June Update

Dear Asto Wamah Friends,

          June has arrived!  It’s the time of year we have been looking forward to for the past 9 months.   Asto Wamah is in full bloom and just about ready for the arrival of over 300 new and returning campers and over 70 seasoned and enthusiastic staff members. 

          Last Saturday we hosted Open Camp Day where about 100 people toured the site led by experienced staff and LTs.  There was much excitement in the air.  That event feels like the official beginning of the new season - our 107th!  Visitors on Saturday got a good idea of what summer at Asto Wamah feels like as the temperature was over 90.  We even had a brief thunderstorm that didn’t interrupt the activity or dampen anyone’s spirit.

          In previous Blogs I have written about one of the new initiatives in this summer’s programming – music.  The newly purchased keyboard, that will replace the old piano that had very few workable keys, has arrived and will provide creative opportunities for all.   With a keyboard, 8 ukuleles and a guitar or 2 (not to mention instruments brought in order to play taps at bedtime) we should be making a great many joyful noises!

          We are looking forward to a fun filled 7 weeks, where friendships are made, challenges are taken on and met, new adventures are explored, and each member of our inclusive and respectful community leaves with treasured memories that will last a lifetime.

Can’t wait,

Nancy

March Update

Dear Asto Wamah Birch Blog Followers,

     Thank you for staying in touch with Camp by checking in with the Birch Blog at the start of each Month.   I have to say that this last month at Asto Wamah has been VERY busy.  It’s all about preparing for the 107th camping season.

     The 2016 Camp Brochure was mailed to everyone on our mailing list on February 1.  Applications started to stream in right away.  Each day brings another batch.  It is very exciting to see the number of returning campers as well as new campers.  This year we asked first year campers to tell us who had told them about Asto Wamah.  Those people who have been successful in spreading the word will receive a special T-shirt to recognize their efforts on behalf of Camp.  It is not too late for others to receive an "Award" T-shirt.   Just tell a friend or neighbor or relative about camp.  If they sign up, you get a T-shirt!  There are still openings in every session.

     February is also the month when staff hiring takes place.  Staff applications have been arriving in large number since early December so we have a great pool of seasoned staff and recently graduated LTs to fill the many jobs of counselor and kitchen help.  I am very excited about the talents and enthusiasm these young adults will bring to every session this summer.

     Even though it is only March 1,  plans are already being made to upgrade the tennis court and include Pickleball lines.  We are also hoping that the Gaga Pit will provide campers with a new free time activity that has proven to be popular in many camp settings.  Other new and exciting program options are being discussed and will be shared with you in the next few months.  Stay tuned :)

     Today at camp I saw a Yellow Crocus popping through the ground and a tree in bud.  It is clear that summer cannot be far behind.  Hoping each day brings you more vivid and warm memories of Asto Wamah!

Always,

Nancy

September Update

Greetings to All Asto Wamah Followers and Welcome to the September Update,

It is hard to believe summer is over when the temperature is hovering around 90. This is camp weather, not school weather. Nonetheless, the calendar tells us summer is past and we are into a new season of the year.

The calendar is not the only reminder that summer is over. The cabins at Asto Wamah are now closed up and empty. The Lodge is silent and all the tables, chairs and benches are stacked and put aside. Arts and Crafts is bare: no beads, fabric, gimp, etc. You can hear a pin drop. There is nothing on the Main Dock: no noodles, rescue equipment or goggles. No waterfront box. All the small craft have been taken to winter storage to keep them safe in the months to come. Maybe the most noticeable absence at the waterfront is the rafts. They have been taken to the Aquarium and the sailing area where they are secured and ready for the draining of the lake and the inevitable ice to come. It is a quite and peaceful (although lovely) time at camp.

If you are missing being at camp, I hope you will find Asto Wamah’s new camp video.

The virtual tour reminds me of all the excitement, fun and friendships that are so much a part of a stay at CAW. We have Sweeney to thank for putting this video together with perspectives none of us have ever had (seeing as how we are not birds). Hope you enjoy watching it and reliving your time on Columbia Lake this summer. Be sure to share it with friends who may be interested in attending in 2016, with grandparents or relatives who wonder what your camp is like or anyone interested in visiting the camp we are all so proud of.

Hope the start of your new school year has begun well. Remember to Remember the Other Fellow!

Thinking of you,

Nancy

Thursday July 16th

It has been a beautiful, sunny day on Columbia Lake. After a couple of very hot and humid days, today was much more comfortable. We enjoyed blue skies and a cool breeze off the lake all day! Breakfast this morning was bagels with cereal. Some kids passed their boating and swimming classes today and others have one more chance tomorrow to prove themselves. We had a lighter meal than usual for lunch in anticipation of our Banquet this evening. Options included tuna or egg salad and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. The campers are now busy at activity period. Today they can take a jump off the tower, play soccer on the A Field, practice their rowing skills, sail a sunfish or participate in the Archery Competition!

Tonight, we will gather for supper at 6:30pm instead of 6:00pm. The second Thursday night is always the most special evening at camp. Our Banquet meal always includes turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, corn, stuffing and cranberry sauce. It's like a camp Thanksgiving! After the festive meal, the boys will take a break to play and then we will all gather back in the lodge for the evening program portion. At that time, we will introduce any guests that are joining us, watch a slideshow of photos taken during the two weeks and hand out Year Awards. Every camper receives a token to recognize their time at camp. The evening will conclude with the Candlelight Ceremony.

Only one more day!

LT Trivia yesterday's answer:  Wolverine's claws and skeleton are made of Adamantium

LT Trivia today's question: Name as many super heroes as you can.

December Update

All at camp is pretty quiet right now. The Camp Road has been made ready for the months to follow when it will be frozen hard and the snowplow will be working to remove the snow. We have gathered wood into the arts and crafts room so that we can have a warm place to work once the out-of-doors becomes too cold. The pictures this month are the ones I had promised in the November Blog. One is taken from the Main Dock, looking toward the Fishing Dock. The other is taken from the Fishing Dock while looking toward the boat bouys. I find the huge rocks very interesting and thought you might like to see what lurks below the water, out of sight, while you are fishing or rowing during the summer.

Now that Thanksgiving has passed, we are into the Christmas/Holiday Season. That means the traditional Camp Reunion is approaching. Within the next week you will receive your invitation in the mail. I hope Dec. 26^th from 2PM to 4PM is free on your calendar and you will be able to attend and reconnect with camp friends. It is always a fun event with lots of enthusiasm.   We would love to see you!

Plans for the summer of 2015 are well underway at this time. Please remember to send us the names and addresses of any friends or relatives who may be interested in attending Asto Wamah next summer. We will add them to our mailing list so they can receive registration information in the February 1^st mailing. Thank you for your help in spreading the word about Asto Wamah! You are the best salesman we have!

Looking forward to seeing you at the Reunion on 12/26!

Hope your month of December will be filled with excitement and anticipation.

Wishing you and your family a joyous Christmas and Holiday Season and a New Year of peace and good will to all.

Always,

Nancy

November Update

Greetings to All Asto Wamah Friends, Hope this new month has gotten off to a good start. I am writing on the 4^th and this day is warm and lovely enough to make you totally forget that cold weather is on the horizon.

You will be glad to know that all is well on the shores of Columbia Lake. The Dam was opened just a month ago and within a few days the water had receded to its winter level. Frog Island is a good-sized lump of rock protruding above the surface. It is now possible (and quite easy) to walk from Hungerford to the main dock, in the lake-bed, without getting wet. I will send you pictures that show the VERY large rocks, usually under water, that are now exposed on dry land. This is a great time of year to rake the leaves from the swimming areas. If only there was a way to keep others from blowing in during the next 5 or 6 months.

The leaves are mostly on the ground so the fall color is decreasing by the day. It is amazing how far you can see into the woods and how much closer everything appears. In the silence of the woods, I can still hear the sounds of summer and the fun times. Hope you can still bring those sights and sounds and feelings to mind.

Within a few days, your parents should be receiving a postcard outlining the 2015 dates for next summer. This is sent now with the hope that your vacation plans and camp session at Asto Wamah can both be accommodated into next summer’s plans. Here is the schedule:

June 28 to July 4                   coed                ages 8 to 12

July 5 to July 18                    all boys            ages 8 to 14

July 19 to August 1                all girls            ages 8 to 14

August 2 to August 15            all girls            ages 8 to 14

We hope to see you back at camp in ’15! Don’t forget to contact me at n...@gmail.com if you have a friend or relative who would like to be added to our mailing list.

Asto Wamah is thankful for you and sends to you and your family the very best wishes for a happy Thanksgiving celebration!

Always,

Nancy

October Update

Dear Friends of Asto Wamah,Now that fall is officially here, the camp environment is taking on a new look. To begin with, the woods are thinning out as low growing plants are losing their leaves, making it much easier to ‘see’ into the forest. There is some color around Columbia Lake, but overall, the predominate color is still green. The dam has not been opened yet (Wednesday is the appointed day) however the lake is definitely lower than it was all summer. Next month I will send pictures that will show a very different lake than we were use to during the summer. We have prepared for this new season by bringing in the small craft. Boats, canoes, sailboats and stand-up paddleboard are all safely stored away until next June. The White Raft is tied to Little Dipper and the Gray Raft is next to Polly Wog Dock. Hopefully the pictures I took will help you visualize the waterfront as it is now. I don’t know whether you will be able to make out the heron sitting on the boat buoy but I thought you, who were interested in this very large bird that visited us many times this summer, would be pleased to know it is still present. Many off-season projects are underway. Cabin 4 is in the process of being painted. Soon all the Lakeside cabins will have freshly painted floors. Major renovations are taking place at the Lean-to. A new roof and an overall sprucing-up will make it a more inviting destination next summer. There is never a dull moment or a lack of tasks to be tackled. Hope your life is full of happy activity, engaging friendships, success in school and those still fond memories of your time at Asto Wamah. Always, Nancy

Spectacular Saturday

Hello Birch Bloggers, Today is Saturday, the halfway point in the session. This morning, campers who wanted to switch bunks were able to move from top to bottom, or bottom to top. This gives people the opportunity to try something new, or just be bunkmates with another one of their friends.  The rest of the day followed the normal schedule, but tonight we have an exciting surprise evening program.

In a few moments the campers will be partaking in a fabulous game called Mission to Mars.  This evening program has not been played in five years at girls’ camp. The campers will enjoy it because it is a combination of a few of our favorites: pirates, capture the flag, spies and smugglers. This game will have the girls running through the woods looking for cones, which represent parts of their space ship that has been crashed on mars. As this is going on, the other team acts as Martians who are trying to capture pieces of green paper from these “Earthlings” that will stop them from being successful in their mission.  What makes this game unique is that it is also a two-night game, the green team will have one night to be the Earthlings, and then will have another night to be the Martians (and vice versa). A lot of campers have been asking about this game, so it is exciting that we will finally be able to play!

Tomorrow is Sunday, which means that it is track meet day! The teams have been picked, so tomorrow everyone will compete in both individual and group events to earn points for their team. This is a special event that runs all day, giving campers a break from their normal schedule. Hopefully the weather holds out and we are able to compete! Be sure to check back tomorrow to hear about all of our fabulous events.

-The Birch Blogger

First Day of Girl's Camp!

Hello and welcome to the first day of the third session! Today we welcomed 87 girls to camp, but only 7 were completely new to Asto Wamah. The large number of returning campers allowed today to run smoothly. After moving into cabins, campers went on a tour of camp, learned the names of their cabinmates, and got a refresher of  the rules and daily schedule. At around 3 o’clock everyone gathered in the council ring (the logs next to the parking lot) to go over general rules and further introductions. Once rules were completed, we moved into swim classification for new campers. Each of the new campers were tested in either aquarium, intermediate, or deep water to see how well they could swim and what level they should be placed in. During this time, all returning campers had the opportunity to hang out, play nock hockey, and eat a snack of peanut butter crackers. The swim test wrapped up quickly and we were able to squeeze in a quick general swim. For those of you who don’t know, general swim is when everyone in camp goes in the lake at once for a swim.

For dinner we had the traditional first-night of camp meal, hot dogs, baked beans, tater tots, with brownies for dessert. The campers are currently enjoying a bit of downtime before the bell rings for evening program. Tonight we will playing a classic beginning-of-the-session game, medical war. Medical war is a dodgeball game where there are “medics” who can go around and save people who get “out” by being hit with a dodgeball. As it is the first night of camp, we expect some will have difficulty adjusting to sleeping in a new environment. Hopefully they will be so exhausted from the game that they fall right to sleep! Tomorrow is our first full day of the third session, so be sure to check back for a complete update.

-The Birch Blogger

June Update

At long last, June is finally here! May was a busy month at Asto Wamah with LT trainings in CPR and First Aid, Open Camp Day with many visitors, and the usual painting, cleaning and preparations for the new season. It is wonderful to have the warm, sunny days that June brings. Camp is very green and looking more beautiful everyday. This is an exciting time of year!

One of the projects that was completed during May was the installation of ceiling fans in every cabin. There is a noticeable difference in temperature once the fan gets going. The expectation is that sleeping on hot nights will be much more comfortable. Please remember that because of these new fans, individual ones will not be needed so leave them home.

So far, 70+ Fast Passes have been sent to people whose medical forms have been found to be complete AND are bringing no medications to camp. June 14^th is the cut off day for per-camp form reviews. Any forms that come in after the 14^th will be held for your arrival but will not be able to be reviewed. Thank you to all of you who were able to get your forms sent in advance. This allows us to run more efficiently on check-in day.

This June Blog will be the last of the monthly entries. Once camp begins we will attempt to write everyday to give you an update on what we are doing, eating, playing and experiencing. Beginning on June 29^th, check out the latest and stay informed.

We are looking forward, with great anticipation, to 7 weeks filled with challenges, successes, growth, friendships and fun. Hope you will be a part of it!

Always,

Nancy

May Update

Dear Friends of Asto Wamah,

Now that the weather has improved there is a lot of activity at camp preparing for the first arrival of campers on June 29^th. Last Saturday, on a beautiful day, 40+ men, women and children pitched in - raking leaves, cleaning cabins, the bathroom and the infirmary. After a long and cold winter’s sleep, Asto Wamah is finally awake and looking wonderful.

One improvement you will notice is the new partitions in the bathroom. They look amazing: clean and flawless. This is clearly an upgrade I am sure everyone will appreciate.

Within the next 2 weeks, fans will be installed in each cabin to make sleeping on those hot nights more comfortable. Now everyone in the cabin will enjoy a breeze and there will be no need for extension cords :).  If 2014 is anything like 2013, these fans will be put to good use.

I reported last month that session 3 was full. Now session 2 is also full. Both have waiting lists. At this moment session 4 is just about full with 1 opening left. Coed does still have room. This had been a very good enrollment year at CAW and thanks go to all of you who have spread the word and encouraged friends and relatives to give us a try. Thank you!

Open Camp Day is on May 24^th from 3 to 5 pm and will offer new and returning campers a chance to visit camp. Tours will be given by staff and even ‘old’ campers so that new campers will have a better idea of where they will be living for a week or two. Seeing camp before your arrival is very important and we hope that all who can will take advantage of this opportunity on the 24^th.

It is a pleasure to be writing about spring weather at last! I have included some pictures of camp that prove that spring is here. I cannot send you pictures yet of trees in leaf, or the undergrowth full and green, but for now the two most evident signs of the long awaited season are the skunk cabbage by the Icky Water Bridge and in front of Cabin 6 as well as Columbia Lake full! It is really quite early for the lake to be so deep, but the spring rains and the melting snow have allowed that to happen.

All is good in Columbia and we hope all is well with you!

Take care,

Nancy

April Update

Dear Asto Wamah Campers of All Ages, Hope this 1st of April Blog finds you well and delighted that winter is behind us (I hope) and spring is just around the corner. That means that summer and time at Asto Wamah cannot be that far off. It has been a very long and cold winter in Columbia. There is still a trace of snow on the ground and ice on the lake, but for the most part the ground is visible and there are faint signs of spring green poking up in the woods. This is an exciting time of year at camp. Each day brings recognizable changes to the landscape and before you know it the place is looking more and more hospitable. As you may remember, Columbia Lake is drained down about 6 feet each winter to give the lake a chance to “turn over” and this also keeps the ice away from docks and walls that can be easily damaged by moving ice. Well this year, without closing the dam, the lake has risen considerably already. Snowmelt, rains and the lack of evaporation because of ice cover have contributed to what should be a full lake come summer. That is good news for all of us who depend on the lake for our summer recreation. One of our big projects this winter has been to make the floating dock stationery to improve its stability. Well that job was completed just ahead of the lake coming up. I think you will like the new look and the fact that it can’t sink or rock the way the old one did. It looks as though we will have a full camp during all 4 sessions this summer. Already the 2-week boys’ and the July girls’ sessions are full. Waiting lists are growing. There are still openings in the coed week and the August girls’ sessions. It is exciting for me to see how many old campers are returning and equally exciting to register new campers to CAW. A very talented group of people will make up the staff. They are looking forward to the opportunity of providing you with an awesome camping experience at Asto Wamah this summer. Remember, there are still openings so continue to spread the good word. I will send pictures so you can see for yourself the change from bleak to green.

All the best,

Nancy

March Update

FYI:  Asto Wamah's email accounts cont.....@campastowamah.org and inf.....@campastowamah.org were interrupted by technical issues during the past few weeks.  If you had sent a message and have not received an answer, please email us again or call 860-649-8614.    We are anxious to reply and apologize for any inconvenience.

Dear Asto Wamah Folks,

Hope this new month finds you well and excited about the fact that camp is getting nearer and nearer.  I know this weather is not conducive to visualizing grass, trees in leaf and the warm sun on Columbia Lake but surely these things cannot be far off now.

Because of the unusually hostile weather any outside projects that were planned for Feb. have been put on hold until we can see the ground and get around easily.  The deep and icy snow has made travel along paths and through the woods nearly impossible.  The cold has been a big deterrent to progress as well.

Luckily, the US Postal Service still delivers mail despite the weather and we have been pleased with the number of applications that have been received.  Within less than a week the third session was full.  Right now the waiting list for that July 20 to Aug. 2 session is quite long.  The good news is that there is still room in the coed week (June 29 to July 5) as well as the all boys session (July 6 to 19) and the all girls session from Aug. 3 to Aug. 16^th.   Please continue to spread the word about Asto Wamah to friends, relatives and classmates that may be interested in attending this summer.  Thank you!

I have not including any pictures this month because the only thing that has changed since the start of February is the depth of the snow (which is terribly deeper) and the thickness of the ice.  As March progresses I will send some pictures your way.

Hope wherever you are, you are enjoying life and anticipating the summer of 2014 and some time at Asto Wamah.

All best,

Nancy

February Update

February is a very important month on the Asto Wamah calendar.  The first is the traditional day on which the new brochure is mailed.  The days following mark the start of registration and the beginning signs of what the new season will look like.  On Sat. 2/1 over 400 brochures are mailed.  Thanks go to all of you who helped spread the word of Asto Wamah by sending in names and addresses of prospective campers.  It is never too late; so don’t hesitate to keep the new contacts coming.

January weather brought everything from muddy paths to ice thick enough to lure hearty fishermen onto the wind swept surface of Columbia Lake. Because of the weather, much of our work at camp was confined to projects by the fire in the lower Lodge.  Camp saw a fair amount of snowfall, luckily in a number of small amounts rather than in one deep accumulation.

All of you who remember the heat of last July will be happy to hear that this summer each cabin will be outfitted with a ceiling fan.  It will take the place of the numerous individual fans that have been scattered around the cabins in the past to move the hot air at night.  The ceiling fan will provide relief to all in the cabin and eliminate the small fans and extension cords running throughout the bunkhouse.  As the new ones are installed, I will post pictures and the latest news on the project.

Improvements and upgrades are in the works all around camp.  As the months between now and June 29^th progress, I will be sure to give you updates and pictures.

I hope that many of you who are reading this will be coming to camp this summer.  Remember to get your application in as soon as possible.  Sessions can fill quickly and although the waiting list can be successful at times, there is nothing like knowing that you have made it in.

Wishing you a safe and happy February,

Nancy

January Update

Happy New Year to all Asto Wamah Blog Readers! I hope your holiday season was filled with family, friends, good food and fun.  Now that the new year has arrived, it is back to school and the usual routines.  Hope you are ready for the transition.

The Camp Reunion on the 26^th happened despite the black ice that mysteriously appeared on the highways as people made their way to Hartford.  Fortunately, we had a good group of campers and staff who came to enjoy the storytelling of Andre Keitt, an ice-cream treat, and games that reconnected us with the people and places from our time at camp last summer.  It was wonderful to see so many and feel the community spirit that is Asto Wamah. We missed all who were unable to attend.

You will be interested to know that a new project is underway right now at camp.  The old bathroom partitions are being replaced with new ones.  This will be a huge improvement!  Another upgrade concerns the floating dock between the intermediate area and pollywog.  That dock will no longer float, but will be on piers, like all the other docks in camp.  The aim is to make it more stable and secure.  As these projects develop, I will take pictures and post them.

On January 23^rd , between 6 and 8pm, I will be at a Camp Fair at Horace Porter School in Columbia.  If any of you should be in the area at that time, I would love to have help telling prospective families about Asto Wamah and why their child would enjoy coming.  Old campers are the best salespeople!

Which reminds me, if you know of a relative, neighbor, fellow student, anyone who might like to attend Asto Wamah, please send me their name and home address so I can send them the 2014 brochure on Feb. 1^st.  Thank youJ

Hope 2014 brings peace and plenty to the world and finds you content and grateful.

Always,

Nancy

December Update

Greetings to Asto Wamah Friends, Well December has arrived with the predicted cold weather and expected short days.  Hope this new month finds you well and happily awaiting the exciting events December traditionally brings.

Asto Wamah is looking rather stark with bare trees and the ground covered in a deep layer of crunchy leaves.  The pictures posted this month focus on Columbia Lake.  Some of you may not realize that the level of the lake is lowered each winter.  One reason for doing this is to keep docks (and rafts) safe from ice.  It also provided landowners the opportunity to repair and rebuild their docks.  It additionally allows for a turnover of water that keeps the lake clean and healthy.  I think you will agree that the waterfront area is barely recognizable.

December is the month when we have a Camp Reunion where campers and staff from the previous summer have a chance to get together to reconnect and have fun.  You will soon be receiving an invitation.  It takes place on Dec. 26^th from 2 to 4 at Center Church House, 60 Gold Street in Hartford.  Hope the Camp Reunion will fit into your schedule.  The more the merrier!  RSVP online at www.campastowamah.org/rsvp.

This is also the time of year when we ask you to let us know of friends, neighbors, siblings or other relatives who might enjoy a session at Asto Wamah in 2014.  Spreading the word about Asto Wamah helps camp to remain strong and successful.  Thank you for your assistance.

Hope December is a great month for you.  See you on the 26^th.

Wishing each camp family the joy of this magical season and a New Year of peace.

Nancy

November Update

Dear Wamahites, November has arrived and I hope you are well and happily anticipating the approaching season of holidays.

The landscape throughout CT is changing by the day.  I took the attached picture of the Camp Road on Oct. 20^th because it looked so beautiful, covered in colorful leaves and lined with brilliant fall foliage.  I also knew that in a matter of days, the scene would be less lovely as the trees would become more bare and stark.  It happened just as I knew it would.  Hope you enjoy this fall view down the Camp Road.

Today, November 1^st is the day that the dam is opened on Columbia Lake (sorry, I mistakenly reported earlier that the opening of the dam would be Oct. 15^th). Soon the water will recede to its winter level.  The rafts have been fastened to the Pollywog Dock and Little Dipper since Labor Day, bobbing and rolling.  Once they are sitting on the floor of the lake it will be possible to work on the docks and shoreline without getting wet.

Many maintenance projects have been keeping us busy during the exceptionally fine month of October.  Hilltop cabins are painted, as are their floors.  The Store also has been spiffed up with a new coat of stain.  The water has just been drained from all buildings and pipes to hopefully avoid free-ups and broken pipes during the winter.

In a few days, a postcard will be sent to each camper’s home with the dates and fees for the 2014 season.  If by the end of the week you have not received it, let me know so that I can get that information to you.  I know that many families are already planning ahead for summer, working to fit in vacation times as well as a session at Asto Wamah.

I am looking ahead to the Camp Reunion that will take place on Dec. 26^th from 2:00 to 4:00 at Center Church House in Hartford.  You will receive an invitation and more information in early Dec.  In the meantime, save the date if you can.

Wishing you a great month of November and a Thanksgiving filled with family, food and fun.

Always,

Nancy

2014 Schedule Posted

Dear Asto Wamah Parent(s), As this is the time of year many of you begin making summer plans, I am sending you the 2014 schedule hoping that a stay at Asto Wamah will fit into your child’s summer schedule.

The Camp Committee has met and here is the schedule:

June 29 to July 5 coed ages 8 – 12 (the ONLY one-week session)

July 6 to July 19 all boys ages 8 - 14

July 20 to Aug. 2 all girls ages 8 – 14

Aug. 3 to Aug. 16 all girls ages 8 – 14

The 2014 registration fee of $50 is due at the time of registration and is NOT refundable or deductible from the camp fee that will be $430 per week.

Brochures/applications will be mailed on Feb. 1, 2014.  Applications will not be accepted before that time.

If you would like to add a new family to the CAW mailing list please call me at 860-649-8614 or email me at ntmaclean@gmail.com.

Hope a session at Asto Wamah will be a part of your child’s 2014 summer.

Sincerely,

Nancy Maclean, Camp Director

October Update

Dear Friends of Asto Wamah, Fall has truly arrived at camp.  The woods are thinning out and the leaves that remain changing color more noticeably everyday.  Columbia Lake is still at its summer level, but the dam will be opened on the 15^th and it won’t be long after that before the lake falls to its winter depth.  I have included pictures so you can see where the rafts will stay until June.  Can you tell that the Gray Raft is in the aquarium and the White Raft is where the sunfish are usually moored? In addition to keeping them safe, now they are in a place where we can easily maintain them.

For the past 10 days we have been focused on the 3 Hilltop cabins.  All of them were in need of painting so we began by scraping off loose paint, then priming bare wood, and finally giving each a clean, new coat of paint.  For the first time ever they are all painted the same color – a woodsy green.  I think you’ll like the new look on the hill.  We hope to tackle the cabin floors next week.  I will update you in November.

Many thanks to all of you who completed and returned the evaluation questions.  Several great suggestions were made that will be implemented next summer.  It was because of an evaluation reply a number of years ago that we built a washstand at Cabin 6.   What a bright idea!  Remember, there is no time limit on the evaluations, so send it whenever you get a chance.  We would honestly love to hear your ideas and observations.  We are thrilled that so many are pleased with the Asto Wamah camping experience.

I wish you a Happy October, filled with fun fall activities and endless ways to share your Asto Wamah respectful attitude.

Always,

Nancy

September Update

Dear Campers, Staff and Friends of Asto Wamah, During the 7-week 2013 season, 321 campers and 68 staff members took part in the community we call Asto Wamah.  Through positive social interactions and the development of friendships, we engaged in game playing, productive work, the expression of creative talents, the introduction and mastery of a variety of skills, and the opportunity to increase our ability to live in harmony with the natural environment.  What a wonderful summer we had together.  We all learned a great deal and returned home better for the experience.   Thank you to all of you for your contributions to the success of the summer!

Now that Asto Wamah’s 104^th season is over, camp is quiet except for the scurrying of the chipmunks and the rustling of the leaves.  It is strangely peaceful after 7 weeks filled with talk, laughter and lots of activity.  Even the lake seems to be entering a time of rest.  The rafts have been brought into shallow water and safe harbor for the next 9 months.  All of the canoes have been packed into the activity room along with the sunfish. The rowboats are lined up in front of Old 6 awaiting the leaves that will soon cover them.  No more bells or whistles or shouting.  We have left and nature takes back its rightful place until June arrives and another season begins.

Hope your new school year has gotten off to a glorious start and your memories of your time at Asto Wamah this summer are happy and fond.

Watch for the Blog around the first of every month so that you can keep up with Asto Wamah’s off-season.

Always,

Nancy