Briarwood Bugle – 2023 Week 1

Check out our latest Briarwood Bugle! You can read it below or see it in glorious color and with photos here.

From Mike and Matt
Hellooooo everybody! Briarwood is back and better than ever! And we couldn’t be happier.

Camp is already in full swing. It is wonderful to walk around camp and see so many kids playing and smiling and laughing and enjoying their friends and counselors.

The Busy Bees are swarming all over camp and, if you listen closely, you can hear many of the older bunks beginning to practice their bunk shows. Fun stuff!

Upper Camp leagues started, Senior Camp enjoyed Field Day and West Chester Volleyball, Lower Camp learned how to play Castleball and we even snuck in a campfire (whaaaa?!?!)!

Next week we’ve got lots more fun stuff planned. The Third Annual Briarwood Fishing Derby, Wednesday Themeday—School Spirit Day, the beginning of Clubs and more! We’ll send home bunk schedules, too. Have a great weekend. Let’s do it all again next week!

SOME FRIENDLY BRIARWOOD REMINDERS:
• If you want to reach your camper’s counselor during the camp day, call the office at 215-598-7143 and we will gladly relay your message. Please do not TEXT or CALL your child’s counselor directly during the camp day. Our counselors are busy watching children and we have asked them not to check their phones during the day.
• Early and Late Care is available from 7:30 am—6:00 pm sharp. Please call the office if you will need this service.
• While it never rains at Briarwood, in the event of a passing shower, please send your camper with the appropriate rain gear should the forecast call for rain.
• Apply sunscreen daily prior to coming to camp.
• Please label all clothing and personal items. That said — and because we know
kids — our Lost and Found is located by the Sports Center on Upper Field.

READ WHAT OUR SUPERVISORS HAVE TO SAY ABOUT SUMMER 2023!

Happiness at the Beehive – Anne Witkin, Associate Director and Busy Bee Director: Here we are again—enjoying another fabulously fun-filled summer at Briarwood! Our Busy Bees have a HUGE presence around camp. In fact, the opportunities to participate in almost every activity that our older kids do provides our little ones with a sense of accomplishment and self-esteem. Of course, each skill is taught on an appropriate developmental level and it sets the foundation to go in an upwards direction. From swimming to tennis to drama and so much more, our camp day is full of positive experiences. With the help of our fabulous sports staff and talented specialists, the Busy Bees have endless opportunities to grow and learn day after day.

Let’s not forget all the fun events! ALL of our campers will compete during Color War. ALL can wear costumes and enjoy Halloween in July and, like every year, the Divisional Gaga tournaments will be a big deal. And of course, the Bees are always so adorable! The Busy Bee Show will be during Week 6 and the Briarwood cute meter will be at an all-time high. Bring tissues!

For 26 years I have had the distinct privilege of watching our Busy Bees grow to be CITs, staff and go out into the world and become amazing grownups. My heart is full of joy knowing that camp may have played a role. And, in recent years,children of Briarwood Alumnae are BEECOMING Busy Bees. How amazing is that? I am so proud of our Briarwood community. I am looking forward to seven more weeks of laughter, smiles, cheering, singing and good healthy old-fashioned frolicking in the outdoors.

Hooray for Lower Camp Girls! By Jeri Newman, Lower Camp Girls Supervisor: I am beyond thrilled to be back at camp this summer! It makes me so happy to see our lower girls bunks playing and laughing together, enjoying the teamwork of sports, the creativity of art and just being kids! The counselors are smiling and laughing as well while playing right alongside the girls! While in lower camp the girls will be able to explore their different interests during clubs! Halloween in July is always a camper favorite as are the bunk shows! They have already been planning their bunk show dances! I know they can’t wait to make s’mores in nature and bounce on the jumper! This year we will continue with our Lower Girls Relays! It’s great to see the girls cheer for each other! I can feel the excitement from the campers and their counselors to be back outdoors and with their friends. This summer will be the sixth summer that my daughters and I have been able to call Briarwood our summer home away from home. As always it will be a summer to remember!

Lower Camp Boys Rule! By Dave Woods, Lower Camp Supervisor: “We Love Briarwood! Fun and Sun and Friends!” Ready, Set, Go! Briarwood Day Camp is the place to be, and the Lower Boys groups are gearing up for another stupendous summer. From ceramics and basketball to the rock wall, jumper, and softball, the activities are endless. With 30 acres of unplugged fun in the sun, the campers will be coming home rarin’ for more! The summer of 2023 will be like no other as each and every day will certainly elicit endless memories and experiences with a true sense of camaraderie – not just for lower camp boys, but for everyone! “We Laugh, We Swim, We Play…And Then We Do It All Again!”

The Hill- Spencer Glass: Here we are! We’re back at Briarwood. It’s great! The Upper Boys, more commonly known as The Hill, are the 4th through 7th grade boys. The counselors on The Hill this summer are quite unique in that all but one are former Briarwood campers. 4th grade Falcons: Jack (SC) with Matt (JC) 4th grade Dolphins: Aiden (SC) with Eli (JC). 5th grade Cobras: Evan (SC) with Jake & Jared (JCs). 6th grade Bobcats: CJ (SC) with Benjamin & Stephen (JCs). 7th grade Jaguars: Nate (SC) with Nick (JC). This ALL spells out a magical summer for your sons at Briarwood. The Hill has many new things to offer them including League sports play (a little more competitive, but still friendly) Bafflega (yes, that’s a thing), Drama (to prepare them for their hilarious bunk shows) and more. As supervisor of The Hill for 6 years, and a former Briarwood bunk counselor for 16 years and an overnight camper as a kid, I will bring my collective experience to this team. The amazing Hill staff will bring all of their experience to the bunks and we are going to have a whale of a summer!

Upper Camp Girls Rock! By Melissa Berkowitz, Upper Camp Girls Supervisor: Briarwood Day Camp has been the happy place for my children and me for the past 10 summers. It has been wonderful meeting all of the girls who may be experiencing the Briarwood magic for the first time in addition to seeing all of the returning campers. Upper Camp has so much to offer our amazing 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th graders! All upper camp girls will share such an unforgettable experience. From bunk shows and senior leagues, to buddy bunks and Kindness of the Week awards, upper campers are always ready to try something new, like Clubs! Our Club Period is when each camper can try a different activity of their choice each week. They can attempt something new and exciting or continue with a choice that they are passionate about each week! Overall, memories and friendships will be made at Briarwood to last a lifetime! I am ready to make Summer 2023 the best one yet!

THE SCENE FROM SENIOR CAMP!! By Dan Feldgus: It is a beautiful view of camp when you’re in Senior Camp. There is really no way to describe the activities that only Senior Camp campers get to enjoy every day without making other people jealous. This summer, like all summers, our campers will work with younger bunks and enjoy the full complement of activities that Briarwood provides all campers. However, what makes our summer more special, you ask? We are the only campers that get to venture out of camp almost every week! As you read this, we have already had our first trip with the entire Senior Camp to the park for Field Day Fun and Games. But we are far from finished. We will be sending groups to the beach, Hershey Park, Bowling/Laser Tag, tubing, mini-golfing and we cannot forget our movie nights and dance! I’m exhausted just thinking about it. Our incredible Senior Camp staff this year consists of Paul, Shayna, Ashley, Max and me, Dan Feldgus. This all adds up to the greatest part of being in Senior Camp, the smiles and laughs that we share. Briarwood’s Senior Camp is simply the place to be!

Sports and Games with Jeff Stepansky: This is my 26th year at Briarwood Day Camp. After 25 years at the rope course, I have moved on to be the Athletic Director of our sports program here at Briarwood this year. Our staff is a group of enthusiastic self-motivated individuals that give their all each day to make sure your child has fun learning and improving their physical, social, emotional and cognitive wellbeing while playing sports and games.

Briarwood campers not only participate in traditional sports, but also participate in innovative games, fun fitness activities and unique team sports games. The sports staff works with all our campers from our youngest to our oldest. Our goal is to provide a fun and enjoyable experience for everyone.

It’s not about the winning or losing, but most importantly about having fun and gaining a greater appreciation for physical activity. We are looking forward to a great summer with all our campers!

Specialists are Special- Rachael Feldgus: It’s so great to be back at Briarwood! I am thrilled to be starting my 17th summer here and returning to my role as Supervisor of the Specialists. I love walking around camp each day and seeing the kids playing, laughing and having fun with their friends. Briarwood’s specialists love to help our campers explore new activities and expand their skills in areas where they may already excel. Whether you are climbing the rock wall, creating masterpieces in art or ceramics, fishing at nature, practicing your swim strokes, learning new tricks in gymnastics, shining on the drama stage or playing sports in the fields, you are sure to be having the time of your life. Our specialists help to guide and teach our kids at their activities each and every day. It’s wonderful to see the connections made between the kids and their specialists. Here’s to a great summer!

NURSES’ NOTES by Amy Terlecki, R.N. and Lara Harley, R.N.
Hello! What a great first week at Briarwood! Let’s go over a few summer safety tips for our campers:
• DON’T FORGET SUNSCREEN! Apply in the morning and throughout the day.
• If it’s okay with Mom and Dad, apply some insect repellent on the lower legs and exposed arms.
• Let’s stay hydrated! Start drinking water before you get to camp.
• Wear sneakers or closed toe shoes around camp. Flip-flops are for the pool areas only.
• Did we mention, NO RUNNING in flip-flops?
• Parents—we need your camper’s health forms so we can best care for your child.
Any questions or concerns, call camp and ask to speak with us, Nurse Amy and Nurse Lara at 215-598-7143.
Thanks!!

BRIARWOOD COUNSELORS OF THE WEEK:

Senior Staff: Alex Goldberg

Junior Staff: Jake Green

Congratulations!

CLUB NOTES
One of the great things about Briarwood is that our lower, upper and senior campers get to choose an elective (we call them clubs) each week. Clubs meet first period every day and it gives our kids a chance to try new things or to dig deeper into things they like.

We’ll be starting clubs next week.

Some campers try a different club every week. Some stick with the same activity all summer. Both ways are great! While most clubs end each week, a few like Drama (because we’ll be doing a show) or Ceramics (because the projects take more time) last longer.

Camp will be CLOSED on Tuesday, July 4th! Enjoy your holiday!

Important Dates

• Week of June 26th-Briarwood Fishing Derby
• June 28th-Wednesday Themeday School Spirit Day
• July 4th-Happy 4th of July! Camp Closed
• July 5th-Wednesday Themeday Hawaiian / Tropical Day
• July 11th-Lower Camp Bunk Show at 10:30 am
• July 12th-Upper Camp Bunk Show at 10:30 am
• July 12th-Wednesday Themeday Disney/Marvel Day
• July 14th-Halloween in July
• July 17th-Second Half Begins>
• July 19th-Wednesday Themeday Crazy Hat Day
• July 20th-Make up Picture Day
• July 21st-Goofy Day
• July 25th-Busy Bee Show
• July 26th-Busy Bee Show Rain Date, Wednesday Themeday-Sports Jersey Day
• July 27th-Carnival
• August 1st-Mystery Day
• August 7th-Briarwood Birthday Celebration
• August 9th-Wednesday Themeday-Briarwood Spirit Day
• August 11th-Last Day of Camp – Early Dismissal at 2:30