Learn more about upcoming events, new program ideas, and whatever else is happening at Camp BB Riback. A Message from Max! I took some time as we were closing the camp after another summer session, and as I was looking at the names of previous directors on the wall of the office I realized that I just completed my 11th year as camp director. I asked myself what I have achieved here over the years. Of course I started to itemize all the accomplishments, but after a while it struck me that it was more than the numbers such as camper registration, dollars spent, facility improvements, and even program expansion and innovation. more.... New Activities for Summer 2010 As the summer approaches, we are all excited to come back to Camp BB Riback for another amazing summer. Several new programs are going to make the upcoming summer the best one ever at Camp BB Riback! This year, Camp BB Riback will be offering new activities in the areas of the outdoors, land sports, and the creative arts. Campers will be challenged to expand their skill base and success will be achieved by all! We will continue to build on our partnership with the University of Calgary's Outdoor Centre to offer campers more overnight camping experiences and outdoor cookouts. Campers will learn about packing for trips, setting up tents, preparing meals, orienteering, and building a campfire. The New C.I.T. Program This year, the CIT program will be a 35 day program that will run (without any intersession) from July 4th to August 9th. Our Counselor in Training program is a leadership program for 16-year-olds who want to learn to instruct and counsel children in an atmosphere which also addresses personal issues such as self-esteem, goal-setting, and self discovery. Our CIT's will learn the responsibilities of being a counselor while building strong friendships, working alongside staff, developing leadership skills, team building, role modeling, building social skills, special needs training, specialty skills development and other related programs. The Program includes an overnight camp-out, swimming, games and crafts. Program objectives include: • Off camp outdoor adventure trip • Community volunteer placement in Red Deer • Community volunteering in Calgary and Edmonton • Cabin / Specialty Area placement • Participation in scheduled daily activities and options • Certification Training (i.e.- First Aid, CPR, etc.) • Instructional sessions with highly trained professionals • Host a family day & dinner for parents and immediate family • Participate in camp wide programs • Dramatic performance At the end of the session, CITs will choose from 2 options: leave camp to the city to enjoy family and friends or remain at camp to gain practical experience in several different areas including operations, programming and child care. The Camp Menu Camp BB Riback continues to strive to be the best we can be in all aspects of camp life. Changing a camp's menu is a constant challenge. Input is often sought from professionals, parents, staff and even campers and to meet the many suggestions is indeed a daunting challenge for our cooks. In Addition factors such as cost availability of ingredients and acceptance from campers must be all considered. Over the years Camp BB Riback have made subtle changes over the years such as the introduction of 2% milk from whole milk, salad for all lunches and dinners, a switch from white bread to whole wheat, a hot dish meal every breakfast, and fresh fruit is available at all meals just to mention a few. The camp also looks at a reduction of meat meals and offers a number of pasta and vegetarian alternatives so to meet the new trend of many children being meat free. Camp BB Riback will only serve kosher red meat and chicken at camp. Within physical plant limitations, access to limited transportation of goods to camp we still maintains 2 sets of dishes and cutlery, do not mix dairy and meat products and ensure that all pots, pans and grilles are chemically cleaned between meals. For those with diet restriction some provisions are followed through and an interview with the camp director and cook is essential. As much as we try to be inclusive with all activities we also try to extend this to the area of food delivery which is a crucial and most important to camp. It is Not Just a Camp..... Camp is not just a place for children to spend their summers playing in the sun and making long life friends. At Camp BB Riback, there is so much more that takes place! Over the span of 55 years the camp site has been the host for many functions not directly associated to the summer camp experience. BBYO has hosted their spring conventions over the years, there have been countless Open Houses, golf tournament banquets, pre wedding parties, boy scout retreats, leadership conventions, family weekends, meetings, and - most recently - a bar mitzvah. The Meloff / Sky family have spent many years at Camp BB Riback as campers, staff, and directors. Here is a special occasion that a third generation Meloff / Sky had at Camp BB Riback. Please click here for more about Michael's bar mitzvah at Camp BB Riback.... Join Our Online Community Join the Camp BB Riback online community! Keep in touch with your friends from Camp. Learn more about upcoming events, new program ideas, and whatever else is happening at Camp BB Riback. We invite all Campers and Alumni to participate in the new online community. Please click here for more information.