Pre-Camp Business, Chill on the Hill & More!

Hello, Bauercrest families!

I hope that those of you who are on school break are enjoying your time off, whether you are vacationing or staycationing.  We’re doing the latter.  Yesterday the unseasonably gorgeous New England weather had me sitting on the beach with my laptop, happily faking myself out.  Now, as I sit inside with my laptop because it’s 47 degrees out, I am suddenly not nearly as happy for my friends posing with palm trees as I was 24 hours ago.  

Because I’ve been posting daily for the past 129 days, I am acutely aware of exactly how much time is left until Opening Day.   As far as I’m concerned, it can’t come soon enough.  Throughout most of the off-season, Ken and I have worked remotely; but with June right around the corner, we’re spending more and more time getting things ready up at camp.  The cover’s already off the pool; and soon there’ll be a yurt and a ninja course on the old B-diamond, docks and boats floating in the lake, nets and hoops ready for action on the fields and courts.  But camp without campers is… well, it’s exactly what you’d think.  It’s like macaroni without cheese.  It’s just not natural.  

That said, we know we’re not the only ones who have to get ready for camp.  It’s time for all our camper families to start filling out and sending in your forms.  You can find them all right there in your Camp In Touch account.  Many of you have emailed or spoken to me about bunk requests, and while I’m happy to have the conversation, PLEASE use the Bunk Request form to ensure all the information is in one place.  All forms must be returned to us no later than June 1st.  As the mom who always needed to be chased down for missing forms, the irony that I am now the chaser is not lost on me.  If I can do it, you can do it… June 1st for all of us!

As for the packing list, it hasn’t changed much since last year; but I have been the mom of a new camper, so I know how overwhelming it can seem to first-year families.  That’s why Monday, May 8th is our Second Annual Camp Shopping 101 with the Camp Mom.  All you’ll need is a print-out of the packing list, a marker, and a good sense of humor as we navigate our way through the aisles.  We’ll meet at 10am at the Panera next to the Target in Framingham.  If we work fast, there should be nothing left on your list*, and you should be home in plenty of (just enough) time to meet the bus after school.   

New Camper Orientation is Sunday, May 21st from 1-3pm up at camp.  Come meet our leadership staff and several of our Board members while getting acquainted with other new Bauercrest families at your sons’ new home away from home.  This is a wonderful opportunity to ask questions, get a real feel for the Hillside, and stop for some Hodgie’s Ice Cream on the way home so you can understand firsthand what all the hype is about.  

And last but not least, we hope all the parents of our campers and staff will join us, our Board of Directors, and our alumni for Chill on the Hill.  This insanely fun adult-only night at camp is happening Saturday, June 3rd from 5-8pm.  You will receive an official invitation next week, but in the meantime, please save the date if you haven’t already.  Open bar, fabulous food, great people, and the chance to experience how much fun can be had on the Hillside, even without a camper in sight. 

As always, if you need anything at all… help with the forms, the packing list, what to wear to Chill on the Hill, how to log into Camp In Touch, how to discreetly ask what Camp In Touch is… I am just a phone call or email away.  

I hope you’re all getting as excited for June 29th as Ken, Erica and I are!

Best,
Stacy

*That’s not entirely true.  But the only items on the list that we won’t be able to get that day are the duffel bags (I got each of my kids’ two 40” round duffel bags online for under $20 each) and the Bauercrest apparel, which you can order online through All Sports Wear.  Or if you live locally, stop right into the store at 1161 Walnut Street in Newton Highlands.  Wendy and Laura love to talk Bauercrest and there are lots of fun little extras if you’re feeling super campy!