Thursday, December 2, 2010

Fall 2010 Update from the Lake


LIBERTY LAKERS!
With temperatures in the 60s today (I wore shorts to Camp), I thought that it would be a good time for a Liberty Lake update!  

Liberty Lake is looking beautiful, with colorful leaves both on the ground and on the trees.  Over half of last year's families and team (staff) have already signed back up for 2011.  Last night was our annual Leadership Team Summer Debrief, and after going over the hundreds of Parent, Camper and Team surveys- we have very long lists of ideas and initiatives that we intend to bring to our Liberty Lake families for next summer (many of them YOUR ideas).  Below is a sneak preview of some of those things, as well as two big dates coming up in the very near future

TIME SENSITIVE STUFF FIRST

FRIDAY NIGHT, DECEMBER 3rd, 6:30-8:30 -
THE 2010 DVD YEARBOOK PREMIERE PARTY -
AT THE RUTGERS ECO-COMPLEX ACROSS THE STREET FROM LLDC 

(you are invited!)  Just like last year, we'll be rolling out the proverbial red carpet for our 2010 Video- Made by the kids, for the kids- with expert assistance (editing) of Justin our Videography Specialist.  This often shakey-cam production is as enjoyable as ever, and as opposed to the last few years- clocks in at a very palatable 50 minutes of non-stop action, laughs, hugs, songs, crazy color war stuff, scary beauty pageant shots, surprises, and a walk through the zombie filled "Trail of Terror" that will have you screaming- with laughs.  Last year was a packed house with lots of friends (and popcorn!) so we hope you can make it.  DVDs will be given out to all 2010 families and team members who attend, and mailed out the next week to the rest- as a holiday present from LLDC to you!

For a Sneak Preview of our 2010 Video, check out the MUSIC VIDEO "At a Camp", with 10-Year Club Member Dwayne Jones leading us in Rap/Song- Click Below: 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u81HNpWdApk

SUMMER-SUMMER-SUMMER!!!

IT'S OUR 10th ANNIVERSARY! 
  • Yes, there will be a 10 Year Club (Brandi will be contacting you shortly), Special Shirts, Special Celebrations!
  • We have a New Website!  For the past 9 years, the Liberty Lake website was run frommy desktop computer on FrontPage 2002.  We've now officially entered the 21st Century, have incorporated lots of thoughts and ideas, and while it's still a "work in progress", by January, we hope to have it where we want it to be.  Check it out- I think you'll see that it's a BIG IMPROVEMENT!  www.libertylakedaycamp.com
  • The New Jersey Renaissance Faire had an AMAZING first season in September!  3000 people turned out in the two weekends to enjoy sword fighting, jousting, boat rides, eccentric vendors, turkey legs, and 35 remarkable actors who truly transformed LLDC into an extraordinary world from the 1500s!  The big news for 2011, is that The NJ Ren Faire will return THE FIRST TWO WEEKS OF JUNE- 6/4-5 and 6/11-12.  If you could make it out one of those days, you won't be disappointed!  www.njrenfaire.com
  • We're creating a special little "Turtle Town" Village for our youngest campers!
  • Phase 2 of our landscaping project around the lunch tent- The nice just got nicer!
  • Phase 4 (final phase) of our changing rooms- All campers will have the nice changing rooms in 2011!
  • Entrance Turnaround- Parents dropping off campers late, or picking up early, will have a new turn-around spot that will keep cars away from the campers in a much safer wayfrom this point forward!
  • New railing and fencing system around the pools, down the steps and around SandLand- All nice brown vinyl fencing, with iron rails.
  • Out with the old (concrete) and in with the new!  We've replaced and re-leveled all ofthe slanted or broken concrete slabs around the pool, down near the Snack Shack, alongside the driveway, and out towards the Woods. We're also going to be sealing thepool concrete with a beautiful tinted tan sealant that will look amazing and feel great on our feet!
  • The Willows Volleyball court is gone- replaced permanently by the aptly named "Joust Field".
  • Ga-Ga Tournament finals will be played on the expanded Liberty Lakeside Amphitheater Stage!
  • The Mansfield Township Zoning Board has given us the OK to start applying for permits for the Liberty Dome- The Bubble tent that we purchased two years ago, that had been held up in red tape.
  • High Ropes Additions- High Adventure is getting even better, with a Ropes Traverse Course and Pamper Pole!
  • The 2011 Musical Production will be the ever popular "CAMP ROCK" - April is already refining the show!
  • Our "Leadership Division" of LITs and CITs has taken great steps in the past two years, and with it's increased popularity, we have made a commitment to take it to even higher levels.  Last summer we had over 70 LITs and over 60 CITs- This year  we expect the same, and have a separate online application for our CIT Program to ensure that all participants have the skills and desire to be real leaders at LLDC, and in life.
  • COLOR WAR, our ever-popular 3-day event has not been on the Spirit Calendar for years- as it's more exciting that way.  We will now be doing the same thing (not on calendar) for GOLD RUSH as well- As it will work a lot better with the element ofSURPRISE!!!
  • Gardening Elective- We're growing a huge vegetable garden this year, and we'll be eating our organic results at lunch!
  • Balloon Art Elective, Play Dough Elective!
  • FACEBOOK- Join the Fan Page for notifications, pictures and news-http://www.facebook.com/LLDCFANPAGE
  • Liberty Lake Foundation- Last Summer we raised $6000, and gave thousands of dollars in "Camperships".  While Liberty Lake is a big financial supporter to Project Morry- www.projectmorry.org, and SCOPE- www.scope-ny.org, we do not want to overlook our local neighborhoods and families.  Our foundation will be partnering with local schools this year, more info to follow.
  • TEXTCASTER - Emergency Texting System- Log in today to activate your account, and enable us to contact you in the summer- Will ONLY be used for Emergencies, not promotion or Color War pranks.  CLICK THIS LINKto register as many cell phones as you'd like to receive the emergency notifications.

IMPORTANT DATES!

December
  • Movie Premiere 12/3/10 @ 6:30-9:00 (show starts promptly at 7pm)
January
  • Senior Focus Group- 1/14/11, 6:30-9:00
  • Team (Staff) Reunion/Movie Night- 1/28/11 6:30-9:00
  • 2011 Spirit Calendar to be Released to the Public
June
  • New Parent Orientation- 6/8/11
  • Parent Meet and Greet 6/14/11
  • June 20th First Day of Pre Week
  • July 4th Independence Day, Camp Closed
  • June 27th First Day of Camp
  • Friday August 19th Last day of Week 8 
  • Monday August 22nd First day of Post Week.
  • Friday August 26th Last Day of Season
As always- If you have any questions about anything, please just respond to this Email, or give us a call in the Liberty Lake office.  If you drive by and see our gate open (most days, 8-5), please stop in to say "hi" - it gets lonely this time of year!

Sincerely,
Andy Pritikin and the Liberty Lake Year-Round Crew- Jill, Joe, Jason, Brandi, Stu, Mr. Nick, Ellyn, Justin and Kurtis
609.499.7820
www.libertylakedaycamp.com