20041218-cruise-friends-memories Part 3

[GlenelgMom]

Hi everyone!

Tinksdad - Loved the "You might be a Floridian if" - too funny! Forwarded it to my Aunt/Uncle and some friends who have made it through this crazy weather year.

Mary - Sorry to hear the Hersheypark meet didn't happen. We barely made it there this summer ourselves.

Gail - What a small world! (Do you hear music?) Our DS did go to French Woods and loved it! He had a role in "Mary Poppins" and in the Circus. We've already signed him up for next summer - he wanted to go the entire time, but that's not going to happen.......too hard on Mom and Dad! Your DD will have the time of her life! I'll have to check what session he's signed up for - I know it's in July. Will also pm my email address if you have any questions on the camp - it's terrific! The performances are amazing!

So, Stacey's in Vegas? Hope she's hitting big!

Lynda - Sorry to hear about your foot. How's Cash doing these days?

Matt - Nice to see your post!

I'm being a worry wort this a.m. DH took both DS's on a weekend camping trip with our church (their first camping adventure together). Left last night and except for one phone call on the way down, I haven't heard from them. You know what goes through your mind......did they make it, did they have a car accident, should I start driving there to see if they're o.k., etc. It's in a State park a few hours from here (Lisa - ever hear of Point Lookout State Park?), so I'm hoping he just doesn't have cell service. But, it's hard not to jump in the car. We will be having a discussion on this when they get home.

Off to jump around on the board and try to catch up! Have a great day!

 

[WVMD]

Originally posted by dee47
Hey Doc, you should change your travel dates! ER physicians treat kids, don't they? I'll be at the AAP conference.

Well - the ACEP (American College of Emergency Physicians) conference starts on the 16th......

Virgil

 

[gail1771]

Gail - What a small world! (Do you hear music?) Our DS did go to French Woods and loved it! He had a role in "Mary Poppins" and in the Circus. We've already signed him up for next summer - he wanted to go the entire time, but that's not going to happen.......too hard on Mom and Dad! Your DD will have the time of her life! I'll have to check what session he's signed up for - I know it's in July. Will also pm my email address if you have any questions on the camp - it's terrific! The performances are amazing!

It is a very small world. She can not wait to go. Everyone we have spoken to raves about the camp!!! We have close friends that are on their thrid year sendinfg their DS and DD from Florida!!!! There are a group of them from Florida that come up together. Children come from all over the United States and Europe for this camp. One of DH clients sends their children their and they have been going for years. We saw them putting Chicago together and Emily LOVED the CIRCUS!!! Emily is going to take Circus as one of her majors. she loved the trapize. I felt like I was at a real circus.

Charlotte- I PM you again.

On my way to pick up DD in a few at acting class. We have a few errands to run and than the babysitter is coming tonight. Some husband and wife time!!!! Have a great day everyone. TTYL-Gail

 

[ohiominnie]

Please tell me more about this French Woods thing. It's an acting camp? Sounds like something my dd would LOVE!!!!!!!!!!

Wouldnt' it be fun if she was in a group with friends she cruised with? Too cool.

Gail...thanks, btw. We're crunching numbers to see about a Sienna!!! And I really mean THANKS. I don't mean that in a sarcastic "thanks a lot" kinda way!! Keepin' my fingers crossed.

Puppy school graduation is next week. I've got a week of cramming to do!! Just kiddin! Maggie does well with all of her commands and she NEVER fails when she's at class. It's almost like she knows ppl are watching her! It's here that she will cop an attitude and refuse to do something (like "off" as Frances will attest to!)

Buckeye game is on late tonight--starts at 9:00 pm. Looks like a late night for the family. Puttin' on a crock pot of chili b/c it's FREEZING here. Frost warning for tonight!

Just realized that two weeks from TODAY I'll eat breakfast in the castle! Woo-Hoo!

 

[Donalds_best_pal]

Good Afternoon,
I am going have to venture over to the teen thread somtime. I was wondering who all here was directly affected by the hurricanes. We got directly hit with Ivan. No power or water for 5 days. Lots of damage around town but we just had one windows that shattered when it was hit by a flying tree limb. Anyone else have problems. Poor floridians keep getting nailed. I was in Florida for Jeanne and when I left tampa still no power. I am so looking forward to the cruise.
Matt

 

[gail1771]

Originally posted by ohiominnie
Please tell me more about this French Woods thing. It's an acting camp? Sounds like something my dd would LOVE!!!!!!!!!!



Gail...thanks, btw. We're crunching numbers to see about a Sienna!!! And I really mean THANKS. I don't mean that in a sarcastic "thanks a lot" kinda way!! Keepin' my fingers crossed.

Hi Karen. French Woods is a performing arts camp. Ages 7-17. The camp runs in 4 3 week sessions. It starts 6/11 for all down south that end school early. They have quite a bit of floridian childrn that attend the camp. 2005 will be the first year that they are starting early. They have all types of dance, gymnastics, music, singing, threatre( lots of threatre for all ages-lots of places for them to practice), heated out door pool, lake with boats, little mini golf, 11 outdoor tennis courts with lights, basketball, soccer, small stakeboard park, rock climbing and the Circus. Oh they also have a HUGE arts and crafts center, Jewlery making ( we watch someone make a beautiful necklace and ring), wood shop( some boys were making boats to race in the lake), photography, silk screening, t shirt making, there own recording studio and the AWESOME CIRCUS. I also might of forgotton some things. There canteen is quite large also. The mess hall was very clean and the food looked good. Lots to choose from. They have nurses 24/7 and I think two doctors that rotate at the camp. Check out there website. Mike one of the directors is so nice. It was so hard to pull DD away. She pleated with us to stay. They also have various sports that travel to different camps. They have visiting weekend every 3 weeks to see the children in their activities and plays. E mail me if you want any more info. It is located in Hancock, NY It is 3 hours from our home door to door. It is about 2.5 from JFK airport. You can also fly into Albany and it would be about the same ride-I think.

Good Luck with the car. It drives beautiful.We want to take it on a road trip so I think we will for Halloween. We watch to go to Dutch Wonderland in Lancaster, Pa. They have great things going on for the children that weekend and than mabye we will also hit Hershey since it is only about a 45 minute ride away. It al depends on DH job as I would like to take that Monday off so we can hit Hershey on Sunday night and do Hershey in the dark for Halloween. We did it 3 years ago and we loved it. We would leave early Saturday am as DD has all her Halloween activities at school on that Friday and we have a class party that day which I will be at since I am one of the class moms. I want to take a road trip and this would be perfect!!!!!!!!!!!!!

TTYL-Gail

 

[GlenelgMom]

Hi again!

DH called a while ago on a borrowed phone! Whew! They made it fine to the campgrounds - just don't have cell service. So, I can quit worrying and enjoy a day to myself! Hmmmm......do I shop, do I go to a movie?? Is that the Disney store I hear calling my name?

ohiominnie - French Woods is fabulous! It's a Camp for the Performing Arts on a private lake in the western Catskill mountains of NY near the Delaware river and the PA border. If you look on a map - it's near Hancock, NY. They have a website: www.frenchwoods.com. They'll send you a DVD about the camp and what it offers - just call or email them.

Basically, kids pick three "majors" to focus on during their camp "session" which runs 3 weeks. A "major" is an area your child wants to focus on during the camp and can be anything from acting classes, art, theater/stage production, dance, music, circus, magic, broadcasting, skateboarding, swimming, horseback riding, boating, water skiing, tennis, fencing, trapeze, crafts, etc. They also get to choose "minors" each day from an "activities menu", so they can try something they've never done before. If they enjoy it, they can do it every day or try something else.

For a kid interested in acting, it's an amazing place. They have five theatres - complete with stages, lighting boards, orchestra pits. Some of the counselors are former camp graduates, some have gone on to become Broadway performers and producers. Campers audition for the speaking/singing roles (they do musicals and plays) or they can get involved with the costuming, lighting, sound, art (making the playbills for the performances).

Like Gail said, many kids go for years. You can do one 3-week session or combine sessions or do the entire summer. We were surprised at how many kids are there for the entire time! And the Circus will blow you away! It's the "Grand Finale" of each session.

At night, they have all kinds of organized activities - concerts, performances, dances, games or they might go to the movies, play miniature golf, etc. Some events are for the entire camp and some are broken into groups based on ages. Everything is included in the session fee (except "mad money" to spend on sodas, t-shirts, etc.)

Our oldest DS (8) has been bit by the acting bug for some time and LOVED it! Now is the time to enroll, too as it fills up fast. DS had been on a waiting list for this past summer because we found out about it too late and it was completely booked. They had a last minute cancellation, called us on a Friday for the last session starting a day later. Talk about a steep learning curve - I had 24 hrs. to get everything together for his first camp and away-from-home experience.

Well, I've probably droned on too long about this. Suffice it to say, it's a great place and we'd highly recommend it - worth every dollar! And if your DD is 9 or under, they give you a 50% discount on the session fee, plus there's "early booking" discounts right now, too. (That's why so many go back year after year - they get hooked at an early age!) PM me if you have any other questions!

 

[GlenelgMom]

Gail - Too funny! We must have posted at the exact time about French Woods! Do you think people can tell we love the place?!?

I sent you a pm, too.

TTFN!

 

[scuba.mom]

I told my DS (14) about the neighborhood watch idea with a booklet with pictures of the kids, where they were staying and who their parents were so we could be aware if they were misbehaving. His response was "fair is fair. If you do that, then I think you should create a book for the teens of each of the parents of the teens. Then if one of those parents did anything embarassing, one teen could warn another about what their parent had done." I assured him this was NOT going to happen. I am sure I will embarass my self from time to time and I don't even have to try. Actually both of my kids are very good and responsible, so I usually don't worry. But, one never knows.

 

[gail1771]

Karen, The 50% off is for one three week session. If you decide to add another 3 weeks or do the entire summer they give you off 25%. We got the 25% off if DD stays 6 weeks. It is a great deal for the children under 9. The children under 9 also have more counclers and they get walked to all their specials.
Charlotte is right they get hooked early. Charlotte thanks for explaining as I got so excitied about the camp I left out a lot of major information. I actually brought home 5 extra DVD's for friends of Emiy's. I still am having a hard time sending her at 8.4 months. IF her birthday was in September instead of March we could of gotton the discount for two years. Oh well that's the way it goes. We are going to stay at the Bass Mountian Cabins for visiting weekend. We stayed there when we visited and loved it. Very cheap and so nice.Charlotte, I have their phone numnber. They are right at the base of the camp. Three bedrooms, 2 baths, kitchen, den and very clean.They only own 9 of them. 3 or 4 are on the golf course. They book up quick.

We went up to look 7/30 and she wanted to go the last session. If I did she would of met your DS. Emily woukd of been in the age 7-8 group as she is only 7 now. I will PM you later.
DH just got home from work so we will be going out on our date soon. WHA-HOO!!!! The children have been at each other all day and we will finally get some quiet time. TTYL-Gail

 

[ohiominnie]

Wow! French Woods sounds INCREDIBLE!! Three weeks. Hmmm. Wonder who that would be harder on, me or dd. Course, ds could go too and I could take a 3 week vacation. Always wanted to go to King Arthur Flour company in VT and take classes. Stick the dog in the kennel. Bum around. HA! Dd is 10 so she wouldn't get a discount. Ds is 7 (the one who got a part in the play) but I don't know how well he'd do away from home that long.

I'll have to look into it. Not sure I'm ready to make the decision NOW for next summer. It came up very fast.

What sessions are all your kids doing? (although it sounds like they all go their own ways a lot depending on what majors and minors they pick)

Thanks for the info!!

 

[GlenelgMom]

Me again!

See, I'm making up for lost time not posting all those months!

ohiominnie - Our DS is going 2nd session next summer - I think it starts early July. It was his first time away from home.....and definitely harder on me and DH. We received two emails from him the entire time and I think that's only because the counselors made them all email home!

Quick apology to all who managed to read through that lengthy post on the camp. Got carried away......sorry!

Been reading on the board.......cute new sign at Castaway Cay!

Is DCL still thinking they'll know the formal nights, etc. by end of October?

Mary - Just read all the recent newsletters - great job, as usual!

Have a good Saturday night one and all!

 

[jhemond]

Originally posted by ohiominnie
Always wanted to go to King Arthur Flour company in VT and take classes.

My DH was the network administrator for them for 3 weeks this summer while they were trying to find a permanent admin guy. He wouldn't ask them for a case of their flour as a bonus . The store is less than 30 minutes from our house. I've never been . Maybe I'll go someday.

 

[jhemond]

We booked our town car service today. We decided to go with Southern Elegence. They have a special going for a 3 leg transfer. We got transfers from MCO to the Pop Century to Port Canaveral and back to MCO for $210. They were very nice on the phone. They also take credit cards, which I felt better about than paying cash (I didn't want to have to take an additional $200+ in cash with me and worry about carrying it around). If anyone is still looking for transfers, you may want to check them out. They also have a 3 leg Limo transfer for $350.

 

[Cruisin'goose]

Frost Warnings Here tonight. I think I hear Florida calling me!! I don't look forward to winter. I miss summer already.
Hope all those in the northern parts Keep warm!!

Vicki

 

[WDWLVR]

Scuba's...meet the scubas!

We have new photos in the photo gallery. Check out Sharon (aka Scuba mom), Jim (aka scuba diver), Matt (aka scuba matt) and DD Lisa as well. What a great looking family and I just love the picture of scuba diver and scuba matt together.

 

[WDWLVR]

New Castaway Club gift! Did you see the post on the main thread that those sailing on special sailings of the Magic are getting a Castaway Club blanket instead of the beach towel. I sure hope they consider our cruise special (since we are going to Antiqua just like the ones on this weeks cruise). I would love to have a blanket as we have two bags and two towels already!

 

[ohiominnie]

Originally posted by WDWLVR
I just love the picture of scuba diver and scuba matt together.

I love it!! What a nice looking family! Hopefully we'll get to meet Sharon and Lisa at WDW in a couple weeks if we can arrange it! Woo-Hoo!

 

[ohiominnie]

Originally posted by jhemond
The store is less than 30 minutes from our house. I've never been . Maybe I'll go someday.

Oh my. I'd be there all the time. Their classes always look so interesting, but it's a haul from Ohio to VT! I love their stuff, would probably go nuts in their store...."but honey, I only bought this because I could save money by not having to have it shipped!"

 

[justmestace]

HI!

Just got back...not even going to try to read everything tonight.

Hope everyone is enjoying their week end.....

We had fun, Mom had a great birthday. We got a cake (she did, I should say) from our Executive Host, and I had a bouquet of roses and mixed flowers sent up.....strawberries and champagne, and more soda and water than we could drink, plus a goodie basket. We ended up getting everything compped....even the flowers that I ordered, so I feel like a cheapskate, giving my Mom free flowers.

Anyway....no big winners in this crowd......sorry...and I was so hoping to pay off everyone's cruise!

Talk to you tomorrow,
Stacey