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The BLC Blog
Richie’s Musings Summer 2024: Week 6
WEEK #6 Tuesday, August 6th
Hello BLC Parents and Alums,
As we enter the last few days of camp, let’s look back at the past week and share with you plans for this week.
Green and Gray started early Thursday AM, August 1. As per custom, Senior Cs began (“broke”) it, accented by art and balloons (choreographed by Mieks Gersten). This Green and Gray will surely not go down as one of the closest, as Gray jumped ahead on the second day and dominated days 2 and 3, winning close games at a surprising rate. Green was knocked on their heels. Green found their footing on the last day with resilient leadership emphasizing pride and history, but the gap was way too large. Congrats to Gray on a superlative performance. Despite Green’s loss, ALL of us grew from the experience. We hope many of you saw the wonderful instagram coverage posted by Thea Gersten. (If not, it is all saved to the “G&G” highlights on our profile page.)
Taking Green and Gray as my impetus, here is my musing for this issue. When things are not going well, we should try to limit the “losses” so the deficit is not too large to overcome after one regains equilibrium. This is not something I realized when I was a camper or even as an athlete – but rather learned through my coaching career. If the other team goes on a run, try to be behind by as little as possible rather than let disappointment and lack of resilience “pour gas on the fire”. Then when things turn, the deficit is manageable. Of course, this applies to sports, but I think it is a metaphor for much that we encounter in life.
Even though we have mere days left to the camp season, we recognize that camp does not wind down. In fact, it goes full tilt until the buses have left and our campers have safely arrived home. It is then that we “turn out the lights”. As per recent tradition, the night Green and Gray ends, we hold the Soph Show bringing all back together with communal laughter and applause.This week was Lazy Morning (yesterday) and the Green and Gray campfire last night. We also had our final counselor meeting, with emphasis on thanks, but also safety and keeping foolish things from happening.
Today is a typical camp day with some Leagues playoff games, and some group final campfires for our younger boys at night. Wednesday we have Carnival in the afternoon, the faculty show at night plus final campfires for our older groups. Thursday is a day for packing, playing, and goodbyes, with the Banquet and Awards Ceremony at night. Friday the buses come and our campers leave, ending summer number 107 for BLC.
We are not going to celebrate at this time, but we are very proud of the spirit, camaraderie and fun that we have had thus far.
THANKS for your contributions to BLC whether as parents or alums.
Best wishes,
Richie G
Hello BLC Parents and Alums,
As we enter the last few days of camp, let’s look back at the past week and share with you plans for this week.
Green and Gray started early Thursday AM, August 1. As per custom, Senior Cs began (“broke”) it, accented by art and balloons (choreographed by Mieks Gersten). This Green and Gray will surely not go down as one of the closest, as Gray jumped ahead on the second day and dominated days 2 and 3, winning close games at a surprising rate. Green was knocked on their heels. Green found their footing on the last day with resilient leadership emphasizing pride and history, but the gap was way too large. Congrats to Gray on a superlative performance. Despite Green’s loss, ALL of us grew from the experience. We hope many of you saw the wonderful instagram coverage posted by Thea Gersten. (If not, it is all saved to the “G&G” highlights on our profile page.)
Taking Green and Gray as my impetus, here is my musing for this issue. When things are not going well, we should try to limit the “losses” so the deficit is not too large to overcome after one regains equilibrium. This is not something I realized when I was a camper or even as an athlete – but rather learned through my coaching career. If the other team goes on a run, try to be behind by as little as possible rather than let disappointment and lack of resilience “pour gas on the fire”. Then when things turn, the deficit is manageable. Of course, this applies to sports, but I think it is a metaphor for much that we encounter in life.
Even though we have mere days left to the camp season, we recognize that camp does not wind down. In fact, it goes full tilt until the buses have left and our campers have safely arrived home. It is then that we “turn out the lights”. As per recent tradition, the night Green and Gray ends, we hold the Soph Show bringing all back together with communal laughter and applause.This week was Lazy Morning (yesterday) and the Green and Gray campfire last night. We also had our final counselor meeting, with emphasis on thanks, but also safety and keeping foolish things from happening.
Today is a typical camp day with some Leagues playoff games, and some group final campfires for our younger boys at night. Wednesday we have Carnival in the afternoon, the faculty show at night plus final campfires for our older groups. Thursday is a day for packing, playing, and goodbyes, with the Banquet and Awards Ceremony at night. Friday the buses come and our campers leave, ending summer number 107 for BLC.
We are not going to celebrate at this time, but we are very proud of the spirit, camaraderie and fun that we have had thus far.
THANKS for your contributions to BLC whether as parents or alums.
Best wishes,
Richie G
Richie’s Musings Summer 2024: Week 5
WEEK #5 – FRIDAY, JULY 26
Hello BLC Parents and Alums!
A lot has happened over the last two weeks. Visiting Weekend was a major event and we were truly glad to see so many of you. At BLC, differently from many camps, it is important to us to show our parents what we do and how we do it. Of course parents being here affects things to some degree, but we think that you saw not only your kids and our facilities, but also your son(s) receiving instruction, playing games, enjoying hobbies, interacting with friends and counselors- plus a song rehearsal and a nice lunch. We hope you also saw how comfortable they are at BLC. Our Seniors enjoyed their time out of camp- with our belief that most senior parents have seen our visiting days in the past- and it allows our directors and key staff to give more individual attention to the parents that are visiting with younger campers.
Since visiting, in addition to an awesome Song Contest, we’ve continued regular activities, each group had a co-ed evening with Point O’ Pines, Inters played in tournaments with great success, our Varsity Soccer team wowed us with a stellar performance on our beautiful upper field, our Senior A’s won the “Toilet Paper” tourney we hosted at BLC (playing another BLC team in the finals), and had our annual 10 Year Party with an amazing 48 invitees (i.e., people who have spent 10 or more summers at BLC). We also welcomed back Coach Dylan Murphy –a ten year BLC alum and presently the head coach of Orlando Magic’s G-League team after being an assistant coach with the Orlando for 3 years– and Stanley Borden –a seven year BLC alum and presently a 7 foot center for Duke– each for a few days. Our Senior Bs are presently on a 3 day trip to Boston (including a Yankees/Red Sox game at Fenway) and our Senior Cs are in the midst of 3 days in Montreal.
The topic I wish to opine on today is the benefits of playing multiple sports in contrast to emphasizing just one – particularly at a younger age.
Interestingly, Coach Dylan Murphy, while being interviewed in front of most of camp by fellow BLC alum and sports journalist Arden “Sizzle” Franklyn, cited more than once how the Magic and other teams love when their players have a history of playing multiple sports. Despite currently having a professional career in basketball, he also remembered that his favorite sports for most of his Brant Lake years were soccer and baseball. (Similarly, Stanley Borden spent most of his BLC years playing tennis and acting in camp shows!). Coach Murphy referenced Roger Federer – who credits his hand-eye coordination to the wide range of sports he played as a child; but I additionally know of college football and basketball coaches who also like when their players come from a multi-sport background. There are a myriad of reasons why. Preventing overuse injuries and burnout, learning to play different roles on different teams –individual sports and team sports; being a star, a starter, a reserve– all add to growth, maturity and development.These are just a few benefits along with many others.
Of course, this is what we have long believed and offered at BLC. As boys get older, we encourage them to pick and choose, to work harder and play more the sports that they enjoy the most and/or aspire to excel at, but even our Senior Cs look forward to our intramural “Leagues” where they all participate in baseball, softball, volleyball, tennis, soccer, flag football and basketball games.
This week attention will surely turn to the start of Green and Gray. I am not giving it away, but it will start before my next musings!
Wishing you the very best and greatly appreciate your support!
Richie G
Hello BLC Parents and Alums!
A lot has happened over the last two weeks. Visiting Weekend was a major event and we were truly glad to see so many of you. At BLC, differently from many camps, it is important to us to show our parents what we do and how we do it. Of course parents being here affects things to some degree, but we think that you saw not only your kids and our facilities, but also your son(s) receiving instruction, playing games, enjoying hobbies, interacting with friends and counselors- plus a song rehearsal and a nice lunch. We hope you also saw how comfortable they are at BLC. Our Seniors enjoyed their time out of camp- with our belief that most senior parents have seen our visiting days in the past- and it allows our directors and key staff to give more individual attention to the parents that are visiting with younger campers.
Since visiting, in addition to an awesome Song Contest, we’ve continued regular activities, each group had a co-ed evening with Point O’ Pines, Inters played in tournaments with great success, our Varsity Soccer team wowed us with a stellar performance on our beautiful upper field, our Senior A’s won the “Toilet Paper” tourney we hosted at BLC (playing another BLC team in the finals), and had our annual 10 Year Party with an amazing 48 invitees (i.e., people who have spent 10 or more summers at BLC). We also welcomed back Coach Dylan Murphy –a ten year BLC alum and presently the head coach of Orlando Magic’s G-League team after being an assistant coach with the Orlando for 3 years– and Stanley Borden –a seven year BLC alum and presently a 7 foot center for Duke– each for a few days. Our Senior Bs are presently on a 3 day trip to Boston (including a Yankees/Red Sox game at Fenway) and our Senior Cs are in the midst of 3 days in Montreal.
The topic I wish to opine on today is the benefits of playing multiple sports in contrast to emphasizing just one – particularly at a younger age.
Interestingly, Coach Dylan Murphy, while being interviewed in front of most of camp by fellow BLC alum and sports journalist Arden “Sizzle” Franklyn, cited more than once how the Magic and other teams love when their players have a history of playing multiple sports. Despite currently having a professional career in basketball, he also remembered that his favorite sports for most of his Brant Lake years were soccer and baseball. (Similarly, Stanley Borden spent most of his BLC years playing tennis and acting in camp shows!). Coach Murphy referenced Roger Federer – who credits his hand-eye coordination to the wide range of sports he played as a child; but I additionally know of college football and basketball coaches who also like when their players come from a multi-sport background. There are a myriad of reasons why. Preventing overuse injuries and burnout, learning to play different roles on different teams –individual sports and team sports; being a star, a starter, a reserve– all add to growth, maturity and development.These are just a few benefits along with many others.
Of course, this is what we have long believed and offered at BLC. As boys get older, we encourage them to pick and choose, to work harder and play more the sports that they enjoy the most and/or aspire to excel at, but even our Senior Cs look forward to our intramural “Leagues” where they all participate in baseball, softball, volleyball, tennis, soccer, flag football and basketball games.
This week attention will surely turn to the start of Green and Gray. I am not giving it away, but it will start before my next musings!
Wishing you the very best and greatly appreciate your support!
Richie G
Richie’s Musings Summer 2024: Week 3
WEEK #3 – SUNDAY, JULY 14
Hello Parents and Alums!
Another action-packed week has ended and our campers will soon be turning their attention to the Five Year Party (over 150 invitees), Song Contest preparation, and Visiting Day!
This past week included some mega trips for the Senior Bs and Cs, shorter ones for Senior A’s and Inter Bs, and nearly 20 Inter A’s chose a camping overnight experience on (nearby) Schroon Lake. Last night’s book show was my favorite in many years with over 25 Juniors and Inters choosing to perform.
In the world of sports, BLC’s (intramural) group “Leagues” are going strong for Juniors and older. These include games for all abilities in baseball, basketball, tennis, soccer, flag football and, for seniors, also volleyball. We also finished a two week lacrosse emphasis for those who desired it.
BLC was victorious in a Senior B and under Baseball tourney and a Senior B and under Basketball tourney. Our Inter B’s had a successful intercamp day playing Baco in 2 flag football games, a baseball game and 3 basketball games. Our Senior A soccer squad was victorious in a multi-camp tournament. We also won a golf tourney with 8 boys from Inters to Senior Cs competing against boys from other camps. Additionally, you may not be aware that our Seniors compete in local high school leagues in basketball and soccer, and a JV basketball league as well. A plethora of interested boys get to play.
Sharing some BLC PHILOSOPHY TODAY, I want to emphasize the importance of our KEY STAFF. “Key Staff” in our terminology describes more mature, experienced men and women, often educators and/or coaches. While other camps have directors and group leaders, we are confident that no camp matches the quality or quantity or experience of our Key Staff.
There is scientific data indicating that the judgment part of the brain (prefrontal cortex) does not usually mature until age 24 (and that males are slower!). This supports our belief that the role of a counselor is to be a “big brother,” role model, caring supporter, listener, friend, and problem recognizer. We want our plentiful Key Staff to be our problem solvers – whether that’s on the athletic fields, at meals with kids, ODs at night, during free play, on trips, leading instruction in sports and arts, or officiating games. The fact we have so many of these mature adults also ensures that our Key Staff know our campers.
Here is a list of our Key Staff (number of years at BLC in parentheses) –
Frosh, Sophs, Juniors: Andy Berlin (34), Alexa Minion (13), Cameron Smith (18), Michael Schwartz (14), Dane Smith (17), Pedro Buonamici (4), Tom Silcock (5), Jon Rothman (21), “Blush” Bacchus (4), Rick K (37), Mark Anderson (1).
Inters: Max Gersten (34), Joe Patrick (14), David Cutler (42), John Vaslowski (23), Rhodri Dafydd (8), Ashlyn Rakos (3), Gonzo Crespo (8), Bryan Barnes (3), Joe Russack-Baker (12)
Seniors: Zach Cohen (29), Richard “Doc” Brunt (40), Tom Finnigan (9), Evan Allred (10), Luke McKissock (13), Dan Collins (2), Quan Deal (5), Jake “Swirls” Bernstein (16), Bally Nagy (12), Michael Green (11), Tarik Hamer (9).
Waterfront, Arts, Drama: Adam Stoner (13), Kendal Barclay (11), Blake Pearson (16), Conor “Moo” Haynes (14), Gina De Santos (3), Mieks Gersten (42)
Health Center: Dr. Beth Bernstein (17), Nurse Kristen Collins (2)
Social Media, Directors Health Center Liaison, Summer Tours Coordinator: Thea Gersten (19)
Administrative Director: Merrin Meltzer (14)
We look forward to seeing many of you next weekend! For those of you visiting, please follow our rules and guidelines as outlined in our Visiting Day communication sent on Friday.
Have a great week.
Richie G
Hello Parents and Alums!
Another action-packed week has ended and our campers will soon be turning their attention to the Five Year Party (over 150 invitees), Song Contest preparation, and Visiting Day!
This past week included some mega trips for the Senior Bs and Cs, shorter ones for Senior A’s and Inter Bs, and nearly 20 Inter A’s chose a camping overnight experience on (nearby) Schroon Lake. Last night’s book show was my favorite in many years with over 25 Juniors and Inters choosing to perform.
In the world of sports, BLC’s (intramural) group “Leagues” are going strong for Juniors and older. These include games for all abilities in baseball, basketball, tennis, soccer, flag football and, for seniors, also volleyball. We also finished a two week lacrosse emphasis for those who desired it.
BLC was victorious in a Senior B and under Baseball tourney and a Senior B and under Basketball tourney. Our Inter B’s had a successful intercamp day playing Baco in 2 flag football games, a baseball game and 3 basketball games. Our Senior A soccer squad was victorious in a multi-camp tournament. We also won a golf tourney with 8 boys from Inters to Senior Cs competing against boys from other camps. Additionally, you may not be aware that our Seniors compete in local high school leagues in basketball and soccer, and a JV basketball league as well. A plethora of interested boys get to play.
Sharing some BLC PHILOSOPHY TODAY, I want to emphasize the importance of our KEY STAFF. “Key Staff” in our terminology describes more mature, experienced men and women, often educators and/or coaches. While other camps have directors and group leaders, we are confident that no camp matches the quality or quantity or experience of our Key Staff.
There is scientific data indicating that the judgment part of the brain (prefrontal cortex) does not usually mature until age 24 (and that males are slower!). This supports our belief that the role of a counselor is to be a “big brother,” role model, caring supporter, listener, friend, and problem recognizer. We want our plentiful Key Staff to be our problem solvers – whether that’s on the athletic fields, at meals with kids, ODs at night, during free play, on trips, leading instruction in sports and arts, or officiating games. The fact we have so many of these mature adults also ensures that our Key Staff know our campers.
Here is a list of our Key Staff (number of years at BLC in parentheses) –
Frosh, Sophs, Juniors: Andy Berlin (34), Alexa Minion (13), Cameron Smith (18), Michael Schwartz (14), Dane Smith (17), Pedro Buonamici (4), Tom Silcock (5), Jon Rothman (21), “Blush” Bacchus (4), Rick K (37), Mark Anderson (1).
Inters: Max Gersten (34), Joe Patrick (14), David Cutler (42), John Vaslowski (23), Rhodri Dafydd (8), Ashlyn Rakos (3), Gonzo Crespo (8), Bryan Barnes (3), Joe Russack-Baker (12)
Seniors: Zach Cohen (29), Richard “Doc” Brunt (40), Tom Finnigan (9), Evan Allred (10), Luke McKissock (13), Dan Collins (2), Quan Deal (5), Jake “Swirls” Bernstein (16), Bally Nagy (12), Michael Green (11), Tarik Hamer (9).
Waterfront, Arts, Drama: Adam Stoner (13), Kendal Barclay (11), Blake Pearson (16), Conor “Moo” Haynes (14), Gina De Santos (3), Mieks Gersten (42)
Health Center: Dr. Beth Bernstein (17), Nurse Kristen Collins (2)
Social Media, Directors Health Center Liaison, Summer Tours Coordinator: Thea Gersten (19)
Administrative Director: Merrin Meltzer (14)
We look forward to seeing many of you next weekend! For those of you visiting, please follow our rules and guidelines as outlined in our Visiting Day communication sent on Friday.
Have a great week.
Richie G
