Week 8 Newsletter 2016

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combe
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Thursday Aug 25
So Long to Summer
Thrilling Thursday
Friday August 19
Family/Movie Night
See Page 3
Himalayan Village Huddle
WEEK 8
AUGUST 15-AUGUST 19
Director’s Corner
One of Camp Combe’s unique traditions, which
permeates all facets of camp life, is the Bead
Necklace. With humble beginnings of being a
positive reinforcement and recognition tool,
campers’ bead necklaces now include beads for
participation and achievement beyond the original
red, blue, green, and yellow beads. Primary beads
of red (caring), blue (honesty), yellow (respect),
Davey Hennessey
and green (responsibility) are awarded each day as
Counselors “catch” campers exhibiting one of the Y
values. Your camper might also tell you about beads for shooting a
bullseye in archery, earning camper of the day, participating in
Nature activities or the Minecraft camp, and so on. Campers have
even started to bring in their own beads to recognize their friends.
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Once a camper earns 10 values beads (red, yellow, blue, green), they can be traded in for
a Mega bead! This larger bead is more practical as it allows for more beads on a necklace,
and it is also a point of pride for the child. This summer also saw an interesting idea that
had the Leadership Staff talking: Mega Mega beads. These massive-sized beads were to
represent 10 Mega beads of a certain color. Our conversation about Mega Mega beads first
addressed if children could achieve them. I also asked, “What would happen if they
earned several Mega Mega beads? Where would it stop?”
I was kindly reminded that by that time, the children would have grown up to become
counselors who awarded beads instead of receiving them. And while counselors still
receive M.I.C.E beads (Moments In Counselor Excellence), they blossom into maturity
where it becomes more rewarding to be the one giving recognition. This week, I have
witnessed countless occasions where counselors are positively glowing with pride as they
award beads to their campers.
About a dozen children lose their bead necklace at the pool each week and, to each child,
it is a tragedy. It is amazing how simple plastic beads take on such meaning and how all
campers and staff wear their bead necklaces with pride. So to every parent that has been
asked by their child to come to camp to look for their bead necklace: thank you. Thanks
for helping your child find this artifact, this small token of summer that they will cherish
for a long time. Thank you for understanding that these pieces of leather lace bind
together memories and friendships.
Week 9 Thrilling Thursday - So Long to Summer
!
Our traditional farewell to summer. We take our favorite activities from all
the Thrilling Thursdays and do a “best of” reel. Everyone comes wearing
school colors to celebrate, not just the end of camp, but the beginning of an
exciting new school year!
GRAND FAMILY/MOVIE NIGHT
THIS FRIDAY
AUGUST 19TH
Due to unforeseen circumstances we
are rescheduling Grand Family night
to Friday, August 19th , and
combining it with our Movie Night.
!
Come for Assembly, zip line, swimming and much
more starting at 6:30pm. The family-friendly
movie, which has not yet been chosen, will start
at 7:30pm in the Camp Combe
Amphitheater. Not in the mood for a
movie, that’s ok, all our attractions
will remain open until 8pm.
!
No pre-registration needed.
This event open to all camp families, even if you
are not attending camp Week 8.
!
Hope to see you all there.
Week 8 Highlights
Click here to see camp photos Camp Combe Photos!
Guide to the Value Beads
Caring
Respect
Responsibility
Honesty