Girls Sleepaway Camp in the Adirondack Mountains in Brant Lake, New York
Peaker Lori of the Peak of 1977 and Mom of Peaker Hannah of the Peak of 2012 shared her well loved copy of the program and menu for the 1974 Point O’Ritz. We loved comparing it to this year’s menu.
All of camp had so much fun having Noble and Robin Masi as our special guests for Point O’Ritz yesterday! Even as times, interests and our culture changes, so much about the Point is timeless.
Point O’Ritz is a traditional highlight of every summer at the Point. Did you know that Point O’Ritz was invented back in 1966 by Noble Masi, former chef and foodservice director at Point O’Pines? Noble wanted to show his kitchen brigade what world-class hotel style service was like for a day, and that day became Point O’Ritz. 1966 was the first year that Noble brought a staff with him including students from the Culinary Institute of America. The first Point O’Ritz meal was served by the counselors, but the next year Hoby Rosen switched and the Peakers began serving the delicious POR meal to the campers.
Campers and alumnae all know the fabulous legend of Noble who started at the Point as a baker, took over the management of the foodservice, and then went on to be a professor and then director of the Culinary Institute of America, Noble is presently retired and an “Ambassador” for the CIA. His continuous friendship for the Point has been important in guiding us to where our foodservice is today, under the leadership of Chef Denver Grover, a graduate of the CIA. Learn more about Point O’Ritz.
Today during rest period there was an announcement over the PA. It was Breakout! Everyone ran to the beach!
Uh-oh, it was a fake out. But just before disappointment set in, Sherie announced that the Peakers were in the ring ready for a battle in the Rec Hall for Knockout Breakout 2014. Everyone ran to the Rec Hall!
Once in the Rec Hall the Breakout began in earnest. The Peakers entered the Rec Hall and performed a superb dance routine for us. Each age group went off to a separate area where they were given their teams for the summer. White team headed off to the Campfire Circle and the Blue team went to the Rec Hall, where the teams made their first cheers of the summer. If today was any indication, we are off to a great summer of team spirit and competition.
Last night we celebrated the Point O’Pines tradition of first campfire.
The first campfire is lit with the torches of spirit, friendship, loyalty and beauty by our Blue and White team captains and lieutenants. The fire is joined by the ashes of wishes made at last year’s final campfire and those of all our previous summers at camp. We read the heart-warming wishes made for the campers by our alumnae, which also joined the flames. Finally we added wish sticks representing all of the years of camp both past and future and the hopes of all of this years campers for each other.
We said a few words of appreciation for Hoby and Norma Rosen who created Point O’Pines Camp in 1957, and started our camp’s many traditions. Hoby passed away this year, and it is particularly important that we recognize Hoby and Norma this year at camp.
The first campfire brings us all together in front of the fire, the lake, the mountains and the sky. What a great way to get our summer started!
It’s hard to believe that camp was quiet just a few days ago. All the prepping and anticipation were well worth the wait because it’s never felt better to hear laughing, stories and songs.
The sound of cheers filled our hearts last night with elections. Peakers Sam (Blue Team) and Maddie (White Team) were elected captains and Phoebe (White Team) and Hannah (Blue Team), lieutenants. We are so excited for these exceptional Peakers to lead the rest of camp in team competition every Sunday. Cheers for a great summer, lasting friendships, and wonderful traditions.
