Catholic Schools Band Camp

Camp Instagram

jen_not_jenny — Mon, 31 May 2021 22:10:45 GMT

Over the years, multiple people took multiple photos. While camp is no more, it's fun to reminisce, so I started a camp Instagram to share the 30 years of photos that have come along: @csbc_throwback. Considering we had two generations of players there, it's fun to see what it was like originally and where it ended up in its later years. Some people would be surprised to find out there was a gym...while others would be shocked to know the gym is gone. There's a segment of campers who never played dodgeball with the balls that were more duct tape than ball. It's a shame.

The account is in its infancy, but there are some fun pictures up already, and over time I hope to add lots more, including going over how things changed. For me, part of the fun is seeing what it was like back in my camper years, given that I hadn't been a camper since 1991. If anything, the hair and clothes will be good for a laugh.

2017 Meals in Pictures

jen_not_jenny — Wed, 01 Aug 2018 00:05:09 GMT

Day	Breakfast	Lunch	Dinner	Snack
Sunday	Staff Only French Toast Sausages Note: Cooked by Mr. Case!	N/A	Staff Only Sandwiches Cold salads	Cookies Milk
Monday	Pancakes Sausage Strawberries Cereal, milk, orange juice	Corn dogs Fries Corn Pudding (chocolate/vanilla) Veggies Pop	Pasta with meat sauce Cheese bread Green beans Salad Fruit cocktail Applesauce	Apples Caramel dipping sauce Grapes Cookies Milk, water
Tuesday	Toast Hash brown triangles Sausage Cereal, milk, orange juice	Nachos Fruit cocktail Fresh fruit (melon) Veggies Pudding (chocolate/vanilla) Pop	Hamburgers Tater tots Pasta salad Regular salad Fruit cocktail Mandarin oranges Lemonade, water	Cookies Milk, water
Wednesday	Pancakes Sausage Hash brown triangles Fruit (grapes) Cereal, milk, orange juice	Peanut butter & jelly sandwiches Chicken noodle soup Chips Salad Fruit & veggies (fruit cocktail, pears, grapes) Pop	Chicken patty sandwiches Pasta salad, garden salad Corn Hash brown triangles Fruit (pears, fruit cocktail) Brownies Lemonade	Cookies (chocolate chip, sugar) Apples Caramel dipping sauce Milk, water
Thursday	French toast sticks Grapes Oranges Cereal, milk, orange juice	Sub sandwiches Chips (potato/tortilla) Popcorn Fruit/veggies (grapes) Applesauce	Italian beef sandwiches Apple bake Applesauce Green beans Chips, popcorn Grapes	Cookies (chocolate chip only) Grapes Apples Milk, water
Friday	Scrambled eggs (Omelets for adults) Hash brown triangles Fruit, including fruit cocktail Ham (bacon for adults) Cereal, milk, orange juice	Pizza Veggies Fruit cocktail Fruit punch	Hot Dogs Chips Watermelon Cookies Candy bars Pop	Lunchtime snack: Ice cream Note: No regular snack on Friday night
Saturday	Toast Cereal Rice Krispie Treat Applesauce Watermelon, other fruit (Leftovers)	N/A	N/A	N/A

End of camp letter

jen_not_jenny — Sun, 10 Jun 2018 20:59:21 GMT

This letter was sent out by the directors yesterday:

Dear Friends of Catholic Schools Band Camp,

Over the past 31 years we have hosted over 5000 campers at Camp Lawrence. Campers, Counselors, Chaperones and Directors, all had a happy and productive time. Last year we barely made our minimum attendance figure of 70. In fact, we actually only had 68. We tried everything we could think of to "pull it off." We talked about it daily, we sent flyers, we sent letters and we placed ads wherever we could. We even extended our deadline twice and the best result was 36 campers.

So as with all things where there is a beginning; there is an ending. Because of insufficient enrollment, the Catholic Schools Band Camp will not take place this year or any other. If you want to look back, the link on the flyers is still good to look at past camps.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/heffalump77/collections/72157663045389388

We graciously thank you for your past support and help.

Rich Case
Rick Mlynarski

"Well I had the time of my life and I never felt so good before and I owe it all to you."

I do not know how long the formal camp website will remain up, but I plan to keep this page up as a legacy to camp. Thank you to everyone who was ever involved.

Band Camp XXX/2017 Concert List

jen_not_jenny — Thu, 24 Aug 2017 01:29:25 GMT

Band Camp XXX/2017 Concert List

Title
Colonial March
Zombie Dance
Kings March
March Del Mar
Cotton Candy Lullaby
Samba Time!
Stars & Stripes Forever
Snowfall
Andalusia
Variation Overture
There's No Business Like Show Business
The Swing March
Highlights from Dirty Dancing

Composer
Milford
Story
White
O'Reilly
Sharp
Meredith
arr. Brion
Bernotas
Webb
Williams
arr. Moss
arr. Wasson
arr. Bullock

Band
B
B
B
B
B
B
A
A
A
A
A
A
A

Note: Authors and titles are as they appeared in the program.
The actual performance had A Band playing up through Variation Overture, then B Band's whole program, and then A Band finished their music. This was due to the demands of A Band's music.
The directors chose not to have Monster/Combined Band this year as B Band had just over 30 campers.

Band Camp XXX/2017 A Band Title List

jen_not_jenny — Thu, 24 Aug 2017 01:27:28 GMT

Band Camp XXX/2017
A Band Title List

Alliance
Andalusia
Barnburner
Blazing Fury
Camp Lawrence Overture
Child's Lullaby, A
Cumberland Cross
Dirty Dancing (Highlights From)
1st and Goal!
Kartoon Klassics
Light Cavalry Overture
Magnificent Seven, The
Malagueña
New Frontier (A Celebration for Band)
Rampage!
Rise of the Avatar
Rough Mix
Snowfall
Southampton March
Star Wars/Raiders March
Stars and Stripes Forever, The
Swing March, The
There's No Business Like Show Business
Variation Overture
With Uncommon Valor

Band Camp XXIX/2016 Concert List

jen_not_jenny — Thu, 30 Mar 2017 02:17:11 GMT

Band Camp XXIX/2016 Concert List

Title
Circus March
The Good Life
Festival of the Gladiators
Caribbean Breeze
Ocala March
Dark Energy
Bang the Drum All Day
Normal
El Toro
After the Storm
Lanterns in the Sky
Landmark Overture
Ghostbusters
Jersey Boys

Composer
Shaffer
Grice
Williams
Lopez
Kinyon
Lee
Story
Bennett
Bernatos
McBride
Romeyn
Caudill
Cook
arr. M Brown

Band
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
A
A
A
A
A
A
A

Note: Authors and titles are as they appeared in the program.
The directors chose not to have Monster/Combined Band this year as B Band had just 30 campers.

Band Camp XXIX/2016 A Band Title List

jen_not_jenny — Thu, 30 Mar 2017 02:13:35 GMT

Band Camp XXIX/2016
A Band Title List

After the Storm
As Eagles Soar
Celebratory Overture, A
El Toro
Fairest of the Fair, The
Firebird, The (Finale)
Gently Touch the Sky
Ghostbusters
Helios Rising
Jersey Boys (Highlights From)
Landmark Overture
Lanterns in the Sky
Leroy Anderson, A Legacy in Sound
Noble Portrait
Normal (March)
Pentagram
Rolling Thunder
Sleddin' Hill
Tango Argentina
Timber Lake Festival
Toccata Rhapsodic
Travelin' Music

Band Camp XXVIII/2015 Concert List

jen_not_jenny — Sat, 15 Aug 2015 16:09:47 GMT

Band Camp XXVIII/2015 Concert List

Title
March Supreme
Chorale
Triple Threat
Inferno of the Lost Pines
Spookyville
Thor's Hammer
Band Rocks!
Safety (March)
Autumn Reflections
El Gato Salvaje
Wind Chimes
Pembroke Castle
Hues of Blue
Highlights from Wicked

Composer
O'Reilly
Cook
Story
Clark
Kennedy
Roszell
Huckeby
Arr. Clark
Hodges
Foster
Kinyon
Huckeby
Sheldon
Arr. Brown

Band
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
A
A
A
A
A
A
A

Note: Authors and titles are as they appeared in the program.
Due to extenuating circumstances, we did not have Monster/Combined Band this year.

Band Camp XXVIII/2015 A Band Title List

jen_not_jenny — Sat, 15 Aug 2015 16:06:32 GMT

Band Camp XXVIII/2015
A Band Title List

Autumn Reflections
Blues Brothers Revue, The
Carnaval de Brasil
Clearwater Creek
El Gato Salvaje (Paso Doble)
Epic
Fiesta Rock
Freedom Forever (Concert March)
Harbinger
Hues of Blue
Mill Mountain Vistas
October Sky
Pembroke Castle
Rolling Thunder (March)
Safety (March)
Vectors
Visions of Glory
Wicked (Highlights From)
Wind Chimes

I also ended up with a copy of Adventure in India for alto saxophone, but this was a B Band song.

Movies seen at camp

jen_not_jenny — Sun, 31 May 2015 21:25:16 GMT

The following is a list of movies seen at camp since 2006. Most movies are rated G or PG.

Movies Seen at Camp - By Year
2017 Kindergarten Cop Uncle Buck The Boss Baby The Incredibles	2016 Ghostbusters (1984) The Princess Bride Mrs. Doubtfire The Muppet Movie (1979)	2015 Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian Wall-E Jaws The Goonies
2014 Cars Frozen The Hunger Games: Catching Fire The Parent Trap (1998)	2013 A Bug's Life Sister Act Jurassic Park The Spy Next Door Space Jam (beginning only)	2012 EZ Money 17 Again Hairspray (2007) Nico the Unicorn
2011 We did not have camp in 2011; therefore, we watched no movies.	2010 Cars Diary of a Wimpy Kid Field of Dreams Shrek 2	2009 Up The Sandlot Marley & Me RV
2008 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Bicentennial Man The Golden Compass Phantom of the Opera	2007* Cars Bicentennial Man *This was a shortened year and I also didn't write down one of the movies	2006 Chicken Little The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe Ice Age The Incredibles

This post last updated 8-27-17.

Welcome to CSBC!

jen_not_jenny — Tue, 02 Sep 2014 02:54:19 GMT

This site is an homage to Catholic Schools Band Camp. It is not an official site. For that, please visit www.catholicschoolsbandcamp.com.

NOTE: As of June 9, 2018, this has become a legacy page. See the end of camp letter here.

Items of interest:
--See what songs have been performed during concerts, or the list of songs played by A Band, throughout the years (note that they may not be in order).
--View articles relevant to potential or current counselors.
--Find out more about the camp schedule and activities, plus what we eat.
--See what you should (and shouldn't) bring to camp.
--Learn fun facts about camp, as of the 20th anniversary in 2006.
--See a map of camp.

Viewing Camp by Year
i/1987	vi/1992	xi/1997	xvi/2002	xxi/2007	xxvi/2013
ii/1988	vii/1993	xii/1998	xvii/2003	xxii/2008	xxvii/2014
iii/1989	viii/1994	xiii/1999	xviii/2004	xxiii/2009	xxviii/2015
iv/1990	ix/1995	xiv/2000	xix/2005	xxiv/2010	xxix/2016
v/1991	x/1996	xv/2001	xx/2006	xxv/2012*	xxx/2017
*Band Camp was canceled in 2011.

You can visit the tags directly to access links to specific pages.

Note: Some of these articles are older and some of the information is no longer relevant and should be updated in the future.
This page last updated 6-10-18.

Band Camp XXVII/2014 Concert List

jen_not_jenny — Tue, 02 Sep 2014 02:16:15 GMT

Band Camp XXVII/2014 Concert List

Title
The 7th Summit March
Festival March
Castles in Spain
Fiesta Time
Cossack Dance
Mango Tango
Torch of Liberty March
In The Mood
Carnival de Brazil
Ravenswood
Daybreak
Frozen
Marching Down Main Street
Fiesta de la Playa
A Special Good-bye

Composer
Compello
Halliday
Erickson
Lopez
Curnow
Gott
King
arr. Lavender
Story
Strommen
Manilow
Arr. O'Loughlin
Huckeby
Fagan
(N/A)

Band
B
B
B
B
B
B
A
A
A
A
A
A
Combined A and B Band
Combined A and B Band
Combined A and B Band

Note: Authors and titles are as they appeared in the program.
The final song was Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye, arr. Cook.
Instead of calling it Monster Band as done in past years, the directors went with Combined Band.

Band Camp XXVII/2014 A Band Title List

jen_not_jenny — Tue, 02 Sep 2014 02:12:21 GMT

Band Camp XXVII/2014
A Band Title List

As Shadows Fall
Capitol March, The
Carnaval de Brasil
Crosswinds March
Daybreak
Falcon Ridge
Fiesta de la Playa
Fiesta de los Bravos
Frozen (Highlights From)
High School Cadets
In the Mood
Legend of Crystal Lake
March to Concord
Marching Down Main Street
Mele Kalikimaka
Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye
Photo Finish! Galop
Ravensgate
River Grove Reflections
Santa Baby
Storm Warning!
Suo Gan
Torch of Liberty March
Trails of Glory
Winner's Circle March

Band Camp XXVI/2013 Concert List

jen_not_jenny — Sat, 17 Aug 2013 16:51:06 GMT

Band Camp XXVI/2013 Concert List

Note that due to low enrollment, we had just one band all week. For the concert, Part I was labeled "The Youngest Players and Friends" and featured the campers who would have been in B Band along with counselor helpers. Part II was labeled "The Middle Group" and had songs at what would have been Monster Band level. Part III was labeled "The 'A' (A is for AWESOME) Band" and included the most difficult songs on the program.

Title
Hidden World
Colossus
Parade Procession
Heartland
At the Summit
Japanese Pictures
Jurassic Park
Raiders March
Digital Prisms
Fiesta de los Bravos
Minnie the Moocher

Composer
O'Laughlin
Clark
Salerno
Hodges
Nowak
Mixon
Williams
arr. Lavender
Clark
Swearingen
arr. Ford

Part
I
I
II
II
III
III
III
III
III
III
III

Note: Authors and titles are as they appeared in the program.

Band Camp XXVI/2013 Title List

jen_not_jenny — Sat, 17 Aug 2013 16:47:28 GMT

Band Camp XXVI/2013
Title List
(Note: Due to low enrollment, we had just one band)

Anthem of Liberty
At the Summit (Concert March)
Blazing Fury
Colossus
Courage March
Digital Prisms
Epic
Expressions
Fiesta de los Bravos
Gold Rush of 1849, The
Heartland
Hidden World
Japanese Pictures
Joyful Is the Morning Sun
Jurassic Park (Themes from)
Kennesaw Mountain Celebration
Legend of Pirates Cove
Minnie the Moocher
Morning Glory (March)
Mysterion
Parade Procession
Raiders March
Regal Fanfare and March
Rolling Tough
Trails of Glory
Trumpet Serenade
War March of the Priests

Band Camp XXV/2012 Concert List

jen_not_jenny — Mon, 13 Aug 2012 20:11:13 GMT

Band Camp XXV/2012 Concert List

Title
Ocala March
Warriers
Santa's Toy March
Mango Tango
Attack Of The Cyclops
Sunset On The Sahara
Billboard March
Light Cavalry Overture
Triumphant Spirit
Santana In Concert
The Pink Panther
West Side Story
The Lone Eagle March
Take Me Out To The Ball Game
Na Na Hey Hey

Composer
Kinyon
Lewis
O'Laughlin
Goll
Williams
Molter
Klohr
Arr. Williams
Swearingen
Arr. Braun
Mancini
Bernstein
Edmondson
Arr. Edmonson
DeCarlo

Band
B
B
B
B
B
B
A
A
A
A
A
A
Monster
Monster
Monster

Note: Authors and titles are as they appeared in the program.
A Band performed the song "Slavic Rhapsody," composed by Del Borgo, between Santana and Pink Panther.

Band Camp XXV/2012 A Band Title List

jen_not_jenny — Mon, 13 Aug 2012 20:07:56 GMT

Band Camp XXV/2012
A Band Title List

Air and Variations
Amazing Grace
American Journey
Aspen Overture
Billboard March, The
Chinese Folk Fantasy
Concert Band Clinic
El Relicario
El Toro Rojo Grande
Festivity
Gale Force
Grand Canyon Suite, Themes From
Hunter's Ridge
In the Garden
Jefferson County Overture
Kaleidoscope
Light Cavalry Overture
Lone Eagle March, The
Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye
Phantom of the Opera, The
Pink Panther, The
Ravensgate
Santana in Concert
Shadows of the Equinox
Slavic Rhapsody
Somewhere/Maria
Take Me Out to the Ball Game
Triumphant Spirit
Valley Forge March
West Side Story (Highlights From)

Oh you crazy kids

jen_not_jenny — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 01:27:57 GMT

I was doing a Google image search for something and stumbled upon this:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=33331642269
It's a Facebook group for band camp. It was started several years ago, and it hasn't been active since then, but what can I say, I'm amused. I'm surprised it's not more active in some ways, but then again I wonder how many people know about it. I'm not on Facebook myself (much to the feigned chagrin of some of last year's counselors) but I'll admit toying with joining just to make a camp page. It's possible there's another, more active group out there; if you know of it, leave a comment and I'll edit it in.

(Also strange for me: Seeing the names of former campers who were also former students of mine. It's nice to see that they remember camp fondly.)

Articles about Camp Lawrence

jen_not_jenny — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 01:14:39 GMT

After hearing that camp had been closed for the season, I was curious to see if perhaps the closure had made the local papers. While it didn't, I still found some interesting stories online about camp.

One of my finds was a video, which hopefully will embed:

(Direct link: http://nwitimes.tv/p/?section=video&id=99578561)

Familiar sights in the video include Moss Lake, the gym, the chapel and upper pavilion, the cafeteria, the girls' cabin. It's interesting to see some of what they do compared to our camp, including that they have mass on Friday nights and light candles in the fire pit. If you ever wondered why there are candles in the fire pit, now you know. They also tell stories about Chief Moss Moss and Gertie-Gertie, which we tell as well to some degree, but you have to attend their camp to hear the full stories.

There was also an article about camp to go along with the Times video.

Camp Lawrence inspires a lifelong commitment from many participants

By Heather Augustyn Times Correspondent | Posted: Monday, July 4, 2011 3:00 pm

VALPARAISO | The large group photos of children that adorn the walls of the cafeteria building at Camp Lawrence aren't just a visual record of the campers who have come and gone.
They're also a trigger for a nostalgic return to simpler times when parents who were once campers during the 1970s and 1980s drop off their children.
"This is a favorite place. Parents come to find their pictures and share a few stories with their kids before the week begins," said LaPorte native Kelly Edquist, a 25-year-old program director at the Catholic Youth Organization camp who never goes by her real name.
To everyone at Camp Lawrence, and even in life beyond camp, she is Shush, a nickname she earned years ago while trying to quell some gossiping. Her fellow program director, 23-year-old Josh Webber, of Hobart, is known as Groove.
"It's a tradition that started in the '70s," Webber said.
It's just one of many traditions that have been established at Camp Lawrence in its 53 years, inspiring campers to return year after year -- and for some, long into their adult life.
It is Edquist's 10th year working as a camp counselor, and Webber's ninth. The camp is what led Edquist to become a teacher and Webber to become a recent graduate of the outdoor and recreation management program at Indiana University.
"I loved coming here as a camper," Edquist said. "My aunt and uncles were directors here, and my brothers and cousins all went here. It's always been a fun place for me, and it's a different kind of fun when you're a director. You get your fun when your campers are having fun, smiling, happy, and want to come back for years and years."
Camp Lawrence hasn't changed much since the early years, Webber said, because it was built on enduring customs.
"We have swimming in the lake, arts and crafts, sports and nature. There are campfires at night, we sleep in cabins, we have s'mores and tell ghost stories," Webber said, noting a few additions, such as a recycling program he started and new camp songs.
The camp appears to serve as a strong force for bonding. Some of the approximately 500 youngsters who come through Camp Lawrence are likely to return as adult counselors. And many will bond for life, if previous generations are any indication.
"Digits and Locks got engaged Tuesday, and campers did the proposing. There have been many staff weddings over the years," Edquist said.
With cheering and yelling in the distance, Edquist and Webber said all but two of the camp's 25 staff members this year are former campers, proving how enchanting the camp is.
"It's kind of a magical place," Edquist said. "You step into the gates and leave the real world out there. Once you come here, it's a second home."
Copyright 2011 nwitimes.com. All rights reserved.
Posted in Liberty-township, Valparaiso, Porter, Lake, Chesterton on Monday, July 4, 2011 3:00 pm Updated: 8:35 pm.

More about Camp Lawrence

The Camp Lawrence grounds were bought in 1957 by Monsignor Lawrence Grothouse, who had a vision for a camp for children and borrowed the money from his mother.
Several years late, Bishop Andrew Grutka, the first Diocese of Gary bishop, bought the land from Grothouse, so that Grothouse could pay his mother back. About the same time, the grounds, through the permission of Grutka, became a recreation center for the U.S. Army. Gen. Peter Schmick ordered the construction of five quonset barracks, and a quonset gymnasium, which still stands. The former barracks have been razed, and new cabins were built.
The Northwest Indiana Catholic Youth Organization runs the summer youth camp, which can accommodate as many as 160 children per week.
Children of any religion may attend camp, but camp organizers said spirituality is an important part of camp. Mass is celebrated twice a week, and prayers are said before meals and at bedtime.

Camp also appears to have undergone some renovations, as seen through this article:

‘Hope’ at Camp Lawrence
By Debbie Bosak Post-Tribune correspondent May 13, 2011 3:02PM

Updated: June 16, 2011 12:22AM

Visit Camp Lawrence and you’ll sense that little has changed in its 51-year history. Owned by the Catholic Diocese of Gary, the rolling hills are still framed by majestic trees. Moss Lake continues to send out its cool invitation on hot summer days. Listen closely and you’ll hear the echoes of laughter of scores of children over the years.

However, time has taken its toll and the 120-acre camp is in need of some significant renovation. After serious consideration and discussion, the diocese announced in late 2010 that it would be updating, repairing and rebuilding to assure the property would remain viable for future generations of children and visitors.

To make the project more palatable economically, some friends of the camp have stepped forward to lend a helping hand. More than 30 members of the Rebuilding Hope Mission Team based at St. Michael Parish in Schererville spent two days this spring volunteering their services.

Skilled and unskilled alike, they worked to install new roofs and siding, which was donated by a benefactor, repaired plumbing and refashioned an older building into an arts and crafts center.

Also on the list of priorities are the rehab of the old boathouse and updating the septic and water filtration systems.

“As a ministry, we try to respond to needs wherever we feel we can have an effect,” said Jim Koeling, one of the Rebuilding Hope team leaders. “Being able to respond locally is especially gratifying since it brings hands-on opportunities for others to be the hands and feet of Jesus.”

Paul Wengel, director of the Northwest Indiana Catholic Youth Organization, which runs the children’s summer program, noted that since its inception, Camp Lawrence has opened its arms to more than 40,000 children of all faiths over the decades.

“People may have the mistaken impression that the diocese wants to sell the property but that’s really not the case,” Wengel explained. “I think that would cause a major uproar since we are now enjoying children who are the grandchildren of original campers.”

According to the Rev. Jon Plavcan, administrative assistant to Bishop Dale J. Melzcek, the long-term goal is to encourage more usage of the property by outside groups for activities such as retreats, meetings, youth gatherings, school nature days and group or church picnics.

While not a fancy specialty camp, Camp Lawrence has always seen its mission to provide a safe, Christian environment where children could get away from the televisions, video games and computers of life and play under the summer skies. It’s a haven for anyone, young and old, seeking a peaceful retreat, Plavcan said.

“The camp motto has always been ‘Closer to God; closer to nature,’ ” he said, noting the beauty and tranquility of the property. “If I could find more time to just go and walk the grounds, I would.”

“Our Rebuilding Hope members have seen the presence of God reflected in his creation on the grounds of Camp Lawrence,” said Koeling. “By being a part of this project, we feel that generations of children to come will come to a greater understanding of God’s handiwork and the wonders of the earth through nature.”

The camp that wasn't

jen_not_jenny — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 00:36:08 GMT

If you were supposed to attend this year's camp, you already know that it didn't happen. If you weren't scheduled to go, or if you're not sure why camp was canceled this year, the Camp Lawrence Facebook page has an explanation:

Well, our camping season has come to an end. Blast from the Past week was cut short because our well dried up & we had no running water. It was sad to end sooner than we had hoped for, but we made sure to have a great time while we were here.

(If you didn't know, Camp Lawrence is both the name of the facility as well as the name of the CYO camp that is there for the majority of the summer. Our camp occurs just after their camp finishes.)

Another posting mentions that camp was nearly full during the very warm week we had; this was two weeks prior to when Band Camp was supposed to happen, and the week before the well ran dry. Camp's capacity is 160 campers; they had 150 that week. I don't doubt that they went through a lot of water that week.

It was disappointing not to have camp, especially since it was supposed to have been the 25th anniversary, but at least we didn't have to go through what we experienced in 2007, when we were the ones who had well issues and had to send everyone home early. I hope everyone was able to enjoy the week regardless.

Band Camp XXIV/2010 Concert List

jen_not_jenny — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 17:56:05 GMT

Band Camp XXIV/2010 Concert List

Title
Cold Brook March
The Merry-Go-Round Broke Down
Dark Odyssey
Freedom Finale
Cruise Control
The Great of Kiev
The Avenger March
Critical Mass
Phoenix Overture
A Tribute to Michael Jackson
Heartstrings
Procession to Machu Picchu
Highlights from 'Jersey Boys'
Greenbriar March
American Spirit March
My Girl

Composer
O'Reilly
Friend & Franklin
Grice
arr. Story
Hodges
arr. Story
King
Stalter
Yeo
arr. Story
Conaway
Orcino
arr. Brown
Edmondson
Edmondson
Robinson

Band
B
B
B
B
B
B
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
Monster
Monster
Monster

Note: Authors and titles are as they appeared in the program.

Band Camp XXIV/2010 A Band Title List

jen_not_jenny — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 17:53:33 GMT

Band Camp XXIV/2010
A Band Title List

American Spirit Overture
Andromeda
Apex March
Avenger March, The
Azure Hills
Blues Brothers Greatest Hits, The
Camp Lawrence Overture
Celebratory Overture, A
Christmas Swings
Confrontations
Critical Mass
Day at the Circus, A
Festive Jubilee
Fireflash
Greenbrier March
Heartstrings
Jersey Boys (Highlights From)
Knight's Tale, A
Monticello Mosaic
My Girl
Phoenix Overture
Procession to Machu Picchu
Senor Cadera (Mister Hip)
Siesta San Anton
Stairway to Heaven
Takeoff!
Tranquil Sky
Tribute to Michael Jackson, A

Note: We also read through Birdland and Variation Overture but did not receive copies of them.

The Saturday before

jen_not_jenny — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 01:17:14 GMT

Years ago, the directors realized that we had a lot of tasks to make camp ready to go by 6 PM Sunday, when the campers start arriving. Also, the more people on hand, the better--they'd been doing some of these tasks themselves, without the counselors' help. They hit upon the idea of gathering a group of counselors the Saturday before camp started to pack up the truck with items that we borrow from some of Mr. M's schools--tables, chairs, instruments, stands. That's also the time we get the nonperishable food from Mr. M's home as well as the cots we use to supplement counselor bunks. We're able to get to camp and set everything up without feeling rushed, and the best part is that we end up with a Saturday night free to just hang out or even go into town. This is the only time counselors are allowed to leave camp, barring an emergency situation. And, on Sunday morning, it ends up being the only morning of the week where you can wake up after 7:30 AM, which can really feel like a luxury. (While it hasn't been so bad in recent years, from what I've heard, I recall a time when campers would be up at 5 AM in order to shower and make themselves pretty. They weren't necessarily quiet about it. Being woken up two hours early tends to make a counselor grouchy.) The rest of the counselors are due in by noon on Sunday, and while the majority of the work is done, we usually find something for them to do.

I strongly recommend coming the Saturday before to help out if you're able. First, it looks good to the directors, and second, it's a great way to get to know the other counselors, especially if you're a rookie. Having a cohesive group of counselors makes such a difference in how camp runs. Besides, it ends up being a lot of fun. We usually run into town for dinner--Fazoli's tends to be popular--and then to Kmart. That's a great place to pick up any items you might have forgotten as well as fun stuff for you and the campers throughout the week. In the past couple of years some of the guy counselors have walked around making balloon animals; that was inspired by a trip to Kmart. Afterward, sometimes everyone goes back to camp to hang out, but there's a drive-in theater and a bowling alley on the outskirts of town (the drive-in is right by camp, even). Everyone gets told not to bring money to camp; this is the exception. If you are a counselor and you are helping out on the Saturday before, plan to bring about $20 to pay for dinner and whatever else you might buy.

What about Sunday? Again, you can sleep in on Sunday, but not too late--breakfast is at 10 AM and it is mandatory. The directors want to make sure you're still there, plus it's the only meal until dinner at 4 PM. The bonus is that the directors cook for us. If you'd like to go to church, Jerry usually takes a group and they leave around 8:30 AM. You may wish to bring a nice shirt if you plan on attending. Otherwise, stay at camp and help the other counselors settle in. The staff meeting is around 1 PM; dinner (sandwiches and side salads) is at 4 PM; and after that, we start getting into position to welcome the campers and their families.

Becoming a counselor

jen_not_jenny — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 18:20:29 GMT

This may be of interest to future counselors, or those who perhaps weren't chosen to be counselors.

What are some things that the directors look for in choosing counselors?

--First and foremost, you have to have completed your freshman year of high school. Any younger and you'd still be a camper.
--It helps if you have been to camp before, simply because you'd know the routine and have seen the counselors at work. Depending on your instrument and the needs of the camp, though, this might be overlooked.
--If you're currently in band or taking private lessons, that makes a big difference. The directors like having counselors who have continued being musicians.
--If you can play more than one instrument, that is a definite plus. This goes double if you can play one of the "lower noises," i.e., bass clarinet, bari sax, trombone, baritone, or tuba. French horn is great as well. These are the instruments we have the fewest of, if we have them at all, and they help balance the band. However, since there are so few of them, you'd probably be teaching whatever your primary/original instrument was--clarinet, alto sax, trumpet.
--Character counts. This isn't just some term or program made up by the schools. Your directors and counselors have noticed what you've been doing all these years. If you're generally a good kid and you enjoy music and being at camp, chances are you'll be wanted as a counselor. Those students who pitch in to help out where needed, especially without being asked, are also prime counselor candidates. Are you always prepared for rehearsals and sectionals? Do you keep your bunk area clean? Are you able to play most of the music by the time you're an eighth grader? These all make a difference.
--You have a better shot if you're male. For many years now there have been more girl campers than boy campers, and subsequently more female counselors than male counselors. There's simply a larger pool of female candidates than male. If you're female, it's harder to break in because there's simply not a lot of room, literally and figuratively.
--Out of all the instrument sections, in recent years we've had a hard time finding and keeping good drum counselors. We always have a bunch of drum campers, but only a few counselors. We use at least two per band. We've been known to call in other counselors' friends in order to fill in that section. (This is where not having been to camp before isn't a deal-breaker; every so often, an outsider does come in.)

What if you've applied to be a counselor and you didn't make it in?

Don't fret. It's entirely possible that the directors would love to have you as a counselor; they just don't have the room for you this year. In recent years we've had college-age counselors who either weren't counselors at all in high school or had come once in high school and didn't come back for a few years. It happens. Remember that previous counselors receive priority; if we can cover sectionals with older counselors, we'll do that. And sometimes the instrumentation changes so that, for example, we'll have lots of flute campers one year, but the following year the numbers will be down. A lot of it depends on the demographics of the campers. Keep in touch with your directors, and keep applying.

Please note that there are always rookie counselors. It becomes harder and harder to keep coming back as you get older; jobs, school commitments, college orientations, etc. may get in the way, and those people will need to be replaced. Also, some people try being a counselor for a year or two and discover it's not what they thought it would be like. A good portion of being a counselor is showing leadership as well as teaching; not everyone has those abilities. Being a counselor may look like fun, and it can be, but there is a lot of work to be done, not just during camp but before and afterward, too.

Serenade song - "(I've Had) The Time of My Life"

jen_not_jenny — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 16:13:06 GMT

For a number of years now, the counselors have serenaded the directors (specifically Mr. Case) at the bonfire with the theme song from the movie Dirty Dancing. It has been brought up that it's a love song, but you need to remember two things: 1. It's the whole having the time of our lives sentiment that we're after, and 2. We don't know the lyrics aside from the chorus anyway. Really, that's the joke; nearly every year we sing this song, and every year we botch the lyrics. At one point a counselor did manage to pass around lyric sheets, but of course the boathouse lights went out and we were unable to read them! I do still have my sheet, though, and as a courtesy to future counselors and campers, here are the lyrics. They are care of ST Lyrics and are copied and pasted directly from there.
http://www.stlyrics.com/songs/d/dirtydancing6465/ivehadthetimeofmylifebillmedley851953.html

Dirty Dancing - (i've had) the time of my life - bill medley Lyrics
Album: Original Soundtrack

bill medley: Now I've had the time of my life
No I never felt like this before
Yes I swear it's the truth
and I owe it all to you

jennifer warnes: 'Cause I've had the time of my life
and I owe it all to you

bill medley: I've been waiting for so long
Now I've finally found someone
To stand by me

jennifer warnes: We saw the writing on the wall
As we felt this magical fantasy

Both: Now with passion in our eyes
There's no way we could disguise it secretly
So we take each other's hand
'Cause we seem to understand the urgency

bill medley: just remember

jennifer warnes: You're the one thing

bill medley: I can't get enough of

jennifer warnes: So I'll tell you something

Both:This could be love because

(CHORUS)
Both: I've had the time of my life
No I never felt this way before
Yes I swear it's the truth
And I owe it all to you

jennifer warnes: With my body and soul
I want you more than you'll ever know

bill medley: So we'll just let it go
Don't be afraid to lose control

jennifer warnes: Yes I know whats on your mind
When you say:
"Stay with me tonight."

bill medley: Just remember
You're the one thing

jennifer warnes: I can't get enough of

bill medley: So I'll tell you something

Both: This could be love because

(CHORUS)
Both: 'Cause I had the time of my life
No I've never felt this way before
Yes I swear it's the truth
And I owe it all to you
'Cause I've had the time of my life
And I've searched through every open door
Till I found the truth
and I owe it all to you

*Instrumental*

bill medley: Now I've had the time of my life
No I never felt this way before

(jennifer warnes: Never Felt this way)

bill medley: Yes I swear it's the truth
and I owe it all to you

Both: "cause I've had the time of my life
No I've never felt this way before
Yes I swear it's the truth
And I owe it all to you

Both: 'Cause I had the time of my life
And I've searched through every open door
Till I've found the truth
and I owe it all to you