03 Sep When COVID Ruined Summer Camp, I got Creative with my Kids
by Marisa Torrieri Bloom
As summer 2020 comes to a close, I’m feeling all kinds of emotions. I’m sad, mostly, not just because I love this season, but because COVID-19 and other events of the world have created a dystopian-like existence I thought was years away from materializing.
There were definitely many bright moments. But above all else, I’m grateful for the time I had with my kids.
When my sons’ day camp was canceled, my mama friend Steph and I created “Camp OB” on a lark — named after Oyster Bay (the wine, not the town). Together, we envisioned a summer of activities like playing tennis, doing obstacle courses, crafting, going to the beach, and taking field trips. We planned s’mores by the fire pit and paddle boarding by the Long Island Sound.
I’m incredibly grateful to say that WE DID IT! ALL OF IT (aside from camping outside — I didn’t feel like shelling out for a tent).
But still. With a little creativity and ingenuity, we managed to pack a summer full of activities. Our kids somehow forgot that they were supposed to be in fun camps for 9 weeks, six hours a day (although they did half-day camps for three weeks). And we somehow managed to (almost) forget we’re living in the era of COVID (and racial injustice).
Our final big event of the summer, the Camp OB Talent Show, was appropriately fitting. While I could post a review of my own, my father-in-law wrote an amazing one already, which I’ll post below:
[CHECK OUT THE FULL CONCERT HERE:]
A Concert for the Ages
by Stuart Bloom
The Camp OB Fairstock Summer Music Festival kicked off Friday morning on the Bloom Tuller Farm grounds. After a riffin’ guitar intro by Marisa, Logan opened the show with a rousing performance of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony piped in from the enigmatic and reclusive artist’s home studio.
Once the crowd settled in, the roadies, Alex and Zack – who doubled as bongo backups on many of the concert numbers — took over the stage to set up for an amazing display on the drums by Declan, who pounded the skins with the raucous enthusiasm of the great rock drummers.
Nathan brought the crowd to its feet with down and dirty gravel-voiced cover of the Scorpions’ Rock Me Like a Hurricane, accompanied by the slashing Marisa on guitar.
Then it was time to change it up, from metal to hip hop as Kellan took the stage and burst through the fog showing all kinds of ink to shout out NF’s The Search that had the crowd dancing in the aisles.
Stephanie brought the festivities to a close with a haunting rendition of A. Corelli’s Allegro.
This was a concert for the ages, and we may never again see the likes of such talent gathered together on one stage. Here’s hoping the live album isn’t too far behind.
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