A group of lovely yellow and rain-protected friends

Morning, everyone! It’s Luna Bug here, back to fill everyone in on all that’s been going on around camp.

What a wonderful day we’re having here at HVC! Whoah, whoah, whoah, I’m getting ahead of myself- I need to fill everyone in on all that happened yesterday!

That bit of schvitz yesterday didn’t stop our amazing staff from continuing with their training. The ropes crew was down at the ropes course, working with Sully, an out of camp trainer who has been helping us out at at HVC for many years and is an expert in the trees. Ciera led the horse staff through their usual routine down at the horse barn, and they did so with all smiles, although they were definitely ready for the hot tomato soup at lunch. The lifeguards had a long day of training inside yesterday, perfecting their CPR skills in the dining hall. Today everyone’s back outside on the ropes course, horse barn, and pool and lake, respectively- and excited about it (especially with this sunny 70 degree weather)!

Last night was TRIVIA NIGHT!!!!! The counselors were split up into teams of 8, and we went through a few different rounds of questions about topics ranging from HVC trivia to sports trivia to pop culture trivia. In between each round we– WAIT, WHO’S THAT COMING IN THROUGH THE DOORS? It’s Paul! We took a small break from trivia to say hi to Paul, one of the former leaders of Hidden Valley Adventures. He’s back at camp for a few days to work with our new HVA leaders and get the program up and running again.

Okay, back to trivia night! In between each round we played Name That Tune, with DJ Celie and Elise controlling the tunes. Luke proved himself the top name-that-tuner, but overall the Llamazing Team came in first with 59 points. Although it was a close batlle for all, we stressed that HVC is non-competitive and we’re all winners here no matter who finishes with the most points! Oh, and by the way…the answer to yesterday’s trivia question: 29 (the number of years Meg and Peter have been directors at HVC).

Trivia night ended with a giant dance party, and after that we all made our way to the red barn for some quality red barn time. We quickly got a fire going, and everybody sat around playing ping pong, doing puzzles, making friendship bracelets, strumming on guitars, and just hanging out. PK and MK played a ferocious game of air hockey, with Meg’s long braid swinging around the board. At first, it seemed like her long locks were a disadvantage, blocking her view and getting in the way of her moves, but she ultimately took the W, so we think the swinging braid was a helpful distraction to her opponent.

That’s all for now folks, we’ll be in touch as we get deeper into training and out last group of new staff trickle in!

Ta-ta for now!

Luna B.

Save those balloons!!!

Top of the mornin’! Olive Oyl and Luna Bug here ready to seize another beautiful day!

We had an awesome time at Llamapalooza last night– there was dizzy bat, elephant march (knocking over cups using a headpiece made up of a stocking and a tennis ball), rock tree bridge, blind llama sculpting (like pictionary with clay), booty box (getting ping pong balls out of a box through dancing), tic-tac-tobie (giant tic tac toe with frisbees and an angry Viking), an obstacle course, and a water balloon toss. Counselors were split up into groups and got a chance to rotate through each activity, led by our amazing returning staff. There were HVC classics as well as some new favorites, and fun was had by all. After all the rotations were through we held a giant Rock Paper Scissors tournament, with the lovely Emma F. proving herself as the reigning champ. To close off the night we took part in the HVC tradition of the Counselor Wake Up Challenge, which consists of “waking up” (getting out a trash bag “sleeping bag”), getting dressed (in elaborate costumes from the Rec Hall), hopping over to breakfast and eating a bowl of cereal…with NO HANDS! And finally ended by reciting the alphabet backwards. Lex came out on top and had the whole crowd cheering for her as she masterfully raced through the alphabet backwards! We then wandered our way over to the Red Barn after spending some time admiring the beautiful sunset (be sure to check out photos as seen from Deer Meadows and Tipi Hill).

After a good night’s sleep– booty box really took it out of everyone– we woke to a delicious hot breakfast of pancakes, blueberry sauce, fresh fruit, cereal and oatmeal. Although there may be some schvitz in the air, our spirits are high as we get ready to face another day of training. Lifeguards are in the cozy dining hall this morning doing some studying for their certification while the horse and ropes staff are at their respective areas getting to know each other better, and preparing for the campers.

This evening is sure to be another night of fun with Trivia, a staff training favorite. They’ll be loads of different categories, candy thrown about (mini candy drop?!), and lots of name that tune. We can’t wait! For now, we’ll leave you all with your own trivia question: What was Forbidden Planet’s former name? While you think about that answer, check out all the photos below. Answer to come tomorrow!

Peace out!

Olive and Luna

The crew working on the roof of the camp store

Hello everyone!

Luna Bug here, excited to share all that’s been going on here at camp…and it’s sure been a lot.

Last night a bunch more staff arrived who are part of the video, lifeguard, or ropes staff, from places as close as Maine to as far away as Ireland. After dinner, everyone settled into the red barn where we all hung out, playing fusbol, pingpong, and card games like Kent and Spoons. Peter Kassen challenged Nicole to a game of air hockey, and the two dueled it out over the rink. After a close game, Peter won 10-8. The two shook hands after, with Nicole vowing for a rematch. Jacob, Sara, and Peter I. busted out their guitars and we had a major sing along in front of the fireplace. After that we all went to bed because we had a biiiiig day ahead of us.

The beautiful blue day and nice cool breeze seemed like nature’s perfect gift to our PD Mel and horse staff Olivia’s BIRTHDAYS! Olivia donned the traditional birthday cake cap, and Mel rocked the slightly less traditional but equally awesome pink-wig-fireman-birthday hat! Auntie Kristie and Flanders oversaw the birthday festivities (see photos below), and we vons-vons-a-ladened our way into the rest of the day!

Oh, by the way, it was the inaugural egg bar of the summer this morning, with Chris and Lillian putting those egg cracking and frying skills to work. Birthday gal Mel reports that it was eeegg-cellent (badum-chhhhhh!!)

After that everyone was off to their respective area trainings for a total of two big sessions today! The ropes staff worked with Sully, getting to know each other and doing ropes games and getting familiar with the course. The lifeguards continued at the pool and even went to the lake! The horse staff has been horsing around working super hard at getting the horses in routine and ready for campers.

Some other staff have been working hard to get camp back to the beauty we know it as after the long winter. Jacob was painting tables, Tanya and Aya are planting trees in our new Founder’s Park, and Melissa, Emma, and Sandia spruced up the camp store (check out an awesome photo of them on the roof of the bus).

At the Bee Hive, Ian has been working on some glass blowing, taking off the window covers and finally letting that summer air in! At the Buckhorn, Elise has totally revamped the tie-dye set up, preparing for many, many cabin nights and classes full of tie-dye. Olive and I have been talking about our favorite things to tie-dye and for me it’s definitely white cloth shorts and for Olive it’s socks.

So long for now and talk soon!

Farewell,

Luna

The whole crew!

Hey everybody! Luna Bug here, reporting for the first time from beautiful Maine. I’m so excited to be reporting alongside Olive Oyl, sharing news of everything happening here on camp.

After observing a gorgeous pink and purple sunset, PK reminded everybody of the saying “red sky at night sailors delight.” Last night we were a bit confused, seeing as not many of us are sailors, but this morning we figured out why a red sky would be so great. We woke up to the most beautiful blue sky and warm weather that has continued all day!

The lifeguards sure are happy about this weather! Today they got started on their first day of lifeguard training. In the morning Phillie and Courtney took the lifeguard crew down the pool- first swim of the summer in there! Switching between drills and sun bathers, Olive and I are happy to report that the lifeguards were all smiles.

Yesterday, Megan led Hamilton for a mid afternoon jaunt to get him better acquainted with camp. After strolling for a nice twenty minutes, paparazzi and all, Hamilton returned to his cozy spot in the the llama pen. We’re not sure if the llamas think they’re pigs or if Hamilton thinks he’s a llama. More updates on that, later.

The kitchen staff arrived last night and this morning which means that Chris and Lillian are getting the kitchen up and running. All winter Chris and Lillian have been diligently working on their pancake flipping skills, perfecting the secret Gaye pasta recipe, and debating the merits of scrambled versus fried eggs for egg bar. Our first official meal will be lunch today and we can’t wait.

Be sure to check out the photos from this gorgeous day and stay tuned as Olive and I continue to report only the best.

Over and out,

Luna and Olive

Getting cozy during staff training!

Greetings, one and all! Olive Oyl here with lots of exciting news as we greet lots of new staff and gear up for Staff Training 2017!

We’ve been picking up the pace here at camp the past few days, with lots of new arrivals trickling in today and lifeguard training starting tomorrow. Our complete ropes and video staff will be arriving in the next few days for their training to start on Thursday. We’ve got lots of fun evening programs to welcome in our new staff, like Llamapalooza, Electives, Booth Night, and Trivia all on the docket for the end of this week.

Meanwhile, our returners have been busy in returner training– reacquainting themselves with their roles and responsibilities at camp and prepping for this week’s evening programs. Last night staff enjoyed an Open House at Peter and Meg’s house with snacks, tea, and lots of old camp stories to go around. We’ll be having a delicious pizza dinner tonight thanks to our fierce dragon pizza oven.

Our lovely Denise has been cooking up some delicious meals, ranging from breakfast burritos to stuffed peppers to red curry. She’ll be leaving us tomorrow as we transition over to our kitchen crew headed by the amazing Chris and Lillian. Yum…we can’t wait!

Stay tuned for more updates in this exciting week!

Signing off,

Olive

The future toilet down at the Glade

Good morning, folks! Olive here with a special report featuring all the camp’s latest.

We’ve had lots of arrivals in the past few days and camp is starting to get full and buzz with energy. We’re getting ready to welcome a big batch of returners this weekend and we can’t wait to get started with returner training and then our speciality area trainings (lifeguards, horses, and ropes) next week. This weekend staff are celebrating the end of pre-camp at longtime HVC staff members Gi and Eric’s home, where we’ll enjoy barbeque and bananas flambe.

In the meantime, staff are getting focused on their various areas and prepping camp for the summer. Carmi and Kev are down at “The Glade” (our new on-site camping spot at the end of Deer Meadows field) constructing our new compost toilet, one of the new amenities of the area that will make it perfect for camping or your quiet afternoon poo. We can’t wait till the Glade is all ready and we can start having cabin nights, stargazing, and camping trips at our favorite new spot.

Our wonderful art Poobahs (magical area heads of the Buckhorn, Darkroom, and Animal House), Max and Elise, have connected and dived right into their work for the summer– ordering lots of glitter glue and getting the studios all ready. Our Community counselors have been busy getting Blodgett house ready and doing research and planning for their trips and community service.

And be sure to check out the design for our new camp shirt this summer, made (and modeled) by Rachel M., which is a to-scale map of HVC done entirely in text (see what you can find if you look closely!).

I’ll be sure to keep y’all posted as camp fills in and we get started on lots more staff training and camp prep. Let the good times roll!

So long,

Olive Oyl

Ciera, our lovely horse director, saying hello to one of our new arrivals.

Good afternoon friends far and wide! Olive Oyl here with lots of exciting news for you folks back at home (wherever that may be!).

We’ve been welcoming creatures of all kinds (humans and horses, mostly, plus the occasional dozen donuts from folks passing through Portland) to camp over the past few days. We’ve had both returning and new staff arrive over the past few days, who are settling into their new cabins and already hard at work. Our Community counselors have been meeting and starting to plan for their awesome session together, meanwhile our other teen program Alive has got the ball rolling on their amazing summer of music, theater, and art. The ropes staff put up the final element of the course today and are super excited to start training their staff (be sure to check out cool photos of Seth, our ropes director, way up high!).

Yesterday we all chipped in to move the docks into the lake. Admittedly it was a little chilly, but the group effort paid off and we can’t wait for another summer in the water. And our horse staff has been greeting trailers-full of horses over the past two days, and they’ve been down at the barn getting all our new and old horsies adjusted and ready for all the staff and campers.

This afternoon I took a little trip down to our parking lot where I was shocked to find it was “snowing” in June! The “snow” was actually pollen flurries from the trees, but be sure to catch the photos and video (on our Facebook page) of a “snow-covered” parking lot and stream down by the entrance of camp.

Can’t wait to keep sharing with you all as our staff grows larger and all the pieces begin fall into place!

Signing off,

Olive