Thanks for a great summer!

Center staff want to say a big "thank you" to all of the fantastic campers that attended this year's Summer Adventure Camp. We truly enjoyed making fun summer memories with you, wish you all the best and hope to see you next year!

Week Seven - Last Week of Camp

What a whirlwind of fun this summer was...and it's almost over! Campers had beautiful weather this week for swimming. Creative Arts finished their projects for the art show and the set design for the play. The art show was a hit. Many family members viewed the art made by campers, enjoyed a snack and moved into the gym to watch the production of Big Bad. Drama Campers practiced one more time then performed for a crowd of staff, family and friends. The audience was the jury that determined if the Big Bad Wolf turned bad through the years or was born that way. Not guity was the verdict - Big Bad was a smashing success! Campers in Action played a game of softball this week, had a BBQ and attended the art show and play. Horseback Riding Campers played red light-green light by communicating with the horse either by saying"walk on" or "whoa" which was a fun activity. Families and friends were invited to shadow their child for the day to see what Horseback Riding Camp is all about. They viewed their art, watched them groom a horse, hiked on the trail and joined their camper in the ring to watch them ride. An all-camper dance party was held on Anything Goes day. Freeze dances, conga lines and Supervisor DJ Kelly were rockin' the Center. Everyone worked up an appetite and enjoyed pizza after the dance. Campers voted to spend their car wash/bake sale money on a pizza party. What a great way to end summer camp!

Week Six Update

Last one in the water is a rotten egg! Campers went to Independence Grove beach this week. They built sand castles and even buried a counselor in the sand. Creative Arts Camp applied paper mache to balloons to create giant fruit for an artisic picnic display. Check it out at the art show on July 30th. They also finshed the pieces for the set of the play. Campers in Action went rollerskating at Hot Wheels roller rink. Some skated a little, some skated alot but everyone enjoyed themselves. They finished the day with a game of "Who Wants to be a Millionaire" on the Wii. Drama Camp rehearsed the play twice all the way through this week. The second time through was a dress rehearsal. JCYS hosted us at Camp Henry Horner in Ingleside for an afternoon of improv and new interactive activities. Celebration Day brought the Lookingglass Theatre, JCYS and CEL actors together for a fourth and final time. It was a great collaboration and new friendships were made. Horseback Riding Camp worked on flower pots for the show and made a goodbye card for Rachel who volunteered 5 days of week this summer in Adventure Camp. Campers groomed the horses which involved some brushing and bathing - not sure who enjoyed that more the campers or the horses. Campers were feeling lucky so a trip to Nickel City was in order. Winners received tickets from the machine to purchase cool prizes.

Ultimate Summer Fun Week

Make the summer fun last just a little longer. Join your friends during Ultimate Summer Fun Week - August 3-7. There is still room so call today to register!

Week Five Update

Monday was a warm, beautiful day to swim. Friday turned out to be rather cool. In past summers concerns have been heat indexes and sunburn. This year we have seen our share of record low temps and goosebumps! Campers in Horseback Riding Camp are progressing in their riding goals. The movement of the horse provides many sensory experiences that address a variety of therapeutic needs. Campers also benefit from creating a human/animal bond with the horse that promotes self-esteem and confidence. Campers made posters in art therapy to advertize the show on Thursday, July 30. Creative Arts Camp went to an art gallery in Evanston and for a walk along the lake. They also stained wood picture frames using the juice from berries. Drama Campers received a copy of the BIG BAD script, reviewed their lines and read through the whole play as a group. They also practiced the dance. JCYS campers visited again for more interactive, improv experiences with Lookigglass staff. Campers in Action played soccer in a clinic given by local high school players. They also made their own colorful jerseys. Campers got to rise to new heights at the Libertyville Sports Complex during a wall climbing session. This they really enjoyed! Adventure Camp welcomed Nellie and Gertie, 2 very sweet Leonberger therapy dogs. Their breed originated in Leon, Germany which means "big lion" and that they are. Campers pet, walked and brushed the gentle ladies. Another fun-filled week for the record books.

Photo Day - CANCELLED

New this year! Campers can have their picture taken by a professional photographer to preserve those summer memories. Photos taken this week - Thursday the 16th and Friday the 17th. Flyers went home - get your orders in now!

CANCELLED DUE TO LOW NUMBER OF ORDERS.

Week Four Update

Swimmers went to Deerspring Pool on Monday. It was a perfect day - hot and sunny. Deerspring features include a water slide in the shallow end and a new sprayground and zero-depth wading pool. Water tag was a popular game this day. Horseback Riding Camp took turns leading a new pony, Penny, around the indoor arena. When they weren't riding a snack was enjoyed outdoors and some more hiking. One camper who was at first very nervous on the horse now has a permanent smile on his face when he rides. Campers painted in art therapy. Drama Camp watched exerpts from Little Red Riding Hood and the Three Little Pigs to get to know the characters in our play. More improv and acting exercises took place during the 2nd meeting with lookingglass and JCYS. Dance moves were practiced. Campers in Action had a music day. They learned the Cha Cha Slide and the Electric Slide dances, played American Idol on the Wii and then performed for their peers! Creative Arts Camp made signs for the car wash and bake sale and deposited them on corners near the Center. They also took a trip back to the Deerfield Fire Department to say "thank you" with left over baked goods from the previous day's sale. Anything Goes Day was a rainy one but the car wash and bake sale were a success. Dirty cars and hungry people (even our neighbors in the offices next door) stopped by. The campers were excited when their efforts totalled $151 dollars! Thank you to our supportive families and friends who baked or stopped by.

Week Three Update

Campers this week visited the Deerfield Fire Department for some safety reminders. During a tour of the station they saw where the men and women slept, learned that the ladder on the truck measures 105 feet and that each firefighter has 2 jobs - firefighter and EMT. A highlight was timing one firefighter to see if he could change into his uniform in under 2 minutes - he did it. Campers in Action went fishing in a local park. They practiced baiting and casting and one camper caught something other than a fish - some garbage. This sparked a conversation about litter and respect for our public, natural places. A game of frisbee was also enjoyed. Creative Arts Camp started planning the designs for the set of "Big Bad" this year's Drama Camp performance. They also made some 4th of July decorations. Horseback Riding Camp made invitations in art therapy to the horse show that is on July 30th. Family and friends can rsvp to attend to see campers share what they and their horse have experienced together. They also made friendship bracelets and hiked on trails. Drama Camp had a busy week. They learned some dance moves taught by a professional dance instructor that they will perform in the show. The first collaboration of the lookingglass theatre, JCYS and CEL was also this week. The teaching artist from LG led some stretches of body and voices and they did some improv exercises which included communication games. Monday was an unseasonably cool swim day at Mitchell Pool.

Reminder!

The Center is closed on Friday, July 3rd. Have a fun and safe 4th.

Week Two Update

This week's weather was more enjoyable. Horseback Riding Camp made puppets in art therapy and then performed a show. Some of the campers got to give one of the horses named Dolly a bath. Creative Arts Camp made their own sketchbooks out of ceral boxes - very colorful! They talked about creative ways to recycle. One camper is even writing a play in her sketchbook. Drama Camp worked on sensory awareness and character development through more interactive games like "Coming to your Senses" and "Family Ties." Campers in Action worked on basketball drills as they moved through an obstacle course and they flew kites out in our field that they made themselves. Anything Goes Day was held at River Trail Nature Center. Campers fed a red fox, met a great horned owl, a red tail hawk and, if they so dared, pet a snake! Naturalists took them outside to discuss our native trees and surprised them with the fact that playing cards and golf balls come from trees. Stay tuned for more fun in week three!

Week One Update

Week One: Campers tie dyed t-shirts and played classic yard games like capture the flag and mosquito tag. Campers in Action went to a local park to play disc golf. Magic Day was full of experiments, a show and magic snacks. Drama Camp played interactive games where they had to act out their character and others had to guess who they were. A swim day was switched to an indoor day at the Center due to a 106 degree heat index!

Welcome!

Welcome to The Center for Enriched Living's Summer Adventure Camp Blog.