled items have been donated to charity.
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Congratulations to both Sammy Dell and Alyssa Marvin who have been cast in the new musical, Trevor. Previews will begin October 25th prior to an official opening November 10th at Off-Broadway's Stage 42. Close to 2,000 kids auditioned for the show.
Hudson Flynn wrote and directed a short film that he worked on throughout covid, beginning in February 2020 and finishing in May 2021, called Friday. https://shortedfilms.com/short-films/friday-school-gun-violence/ It stars Oscar Salem and Jackson Steinberg, has a score composed by Noah Hertzman (staff), and Darah Barenholtz was the casting director. Zane Roth helped with sound operation, and Zach Asnis, Abby Gluck and Phoebe Chaplin came to participate on set as well. The film is on the film festival circuit right now where it is gaining much success.
See Amelia Sipkin in an HBO MAX original series, Gossip Girl, Season 1, Episode 4, "Fire Walks with Z" that originally aired on July 29, 2021.
Between the Bars, a new play by Lynn Clay Byrne and directed by French Woods Head of Film, Benjamin Viertel, follows five incarcerated individuals and their loved ones, bringing to light critical systemic failures and questioning who belongs on which side of the bars. This world premiere begins previews on September 22nd through October 3oth at HERE Arts Center in NYC -- visit btbplay.com for tickets.
Congratulations to Alison Frimmel and Monte Leng, our two Counselors of the Summer! You went above and beyond in both your work areas and the bunks and are incredible examples to your colleagues.
Our own Magic Larry is available for your special celebrations and parties! Birthdays, B'nai-Mitzvahs, Sweet 16's... and adult events as well. Larry's comedy magic will keep your guests guessing between the laughs, while involving them in a unique and personal form of entertainment. His Strolling Close-Up Magic is perfect for cocktail hours and corporate events. Want to really blow the minds of your guests? Be sure to ask about his new Interactive Magic! Would you like to continue (or start!) Magic Lessons at home? Take advantage of the pandemic! Larry is also available to teach virtually. For more details or to book a date, Larry can be reached at LarryDenburg@snip.net, or by phone at 973-980-9899.
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September 1 Isaac Allen Sasha Kleinberger Charlotte Thomas
September 2 Jolie Cannava Jade Chalmers Yiling Golub AvaClaire Lago Ella McGuinness
September 3 Octavya Cropper Madison Rudnitsky Vladislava Taranov Serena Zhang
September 4 Jonah Hertzman Stella Kross
September 5 Camille Agnifilo Alexandra Clayman Luca Fortuna Leah Herman Lauren Langer Austin Moore Lucy Schwarzman
Setember 6 Mariana Felizola Sadie Gubenko Olivia Kramer Ethan Walmark Amos Wolfe
September 7 Sofia Fromm Joshua Gordon Maggie James Emma Ramirez Sophia Russell
September 8 Ashley Hoberman
September 9 Nicolette Capparelli Georgina Molner Tariya Sapp Alexa Tuchman Alisha Vasan Vivian Williams
September 10 Georgia Costigan Jesse Gellert Andrew Korn
September 11 Samantha 'Sam' Greiner Aidan Kern Mila Murokh Hiro Spiller
September 12 Francesca Asher Phoenix Chalmers Aoife Oldroyd Daniel Rubinshteyn Brooke Tash
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September 13 Sawyer Chan Alexis Lanzano Isabella Lotenberg Avery Mascott Amelia Walsh Liam Walsh
September 14 Kori Berger Lilly Hulth Madeleine Hulth Talya Jacoby Mila Perez Carlos Santamaria Thelonius Waltuch Faye Yang Lorelei Zamore
September 15 Luke Brooks Sallie Brooks Bela Claure Charlie Faulkner Piper Greene Evanjeline Ramirez Lucia Roth
September 16 Adella Curkin Wyatt Dnistrian Sofia Donahue Noah Harkavy Olivia Hege Sabrina Roth Farah Safakamal Miracle Thomas
September 17 Lev Crispi Tori Feinstein Talia Grill Erik Krakauskas
September 18 Sabrina Blum Noah Daher Ailey Denson Riley Ewing Andalou Frezza Julianna Pabon
September 19 Annie Amamoo Sydney Berman Shayne Buddman Gillian Churchland Naomi Joseph Francesca Keeley Azlan Landry Nathaniel Lennon Challen Nassif Dylan Prime Christopher Senior
September 20 Rachel Cooper Genevieve Liles Julien Reynal Jaden Sabathia Shreyas Sacks Molly St Claire
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September 21 Abigale Basmanov Lilly Baumfeld Audrey Budabin Mia Evans Jordan Greenberg Frederick Merrill Eva Perez John Tsien
September 22 Elana Altman Ari Barak Zivi Barak Madeleine Baumkirchner Izzy Cale Stella Ward
September 23 Ahsher Curkin Solana Dulin Ben Gilad Ava Tucker Rowan Wechsler
September 24 Sequoia Anderson-Siegel Natalie Ewing Erica Liu Noa Murray Brendan O'Connell
September 25 Sydney Arzu Catherine Gorton Katya Khesin Harper Latcholia Ella Marinchak Shayna Meyer
September 26 Marlee Byers Hector Fringhian Madison Martin Bella McCarthy Alexandra Rehl Ilana Wasserman
September 27 Noah Brick Sadie Edelman Margaret Harblin Zoe Richards Talia Rosenberg Elizabeth Smaguine
September 28 India-Mae Fraser Mateo Gregorio Cassidy Holmwood Ella Kuperberg John Ray Sebastian Seifert Amy Stark Michaela Tulin
September 29 Dominique Alvarez Nicolette Clivio Marlo Feldman Nathaniel Gonzalez Ayla Katz Alessia O'Kane Wyatt Saru-Riley Nola Zicari
September 30 Alina Blyumin Russell Goldstein Edie Heyman Charlotte Lessar Ben Rozner
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We know you are all anxious to watch the Summer Videos of your campers! Our plan is to stream them all very soon. You will be receiving more information in the upcoming weeks. Thank you for your patience!
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Please do us a favor. So often when the French Woods office calls you, there is no answer. We understand that everyone monitors their calls now, but please just add us to your contacts. The same goes for emails. Adding us to your contacts (admin@frenchwoods.com) will prevent all that spam! One more thing, when you begin filling out your forms, returning families - please don't forget to add an updated photo of your child! 15 years old is not the same as 8! Thank you!!
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Just Registered (as of 09.22.21)
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Abigail Granowsky Abigail Murphy Adam Ginsburg Addison Geisler Addison Rodriguez Alessia O'Kane Alex Felberbaum Alexa Gunzburg Alexander Delgado Alexandra Mestel Alexandra Savoy Alexis Lee Alina Blyumin Allegra Brahin Amaia Gonzalez Amelia Walsh Andrew Korn Andrew Lull Andrew Simon-Terry Angelina Di Bari Anika Sherer Annabelle Hanlon Annali Doyle Anne Nodelman Annika Abramson Anton Popowitz Arabella Crofton Arden Wolfe Ari Barak Aria DeCicco Asher Broadway Ashley Hoberman Ashley King Ashton Michaels Audrey Brda Audrey Isserles Austin Moore Autumn Nardini Ava Baranowski Ava Boggan Ava Harkavy Ava Marie Trombino Aviva Burch Beatrice Dirksen Ben Wohl Benjamin Fertig Benjamin Sadowsky Bingene Gonzalez Blake Mallah Brayden Plutto Brianna Seigel Brooke Tash Bryce Beal Caelum Dulla Caitlin Fisch Camilla Wong Carly Stern Catherine Emily Cunningham Catherine Gorton Catherine Zeps Chandler Hurley Charlie Derick Charlie Douglas charlotte cramer Charlotte Holcman Charlotte Reiser Chloe Bolognino Chloe Braverman Chloe Hefner Clara Saba-Roinick Clive Withers Cody Braverman Connor Oliverio Dane Burch Daniel Dipaola David Weisfield Dean Santelia Dereje Tarrant Dominique Alvarez Dorian Vaughn Dylan Crespo Dylan Felberbaum Dylan Forman Dylan Glener Elan Cooperberg Elana Weisfield Eleri McGregor Eliana Ferrari Elirone Dabek Patruno Elise Dehlin Elizabeth Clare Elizabeth Khaychuk Ella Bodner Ella Fielding Ella Froah Ella Miller Ella Rae Gill Elle Baylor Elle Wanner Elliott Levine Emily Stepan-Jackson Emily Vegter Emma Gusler Emma Kelner Ethan Lafazan Ethan Silver Evan Gilbert Evan Singer Evelyn Cropper Evelyn Pasch Finley Rolontz Francesca Di Bari Fred Faulkner Gabby Samuels Gabriel Lafazan Gabriel Mikhno Gabriela Gigliani-Alcantarilla Gabriella Oliverio Gabrielle Aboutaam Georgiana Flaherty
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Gia Messana Giada O'Kane Gianna Lehane Grady Miranda Graham Paul Gus Murphy Hailey Simon Haley Ruthman Hannah Fertig Hannah Herman Har-El Shrem Harold Hurley Harper Brodsky Harper Wong Hayley Brick Haylie Christiano Henley Olefson Henry Derick Henry Dore Hinda Goldstein Hunter Simon Ilana Rikon Ilana Wasserman Imogen Notaro India-Mae Fraser Iris Zurlo Isabel Denbo Isabella Grundmann Isabelle Campbell Isadora Ruland Jack Glick Jacob Fisch Jacob Woodlee Jacob Zacks Jade Chalmers Jade McLanahan Jaden Robinson Jaden Singer Jaden Zipper Jadeyn Foster Jake Friedman Jake Heilbronn James Chin Jane Derick Jasmine Patrick Jasper Johnston Jeffrey Gould John Masamtula Jonah Hertzman Jonas Hinsdale Jordan Bentley Jordan Silver Josephyne Schaefer Julia Cruz Julia Zweig Juniper Brown Junya Thomas-McLeod Justin Glener Kaavya Shamdasani Kaia Dirksen Kara Saimovici Kasey Brymer Kate Schnall Katherine Purdy Katherine Sawyer Kaya Arenger Kayden Lipnicky Kayden Merritt Kayla Hertzberg Kelly Proctor Kennedy Hack-Juman Lake Robinovitz Lana Schwartz Layla Rodriguez Leah Glazer Leah Glenn Leah Gottsegen Leah Herman Leila Vetrini Levi Robinovitz Lia Binkevich Lia Scheier Liam Ruthman Liam Walsh Liat Skolnick Lily Tidman Lindsay Goldstein Liora Shuf Lorelei Zamore Luca O'Kane Lucas Storch Luka Arenger Luke Niehaus Lydia Freeman Maddie Wohl Madeleine Baumkirchner Madeleine Saleet madeleine smith Madeline Woodlee Madison Dalewitz Maeve Murray Maeve O'Shea Maggie Meyer Magnolia Brown Marcus Nguyen Marlo Alexander Mason Peluso Matilda Creane Matthew Frankel Max Guttman Max Wasserstein Maximilian Dring Mazzy Dring Melody Beron Melody Brandwein Mia Clements Michelle Jenkins Miranda Schneider Molly St Claire
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Naomi Shrem Natalie Goldstein Natalie Khaychuk Nathaniel Zipper Nayana Schott Nikkilyn Fields Noa Zacks Noah Brick Noah Harkavy Nola Schwartz Nolan Medalla Nora Gossett Octavya Cropper Olive Panter Oliver Olefson Oliver Saleet Olivia Feinblum Oscar Gluck Owen Baumkirchner Paige St. Claire Paisley Reynolds Penelope Tobin Persephone Arcement Petra Eskandar Phoebe Cooper Phoenix Chalmers Piper Greene Piper Jacoby Quinn Miranda Rachel Cooper Rachel Spencer Rafi Popowitz Rebecca Cohen Rebecca Mestel Rebecca Supcoff Reese Gilbert Rianna LaVerdiere Rikki Teicher Robert Ratcliff Rogan Weiser Roscoe Rubin-Rottenberg Rose Kotz Ruby Bearak Ruby Sherman Sabrina Bianco Sadie Ferrari Sadie Storch Sam Reinhard Samantha 'Sam' Greiner Samantha Belford Samantha Dipaola Samantha Marchena Samara Broadway Samuel Dell Sara Grant Sarah Fiely Sasha Gleizer Sawyer Chan Sawyer Rolontz Senna Lieber Serena Dugan Serena Krouk Shay Brymer Shayna Landow Shayna Meyer Shayne Buddman Shiloh Merritt Shirley Klein Sienna Freundschuh Sienna Schott Sienna Withers Simone Dinota Simran Grover Skye Decicco Sophia Dugan Sophia Hobby Sophie Glenn Sophie Knutzen Spencer Udin Stanley Bochar Stella Greene Sydney Hurley Tabitha Meyer Talia Bloomfield Talia Grill Talia Landow Taylor Rubenstein Thailen Merritt Thelma Rubin-Rottenberg Tinsley Louv Tristan Knauf Veda Panter Victoria Scott-Gonzalez Violet Peluso Vivian Dinota Vivian Kovelman William Garrity Wyatt Strasburg Wynne Wanner Zach Greenhawt Zachary Degen Zachary Eisenberg Zachary Udin Zack Roven Zane Eskandar Zivi Barak Zoe Abrams Zoe Levitt Zosia Sinton
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With summer 2021 complete and ‘in the books’ along with Rose and I being back in Florida, I’ve had the time to reflect upon what the last two years have meant to me.
Beginning when the Governor of NY closed down summer camps state-wide for 2020 and culminating with our reopening in 2021, it in short made me appreciate our special place, called French Woods, more than ever. As the Camp Director looking back on 13 weeks of camp filled with returning and new campers who once again were able to socialize, re-gain independence and perform this summer, I can unequivocally say the reopening in 2021 made us all cognizant of the importance of French Woods in our own lives and beyond.
Any summer at French Woods allows us the magic of Art and the beauty of Nature. We are a unique community that is accepting, supporting, nurturing and safe where a camper can find ‘their own,’ learn, grow and develop lifelong friendships, find new, exciting and unique activities, excel at their craft and experience personal, emotional, social and cultural growth found in few other environs.
But this summer was more than that. We’ve heard from many parents about what was accomplished this summer; it was revitalizing and I am not ashamed to see that we needed it. As a result, after 4 decades of summers at French Woods, I look forward to more adventures and challenges to come.
Thank you is not adequate to all of those that work beside me. We knew beforehand that there would have to be extraordinary ‘stepping-up’. This was not the summer to “rest on laurels.” Reaching beyond comfort zones turned out to be exceptionally restorative, rewarding and yes at times exhausting – but so worth it. To all our summer staff – you turned a very difficult and emotionally filled time into wonder, appreciation, love and kindness to the many campers this summer. You were dedicated, selfless agents of passion, teachers, students too, and you made it happen. We could not have succeeded without your strength and enduring steadfastness, loyalty and commitment to our campers.
In closing, I am sharing a couple of emails we received from parents, that say so much better than me, what this summer was to their children. (I hope they won't mind.) * * * * * * * * We just wanted to take a moment to write a letter of gratitude. It’s hard for us to express exactly what French Woods means to our son other than it’s his little slice of heaven. At camp he is free to be himself and his uniqueness and creativity are celebrated. At FW, he has found “his people” and he fits in just perfectly. It’s not always that easy for him back home to find that.
This summer you all had the unique challenges of COVID to contend with, but you still managed to create yet another magical summer experience for our son.
Wishing you a safe rest of the summer and year ahead, and we assure you [our camper] will be counting down the days until next summer. * * * * * * * * My husband and I would like to personally thank you for providing our son a world class camp experience this summer. He... cannot stop talking about his role… in Cabaret and how the staff on this show prepared him for the part. Speaking to a Holocaust survivor, viewing a video about the time period and having access to the musical director for one-on-one lessons are only a few of the things he shared.
The musical theater education provided at French Woods is top notch and my husband and I feel that sending [our son] to your camp is an investment in his future. He is already counting down the days to the summer of 2022.
We can't thank you enough for creating such a unique and special environment where my kid feels at home while doing what he loves the most. We are forever grateful.
Thank you also for your effort and dedication to making the camp covid-free this summer. I can only imagine the monumental effort that it took to accomplish. * * * * * * * *
In closing, as of September 1st, there are 281 days left until session 1, summer of 2022 and 300 days for the start of session 2. Isaac
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