2016 Upper Camp Vedette (Issue 1) by Culver Academies

Vedette The

Get to Know The Vedette Staff // Someone You Should Know Creative Writing

Culver Summer Aviation gears up to take flight

Issue 1 July 4, 2016

Get to Know The Vedette Staff

And another summer kicks off in Culver, Indiana! Students, faculty, and staff come from all corners of the globe to take residence in the cornfields of Indiana for a few weeks. All of us have different reasons for coming but we all have one thing in mind: making the most out of our summer. The real question is, what do we actually want to make of our summer? Some of us want to have the most successful units and decks, some want to get an important position or rank, others just want to meet new people and make lasting friendships. Whatever your reason for coming to camp I urge you to make the most of your time here. This place is so much more than unairconditioned brick buildings and fields made for marching. On this campus you have the chance to learn, grow, and lead in ways not possible anywhere else and it is ok to make mistakes. The great thing about Culver is that it allows you to learn from these shortcomings with little reprecussions. So with that in mind, we give to you the first issue of the newly redesigned Vedette!

First Trimester Staff

Val Hoffman - Juan Pablo Linares - Lilith Kocian - Jake Ginther - Sofia Veraza Hali Hanley - Rodrigo Prado - Jose Gonzalez

The Vedette // Culver Summer Schools & Camps

My name is Juan Pablo Linares and I am from Bogota, Colombia. Right now I am in a classroom at a gorgeous summer camp thousands of miles away from home. Anyway, I am lucky to be here.

My name is Val Hoffman, I am fourteen years old, I live in Frederick, Maryland, near Baltimore, I’m a 3rd classmen in Naval Band, This is my 3rd year at Culver; I was in Woodcraft for two years and this is my first year in Upper School. How did I find Culver? Well my dad was on Facebook and asked people what camps they’d recommend. He got a lot of people telling him about Culver, so he decided to check it out and lo and behold I came to Culver. My first day in Woodcraft was three years ago. I was in Drum And Bugle Corp in Woodcraft, cabin 125, Lt Sheer. I walked in to the cabin and everyone said things like “hey” or “what’s your name” and I felt surrounded by friendliness. But my first day in Upper School was a bit different and it went a little something like this. My dad and I dropped off my brothers at Woodcraft, said our goodbyes and watched them run to go hang out with some friends that they had just made. We

then walked to the car drove to Upper School, went to the Band barrack’s, and met some new people, but also saw some old friends. Even though it was a completely different part of the campus, I had the same exact feeling of friendliness. Back home I play piano, but here I play tenor drum. The change between piano and tenor wasn’t that hard, only because I played tenor drum in D+B so I kind of knew the basics of playing the tenor. Another reason was because piano just kind of came natural to me, so all I had to do was use my knowledge of tenor from previous years and add it to this year. My hopes for this summer, are for the Band to win Comm Relay. If Band wins Comm that would be unbelievable, it would be two years in a row for Band to win Comm. The feeling of relief of walking into the lake would be fantastic.

I found out about Culver when one of my best friends came to Woodcraft and told me it was an amazing experience. Some years later, the daughters of one of my mom’s friend, came and told my mom about it and all we heard about the camp were amazing comments, therefore I wanted to come. The reason I wanted to come specifically to Culver is because it is a military camp. On my first day in camp, I marched all day long, made my bed perfectly, and had to ask permission even to sit at the table and to eat my food. Besides these things I also got astonished by the beautiful structures and huge size of the campus, old and traditional buildings all around, complemented by amazing sport facilities, and full of kind and nice people. Although it is really fun and there are lots of athletic activities, you have to be careful because it is really hot and you can dehydrate like I did on the second day of camp after two hours of soccer and one parade. Although my six weeks of summer is just starting I know it is going to be great. I expect to become a better athlete not only in the sports I know and that I am used to playing at home, in any sport that is offered so I can help my company as much as I can to win. Besides this, I also want to increase my leadership skills, discipline and improve my English. By accomplishing all these goals, I think I will return home being a better person.

The Vedette // Culver Summer Schools & Camps

Katie Wells

Someone to Know By Lilith Kocian

Culver is full of amazing people. Everyone has unique abilities and personalities that make Culver great. However, I feel that there is someone you should know. Someone who is inspirational and a leader. There are many people like that at Culver, but this person is distinguished from the rest. Katie Wells is a first classmen in Deck Four from Grand Rapids, Michigan. Katie is not only smart, but is a reliable, resourceful, and kind. She is a born leader and tries her best in everything that she does. For a third classmen, like myself, who needs someone to look up to, Katie was able to be there. She is so caring. Katie cares about all of her sisters from Deck Four, and even her brothers from Naval

Four. She has spirit that never ends. For example. when the third classmen were tasked to do the challenge course she cheered them on like her life depended on it. Katie is a great role model for anyone at Culver. She is a leader who is easy to follow and listen to. She has a personality that makes you want to get to know her. Someone like this is a person that anyone can learn from and follow. To me, Katie is more than just a camper. She is a role model. I have only known her for a short time but I am already a better person because of her. When I first arrived at Culver I was very upset, but she was able to show me why Culver is so great. Katie has shown me that anyone can do anything.

The Vedette // Culver Summer Schools & Camps

Get to Know The Vedette Staff Cont. my whole summer already planned out. I had wanted to travel to see my friend in California, work at a new job that I already loved and go out to the beach to surf and fish, So many ideas were quickly pushed away. But I knew a new experience was on the horizon and I was excited to see what my future held at this brand new place called Culver.

My name is Jake Ginther and I live on the east coast of Maryland in the small town of Berlin, ten miles west from the White Marlin capitol of the world, Ocean City, Maryland. I am sixteen years old, I’m a 3rd classmen at Culver, and this is my first year attending this massive and exciting camp. More about me, I am a total car guy and I write about them and even design a few here and there. For sports, I surf, B.M.X, run cross country and track, and swim occasionally. I am a very state loyal person to Maryland and I always show off my “Maryland Pride” whenever and wherever I can to anyone and everyone. I am a movie enthusiast as well and I am always using quotes from movies in conversations and I’m always on the search for a movie I have not seen. My favorite movie is ether “Stand by Me” or “Interstellar”. Also, I am a rock music junkie and I listen to every bit of rock from the late 60’s to the early 90’s. My favorite bands are the Foo Fighters, Nirvana, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, the Eagles, the list could go on for hours. Back at home, I am in a band and play the drums so rock music is always in my heart when I play.

When I graduate college, I would like to have a degree in ether journalism, youth pastoring, or business. For journalism, I would like to write for the magazine “Car and Driver” and write about the thing I enjoy the most. If I decided to graduate in pastoring, I would want to be a youth pastor at my church at home, “Sonrise Church”. Business wise, I would open my own restaurant at home, designed after rock and roll, cars, and the love for the beach. I first heard about Culver from my Dad in the middle of May, he told me about how he talked to one of his co-workers about Culver and how much his son loved it. So we talked about it for a few nights and I was very overwhelmed by how much Culver had to offer and how long the camp would be, and I was very unsure if I wanted to attend or not. After a few weeks, I totally forgot about the camp and thought nothing of it until my Dad picked me up from school one week before camp and told me, “You made it into Culver, you leave next Friday after school!” I was shocked, mad, nervous, stressed, and overwhelmed all at the same time, I did not know what to feel at that moment. I had

The Vedette // Culver Summer Schools & Camps

I arrived at camp on the 18th of June, following a dreading and painful thirteen hour drive from little Berlin. As soon as I saw one of the extravagant buildings on campus and the extremely tall and stunning chapel, I knew this place meant business and was very serious. The whole time I was driving to camp, I kept thinking that I would never make friends and I wouldn’t do anything right. But after I arrived, checked in, got my surfer head hair buzzed off, received my i.d, and found out I was in “Awesome 1”, I was off to East Barrack to meet and experience new people and start my Culver life for six weeks. After I situated everything I had, pinned my pictures up, and put everything I had with me in a very used and worn out closet, I said goodbye to my Dad and watched his truck pull away, we both had tears in our eyes before we parted. As I walked back upstairs and into room 224, I met my new roommate Henry and as we talked we knew we were instant friends. As I met more and more people that night, I felt like I fit in, had a place here in Culver and in the world, and I was starting to feel happy that I had been accepted into this major and extraordinary campus. I knew the camp would be long but with the guys I just met, I knew the six weeks would just fly by with tons of laughter, happiness, and that many memories were about to be made.

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

June 5

Junior Woodcraft Camp Begins

Mass / Chapel Muslim Services C-swim U-Pictures W Opening Ceremony

W Classes Begin U Class Walk Through U Opening Ceremony

Mass / Chapel Constructive Meditation Muslim Services

3 Mass / Chapel Constructive Meditation Muslim Services Permits

U Classes Begin U Retreat

U Retreat

5 Independence Day Ceremony

Junior Woodcraft Camp Final Day

W / U Retreat

FRIDAY

Camper Registration 8-5 Multipurpose Carillon Recital

Jewish Services

July 1

No U Permits Mass / Chapel Muslim Services Constructive Meditation W Final Band Concert W Drill Down U Gold Star Ceremony

15 W / U Retreat

U Retreat

HOMECOMING PARENTS WEEKEND Town Lake Fest Jewish Services

19 U Troop Hike

W Pow-wow U Retreat U Girls Great Race U Pegasus Challenge

Carillon Recital Permits Garrison Parade W Council Fire

Garrison Parade

Jewish Services

W / U Retreat

Ann M. Smitson Moonlight Serenade 8:30 pm

HOMECOMING WEEKEND Mass / Chapel Muslim Services Constructive Meditation Town Lake Fest U Troop Hike

No U or W Permits Carillon Recital Garrison Parade W Council Fire

Carillon Recital W Council Fire

Mass / Chapel Constructive Meditation Muslim Services

Jewish Services

U Retreat

SATURDAY

U Troop Hike

U First Class Dinner U Retreat U Communications Relay

Notes: Religious Services Times: 9:00 AM Sundays Catholic Mass 10:30 AM Sundays Protestant Chapel 10:30 AM Sundays Muslim Services 9:00 AM WC, Sundays Constructive Meditation 10:00AM UC, Sundays Constructive Meditation 6:00 PM Fridays Jewish Services Carillon Recitals are at 4:00pm on Saturdays. Please refer to the Culver Summer Portal for the Homecoming and Commencement Schedules at summer.culver.org

U Horse Show W/U Final Day of Classes Camp Play-Shrek the Musical

22 U Girls Hike

U Girls Hike

U Retreat

21 W / U Retreat

Jim Henderson Day Final Garrison Parade W/U Final Awards W Kline Relay U Final Band Concert U Final Ball U First-Class Bonfire

Jewish Services U Girls Hike W Talent Show

HOMECOMING PARENTS WEEKEND Town Lake Fest Carillon Recital Homecoming Garrison Parade W Council Fire

No U Permits Carillon Recital U Honor Organization Garrison Parade W Council Fire

29 W/U Graduation

Garrison Parades are at the Henderson Parade Field at 7:00pm. W Retreat Parades are Thursdays at 8:00pm. W Awards are at the Woodcraft Amphitheater on Sundays at 7:00pm W Council Fires are at 9:30pm at the Council Ring. U Retreat Parades are Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7:15pm at the Oval *W= Woodcraft Camp *U= Upper Schools

Culver observes Eastern Daylight Time: (574) 842-8300 / (800) 221-2020 | FAX: (574) 842-8462 | summer@culver.org | www.culver.org/summer

Poetry

Winter Sofia Veraza

It’s the villain In everyone’s book But Fall is the death disguised as Beauty.

The Stars Sofia Veraza

In the night sky From dusk til dawn they dance With Moon, and in the daytime let Sun shine.

A Reflection on Coming to Camp By Hali Hanley

Wishes Lilith Kocian

I wish I could touch the sky And travel with the stars I wish I could lay on a cloud And rid it through the wind I wish I were a tree And grow up to the sky I wish I were a lot of things But when your feet only touch the ground And you long for the sky Your arms will reach out And someday you’ll fly

Every place has a unique characteristic to it. One that only you can notice. The reason for is because once you visit or become a part of a place you start to build memories there. Once memories are formed the smell of clean grass can trigger the brain to think of them. You don’t have to even be in the place you made the memories but one smell, touch or voice could trigger you to remember the time and place. At nine years old, I was privleged to attend a summer camp that has forever changed my life. When I found out I was attending Culver Summer Schools and Camps I did not know what to think. I did not know if I should be happy or upset with my parents for signing me up. In the end, I decided to be excited as the six weeks of camp approached. I spent hours at night dreaming of what camp would be like. I thought about how I was going to make friends and what the

The Vedette // Culver Summer Schools & Camps

food would be like. At one point, I even asked my mom if I was going to have to cut my hair short like a boy. A sigh of relief left after she answered no. My mom and I went shopping for all the camp necessities. We spent hours together in the store trying to decide what shampoo to bring. Little did I know, at Culver you barely have time to wash your hair! Culver has something special that in my eight years of attending I am still trying to figure out. What I have concluded is that Culver is more than a place. It is a family, memory, story, lifestyle, and most of all a home. Culver has it’s way of pushing you to your breaking point but pulling you back in before you snap. It is when you think you have nothing more Culver teaches you to give that last ounce you did not know you had. Culver allows people to come together in times of sadness and cheerfulness. Everything you do at Culver is for a purpose that not only builds you, but a team as well.

helped me, telling me where to go, what to do, everyone was welcoming.

My name is Rodrigo Prado, and I am fifteen years old. I’m from Miami, Florida, but my parents are from Mexico and Spain. This is my first year at Culver and I’m a 3rd classmen in Naval 2. I came to Culver because a good portion of my family friends have gone to Culver. My friends have been to Culver for many years from Woodcraft to Upper Camp and now some of them are my counselors like Sergio Alvarez. I had just landed at the airport in Indianapolis and I really had no idea where I was going until two counselors walked up to me and asked if my name was Rodrigo Prado. I replied “Yes I am”. Then we headed for the bus. After we drove back and got to Culver, I got off the bus and was taken to my dorm. It was not what I expected for a naval school, everyone was having a good time meeting new people and the boys in my dorm were very welcoming. I made a lot of new friends. My first day on campus I was very surprised because I had a blast. My hopes for the summer are to end Culver a better athlete, and a better person. I would wish to end in either of these two ways or both, because I am really into sports so I would like to be a better athlete. Also I would like to be a more mature person. I believe that if I achieve these goals I will go places. Just like Mr. Gonzalez, Naval 2, Head Counselor said “It’s the little details that will get you far in life.”

I was then shown to my dorm and escorted into my Deck…DECK FOUR! I was informed of all the rules by my counselors and then shown to my room. My roommate, Elizabeth Lele (Chicago, Illinois) at first seemed at little distant, but by the end of the day we quickly became friends. With her help I was able to “somewhat” make my bed and clean our room. My name is Lilith Kocian, I’m from Cleveland, Ohio, and this is my first year at Culver. My family has been coming here for many generations, some of you might know my cousin Ashely Kocian a graduate from Deck 4. My mom, grandparents, cousins, practically whole family have been experiencing the life of Culver. Ever since I was little I was told how wonderful Culver is. If you had the privilege to be here, your world would change. At first, when my family told me I was going to Culver I was annoyed. The idea of going to a military school sounded tedious and boring. However, I quickly had to learn that I had no choice but to suck it up and accept I was going here. I began to research Culver. The school sounded interesting and the campus looked amazing. I started to get excited about my stay at Culver. The day finally came when I would drive five hours to Culver, Indiana. On the drive we passed so many fields that my head began to spin! Once we drove into Culver I started to get excited. The buildings were huge and beautiful! Everything looked like it was from a Hollywood movie. I began my day by going to the Multipurpose Center for Registration. There were so many people from different countries and states that it looked like a World’s Fair. To be honest, I began to get overwhelmed, but with my mom by my side throughout the day I knew everything would be fine. Many people

Everyone in Deck Four was helpful and kind. They made my day a lot better than what I thought it was going to be. However, I was still stressed out with the constant worries about Culver. I didn’t understand what Gigs were, or what GI and PI was. Everything seemed so complicated. I was ready to leave Culver and be done with camp, until my Deck Four family lightened my day. The counselors were very considerate of all the third class campers’ feelings and did their best to help us throughout the day. Many of Deck Four’s first and second classmen, like Katie Wells (Grand Rapids, Michigan) and Lily Erickson (Indianapolis, Indiana) were sympathetic to the third classmen because they have been in the same position we were in on our first day. The first day was a struggle from learning how to march and take commands, to making our beds. Yet with everyone’s help, the third classmen were quickly able to learn throughout the day. This summer at Culver will be filled with difficulties. However, I hope that this summer will be unforgettable. We are all constantly learning new things. We make new friends and acquaintances that will leave wonderful memories that we can cherish till we’re old. I have faith that I will learn new things that I can only experience at Culver. These next few weeks we should try things that we might never get to try back at home. Do your best and never forget that with your Deck or Unit behind you and Culver being a home, you can do the impossible.

The Vedette // Culver Summer Schools & Camps

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