Turn the World Around - Live in Our Global Neighborhood

International Visitors  at Holiday Hill Day Camp  end their day with a singing of "Turn The World Around"

Begin to embrace your global neighborhood reach out and make a  friend from another nation this year.  Singing, laughter, camp fun and smiles are all universal there are no language barriers.

Here is a link to the words and chords for the song Turn The World Around:

www.guntheranderson.com/v/data/turnthew.htm

 With the University of Connecticut a close neighbor it is easy to meet and make global friends. The Uconn International Forum on Human Rights  and Leadership has captivated youth from around the world with team building activities and inspiration for change. Each step we make in developing a relationship of global community is a step toward world peace!  In the link below you will read how the Uconn program 2008 worked with Holiday Hill Day Camp, local professor emeritus Charles Prewitt and Kumarian Press to share a week of friendship and  networking.  Check out the link to an article here:             http://www.http//advance.uconn.edu/2008/080825/08082509.htm

 " We come from the fire   Go back to the fire.... turn the world around....."                                                       

                                             

Canoe Rescue - The Curl- Paddle to the Sea

Do you remember a child's book called Paddle to the Sea? It was a favorite of mine at the library when I was a child. There were very few words but so much magic in the journey.  I believe that book began my love of watercraft and paddle adventures.

                                                                   
Paddle to the Sea  by Holling C. Holling is available at Mansfield Library - an adventure in itself. If you just have to have this classic on your own bookshelf Amazon has it at the link below.

www.amazon.com/Paddle-Sea-Sandpiper-Books/dp/0395292034

When you return to Holiday Hill Day Camp be ready to  paddle to Mansfield Hollow an equally exciting adventure, just remember to practice waterfront safety like the video shows above.

                                                                          

                                                       http://www.holidayrecreation.com/

Frozen in Time or Summer Special?

Is your view of the world frozen in time? Are you so buried in snow you can't tell where things are anymore? Has the winter got you down?

     Are you tired of shoveling, and then shoveling, and then plowing, sanding and shoveling?

                                    May I make a suggestion to ease your winter burden?

Fly Away....

Not what I had in mind

but that would work!

    Register for a Camp Session

http://www.holidayrecreation.com/

Just think how hot and sunny

wet and splashy

fun and  relaxing

friendly and challenging

SUMMER

SPECIAL

that will be!

 See you at Holiday Hill Day Camp

  this summer!    

                               I feel better just thinking about summer!                                                 

Games People Play - Resources

The Games People Play -Resources

Here we go counselors, games, have we got games people love to play. Some are classics some new, sift through and find a couple new ones to bring to camp this summer. For our families these will make a nice rainy day resource or a birthday party resource.

   Online resources for games:

www.ultimatecampresource.com/site/camp-activities/camp-games.html

http://www.campgames.org/ 

more resources:

www.campingdude.com/camp_games.asp

www.wilderdom.com/games/IdeasSummerCampActivities.html

www.youthwork-practice.com/outdoor-indoor-games-collection.html 

Want to Play Parachute?  here is a site with info on Parachute games for fun and fitness.

Christina Lee Steele Chapan ; A Simple Guide to Parachute Play

www.naturalphysiques.com/cms/index.php?itemid=147

online resources to purchase a parachute for play I found them in the $24.00 - $225.00 price range

                     Help kids develop imagination and create their own games in the parachute

           Here we go counting off for Hide n Seek 1...2...3...4...5...6...

                                                                              Summer
Games People Play, bare feet, lemonade and summer day camp at  http://www.holidayrecreation.com/

If you haven't registered for a session at Holiday Hill Day Camp

come to our website or call us, 860-423-1375

                                                                     
                                                                                  

Mansfield Hollow Winter WOW!

Winter WOW! I couldn't think of a better way to describe this. Beyond paddling  across the blue waters and a walk out to see the ice fisherman one day I have not explored  Mansfield Hollow's waterfront in winter.  I have totally missed this combination. WOW! That does look like fun. I guess when all the canoes are asleep for winter and the camp is silent, and only memories haunt the play areas and pool edge,those are the times to explore other sports and  maybe, just maybe try a snow kite one day!

I long for warm sun,  the smell of burgers on the grill and the laughter of  campers coming down the hill from the pool. Summer is coming, be ready with a family membership or group outing planned at Holiday Hill Day Camp visit us at http://www.holidayrecreation.com/  for all the details!

Mansfield Hollow Birds Eye View

Birds Eye View..... and flying skill.

( I believe this is a mechanical bird from the video but what a vantage point)

Did you ever watch a bird fly high over the Hollow as you paddled a canoe? Now you can know just what they might be seeing. Maybe it was a Red Tailed Hawk you saw over head.

Red Tail Hawk  stopped by E.O.Smith High School for a breakfast of fresh rabbit recently

Might have been a Hawk, Eagle or Osprey that swooped over your Holiday Hill Day Camp canoe in Mansfield Hollow, they love down by the lake.

If you want to be out there again this summer, now is the time to register for the session of your choice. Look online at http://www.holidayrecreation.com/  to sign up for a session or more and bring those bird watching, sky swooping, summer days back.

Oh Yea! Know you were meaning to register, you can always call or email
860-423-1375  info@HolidayRecreation.com

                                                                                                                                         

Amazing Wilderness Camp Chair

                           
                                                         Camp Craft

     Here is a fun project for a winter afternoon.  It may be a little hard to find down wood unless a tree came down in a more recent storm. Be certain the wood you choose is not rotten or punky you don't want your chair to disintegrate while you are sitting on it. A set of these around a bonfire would make a fun place for a family night of stories under the stars. Don't forget to get your graham crackers, marshmallows and chocolate for the bonfire! S'more fun would be great for a birthday celebration! 

     Dressed for the weather this can even be fun while the snow is on the ground. Take fire precautions and stay away from buildings, use dry wood, have a bucket of water nearby. If you want something more filling try roasting hot dogs on the long sticks over the fire or be creative with chunks of beef and chicken precook and just heat them up. You could always fire up the gas grill.....if you can find it.

                              
See who can tell the best story from camp. Who can tell a Whopper, a tall tale that is a stretch of the truth but almost believable. Who has the oldest memory from Holiday Hill Day Camp? Does anyone at your campfire remember the days of Horses and Rifle Range?  As you share all these fun memories of swim lessons and paddles in Mansfield Hollow, of crafts and  a day on the ropes course plan to be a part of all that again in 2011. http://www.holidayrecreation.com/

Goofy "How To Play Baseball" , You're Up Next!

                                     You're Up

Just wouldn't be summer without a baseball game.  Today the ballfield is waiting , buried under snow.

      When the snow leaves the field it will be time to warm up your glove, blow the dust off your ball and bat and have a game. 

   Learn more about the great names in baseball visit 
                                               http://www.baseballhall.org 
Better yet pack the car for a vacation and travel to Cooperstown, New York and visit the Baseball Hall of Fame. 

National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum

25 Main Street, Cooperstown, NY 13326
Phone: 1-888-HALL-OF-FAME | Fax: 607-547-2044

Not just for the adults there is some special history behind Little League as well you can find that at:

www.littleleague.org/learn/about/historyandmission.htm 

                     Since 1884 what has been a consistent item used  in baseball games?     

                                      A Louisville Slugger Baseball Bat

                                            www.slugger.com   

I went on a tour of the company there, it was awesome!    

register for camp and get ready for a big game  http://www.holidayrecreation.com/

Snow in the Forecast .........Again!

Don't Have A Tantrum!

Some Summer Things To Do

Paper Craft

Bugs! Bugs! Bugs!

Get out the paper, paints, glue, glitter, wiggle eyes and more

Let's Make BUGS!

     Music

     Make a Homemade Instrument

Use  empty  containers   like coffee cans, peanut butter jars, margarine tubs

Add:  one of the following items:

sand

 dry beans

buttons

pebbles

coins

Now shake it to the Ugly Bug Ball and Dance

                                      BIRDS EYE VIEW

                                                         Bring  a little nature right indoors

                                                                Wouldn't it be neat to see....

 the waiting and the branch / not a good idea

Sneaking up on a bird really hard to do

 A GREAT IDEA!!!
A Webcam Project

Drill a hole in the side of the birdhouse

Insert WEBCAM

wire to your computer and watch the hatching begin


While sitting at the computer log on to http://www.holidayrecreation.com/  and check out

camp sessions 2011
family swim memberships
group outings

                                                                             

                                                

Want to Play "What If" at Camp? What If Camp Was in Winter?

WHAT IF ...........

What If.......Camp was in Winter... Snow on the ground and your bus or van pulled up and...

What if  the camp parking lot was turned into a hockey rink...... did you bring a puck?

What if  you needed boots to go to lunch?

What if  you were court side for a game played with SNOWBALLS!

What if......instead of swimming lessons there were snowshoe hikes

What if everyone had to shovel when more snow came?
2011
best shovel handler award will be given to ....





What if the wind blew cold from the North every day?

 What if the train became the Polar Express? .... can you hear the bell ring?

What if June gets here and you don't have  a session registered?
Can it really be summer without Holiday Hill Day Camp?
What If.......

Oh, don't even think it!

www.HolidayRecreation.com
860-423-1375

Who Can Take The Best Shot?

This is the season to practice those 3 point basketball shots. Perfect the bounce from the  sideline to center court, and the team layup drill. While you are out there dribble over to the far end and go for the dream  shot.

Some day you are going to imagine the Holiday Hill Day Camp Dream Shot. The one swoosh that makes you a camp legend. That they talk about in the ropes course, on the pool deck and paddling down through the Hollow.

None of that can happen until you get your registration in and save a place courtside for you and your friends. Among all the ice and snow and school cancellations it is hard to think about summer but the ground hog said spring is coming so can summer be far behind? http://www.holidayrecreation.com/  hold a session for making that Dream Shot.