Author: Kim Aycock

Always love to see Mrs. J’s smile!

About 25 years ago (give or take), one of the songs featured in the annual end-of-summer Co-Ed Show was entitled, “On the Sunny Side of the Street.” Mrs. J sang in a choir through her church, and she would often share a song or two with us each summer from those performed during the year with her group. I vividly remember the CIT’s on stage in the TP Rec Hall singing and dancing to the Louis Armstrong number back in the early 90’s. Hats and canes were used as props to give the song some extra pizzazz along with Mrs. J’s brilliant piano playing (this was long before the iPod was invented!).

 Campin’ Fun in ’91 Co-Ed Show (see hats and canes)

With winter upon us, I find myself walking my dogs in varying kinds of weather. While out and about in our neighborhood, I often ponder the words to “On the Sunny Side of the Street” (see below). I tend to gravitate to the “sunny side of the street” this time of year because it is warmer and brighter compared to the chilly shade the “other side” offers just across the block. To me, the sunny side of the street represents looking at the positive side of things – even when it is cold and dreary and summer seems like an eternity away.

1991 Woodland CIT’s 

Whether or not the groundhog saw his shadow where you live and spring is just around the corner or winter hangs on a little longer, summer days at camp are getting a little closer every day. Summer is a great time to leave your worries on the doorstep as the song mentions. To me, that is one of the BEST things about camp. We leave the worries and stresses of school behind and enjoy the here and now. Life is really sweet at Camp Woodland where we are ALWAYS on the sunny side of the street!

1991 Co-Ed Show Staff

On the Sunny Side of the Street – Louis Armstrong

Grab your coat and grab your hat baby

Leave your worries on the doorstep

Just direct your feet

On the sunny side of the street

Can’t you hear that pitter-pat there?

That happy tune is yours now

Life can be so sweet

On the sunny side of the street

I used to walk in the shade

With those blues on parade

But I’m not afraid baby

My rover, crossed over

If I never have a cent

I’ll be rich as Rockefeller

With gold dust at my feet

On the sunny side of the street

Guess who?!  Summer of 1991

Happy New Year — We CAN’T WAIT for “Everything Clicks in 1-6”!  Thank you, Aquarius, for sharing your best moments with us!

I am really proud of:

Lilly: getting better at tennis and earning my Marksman 1st Class in riflery

Frida: passing my riflery levels

Elena: standing up on the “pamper pole” at the high ropes course

Sofia: passing levels in tennis and riflery

Aranxta: winning a sail race for the first time

Grace: I am happy while doing things for others

Carlota: helping the little girls in dance class because they were able to get better

Daphne: making the transition from being a camper to instructing a group of girls or class

Collette: getting a couple of qualifiers in riflery

Chelsea: gaining new abilities to instruct others in activities

First day of activities 2015

The thing I learned the most about myself this summer:

Lilly: I LOVE living in a cabin with a bunch of girls my age and doing fun activities

Frida: I always try to do my best

Elena: I am capable of so many great things if I put my mind to it

Sofia: how to take on responsibility and work with others of all ages

Aranxta: I laugh and talk a lot

Grace: I am not as bad as I think

Carlota: you are never alone – you have other people and also you have yourself

Daphne: I am an encourager more than a leader; if I try really hard, I can always get something done

Collette: that if I try hard enough, I can accomplish anything

Chelsea: how to collaborate and respect others while still being true to myself and I love to help

Final campfire 2015

The best thing that happened to me at camp:

Lilly: I tried sailing!

Frida: meeting my cabin

Elena: meeting my best friends

Sofia: making new friends and becoming closer with old friends

Aranxta: meeting my real cabin

Grace: I was accepted in my cabin group

Carlota: I thought it was going to be really hard to get along with my cabin after being away for a few years, but it was really easy, and we are closer now

Daphne: I met so many new people who are all my best friends

Collette: meeting all of my best friends

Chelsea: becoming closer with my cabin

Rockin’ CIT counselors!

I realize that I am a little late posting this, but as we all know, December is always a crazy month no matter how hard we try not to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the holidays!  Many of you are probably spending this time with family and friends, so I feel that it is appropriate to update you all on the friends who gathered in Northbrook for the annual camp reunion last month.  If we were not able to connect with you at this event, please feel free to share your news with us for a future post!

Each camper shared activities when not in school, fun trips this year, and a lesson learned at camp that has been used at home or school:

Grace B: volunteering at Therapy Barn, Europe, learned what cysts on animals look like

Sofia S: tennis/choir, California, no “I can’ts”

Elena K: dance team/food taxi (service group helping to get food to those in need), determination and perseverance in school every day

Colette V (via Cayley): dance, Mexico to stay with Arantxa and performed with dance team in Macy’s Day Parade

Gigi D: riding, Mexico, teamwork

Claire S: volleyball, camp 2016, making new friends

Susie E: draw/write, always be yourself

Jenna K: dance, Mexico, friendship

Molly A: gymnastics, Pennsylvania/Florida, how to be organized

Irene M: volleyball, Spain, staying in touch with people

Molly J: volleyball/riding, One Direction concert, making new friends

Kelly J: soccer, Mexico, making new friends

Cayley V: volleyball, New York City, enthusiasm

Amelia K: dance/singing/choir, Florida, how to treat other people

Sam M: soccer, Florida, open to meeting new people

Jae S: skating, Nevada, trying new things

Neomi S: Tennis, Wisconsin/Hilton Head Island, courage to raise my hand in class

Rachel P: dance/tennis, moving to a new house from Highland Park to Lake Forest, friendship

Libby B: tennis, Woodland 2016!, making new friends

Claire P: sail, Iowa, teamwork and trying new things

Lou D: guitar lessons/sewing class, Colorado/Mexico, friendship

Molly K: running/writing, Michigan/Florida, trying new things and making new friends

Lilah D: Welcome to Woodland 2016!

Jackie J: paddle tennis, Mexico, making new friends

Cheers to a GREAT Holiday!

We are THANKFUL for our camp family – the campers, staff, alumni, and friends who make every summer a wonderful experience for all Woodland girls!  Thank you, Sunnyside, for sharing your best moments with us!

I am really proud of:

Parker: trying new things! I loved trying the new food the kitchen staff made and new activities

Molly: passing level 4 swimming on the first day and shooting 3 bull’s eyes

Anna: getting my Marksman 1^st Class in riflery

Abbey: trying riflery

Barbie: passing levels 5 and 6 in swimming and getting better in archery

Irene: passing Level 4 in swimming

Fer: getting along well with other people

Adri: going out of the wake in water-skiing and trying new things

Cabin Unity Campfire

The thing I learned the most about myself this summer:

Parker: I’m more courageous than I thought; I made new friends and tried new things

Molly: I love to swim, especially in the lake, even when it is really cold

Anna: I was able to accomplish a lot

Abbey: I like jambalaya

Barbie: that you can do anything if you are positive and have a lot of patience and effort

Irene: I am not a good singer

Fer: that I have a free spirit

Adri: I love sharing my stories and experiences with other people

Hanging Out in the Cabin

The best thing that happened to me at camp:

Parker: seeing old friends and meeting new friends was AMAZING!

Molly: I got to swim in the deep which is more fun than swimming in the middle, and I also had a great cabin

Anna: all my friends

Abbey: hitting the target in riflery

Barbie: friendships, activities, counselors, food (all!)

Irene: getting to see all my friends again this year

Fer: meeting new people who are nice

Adri: meeting all my friends that will last forever

Thank you Sofia, Cami, Andrea and Sam!

Costumes are not just for Halloween…we dress up at camp almost every day!  Pirate Day, 4th of July Games, International Night Camper Council, Silver Birch Pajama Party, Fair Day, Olympics, Campfires…you name it, we wear it!  We would love to see pictures of you in your Halloween costume, so email us at: campwoodlandtp@gmail.com

The best thing that happened to me at camp:

Kelly: meeting all of my best friends so that I could create all of these amazing memories

Vale: getting to meet so many wonderful people who teach you very important values

Fer: making new friends and having SO MUCH FUN!

Molly: meeting the girls that I can call my best friends and my sisters

Cayley: making friendships that will last a lifetime

“”

An achievement for which I am most proud:

Kelly: passing my Bar II in riflery and swimming to Cathy’s

Vale: passing my black-archer and level 6 in swimming

Fer: being positive when trying something new

Molly: passing level 4 in swimming, trying new things out of my comfort zone (Farm Zoo, Angle Ball, and Zumba), and making friends with new girls

Cayley: landing my aerial

The thing I learned the most about myself:

Kelly: that not everything turns out the way you want it to and that is OK

Vale: that I am good as I am and that I don’t need to change for other people

Fer: I took some risks and tried many new things this summer

Molly: I like to challenge myself and be the best that I can

Cayley: Don’t try to change for others, love yourself, and manners