Bring this to summer camp...and you might survive! Part 4/7

No. 4 A Cow Suit

Especially in light of the formal(ish) "Black and White Bash" event happening this summer at Camp, you really ought to invest in an appropriate evening suit...a cow suit of course!

The history of the cow suit at Camp Balcones Springs carries with it a long legacy of camp greats all doing great things. No one is really sure where or how the trend began, what with the udderly ridiculous amount of imposters claiming to be the original, but its place among Camp tradition is without question. These suits can be spotted in CBS pictures from many of the last 19 summers, or even branded into your memory if you were lucky enough to be here for the terms when Marty Scott wore his cow suit to every single theme night that summer.

Trying to COWer in the back row

Though the last few summers the number of cow suits has dropped from a record high in 2008, I foresee a comeback this summer if the herd will rally and come together in force! So calling all cow suit owners and future owners, milk it for all its worth, and we'll see you this summer for a mooo-ving celebration!

April Fools!

I'm sure our avid readers have been feeling all sorts of different emotions over the weekend in regards to the supposed "new teams" joining the ranks this summer--worry yourselves not! No matter how much pleading, prodding, or even the Rachel Gleitman actually creating new cheers (we love you Rachel!), no team cold ever join the elite ranks of the Rough Riders, Texas Rangers, Lone Stars and Silver Spurs!

The Coroneles and the Yellow Roses

Longstanding rumors have finally come to fruit here at Camp Balcones Springs--this summer will mark the beginning of a new era in Team Competition with the inclusion of two new teams, The Coroneles and the Yellow Roses. As acting heads of teams, the full-time camp staff arrived at the decision that the addition of two teams will bring a new element to one of camp's most memorable traditions.

In the effort of "shaking things up," our new Camp Director, Geoff Rich made the suggestion, and even offered to found and manage the Coroneles, the boys' team, for the first year or until he can comfortably hand off the tradition to a new member of leadership or full-time. In step, Christine Baskin enthusiastically agreed to found and manage the traditions of the Yellow Roses, the girls' team, until she too feels comfortable with the team's leadership under its senior members. Both Geoff and Christine have said they will return to their neutral status after handing off leadership of their new teams.

The Coroneles will have the symbol of a crown and their primary color is orange. They are descended from the Elite Infantry of the Texan Army during the Texas revolution from Mexico. Having overcome the several weaknesses of a fledgling country in revolt, the lone squadron of Coroneles was the key factor in the success in driving back the opposing Mexican army. Only days after the battle, the Coroneles had completely driven the invading armies from their borders at the battle of San Jacinto, and earning the new country the right to be formally known as the sovereign "Republic of Texas."

The Yellow Roses will take on the symbol of the Rose, and the primary color, yellow. The yellow rose traditionally symbolizes respect, and their respect for the earth and for nature earns them an esteemed place among the teams. They have an unbreakable bond of sisterhood established from a long tradition of passion for taking care of each other and the earth. They fight back earnestly against anything or anyone who would dare undergo any action that would harm the natural world they respect so deeply.

Thoughts from full-time staff:

"I'm excited for the change! It will throw old campers a curve ball, and add a new level of excitement for the new campers!" -Adrienne Grissom, Girl's Camp Director

"It's been in talks for a long time, but I'm thrilled we have finally pulled the idea through. Its just something new and different we can surprise our campers with. I know how important team competition is to Camp, and its an exciting time for a change! -Todd Darby, Boy's Camp Director

The Coroneles' Crown

The Yellow Roses' Rose

Bring this to summer camp...and you might survive! Part 3/7

Number 3: A strap-to-yo-head flashlight

Ok CAMP folks, lets talk here for a second. We have all been there: walking by the poorly-lit camp tennis courts on a warm Texas Hill Country night when Phillip Jackson thinks it's funny to jump out at you dressed in a gorilla suit...not funny Phil! Really though, we had to revive a mini horse from a heart attack after the gorilla suit scared the poor guy so badly--have you ever had to give a mini horse mouth-to-mouth?

Neither have I, it would be truly horrid if I had to. But, if it came down to it, "I am a lifeguard, I can help."

Nonetheless, the whole messy situation could have been avoided, which is why we recommend a "strap-to-yo-head flashlight," such as the one pictured above! Now, it is not necessary to purchase one quite so Derek Zoolander-esque and high-style, but we understand the importance of phun phashion at Camp Balcones Springs, so go all Blue Steel if you must.

After you find something in your wardrobe that will actually match the head lamp, put it to good use and engage the light feature and illuminate the path before you...as well as blind anyone within a 100 yard radius around you with your 6000 watt fluorescent lamp! Never again will you look so good while keeping the mini-horses safe at Camp Balcones Springs!

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Photos courtesy of: Super Stock Photo, rveh.com, and allmoviephoto.com

Bring this to summer camp...and you might survive! Part 2/?

Number 2: An Electric Razor

     Near the end of every term at Camp Balcones Springs we celebrate the Texas tradition of two-stepping, root beer, and country music at Rodeo Round-Up. What happens when, at the end of a night filled with country dancing, you walk up to that special dance partner and lean in for a...nice conversation, and he/she is repulsed by the fact you have a three-week-long unshaved mustache?!


Is the idea really so shocking?! Not until it happens to you! Hence we here at Camp Balcones Springs highly recommend the use of an electric razor to ensure friendly interactions among all of those around you. In addition to improving your hygienic standards, it can also help you keep cooler in the vicious summer heat by removing that sweaty, unwanted insulation on your upper lip. Stay cool camp friends!

Additionally, if you are lucky enough to be signed up for the brand new Llama Styling major class, you can use your own razor to achieve greater accuracy and finer cuts of llama fur! Not only will your llama be the envy of all of your classmates, but your llama will feel better knowing it has been treated with the utmost care and respect. Please be sure to clean the razor after each llama fur design session and before using it again yourself!

Check back again soon for the next installment of "Bring this to summer camp...and you might survive!"

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Bring this to summer camp...and you might survive! Part 1/?

Hey boys and girls, here is the first part of a series describing what you need to survive this summer at Camp Balcones Springs! We'll explore the many uses for various sundries (not "sundresses," you don't need those here!) that you should throw in your trunk to have the best time ever!

Here we go with number 1!

1. Neoprene Wetsuit- perfect for Sunday swimming, The Ted 2,000, and sailing class

     Firstly, lets break this down into its base components, neoprene and wetsuit. "Neo-Prene", is a word formed from the latin "no" and "prune," hence, when you wear it, your skin won't get pruney. An added side-effect is that you likely won't have to spend too much time in the restroom! "We-Tsu-It" is derived from an ancient eastern Chinese phrase that roughly translates to "let us take action on this matter," probably referring to the practice of swimming with dolphins as was common in that area at that time.

     

     When you put the terms together, you can understand why you would need a Neoprene Wetsuit at Camp: "we will swim (with or without dolphins) and not get pruney!"

    

     Now, you ask yourself "Self, why would I need this at camp?" Why on Earth not?! With all of the phun you can have swimming in Lake Ted for hours upon precious hours during phunanza...and then you won't get pruney!? What a deal! You might even get rich if you can convince the river dolphins to swim to the bottom of the lake and pick up all of the watches, sunglasses, and camp rings Lake Ted has swallowed up over the years (yeah, I'm talking about y'all, Anna Drinkwitz and Dodge Carter, I know the stinging pain of loss!)

     Whether for deep-water treasure-hunting, light surface play on our aquatic landscape, or making up for lost time in the restroom, a Neoprene wetsuit is a must for this summer for camp boys and camp girls alike!

Dolphins + Treasure?

Stay tuned for No. 2 survival coming later this week!

Photos Courtesy of amazon.com and fashionmasters.co.cc

The Llamas are Published!

So camp friends, it appears our llamas are using their new laptop to write books under the false alias of "Anna Dewdney!" I was doing some light after-Christmas window shopping and saw this book:

Quite clearly there is a resemblance to the llamas who, it seems, are just trying to lay low, thinking we have no idea what they're up to!

I called the book's publisher, and found out they've been working on a whole series of these llama books...what sneaky little llamas! We'll keep you updated on their publishing career as we try to get some more information out the llamas...they've been unusually quiet lately...