Imagine waking up at 5:30a to get ready for work, stumble outside still half asleep and suddenly realize that you don't remember where you parked your car.  Expect, you do remember!  And it is not there! 

On the morning of Dec 20, 2011 my car was stolen.  While the overall experience is something I have learned a great deal from, I can with great confidence tell you all that the moment I realized my car was gone will stand as one of the most surreal experiences of my life.  At first I just told myself that I must have parked somewhere else, but I didn't see it.  Then I took my keys out and started hitting my alarm button so that I could follow the beep.  But there was no beep.  Then, by chance, I glanced across the street and noticed that another vehicle had had it's windows broken out.  It was at this time that I knew my car was gone.  But not just my car, because I had just moved in to a new apartment a week earlier and hadn't unpacked everything yet.  Along with my vehicle went my iPod, a suitcase full of clothes, mostly suits and dress shirts, all my sunglasses, my reading glasses, my checkbook, and a plethora of other odds and ends that I knew I would never see again. 

My insurance was quick to get me set-up with a rental car and I am still driving that little compact to this very day, 30 days later.  I had accepted that my car was gone, and at the 25 day mark so did my insurance company.  Apparently after 25 days they were able to call it a "total loss" and finally I could put this all behind me and find something new to buy and drive.  I spoke with my insurance man and he told me they were ready to settle and that everything was good to go.  Then three hours later I received another phone call.  Unlike anything anyone could have predicted, the LAPD had found my vehicle parked in a red zone next to USC the night before.  USC, which is ten minutes from my new apartment in Silver Lake, and five minutes from work.  I was devastated, and immediately my OCD tendencies kicked in and I felt sick to my stomach over the idea of driving the car that someone else had had their way with for the previous month.  I left work early and drove over to the tow yard where my car was being held and what I saw cleared my mind of any idea of driving the vehicle again.  It wasn't my car anymore.  The windows had been busted out, bits and pieces had been pulled away, all the electronics were gone, garbage was everywhere, and even worse, it smelled really weird.  I salvaged a few pieces of paper work and my reading glasses, said goodbye and walked away.

In hindsight, there is nothing I could have done to prevent the theft.  The alarm was on, the windows were rolled up, and it was parked under a streetlight, but these guys knew what they were doing and they took something that did not belong to them.  I know that as I stood in the street that morning, 29 years of life lessons raced through my body, and instead of being angry or sad, I just felt bad for the person that did this to me.  I just kept thinking about what a sad life they must live and how lucky I was that I had people to turn to for support on such a strange day.  In the grand scheme of life's problems and all the challenges I will face throughout my years, this is merely one sentence in my life's book, and really not that big of deal at all.  

Last weekend, Switch found a replacement car: A 2012 Ford Fusion! 

Recently, Megatron moved to Flagstaff, Arizona to continue her education at Northern Arizona University.  She is majoring in Exercise Science and is currently working on finishing her Pre-Med requirements.  The school is an hour from the Grand Canyon, and only a few hours away from Counselor Schwep, who she plans on visiting on a regular basis!  She's already jumping into the swing of things and has joined a triathlon club to being training for a triathlon in May!

Good Luck this semester, Megatron.  We are proud of you!

Over the holidays, the Camp Office lost two valued team members.  Heman and Skeletor, the neon tetras (fish if you will) did not make it through the arctic winter without heat in the office. They were discovered by an emotional Sparky whom with many of the Wonder Valley staff, gave them a proper burial outside the Camp Office.

In loving memory of Heman and Skeletor: September 15, 2011 - December 27, 2011.  

Click Here to view the emotional ceremony

River Way was in need of a bigger houseboat, and a BIGGER houseboat is what we got! 

Be sure to join our facebook page for continued pictures and updates as we build this custom boat! 

This award recognizes River Way's excellence in hosting men and women from around the world and providing them with the opportunity to impact American youth while learning about new cultures and lifestyles. This Award is a representation of River Way's outstanding efforts as a host to International participants as well as their achievement in providing a culturally sensitive atmosphere for all members of their camp community. 

River Way was chosen out of hundreds of camps Nationwide and was awarded based on positive feedback from their international staff as well as observations made by CCUSA staff upon visiting and working with their camp.  CCUSA Recognizes the cultural awareness promoted by the River Way camp administration and we thank you for partnering with us in the effort to bring the world a bit closer through cultural exchange.

Congratulations River Way!

The Furie Family took River Way up on our offer to help at local gatherings, birthdays or special occasion and invited River Way Counselors into their home for their annual holiday party Cookie Palooza in December.  The afternoon was filled with tons of fun! The many kids from the community enjoyed an afternoon decorating cookies, playing outdoor games and jumping around in a kids favorite, bounce house. Thanks to Charlotte's mom reaching out to River Way, our Counselors Switch, Pipes, Digit and Rooney were able to join the local families and Charlotte's family for the event. The River Way Counselors had a blast with all the kids, and sent in some pictures to share with us all. Thanks for inviting us into your home Furie Family! Can't wait to see you back at camp Charlotte!

Junior, Jukebox, Joey, Buttons, Silver, Bageera, and Freckles all set off on a road trip to Edinburgh, Scotland for New Years!  By day they explored the cobbled streets and historic town including a visit to the famous Edinburgh Castle and by night they ate good food in traditional English restaurants.  They rang in the New Year amongst thousands of other people with live bands, djs, and a huge firework display from the top of the castle.  They finished their trip with a ghost walk that took them under the city into haunted vaults and finished in the graveyard where the famous author JK Rowling got ideas for names in her book- such as Tom Riddle!  They had a fantastic time and it was a great way to kick start 2012!!

  

On New Years Eve, Fuego went with a few friends to San Francisco and attended the 2011 Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl.  Illinois defeated the UCLA Bruins 20-14.  Fuego and his friends also toured around the city and ate on Pier 39 for lunch.  While at the game, they ran into the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile!