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SEE YOU REALLY SOON!!SEE YOU REALLY SOON!!LibertyLakeDayCamp.com 609.499.7820

20202020WINTERWINTERNEWSNEWS

Volume 19

Volume 19LibertyLakeDayCamp.comLibertyLakeDayCamp.com

BY THE CAMPERS, FOR THE CAMPERS!BY THE CAMPERS, FOR THE CAMPERS!Every four years, when we hold a national

presidential election for adults, we also hold a Liberty Lake Day Camp election

with campers, for various roles across our fine camp. WEEK 2WEEK 2, we begin with a Nomi-nating Process, moving on to the Division-

al Primaries, with the candidates trying to convince their constituents about their

ideas and their merits in order to make it to the big stage for the actual “Stump Speech” in which the whole Camp gets an opportu-nity to see and hear from the candidates! Who will be the President of the Puppies? President of the Puppies?

Senator of Slushies? Legislator of the Senator of Slushies? Legislator of the Lake? Governor of Ga-Ga? Speaker of the Lake? Governor of Ga-Ga? Speaker of the Stage?Stage? And will there be NEW positions

this summer? We shall see...

WHY WHY SUMMER CAMPSUMMER CAMP?? By, Andy Pritikin, Liberty Lake Owner/DirectorBy, Andy Pritikin, Liberty Lake Owner/Director

This is where we are at in 2020. The word “talk” has lost its meaning. Communication skills are going the way of the dodo bird, with human interaction being reduced to snaps, selfies, digital acronyms, embarrassing memes, and absurdly entertaining tick-tocks.

Young people are more digitally connected than ever before, while being significantly less personally connected as human beings.

You may think our kids talk to each other at school, but most schools are now handing children laptops or tablets to stare at for much of the day. When they come home, what do they want to do, of course? They are little screen addicts- and they take after most of us.

Parenting in 2020 is seriously difficult. Trust me, I know. It takes a level of discipline and commitment that our parents never had to deal with, mainly because of digital devices. From the little ones in our pocket, to the 72 inch, hi-def, six zillion shows at our fingertips ones.

Then there’s Social Media- OMG! smh! Likes, loves, friends/unfriends, follows/unfollows, online bullying, predators, and pornography- All just clicks away, if you aren’t paying attention… PAY ATTENTION!!

What is the antidote?? How can parents battle this ever-growing monster, especially during summer vacation when kids have even more free time and boredom to feed their screen addiction?

Well, there is an answer, an oasis away from screens, where children actually talk to each other using the ancient art of speech and body language. A step back in time, before digital data began stressing us all out: SUMMER CAMP!SUMMER CAMP!

There are lots of programs that call themselves “Summer Camp,” and most have their merits, but I’m talking about TRADITIONAL Summer Camp: Outdoors with grass, trees, humidity, sunscreen, bugs, and dirt. Learning how to swim, and how to hold a baseball/soft-ball bat, a paint brush, and a guitar. Where kids muster the courage to talk to strangers, ask for help, climb a rock wall, leap onto a stage or off a zipline platform!

And what happens when it rains? I’ll tell you what doesn’t happen- kids don’t melt like the wicked witch of the west! They actually have a BLAST, jumping in puddles, getting soaked, and playing- It’s what kids are supposed to do when they are KIDS- Because once they morph into adults… They just might end up getting paid to stare at screens all day!

Research confirms that today’s children are more emotionally fragile than ever before, unable to cope with adversity. Half of students going off to college aren’t making it to graduation day, yet most parents are on an unwavering mission to protect their children from the hardships of life. Kids are kept inside when it’s too hot, too cold, too rainy, too icy. We bring them their schoolwork when they forget it at home. We wake them up in the morning, help them with their homework, and then get mad at ourselves for doing it. But at summer camp, their cool camp counselors can tell them to “figure it out” when they have a problem, and the kids usually listen to them without debate. If our children don’t start figuring out things for themselves, and deal with the inevitable challenges of life, we may find them living at home for a very long time, or moving back when things don’t go their way.

Humans are not born with great social skills. These are skills we learn and practice. As babies, we scream when we are upset, but eventually learn how to express ourselves to our parents and caregivers. Camp is a continuation of that process. Campers are put into challenging situations requiring them to critically think through possible solutions- just like real (adult) life! Sometimes they overcome obstacles and succeed, and sometimes they will simply fail- which is a super important life lesson, achieved more likely without parental interference.

Parents routinely spend or borrow inordinate sums of money for college to prepare their children for life. Comparativley speaking, an investment into Summer Camp is a bargain for the life skills it develops in a young person. Communication, collaboration, creativity, independence, and the ability to make and keep friends are the “soft skills” that employers are seeking in the 21st century, as well as typical outcomes of an American Camp Association accredited camp. Giving kids an old-school, summer camp experience could end up being the wisest parental investment you ever make!

THANK YOU for entrusting us with your child(ren) and providing them with a life changing camp experience!THANK YOU for entrusting us with your child(ren) and providing them with a life changing camp experience!

THE

ENDCHECK US OUT ON SOCIAL MEDIA- CHECK US OUT ON SOCIAL MEDIA-

Posting fun LLDC Stuff, Pix, Videos, and Posting fun LLDC Stuff, Pix, Videos, and

informative youth development articles!informative youth development articles!

The Liberty Lake Foundation kicks off its annualCampership Fundraising Drive with a couple of terrific

events- the DOGGY DIVE DOGGY DIVE, and VALENTINE BABYSITING!VALENTINE BABYSITING!“Camperships” sponsor local children at LLDC and nearby

summer camps who would not otherwise be able to afford a wonderful camp experience.

LLDC Families have raised over $10,000 per year through various events, in camp and

out of camp- teaching our children valuable life skills of service and paying it forward. We kick off fundraising

with our annual DOGGIE DIVE DOGGIE DIVE on April 26. At 2pm that day, Humans AND DOGS will assemble at the Liberty Lake

beach for a brisk Spring plunge. We are also holding a grand scale VALENTINE’S DAY BABYSITTING EVENTVALENTINE’S DAY BABYSITTING EVENT for

camp parents to go out on a rare, romantic date!We hope you’ll be a part of the fundraising and the fun!We hope you’ll be a part of the fundraising and the fun!

For more info, to volunteer or donate, go to: For more info, to volunteer or donate, go to: LibertyLakeFoundation.orgLibertyLakeFoundation.org

Last winter brought us awesome new

playgrounds, while this off-season we rebuilt

some of the most popular Camp activity areas:

* The Double Barrel Pool SlideDouble Barrel Pool Slide has been

refurbished- Bright colors, and new parts!

* The Deep End Swim DockThe Deep End Swim Dock is now concrete-

it doesn’t get hot, won’t break or splinter!

* The Archery RangeArchery Range got a bigtime

makeover, with new/dry shooting areas!

* The Pirate Ship Playground Pirate Ship Playground got both a

makeover AND an upgrade- with new

pieces, an added slide, and a longer hull!

LOOKING GOOD & READY FOR 2020!

REVITALIZINGREVITALIZING

CAMP FAVORITES!CAMP FAVORITES!

Liberty LakeLiberty LakeFOUNDATIONFOUNDATIONDoggie Dive & More!Doggie Dive & More!

CAMPCAMP--PAIGNPAIGN20202020

“Hey Dad,” My daughter beckoned, “I was talking to my friend today…” I interrupt her- “Hang on sweetie, were you actually TALKING to your friend?’

Her: “What do you mean?”Me: “I mean, was there sound coming out of your mouth, going into her ear and vice versa?”

Her: “Duh, of course not, I never talk on my phone except to you and Mom!”

Cali & Rosie

Aaron, Abby, Alex, Alexis, Amir, Andrew, Andy, Angel, Aaron, Abby, Alex, Alexis, Amir, Andrew, Andy, Angel, Archie, Ayla, Barb, BC, Becca, Becky, Bekah, Bianca, Bob, Brandon, Brett, Brianna, Brienna, Britt, Broadway, Brooke, Bryan, Cam, Carlos, Carly, Cathi, Chris, Archie, Ayla, Barb, BC, Becca, Becky, Bekah, Bianca, Bob, Brandon, Brett, Brianna, Brienna, Britt, Broadway, Brooke, Bryan, Cam, Carlos, Carly, Cathi, Chris,

Christian, Courtnee, Courtney, Dakota, Dan, Dani, Danielle, Dave, Dawn, Debbie, De’Yanna, Dora, Eileen, Eli, Elizabeth, Elley, Emily, Emma, Eric, Erin, Christian, Courtnee, Courtney, Dakota, Dan, Dani, Danielle, Dave, Dawn, Debbie, De’Yanna, Dora, Eileen, Eli, Elizabeth, Elley, Emily, Emma, Eric, Erin, Fran, Frank, Gabe, Gale, Gary, Georgia, Gianna, Gina, Hank, Jackie, Jala, Jamie, Jared, Jason, Jeff, Jen, Jeni, Jenn, Jennifer, Jessica, Joe, Joel, Jonah, Jules, Fran, Frank, Gabe, Gale, Gary, Georgia, Gianna, Gina, Hank, Jackie, Jala, Jamie, Jared, Jason, Jeff, Jen, Jeni, Jenn, Jennifer, Jessica, Joe, Joel, Jonah, Jules, Justin, Kait, Karolina, Kat, Katie, Kenny, Killian, Kim, Krissy, Kyle, Lanna, Larry, Lauren, Lexi, Lexie, Liv, Lizzy, Louis, Lucious, MacKenna, Makeba, Maribel, Justin, Kait, Karolina, Kat, Katie, Kenny, Killian, Kim, Krissy, Kyle, Lanna, Larry, Lauren, Lexi, Lexie, Liv, Lizzy, Louis, Lucious, MacKenna, Makeba, Maribel,

Marylyn, Matt, Matthew, Mel, Melissa, MiaRose, Michelle, Mike, Miss Michelle, Monica, Morgan, Naja, Natalie, Nate, Nick, Nicole, Nidhi, OJ, Paige, Marylyn, Matt, Matthew, Mel, Melissa, MiaRose, Michelle, Mike, Miss Michelle, Monica, Morgan, Naja, Natalie, Nate, Nick, Nicole, Nidhi, OJ, Paige, Patricia, Patt, Phil, Philycia, Quintara, Rachel, Regan, Reggie, Renee’, Rich, Roberto, Ron, Ryan, Sabrina, Sam, Sara, Sarah, Scooter, Sinead, Stacey, Stu, Patricia, Patt, Phil, Philycia, Quintara, Rachel, Regan, Reggie, Renee’, Rich, Roberto, Ron, Ryan, Sabrina, Sam, Sara, Sarah, Scooter, Sinead, Stacey, Stu,

Taylor, Terri, TJ, Tracy, Trixie, Tucker, Victor, Victoria, Vijay, Will & Zeke! Taylor, Terri, TJ, Tracy, Trixie, Tucker, Victor, Victoria, Vijay, Will & Zeke!• • February 9 February 9 - Cali & Rosie’s 6th Birthday Bash• • March 1 March 1 - TeePees & Storytelling @ LLDC, 11-3• • March 22 March 22 - St. Patty’s Party, 11-3• • April 5 April 5 - Easter Eggs-travaganza, 11-3• • April 26 April 26 - Doggie Dive, 2pm• • May 23-24 May 23-24 - May 30-31 May 30-31 - June 6-7 June 6-7

* New Jersey Renaissance Faire * 10am-6pm• • June 10 June 10 - New Parent Orientation, 6-8• • June 17June 17- Parent/Camper Meet & Greet Parent/Camper Meet & Greet, 6:30-8pm• • June 22 June 22 - Week 1• • June 24 June 24 - Yacht or Not• • July 3 July 3 - Camp Closed, Independence Day Observed• • July 9 July 9 -Senior & Teen Beach Trip• • July 10 July 10 - 19th Annual GA-GA Tournament• • July 15 July 15 - Camp Picture Day• • July 23 July 23 - Junior Division Jamboree (New!)• • July 24 July 24 - Girls Survival Skills Overnight• • July 31 July 31 - Boys Survival Skills Overnight• • August 1 August 1 - 2021 Early Bird Registration Begins!• • August 6 August 6 - Family NightFamily Night, 5:30-8pm• • August 11 August 11 - Senior/Teens Semi-Formal, 6:30-9pm• • August 13 August 13 - Camp-a-Palooza• • August 17 August 17 - Post-Week

LIT Overnight TBA & Color War... We can’t tell you when!

New Skateboard RampNew Skateboard Ramp

NEW ELECTIVE CHANGESNEW ELECTIVE CHANGES

2020 2020 Important Dates!Important Dates!

FREEDOM OF CHOICEFREEDOM OF CHOICE is something we take very seriously at LLDC, with over 60 elective choices each week for our campers to enjoy. Here’s a sample of some new developments from our R & D department:• Kindness Club- What things can we do around camp

to help build kindness amongst campers?• Frankie Photos- SENIORS & CITs will get to take pix

around LLDC with our amazing photographer!• Freshman Fine Arts, Music &

Multi-Sports- Frosh Campers can learn and try all kinds of disciplines within one activity!

• More Ooey-Gooey! Doubling the number of sticky OG classes!

• Sophs 3 Elective Periods- In an • effort to provide more group time,

free play and a longer free swim, Sophs will now enjoy 3 Weekly Electives, with an added new twist.

• More info to follow!

Fun Times a’Plenty - in 2020!Fun Times a’Plenty - in 2020!

Who’s Coming Back?Who’s Coming Back?

Last Summer was our first ever

“COLOR WAR FOR LIFE” - and it went

quite smoothly, with campers accept-

ing their teams and

working hard towards

victory. We had a a great

“Spirit Bob Sorting Hat”

last year, with new plans

for 2020...

LIVE STREAMING LIVE STREAMING

FRIDAY ASSEMBLIES!FRIDAY ASSEMBLIES!

Campers have been getting

FUZZIES from STAFF for acts of

caring and kindness ever since

LLDC began in 2002- Now

we’ll have a great new way

for KIDS AND STAFF to

reward EACH OTHER for

the same. So this year, we’re

implementing the very cool

“Friendship Hi-Fives” Besides Campaign 2020Campaign 2020 we have a bunch of other cool

new (and returning) Spirit Events to spice up the summer

season at Liberty Lake- Check out the new Spirit Calendar!

Summer OlympicsSummer Olympics - That’s right, it’s the Olympics this

summer, in Tokyo AND at LLDC, including a Camp-wide Camp-wide Swim Meet Swim Meet and other cool events. We are revamping the

Junior late stay, and introducing an afternoon

Junior JAMBOREEJunior JAMBOREE - Guaranteed awesomeness!!

Moustache DayMoustache Day makes a triumphant return!

Kids vs. Counselors Day Kids vs. Counselors Day - kids have been begging for!

Masked SingerMasked Singer should be a HOOT!

This Haunted Trail is going Down the Rabbitt Hole!Down the Rabbitt Hole!And we know that our younger campers will LOVE

another fun-filled day based on TROLLS!TROLLS!

**NEW SPIRIT EVENTS NEW SPIRIT EVENTS **

LEGACYLEGACY COLORCOLOR WARWAR

Last season’s awesome Video Yearbook

is ready to view on Liberty Lake’s

YouTube Channel + Facebook page!

If you prefer a 20th century DVD - We

can mail you one, or stop by LLDC to pick one

up!

2019 Video Yearbook ONLINE!2019 Video Yearbook ONLINE!

FRIENDSHIPFRIENDSHIP

HI-FIVES!HI-FIVES!

Liberty Lake Channel:

libertylake1776

CHECK CHECK USUS

OUTOUTONON

Girls Survival Overnight Wk 5Girls Survival Overnight Wk 5

Boys Survival Overnight Wk 6Boys Survival Overnight Wk 6

TURTLE TURTLE BOOK! BOOK!Last summer at Liberty BlogLiberty Blog, campers created catchy blurbs for each letter of the alphabet, as well as drawings- corresponding to activities at Liberty Lake! We took the best of them, gave them to a professional artist, and

have created a wonderfully adorable “Welcome to Camp” book for our cute little Pre-Schoolers! Thank you to all who contrib-uted- Especially Lynne & Will!

Best. Staff. Ever!Best. Staff. Ever!

CALLING ALL LIBERTY CALLING ALL LIBERTY LAKE PERFORMERSLAKE PERFORMERSOne of the greatest children’s storybooks is making it’s way to the Liberty Lake Lakeside Amphitheater Stage this summer- Join the JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH

JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH elective, with the BIG SHOW on Family Night!

When it comes to water, LLDC has you quenched withTWO (2) GIANT WATER MONSTERS, Water Fountains, dozens Water Jugs, and a popular Water Bottle Filling Station! We’ve got hydration covered, and you can feel free to send a labeled, refillable water bottle with your child, as well!

H2O!H2O!

NJRenFaire.comNJRenFaire.com

GA-GA Champ: Max S.GA-GA Champ: Max S.

Look-a-Like: Landon & SpencerLook-a-Like: Landon & Spencer

Yacht or Not: EdinburghYacht or Not: Edinburgh

Color War:Color War:The WHITE TeamThe WHITE Team

20192019CHAMPS:CHAMPS:

HEY EVERYBODY...HEY EVERYBODY...

MEET GEORGE!MEET GEORGE!

George is going to be hanging out George is going to be hanging out

with us this summer... You’ll see!with us this summer... You’ll see!