This week at Hannah and Friends Summer Camp...

Clare's View, 

The morning of the long awaited 5K was finally here, bringing with it storm showers lasting the entire morning! The day began in a whirlwind with tables and tents being put up in record timing in a desperate attempt to stay dry. Before we knew it, runners and walkers started arriving with enthusiasm despite the less than ideal weather. While the entire morning appeared to fly by, there were multiple moments that stuck out to me with great clarity;

Tiff starting off the race on the right foot by singing the National Anthem beautifully.

Tiff continuing her many accomplishes of the day by proving everyone wrong and running the 5K with her friend, and day program member.

Hanging out with , a frequent participant at summer camp, underneath the food tent and working together with  another day program member, to keep the bagels and water fully stocked for the runners. One of the campers worked hard to make the day of every runner/walker passing the tent by greeting them with a "Hi runner how are you?" I know these little greetings definitely helped to make my day!

While we were keeping busy underneath the food tent, I was frequently stopped by many of my new friends from summer camp and day program proudly introducing me to their friends and family members. It was so fun to meet all of these important people!

Overall, despite the bad weather and the early morning (6:30 arrival time!) the day went off flawlessly and a lot of fun was had by the runners, walkers, volunteers, and workers!

This week at Hannah and Friends Summer Camp…

Kaley’s View

Art-Rageous Week! 

I am so excited to have spent another week with such awesome campers. Here’s a little recap of our week:

Monday the campers enjoyed designing their own personal paper bags to collect all of their beautiful art throughout the week! The paper bags were a huge hit for the campers with decorating with stickers, glitter and doodles! The campers enjoyed using ink stamps to create fun bookmarkers. The campers were able to tap into their inner Picasso with free draw with chalk on the sidewalks around Hannah and Friends!

Tuesday the campers enjoyed the weekly wagon ride. Campers had fun with searching around the property finding their own pet rock! They were able to decorate their pet rocks and make them their own using paint and googly eyes!

Wednesday the campers were able to make fun key chains with beads and neon colored string. The campers loved making key chains for their friends and family! The campers got a taste of some art under the sea with a mosaic ocean with handprint crabs! They had fun painting their hands red to make hand-made-crabs on top of their mosaic ocean. The campers were able to take fun pictures with the farm animals around the barn. They are going to decorate photo albums with the fun pictures taken with farm animals.

Thursday the campers were able to make photo albums with the pictures they took the day before. The campers were able to make fun crayon activities with blow-dryers! The camper really enjoyed this activity. One camper in particular was so excited about seeing the pictures she took the prior day. She was so excited to see her hard work pay off from the day before. She especially loved the pictures others took of her. This camper was so proud of her pictures and of her photo album, she showed all of the interns and as many staff members as she could! 

Birthdays at Hannah and Friends

This past Tuesday I celebrated my 21st birthday at Hannah and Friends. Normally working on a birthday would be a bummer, but at a place as special as this, that was definitely not the case. Before camp began, the other interns surprised me with strawberry shortcake, my favorite dessert! Once the campers started coming I was bombarded with hugs, happy birthday wishes, and guesses on what my age was (the general consensus was twenty so I was feeling pretty good!). At snack time I was surprised with fun pink and green cupcakes! I thoroughly enjoyed hearing the campers sing happy birthday to me, which was followed by, you guessed it, even more hugs. I can honestly say that I have never felt this much love on any other birthday. All day I was constantly receiving hugs, given pictures colored especially for me, and being asked by campers if they could pose for a picture with "the birthday girl". One camper even insisted that I take a turn pinning the nose on Olaf as a special birthday treat. I truly was spoiled on this day by the campers, my fellow interns, and the entire Hannah and Friends staff. This special day was just another instance where I felt completely overjoyed to be given this amazing opportunity and I am reminded of how wonderful all of the friendships I am making this summer are.  I mean it with complete sincerity when I say that there really is no better way to spend a birthday than at Hannah and Friends Summer Camp!

-Clare

WELCOME!! 

Welcome to the Hannah and Friends Intern Blog!! The five of us, Rita, Madeline, Clare, Kaley and myself are more than thrilled to be part of such an amazing community! We have seen first hand how charming the property of Hannah and Friends is, and we have been welcomed with open arms by the participants of Hannah and Friend's Day program and camp members.

This week was our very first summer camp!!! Our theme was Fun&Fitness. The campers entered into a fast paced week of healthy themed activities. For our first day activities included basketball and soccer drills, stretching and aerobic activities. We then went inside to learn all about how to eat healthy, and by the end each of the participants were able to correctly categorize different foods in their correct category. The participants then enjoyed playing on the playground and an assortment of different relays!

Our camp participants enjoyed the beautiful Hannah and Friends property as they played games. 

Our theme for the second day was Karate! Our camp welcomed a very skilled Karate instructor and his children. He told us all about the history of Karate, and taught everyone basic Karate skills.

The campers participate in Karate session!

Hannah and Friend's volunteers are always ready and willing to jump in and make the activities more fun! 

On the third day participants reversed the role with the camp interns! They learned just how hard it is to lead another as they instructed a blindfolded intern through an obstetrical course. The campers enjoyed the wonderful weather as they played kickball, visited the horses, and played on one of the Hannah and Friends playground. To cool off everyone came inside to play sports bingo and to paint their own unique helmets. As a special treat probiker John Pratt came in to teach the campers all about bike safety and his own personal passion for the sport. Inspired by what John had to say the campers went outside to bike on the Hannah and Friends bikes. As a special reward for a long day of fun and fitness the campers were given a pinata!

Campers act as guides through obstacle courses. 

Campers enjoy biking with a pro-biker! 

A camper helps with a hands on demonstration.

On the final day of camp for this week our theme was the Olympics! Campers enjoyed Olympic activities such as a javelin throwing, medal making, Anthem singing, and carrying the Olympic torch around Hannah and Friends property. Our campers especially enjoyed getting their face painted for the festive Torch walk and award podium.

Participants enjoy the Olympic torch walk!

Fun and Fitness Summer Camp 2015

We had a complete blast at our first week of summer camps! Next week is Movin' & Groovin' and we have so many fun activities planned!

Also, don't forget to sign up for our 5k and fun walk! --Erika