You've been here how long, EC?

Hello readers!

So, it's Wednesday afternoon in the second week of Camp Ballibay's 1st session. This means that two-week campers in the Farm Arts, Rock Farm, and Endless Mountains Dance Camp just have a few days left here, and those in the three-week Ballibay program are halfway through their first session experience. I catch myself saying this every summer, but I just can't believe how fast everything is moving here.

Matt E., relaxing in the art barn

Chelsea R. and Arielle S. at Jam Night

Yesterday at my meal table, Siri D. asked me a question about camp that I was able to answer using an old story from when I was a camper here. "Wait, EC, you were a camper at Ballibay?" Siri asked. "How long have you been here?" I told Siri that with my six years as a camper and my four years as a staff member here, this was my tenth year at Ballibay. Siri jumped back in her seat and said, "I can't believe that you've been here so many years! You must really love it here. What's your favorite part of camp that keeps you coming back?"

How could I possibly answer that question?!

The list of reasons I come back here is innumerable. I had no idea where to even begin. How about the anxious, elated feeling I used to get as a camper when my mom would drive me to O'Hare Airport for my flight to camp each summer? How about the feeling of seeing the first counselor or camper I knew after not seeing them for a whole year? Or maybe it was the hours of rehearsing for musicals and plays with a cast of campers who felt like my family? Maybe the moment before my first play at Ballibay in the summer of 2000, when I stood backstage with the most intense combination of nerves and excitement I'd ever felt in my life? Or the learning process I went through when I became a counselor-in-training during my last summer as a camper? How about the first time I came to Ballibay as a counselor and learned all about the combination of hard work and reward that goes into every day of this job? Maybe it's all those moments when I'm just sitting with my campers at rehearsal, or on the hillside, or in the cabin and they spontaneously thank me for being their friend and teaching them?

I looked back at Siri and said, "You. You and Lulu, and Toni, Drew, Matt...everyone here in this dining hall. Ballibay campers are the reason I come back." And it's true. Kids at Ballibay are unlike kids anywhere else, at other summer camps or programs. They are so much fun to be around, so smart and engaged, so funny, talented and driven to accomplish the goals they set for themselves. In a nutshell: they're wonderful.

But I'm sure I don't have to tell all you readers that -- you already know!

More soon,
Elizabeth C., Ballibay Blogger

First camper cabaret of the summer!

Good morning readers!

As the title of this post implies, last night was the very first camper cabaret of the summer, and from sitting in the audience, I can tell you first hand that it was a wonderful showcase of camper talents. One of the things I love most about our camper cabarets here at Ballibay is the fact that it gives campers who, for example, typically do a full day of straight theater shows to show off their dancing skills, or for a camper who spends most of their day riding horses and swimming to perform a Broadway song they've always loved.

One of my favorite acts from last night was a duet by campers Zoe M. and Sydney M. They performed the song "For Good," which is beautiful and centers around the theme of friendship. It was simply precious to see the two girls emote so maturely (they totally understood the song!) and the crowning glory of the performance was when the girls' voices joined together for the last chorus of the song and they held hands. I'm not sure if it was staged or spontaneous, but either way, I had tears welling up in my eyes. Paula U., an older Ballibay camper, was sitting next to me and at the end of the number she turned to me, with tears streaming down her face and said, "This reminds me of all my friends at Ballibay and how much I love them!" Don't worry -- she promised me they were tears of happiness!

Zoe M. and Sydney M., performing their duet

Congratulations to the cast and crew of the first Ballibay camper cabaret. It was a phenomenal show!

More soon,
Elizabeth C., Ballibay Blogger

Kicking off our theater season

Good morning readers!

It's a beautiful start to the day at Ballibay -- the sun is shining brightly (we've had a few overcast mornings, so this is a nice change!), it is warm, and everyone seems to be approaching the activity period with a smile on their faces. I, for one, know that I have hopes of accomplishing a huge amount of work with my musical cast this afternoon, so it feels good to be starting the day with so much energy!

On Thursday evening, the cast of Jamie M.'s script-in-hand show put on the first production of the summer and wow, was it wonderful! It had a diverse cast of kids -- all ages and all different kinds of theater experience -- and it made the audience laugh almost the entire time. For me, the show was very eye opening because of the performance of one of the cast members, a second-year camper named Sam W. I had the pleasure of working with Sam last summer during one of my own script-in-hand productions, but he specifically asked me for a very small role because he was nervous about being on stage. After seeing his performance in the first show this summer, I can truly say that Sam has emerged as a strong, confident actor, receiving many laughs and enthusiastic clapping during and after his appearance in Thursday's show. After the show was over, I made sure I found Sam and told him about how wonderful his performance was. He hugged me and said, "It's because you gave me the chance to try it for the first time last summer!" That, folks, is a true Balli-moment, and it is officially the most rewarding part of being a counselor here. Congratulations to the cast and crew of the first Ballibay summer production!

Morgan D., Carly M., Sam W., and Alexis B. -- VERY excited about their first show of the summer!

More soon,
Elizabeth C., Ballibay Blogger

A "fresh" snippet to brighten your morning

Hello readers,

While reviewing pictures that have been uploaded to the Ballibay Facebook page, I came across this shot:


How cute are these gardeners? And on that note -- our garden has been turning out some absolutely delicious vegetables that have been turning up in our salad bar. In this particular picture, our garden counselor Sarah and camper Phoebe D. are harvesting radishes, but we've had other veggies and mixed greens from the garden this week as well. Keep up the hard work, Ballibay gardeners!

More soon,
Elizabeth C., Ballibay Blogger

And we're off!

Good morning readers!

Welcome to the *real* first day of camp! After a surprisingly long day of orientation sessions to show campers all around the different areas of camp, we are starting a regular schedule of morning, afternoon, and evening activities. This means that theater productions have been cast, rock bands and dance pieces are in the process of beginning rehearsals, and art, riding and instrumental lessons are kicking off. The camp is truly bustling with activity.

Last night was one of my favorite nights of camp and I have a little Balli-moment to share from it. After a full day of theater auditions, I (as well as the other theater directors, dance instructors, and vocal instructors) held callback sessions. Callbacks are a chance for instructors to see a little bit more of campers -- either more singing, more dancing, or more acting. Mel H., who is music directing the musical with me, helped me compile a list of singers to hear for a variety of parts in the show. We called them back to the music building throughout different parts of the evening and taught them a small portion of a beautiful ballad from the show. Over the course of the night, I heard 25 girls sing the song and -- here's the catch -- there was not one girl who didn't sing like a goddess (ironic, because the character who sings the song is the Goddess of Love). Truly, there were no performances that didn't place me on the brink of tears. It was probably the most moving evening of singing I've ever experienced. The greatest challenge of the evening was not teaching the girls the notes or rhythms, but rather the process of casting such enthusiastic, charming performers. Luckily, there are truly a plethora of fantastic roles for campers this summer, and I think by the end of the night we were left with exactly the right results!

Here we go with the rest of the three weeks! Also, please make sure to visit the Ballibay Facebook page to see some photos from the first few days of camp: http://www.facebook.com/ballibay

More soon,

Elizabeth C., Ballibay Blogger

The time to start is [almost] now!

Staff, anxious for campers to get here!

Good afternoon, readers!

It is almost opening day for Ballibay, as well as the Farm Arts and Rock Farm 1st sessions! The majority of campers will begin arriving tomorrow morning at 11:00 a.m., but we do have a little portion of campers who are flying in today, and arriving at camp very, very soon! For staff who have been here a week or two, this is the most exciting news we could possibly receive. I'll be completely honest with you -- while our week(s) of preparation for camp is very productive and necessary, it does get a bit lonely in the cabins by ourselves, and the anticipation of campers' arrivals has been building progressively every day. In case you still aren't sure: the staff is very much looking forward to camp families arriving today and tomorrow! Safe travels, all!

More soon,

Elizabeth C., Ballibay Blogger

Welcome back, readers!

Hello everyone!

Welcome to Camp Ballibay, Summer 2011! My name is Elizabeth (more commonly referred to as "EC" by campers and staff) and I will be blogging about the daily happenings at camp this summer. I want to extend a special welcome to new camp families and friends who may be reading this blog for the first time and send a big "hello!" to returning readers! I am so excited to return to my position as blogger again because it is one of my very favorite parts of my job. There is nothing I love more than sharing the stories of my interactions with campers, and chronicling their experiences, triumphs, and discoveries.

As a quick introduction, I'll just let you know that Camp Ballibay is not only my summer job of 4 years, but also my passion and a major part of my life. I am a former camper (attending 6 summers, starting at age 11), and I consider Ballibay to be the very essence of my childhood. While I was a camper here, I tried virtually every activity area offered, and now I work as a musical theater director here. I have directed "Peter Pan," "Seussical," and "The Wiz," as well as some smaller staged readings and one act plays. This year I will be directing two musicals -- one first session, and one second session -- but their identities cannot be revealed until campers arrive! I am also a cabin counselor in the girl's area.

Long story short: I am thrilled to be returning to camp again as a director, blogger, and counselor. My goal is to cover even more aspects of camp and post even more frequently than I did last summer, with lots of pictures, anecdotes, and updates on camp life. I am literally counting down the days until campers begin arriving and I look forward to meeting many families in-person on move-in day on Sunday!

"Medea" cast pre-show, Summer 2010

Sketching in the art barn, Summer 2010

Munchkins in "The Wiz," Summer 2010

See you on Sunday!

Elizabeth C., Ballibay Blogger