We couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful summer than this… and it’s not over yet!  All of us at Moses Brown are excited for our grand camp finale:  Summer’s End.

Many of our campers are curious about this camp—here’s what we tell them:

Summer’s End is the follow up to RISE Camp.  Every staff member, from directors to CITs, has been with us all summer at RISE.  Together we have worked to create a new schedule of all the most popular courses and activities from summer 2011.  Campers will start off their day in one of three places based on age: lower camp, home base one or home base two. Each morning they will create their very own schedule for the day, which they can change every day if they like.  In addition, we have two surprises planned for the week— the fabulous Professor Gizmo and a brand new “special” day, the Summer’s End Olympics.   

Parent Reminders:

Camp begins on Monday, August 8^th and runs until Friday, August 12^th: 9am- 3pm.   We are not taking off for the holiday on Monday.

Half-day morning campers should be picked up at the camp office at 12:30. Half-day afternoon campers will be picked up from their other camps by the directors and escorted to the office where they will check in and get ready for the afternoon.

All campers can chose to swim at the Fox Point pool on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, but we strongly suggest bringing a bathing suit and towel (labeled) every day.  We have a waterslide and water games activity that might be just the thing to choose on a hot August day.

 Please pack a lunch, water bottle and sunscreen daily (all labeled).

Check-in will be at the tables outside the office on Monday morning.

What a fabulous seven weeks we had at RISE!  As I watched campers saying goodbye to their summer friends, both old and new, I was struck by the magic of this thing called camp.  This is a perfect slice of childhood—long sunny days; learning through fun; playing all day.  It can be hot, it can be busy, but it is never short of awesome around here.   RISE is a camp like no other—with a community of campers and counselors who value its unique culture and traditions just as much as they value the choices they have here.  I feel so fortunate to have spent three summers at RISE and I can’t wait for the day when I come back to bring my own child.

In the meantime, I am thrilled to announce that Michaela O’Donnell will be taking up the director position for 2012.  Michaela has spent over 20 summers at Moses Brown: as a counselor; an assistant director; a creator and director of new camps; and as a parent of two campers. Michaela has taught at Moses Brown and Lincoln School, and currently teaches Spanish and Art at Providence Country Day. She is the person who taught me what it means to be a part of the RISE family and who, more than anyone, truly embodies the RISE spirit.  I know the camp will soar to new heights under her leadership!

Some events to share from our last week of RISE…   This past Tuesday, Lower Campers sang, danced and played the music of Brazil with a little help from Grupo Ondas.  In celebration of the last stop on a global tour, this amazing group of teachers and performers taught campers the graceful and powerful art of Capoeira.  I am not generalizing when I say that every camper was fully engaged and truly in awe.  It was one of the most magical moments of the summer and one we will never forget.

Upper Campers wowed us all with their many talents this week: in the three-on-three basketball tournament, at a beautiful Broadway Bound production, with an outdoor lunchtime concert put on by jam session, and with brilliant performances by Improv and Theatre Skills. And that’s not even mentioning the art projects that went home, which included colorful clay creatures and vessels, epic masks, trash to treasure masterpieces, paintings, and even singing puppets.  The cooking course took home their cook books; our newspaper staff published their 2011 edition of RISE Revolution; yearbooks were passed around for signatures… we have enough memories to last us the year!

So if we don’t see you at Summer’s End Camp, which begins on Monday, August 8^th, we hope to see you next summer for more fun and friendship at the one and only RISE Camp.

Thanks to everyone for an unforgettable seven weeks!

Our last week of RISE has arrived but Summer’s End Camp keeps us going for an additional week (August 8th -12th). Summer’s End is our RISE follow-up camp with the same RISE staff, same RISE directors, and same RISE schedule—in fact, it has been dubbed, “the eighth week.” What Summer’s End campers will experience is a seamless transition into a camp that showcases the very best of RISE. Summer’s End upper and lower campers will get to choose their courses daily and can participate in events such as a workshop with Professor Gizmo and the Summer’s End Olympics. It’s a perfect way to finish off the summer!

This week’s reminders…
On Friday August 5th, our Broadway Bound musical theatre course will be performing their original show in Alumni Hall. Parents are welcome to attend one of the two performances at 10:00 or 11:45.

Friday is also a crazy theme day, so get out your capes for super hero day!

RISE swimmers: this week we will be visiting the Fox Point pool on Thursday instead of Friday. If your child is a lower camp pool-goer or in our upper camp swim course, please be sure they bring a swim suit that day. We will continue our visits to the pool next week at Summer’s End as well.

Lower Camp Update…
Henna, henna everywhere! Last week our young explorers “traveled” to India where counselors Reuben and Amy recreated simple Mehndi designs on campers’ hands. To get a real taste for the culture, counselor Dylan Igoe (who spent last summer in India himself) shared delicious recipes with eager and curious cooks. Lower campers even had the chance to take a swing at the game of Cricket!

Thursday brought the sun and lots of fun for all. Some of our campers enjoyed the sand and waves at Second Beach in Middletown, while others chose to join in the games at turf day, right here on campus. There were giant bubbles in the air, wacky crafts and sports to play, and refreshing Del’s lemonade as a surprise treat.

This week we celebrate the culture of Brazil, kicking it off with an interactive Capoeira demonstration. Ask your camper to tell you all about it!

Upper Camp Happenings…
Skills and Dino did it again as they brought us the big blowout last Friday. Competition was high as campers competed in Knock-Out, shooting baskets for the chance at the 2011 title of RISE champion. The Knock-Out Challenge is always a fantastic example of the enthusiasm and creativity that RISE counselors bring to camp every day.

Friday also brought the RISE film festival, which featured the work of our young animators and creative movie magic makers. It seems we have some budding Scorseses and Pixar artists in our midst!

So, here’s to one more fabulous week of RISE, and to the start of Summer’s End!

A look ahead at what’s to come and a look back on an exciting week…

This Thursday, July 28th, is Surf and Turf Day. Campers can opt to spend the day at Second Beach in Newport or to enjoy Turf Day here on the Moses Brown campus. At Turf Day, Upper and Lower campers alike sign up for exciting “mini-courses,” with such choices as balloon animals, cooking, kickball, and mess express. Staff will be split between the beach and our campus depending on need, with a continued emphasis on providing the safest environment for our campers.

IMPORTANT REMINDER: Please be aware that while we pull our beach day permission list from our online database, we need all campers to return an additional permission slip (we like to play it safe). Please confirm your permission by returning this form to your room head or homebase counselor by Wednesday of this week. We will not accept forms from beach goers on Thursday morning. Please e-mail Lindsay at lmeehan@mosesbrown.org if you have any questions.

And don’t forget: Friday is backwards day!

The week in review…
Thursday was the most ecstatic and enigmatic day at camp yet! Clues, maps, puzzles, challenges and tasks guided our campers as they scurried all over campus in search of glory. In the end, it was a RISE tie… that is to say, everybody won! Our Lower Campers participated in Bombardier—a creative and fun spin on treasure hunt—which was a wild success! When the activities were finished, campers celebrated with pizza and Del’s lemonade.

On the sports front, the Ultimate Frisbee Challenge and Counselor vs. Camper basketball game were major highlights of the week. In fact, Upper and Lower Campers often come together for community-building activities and sports matches. Congratulations to all our players for their hard work!

Lower Camp update and reminders…
After an exciting Bombardier day, lower campers had the opportunity to chase and catch the mysterious bombardier. Their reward? Two delicious watermelons! Week five at RISE also brought the annual talent show, which numerous lower campers participated in. We are so proud of all of them.

Last week lower campers stopped off in Morocco; this week they’re on to India!
One of the many offerings that will connect to our global theme will be mehndi designs. Please note that your permission is required if your camper is interested in having a counselor apply henna to his/her skin. While the pigment is natural, the design will remain on the skin for two weeks. Please speak to your room head or send written permission.

Permission in also required for beach day (see attached form). We remind you to slather your child with sunscreen on Thursday and please, no guests.

Just a reminder that lower campers are required to wear close-toed shoes on campus—this is a safety issue above all else.

Upper Camp happenings…
Last week our upper camp basketball course defied all odds and tied the counselors in the first ever counselor vs. camper match. Our professional referee, excellent coaches and adoring fans were shocked and proud. Way to go team!

This coming Friday, July 29th, we will be cheering at a different kind of event: our movie magic makers and animation fest. All campers are invited to attend the showing and enjoy the popcorn at 1:45 in Alumni Hall. For those who love a good game, this week also marks our annual Saygo tournament—it’s like Scrabble gone wild!

Be sure to ask your campers to tell you more about their courses and adventures here at camp!

Looking ahead: there’s a lot going on at RISE…
On Thursday, July 21st, we will be hosting our annual RISE Treasure Hunt—a morning of clues, scavenging and surprises. While Upper Camp and Lower Camp take part in different hunts, all campers enjoy a celebratory pizza lunch*. Afterwards, the fun continues with the RISE counselor vs. camper basketball game in the field house. Without a doubt, everyone will be a winner! Please remember: no guests on this day.
*All campers will be offered two slices of cheese pizza. Please pack any additional (or alternate) lunch items and a drink. Pizza is complementary!

Frisbee fans get ready for the Ultimate Challenge—a favorite, week-long tournament for upper and lower campers alike. The Ultimate Challenge takes place Monday- Friday during Optional.

Our grand finale for week five of RISE will be the annual talent show, on Friday July 22nd at 1:00 in Alumni Hall. Our talent show features acts from lower and upper campers as well as counselors and entire courses. While the performance is designed for our own campers, parents whose children are performing are welcome to attend.

Looking back: Lower Camp Update…
If you stopped by campus this week you would have heard singing in the air, as lower campers prepared for the upcoming talent show. In addition, RISE Camp director Lindsay Meehan brought music to the garden with songs, stories and even a little bit of farmer drama. On Friday, in keeping with the theme of Hawaiian Beach Day, Lindsay took campers on an imaginary musical trip to Hawaii; complete with grass skirts, uli-ulis, ukuleles and hula dancing. Lindsay directs and teaches Mary Ann Hall’s Music for Children at the Providence Friends Meetinghouse: www.musicforchildrenri.com.

While campers ended the week in Hawaii, they began it in Thailand—with the lower camp global theme of the week. There was an iron chef competition; tasty little coconut cakes to bake and sample; elephant adventures (did you know Thai elephants have smaller ears than African elephants?); and new games to play.

Lower Camp reminder: Please be sure your child comes to camp in close-toed shoes. Flip flops are not appropriate footwear for the kinds of activities we do.

Upper Camp Happenings…
There is almost too much to say about Upper Camp. With 90 courses each day, plus Activities, plus Optionals—every moment is full and fabulous! Ask your camper to tell you about his or her experiences.

This past week upper campers enjoyed an original RISE camp production, put on by the Broadway Bound musical theatre course. The show mirrored lower camp’s around-the-world motif; breaking down barriers and reminding us all about the importance of acceptance, community and friendship.

Here’s to a week of new adventures, new challenges and new friends!

Lindsay Meehan
Director, RISE Camp
In this email you’ll find highlights from last week as well as reminders for the week ahead at RISE camp. News is posted on the camp blog each week (risecamp.wordpress.com) along with other camp information, including the calendar of special days and crazy days. Get ready for this coming Friday—it’s crazy hair day!

Looking ahead: there’s a lot going on at RISE…
On Thursday, July 21st, we will be hosting our annual RISE Treasure Hunt—a morning of clues, scavenging and surprises. While Upper Camp and Lower Camp take part in different hunts, all campers enjoy a celebratory pizza lunch*. Afterwards, the fun continues with the RISE counselor vs. camper basketball game in the field house. Without a doubt, everyone will be a winner! Please remember: no guests on this day.
*All campers will be offered two slices of cheese pizza. Please pack any additional (or alternate) lunch items and a drink. Pizza is complementary!

Frisbee fans get ready for the Ultimate Challenge—a favorite, week-long tournament for upper and lower campers alike. The Ultimate Challenge takes place Monday- Friday during Optional.

Our grand finale for week five of RISE will be the annual talent show, on Friday July 22nd at 1:00 in Alumni Hall. Our talent show features acts from lower and upper campers as well as counselors and entire courses. While the performance is designed for our own campers, parents whose children are performing are welcome to attend.

Looking back: Lower Camp Update…
If you stopped by campus this week you would have heard singing in the air, as lower campers prepared for the upcoming talent show. In addition, RISE Camp director Lindsay Meehan brought music to the garden with songs, stories and even a little bit of farmer drama. On Friday, in keeping with the theme of Hawaiian Beach Day, Lindsay took campers on an imaginary musical trip to Hawaii; complete with grass skirts, uli-ulis, ukuleles and hula dancing. Lindsay directs and teaches Mary Ann Hall’s Music for Children at the Providence Friends Meetinghouse: www.musicforchildrenri.com.

While campers ended the week in Hawaii, they began it in Thailand—with the lower camp global theme of the week. There was an iron chef competition; tasty little coconut cakes to bake and sample; elephant adventures (did you know Thai elephants have smaller ears than African elephants?); and new games to play.

Lower Camp reminder: Please be sure your child comes to camp in close-toed shoes. Flip flops are not appropriate footwear for the kinds of activities we do.

Upper Camp Happenings…
There is almost too much to say about Upper Camp. With 90 courses each day, plus Activities, plus Optionals—every moment is full and fabulous! Ask your camper to tell you about his or her experiences.

This past week upper campers enjoyed an original RISE camp production, put on by the Broadway Bound musical theatre course. The show mirrored lower camp’s around-the-world motif; breaking down barriers and reminding us all about the importance of acceptance, community and friendship.

Here’s to a week of new adventures, new challenges and new friends!

Campers in all homebases and rooms take pride in their group. Look, for example, at Lower Camper Maya’s sidewalk poem about the Yellow Room.

This past week campers participated in the RISE Goldrush Celebration—a day of homemade carnival games and treasure hunting!  Not only was it a fabulous and fun day, but we collected over one thousand toiletry items to donate to Camp Street Ministries. Thank you for your generosity!

 In an effort to boost our RISE camp spirit, Friday was pronounced “tie dye day,” and many enthusiastic campers showed off their colors. In fact, every Friday at camp marks a different crazy day—this coming Friday (July 15^th) is Hawaiian Beach Day, so get those swim trunks and leis out!

 Lower Camp Update… When we asked our lower campers about the highlights of Goldrush Day, their responses were positively jubilant: looking for treasure; getting soaked; the bean bag toss; the “Sixes” dice game; making edible monsters and eating them; the balloon pop!  …Or in the words of one camper, “I loved everything!”

This week the lower campers also got a taste for Japan, the next stop on our global tour. Counselor Amy Ostroff, who recently returned from a five year stint in Japan, inspired the activities, taught our language component and even hosted a Karaoke dance showdown.  Campers enjoyed making origami frogs, wrapping sweet sushi and reenacting a Japanese game show.

 The hot July weather has not put a damper on the fun at RISE– quite the opposite, in fact. On steamy days we relax in shady spots, stay super hydrated and play refreshing water games.

 Upper Camp Happenings… This coming week marks another RISE tradition: our Broadway Bound production.  On Wednesday (July 13^th) at 1:00 in Alumni Hall, our young thespians will entertain us all with a RISE-inspired, camper-written musical.  If your camper is involved with the production, we hope you’ll attend.

 As the end of this week approaches, so does the end of our first session of camp. That means upper campers have the option to register for new courses, which begin on Monday, July 18^th.  If your camper hasn’t done so already, they can sign up for new courses this week in their homebases. New session offerings include Puppet-making, Jam Session, Do you Mind? and Drawing. We hope you’ll encourage your camper to sample everything RISE has to offer.

 In the words of one mother, “My son, who has disliked and resisted any and every camp and extracurricular class, just spent two HAPPY, WONDERFUL weeks at (RISE).  Your program has been a lifesaver…we will be back and back and back!”

 Parent and camper reminders… Visit the RISE camp “store” for T-shirts, cinch sacks and (new!) water bottles—each now on sale in the RISE office for $10. 

Friday, July 1^st is Pajama Day! Counselors and campers alike are invited to roll out of bed and come to RISE in their nightgowns, PJs and robes.  Be sure to pack the appropriate footwear, however, as bedroom slippers are hard to play in.  You can see the complete crazy day, theme day and event calendar on the RISE blog:   risecamp.wordpress.com

 On Thursday, July 8^th, RISE Camp will continue the long-standing tradition of Gold Rush Day. All campers will gather on Mann Field to search for gold, silver, or blue rocks with which they will purchase opportunities to participate in the exciting carnival-like booths organized by this year’s counselors-in-training.  In keeping with Moses Brown’s Quaker traditions of service, community, and stewardship, Gold Rush coincides with our annual toiletries drive to benefit Camp Street Ministries. The list of requested items includes toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, toilet paper, Band-Aids, lotion, shampoo, conditioner, men’s shaving supplies, and bar soap. On Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, donations will be collected in home bases and a record will be kept so that campers will be awarded tickets to use as currency during Gold Rush Day.

 In addition to our annual toiletries donation, RISE camp contributes its weekly garden harvest to the Camp Street food bank.  This past week Kasia, along with her lower camp gardeners, upper camp course members, and some generous CITs, harvested thirty pounds of fresh produce for local families. We are proud to support Camp Street Ministries in their efforts to help those in need.

 In the RISE Spotlight this week… RISE Camp welcomes Rhode Island Fencing Academy and Club back for a second summer, offering beginning and advanced fencing to upper campers.  This week the team brought in two star students for a thrilling and educational demo that the whole camp enjoyed.   RIFAC produces local, regional, national and international champions, and inspires all to seek the best in themselves through the world’s oldest modern sport.  All RIFAC instructors are professionally trained and each is dedicated to discovering the potential of each individual fencer.  Visit them online at www.rifac.com

Lower Camp Update… This week lower camp introduced Theatre Games, a new “Optional” taught by teacher and director Hilary Conners. Every Tuesday and Thursday campers join in the fun of physical theatre, improv and dramatic games.  Our most popular Optional by far, however, is the waterslide, which makes a big splash with campers almost every afternoon.

Our around-the-world adventure continued this week with a trip to Australia.  Campers took inspiration from the unique painting style of Aboriginal art, which they put to paper and mask; got fully charged up with a game of Aussie-rule football; took an Australian geography lesson; and participated in a home-made didgeridoo parade!

Upper Camp Happenings… Each day in an upper camp course is a little different.  There are changing projects, new skills taught and variations on games—in fact, our counselors develop a curriculum for each course they lead.  For this reason we encourage all campers to stick with their selected courses for the whole three weeks.  If they decide to change courses after giving one a fair shot, they may do so at the camp office.  

 Some of the course highlights this week included mask-making in Theatre Skills; building up and chomping down on “sliders” in Cooking; learning how to make a vest in Fun with Duct Tape; epic games of Capture the Flag; detailed reliefs and polymer clay bowls in Magical Colorful Clay; and witches flying around campus for the filming of Movie Magic Makers. We can’t wait to see what’s in store for us week three!

Some of you may have heard about RISE Camp’s guest policy. Just to make sure everyone is on the same page, we’ll let you know how that works. A camper is welcome to bring a guest almost every day on the camp calendar, save for special days, which typically take place on Thursdays. The special days will be announced at least a week in advance to make sure that everyone can plan accordingly. As of now, no guests will be allowed on Thursday, July 7, Thursday, July 21, and Thursday, July 28.

When bringing a guest, we ask that the guest be around the same age as the camper, because the guest will have to shadow the camper for the entirety of the day (having similar interests is important, too). The guest will have to bring a lunch, just like a camper. We also ask that a camper not bring the same guest more than once during a camp year and that a camper only bring one guest per week.

Another issue that parents and campers have asked about is what to do when a camper will be late. This one is easy–just come to the office when you arrive and sign in on the late sheet. Make sure Lindsay, Michaela, Kevin or Reeni know that you’re here. They’ll tell you what course you should head to. You do not need to call the office in advance to let us know that you’ll be late, but it would be appreciated. The number for the RISE office is 401.831.7350 ext.210.

Any other questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.