Inside Out Day

Now, I know we used to have the luxury of sleeping in some mornings at camp...i.e. Dick forgot to turn on the first bugle thingy at 7:00 AM. But there were other times where mornings were kicked off with zany antics designed to bring out that Quacumquasit spirit in all of us. Days like Backwards Day, where one was intended to wear their clothes backwards! Yes, it was that fun at camp! Well, as you can imagine, an average of 20% of the camp population would participate in this...we would get much higher participation with pajama breakfasts, some even changing into their fancy onesy pj's a la Randy Langer...

Why would this come to mind today? Because I think I ran into a Frank A Day Faithful this morning on the way to work as I took my seat on the bus, I noticed a fellow commuter dressed Inside Out Style. Yes, the tags out in back and only the stitching visible for the front pockets of his short sleeve button down shirt. I could only smile and think, wow that guy really has that Quacumquasit spirit today. Thanks pal, you made my morning look that much brighter, not to mention making all of your fellow bus riders feel that they were brighter than at least one person that day.

Tomorrow I hope you decide to re-enact the Crazy Dan saga for us...

Puddles

...... nah, I won't go there ;)

Da Bees

I remember one summer when Brian Cronin, Jeremy Schiller and myself decided to throw rocks at an enormous beehive behind Cabin 10. ---Whatelse was one to do during their period off? -- In any event, this beehive was the size of a large pineapple!!! We must have been chucking stones for close to 20 minutes before I mustered up the bravado to hurl a larg rock. Of course the rock ripped the hive in two, and yes you could hear the loud buzz of the bees. We ..............
hauled butt --all the way down to the waterfront (laughing to the point of tears). Soon thereafter we became concerned. We wondered what trouble would be lurking in the Jr. Unit. "Would the bees be pissed and flying all over the Unit? So, out of concern we went back. Thank goodness they weren't in the Jr. Unit --just swarming around the fallen nest (far enough away from the cabin not to cause any concern). Anywho, just another fond memory that came to me ......

Da Cabin

Never noticed the picture of the cabin in the right upper-hand corner until just now. Cool beans. I can hear the smack of the door slamming now ..... All I need is a little Bobby Brown in the background and it will be just like I'm there.

Corky Sanders Dining Hall

Some time back there was an idea being tossed around concerning the naming of the Chapel. I'm not sure if it's even being used anymore. However, Corky Sanders was approached by an unnamed camp official about possibly being the focus of the naming convention. When reached for comment, Corky Sanders replied "I have no comment... wait, I do have a comment... where was the Chapel again?"

In recent developments, this rumor was proven to be false and the real building that was going to receive the Corky Sanders title was actually the Dining Hall. When approached for comment, Corky Sanders added "I think this is a much better idea. "

None of this has been confirmed by any bascomlodge.com correspondent.

Changing of the Guard

The first thing I would do as camp director is get rid of those ridiculous bells that Dick used to ding over the PA system. I would replace them with drums and some kind of smoke signal. I can't believe that the camp no longer has a McKnight at the helm. It really has been a long time. All those Crazy Dan stories and that "6th sense" of knowing what things are going on in the camp at all times (even though I think it might have had something to do with certain counselors blabbing everything they heard and "thought" they heard in to Dick's ear).

No matter what type of opinion you have about the stone-faced and oddly mysterious former camp director, you have to admit that he is a legend in his own right. Because beyond his leadership abilities and his eclectic story-telling is a healthy respect for tradition. The camp will definitely need someone that can at least understand that Frank A. Day is the best of all camps because of all the things it keeps doing well. It has to do with focusing on getting every kid involved and giving everyone (including counselors) a chance at having an incredible summer experience. One that might touch their lives permanently. That little peninsula, stuck in the woods of central Massachusetts, has touched so many lives with lasting affection. It's not that way because of who the director is, but it could easily be ruined by who he or she is not.

You are right big bad bamf... big shoes to fill indeed.

Dan Levine Announced as New Camp Director

There is an unsubstantiated rumor that Dan Levine will be taking the place of the soon-to-be retired Dick McNight. Although all of the terms of Dan's employment have not been disclosed, rumor has it that he has been promised a handsome salary of $100k per summer, plus the right to rename the Dining Hall "The Corky Sanders Dining Hall".

During a brief telephone interview, Dan denied this rumor; however, he did chuckle at the suggested new name for the Dining Hall.

If Dick Mcknight does retire, the individual taking his place will have pretty big shoes fill. Is Nathan or Mark Goldschmidt still there? If so, either of these two just might make the cut. ...... A word to the wise ........ no matter who takes over .....DON'T CHANGE A THING!!!!!!

I WAN'T A SECOND CHANCE MARK

I'll never forget the year the Junior Unit's Night Activity was "World Records". Each camper had the option to pick a few records he or she would like to make or break (e.g. jumping rope the most times or seeing how many times you could bounce a ping pong ball on a ping pong paddle) and then attempt to make or break that record.

This particular year, I (along with the Unit Director) was in charge of the "continuous talking" event. In no time flat, many of the campers failed to continue to talk, and were off to do other events .... All but one ...... TRAVIS. Throughout the event, he continued to talk, talk, talk and talk. I'm not too sure if he truly stopped (unlikely), or if the Unit Director got sick of hearing him talk (more than likely), but, the Unit Director (after about 20 minutes) blew his whistle and said "You're out -- you stopped talking". Travis, understandably upset, immediately began repeating -- over and over "I WANT A SECOND CHANCE MARK I WANT A SECOND CHANCE" What makes this story funny -- is no matter what the Unit Director said -- or did --- Travis just kept on saying "I WANT A SECOND CHANCE MARK I WANT A SECOND CHANCE" --he even followed the Unit Director around the unit, and eventually stood outside the front door of the Unit Director's Cabin (when the Unit Director attempted to evade him). This went on for close to an hour, and I must say ----this kid's determination to keep on talking was inspiring.

HEY TRAVIS -- IF YOU'RE OUT THERE --- I OFFICIALLY CONGRATULATE YOU ON EARNING THE WORLD'S RECORD FOR SAYING "I WANT A SECOND CHANCE MARK I WANT A SECOND CHANCE" And Mark if you're out there -- Next time don't be a dousche ---- just give the kid a second chance mark--just give the kid a second chance!!!!!!

Where are they now?

We all get caught up with A&E's Where are They Now program. I wonder where these folks are:


Aaron Howell, Ari-ben Edelmen, Ronan Wolfsdorf [and his bros David and Adam], Dan Saltzman, Dave Scott, Mike Visalo, Ben Korman, Eric Goldschmidt, Paul Green, Seth Bloom, Don Kilbride, Tim Prescott, the Burwicks, Becky Thatcher, Randi Bloom, Tori Shaw, Jill Powers, Tara Coffey, Dani Zubrod, Tony and Pinder [from England], Tim Dorny, the Markos, the Levines [just kidding, I know where they are and they are doing fine], Jeff Fishe, Mike "Bid D" Delicato, Queenie, Paul Green, Seth Bloom, Randy Langer, Cheryl Mack, Josh Sherwood, the Kabloskis, Carrie Reed, Rich Phelon, Dizz, Tom Fitzy Fitzgerald, the Mazers, Lil Dube, the Cronins, ....


I am certain I missed many ---- Please, add on!

Change

I recall the days when camp food was merely edible ...You could eat it, .....you just couldn't quite figure out what it was .... That changed when Mike Aja took over -- Not only could I recognize the food --- the stuff actually tasted good!!!

During my years at Camp Day, a lot of things changed. For example, when I first went to camp, you could see to the bottom of the lake --even in the deep area. Unfortunately, that changed. I heard that Camp Day was told it could no longer rake the seaweed [or whatever that muck was] {allegedly some environmental thing}, and so the vegetation grew ---- denying the camp of stating the lake was "crystal clear". I also heard that all of the past campers' signatures, sayings and pictures on the cabin walls/ceilings got painted over. That's a shame, it was always fun to go back to the old cabin and find my name there. The singing. The freakin' singing. I recall years when there wasn't a meal that 4 to 5 songs didn't get belted out. Even if I thought I was too cool to sing them, when no one was looking I'd sing a few lines to the Titanic: "Oh they sailed the ship Titanic to sail the ocean blue, and they thought they had a ship that the water wouldn't go through .........." When I left, we were lucky to get a song a week. ACCEPT FOR MY GOOD OLE RENDITION OF JINGLE BELLS THAT IS!

All in all, it is good to know that somethings haven't changed, like my friendships with my two best friends [from Camp Day]; the love I have for my wife [from camp day]. . . . . The memories .....

Camp Day Riddle

Leaving it up to me to keep this puppy going? --Okay. What's the one sport/game no one has heard of until they go to Camp Day? . . . . . . .





TEATHERBALL!!! You kidding me! The best game on the planet. In fact, the director of Napoleon Dynamite made it a point to focus on this peculiar game toward the end of the movie.


Ever recall saying this? .... "No ropesies, bouncies or kicksies! Of course --Bubbling is fine so long as its only 4 times per turn ... Best out three wins."

If you can recall anymore teatherball terminology ---- by all means add on!


Of course other games that were the "bomb" were: Capture the Flag --Yoshi (sp?) and Gold Rush!!!!!