Dear Circle F family,
Thank you for one of the most fantastic summers in Circle F history. We enjoyed everyday and everyone. The campers were amazing, the weather was pleasant and the staff was fantastic! Everyday was an adventure and so much fun. We always say " a day at camp is like a week in the real world." Not only does the day begin at 7:30am and end about 10:00pm(if we are lucky) but we pack so many activities and experiences in one day, we can't remember what happened that morning. As much as I am enjoying being home, it is too quiet and I miss everyone. Roger is at camp enduring his first tropical storm, Murray and Bri are on their way back out to Utah, Blake is preparing for his move to Virginia, Getta is teaching middle school math and science and the counselors are on their way back to school in all parts of Florida and the U.S. And as for me...the office (boring!!)...LOL Please know that when you leave camp you never leave our thoughts.
I will be back at camp for Labor Day weekend next Friday for one of our family weekends. We still have cabins if you would like to join in the fun. Check the website for all the family weekend dates. They are so much fun.
We can't wait to see you next summer. Have a fantastic year and do well in school. Thank you for being a part of our lives.
Love to all of you,
Diana and the Circle F gang
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Hay Ride and Camp Fire!!!
Howdy Circle F Family,
Yesterday was a beautiful day. The weather was cool with a strong breeze and it was a wonderful last day of normal activities. The Pioneer campers went on a team building hike, the Wranglers had a special Cantina time, and the Co-Bucks and Buck-a-roo's had a special swim time. It was a beautiful evening. After the age appropriate activities, we had our big camp fire and hay rides. We had music, s'mores and hay rides. It was a total blast. You can see some pictures from the event at www.circl-f-duderanch.com
Today half of the camp is at Islands of Adventure and the other half is here at camp. We have a special day of camp with one of Circle F's most popular activities: Build-A-Boat. Campers will have one hour, two rolls of duct tape, and three super large pieces of cardboard. They will have to build a boat that will float in the lake and carry to rowers. Most of the boats float, some don't. It is a great time.
As we are getting closer to our pick up day I thought it would be good to go over some frequently asked questions about pick-up:
Q: What time is pick-up?
A: Pick up is from 9:00am - 12:00 noon on TUESDAY, August 12. All campers must be picked up before 12:00 noon unless prior arrangements have been made.
Q: What do I do when I come to pick up my camper
A: You can drive right to your campers cabin where they will be waiting for you all packed and ready to go.
Q: Will there be a rodeo or show on Tuesday?
A: No. In the 10 day session we do not have enough time to put together a rodeo.
Q: What if I can't pick up my child on Tuesday?
A: It is important that all campers are picked up before noon on Tuesday. After noon we start closing down the camp for the summer and there will be no one to supervise the children. If you cannot come on Tuesday morning, we can arrange for you to pick up your camper Monday evening.
Q: What else?
A: Your camper will receive their bunk photo, evaluation and registration for summer 2009 while at camp. Please check your campers belongings for these items. We are always trying to improve our program and by filling out the evaluation you can help us in our goal. We are offering a special promotion to our Summer 2008 campers. If you register for Circle F Summer 2009 before November 1st, you will lock in the 2008 prices and get an additional 5% off. There will be a registration form with the evaluation form.
We will see you in about 48 hours.
Fantastic Wishes,
Roger and the whole gang
Yesterday was a beautiful day. The weather was cool with a strong breeze and it was a wonderful last day of normal activities. The Pioneer campers went on a team building hike, the Wranglers had a special Cantina time, and the Co-Bucks and Buck-a-roo's had a special swim time. It was a beautiful evening. After the age appropriate activities, we had our big camp fire and hay rides. We had music, s'mores and hay rides. It was a total blast. You can see some pictures from the event at www.circl-f-duderanch.com
Today half of the camp is at Islands of Adventure and the other half is here at camp. We have a special day of camp with one of Circle F's most popular activities: Build-A-Boat. Campers will have one hour, two rolls of duct tape, and three super large pieces of cardboard. They will have to build a boat that will float in the lake and carry to rowers. Most of the boats float, some don't. It is a great time.
As we are getting closer to our pick up day I thought it would be good to go over some frequently asked questions about pick-up:
Q: What time is pick-up?
A: Pick up is from 9:00am - 12:00 noon on TUESDAY, August 12. All campers must be picked up before 12:00 noon unless prior arrangements have been made.
Q: What do I do when I come to pick up my camper
A: You can drive right to your campers cabin where they will be waiting for you all packed and ready to go.
Q: Will there be a rodeo or show on Tuesday?
A: No. In the 10 day session we do not have enough time to put together a rodeo.
Q: What if I can't pick up my child on Tuesday?
A: It is important that all campers are picked up before noon on Tuesday. After noon we start closing down the camp for the summer and there will be no one to supervise the children. If you cannot come on Tuesday morning, we can arrange for you to pick up your camper Monday evening.
Q: What else?
A: Your camper will receive their bunk photo, evaluation and registration for summer 2009 while at camp. Please check your campers belongings for these items. We are always trying to improve our program and by filling out the evaluation you can help us in our goal. We are offering a special promotion to our Summer 2008 campers. If you register for Circle F Summer 2009 before November 1st, you will lock in the 2008 prices and get an additional 5% off. There will be a registration form with the evaluation form.
We will see you in about 48 hours.
Fantastic Wishes,
Roger and the whole gang
Friday, August 08, 2008
Deal or No Deal meets Men's Beauty Review
Howdy Circle F Family,
Sorry I have been slow at writing the blog this session. I have been pulling quadruple duty of photographer, blogger, and Assistant Director. I know that is only three things, but being Assistant Director is really like two jobs.
We have been having a great time as aways. Fourth session is kind of like a greatest hits album. Yesterday we combined two of the campers favorite evening programs: Deal or No Deal and the Men's Beauty Review. We played the popular game Deal or No Deal with campers as contestants and the oldest boys cabin as the models. The boys were hilarious dressed up as the models. The oldest girls cabin was happy to help them get ready. The game is (in my opinion) a lot more fun than the TV game because the prizes are so much better/worse. Instead of the million dollars, campers can win Ice Cream for Everyone or even a Pizza Party for their cabin. However, if you get stuck with a prize from the left side of the board you might get a pie to the face or get slimed. The game was hosted by Howie Mandel (me). There are some great pictures on Snapfish.
Tonight was the Super Hero Dance. We had some great costumes. Everyone was there: Superman, Batman, the Hulk, Cat Women, Spider Man, and a whole bunch of boys running around with towels as capes and underware as a mask (I hope it was clean). We also showed a slide show of many of the pictures that you can see on Snapfish. The campers loved seeing themselves on the big screen.
Thank you for all the great comments on the new photo gallery site. If you still have not been there please go to: www.circle-f-duderanch.com and click on the camera on the top right hand side. On the site you can see all the pictures and even purchase them if you wish (we make no money on the sale of pictures). I have found that the best way to view the pictures is with the slide show function.
Well, I can't believe that the session is half over. I hope all of the parents are enjoying your quiet. Please know that your campers are doing great.
Fantastic Wishes,
Roger and the whole gang
Sorry I have been slow at writing the blog this session. I have been pulling quadruple duty of photographer, blogger, and Assistant Director. I know that is only three things, but being Assistant Director is really like two jobs.
We have been having a great time as aways. Fourth session is kind of like a greatest hits album. Yesterday we combined two of the campers favorite evening programs: Deal or No Deal and the Men's Beauty Review. We played the popular game Deal or No Deal with campers as contestants and the oldest boys cabin as the models. The boys were hilarious dressed up as the models. The oldest girls cabin was happy to help them get ready. The game is (in my opinion) a lot more fun than the TV game because the prizes are so much better/worse. Instead of the million dollars, campers can win Ice Cream for Everyone or even a Pizza Party for their cabin. However, if you get stuck with a prize from the left side of the board you might get a pie to the face or get slimed. The game was hosted by Howie Mandel (me). There are some great pictures on Snapfish.
Tonight was the Super Hero Dance. We had some great costumes. Everyone was there: Superman, Batman, the Hulk, Cat Women, Spider Man, and a whole bunch of boys running around with towels as capes and underware as a mask (I hope it was clean). We also showed a slide show of many of the pictures that you can see on Snapfish. The campers loved seeing themselves on the big screen.
Thank you for all the great comments on the new photo gallery site. If you still have not been there please go to: www.circle-f-duderanch.com and click on the camera on the top right hand side. On the site you can see all the pictures and even purchase them if you wish (we make no money on the sale of pictures). I have found that the best way to view the pictures is with the slide show function.
Well, I can't believe that the session is half over. I hope all of the parents are enjoying your quiet. Please know that your campers are doing great.
Fantastic Wishes,
Roger and the whole gang
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
Water Mania!!!
Howdy Circle F Family,
Camp is so much fun. Last night we hosted a version of Fear Factor Live. We had five counselors going head to head in three tough competitions. The first was called Hanging Tough. The five counselors had to hold on to a bar while getting pelted with flour, shaving cream, syrup and flowers without letting go. The first two to let go were eliminated. In the second event counselors were face with an eating challenge. To pass the round they had to eat a cricket, a worm and pickled pigs feet. It was truly disgusting. For the final round the final two contestants had to find as many ping pong balls in a tub of horse poop. It came down to the wire, but Tommy was the winner by one ping pong ball.
Tonight we had one of my favorite evening programs: Water Mania. This involves 5 different water based activities: slip and slide, slip and slide tug of war, battle ship (where campers throw sponges over a wall and try to hit other campers on the other side), bucket pass relay race and human sponge relay race. Everyone was mainia'd. There are a ton of great pics from the event up on our new website. To get there go to www.circle-f-duderanch.com and click on the camera on the top right of the page.
Fantastic Wishes,
Roger and the gang
Camp is so much fun. Last night we hosted a version of Fear Factor Live. We had five counselors going head to head in three tough competitions. The first was called Hanging Tough. The five counselors had to hold on to a bar while getting pelted with flour, shaving cream, syrup and flowers without letting go. The first two to let go were eliminated. In the second event counselors were face with an eating challenge. To pass the round they had to eat a cricket, a worm and pickled pigs feet. It was truly disgusting. For the final round the final two contestants had to find as many ping pong balls in a tub of horse poop. It came down to the wire, but Tommy was the winner by one ping pong ball.
Tonight we had one of my favorite evening programs: Water Mania. This involves 5 different water based activities: slip and slide, slip and slide tug of war, battle ship (where campers throw sponges over a wall and try to hit other campers on the other side), bucket pass relay race and human sponge relay race. Everyone was mainia'd. There are a ton of great pics from the event up on our new website. To get there go to www.circle-f-duderanch.com and click on the camera on the top right of the page.
Fantastic Wishes,
Roger and the gang
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
New Photo Gallery Info
Howdy Circle F Family,
We have a new website for camp pictures and I really think you are going to like it. To see the pictures go to circlef.snapfish.com (do not use "www." before the address. This great website allows us to upload much faster and we have unlimited space. This means that we will be able to post more pictures than we have in the past. You will also have the ability to purchase photos from the website. The link on our website currently goes to our old photo gallery site. We hope to have the new link working tomorrow. If you have any questions please feel free to contact us.
Fantastic Wishes,
Roger and the gang
We have a new website for camp pictures and I really think you are going to like it. To see the pictures go to circlef.snapfish.com (do not use "www." before the address. This great website allows us to upload much faster and we have unlimited space. This means that we will be able to post more pictures than we have in the past. You will also have the ability to purchase photos from the website. The link on our website currently goes to our old photo gallery site. We hope to have the new link working tomorrow. If you have any questions please feel free to contact us.
Fantastic Wishes,
Roger and the gang
Monday, August 04, 2008
A fantastic first day...
What a fantastic first day! After a breakfast of pancakes and sausage, it was back to the cabins for clean up. Then we were off and running. All the activities ran smoothly and we are all feeling the energy. Everyone who takes western riding went on a trail ride today, even 3rd got to go after a rain delay. English riders were evaluated to determine which period they would take riding. The waterfront was busy with swimming sailing, canoeing, blob and banana boat. There was an interesting game of soccer volleyball going on as well. Everyone has a good imagination at camp. The weather was very pleasant today. The afternoon rain really cools us down for the rest of the day and evening.
The mugs arrived in the morning and we took them on the golf cart and passed them out at all the activities, so everyone is drinking lots of water and gatorade.
We had burgers and fries and of course, the salad bar for lunch. Then it was quiet time...siesta. The afternoon went quickly and before you know it, we were at dinner. Talking, singing and eating spaghetti and meatballs!!! We ended our day with our Welcome Dance. Kids were dancing, some were playing in the field, playing basketball and enjoying being a kid. I can honestly say, they looked relieved when they were called to bed. It is quiet outside the office now. All I can hear is the chirping of the crickets and the fans going. As I look down the cabin lines, I realize I am so lucky to be here to witness your children having the time of their lives.
Thank you so much for sharing them with us,
Diana and the Circle F gang
PS..we are having some issues with the photo gallery. Hopefully, we can get them resolved tomorrow...thank you for your patience!
The mugs arrived in the morning and we took them on the golf cart and passed them out at all the activities, so everyone is drinking lots of water and gatorade.
We had burgers and fries and of course, the salad bar for lunch. Then it was quiet time...siesta. The afternoon went quickly and before you know it, we were at dinner. Talking, singing and eating spaghetti and meatballs!!! We ended our day with our Welcome Dance. Kids were dancing, some were playing in the field, playing basketball and enjoying being a kid. I can honestly say, they looked relieved when they were called to bed. It is quiet outside the office now. All I can hear is the chirping of the crickets and the fans going. As I look down the cabin lines, I realize I am so lucky to be here to witness your children having the time of their lives.
Thank you so much for sharing them with us,
Diana and the Circle F gang
PS..we are having some issues with the photo gallery. Hopefully, we can get them resolved tomorrow...thank you for your patience!
Sunday, August 03, 2008
Opening Day Fourth Session!!!
Howdy Circle F Family,
The first day of fourth session was a great success. Most of the campers arrived by 1pm so we were able to have our swim test and a open swim. It was a perfect afternoon for swimming in the lake. I had a blast wrestling with the co-buck and buckaroo campers (they were trying to dunk me). After the swim, we played general sports like soccer, kickball, basketball and more. There was a strong cold wind that really kept everyone cool. About 45 minuets into our games, there was a hard but short rain that sent campers to their cabins to get ready for dinner.
At dinner we had Fried Chicken, Broccolli, Rolls, Mashed Potatoes, Water, Bug Juice and cookies for dessert. All the meals at Circle F are served family style which means that the food is on the table (not a buffet). This gives meal time a family or communal feal to it. We sing song, and chants at all of our meals (there is no such thing as an inside voice at Circle F). At the end of each meal we sing songs that have to do with crazy things like bananas, yoddelers, froggies, ricky-bam-boos and little red wagons. The campers love to sing. Camp is one of the few places where children can sing and not have to worry about how they sound.
At the end of the Meal, Diana ( the director) had the campers make an oath to be good. So far it is working.
we cram a ton of activities into the first day of camp. This helps the campers adjust easier to the camp environment. Tonight we had two evening programs. The first was the photo scavanger hunt. Cabins, as a group, are in a race to take pictures of places around camp. Some of the things they had to take pictures of were: A pyramid of campers in front of the barn, the word "camp" spelled out on the beach, a group hug with the climbing tree, the entire cabin sitting on the cantina stools. This game gets the cabin to work together and it also shows them where the different areas of camp are. It is the perfect game to start the session.
The counselor skits were after the game. Each activity area presented a short skit. Some groups danced, others sprayed the crowd with water and one even did an interpretive dance with a cow. We were able to show off our new projector and screen with a short video the administration made.
The campers are now in their cabins. They will have an evening thought and then they will be off to bed. You too can go to bed assured that you children are in a safe place both physically and emotionally. Thank you for sharing your children with us for the next ten days.
Fantastic Wishes,
Roger (assistant director) and the entire Circle F Gang
The first day of fourth session was a great success. Most of the campers arrived by 1pm so we were able to have our swim test and a open swim. It was a perfect afternoon for swimming in the lake. I had a blast wrestling with the co-buck and buckaroo campers (they were trying to dunk me). After the swim, we played general sports like soccer, kickball, basketball and more. There was a strong cold wind that really kept everyone cool. About 45 minuets into our games, there was a hard but short rain that sent campers to their cabins to get ready for dinner.
At dinner we had Fried Chicken, Broccolli, Rolls, Mashed Potatoes, Water, Bug Juice and cookies for dessert. All the meals at Circle F are served family style which means that the food is on the table (not a buffet). This gives meal time a family or communal feal to it. We sing song, and chants at all of our meals (there is no such thing as an inside voice at Circle F). At the end of each meal we sing songs that have to do with crazy things like bananas, yoddelers, froggies, ricky-bam-boos and little red wagons. The campers love to sing. Camp is one of the few places where children can sing and not have to worry about how they sound.
At the end of the Meal, Diana ( the director) had the campers make an oath to be good. So far it is working.
we cram a ton of activities into the first day of camp. This helps the campers adjust easier to the camp environment. Tonight we had two evening programs. The first was the photo scavanger hunt. Cabins, as a group, are in a race to take pictures of places around camp. Some of the things they had to take pictures of were: A pyramid of campers in front of the barn, the word "camp" spelled out on the beach, a group hug with the climbing tree, the entire cabin sitting on the cantina stools. This game gets the cabin to work together and it also shows them where the different areas of camp are. It is the perfect game to start the session.
The counselor skits were after the game. Each activity area presented a short skit. Some groups danced, others sprayed the crowd with water and one even did an interpretive dance with a cow. We were able to show off our new projector and screen with a short video the administration made.
The campers are now in their cabins. They will have an evening thought and then they will be off to bed. You too can go to bed assured that you children are in a safe place both physically and emotionally. Thank you for sharing your children with us for the next ten days.
Fantastic Wishes,
Roger (assistant director) and the entire Circle F Gang