CHRONICLE Vol. XXVII No. 13 August 21, 2009 Discover the Spirit! HAPPY TRAILS TO YOU... Lean on Me in CCDC - Red & Tan United Howdy Pardners! Hard to believe, but it is time to say, Farewell Pardners! High spirit and good sportsmanship prevailed as we learned to win graciously and lose gracefully. It was such fun to stop and listen to the regular PA announcements that began with “Olympic Update, Update, Update....” Each new score gave us the opportunity to enjoy a win or accept a loss, as the tally of points kept growing throughout the week. We kicked off the competition with counselors participating in the “Face-Off” each morning. Wacky relays ranged from watermelon-eating to balloon-passing and scooter-racing, as Tan Toros and Red Riders cheered for their staff. Egg-tossing, Slip ‘n’ Slide, you name it - it was part of the “Face-Off”! Tuesday’s activities centered on The Gallop, a series of THE LEAN ON ME RODEO ...was an incredible finale to the sports events that included soccer, softball, basketball, kickball, awesome Summer of 2009. The Ranch was transformed into GaGa, and volleyball. Wednesday featured The Splash (swim a huge carnival with a Crash Course, Flying Dragon Ride, races, water polo, and boat races) and The Showdown (skills). Inflatable Rides, and Ferris Wheel, as well as 25 carnival booths, The skills competition provided campers with the opportunity including Plinko, Name That Tune, Horse Racing, Twister, Hole to show themselves as well as their teammates what they had in One, and The Coleman Wheel. There were also a Marriage learned throughout the summer. Among the favorites was the Booth, Fortune Teller, and Beauty Salon. Among the favorites Homerun Derby. were Dance Dance Revolution, a game show, the Watermelon- On Thursday, events continued with another staff Face- Eating Contest, and the Lean on Me board. There were so many Off, followed by The Stampede (track and field competition), ways to win prizes! Freshly popped popcorn and cotton candy the Hoe-down (song competition), Plaque Presentations, and were special treats. the Rope Burn. The plaques will join years of Olympics past in the Chow Hall. After hearing the final scores yesterday at the Closing Olympic Ceremonies, we all came back together as one family As we watched the to participate in the Rodeo, an extravaganza that traditionally “burndown” of 2-0-0-9, we concludes our camp season. Also taking place were Coleman Country traditions of dancing on the tables in the Chow Hall thought how summer will always and signing each others shirts. flicker in our hearts. Take the Kinfolk, make sure to relive these and other memories from Summer ’09 by logging on to ColemanTown.com, where warmth from that light with you can create your own albums from among thousands of you... Until we meet again in 2010! photos and view video footage of special events. Speaking of video, as always, every family will have its own Video Yearbook, which will be completed by Fall Harvest Festival (October 25). And, of course, we’ll be sure to send you your own copy of “Coleman Country, The Movie” as soon as it is released later in the Fall! Remember When... • We experienced the new and improved and air-conditioned • We saw the Grand Playhouse transformed yet again – this Grand Playhouse, climbed to the top of the Mega Mesa, time for the Circus of the Kids where we witnessed gravity and hit balls on the new tennis courts? being defied, acrobatic antics, and clowning around? • We learned new songs, dances, languages, and culture • Pioneers experienced Giva Geta: Smile, Respect, from our South African Vochellis and campers? High Five, Laughter, Kindness, Friendship, and Understanding? • We were decked out in Red, White, and Blue to show our American and Coleman spirit for the Great American • We swam laps in the pool to help raise money to send Country Fair? others to camp through the Morry’s Camp Swim-a- Thon? • We had the Extreme Team visit to perform their outrageous basketball stunts, even jumping over eleven campers? • We saw Macho Man retain the CCDC title after a great bout with Swoosh and The Conductor, managed by Brutus • We splashed our way through Wet ‘n’ Wild Day, slid “The Barber” Beefcake? across the Slip ‘n’ Slide, and danced with “Mr. Pool • We got as dirty as possible on Filthy Friday by jumping Party” on the pool deck? in the JELL-O ring, sliding down the Spaghetti Slide, and • We came back to The Ranch after dark for an evening of running through the Slopstacle Course? BINGO under the Big Top and a movie under the stars? • We modeled, sang, and danced our way through Coleman’s • We gathered up our wackiest accessories and dressed as Got Style, and then were surprised by the breakout of silly as could be for Frivolous Friday? Olympics, introduced by America’s Got Talent semi- finalist Jonathan Arons, the amazing trombone player? • We were gaga for GaGa—Pioneers in the Pit, Division tournaments, Staff competitions, and Parent GaGa night? • We entered the 2009 Olympics as the Red Riders and Tan Toros and competed in everything from swim relays to • We danced our hearts out when the Grand Playhouse was cup stacking? transformed into a giant Dance Dance Revolution arena? • We put on our best smiles and became celebrities for • We went retro and got decked out in neon, peace signs, the production of “Coleman Country, The Movie”, and tie-dye for 70’s and 80’s Dress Up Day? fully equipped with booms, cherry pickers, underwater • We enjoyed participating in and watching the Explorer cameras, and even a helicopter? Karaoke, the Scouts’ Super Showcase, the Pioneer • We demonstrated good sportsmanship, showed camp Unbirthday Party, “Under the Sea,” “You’re a Good Man, spirit, made new friends, learned new skills, and collected Charlie Brown,” and all the 49er trips? memories for a lifetime? As the numbers 2-0-0-9 burned, supervisors paid tribute to their campers. We truly etched the memories in our hearts today and cannot wait to return to The Ranch 10 months from now - a little taller perhaps, but otherwise, we’ll just pick it up where we left off today! Until We Meet Again... Happy Trails! ON THE HORIZON Camp Fun Lasts All Year Mark your calendar for these family fun days: Sunday, October 25th: • Fall Harvest Festival Winter 2010: • Winter Wonderland Sunday, May 16th: • Spring Fling FUN OF OLYMPIC PROPORTIONS... took place on The Ranch this week as the Tan Toros and Red Riders competed in friendly and spirited play. The Red and Tan plaques will take their places in the Chow Hall where they will remain as part of Coleman Country history..