Reunited and It Feels SO GOOD!

On September 18th, we hosted the first “Summer 2016 Reunion” at our home in Westwood.  We went into it knowing that Sundays can be tough, with families juggling Hebrew school, sports, and of course, FOOTBALL.  We wondered if we should wait for some time to pass.  You know… let absence make the heart grow fonder.  We promised to have the game on in multiple places to try to entice families to stop by.  As the RSVP’s started to roll in, we could not believe our eyes.

We ended up with over 80 people at the house that day.  We had kids who had given up tickets to the game because they so desperately wanted to see their friends.  We had a family drive up from New Jersey for the same reason.  We had a new family who didn’t know a soul when they walked in.  By halftime, they were no longer a new family; they were just family… period.  I stood in my kitchen and watched our alumni dads hanging out as if they were the ones who’d just been in camp together all summer, as their sons— the ones who actually had just been in camp together all summer— came in to grab a slice of pizza before running back outside to play hoops, football, or Spike Ball.

We also had a group of last year’s CI’s, a.k.a. next year’s CIT’s.  Thanks to them, I got to witness one of the things I love most about camp.  In the real world, these boys spend most of their days navigating their way through all of the academic and social pressures of high school.  (I still have PTSD from those four year of my life, so I actually feel I’m doing high school a solid with this broad, textbook description.) But in our world, a 16-year-old who could’ve just had his worst week ever can walk into a party full of 9-year-olds, and he might as well be Tom Brady.

OMG, WHY DIDN’T I INVITE BRADY?!? HE WASN’T EVEN BUSY!

Anyway, it was all just so awesome to watch.  By the end of the day, we were already planning the next reunion, which we have just confirmed will be at Union Street in Newton on Saturday, November 26th from 12-4.  Yes, that’s Thanksgiving weekend, because it just isn’t the same without our college boys. Watch for an evite in the coming weeks; for now, save the date!

And while you’re saving dates, our next Moms’ Night In will be held at my house in Westwood on Thursday, October 27th at 7:30pm.  Those of you who came last time know what a fabulous group of Bauercrest Moms we had, and now there are so many more to introduce to you!  I’ve been talking to some of our moms in West Hartford and Dallas about hosting events there too.  And like many of you, we’re headed south over December break, so let’s plan some fun in the sun with our Florida families.  There’s plenty of Bauercrest love to go around, and every one of you is worth the trip; so if you live far away and want to put something together, please get in touch and we’ll make it happen!

More great news: Monday, January 16th, 2017 is MLK Day… and it’s also Bauercrest Day at the Boston Bruins!  The B’s take on the Islanders at 1:00, and our younger campers will have the chance to play a 3-minute exhibition game during the first intermission.  Trust me… this event is not to be missed!  If you have a Mite or Squirt-aged child who plays hockey and I haven’t already reached out to you, please let me know ASAP!

And last but not least, THANK YOU.  I have been so touched by your reception to the announcement of my new position as Camp Relations Director.  How lucky am I to be able to take everything I love to do and turn it into a full-time job, at a place that means so much to my husband, our boys, and now me?  So very lucky.  I’m truly grateful.

I’m also incredibly grateful to be able to announce that our early enrollment numbers for next summer are higher than they’ve been in years.  Actually, they’re double.  Okay, they’re more than double.  We are in a very good place, with very good things to come.  Thank you for sharing this ride with us.  We wouldn’t be here without you.

Wishing you and your families the happiest and healthiest of New Years.

Warmly,
Stacy