TBT: Parker Remembers Some Camp Dances

One of the favorite nights of camp is the Grand Dance Festival. Campers dress up crazy and make their way to the Wabi for a memorable night of dancing like a fool with friends. As you grow up and out of camp, you'll definitely remember a lot of the dance themes, popular music and spending time with friends in the Wabi (or Basketball Court if you were around for those dances).

This summer will be my tenth at camp. For most of my summers, especially as I got older, one of my favorite nights was the dance. Gettin’ my boogie on to some classic Backstreet Boys hits and rocking out to Bohemian Rhapsody--what could be better? When I look back at my dances as a camper, two moments jump out at me.

Parker with friends at the PJ Dance in 2009.

One of my very first memories of camp is from my first summer in 2003. I was a wee young ten-year-old in Yakama, and first session had been progressing quite nicely. I had made new friends, and I learned how to play Mafia; everything was great. Then, disaster struck. The dance theme was announced: Cabin Colors. Each cabin picked a color and everyone was supposed to deck themselves out from head to toe in said color. My cabin-mates decided that pink was the best choice, and I started freaking out because I didn’t own any pink. Worst case scenarios started flashing through my head: Would my cabin-mates stop liking me because I didn’t match? Would they bar me from the dance if I wasn’t dressed for the theme? Ten year old me couldn’t handle it. I was so distressed about not having any pink that I started crying.  

Everything turned around when, probably about twenty seconds later, some of the girls in my cabin asked if I needed to borrow anything.I don’t think I’ve ever been more excited to don a bright pink rain poncho than I was on that night.  All of my earlier fears were completely unfounded. I really hope that I gave my friends a caring bead at our cabin counsel later, because their offer to share brightened that entire session for me.  

Fast forward to my last year as a camper, 2009 first session. Something about being a CIT, being back out on the basketball court, and being there with a ton of my friends made that night incredibly special. When all the wolves got together at the end of the night to circle up and sing along to Piano Man (because that had magically become a thing the year before), I felt like we were a family. That dance was the cherry on top of a great session, and one of my favorite camp memories.

Parker with staff and campers at the dance in 2012.

As a counselor, the dance is still one of my favorite nights of camp. The Wabi and its new tech is cool as can be; the flashing lights just make me want to break out into a round of Call Me Maybe or Aaron’s Party. All of last summer’s dances were fantastic, and had some particularly brilliant themes (I’m looking at you, Bro-down Throw-down). Even if it’s a little warm, when the music is blasting, I feel the need to dance with anyone and everyone. I will dance at you until you dance with me. Though my dance skills are a bit lacking, I like to think I make up for that with enthusiasm. I’ve got at least four spectacular nights ahead of me this summer-- who’s going to dance with me?  

--Parker Poche

Are you ready to put on your dancing shoes this summer? We hope so because each session you can count on attending an awesome and memorable Grand Dance Festival! 

Chris & Kyle Revamp the Wabi

Look at what we’ve done…or, should I say…"Look at WABI DONE!"

During the spring of 2011, I was faced with the reality that Camp was in need of extra space! What with extra activities and increasing numbers of campers around here, something had to be done to expand our capabilities. I was torn between the decision of either revamping an existing space or building a new facility from scratch. After considering my options, I embarked on my most creative project to date... A complete revamp of the Wabi building! Let me start out by saying this was one of my favorite projects I have ever gotten to do. The new Wabi building is now a multi-purpose facility - and the new home for drama, dance, yoga, and the newest addition group fitness. Oh, and I better not forget to mention that it is also the home for end of the session slide shows, and Grand Dance Festivals.

I had the privilege of deciding what would best suit our needs in the building. The building is equipped with your basic home theater system with a little extra kick! We also have two very nice 50" plasma TV’s in there!

I and another camp employee, Kyle, had the opportunity to install the sweet set-up. We had to work fast to get it installed but we did it in time to have the kids enjoy it last summer. A feeling of satisfied achievement washed over me when the kids actually got to see it and use it for the fist time - when the kids took to the big padded floor for the yoga and dance class, and a nice seat to watch the slide shows from. The ultimate best part for me, however was watching the kids walk into the Grand Dance Festival! The lights (yes we have sound activated lights that go with the music) and the music system rocked the kids and they danced the whole time! It is just a great atmosphere.

Until next time…

-Chris Mathiowetz, Director, Camp Foley