Camp was covered in a beautiful white blanket of snow this past weekend. Unfortunately, we had to postpone our Saturday tours, but the roads were clear enough on Sunday for us to make the journey to Blairstown to meet the hearty families who came out for a summer camp tour. It was beautiful, as you can see, but very cold and windy. I did the tours and, during a break between them, took a hike around campus to snap some photos. I think I'll enlarge a couple of them and put them on my dorm room wall next summer so on a hot summer day I can think cool thoughts.
Camp tours are really fun because we get to meet kids and their families and talk about camp. The best part is answering questions and finding out all the activities that the new campers are looking forward to. On this particular weekend we were happy to see that the new athletics building construction has moved to the final stages. The field house (two gyms, fitness center, 7 squash courts and aerobics room had opened up a couple of months ago. This weekend the "performance gym" re-opened after its beautiful renovation, as well as the swimming pool (yes, there were swimmers in the water on this cold winter's day -- proof that the pool water is heated). That leaves only the new student center (our "canteen") to be completed in about a month.
It was a busy weekend at Blair, but most of the students and faculty were inside, so the campus was quiet and almost desolate. Some footprints in the snow were the primary evidence that people were around. And then, when the sun came out and the wind died down, some young sledders took advantage of the sloping sides of "the bowl".
Another thing I did to keep warm while waiting for tour families was to enjoy the artwork in the Armstrong-Hipkins arts center. In addition to the gallery with its rotating exhibits, the lobbies and halls of the arts center have lots of interesting paintings on the walls. I share a sample here.
We also had a Campus Kids booth set up at two camp fairs this past weekend, one in Parsippany and one in Teaneck. Thanks to Ryan for taking on camp fair duty on both days and for Stevey's help in Teaneck on Sunday. (Paula was supposed to help on Saturday in Parsippany, but we didn't want her driving in the snowstorm. Sorry, Paula!)
I hope your new year is off to a great start. The pace here at the camp office goes from fast to very fast as soon as the holidays are over, but it's very exciting. Tours and camp fairs are just a part of what happens around here. We'll be sharing more office stories with you throughout the year.
Oh, one more thing. Liz S. visited us just before she had to head back to Buffalo for the second half of her sophomore year. She left in the midst of our measly little snowstorm for the city where Lake Erie dumps "real snow" on you. Stu always wonders why anyone would want to live in Buffalo (he did for a brief time many years ago), but it doesn't seem to faze Liz. Better you than me, Lizzy! Good luck to you and all our college students who are heading back to their academic studies. Which reminds me . . . we also enjoyed visits over the holiday break from Josh K., Jessica L., Erica G. and Lauren B., more of our former campers who are now attending college.
Tom
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