The Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation released a wonderful article about Camps Baco and Che-Na-Wah and the Baco/Che-Na-Wah Bazaar Foundation. Follow the link below to read the article http://www.spinalcordinjury-paralysis.org/dailydose/2011/12/13/keep-the-lesson-alive-by-michael-thunell-reeve-fou Follow the link below to find out more information about the Baco/Che-Na-Wah Bazaar Foundation http://campbaco.com/about/bazaar-foundation/ Read More

We are proud to let you know that Bob Wortman is this years recipient of the American Camping Association Howard Patton Award. This award, given in memory of Howard Patton, is awarded to someone whose work has benefited campers and the camping industry. You can find out more information about the Howard Patton Award at http://www.acacampsnj.org/awards.php Congratulations Bob!

On behalf of the counselors, we would like to propose a toast to the summer of 2011. I remember this night last summer, listening to all the toasts, reminiscing about the magical summer that somehow flashed before our eyes and knowing that I couldn’t imagine being anywhere else.  We started as a huge bunk and although many of our best friends stopped coming back, there wasn’t a doubt in our minds that the 4 of us were destined to be here this summer.  As I stand before you on my 21st birthday, I vividly remember my first summer so upset turning 9 without my family.  Now 13 years later, I cant comprehend ever spending my birthday away from this place, this family. I will never forget my first ever Friday night dinner spent at camp.  As bunk 22 sang sows, I remember looking at on of my bunkmates as she began to cry.  I could not fathom the overwhelming stir of emotions that she was feeling.  That same summer, once banquet rolled around, I suddenly [...]

Dear Baco Family, This toast is from all of the counselors, and I think everyone would agree with what I’m about to say. I’ll start with the usual suspects: Bob, Mel, Greg. Danny, The Mick, Rick, Jen, Bruno.  All of you are awesome at what you do and we thank you for doing it. But what really makes camp is you, the campers.  The courts, the fields, the lake, the views; all are incredible.  But to wake up every morning with all of you around puts a smile on every counselors face.  Whether it is being assigned to running bases with the Funhouse or Petrangus with the Kauser house, each day here is filled with laughter and fun. Some people say that there’s an indescribable feeling that our camp has.  Call it Baco Pride or try to put it into other words; but for us counselors I think that feeling is just pure happiness and joy that we get to be here for 7 weeks with all of you guys. So keep playing ball, go [...]

Today was the Junior Hockey leagues Stanly Cup.  The two teams were YoYo’s BoBos and JoJo’s HoBos.  The first period started, YoYo’s BoBo’s won the face off.  Luke G Received the ball, got a breakaway, and made a nice slap shot goal.  Another face off won by YoYo’s BoBo’s.  Luke G again receives the ball, shoots, and scores his second goal in the game.  YoYo receives the ball after another successful face off, takes it up, shot saved by the goalie on JoJo’s HoBo’s, Aidan R of Bunk  4.  The ball was given to JoJo.  He took it up the rink and was stolen by YoYo.  He passes to Luke G, and he takes it up on a breakaway and was stolen.  The whistle blows to end the first period.  At the end of the first its 2-0 YoYo’s HoBo’s.  The second period starts the face off won by JoJo’s Hobos.  JoJo takes it.  Stolen and cleared by Gabe S.  Luke G gets it, shoots, and scores, making it 3-0.  The next face off won [...]

The summers winding down here at camp, but music still fills the air.  The Fifth Annual Adirondack Mountain Jam was scheduled for Wednesday night, and everyone was super excited for it. Sam Sklover, current Head of the Baco music staff, has worked with dozens of campers form Baco and Che-Na-Wah all summer long to prepare for the festivities.  Some of the acts included “Hey-ya” by Bunk 20 of Baco, “She’s a bad Mamma Jamma” by Bunk 21 of Baco, and “You Belong with Me” by Bunks 12 and 14 from Che-Na-Wah. Why is the music program and Mountain Jam so popular at Baco?  Sklover seems to understand why.  “Camp revolves and thrives around music.  So one night at camp, where everyone plays and shows their passion for music is just… SICK!” Sick in a great way.  All campers and staff were dancing their cares away at the courts.  Baco and Che-Na-Wah make beautiful music together. -Sean H. Bunk 12

Some campers are famous in camp terms.  Everybody knows everyone in camp, but athletic achievements and humor could lead to the start of legendary Baco careers.  Some would say leagues is where campers can become elite, but leagues in my mind aren’t as important as relaxing at an activity with your bunk.  A lot of what I’ve written throughout the summer is about sports events, but the moments below is what all of camp sees. Yesterday, some of my Bunk-mates in Bunk 23 joined the Funhouse in frisbee golf.  The little jokes in between holes is what I believe can make a summer for those kids.  After the upper junior basketball leagues final it was great to see the smiles from both the winning and losing teams. Leaving camp Sunday morning marks the end of one the greatest summers. The small events with your bunk are the moments that makes Baco the greatest.

Some of everyone’s favorite days at camp are spent singing, playing, and competing during Blue and Gold, Che-Na-Wah’s four day color war. This year was an exceptionally great B+G. The teams were so evenly matched that each and every activity came down to the last minute. No one had any idea who would win competition because each team had won about the same number of activities. Human Croquet and Swedish Relays, two of our biggest unique camp games, both were tied until the very last runners, when Blue’s Hometown Heroes came into the lead and squeezed out two great victories. Blue was also a second ahead in the Apache Relay, but Gold’s World Cup came back for a major win in the Bucket Brigade. Not only was competition fierce on the field, but also at sing. The Gold team mascot was absolutely adorable and set a new standard for all future skits. Both teams had fantastic songs; campers eagerly learned Blue’s creative camp peppy and Gold’s catchy team peppy. The four judges had a tough [...]

Last night, Indian Olympics 2011 came to a close, but the legendary finishes on days 3 and 4 made it one of the great Olympics. Day 3 was highlighted by amazing soccer, especially by funhouse star Aidan R. who finished Olympics with multiple hat tricks, and sensational Chiefs water polo. Day 4 featured the two greatest events, the Apache Relay and the Sing.  Baco watched the shooting of the Baco 3 with so much excitement.  The waiters shot the 3 in one of the lower totals of 30.  The hill spectators were on the verge of insane celebration when 3 shooters almost hit the 3 in 3. At the Bucket Brigade, Apache defeated Cherokee to win the relay by seconds. The Sing took place in the social hall due to the weather, but even without the scenery to go along with great alma maters, people were near tears.  Two of the greatest songs were the Oneida alma mater (Jack Johnson’s Upside down) and Blackfeet’s fight to the tune of All Star by Smash Mouth. Once [...]

Olympics is always highlighted by sick basketball games, and today’s games were not different.  The entire camp sat on the hill watching another epic Chief (Bunks 23 and 24) basketball game that was down to the final second.  Apache had multiple opportunities to tie Cherokee right before the buzzer, but failed as Cherokee won by 3. The medicine men water polo tournament was jam-packed with upsets and the Chief tennis tournament was all Oneida. The Apache Relay is taking shape as the Baco 3 shooters were decided last night. More excitement in Olympics in the next 2 days will be great.