Tradition Time With Eliza!

Liza’s Tradition Time: Our Bryn Mawr ‘Halloween’

October 24th, 2022

Believe it or not, I am often asked if we have Halloween at camp! The short answer is… well, no, but sort of! We do not trick-or-treat, but we do dress up with our friends, have a costume parade and indulge in sweets and fun and games! It all happens on what is personally one of my favorite days of the summer: CARNIVAL! 

Carnival starts with a costume parade. Every cabin dresses up together and makes their costume as a group. I love seeing how creative the cabins (and groups of staff) get every year. In the middle office, we division heads always try and come up with something clever. The parade takes place in the Apple O and each group gets the chance to come onstage and strut across to a song of their choice. It is so much fun to watch and see what all of the cabins came up with! In 2022, we started a new tradition of having a theme to inspire costumes. For our first “theme” year, we picked TV shows, and our division head group dressed up as the “Fresh Princesses of the Middle Office!” I wonder what the theme will be in 2023… (Psst: If you have any suggestions, DM them to Najah on Instagram!) 

There’s so much more to Carnival that I’ll have to save most of it for another Tradition Time… because there is JUST TOO MUCH TO SAY! But since it’s #spookyseason, I have to talk about one more aspect. After the costume parade, everyone goes up to Main Campus for games, snacks and surprises — including the traditional Bunk One haunted house! Each year our Bunk One campers bring a little taste of Halloween to Carnival. They come up with a story for their haunted house, work together to build it, create costumes, and run the show themselves! To make sure the frights are fun for all, there are different times for each age group to go through the haunted house. As you get older, it gets scarier… and scarier! 

Feeling spooky yet? Don’t worry — just like our adventure courses, the haunted house is “challenge by choice,” and only those thrill-seekers who want a scare choose to enter the haunted house.

What are your favorite Carnival memories? What do you hope next year’s costume theme will be? Comment below and let us know!

Love,
Eliza

Birthdays

Today is Somebody’s AUTUMN Birthday…

October 13th, 2022

Happy birthday to all of our September and October Angels!

September

Birthstone: Sapphire
Flower: Aster (represents wisdom, valor, and faith) and morning glory (represents love and affection)
Famous September birthdays: Zendaya (Sept. 1), Keanu Reeves (Sept. 2), Beyonce (Sept. 4), Sydney Sweeney (Sept. 12), Ben Platt (Sept. 24)

Happy September birthday to Hayley (Upper Seniors), Willow (Bunk Two), Hailey (Upper Juniors), Charlotte (Lower Seniors), Madeline (Lower Juniors), Orli (Lodge), Daphne (Lower Juniors), Sarah (LIT), Maia (Bunk Two), Leah (Upper Juniors), Savannah (Upper Juniors), Alessandra (Lower Juniors), Sydney (Lower Juniors), Alice (Upper Seniors), Ava (Upper Seniors), Raphie (Manor House), Tessa (Lodge), Willa (Upper Juniors), Sophie (LIT), Liv (Manor House), Charlotte (Upper Juniors), Juliet (Upper Juniors), Layla (Upper Juniors), Josephine (Manor House), Lexi (Upper Juniors), Tallie (Bunk One), Chloe (Upper Seniors), Stella (LIT), Kameryn (Upper Juniors), Avery (Bunk Two), Ella (Lower Juniors), Layla (Upper Juniors), Kate (Upper Juniors), Dylan (Manor House), Gigi (Upper Juniors), and Summer (Upper Seniors)!

October

Birthstone: Opal and tourmaline
Flower: Marigold (represents success, energy, the sun) and cosmos (represents tranquility, peace, and love)
Famous October birthdays: Camilla Belle (Oct. 2), Tessa Thompson (Oct. 3), Cardi B (Oct. 11), Felicity Jones (Oct. 17)

Happy birthday to Gabby (Lodge), Ivy (Lower Seniors), Isabel (Upper Seniors), Willa (Manor House), Willa (Upper Seniors), Lucy (Lower Seniors), Sadie (Lower Juniors), Lila (Lower Seniors), Shoshana (Lower Juniors), Liv (Upper Juniors), Emma (LIT), Rowan (Manor House), Isabelle (Upper Seniors), Addison (Bunk Two), Liv (Lower Juniors), Mia (Lower Juniors), Sydney (Upper Juniors), Brandi (Upper Seniors), Olivia (Bunk Two), Elle (Upper Seniors), Maya (Bunk One), Harlow (Lower Juniors), Olivia (Bunk Two), Lailah (Lodge), Emily (Upper Seniors), Morgan (Upper Seniors), Lila (Lower Seniors), Morgan (LIT), and Hallie (Lower Juniors)!

Birthdays

Today is Somebody’s MAY Birthday…

May 2nd, 2022

Happy birthday to all of our May Angels!

Birthstone: Emerald
Flower: Lily of the valley (represents sweetness, humility, and good luck), hawthorn (represents hope)
Famous May birthdays: Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson (May 2), Adele (May 5), Billy Joel (May 9), Debby Ryan (May 13), Miranda Cosgrove (May 14), Lily-Rose Depp (May 27)

Happy May birthday to Ann (Manor House), Anna (Lodge), Ariana (Bunk One), Grace (Bunk Two), Eden (Upper Juniors), Ella (Lower Seniors), Charlotte (Upper Juniors), Joley (Upper Seniors), Alana (Upper Seniors), Sasha (Lodge), Joia (Upper Juniors), Lily (Bunk One), Ashley (Lodge), Olivia (Bunk Two), Belle (Lodge), Chloe (Upper Seniors), Leah (Bunk Two), Taylor (Lodge), Vera (Lower Seniors), Grace (Lower Juniors), Carly (Bunk Two), and Mikayla (Upper Seniors)!

Birthdays

Today is Somebody’s APRIL Birthday…

April 1st, 2022

Happy birthday to all of our April Angels!

Birthstone: Diamond
Flower: Daisy (represents innocence) and sweet pea (represents greetings and goodbyes)
Famous April birthdays: Robert Downey Jr. (April 4), Paul Rudd (April 6), Elle Fanning (April 9), Brooklyn Decker (April 12), John Cena (April 23) and Lizzo (April 27)

Happy April birthday to Jordy (Bunk 2), Becca (Bunk 2), Emma (Bunk 1), Greta (Bunk 1), Julia (Manor House), Hailey (Lodge), Lucy (Lower Juniors), Sophia (Lodge), Julia (Upper Juniors), Mia (Manor House), Ruth (Upper Juniors), Zoey (Lower Seniors), Hannah (Upper Seniors), Lily (Upper Seniors), Saanvi (Lower Juniors), Jaden (Bunk 2), Reese (Upper Seniors), Yazzy (Lower Juniors), Sadie (Upper Juniors), Deia (Bunk 2) and Jenna (Lower Seniors)!

Tradition Time With Eliza!

Liza’s Tradition Time: March Meeting

March 31st, 2022

Some say the highlight every year during the month of March is March Madness Basketball. While I do love a good bracket, the highlight for me is my own personal form of March Madness: March Meeting! 

March Meeting marks the moment when our rising Super Seniors officially become Bunk One and start preparing to take on all of the leadership roles that come with that title. The girls come up to camp for a night to participate in team building, design their special uniform, decide the Color War themes and more. The day is jam-packed with meetings, activities and fun. Of course, camp favorites like Asian Fusion are involved 🙂 

For me as an alumna, March Meeting is so special because I can remember the feeling of becoming Bunk One back in 2010, and I get to watch girls have the same experience that I did: the pure joy and uncontainable excitement that it is finally their turn. 

Somehow it seems that every year I say “I can’t believe these girls are Bunk One,” and this year, that could not be more true. The campers of BOS ’22 are the girls who were in the Manor House eight years ago when I came back to work at camp after spending a few summers away from LBMC. For that reason, this March Meeting was extra special to me — because in camp staff years, it’s like I made it to my own Bunk One summer all over again! 

What else goes on at March Meeting? Well… Surprises are an important part of the magic of camp, and just like Chocolate Banana Night and Color War break, there are some things about March Meeting that we can’t tell you about until it is your turn! All I will say now is that I am SUPER excited about BOS ’22… and the Color War themes are AMAZING. Get ready for an unbelievable summer led by this awesome group!

Love,
Eliza

Birthdays

Today is Somebody’s MARCH Birthday…

March 16th, 2022

Happy birthday to all of our March Angels!

Birthstone: Aquamarine
Flower: Daffodil (represents new beginnings and joy)
Famous March birthdays: Justin Bieber (March 1), Jon Bon Jovi (March 2), Shaquille O’Neal (March 6), Lily Collins (March 18), Lady Gaga (March 28)

Happy March birthday to Addison (Lodge), Adelaide (Manor House), Adele (Upper Juniors), Alyssa (Lodge), Ana (Manor House), Archer (Manor House), Ava (Upper Seniors), Ava (Bunk 1), Brette (Lodge), Carleigh (Bunk 2), Caroline (Bunk 1), Eden (Upper Seniors), Elena (Lower Seniors), Emily (Bunk 1), Eva (Upper Juniors), Gabby (Bunk 1), Gabriella (Lower Juniors), Jillian (Upper Juniors), Jillian (Bunk 2), Jordana (Lower Juniors), Lindsay (Bunk 2), Lola (Bunk 2), Margaux (Upper Juniors), Maya (Bunk 1), Maya (Manor House), Mimi (Bunk 2), Phoebe (Bunk 1), Reese (Bunk 1), Riley (Lower Juniors), Sarah (Bunk 1), Tim Tim (Upper Seniors), Victoria (Lower Juniors), Vivienne (Manor House), Vivienne (Upper Juniors), and Zoe (Bunk 2)!

Honoring Peter the Bryn Mawr Angel Way

November 12th, 2021

This fall, we lost our dear friend Peter Lai. Known as the “Everything Guy,” Peter saw his job at camp as doing whatever needed to be done, whenever it needed to be done! Peter was a shining example of the Angel Code values, and we saw him model Loyalty, Beauty, Merit and Comradeship every day, in everything he did. If you ever had a problem, if you ever wore a frown or looked like you needed help, it was practically a guarantee that Peter would stop whatever he was doing and listen to your problem, help you find a solution, or cheer you up.

Camp won’t feel quite the same without Peter’s warm smile. But there’s one thing we know for sure: If Peter saw us feeling sad, he would want to find a way to make us feel better. The best way we can honor his memory is to keep spreading the joy that he brought to everyone who crossed his path at camp, finding little ways to live the Angel Code — just like Peter did every single day.

Here are some of our ideas for ways to honor Peter’s memory. What else would you add to the list?

Reach out to someone who is lonely or feeling down.

Peter had a way of spotting anyone who was in need of a little extra TLC and doing whatever he could to put a smile on their face. This week, if you see a friend, neighbor or classmate who looks like they might be having a hard day, take a moment to ask them if there’s something you can do to help.

Volunteer to do a chore (especially one no one else wants to do!).

Whether it was bringing trunks down from the attic, running water to Wembley, or tracking down a missing item, Peter was always ready to do whatever needed doing. The next time there’s a task that needs doing, like emptying the dishwasher, helping a neighbor or cleaning up after a class activity, take the opportunity to honor Peter by saying the same words he always said  at camp: “I’ll do it!”

Be a friend to someone who needs it.

Think back to your first week of camp… We bet you have at least one memory of something Peter did to make you feel welcome! Now think about the other kids at your school and activities. Is there someone who’s new, or who seems alone or left out? When you see them, do what Peter would do: Go over to them, smile, and invite them to join your table, activity or conversation. You can share that same warm, welcoming feeling that Peter created for you when you were brand new at camp!

Share your stories with Peter’s family.If you have favorite memories or stories about Peter, or photos you would like to share, the Lai family would love to hear from you! You can send your remembrances to beloved.peterlai@gmail.com.

Learn about the Peter Lai Scholarship Fund at Project Morry.

Do-It-Yourself Pop-Ups For Winter Fun

November 12th, 2021

We had so much fun getting to see many of you at our Pop-Ups this fall! Big indoors gatherings might not be back quite yet, but there is a ton of fun to be had outside, even as the weather starts to get chilly. Here are some of our winter activity suggestions for outdoors meetups with your camp friends (or any friends!) this winter:

Gather for a game of kickball or Quidditch.

Who doesn’t love a silly game? Especially one that can be played in any park, field, or big backyard (even in the snow for a winter activity). If you need a refresher, you can find the rules for Quidditch online. (Did you know that kickball has its own special rules, too? So does Wiffle Ball, believe it or not.)

Go for a winter hike.

For hiking with no bugs and nice cool temperatures, find a fun trail near you and meet up to explore — no need for bug spray! Here are some ideas in New Jersey, Philadelphia, D.C., Long Island, Westchester and Florida. Hiking is an option even if you live in the city! Check out this list of winter walks and hikes for kids in and around NYC.

Stage your own Silent Disco.

Recreate one of your favorite camp evening activities in your own backyard! This app lets you set up a Silent Disco for you and your friends so you can dance to your own beat without driving your parents (and neighbors) crazy.

Yarn-Bomb a Tree.

Looking for an unusual art project you can do outdoors? This yarn-wrapping tutorial proves that even trees love friendship bracelets!

Paint in (and on) the snow.

Our fingers are crossed for some snow days this winter… we can’t wait to try out this super-simple do-it-yourself snow painting winter activity. All you need is water, food coloring, a few squeeze bottles… just add snow (and friends, of course)!

Fun winter activity ideas for kids

7 Gifts You Can Make At Home

November 12th, 2021

The SHAC might be packed up for the winter, but that doesn’t mean you can’t channel some of your summertime creativity into making fun, colorful gifts for your friends, family and teachers. Here are some ideas for beautiful, useful presents you can make with simple items from the craft store. 

  • Wondering what to do with all those camp photos? Turn them into photo coasters using this tutorial! These would also be great with family pictures or Bat Mitzvah photos.
  • Hot cocoa tastes even better in a personalized mug, made using oil-based Sharpie pens. You can do an initial, a design, or any shape you like (may we suggest… an angel?)
  • This ombre yarn-wrapped letter is easy to make with just a few basic items, and there are endless options for embellishments and colors.
  • Do-it-yourself magnets are a great way to share your art, maps of places that you care about, or very small photos. This tutorial shows you three ways to make them, using glass marbles, wood squares, or bottle caps.
  • Macrame is super popular, mega-stylish, and surprisingly not that hard to do! These mini macrames can be used as keychains or bag charms and dyed any color.
  • Have you seen the Perler bead daisy belts that have been trending on TikTok? Here’s how you can make those flowers yourself and turn them into charms for jewelry and accessories!
  • These braided bracelets can be made with jump rings and leather in any color (like, oh, say… green and gold…) and make a sweet addition to your friends’ arm stacks.