Day Camp and a Fair!

Does it get any better than that?

Anyone who knows me (or at least has followed my blog for the past several years) has known that one of the traditions I always keep during the summer is to shoot for YSSC (Yosemite Serria Summer Camp) at some point while they're in session.  The camp is located up in the Bass Lake area of CA, and it's always a really fun time to relax and shoot something different for a week. 

This year they're starting a Day Camp in southern CA and Katie and I went down to shoot some brochure material for them.  It was great seeing the start of something that will (I'm sure) in years to come flourish just like their 2 week resident camp does now. 

We're going up to visit and shoot at their main camp in a few weeks, but I'm so glad we were able to come and help them out yesterday. 

Here's some images! 

YSSC excells at one on one interaction with the kids and it's a reason I'm so thrilled with what they're doing as an organization. 

Everyone gathered at their "Amp Up" time at the start of the day.

The Day Camp is geared for 6-8 year olds (I think that's the ages, though I might be off by a little!).  It's so fun seeing the expressions on the kids faces.  It's another one of the reasons I love shooting for camps. 

This is "Skeeter" (his camp name...his real name is Ron).  Skeeter has been the main program director up at YSSC for as long as I've been associtated with the camp and now he's heading up operations at the Day Camp.  I've known Skeet for probably about 5 or 6 years now at least and I can honestly say I really don't know anyone who interacts with kids as well as he does.  He has such a great way of communicating not just with words, but with such intention and thoughtfulness behind his words.  It's pays off not just with kids, but it's also what makes Ron one of the best leaders I've ever met.

After lunch some of the kids got to go over to a local stable and learn about horses.  Throughout the two week duration of the camp, they keep learning more and more about them and at the end they'll get to go on a long ride. 

After the camp, we met up with some other photographers, Becker, Jessica Claire, JD and Jasmine, and the Boutwells and had a fun time at the Orange Country Fair celebrating the rich American tradition of food on a stick.  :)

To be totally honest, I haven't been to a real fair in years.  Probably since I was at least a little kid, but it was pretty much how I remembered, except I forgot how strange the food was.  Here were a couple of my favorites:

(photos taken with the trusty old iPhone):

I like my Oreos just the way they are for the record. 

Doug Boutwell actually tried this, and while it really tasted nothing like Coke, it actuallly wasn't all that bad oddly enough.  I'm still not exactly sure how the physics of deep frying Coke actually works, but whatever.  :)

Here's my attempt at getting something artzy off the iPhone camera.  :)

I can't believe how crazy fast life is going right now.  Katie and I are leaving really early tomorrow to head out to Conneticut for a wedding this weekend.  We'll be visiting our good friend Albert out in Boston on Friday which I'm really excited about.  We finally bought a little point and click camera which shoots video (really about the only reason we bought it to be honest!) and I'll try to post some videos of us while we're out there.

Have a great rest of the week!

Comments

[jenna walker]

how fun! i want to go to day camp!!! i love the "opening of the day" group shot. The fair sounded like a riot - although all of the "deep fried" stuff make me want to skip breakfast!

will talk to you this week!

[Megan]

Say hi to Albie for me please!!! Enjoy the east coast too! Safe travels!

[Tony Yu]

Hey Guys!!! Boston!?!?!?! I am from Boston. If you need extra company ring me up plz 617-777-8400 (I will probably get a ton of telemarketing calls after this post, but WTH I think it's worth it).

Tony

[Emily Boyd]

chris! you were at the oc fair? bummer, man...i work literally across the street there at vanguard university. let me know if you're ever in town again!