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PLAY CAMP SONG2021 Liberty Lake Day Camp Winter Newsletter
Return to the Fun in 2021!
Liberty Lake Made History in 2020
Across the USA, only 30% of Camps opened in Summer 2020, and from the start, Liberty Lake was in the forefront of the camp industry, leading the way with innovative thinking and planning in order to pull off a magical summer experience that gave all involved a healthy dose of happiness, hope and optimism as we headed back to whatever your school looked like in the Fall. As a result, camps across North America are following our lead and our safety playbook, in planning to open for 2021 – A Summer that kids will need more than ever! Covid Silver Linings
In Summer 2020, the true essence of Camp was shown to us all, as well as other great things:
- Cutting the bells and whistle extras out of the camp program reminded us all just what camp is really about- having real, social relationships with loving people.
- Cleanliness kept everyone more healthy than ever, we’re keeping it for the future.
- Teamwork was on display for our staff and campers- more than ever before- at instructional and free swim, lunch time, assemblies, the camp bus, and much more. We could not have achieved such success without everyone’s cooperation, especially…
- Social responsibility- prioritized and shared by our camp and staff families, we only saw healthy people last summer, with everyone super-conscious about keeping our camp community safe!
- At LLDC, we experienced a level of appreciation and gratitude like we’ve never seen before- which made the whole experience well worth it!
We head into next summer, with the expectation that the state health department will not be changing their camp guidelines much, if at all. If they do- we will adjust accordingly. But for now, we’re moving forward with 2021 as if we’re running back 2020- which most were very pleased with. As we get updates from the state, we will immediately update our camp families. In the meantime, we plan for the worst (which ain’t that bad), and hope for the best!
- Check out the new nationally published article by Andy why Summer Camp is more important now, than ever before.
- Recent local article about Camps opening in 2021, featuring LLDC
- 2021 RECORD-SETTING ENROLLMENT– Groups are nearing capacity, mid-February– So if you’re considering returning, don’t wait long!!
- Check out the amazing Song/Video we wrote and performed in honor of this special summer- We will be teaching it to the staff and campers this summer, and singing it regularly- So please play it for your kids!
- Social Media Memories– From now through June, our 20 year legacy is being highlighted on Facebook and Instagram- We’re up to 2005!
- 2021 Spirit Calendar– A 20-Year GREATEST HITS of Special Events, and more!
- Attached is the latest and greatest LLDC Spirit Calendar of all-time: Ugly Shorts, Yacht or Not, Unity Day, Wet and Paint and Wild, Look-a-Likes, Ga-Ga Tourney, Pajama Party, Fishing Derby, Superhero Day, Tug-o-War, Haunted Trail, Swim-a-Thon, Royal Race Rumble, Roarin’ 20s, Masked Singer, Mini-Golf Tourney, Star Wars Pod Racing, Camp-a-Palooza, Holiday Hodgepodge, Giant Slide, Rock-Paper-Scissors, Fear Factor, Color War (not listed), maybe a return of the Gold Rush, and MORE!!!
- August Alumni Summer Picnic- date TBA
DREDGED LAKE and AMPHITHEATER SEATING! After a decade of planning, with the creativity of two longtime camp parents, Liberty Lake has finally been dredged, returning to a semblance of the depth that it had once been. While still a shallow lake, there will now be better boating, fishing and swimming- with less vegetation, as the lake floor is farther away from sunlight. And while that was going on, we replaced our original Amphitheater benches with higher, more comfortable bench seating- for kids and adults. We hope to test it out at the…
New Jersey Renaissance Faire Returns!
Slated for the last weekend in May, and first weekend in June- Limited tickets on sale now! Come celebrate the return of knights, princesses, sword fighting, jousting, music, comedy, Shelli Buttons, delicious food, and more- Social distancing and safety guidelines planned to be in effect. For more info, go to www.NJRenFaire.com
Liberty Lake Foundation Thanks LLDC Camp Families
After last February 2020’s successful Valentine Babysitting Event, the world changed for everyone- and most charity organizations have experienced considerably less support. Our foundation was still able to award a small amount of Camperships sponsoring local children at Liberty Lake and other summer camps. During Summer 2020, LLDC Families stepped up Big Time, helping raise thousands of dollars through slushie sales, bake sales, and carnation-grams during the pandemic camp season. In addition, three VERY GENEROUS camp families (two of which have family charities) donated $16,500 to the cause this off-season- equating to approximately 50 weeks of camp for kids who otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford to attend camp. Thank you to all who have supported us– It takes a village to raise our children, and we’re proud to be a part of such a loving, supportive community at Liberty Lake! Please consider supporting, and pass along our campership application to those in need at: www.LibertyLakeFoundation.org The Camp Experience should be available to everyone!
More of What We LOVE at LLDC
As we will likely be running a similarly modified camp schedule in 2021, in which electives will be restricted within camper groups, these popular activities will be EXPANDING-doubling to accommodate twice as many camper groups!
- Taste Buds (cooking), Fishing, Mountain Bikes (and Learn to Ride), and High Ropes Adventure- with added elements!
Continuing our on-going commitment to safety– After the tropical storms of summer 2020 (like last summer wasn’t challenging enough!) Liberty Lake is installing new lightning grounding protection to EVERY large tent structure at camp, with wooden structures to follow for 2022.
Resident BATMAN- Noah Schwartz
Long time camper, and first time counselor Noah Schwartz became our second Liberty Laker to use LLDC for an Eagle Scout Project! Noah has been given approval to build and hang TWENTY BAT-HOUSES for our nocturnal flying rodent friends. Bats play an essential role in pest control, pollinating plants and dispersing seeds. Recent studies estimate that bats eat enough pests to save more than $1 billion per year in crop damage and pesticide costs in the US corn industry alone- and there’s a lot of corn grown around LLDC- Thank you Noah!
WHAT IS THE LIBERTY LAKE SUCCESS PROGRAM?
Liberty Lake is committed to true inclusion- giving support to those who need it, when they need it. Be it physical, mental, social-emotional, language/cultural, or medical- Our Success Director, Terri Southerland schedules and facilitates an extensive In-Take Process throughout the off-season, which evolves into Summer Success Plans that outline the necessary support for our campers to succeed. Liberty Lake continues to be the only private camp we know of that employs a full-time social worker during the summer, and works with the State of NJ’s PerformCare program to help subsidize tuition and the additional costs of support for local families. To read more about our Success Program: https://libertylakedaycamp.com/success-inclusion-program/
- A SPECIAL Special Needs Week- August 23-27 As this summer gives us an extra week before Labor Day, we are tentatively (minimum 50 campers) adding a special 10th week, specifically for our campers with special needs, including our old timers up to 21 years old. This is NOT an inclusion week, but an special extra week for those who need it. Campers are able to enroll/add this week right now- For more information, Email inclusion@libertylakedaycamp.com
Outdoor, safe, distanced events are being booked again for 2021-
- All kinds of FAMILY Parties- big birthdays, graduations, weddings, SCHOOL- dance recitals, PTO/field day events- even Prom parties, corporate events, and more- details at LibertyLakePicnics.com or contact Kurtis at 609.499.0432, or kurtis@libertylakepicnic.com
- We are hosting a Community PASSOVER SEDER on Sunday, March 28, from 1:30-4:30pm. Come enjoy an outdoor seder with the wonderful Cantor Borsky, and a delicious meal complete with matzah ball soup, chicken, brisket and more from Chef Ed and Stu. Tickets available at: https://liberty-lake.square.site/
- We are also planning an outdoor EASTER BBQ Event on Sunday April, 4 from 11-3pm, with a special Easter BBQ menu, plus outdoor Camp and Easter activities. More info and ticketing coming very soon!
With so many High School and College Students relegated to their bedrooms or couches this winter, we decided to put together a unique professional development opportunity for them, which just concluded. Some of Liberty Lake’s best and brightest met weekly with Professor Big Cat (Nate), read articles, and posted regularly about important topics such as managing stress and anxiety (at home and at camp), and working with the special needs population. At LLDC, we value the GROWTH MINDSET, and believe that we can always learn more and improve ourselves. Thank you to Brandi (BC) who guided this program to fruition, Prof. Nate, and all of the students/staff- Your diplomas are in the mail!
LLDC, UPenn, the UN?
Liberty Lake has MANY camp parents who work at the University of Pennsylvania, and one of them is very involved in climate change initiatives through the school, and even the UN (Re: Paris Climate Agreement.) Many young people see climate change as a scary, impending issue, and feel helpless about it, so LLDC is working with our new partners to construct curriculum to work on projects that teach how they can facilitate change from the grassroots level- at LLDC, at home, at school, etc. We’re very excited to see where this journey takes us!
2021 Important Dates- See Spirit Calendar for Summer Season Details
March 28 – Passover Seder Picnic Day https://liberty-lake.square.site
April 4 – Easter Family Picnic Day
May 9 – Tentative Mother’s Day Family Picnic Day
May 29-30 and June 5-6, NJ Renaissance Faire www.njrenfaire.com
June 3 – Returning Parent Info-Zoom, 7-9pm
June 10 – New Parent Orientation Zoom, 7-9pm
June 21 – Week 1 – We realize that many schools are extending into this week, contact us to pro-rate
July 5 – Camp Closed, Independence Day Observed
July 15 – Camp Picture Day
August 16 – Post-Week
August 23 – Tentative Extra Week for Special Friends
& Color War… We can’t tell you when!
Connect with us on Social Media
- Facebook – updates most days!
- Instagram – updates most days!
- YouTube – over 100 awesome videos!
- Pinterest – a mix of resources!
- Twitter – links to great posts!
– And just as our camper return rate is an all-time high… So is our STAFF return rate!!
SO WHO IS PLANNING ON RETURNING???
Aaron, Abby, Adam, Aimee, Alanna, Alex, Alexa, Ally, Amir, Analisa, Andrew, Andy, Angie, Archie, Armando, Augie, Barb at the Snack Shack, BC, Becca, Becky, Bekah, Bella, Ben, Bianca, Big Red, Bob, Brandon, Brenna, Brett, Brianna, Britt, Bryan, Cam, Caren, Carlos, Cathi, CeCe, Chef Ed, Chris, Christa, Christian, Courtnee, Courtney, Dan, Dani, Danielle, Danny, Dave, Dawn, Debbie, DJ, Dom, Dylan, Eileen, Emily, Eric, Erin, Ethan, Foto Frank, Franbino, Gabby, Gale, Gary, Georgia, Gianna, Hank, Harrison, Hijab, Holly, Jackson, Jamie, Jared, Jason, Jeanette, Jeff, Jen, Jeni, Jenn, Jenna, Jennifer, Jessica, Jill, Jo Ann, Joe, Joey, Johanna, Jonah, Josh, Joss, Justin, Kait, Karolina, Kat, Katie, Kay, Keith, Killian, Kim, Kirsten, Krissy, Kristen, Kyle, Larry, Lauren, Lexi, Liam, Lisa, Liv, Lizzy, Lucious, Lupita, Makeba, Maribel, Marilyn, Marissa, Matt, Matthew, Meredith, Mickey, Mike, Miss Michelle, Monica, Morgan, Mountain Man, Muffin, Naja, Natalie, Nate, Nick, Nicole, Nikki, Niko ,Niyah, Noah, Nya, OJ, Olivia, Orlando, Paige, Patt, Peyton, Regan, Renee’, Rich, Robert, Roberto, Ron, Ryan, Ryann, Sabrina, Sam, Scott, Shelby, Shelli, Stacey, Stu, Sue, Taylor, Terri, Theresa, Thomas, TJ, Tracy, Tucker, Vanessa, Victor, Will, Zack, Zay, Zeke, and Zuck!Any questions or concerns, you know where to find us- At the LLDC office, working diligently to ensure that we have another awesome summer at Liberty Lake!
Sincerely,
Andy, Jill, Joe, Brandi, Terri, Stu, Larry,
and the LLDC Summer Team
609.499.7820
LibertyLakeDayCamp.com