Camp Council and Fireside Gathering

After all the campers were done eating breakfast, many of us campers were very excited to start Camp Council. A lot of campers were motivated to participate and make the best out of our experience at YLC. A lot of campers stood up and nominated a few campers for presidency. There were a lot of good presentations. We had a hard time deciding who would be camp president for YLC for the rest of the month. We decided to vote for Jimmy Wilson from Arizona School for the Deaf, because he had a lot of experience with JrNAD, also knew the basics of parliamentary procedures, and he had a good vision for YLC and the NAD. After Jimmy was selected, we went through nominations for the vice presidency and the result is Bradley Chappell from Kentucky School for the Deaf. Most campers are excited to have him as a vice president because he showed good spirit as well as another great vision for YLC. Nikki Gleicher from Maryland School for the Deaf is our new secretary.

On this hot day a lot of campers felt so hot, so many went to swim in the pool to cool off. Girls were excited it was their turn to take a shower. Some campers did not go swimming so they chatted until dinner time. After dinner time we did not expect to do the group name skits and we all had only 15 minutes to discuss the group name, motto, sign name and plan the skit. We all got “thumbs down” from the staff for the group name, motto, sign name, and skit. We have to continue thinking of new ideas!

After relaxing for a while and playing a game of charades, it was finally time for our nightly fireside gathering. But to our dismay, the group responsible for starting the fire used up their three matches allowed for that night. Reluctantly, we sat with our groups around a fake fire made of wood and red paint. Without the warm flames to keep the irksome bugs at bay, we had to deal with them dive-bombing into our faces, creeping all over our skin and biting while we patiently watched a staff member, Rupert Dubler, recount to us his fascinating life experiences: his travels to China, his experience in hiking through Alaskan bear country, and of biking nearly 600 miles from San Francisco to Los Angeles. He related the idea of fear to all of these experiences and mentioned their role in them; saying that if he had not overcome his fears, he would not have all these life lessons that made him whole.

Hungry for more stories, we welcomed Shira Grabelsky to the stage to discuss her passion for drama. She related to us her successes in the area such as being chosen for an important role as Helen Keller in a play. She told us how she came off track for her focus on drama but still held on for passion’s sake to this day. That night, we went to bed smiling, with a new resolve to overcome whatever fears we had and to never give up our passion for whatever it is we love to do.

The boys of cabin M are cleaning up before inspection.
See how Jonathan Ruiz is rapt with attention?
Newly minted NAD YLC President Jimmy Wilson leading his first Camp Council meeting, with staff Joshua Weinstock giving a helping hand.
Group C acting out a skit in hopes of getting a thumbs up!
Justin Bergeron hoping his trusty sweater will give him magical skills onstage!
Group A in the middle of their skit as Cindy Siebert says "Grab every opportunity!"
Matching geek girls: Raquel Grindstaff and Sara Selzer both break out their Spongebob t-shirts
Group D in the middle of an emotional guessing during Charades for Evening Program
Brandon Washburn trying to clearly explain what he was assigned to earn group C some points!
"Oh, why didn't I think about acting that way?" Charades can be maddening!
Staff Mark Ramirez and the wooden "fail fire" dampens the environment for fireside. The campers have a challenge: only three chances to light a fire!
Staff Rupert Dubler in the middle of giving his fireside story.
Rupert was followed by Staff Shira Grabelsky who also gave an excellent fireside story!