August 21, 2009 - Coleman Country Day Camp

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
sports events that included soccer, softball, basketball, kickball,
GaGa, and volleyball. Wednesday featured The Splash (swim
races, water polo, and boat races) and The Showdown (skills).
The skills competition provided campers with the opportunity
to show themselves as well as their teammates what they had
learned throughout the summer. Among the favorites was the
Homerun Derby.
On Thursday, events continued with another staff FaceOff, followed by The Stampede (track and field competition),
the Hoe-down (song competition), Plaque Presentations, and
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
to participate in the Rodeo, an extravaganza that traditionally
concludes our camp season. Also taking place were Coleman
Country traditions of dancing on the tables in the Chow Hall
and signing each others shirts.
Kinfolk, make sure to relive these and other memories
from Summer ’09 by logging on to ColemanTown.com, where
you can create your own albums from among thousands of
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!
THE LEAN ON ME RODEO ...was an incredible finale to the
awesome Summer of 2009. The Ranch was transformed into
a huge carnival with a Crash Course, Flying Dragon Ride,
Inflatable Rides, and Ferris Wheel, as well as 25 carnival booths,
including Plinko, Name That Tune, Horse Racing, Twister, Hole
in One, and The Coleman Wheel. There were also a Marriage
Booth, Fortune Teller, and Beauty Salon. Among the favorites
were Dance Dance Revolution, a game show, the WatermelonEating Contest, and the Lean on Me board. There were so many
ways to win prizes! Freshly popped popcorn and cotton candy
were special treats.
As we watched the
“burndown” of 2-0-0-9, we
thought how summer will always
flicker in our hearts. Take the
warmth from that light with
you... Until we meet again in 2010!
Remember When...
• We experienced the new and improved and air-conditioned
Grand Playhouse, climbed to the top of the Mega Mesa,
and hit balls on the new tennis courts?
• We saw the Grand Playhouse transformed yet again – this
time for the Circus of the Kids where we witnessed gravity
being defied, acrobatic antics, and clowning around?
• We learned new songs, dances, languages, and culture
from our South African Vochellis and campers?
• Pioneers experienced Giva Geta: Smile, Respect,
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
Country Fair?
• We had the Extreme Team visit to perform their outrageous
basketball stunts, even jumping over eleven campers?
• We splashed our way through Wet ‘n’ Wild Day, slid
across the Slip ‘n’ Slide, and danced with “Mr. Pool
Party” on the pool deck?
• We came back to The Ranch after dark for an evening of
BINGO under the Big Top and a movie under the stars?
• We gathered up our wackiest accessories and dressed as
silly as could be for Frivolous Friday?
• We were gaga for GaGa—Pioneers in the Pit, Division
tournaments, Staff competitions, and Parent GaGa night?
• We danced our hearts out when the Grand Playhouse was
transformed into a giant Dance Dance Revolution arena?
• We went retro and got decked out in neon, peace signs,
and tie-dye for 70’s and 80’s Dress Up Day?
• We enjoyed participating in and watching the Explorer
Karaoke, the Scouts’ Super Showcase, the Pioneer
Unbirthday Party, “Under the Sea,” “You’re a Good Man,
Charlie Brown,” and all the 49er trips?
• We swam laps in the pool to help raise money to send
others to camp through the Morry’s Camp Swim-aThon?
• We saw Macho Man retain the CCDC title after a great
bout with Swoosh and The Conductor, managed by Brutus
“The Barber” Beefcake?
• We got as dirty as possible on Filthy Friday by jumping
in the JELL-O ring, sliding down the Spaghetti Slide, and
running through the Slopstacle Course?
• We modeled, sang, and danced our way through Coleman’s
Got Style, and then were surprised by the breakout of
Olympics, introduced by America’s Got Talent semifinalist Jonathan Arons, the amazing trombone player?
• We entered the 2009 Olympics as the Red Riders and Tan
Toros and competed in everything from swim relays to
cup stacking?
• We put on our best smiles and became celebrities for
the production of “Coleman Country, The Movie”,
fully equipped with booms, cherry pickers, underwater
cameras, and even a helicopter?
• We demonstrated good sportsmanship, showed camp
spirit, made new friends, learned new skills, and collected
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.