2021 Final Buzzer
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CAMP BLUE RIDGE FINAL BUZZER 2021 ______________________________________________________ Dear Blue Ridge, THE MESS HALL!!!!! Remember when we ate in tents and in shifts early on in the summer? It worked and it was fun to be together and be back at camp, but the day we announced we could all go back into the Mess Hall was a game-changer!! It’s like a switch was flipped and everything went from black and white to living color!!! Because you all were in compliance and we all stayed healthy and safe, we got the green light to go indoors sooner than anticipated, lose the masks and all be together! As much as we all dreamed about this for such a long time, even for those who hadn’t experienced full camp dining and singing before, I’m not sure any of us could have anticipated the thrill and pure joy of this experience!! It was electric!! Why was this “first” such a big deal? That’s actually very easy to answer!! We are a family in the truest sense of the word. I think for many of us, having a meal with family is special. Our camp family feels it too and it’s a tradition that is honored every day, three times a day. Even though we see one another regularly, there’s a particular kind of excitement that occurs in the Mess Hall, where big and little sisters, “pretend” sisters, campers and staff all get to visit and share pieces of their day and hug and kiss as if it’s been weeks, not hours, since they saw each other last. It’s pretty extraordinary to watch and to be part of and the fact that this feeling continues every single day throughout the summer is actually astounding and yet very ordinary. How lucky are we?! Of course the bonus to all this is our Mess Hall singing which further unites our camp and sets Blue Ridge apart from any other place. When seven year olds and seventeen year olds are singing the same songs with the same excitement and volume along with our staff who can barely contain themselves with each song, then you know you’ve got something!!! I really wish the rest of the world could mirror what we created here and what we get to enjoy daily in the best way possible. The spirit, warmth and sense of belonging at Blue Ridge makes us a super family and it makes us all realize that Blue Ridge is more than a place - it’s your heart! The Mess Hall dynamics represents one of the many examples that we constantly experience at CBR. As a family, we are also always helping one another in various ways. Perhaps the greatest joy in life is in helping others. Sharing and giving of yourself without thought of receiving something in return is joyous. It’s impossible to do something for someone else without doing something for yourself at the same time. The communication and relationships we all share is the key to our long term success and will even transcend our days at camp. I couldn’t be more proud to be part of this exceptional family. I hope when you all return home, you’ll keep singing our wonderful songs, teach them to your families (maybe even teach them how to lead!!), and keep our music and our family ties close to your hearts until we can all reunite at Blue Ridge and in our Mess Hall next summer. Love you all so much, Sheryl A Note from Stef Dear Girls of Blue Ridge, I want to thank you all for welcoming me into the CBR family and for sharing your traditions, your culture, and your spirit with me. Being here at camp with you all makes me feel like I am part of one big, warm, loving, and fun (and loud!) family. It’s been an absolute pleasure getting to meet you, laugh with you, and make memories with you. I feel very lucky to be a part of the CBR family and can now officially understand we why #weliveforthis. Summer 2021 was definitely worth the 22 month wait and I am already counting down the days until we’re back together again next year. Love Always, Stef TOP 21 OF 2021 1.SPARKLE for SCOPE 12.The Drone Flying Away 2.Chuck on a Truck 13.Necklaces by Smeyers 3.Chuck in a Towel Bin 14.GEN Z Hair Clips 4.Unboxing Day 15.LEAGUES! 5.Dining al fresco at Breeze 16.Milkbar Poptarts 6.Theatre Thursdays 17.Color Fun Run 7.Towel Service! 18.LION KING! 8.Fanny Packs 19.Grey Epic 9.Fidgets & Popits 20.Blue Comeback 10.World Record Long Rainbow 21.Looking forward to Summer Looms 2022! 11.Club 2242 ON THE WATERFRONT Volume 41 No. 1 Chuck Porrazzo, CBR Waterfront Director 2021 Edition Prologue Well, well, well. This summer has been most unique in so many ways. We had a challenge that the CBR Waterfront staff rose to meet head on with our staff consisting of seasoned, dedicated, talented lifeguards joined by our energetic newcomers from Australia, Columbia, Mexico and that far away land called Wisconsin which we are told is located somewhere in the colder regions of the Midwest. Read on. How did they eat breakfast so fast? They’re still munching on their waffles but here they come, the Lower Sophs, for the first period of the day. They are all super stars who eagerly engage with their instructors learning to kick, kick, kick, blow bubbles, touch the line and get better every day. Their greatest accomplishment was passing the deep-water test so they could have fun in the park. That’s 250 yards. Not too shabby! Not to be outclassed the Upper Sophs showed their stuff when it came to swimming like young mermaids. Whether it came to mastering the crawl stroke or taking on the butterfly, the Upper Sophs never stopped giving it their all. Great improvements were made in all our swimming groups and a pleasure it was to have a part in helping you progress. But we would be remiss if the achievements of the Juniors and the Kadettes were not duly noted. Up and down the lanes they went each day ever seeking to hone that kick or stroke. They got to pull up that zipper for freestyle. Yes, it’s not the same as front crawl (Gummi Bears if you can tell me why.) Ice cream eating in the pool for breaststroke was also a daily treat. And do we all recall when we first practiced the kick for butterfly and became dolphins? Onto the Afternoon Our largest and perhaps most energetic period is with the Inters, both Uppers and Lowers who decided to rename themselves in a novel touch. Most clever. They were afforded the opportunity to choose what they wanted to do each session. Great debates were held concerning what exactly is the best tasting color for Gummies and are sour gummies really gummies at all. It was resolved that only the Supreme Court should decide. Thank you to all for your stimulating sessions and a special thanks to my besties. Long live my BFFs and the Inters! Name change Things come and go. That is most true for the final period of the day. This time the Seniors were joined by the Mediates- told you this summer was unique- for a relaxing swim or a sun tanning session at the pool complete with music. Formerly known as the spa period we thought that a makeover was long overdue. Henceforth, period five will be called Club Blue Ridge. How about a juice bar? LGT , the PC’s, the Challenge I really enjoy working with all groups but I must say the ARC Lifeguard course that I get to teach is rather special. It has nothing to do with me. Rather it is because of the group of young ladies who work so hard to meet the standards for lifeguarding imposed by the American Red Cross. I have the opportunity to watch each grow and accomplish things that they never thought would be possible. They understand what it means to be true sisters to each other, to cheer each other on when the going gets tough and meet challenges that are placed before them. Simply put. You earn your red suits. Look to the sky. There may be a UFO nearby. The JC’s, aka the Elves You earned your elf ears. Thank goodness Amazon has everything in the world and delivers. Your help was awesome and without you it would have been not nearly as much fun. I never thought I would be rolled about the Amphitheater stage in a cart wearing a Santa Claus hat being pushed by reindeer. The Park and the Pool, muchas gracias A special thanks to Zoe Bridges for all her hard work, dedication and caring in making our many activities run so smoothly and for all that she does beyond this. Also, a special thank you to Rachel for how you step up each day to direct, lead and show your confidence in each and every activity. Billie, of course, your attention to detail and your skills make CBR a better place. Megan, what would the breast stroke be without you and our swimming talks? Sophie, I have never seen someone love Gummi Bears as much as you. Jo, I have also never seen anyone teach water polo as well as you. The girls loved it.