Camp Newsletter

Forest Lake Summer Camp for boys and girls

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May 2008

Forest Lake Camp Newsletter

Just Around The Corner

May 2008

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In This Issue

-- Nuts and Bolts

-- Spring Summit Meeting

-- Did U Know?

-- Never Too Late

Greetings!

Now that we have reached May, we can say that the camp season is next month. Along with all the excitement there are also some important details to consider.

First and foremost - do we have your enrollment for 2008? There are spaces and we certainly want to count you among the lucky to be here for this special camp season.

Nuts and Bolts

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All enrolled families should have received a package of information that contains consent forms, health forms, and other bulletins. Shortly, the office will be sending out another round of paperwork that will contain the handbook and a travel notice. Please keep in mind - particularly our international families - that all the needed forms are posted on the Parent Page of the Forest Lake website for your convenience.

If you have any questions about the due dates or content of these forms, please feel free to call the camp office for assistance.

Spring Summit Meeting

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Each spring the leadership of FLC gets together for a planning session for the camp season ahead. Chris Stamm and Graeme Marshall visited FLC during the last weekend of April for the 2008 meeting. The main topic of conversation was the program of activities and, in particular, the evening activities program.

Plans are now in motion for enlivening the activities that follow dinner each evening. Greater use of the amphitheatre, the AV equipment in the dining hall, and the waterfront are all major areas that will be used to present more interesting and enjoyable times for campers.

For the older campers, there will be more "coed" activities planned for evenings, as well. The emphasis will be on group-oriented games and activities to provide a change from the daytime daily program.

Did U Know?

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At one time, Forest Lake had an enormous indoor recreational center that included an indoor basketball court, an indoor stage, a wrap around deck, a huge fireplace, locker rooms, offices, and a shop. The building was located where the boys' game area and Cabin 12 are now situated. The building was hit by lightening on Memorial Day in the early 50's and burned to the ground.

Prior to the contruction of the NYS Thruway, driving to Forest Lake from the New York City area was a full day's journey. The more expedient method of travel to the Adirondacks was by rail. During the 30's and 40's most campers met at Grand Central Station and boarded a train to the Glens Falls area where they were met by the camp staff and camp trucks.

Never Too Late

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If you have delayed sending in the 2008 enrollment, don't despair. As of this writing, there are still available spaces for this summer. Let us know your plans at your earliest convenience. Keep in mind, there is a very nice "Recruiter Gift" awaiting any veteran camper who refers a new camper to Forest Lake. So, bring along a friend.

Spring Has Arrived - sort of

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The landscape at Forest Lake is changing rapidly. Although not nearly ready for campers, the snow has receded in places enough to reveal occasional patches of lawn. The small creeks on the property are carrying away large amounts of melting snow and the edges of Forest Lake are showing open water.

Compared with even a week ago, summer seems more a certainty and it won't be long until the sounds of excited campers echo across the grounds.

Program Announcements

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Both veteran and new campers will be pleased with the assortment of special activities that will punctuate the regular program. In addition to the always popular Waterski Clinic, this year's campers will be able to take part in the following "Specials" being offered:

Soccer Clinic featuring Coach Ray Head
Extended Golf Trip
Mt. Biking Trip at Lake Placid Olympic Facilities
Lacrosse Clinic
Honors Hiking Trip
Trail-riding Excursions for Riders
Football Giants Training Camp Trip
Basketball Hall of Fame Trip
Baseball Hall of Fame Trip

Good News For Hungry Campers (and staff)

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Forest Lake has secured the services of the same company and crew who made such a hit with the 2007 camp family. The Sodexho group will once again handle the entire food service for FLC in 2008. Speaking of certainties - the food in '08 will be great!

Reminder To Parents

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For your convenience, the collection of required forms are posted on the camp's website and can be found on the Parent Page.

All US families have been sent a package with hardcopies of these forms. International families will be asked to download these forms from the website in the interests of time.

Did You Know?

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A freak April snowstorm in 1971 caused the boys' dining hall roof to collapse. The builder was able to replace in just in time for camp to open. The same storm also collapsed the bath house at the WF.

During the WWII years, when FLC was a boys' camp only, most of the cabin counselors were women since most young men in the US were involved with the war effort.

During another era in FLC history, most of the counselors were West Point cadets.

In the mid 1990's, FLC sent an annual golf trip to the Cape Arundel golf course in Kennebunkport, Maine. One on such occasion, President George Bush and First Lady Barbara Bush were playing the same course on the same day as our campers. One of the FLC players hit an horrendous slice and nearly beaned the First Lady who was on a nearby green. Needless to say, our golfers had their first encounter with the US Secret Service.

Camper and Staff News

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Connor Dietz was selected to play for his high school JV lacrosse team. Connor's brother, Carter, attended FLC and Connor's father, Charlie Dietz, also attended FLC as a camper, counselor, and trip director.

James Scirocco will be graduating Bentley College in May with a BS in Marketing. He will be working at the Hartford Insurance Company in New Hartford, NY as an underwriting trainee for a year before being assigned to a branch office. James is the oldest of the four Scirocco's who have attended FLC.

Alumni Message

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Due to the volume of recent alumni submissions, the OWL will be crafting a mid-April alumni newsletter just for alumni.

Final Note

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The OWL is always happy to hear from current and past campers, staff members, and all members of the Forest Lake family. Keep the news coming.

For our alumni - Sally Confer would like to thank all alum who wished her well following her surgery. She is doing great - walking without a cane and enjoying life in St. Louis, Missouri.