Tuesday, August 23, 2011 by Anna.

For the second summer in a row, we were joined out at White’s by the LA County Sheriff’s department’s youth group.  The sheriffs brought out 15 kids, who participated in all our usual activities - hiking, kayaking, snorkeling, campfires - plus our Raft Regatta, which we do with our Camp Castaway campers.   The Raft Regatta was impressive, as usual, with the SS Maxwell (named for a little dog that wandered over while they were building their boat) competing against the Joe Mama (don’t ask!) and the Paradise.  The little dog must have brought good luck, because while it was a close race, the SS Maxwell came out on top (although the Paradise was close behind, and the Joe Mama won best name - that’s what happens when you let the kitchen staff decide!).

Overall, the staff loved visiting with the kids and the sheriffs.   Some of us are hoping to be able to pull some strings in the future and get out of a few tickets.  Ha!

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Thursday, August 11, 2011 by Anna.

Well, Camp Castaway 2011 has come and gone, but as they say, we’ll always have the memories!   My own personal highlights included:

1. New workshops, including a kayak orienteering workshop led by Eugene, in which campers had to kayak around the cove, digging and diving for clues that led them to a hidden pirate.

2. The Camp Castaway game. The campers had to sneak around camp in the dark completing various pirates’ tasks (including solving riddles, rolling dice, and reaching into a box of real worms) to get pieces of a treasure map and find different items.  Our staff, as usual, went all out, dressed head to toe in pirate outfits.

3. Skit night.  Every camper participated, all the skits were HILARIOUS,  Ducky (David) got silly stringed, PLUS we had an impromptu dance party led by Ethan (to a ridiculous 80s song - and everyone got up and joined him!)

4. The annual Staff vs. Campers soccer game. Staff was outnumbered about 4 to 1, but that’s just an excuse: we were beat, fair and square!  We have some pretty fierce soccer players among our campers.

5. Our new bison skull and crossbone t-shirts.  Awesome!

6.  Our counselors.  We had a great crew this year, and they were such a pleasure to have with us.  Nothing makes a great camp experience for a camper like a great counselor, and they really came through!

7. And, of course, our campers!  We always have wonderful campers come out and join us and as silly as our staff is, it would be no fun without them!   It has been fun seeing several of them grow up, and I hope to keep adding to that list!

Overall, camp was a big success, and I’m sad to have it over with so quickly.  But that just means we’ll have to start planning for next year.  In the meantime, check out and Like Camp Castaway on our facebook page.  See you at  Camp Castaway 2012!

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Tuesday, July 26, 2011 by Eugene.

Campers had a great reception! The staff put on a pirate-themed orientation, made the swim test fun, and served up a great Sunday dinner. Monday was packed with activities, including a kayaking treasure hunt (complete with pirates and treasure!), played a ton of great games, learned to snorkel and, for the older campers, went night snorkeling!

Here are some photos. We’re having a great time!

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