Thanks to Laurel Graeber of the Times for perfectly capturing the spirit of Inventgenuity in last Friday’s preview. And especially for coining the phrase “But this isn’t juvenile delinquency. It’s Inventgenuity.” Read it all here.
This is the ending of the two-hour videotape “Turn the Hog Loose” made in Allen Riley’s domain. Made with Dan Barker and Ayun Halliday.
Silent movie about a lonely and confused Blob. One group of campers wrote it, another group of junior campers filmed it. From a domain led by Allen Riley.
They made it up as they went along. Made with Allen Riley and Tom Bubul.
Videos performed and edited live by campers at Beam Camp 2011 from a domain led by Allen Riley and Andrew Francis.
This summer’s first session culminated in a spectacular aerial installation. Project Masters James Wignall and Bradley Moore spent three long, hard days climbing tree, risking life and limb to install six zip lines. Like most anything worth doing, we didn’t know if our non-flying Flying Machines would make it through. See for yourself that they came through with flying colors.
Performed by campers of BEAM Camp (www.beamcamp.com), helmed by counselor Alec Duffy.
Re-live it right here, right now.
Embracio! We salute you!
The Glorious Revolution! We salute you!
Soul River Junction! We salute you!
The Guild of Respectable Jesters! We salute you!
Dragon’s Bane! We salute you!
Headspace! We salute you!
BOB! We salute you!
The Dogs! We salute you!
Thanks to you all for a wonderful summer. Keep that Beam feeling alive throughout the cold seasons. See you next year!
Whoever claims there’s precious little life in Little Willey has obviously not experienced it when camp is in session. The Beam Camp Explorer’s Club, under the auspices of Domain Guest Heather Kramer, with underwater cinematography by Sofía Gallisá Muriente, is pleased to announce the discovery of several additional life forms:
Even more watery fun is available for your viewing pleasure courtesy of counselor Bryan Daly, who bravely documented today’s DIY slip n’ slide:
Takes more than THAT to slow us down! We boat in it, hunt blueberries in it, and camp out in the dining hall, and ooh! I see sun!!!! Stay tuned for an update…
Our Session 2 Project, The Habitats of Parker Mountain is taking shape, as “waves” of campers and staff cycle through the different areas, constructing a nest, a cocoon, a dam, and a shower mimicking a hedgehog’s quills. Campers who can’t get enough of this type of activity have the opportunity to sign up for Danny’s weekly “Project Maniacs” domain. We’re more than halfway there!
(Just kidding – these are portraits of rod puppets in progress from the Organics section of our Organics Vs. Mechanics domain… stay tuned for a Project Update Post by nightfall)
All of our structured activities, of course, but also:
Campfires!
Talent Show!
And, oh yeah, on Sunday, our little corner of Strafford NH was reborn as NYC for the day. Breakfast was bagels and the Times crossword puzzle after which we swam at Coney Island. Visitors swung by BuBo (formerly known as the Bulletin Board) for a retrospective of the Nearly Speechless Nature Observation collective and a map of site specific Song Installations. A Please Mr. Postman flash mob caused a disruption at lunch . Models in the cutting edge of design took t the catwalk for NYC Fashion Week. Come nightfall, we hopped to parties in the Beambrary, Treadwells, & the White Tent, site of an infamous, hour-long, live rendition of Twist and Shout (see below for a post performance shot of the band).
This grand folly was deemed a success by both native New Yorkers and those who seek to visit it for the first time soon. Behold:
The visual evidence confirms that we are up to our eyeballs in awesome Domains this week. Have a gander at:
The Sound of Stuff
Wind Up Cars
Turn the Hog Loose
La Revolucion
Miniature City
Near-Speechless Nature Observation
Beginner Knitting
Guru
Radio Station 101
Bag Construction
Welding
Bread
Song Installations
& Project Maniacs.
(Can you tell which is which?)
A proper blog post is forthcoming but before that, here’s another brain teaser for you. A soft rag dolly in pink sunbonnet and pajamas, clearly a loved friend. If she could walk, I’m sure she’d toddle right up the hill and into the arms of her own personal camper. Unfortunately, she arrived with no note, and no address other than Beam Camp. We’re afraid if we hold her up in the dining hall, we may find ourselves with multiple takers…
Any leads greatly appreciated by the Postmistress of Beam Camp, especially if they result in a reunion.
Also, this is probably as good a time as any to remind our readers that while Beam campers love receiving CARE packages, we have a no edible goodies policy. Feel free to tip grandma off. If she’s looking for suggestions of what to put in that padded envelope, may we recommend reading material, stationery, stamps, a new cap, a new t-shirt, puzzle books, or some sharp swim goggles?
Hey kids! Come one, come all to Camp Cotton Candy’s Camper Created Carnival!
Each bunk contributed a booth, many staff members were dunked, and a good time was had by all. Congratulations to The Dogs for winning the Ring Toss. What a way to welcome the seven campers who arrived yesterday!
The fun’s not over yet, either. Work on the Project commences today, as do our Week 1 Domains. Stay tuned.
On July 23, 2011, The Story of Machines that Never Flew took to the air, thanks to the miracle of zip line technology, and more importantly, the tireless efforts of Beam campers, staff, and Project Masters James & Bradley of Wignall & Moore.
Thanks to all who worked to make this dream a reality.
Video to follow…
We’re pleased to announce that Domain Guests Lea Bertucci and Ed Bear will be rejoining us for a week of Session 2 Domains. Meanwhile, perhaps there are some intrepid code breakers out there who’d like to take a crack at deciphering some of the strange sounds broadcast over Session 1′s Secret Message System.