Welcome families and alumni to the Stevenson Titan Away Camp Blog.
 Below you will find a blog about what the students have been doing during the day.
We hope you take the time to read them and look at the pictures.

Sunday's Notes from Lake Ann's

The band left Stevenson's parking lot around 8:30 am with 145 students on three greyhound buses, three vans, and two full size trailers packed full. We stopped for lunch around 11:00 am and we arrived at camp at 2:30. The first thing on the list to do was take a group picture and then it was time to find their cabins. Free time was given to socialize with their friends and explore their new home for the week.
Dinner was served at 5:00 and the kids met with their sections afterward for team building activities. To end the night, they all came together for a music rehearsal on the field... The night ended with a special gift from Mrs. Cappel (each student was given their own personal water bottle). Lights out at 10:30... We have a early morning ahead of us!

Sunday Pictures

Monday's Notes from Lake Ann's

The morning sun rose early and it was a whole 44 degrees outside, a whole lot different than last years camp...Breakfast was served at 7:00 am sharp. The kids arrived at the field bundled up to start their first rehearsal together at camp. They started with stretches, basic's marching block and reviewing their first full drill... Snacks and the famous lemonade drink were being served to them. Lunch special was sloppy Joe and French fries. Music rehearsal and sectional time was held until free time. The sun decided to come out and the students had a choice of swimming in the lake, paint ball, or hanging out with friends. They returned to the field about 6:00 pm where they were marching two whole drills by dusk. The ice cream social finished off the night and it was time to return to the cabins...Lights out at 11:00.

Monday Pictures

Tuesday's Notes from Lake Ann's

The students started off their day with breakfast at 7:00 am and then back to the field for more drill. The weather was a little bit warmer than yesterday and the students were very happy about that. They marched and played their first two drills before lunch. During the time, they also enjoyed freshly cutup watermelon prepared by our amazing chaperones. Lunch was served promptly at 11:30 by the Lake Ann Staff. Afterward it was time to get back to work and each section dispersed for an hour around the grounds of the camp and then joined forces to conquer more drill. The students are doing amazing on their drill. After all the work, the students were able to enjoy their free time at the lake or paintball until dinner time. Tonight’s meal seemed to be a favorite all around because many of them helped themselves to seconds. For the new parents reading, there is a famous saying here at Lake Anns that seems to stick around long after camp is over, "Nobody goes hungry at Lake Anns, there's more through the door... help yourself to seconds." You can pretty much guarantee hearing your child's stories about it. Along with dinner, we celebrated two birthday's (Katie and John) and the chaperones also passed out the letters and emails from home (there's still time to email your student if you wish). Many of them were very excited to receive their special messages. Not too soon after, the kids were back on the field and determined to learn more drill and they did (They are now finished with the route 66 drill!) The activity planned for the night was section bonfires which was extra special due to many of your thoughtful donations. The party ended a little earlier then expected due to rain and the students were told to rest up early. Good night from Lake Ann's... There will be more exciting things in the upcoming days. The drumline won section of the day for today~

Tuesday Pictures

Wednesday's Notes from Lake Ann's

We woke up to a muggy morning after the thunderstorms last night. The students are really pushing themselves to finish drill. Even though you can tell their tired, they still are giving Mr.Sekich their all. While on the field for morning practice, the band ran through their drill several times and had many snack breaks in between. There also seems to be a trend among clothing today, it is section shirt day. They broke for lunch around 11:30 which was a good thing because it started to rain.  Around 1:30, the students met in the big barn for an afternoon rehearsal. Right when the band started playing the sun decided to be nice and come out, however the temperature also rose. The boosters were very excited because they were able to try out their new toy (a mister fan).  The students returned to the field to prefect and clean their drill. Once 3:30 struck, the students quickly ran back to their cabins to enjoy free time. One of the newer options for free time was zip line. The students also enjoyed hamburgers and hot dogs outside, picnic style, for dinner. At 5:00 pm, they returned to the field for their night rehearsal to learn one more song (On Broadway). This leaves the band one entire drill to learn and Mr. Sekich has set his goal of finishing drill by tomorrow morning. That is all for tonight - the rest of their night was free choice...  Good night from some very tired campers!

The section of the day was the saxophone/horn section.

Wednesday Pictures

Thursday's Notes from Lake Ann's

The band did it… They finished their drill in morning rehearsal. Mr. Sekich was really proud of them for their accomplishment; he released the students an hour early for lunch. However, before they could leave they were required to run the show from top to bottom (both playing and marching). During this time, the students ate lunch and could visit the Red Canoe store. They did not have to report back to the barn for music rehearsal until 1:30. After the music rehearsal, each section split off to work on parts of the music that needed to be practiced. At 2:15, each group then report to the field to then go over the drill and start cleaning. You would be amazed at how amazing the show is, even though it is the first day of the entire show. Mr. Sekich is already adding details to the show. After marching the show several times from top to bottom, the band reported to woody area across from the field for the famous spam carving contest.  The category for the contest this year was Detroit and each section had to come up with an idea involving Detroit. The winner of the contest went to the Drum line and 2nd runner up was the flute section.  The afternoon was spent at zip line, the lake, or the Red Canoe and eating dinner. At 6:00, the band reported one more time to the field for final run through before packing up for the dance. All 155 students were brought over by Lake Ann buses to the town hall for some karaoke and dancing. Each section did an amazing job singing but I think that the trumpets outdid everyone. Who knew we had the real "Kiss" at SHS! The dance lasted until about 11:30 and the final song was dedicated to the senior class of 2011. Many tears were shed, not only by seniors and underclassmen but chaperones as well. The students returned to the camp and were told to go to bed.  Good night from Lake Ann and Go TITANS!
The section of the day went to the trumpet section. 

Today's pictures will be loaded tomorrow due to internet connections... 

I'll try to have them up early morning.. and I will be adding more to Wednesday as well.

Thursday Pictures

Friday's Notes from Lake Ann's
Mr. Sekich moved breakfast from 7:00 am to 8:00 am. Afterward they reported to the field to find the senior prank was in motion. Mr. Sekich was then told he had had to go on a scavenger hunt to find some of the missing band equipment. He was handed pieces of card board with specific spots on the field to figure where he had to go next. At each spot, he found a piece of important equipment to run rehearsal. At one spot, the seniors stood playing "Final Countdown" and handing Mr. Sekich his favorite junk food snacks. When they returned to the field, the entire band was no where to be found and Mr. Sekich was instructed to find the most important thing, his band. All had a good laugh and it was time to get back to work. The band worked on drill to fix mistakes and perfect the show. Not only did the band perfect their drill but props began to appear in different spots on the field. The students were let out for lunch and it seemed to be a favorite (chicken patty sandwich). At 1:30 the band split into sections and they rehearsed individually until about 2:00. They then continued to fix drill. Free time was the same as yesterday. At 5:00 pm, Lake Ann served the band steak (a camp tradition). Even with a little rain, the band returned to the field to change up their drill. The band is working really hard and they are very excited to show off their new show and are really going to shine when they do. Tonight the students were instructed to clean their rooms and have everything packed before they could go out for the final activity. Tomorrow, they will be returning to SHS with a brand new show and many memories of their time at Lake Anns.

FYI - We are leaving Lake Ann's tomorrow at 10:00 am and are stopping for lunch. We plan on returned to SHS around 4:00 pm. If times change, we will have your child call you and let you know.

Friday Pictures

Saturday's Notes from Lake Ann's

Breakfast was at 7:00 am and it was everyone's favorite... Cinnamon Rolls. The students were instructed to pack up their gear and head to the field for the very last time. At 9:00, Titan Band performed their 2011-2012 marching show "Road Trip" for the very first time. We invited the staff of Lake Anns to watch and they were very impressed with the show. The students all helped to pack up the trailer and start loading the buses to head for home.  It has been a very fun and enjoyable week. The students, staff, stafferones, and Mr.Sekich had a blast!

Special Note From Mr.Sekich....

Back from Traverse City after a GREAT Band camp at Lake Ann! The show is looking better every day! The kids are awesome! I can't wait to get to know them better when school starts. A HUGE Thank you to all the chaperones, stafferones, and staff for going above and beyond each and every day we were there. See you at our upcoming performance RIB Tuesday at SHS!

Musically yours, 
Mr.Sekich

Saturday Pictures