Top o’ the mornin’, folks!

Olive Oyl here with your departure Day dish! We were up bright and early this morning, woken up by the beautiful singing of Taj and Forbidden. We headed over to breakfast and warmed up with some hot chocolate before saying goodbye to our friends on the Newton and New York buses and those traveling to the airport. We had campers and counselors from around the world- England, France, Australia, Venezuela, and Mexico, just to name a few. These special folks have begun to make their way back to their respective corners of the globe, but despite this geographic difference, we all have one thing in common– being a part of the amazing family here at Hidden Valley. We bid everyone adieu with the HVC classic funky chicken, which also included the funky lobster, moose, gnome, and llama. Campers who are leaving by car are currently watching a movie or hanging out before they’re swooped away by family and say see ya later to Hidden Valley.

Last night’s Closing Pine Grove ceremony was serene and magical. Walking up to the campfire, we All cabins shared something special with the group, like Shangri-La’s original song, “Tasty Cookie,” and Forbidden’s improv storytelling. Halley’s Comet sang “Lean On Me,” Fiddler’s Green sang “I’m Yours” and Taj Mahal sang “The Rainbow Connection.” Alive led us in a rain circle, Atlantis did the HVCclassic Princess Pat, and Down Under did Boom-Chicka-Boom. Some former- campers-now-counselors revived an old singalong, “Because I came to HVC…” and two of our international counselors shared a day in the life of a British/Australian counselor, complete with slang and vocabulary discrepancies. Camelot sang “You’ve Got A Friend In Me” and French Quarter sang “When I’m Gone,” while Paquatahnee had us doing the jellyfish. Treasure Island sang the “FUN” song from Spongebob and on a more serious note, Meg and the AWAC ladies led us in “The Farthest Field.” And of course, Tom and his dulcimer class played and sang for us. It was a night of music, laughter, and memories. After all of our acts, we started the candle-lighting ceremony, where we filled in the path down Tipi Hill, getting the chance to say goodbye to our friends with a candle touch or a hug. Pine Grove gave us a chance to reflect on the friendships we made this summer, all we’ve accomplished in our classes, and prepared us for heading home and having a successful year.

Be sure to check on the Facebook page for updates on the buses as your campers make their way home! We’d also like to apologize for some technical difficulties, but not to fret, photos from yesterday and the day before are up and ready to view!

Sadly, this is our final post of the summer. Reporting the news is our favorite part of the day, and it has been an absolute pleasure to share all the HVC gossip with you! Hopefully we’ll be in touch in future summers!

Up Up And Away,

Olive and Alleycat

Hidden Valley fans! Hi! This is Alleycat here with some more info for you all.

We missed the schvitz last night! Which is the best news, because that means our Fair Day dance was able to be held in the backyard, as tradition goes. The music pumped from the gazebo as campers and counselors went wild. Others swung on the swings, played cards, played magic, played frisbee (lots of playing, as it should be), made a fort of Crazy Creeks, and more. Everyone found something to do, whether it be sign their friend’s white books or read their latest literary addiction beneath the apple tree. To close the evening, the PDs hooked up a projector in the gazebo and campers were able to watch the highlight videos from end of first session/beginning of second session and another second session video.

It is the ever enchanting packing day today and as a bit of a treat, wake up and breakfast were an hour later and breakfast was… cinnamon rolls! Cinnamon buns! Cinnabuns! Cinnarolls! Whichever name you fancy, I hope we can agree that the cinnamon dose of sugar was a wonderful kickstart to the day.

At morning meeting, Peter and Meg honored the pro staff, the ladybugs and maintenance staff, all of the counselors, and of course our FANTASTIC PDs. Roses, cards, and hugs along with some kind words from Peter broke up the epic long camp meeting which included a breakdown of our eventful day today. Campers picked up their valuables, meds, sorted through the lost and found, and claimed their masterpieces before heading back to their cabins to do a deep clean and pack… which is where there are now!

Lunch is soon and after that each cabin has a very special cabin day activity planned. There will be an update of this and pictures later on tonight. As well as a brief update from the spectacular not-to-be-missed lobster banquet!!

Then it’s pine grove tonight with a candlelight ceremony to say see you later to all our new and old friends… and a 5AM wake-up so kiddos can make their way to their folks in the morning.

Everything is moving right along here. Though it’s always a bit sad to leave a magical place like HVC, everyone has grown and learned about themselves this summer and we are all incredibly lucky to have a place like this.

Until tonight,
Alleycat

Good evening, one and all! Olive Oyl reporting for duty with your Packing Day scoop.

After a yummy lunch and with our cabins sparkly clean, cabins spread out around camp for their final cabin activities. LCH went blueberry picking, Avalon did an obstacle course, and Loons performed a closing ritual at the log cabin. Gimme Shelter practiced their survival skills in the great outdoors whileChateau Fiasco took a dip in the hot tub. Treasure Island also got wet, going for a swim in the lake, while Atlantis went on a hike up past the log cabin. Forbidden Planet took a trip off camp to get some ice cream and Taj Mahal sledded on frozen t-shirts (their Taj shirts that they’ve been waiting for all summer!). Down Under did splatter art and French Quarter did artwork using the outlines of their bodies. Paquatahnee decorated shirts with puffy paint and Shangri-La signed t-shirts and finished a glass fusing project that they’ve been working on all summer. Valhalla had a picnic lunch at Tipi Village and Halley’s Comet decorated t-shirts and made buttons. Camelot made memory boats down at the creek and Fiddler’s Green designed t-shirts and went for a swim in the lake. Alive did what they do best (art!) and screenprinted in the Buckhorn. All in all, cabins had an awesome time spending some last bonding moments with their cabin-mates and reminiscing about all of this summer’s good times.

After our quality cabin time, we gathered for the very important luggage meeting, where trunks and duffels get sorted so they can be efficiently sent on buses, cars, and planes home. Once the great luggage move was completed, we gathered for our final evening meeting, complete with all of our usual acts, like the Gurus of Uselessness and the Weather Guy, there to share one last useless fact and weather report with camp. The next part of the day is probably the part of the day that most have been looking forward to…the Lobster Banquet! We relaxed in our seats ready to be waited on by our counselors, put on our lobster bibs, got our wet naps ready, and chowed down! We ate scrumptious lobster, salad, potatoes, and bread rolls. There were of course options for those non-lovers of lobster, like spanakopita and chicken parmigiana. And I can’t forget the cherry on top of the sundae of the meal…Ben and Jerry’s ice cream! After a much deserved thank you to our incredible kitchen staff, Meg suited up in her cow costume and handed out Phish Food, Chocolate Fudge Brownie, Cherry Garcia, and more. With our bellies full of yumminess, we’ll soon gather at the bottom of Tipi Hill to start our Closing Pine Grove ceremony. We will walk up in silence following the light of a torch, taking time to reflect on all that we’ve accomplished this summer. Once at Pine Grove, we’ll listen and share stories and songs around the campfire. To end the night, we’ll have our traditional candle lighting ceremony, where we’ll have the opportunity to individually say goodbye by touching candle flames. Keep your eyes peeled tomorrow for an update with more Pine Grove details. Until then, camp is winding down as the end is near. Closing Pine Grove offers us time to appreciate the wonderful people here at Hidden Valley and our successes of the summer, whether it be a woodworking project, getting a level three on the swim test, or making a new friend. Although it’s sad to leave, in the words of Taj’s Thought Du Jour this morning, don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.

Always,
Olive Oyl

 

Hi there, Hidden Valley weirdos! Alleycat here with lazy day news and a brief, though nonetheless exciting, FAIR DAY UPDATE! Aw, yeah!

Yesterday, the younger half had a blast at the roller-skating rink. Kids skated or bladed, had a snack, and played in the arcade. Everyone held onto their friends as they circled the rink and listened to some great music.

The older half stayed behind for a Broadway Bonanza lazy day. It was a musical day full of breathtaking sunshine.

Both groups had some time to hang out and relax at pool activities, where the music continued. There were all the usual activities there: reading circles, more writing in white books, friendship bracelets, a slip-n-slide, frisbee, and more.

After a delectable pizza dinner and a chunk of time afterwards for a brief start on packing, all of camp went into the rec hall for the Alive show! The teen art program Alive’s theme this year was life and among dances and other acts, scenes were weaved through the show. The premise was that the planets wanted to create a new one. After a few failed attempts, the missing ingredient was life. It was a truly spectacular evening. There was so much talent and hard work on display!

Today is fair day. Everyone is in their cabin doing a bit of cleaning or running around the front/back yard setting up their booths. After this, we will walk up to Brumby for the Brumby horse show… and then let the festivities (and chocolate fountain) begin!

Stay tuned for more, folks.

Here are some photographs from the Alive show last night, but there will be even more photos from yesterday (and today) later on!

Yours,
Alleycat