Howdy HVC! It’s been some time, but I’m back with a recap of an exciting event: our 75th Anniversary Alumni Reunion!

A few weekends ago, former campers, AWACs, and counselors (some from as long as fifty-odd years ago!) gathered at camp to meet old and greet new friends, reminisce on shared memories, and generally relive the singular magic of camp!

After an early breakfast on Friday, some early arrivals headed down the road to the Common Ground Fair in Unity before collecting back at HVC to collect their special reunion t-shirt and settle in for the weekend!  🙂 As usual, a delightful dinner was preceded by a quip-equipped Camp Meeting–complete with the first reunion Word of the Day. Then in the tradition of staff training, the night was capped off by an all-smiles Contra Dance in the Rec Hall followed by a blazing bonfire at the French Quarter fire pit, where many a song was sung!

Word of the Day: Frostalgia!

On Saturday, the Reunioners hopped on the time travel express (e.g. miraculously instant transport), landing just in time for morning Camp Meeting! When all logistics were taken care of and a wellspring of traditions evoked, a busy day of classes commenced! With Electives-style options like Photograms, Glass Beads/Mosaics, Jamming with Jacob and Yoga/Meditation; Interest Group-style pursuits like a Hike to the Blueberry Field or Log Cabin, Knockout, Tie Dye & Friendship Bracelets and Pickleball; and classic activities like Swimming, Kayaking/Paddleboarding, Ropes and Promos, camp was brimming with energy (and glittering with nostalgia)!

In highlights-reel fashion, a deserved lunch was followed by Fair Day Jr. in the Backyard and, in a memorable twist, Happy Hour with Peter and Meg at the Sandbox 😉 The joyous romp down Memory Lane Camp Road version continued with the grand occasion of the Lobster Banquet that evening, topped off with not only Ben & Jerry’s, but a heartfelt Pinegrove up the Hill.

Though the cheery campers departed the next day, bound for home in eclectic places and robust (adult) lives, their affection and enthusiasm for camp could be felt for indefinitely after. ‘Till next year former (and forever) campers – we love you too!

I’ll be in touch with updates next month! In the meantime, hope that everyone stays warm and swell as spooky (and cozy!) season settles upon us in the Northeast.

All the best,

H. V. Scribe

The Reunion crew all around camp!

The Lobster Banquet!

The Contra Dance!

Hi there!

If you can believe it, we’ve made it to Packing Day, which means it’s coming to a close…(cue the sentimental music)!

Yesterday evening, we had a thrilling and heartwarming time dancing and singing as well as hanging out and immersing ourselves in the effervescent summer vibes in the backyard during the Fair Day Dance – see photos below!!

This morning, we rose half an hour later for a leisurely al-fresco breakfast with our cabins before gathering in the Front Yard for the last Morning Meeting of the summer!

In addition to our morning staples (e.g. Groups, Announcements, Thought du Jour and our designated Birthday announcer, a jolly skunk this past week), there were some special heartfelt additions including gestures of appreciation for all of our standout counseling, pro, office and PD alongside nursing, cleaning and maintenance staff this summer (and for a handful, countless summers prior), and of course Peter and Meg.

Afterwards, campers finalized their admirable packing efforts to prepare for their homeward journeys before populating the backyard one last time with that singular infectious energy for lunch and then reinhabiting the cabins for rest period and fun closure-inducing daytime cabin activities around camp.

This afternoon after a logistics-powered transportation meeting, we’re getting ready to end the day in the best and iconic way: the annual Lobster Banquet + Closing Pinegrove!

For the first affair, the dining hall and campers will be jazzed up with table cloths and patterned bibs respectively for a feast starring the vibrant crustaceans (or delectable chicken parm or greek-style spanakopita for those contrarily inclined) and pints of Ben & Jerry’s distributed via a certain cow-costumed individual emerged from her planet!!

In the aftermath, campers and their counselors will walk up the big hill in meditative silence and take seats around the blazing fire in the shade of the pine trees to witness individual performances by each cabin, usually featuring a parody or two and some poignant choruses.

To close out the evening as well as extend our love and farewells to each other, the ceremony will conclude with the annual bittersweet candle-lighting procession during which every camper will have the chance to share a personal greeting to every other. It’s projected to be a beautiful night for this soulful experience… 

We’ll write tomorrow for the last update (plus photos) – stay well until then 🙂

Warmly,

H.V. Scribe

ROAD RACE

BASKETBALL GAME

FAIR DAY

FAIR DAY DANCE

PACKING DAY

HVA

Hi from the Scribe!

Yesterday evening, we witnessed the fantastic hour-long production of MATILDA by our standout cast – see photos below! Featuring a spiteful principal, euphonious sweet-tooth and dynamic band of supportive friends/precocious children/talented performers alongside two Matildas – not to forget rousing musical numbers like Naughty and Revolting Children – the show was a treat for the senses! On that note, shoutout to the costume team and Backstage Ninjas who made the spectacle spectacular 🙂

After that fun-filled Lazy Day, campers rose early this morning, some earlier than others, for FAIR DAY! To kick things off, a vivacious bunch jumped out of bed before their cabinmates to grab an early breakfast before hitting Camp Road for the epic annual Road Race marathon, a tad over a mile!

After ambling to the dining hall for their own breakfast, the rest of camp convened in the Front Lawn to cheer on their friends as they made their final stretch, sweaty but smiling! Though we may have *run* into some schvitz, our energy was nothing but sunny!! 🙂

In light of the weather, the scheduled Camper v. Counselor Basketball Game was postponed for (hopefully!) this afternoon, but the other events continued as planned – including setting up for the cabin-manned Fair Day carnival-style booths before heading indoors to bittersweetly continue our valiant packing efforts as departure day nears.

When the bell rang, campers gathered in the Rec Hall for a screening of the video classes’ humorous and engaging video productions including Matilda highlights! (The watch party will continue tomorrow with the full-length camp slideshow…)

Immediately after, the Fair began!! With stations including a water slide and inflatable jousting alongside fun and silly activities like the Marriage Booth, name changing, face-painting and candy grams – suitably supplemented by corn dogs, fried dough and ice cream – the good vibes were pervasive (and contagious)! Check out more photos tomorrow 🙂

If the weather holds up, camp will soon convene at the Basketball Courts for the highly-anticipated game before moving onto a memorable dinner and the classic, groovy and glorious Fair Dance!! After dancing and singing the evening away, we’ll all be spinning into deep sleep tonight…

So many things happening; we’ll keep you posted!

Cheers,

H.V. Scribe

MUSICAL

BOWLING

FAIR DAY

FAIR DAY ART SHOW