First Day of Boy's Camp

Starting at 12:30pm, campers started driving down the camp road and began their two week session at Asto Wamah! They were greeted by Drew, our sports director, and then quickly began the process of settling in and getting to know their fellow cabin mates. They went through the given check in list and gave hurried good byes to those who dropped them off, eager to start the session!

After counselors gave tours of our beautiful grounds, we all met in the counsel ring for introductions and camp wide rules. Our first year campers had their swim tests, where they showed Catherine, our waterfront director, what they know! They were then placed in swimming levels accordingly. Once those were completed, campers excitedly rushed to check in for a camp wide general swim! Right off the bat, boys were leaping from the tower in deep water and playing games in aquarium! 

Cookee bell rang shortly after the end of general swim and the campers rushed to set their tables, eager to fill their bellies! Here at Asto Wamah, we have "cookees", those who set our tables for meals and "dishees" who help clear the tables afterwards. Campers and staff enjoyed our traditional first meal of hotdogs, tater tots, and a side of baked beans. Brownies were offered as dessert and as you can imagine, they vanished quickly! 

Tied shoes have been put on in anticipation for our evening program! Now campers are playing a variety of activities, including tether ball, the ever popular Gaga Pit, or knock hockey while waiting for the bell to ring. Tonight we will be playing "Medical War", a type of dodgeball game in which our "medics" can bring campers back who were "knocked out" during the round. In an effort to give as many campers who wish to be the "medic" an opportunity, we have set aside 45 minutes to play. We are expecting a high energy game from this enthusiastic group of boys! 

Following evening program, campers will return to their cabins and get ready for bed. Cabins will vote on a book to be read aloud by the counselors before bedtime. Many campers enjoy this aspect of the evening as it helps them to wind down after an eventful day!  

We are so excited to welcome all of these wonderful campers to Asto Wamah! They will surely have a rememberable two weeks here. We are looking forward to start our usual schedule of classes and activities tomorrow!

~Taylor and Allissa 

Last day of the CoEd session

How is the last day over already? It seems like just yesterday everyone was nervously moving into their cabin. Now just 5 short days later memories have been made that will last a lifetime. It has been a lot of fun to watch each camper get comfortable with the camp schedule and really put themselves out there to get the best camp experience!

For breakfast today we enjoyed chocolate chip bread and cereal. As I'm sure you can imagine the chocolate chip bread runs out very quickly! Morning classes were a little more hectic today as campers worked until the last minute to impress their teachers. If teachers felt comfortable with their campers' performance, they were passed into the next skill level! It's always tricky to pass swimming and boating classes in just 5 days, especially when you throw a rainy day in the mix. Even so, many campers were thrilled to find out they were moving to the next level! Arts and crafts focused on finishing projects. If a camper was totally done they enjoyed an exciting day of nature as an alternative. Today in Nature, Kevin taught everyone how to safely build a fire. He even tested their brain power with some tricky riddles! Sports class played another round of handball to finish the session!

The kitchen offered Shepard's Pie for lunch today with a side of salad. Many first year campers were pleasantly surprised to find that Shepard's Pie was their favorite camp meal! Lunch was followed with a dessert of ice pops! Today a few lucky cabins were able to skip rest hour and complete challenges on our ropes course instead! It was a special treat to reward the awesome behavior we saw this session! 

We had around 20 campers checked in for general swim today, while other campers participated in a high energy game of Non-stop Cricket. Deb, the Arts and Crafts director, allowed some campers to finish their crafts. Activity period offered jumping off the tower, which was especially exciting for campers who passed into level 4 swimming. They were allowed off the tower for the very first time! Other activities included soccer, a ride on the Hunter (our largest sailboat) and an intense Gaga pit tournament. 

In the down time before dinner campers were encouraged to start packing up their belongings, especially because a thunderstorm came rolling through! All clothes, wet or dry, have been stored in everyone's laundry bags - enjoy washing that tomorrow! 

Dinner was make-your-own chicken fajitas, with a side of carrots and chips. It's still a little stormy, so tonight before campfire we are playing a game involving some trivia about our staff! After that we will enjoy a campfire where we will recognize those who have passed their classes. We will also be learning some more camp songs and enjoying our messiest dessert - S'mores! 

Campers will surely sleep well tonight, especially those who skipped rest hour earlier today! They will be well rested and excited to see their family again. Pick up starts at 8:30 tomorrow morning! 

It really has been a great session. As staff we have loved getting to know each camper and giving them an experience they will remember forever! Thanks for sharing your family with ours!

~Taylor and Shannon

Thursday, June 30th

It was the general consensus among counselors that it was hard to get the kids out of bed this morning. Pirates last night was pretty exhausting! Everyone started their day with english muffins and cereal. Morning classes were as exciting as always, especially with the awesome weather we have been having these past two days. With only one full day left, classes were focused on perfecting campers' skills and finishing art projects! 

Baked ziti was offered for lunch today, along with a salad and slices of french bread. Campers had pears for dessert and then stopped by the store to grab some candy to ensure their sugar rush would hit right before rest hour! Everyone went in for general swim today and we had a record breaking 57 swimmers in aquarium! There was plenty to do in the water today. Many campers chose to dive for rings, play with noodles, and search for the smoothest rocks in the lake.

Fourth period was as exciting as the morning classes! Sports class offered soccer on the A-field and nature worked on making "weapons" to go "boar - hunting." Kevin, our nature expert, is very good at coming up with creative ways to get campers excited about the outdoors. Activity period followed and soccer was back by popular demand. Other options included jumping off the tower, an archery tournament, and more piano lessons. The Gaga pit was as popular as ever, with campers battling it out in the sandy ring!

Grilled cheese was paired with tomato soup to fill campers with a comforting meal. Chips, salad, and fruit were also served on the side. Apple crisp was passed out for dessert and the campers were thrilled! 

Tonight for evening program we are trying a new game called "Step it Up!" The object of this game is for campers to earn beans by completing various challenges set up on the A-field. With each bean they give to their team captain, the staff member representing their team takes a step closer to the A-field. Whichever team's captain arrives to the middle of the A-field first wins! We are expecting it to be a big hit with the campers!

We are confident the campers will fall fast asleep tonight ready to wake up and finish up their last full day of camp tomorrow!

It has been a fun week at Asto Wamah!

~Taylor and Shannon

 

Wednesday, June 29th

After a rainy Tuesday we woke up to clearing skies! For breakfast this morning we enjoyed chocolate chip banana bread for the first time at Asto Wamah. We are lucky to have a very talented baker as a counselor in Cabin 6 - she spoiled us this morning! We returned to our normal outdoor schedule for morning classes. Swimmers worked on perfecting their strokes, boaters got comfortable in their new small craft, arts and crafts worked on their individual projects and sports classes engaged in a lively game of handball.

Chicken fingers were served for lunch today with a side of carrots, rice and a dessert of chocolate pudding topped with whipped cream. After lunch we posed for cabin pictures in front of the lake, and those pictures will be available for purchase on Saturday! 

Today for general swim the campers had the choice to either swim, learn to play ukuleles, or learn to play the piano. Many campers selected swimming on this beautiful day, but those who played music were very excited to show off their new songs. After general swim campers finished their class schedule and attended an activity for activity period. They could choose between ultimate frisbee, jumping off the tower, paddle boarding, or an archery tournament.

Dinner was exciting tonight! Campers got a unique opportunity to eat dinner around camp for our "eat out" night. Because kitchen staff have their night off, staff make sandwiches for the campers which they enjoy somewhere else around camp in a sort of picnic style setting. Some cabins ate dinner on main dock, and another cabin chose to eat in the Lean-to in the woods. "Eat out" always ends with lots of energy, laughter, and campers who are ready to play their evening program. Tonight our sports director Drew organized a high energy game of Pirates - a game involving guns made out of flour wrapped in dishee rags (our version of wash cloths) and a challenging treasure hunt. 

With only 2 full day of camp left everyone is eager to try everything camp has to offer!

~Taylor and Shannon 

 

Tuesday, June 28th

Campers woke up to rain this morning, but we had plenty of activities ready for them after breakfast! We started the day with waffles and peanut butter, a specialty at Camp Asto Wamah. All morning classes were held inside today. Swimmers played a competitive game of Scattergories while boaters played card games on the porch. Sports classes participated in a variety of indoor camp originals, including a game that is much like a combination of Pictionary and telephone. It was entertaining to see the final picture campers ended up with!

For lunch today, we enjoyed ham and noodles with a side of corn. A healthy dessert of peaches followed. Rest hour was quiet and many campers worked on bracelets and wrote letters home. It's easy to relax in the cabin on a rainy day at camp! Our new general swim procedures were tested out today. It turned out to be very successful! Campers are no longer required to go into the lake, but rather can choose from a few activities. These activities include music, sports, arts and crafts, and nature, all with variations that make them different from regularly scheduled classes. About thirty campers enjoyed the water today while the majority of campers headed to the A-Field to play Nuke'em. 

We were fortunate to find that the rain had stopped for fourth period and boats were able to go out onto the lake! Activity period followed with options of Ultimate Frisbee, paddle boarding, a ride on the Hunter (our largest sailboat), aquarium games, or learning sign language. This group of campers is excellent at trying the unique opportunities offered at camp!

It's Taco Tuesday! For dinner campers enjoyed tacos, chips, and applesauce. Campers are now gathered around the flag pole to learn the rules of Spies and Smugglers, our Evening Program for tonight.  After a rainy day we are very excited to have an evening program that will give the campers an opportunity to burn off some steam! Later a story teller is going to pay us a visit in the lodge. He comes from Center Church and is very popular at camp! Hopefully his stories will give campers something to think about while drifting off to sleep tonight.

It's only Tuesday and this week is already flying by! 

~Taylor and Shannon

First Full Day of CoEd Camp: Monday June 27th

Happy first Monday of Camp! Summer has finally begun at Asto Wamah! 

Yesterday campers arrived and got settled into their cabins. They were introduced to camp with a tour of the property led by their counselors. Our first dinner was our traditional hot dogs, tater tots, and baked beans followed by delicious brownies for dessert! Campers eagerly prepared for evening program by putting on their tied shoes and heading to the A-Field. Quickly we began our usual first night game of Medical War! Campers were very excited to get some energy out after hearing all the rules of camp! Even better, the game ended in a perfect tie!

Most campers were early risers today after spending the first night sleeping in the woods! It's always a new experience, especially for the first time campers. Breakfast was cornbread and cereal. The perfect breakfast to get ready for an exciting day of classes. Campers rotated between sports class, small craft, swimming lessons and arts and crafts. After classes campers were treated with some free time which they quickly filled with games of knock hockey, tetherball, and most excitingly our new Gaga Pit! The addition of the Gaga Pit has been a huge hit with all of the campers (photos below).

Our dinner for today was meatballs, mashed potatoes, with a healthy side of carrots and green beans! Dessert was butterscotch pudding which many campers enjoyed much to their surprise. After a big meal everyone relaxed in their cabins during Rest Hour. They finished the day with their last class, and then went straight into activity period. Campers had the option to participate in jumping off the tower, playing KanJam, soccer, fishing off the dock or going sailing in some of our sunfish. 

After an active day, campers enjoyed chicken patties for supper, with a side of chips and carrots. Cheesecake followed for dessert. Now the campers are off to play a game of Capture the Flag. Now that everyone is more settled in we are positive campers will be sleeping very well tonight!

Stay tuned for daily updates on all of our fun camp activities!
Taylor and Shannon 

June Update

Dear Asto Wamah Friends,

          June has arrived!  It’s the time of year we have been looking forward to for the past 9 months.   Asto Wamah is in full bloom and just about ready for the arrival of over 300 new and returning campers and over 70 seasoned and enthusiastic staff members. 

          Last Saturday we hosted Open Camp Day where about 100 people toured the site led by experienced staff and LTs.  There was much excitement in the air.  That event feels like the official beginning of the new season - our 107th!  Visitors on Saturday got a good idea of what summer at Asto Wamah feels like as the temperature was over 90.  We even had a brief thunderstorm that didn’t interrupt the activity or dampen anyone’s spirit.

          In previous Blogs I have written about one of the new initiatives in this summer’s programming – music.  The newly purchased keyboard, that will replace the old piano that had very few workable keys, has arrived and will provide creative opportunities for all.   With a keyboard, 8 ukuleles and a guitar or 2 (not to mention instruments brought in order to play taps at bedtime) we should be making a great many joyful noises!

          We are looking forward to a fun filled 7 weeks, where friendships are made, challenges are taken on and met, new adventures are explored, and each member of our inclusive and respectful community leaves with treasured memories that will last a lifetime.

Can’t wait,

Nancy

           

            

May Update

Welcome to MAY!

            Now that spring has arrived, signs of new life are appearing everywhere at Asto Wamah.  Here is my favorite May scene: the skunk cabbage and marsh marigolds under the Icky Water Bridge.  Just a few weeks ago there was no green here at all.  I know that within a week or two, the trees will also be green again and Asto Wamah will look a lot more like summer.

Skunk Cabbage Under the Icky Water Bridge

Skunk Cabbage Under the Icky Water Bridge

            Our annual spring workday was held this year on April 30.  A group of enthusiastic and energetic volunteers raked billions! of leaves and dragged away fallen twigs and branches.  They washed windows and cleaned and aired out all the buildings after their winter's sleep.  Thanks to these dedicated volunteers, camp is once again looking beautiful.

            Construction on our new Gaga Pit is about to start and the relocated horseshoe pit is nearing completion.  In addition to the ukuleles, a wide variety of programming equipment is being purchased so that we will be ready to provide our campers with fun, challenging and engaging activities.  Some will be new but the favorite oldies will, of course, be back as well.

            I am pleased to be able to announce that enrollment has been strong.  Two sessions are full and the others are getting there.  It is still not too late to introduce Asto Wamah to a friend.  The virtual tour video on our Home Page offers prospective campers a great view of life at Asto Wamah.

            I hope you all know that everyone is invited to Open Camp Day, scheduled for May 28th from 3 to 5PM.  Experienced campers and staff will give guided tours and answer questions for our first-time visitors.  This will be a perfect time for new campers to become familiar with the campsite and discover how special Asto Wamah is!  I hope to see many of you there. 

Less than 8 weeks to the start of COED!!

Nancy

April Update Part 2

Dear Asto Wamahites,

I had planned to update the April Blog with some “spring-signs” pictures.  Then it snowed!!  So here a few pics you may find interesting. 

One is of the White Raft in its winter mooring.   As you can see, Columbia Lake is still at its winter low level.  I am praying for rain.  Feel free to join me!

Hope you can make out the birds in the trees in the next picture.  They are Eagles and have been spending the past months fishing in the open lake and enjoying the solitude of Asto Wamah.  They are quite magnificent!

The last picture was taken in the upper Lodge to show you the 8 new ukuleles that have recently been purchased for the music activity option being offered this summer.  Many other fun additions coming!

Think spring!

Nancy

 

 

April Update

 We are pleased that enrollment has been strong.  There are places still open in Coed (June 26 to July 2) and the second Girls’ session (July 31 to August 13), but the Boys’ and first Girls’ sessions are just about full.  There is still time to pass the word about Asto Wamah to friends, relatives and neighbors.  Thank you for all the good publicity you provide to Camp.  This summer there will be a special t-shirt for all who recommend CAW to someone who registers.  So far 28 campers and counselors have earned that reward.  

Read more

March Update

Dear Asto Wamah Birch Blog Followers,

     Thank you for staying in touch with Camp by checking in with the Birch Blog at the start of each Month.   I have to say that this last month at Asto Wamah has been VERY busy.  It’s all about preparing for the 107th camping season.

     The 2016 Camp Brochure was mailed to everyone on our mailing list on February 1.  Applications started to stream in right away.  Each day brings another batch.  It is very exciting to see the number of returning campers as well as new campers.  This year we asked first year campers to tell us who had told them about Asto Wamah.  Those people who have been successful in spreading the word will receive a special T-shirt to recognize their efforts on behalf of Camp.  It is not too late for others to receive an "Award" T-shirt.   Just tell a friend or neighbor or relative about camp.  If they sign up, you get a T-shirt!  There are still openings in every session.

     February is also the month when staff hiring takes place.  Staff applications have been arriving in large number since early December so we have a great pool of seasoned staff and recently graduated LTs to fill the many jobs of counselor and kitchen help.  I am very excited about the talents and enthusiasm these young adults will bring to every session this summer.

     Even though it is only March 1,  plans are already being made to upgrade the tennis court and include Pickleball lines.  We are also hoping that the Gaga Pit will provide campers with a new free time activity that has proven to be popular in many camp settings.  Other new and exciting program options are being discussed and will be shared with you in the next few months.  Stay tuned :)

     Today at camp I saw a Yellow Crocus popping through the ground and a tree in bud.  It is clear that summer cannot be far behind.  Hoping each day brings you more vivid and warm memories of Asto Wamah!

Always,

Nancy

February Update

Thank you for connecting back with Asto Wamah.

January was a busy month.  On the 9th, about 80 of us participated in the Camp Reunion in Hartford for an afternoon of fun and laughter.  The format was very different this year (of course we had ice cream).  The program was kicked off with a hilarious skit that was presented by the staff and written by Drew.  Instead of the usual entertainment, we divided into small groups and tested our skills with 13 Minute to Win It games.  The two hours flew by. Everyone enjoyed the games and the opportunity to connect with so many summer friends.  I send a big THANK YOU to all who were there and especially to the great group of staff who succeeded in running the activities flawlessly.  I have included a picture from the Reunion.

Also included are some pictures I took on January 25th.  You can see that the snow was not particularly deep at camp.  How about the chunks stuck in the bush outside the kitchen window?  Looks like a flowering shrub!  The other two shots give you an idea of what Columbia Lake looks like when the water is drawn down for the winter.  I imagine it won’t be long before the lake is iced over, but at this time there are still open areas in the middle.  No skating yet!

For the past month I have been collecting the names and addresses of those who would like to receive the 2016 camp brochure in the Feb. 1st mailing.  Thank you to all who have sent me the names of prospective campers.  Spreading the word is a very important component of Camp’s ability to grow and prosper.

Plans are well underway for the new camp season at Asto Wamah with some new and exciting programming options.  We are looking to include some musical opportunities, nature activities and sports and games additions.  Stay tuned for more details in the months ahead.

The application/brochure will be mailed on Monday, 2/1.  If you haven’t received yours by 2/5, let me know so I can send another one.  We are hoping that Asto Wamah will be a part of your summer schedule in 2016 and you are looking forward to:

  • making new friends and renewing former friendships,
  • strengthening  your comfort level of independence,
  • being a part of a caring, inclusive, and respectful community, and
  • working as a team in all aspects of camp life.

Hope you will join us for a fun, challenging, and awesome experience!

Take care, stay well, and don’t forget to send in your application!!

Nancy Maclean

New Years Day – 2016

Happy New Year to All Asto Wamah Fans,

Thank you for checking in on the January Blog.  There is a lot to talk about.

Hope this New Year finds you well and filled with good cheer.   We, at Asto Wamah, are already making plans for an exceptional 7-week camping season.  If you are still not sure of the dates for the 4 sessions, check out the website where you will find all that information and more.

The first big event of 2016 will be the Camp Reunion.  We are breaking with tradition and holding the reunion on January 9th instead of the usual date of December 26th.  The hope is that more people are available in January once the craziness of the Holiday Season is behind us. 

We will gather at 1:00 at Center Church House, 60 Gold Street in Hartford.  Parking on the street is free on the weekends.  Familiar camp faces will greet you on the sidewalk so if you are dropped off, we will make sure you are properly welcomed. 

For the next 2 hours, we will be busy with games, 2015 pictures, videos, and a tasty dessert.  I know it will be a fast-paced time, full of fun, laughs, and the chance to reconnect with camp friends.  Maybe even make a new friend!

Please try to be a part of the good time! 

If you RSVP at www.campastowamah.org/rsvp, I will better be able to purchase the right amount of dessert.  If you haven’t, don’t worry just come!

The next important date to remember is February 1st.  That is the day the 2016 Camp Brochure will be mailed to everyone on the Asto Wamah mailing list.  Thank you to those of you who have sent names and addresses to be added to the mailing list.  If you have a friend, relative, or neighbor who might enjoy a session at camp this summer, PLEASE send me their contact information so that they can receive a brochure.  To encourage returning campers to introduce CAW to others, we will give a special t-shirt to anyone who tells a friend who then comes to camp this summer.  There will be a place on the registration form where your friend can put your name.  Thank you for introducing Camp to others.  That is how Asto Wamah will grow and stay healthy.

Now that 2016 has arrived, we only have to wait 6 months until the Camp season.  We sincerely hope that Asto Wamah will be a part of your summer plans!

Stay well, happy, and never forget the other fellow,

Nancy

December Update

Happy December to the MANY friends of Asto Wamah!

     Now that we are entering the last month of the year, Asto Wamah looks a lot different than it looked just 30 days ago.  The short days, bare trees and lowered lake forecast the cold and snow that will inevitably be arriving shortly.  With that in mind, we have been working hard to make sure everything is ready for the weeks and months ahead.  The water has been drained from all the pipes, the cabins and buildings are all locked and secured and there is an ample supply of wood to burn in the Arts and Crafts fireplace.  We are prepared for inside projects until spring arrives. 

     The picture I have drawn of Asto Wamah in December is quiet and sleepy.  Actually, December is a month of great activity.  Applications are arriving daily from 15 year-olds who are interested in being LTs in 2016.  Also some improvements are being considered in the program area for next summer.  New and former staff will begin the process of completing staff applications.  The new brochure will very soon go to the printer so that it is ready for mailing on February 1st.  And of course there is the Camp Reunion. 

     This year, for the first time in decades, the reunion will not be on 12/26 but rather on Saturday, January 9th from 1:00 to 3:00 in Hartford, at Center Church House, 60 Gold St.  We are starting earlier than usual so that if you and your family/friends are interested in ice skating (open until 8pm) or riding the carousel (open until 5 pm) in Bushnell Park you will have time to do that before dark.  Bushnell Park is right across the street from the Church House.  Both of those opportunities are open and terrific fun.  Very soon, all 2015 campers and staff will be receiving an invitation in the mail.  It will provide you more details about our time together on January 9th.

     If you have a friend, sibling, classmate or neighbor who may be interested in attending Asto Wamah, please send me their contact information so I can add them to our mailing list.  We are always eager to introduce new families to camp.  You are our advertisement!  Thank you for spreading the word.

     Hope your Holiday Season is joyful and filled with opportunities to Remember the Other Fellow!

Warmly,

Nancy

 
 

November Update 2

Thought you might be interested in seeing the change in Columbia Lake since the dam was opened on 11/2.  The November 2nd photo shows the rock off of Little Dipper Dock (looking forward the White Cottage) with just an inch or two peeking out.  The second picture, November 12, is a very different story.  In that picture, taken at the very same location as the first one, shows that the water has totally drained off leaving the rock dry.  All that in 10 days!

In the December Blog I will include other pictures that will give you a better idea of what the lake will be like until next March when the dam will be closed and the lake will grow to its summer level.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Nancy



November Update

Dear Wamah Friends,

October at camp began with much color and most of the leaves still on the trees.  In the past few days, between the wind and the rain, it is looking a lot more like winter.  Deep leaves cover the paths and ground.  I am including 2 pictures taken in the exact same place.  One was taken during the first week of October.  The other was taken at the end of the month. It is amazing the difference a few weeks make at this time of year.

On November 1st the dam will be opened and the lake will be drawn down to its winter level.  I will send you pictures of that transformation in the December blog.

During the fine weather of October many projects were undertaken.  At last, the Tool Shed (by the archery range) was painted.  Long needed repairs in Hungerford have begun.  An overdue improvement in the Lodge, the stripping of the 60-year-old floor, is complete. It looks like a new floor.  It is bright and shiny and livens up the space.  The picture will give you an idea of how spectacular it looks.

Many of us are already working on plans for the summer of 2016!  A number of campers and parents have asked about the schedule for next summer so they can plan vacations around a session or two at Asto Wamah.  The season dates have now been finalized and a postcard will be going out next week with that information.  For now, I can tell you that camp will begin on June 26th with one week of coed, then two weeks of all boys (July 3 – 16) followed by 2 more all girl sessions (July 17-30 and July 31 to Aug. 13).  You can always check out the website for the most up-to-date information about CAW.

I realize that Christmas is still a ways off (don’t tell the retailers who have already decorated) but I thought you who are familiar with the Asto Wamah calendar of events should know that our annual Camp Reunion will NOT be on December 26.  Instead we will hold it on January 9.  It seems that the day after Christmas tends to be hectic and filled with family gatherings and travel.  We hope Jan. 9th will turn out to be a better afternoon for you to join your camp friends in a reunion party.  More details will be coming in the December Blog.  Stay tuned.

Wishing you all a very happy Thanksgiving of abundance and sharing,

Nancy

October Update

Dear Wamah Friends,

     Now that October is here, I trust you are settled into whatever the fall brings you, probably a new grade in school. My hope is that all things are going smoothly and you are enjoying life.

     A month ago I promised you pictures of the rafts positioned in their winter locations. Well, I am finally delivering. You can see the Asto Wamah waterfront with the Gray Raft tied to the Pollywog Dock, where the White Raft is nestled beside Little Dipper Dock and the beginnings of leaf cover on paths throughout camp. At this time of year it is always amazing to watch the thinning of the woods. It is a very peaceful place. No laughing or chatter. No slapping the tetherball or hitting the Knock Hockey puck. The only sounds to break the quiet come from the frequent thuds, bangs, and pings of the acorns hitting the ground, a cabin roof or a rowboat (they are resting where the canoes usually do).

     The picture I have presented may sound sleepy and lifeless but there is actually lots going on. Most recently there has been a push to control erosion (an age old issue). After the forecasted extended rain event, we will see how well we did. Some buildings are being prepared for paint. And there are always the routine fall maintenance projects.

     A main focus right now is to determine the dates and fees for the 2016 season. All of that information will be communicated via the website. Additionally, a postcard will be sent in November to every interested family. If you know of a friend who might enjoy a stay at Asto Wamah next summer, you can send me his/her mailing information and they will receive that mailing. You can always use the “contact” link on the www.campastowamah.org website to communicate with me.

     By now I imagine you have seen the awesome video (found on the website) that Sweeney put together and Taylor narrates. It provides a tour of Asto Wamah with amazing detail that we never had before. The hope is that you will share ‘your’ Camp with relatives and friends so more people can be aware of this amazing summer opportunity.

    Wishing you a happy October,

    Nancy

September Update

Greetings to All Asto Wamah Followers and Welcome to the September Update,

It is hard to believe summer is over when the temperature is hovering around 90. This is camp weather, not school weather. Nonetheless, the calendar tells us summer is past and we are into a new season of the year.

The calendar is not the only reminder that summer is over. The cabins at Asto Wamah are now closed up and empty. The Lodge is silent and all the tables, chairs and benches are stacked and put aside. Arts and Crafts is bare: no beads, fabric, gimp, etc. You can hear a pin drop. There is nothing on the Main Dock: no noodles, rescue equipment or goggles. No waterfront box. All the small craft have been taken to winter storage to keep them safe in the months to come. Maybe the most noticeable absence at the waterfront is the rafts. They have been taken to the Aquarium and the sailing area where they are secured and ready for the draining of the lake and the inevitable ice to come. It is a quite and peaceful (although lovely) time at camp.

If you are missing being at camp, I hope you will find Asto Wamah’s new camp video.

The virtual tour reminds me of all the excitement, fun and friendships that are so much a part of a stay at CAW. We have Sweeney to thank for putting this video together with perspectives none of us have ever had (seeing as how we are not birds). Hope you enjoy watching it and reliving your time on Columbia Lake this summer. Be sure to share it with friends who may be interested in attending in 2016, with grandparents or relatives who wonder what your camp is like or anyone interested in visiting the camp we are all so proud of.

Hope the start of your new school year has begun well. Remember to Remember the Other Fellow!

Thinking of you,

Nancy

Friday August 14 - Last Day of Camp

Pick up tomorrow (Saturday) morning from 8:30am to 10:00am! Good afternoon Birch Blog readers! It has been a very eventful last two days of camp. Yesterday we had our last banquet of the summer. All of the girls gathered in their green and white for our thanksgiving-style meal of turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, corn, gravy and cranberry sauce. In honor of banquet, we had a special treat for dessert - ice cream! After the festive meal, we continued into the evening program portion of the evening. We (Colleen and Maddy) emceed the evening and led the camp in a few favorite songs before Nancy took the floor to do some introductions and thank yous. Part of the reason banquet is a special night is because we have guests come from the Center Church in Hartford. They are usually people who are involved with the camp committee who work hard all year long for the camp. Banquet is their opportunity to see how their efforts are appreciated by our wonderful campers and staff. Afterwards, we sang some more songs and had a slideshow of the session and watched a video that Colleen and Danny put together using the camp goPro! The photos from this session and the rest of the summer will be available online in a few weeks. Next, every camper got an award to mark their number of years at camp. The evening concluded with the Candlelight Service.

Today has been quite a whirlwind for the campers and staff because not only is the last day of the session, but it is also the last day of the CAW 2015 season. Luckily, we have had gorgeous weather all day. We woke up to french toast and cereal for breakfast. During the first three periods of the day, girls in Arts and Crafts participated in a nature scavenger hunt. Rowboats and canoes went out like normal and the girls in sailing class got to help the staff get the sunfish out of the water so they could be washed and dried.

Lunch today was chicken strips with rice and green beans. For dessert, we had chocolate cake. Everyone is getting tired by the end of the session so we had a slightly longer rest hour. Afterwards, we all got in the water for our last general swim. Everyone was enjoying the beautiful weather, so we extended that for a bit too. Instead of regular fourth period and activity period, all of the girls are now up on the field. We are playing non-stop cricket which a fast-paced baseball-style game that everyone gets a turn in.

Tonight, we will enjoy meatball grinders for dinner. Afterwards, everyone will return to their cabins to do some packing. All of the towels will come off the clothesline tonight so no one will end up without their belongings tomorrow! Evening program will be our closing campfire. We will eat s'mores, sing songs and receive awards for boating, swimming and track and field. I heard that some girls in cabin 7 will be performing a duet! It should be a great way to end a successful session and an incredible summer.

We are so lucky to have had such an incredible group of kids come through our program this summer! Remember to spread the word about Camp Asto Wamah to all of your friends, relatives and neighbors! You can find us on Facebook and Instagram @campastowamah.

Thank you for reading; We hope you have enjoyed the Birch Blog this summer!

Pick up tomorrow (Saturday) morning from 8:30am to 10:00am.

Wednesday July 12

Happy Wamah Wednesday! Unfortunately, us bloggers (Maddy and Colleen, for those wondering) took a day off yesterday. To catch you up, we had a fun day of indoor activities to accommodate the rain. In the evening, we had an awesome talent show! Almost everybody participated in some sort of act, skit, song or dance. All of the girls can't stop talking about all of the incredible talent they saw last night. This morning started off with waffles and peanut butter. It was a gorgeous morning on the lake after yesterday's rain. The girls that are in level 6 or superstar swimming had the opportunity to swim to Frog Island. It's not actually an island, but it is a marked spot almost all the way across the lake that is quite shallow and known for its rock collection. All of the girls that make the swim there and back are allowed to keep a rock as a souvenir.

Lunch today was ravioli with salad and baguettes. We had some delicious cheesecake for dessert. This afternoon, activity period offerings were paddle boarding, sailing the Hunter, the tower, badminton by the flagpole and apples to apples.

Wednesday means another night off for the kitchen staff so we had our "eat out" meal again. Counselors took sandwich orders and everyone enjoyed eating outside. It was a lovely evening to be out by the water or even up in the woods. Now, the girls are very busy playing Cops and Robbers. It's our only game that is played counselors vs. campers and everyone gets very excited and competitive! Later this evening, our senior campers (cabins 6, 7, & 8) will be up on the A Field for a special treat - stargazing! It should be an clear night to see some awesome shooting stars!

Heads  up, tomorrow night is our Banquet evening. The camp laptop will be up in the lodge for the slideshow of photos from the session and the goPro video Colleen and Danny have put together (very exciting!), so blogging will have to wait until the next day. Check back Friday evening to hear how the last two days of camp go!

FYI pick up on Saturday morning will be from 8:30am to 10:00am.