Storytime and Music

Lower Camp at Diamond Ridge had the pleasure of welcoming "Miss Darcy" from the Bucks County Public Library System. Miss Darcy brought her guitar, "Lucky" the duck and a number of books about music to help celebrate this week's theme, Pump Up the Volume Week. The visit was part of the summer outreach program from the Bucks County Public Library System called "Get Creative at the Library".

Miss Darcy performed first for our 4 and 5 year old campers and then for our 6 and 7 year olds. Some of the books she read were Berlioz The Bear, Jazz Baby Jazz and Big Green Monster. Miss Darcy used songs and music to tell these stories and all of the campers joined in to help sing. And every camper was given the chance to help Miss Darcy play her guitar.

For more information about the summer reading programs offered by the Bucks County Public Library System call 215-348-9082.

Uncle Steven

Camp Begins!

It is a great start to the Summer of 2009 at Diamond Ridge. The weather is ideal. The campers are full of smiles and enthusiasm. And as always, our staff of counselors and specialists are going above and beyond to make sure that each and every camper has a positive and rewarding summer experience.

Many of our staff have told me that it seems as if last summer never ended. From the pool, to the athletic fields, to the art studios, to the nature trails to the Dining Hall, I have seen campers making new friends, showing respect towards each other, displaying great sportsmanship and most importantly having a great time.

All of our activities are in full swing. The campers have been tested for their swim level. Lower Camp competed in their first Game Show of the summer, What in the World is this? Athletic Majors have given a big "thumbs up" to our new activities - Camp Games, Competitive Swimming and Lakefront. Art Majors also gave rave reviews to their new activities - Painting the Masters, Sculpture and Jewelcraft.

We kicked off the summer with Pump Up the Volume Week. Hip Hop Tunes could be heard throughout camp on Monday. Today, the play list was full of Rock 'n' Roll favorites. Tomorrow, we will be listening to some Motown tunes.

The campers are looking forward to Friday's Theme Day Event, the Disco Dance Party. MC Fresh from Philly Event Group Live will be spinning the tunes in Cedar Hall. We already have lots of requests. I know that Lower Camp is ready to dance to Hannah Montana's HoeDown ThrowDown!

I am looking forward to seeing everyone's best dance moves on Friday afternoon.

Uncle Steven

Philly Celebrity Waiters Dinner & Auction

Last night Diamond Ridge Camps was a proud sponsor at the Philly Celebrity Waiters Dinner & Auction held at the Hall of Fame Club at Citizens Bank Park. The event raises money to help fund Camp Erin Philadelphia which is held at Diamond Ridge Camps.

Over 400 people were in attendance including myself, Howard and Dale Batterman, Chad Batterman and Rebecca Batterman. Each table was served by celebrity waiters including Jamie Moyer, Chase Utley, Cole Hamels, Shane Victorino, Raul Ibanez, Scott Eyre, Eric Bruntlett and David Akers.

The event was covered by most of the Philadelphia TV news stations. NBC10 did a great feature on Camp Erin Philadelphia that aired last night on their 11 o'clock newscast.

The 4th annual Camp Erin Philadelphia will be held at Diamond Ridge Camps in May 2010. For more information go to Camp Erin's website.

Uncle Steven

Meet The Counselor Day

The countdown continues to the first day of camp on June 21st for overnight camp and June 22nd for day camp. However, don't forget about Meet The Counselor Day on June 20th.

Meet The Counselor Day is a chance for all campers and their families to meet their counselors and see their cabin location before the first day of camp. You can also pick up your Uniform Camp T-Shirts if you ordered any and your Camp Bag. Our nurses will also be on hand if you need to drop off any medication.

Lower Camp (ages 4 to 7) is scheduled from
1:00 - 1:30 pm and Upper Camp (ages 8 to 15) from 1:45 - 2:15 pm. Don't forget to bring your Bundle Bags with you!

I look forward to seeing everyone in about two and a half weeks!

Camp Erin Philadelphia

Camp Erin Philadelphia was a huge success. Nearly one hundred campers from throughout the Delaware Valley attended the weekend camp.

Camp Erin is a bereavement camp for children 6 to 17 years of age. The camp offers children and teenagers a place to go for a weekend to develop coping skills due to the loss of a loved one while meeting other children who have experienced a similar loss. Diamond Ridge Camps donates the use of the camp, including food service, for the entire weekend.

Philadelphia Phillies Pitcher Jamie Moyer's foundation, The Moyer Foundation provides funding for the program. Unfortunately, Jamie could not visit camp because the Phillies were in Washington DC playing the Nationals. (The Phillies swept the Nationals that weekend, winning all four games!)

Jamie's wife, Karen, was able to visit and spend time with the campers. There were also a few local TV stations that came by Diamond Ridge to do a story on Camp Erin Philadelphia. Here is the story that aired on WPHL Channel 17.

For more information visit Camp Erin Philadelphia's website or call their office at 610.617.2474.