Winterpalooza

Our annual camper retreat is coming up in a month and a half! If you'd like to be back at LCCC to celebrate the New Year, go visit www.ligoniercamp.org and click on the snowflake logo to download a registration form. We'd love to have you there.
Our theme for the weekend is "X Marks the Spot" - and we're all going to dress up as pirates to bring in 2010. We have a fabulous party complete with DJs as well as tons of wacky games, skits, talks, and (hopefully) snow activities.
Sign up soon or the spots may be gone!

Photos

Just a few cool and unique photos that I picked from this summer that seem to capture camp.

Over already?

It's hard to believe that the nine weeks of Summer Camp here at LCCC are over and done. In fact, most of our 1,830 campers have returned to their schools and sports teams - hopefully still remembering great things about their time at camp. While there were definitely some tough things about this summer (illnesses, minor injuries, the hill, and RAIN!), we had an incredible experience up here on the mountain. Are you curious about some of those great things? Here's a Ligonier Camp classic Top Ten.

The Top Ten Strange and Wonderful Things at LCCC 2009
Brought to you by Cinnabutter - 52% vegetable oil spread your kids will die for

10. Our new, regulation prison dodgeball court. (What is regulation LCCC prison dodgeball, you may ask? Well, we made it up, so our court is the only official one.)
9. Introduction of the Neutral Zone in Goldrush.
8. A parade and light show on July 4th that rivals the celebrations in our Nationl's Capital - including fire trucks, gorillas on bikes, glowsticks, jumping flames, and world-famous Ligonier Camp marching band.
7. Visits from two awesome bands willing to share their gifts so our campers could rock out!
6. The Music Sisters (whoo!)
5. The Bonus Brothers and Hannah Nevada....and the Hoedown Throwdown (boom boom clap)
4. Roller door races, boys vs. girls.
3. New CLUB songs: We're gonna Sing Like the Saved! and Count Me In! (sha na na na na na na)
2. Racing down the new zip line, conquering the tower, flying on the vomit comet, and stealthy planning at the paintball field.
1. Learning to live GAME ON at camp, at home, at school - all the time!


There are more things that I can even list - but you can add on! Comment and let us know some other great moments at LCCC.

Twin Zip Line Construction

Sorry for the long time between updates! But there's something fun, at least: the first ever pictures of the new 1300 ft. twin zip lines! Actually, there aren't any "lines" up yet, but you can see the poles. After generous donations from staff and camper alumni, the zip line that had only been a dream is now becoming reality!
For those of you familiar with the camp, the zip lines will begin up near the pamper jump & main campfire area and stretch all the way across the open hillside until its termination on the hill just above the boy's kybo. It's going to be amazing!
Here are some photos from the first day of construction:

It's Not Too Late!

If you are still thinking about coming to Winterpalooza, but you see that your form says "Please return by Dec. 1", it's okay! We're still accepting forms. We've been overwhelmed by the number of campers excited about Winterpalooza, and we still have some beds empty. Please don't hesitate to visit our website, www.ligoniercamp.org, to print out and send in your form & deposit to hold your spot!

Remember: only those who attend will learn the secret to becoming Ultimate SuperFans!

Fort Ligonier Days

Many of you who have been here in the summer are probably curious as to how we are all able to survive the year in a relatively quiet, small town after all the hustle and bustle of summer camp.
Well, I'm going to let you in on a little secret.

Fort Ligonier Days.

Fort Days, as the locals call it, is a chance for everyone in the town of Ligonier to either get out or get pumped for the more than one hundred thousand people that will come into town this weekend. From craft booths to food vendors to strolling musicians, Fort Days provides the opportunity to do what we all love best - wander around eating food and looking at things we don't need. It's also a wonderful chance to catch up with family because the local school district takes a day off, and families can choose to enjoy the day together. While Friday is less crowded, Saturday is the day that takes the cake. From an early morning pancake breakfast to an 11 am parade that lasts two hours to the final cheesecake served from Sand Hill Berries, Saturday is action-packed and entertaining. It's one of the things that makes this town great - and it's wonderful to have so many groups here taking advantage of the facilites that Ligonier Camp has to offer while enjoying one of the great events in the town of Ligonier. If you're in town this weekend, look for some LCCC staff members selling halushki, buffalo burgers, or great crafts as we get in on all the fun.
See you there!

It's that time of year!

Howdy, fellow Ligonier Camp friends! We're getting to the time of year where the Laurel Highlands are absolutely beautiful. It's just the best place to be, and we're all thankful for the chance to work at such a wonderful piece of God's creation. I just wanted to let you all know about some pretty great things that happen up in this area in the fall:

First things first, there are tons of farmer's markets in this area, with local farmers and vendors supplying everything from fresh tomatoes, pumpkins, apples, and flowers to homemade crafts, foliage arrangements, pies, jams, jellies, and more. And since next week is "Buy Local PA" week, it's a great time to get out and try some local fare. The weekly Ligonier Country Market is Saturday morning from 8 am until noon.

There are two weekends left for the Pittsburgh Renaissance Festival held in West Newton, just under an hour from Ligonier Camp. The Renaissance festival is a great chance to experience the culture of the Renaissance while trying everything from turkey legs to jousting!

Many local towns and farms celebrate fall festivals, including folk music, Victorian home tours, ethnic celebrations, fall foliage drives, apple-picking, food vendors, arts and crafts, parades and more! Some locations include: Scottsdale, PA; Smicksburg, PA; Mount Pleasant, PA; Ebensburg, PA; Nemacolin Woodlands Resort in Farmington, PA; Faranda Farm in Hollsopple, PA; Springs, PA; and Seven Springs Mountain Resort in Seven Springs, PA.

Finally (and my personal favorite), Ligonier Fort Days take place the weekend of October 10-12. This celebration takes the town of Ligonier from a population of 1611 (per a July 2007 survey) to over 100,000 people for the weekend. The festival includes a Friday kick-off at noon in the heart of town, with food vendors and craft vendors aplenty (just a tip: Ligonier locals get great deals in downtown shops on Thursday, October 9). The festival offers tours of Fort Ligonier, reenactments, a Saturday parade, and cuisine from buffalo burgers to halushki to funnel cakes supreme. You can't miss it!

If you've ever though about bringing a group of friends or family to enjoy the Laurel Highlands, make sure to give the camp a call! We have housing for all kinds of groups, and would love to accomodate your time enjoying all the Highlands have to offer. Feel free to call and request a tour, if your child is considering a week or two at summer camp in 2009.