Riley Here!

Hey There!

Let me formally introduce myself. My name is Riley O’Brien and I am here to talk about the events connected to GEMS and what’s happening with your kids’ favorite summer camp! For this edition, I’ll be talking about the art open house and silent auction. On Friday, September 26th, people came and went to look at the art and photography that the campers made during the duration of camp that lined the walls like a museum. The ’silent’ auction was a great success raising 575 dollars for future camps and events. We had donations from Bergamont and Amore, Wee Bird, Valley Bowl, Chefs Market, The Gear House, Olmestead Family Farms, Aussie Paussie, Federation Auto, Red Door Jewelry, Royal Towne Gifts, Kinney Drugs, NAPA, Wood Frog Flowers, Speaking Volumes, as well as Arc And Curve. Thank you so much small (and not so small) business for donating to our auction and the bidders for helping us raise money. I also want to say a special thanks to Adria Ciampaglia for putting this whole event together and putting on the camps for years and giving me this opportunity to write this blog and become a junior board member. That’s it for now! Bye!

Art Exhibit and Silent Auction

We are holding our second annual Art Exhibit on SEPTEMBER 26th 6-pm. The location is at the Third Branch Pottery Gallery in Randolph VT at 15 North Main Street. The exhibit consists of campers art work that they produced throughout their summer experience at camp, with our guest Drift Farmstead, Photographer Bailey

We are also excited to host our first silent auction to support funding our camp and camp fees. What makes GEMS unique is that nobody is turned away due to funds, we offer multiple full scholarships, we provide opportunities to learn new things, we have worked with local photographer Bailey in offering photography sessions, Drift Farmstead in weaving and felting, Safe Art in zeins, Martial Arts and Yoga.
We also work to provide lifeguards to provide swimming weekly to campers!

You can learn more about us on our website!

Our generous donors include:
Randolph Village Pizza
Art Etc
Red Door Jewlery
Napa
Aussie Paussie Gear
Wee Bird
Olmstead Family Farm
Chef's Market
Bergamot and Amor
Federated Auto
Kinney Drugs
The Gear House
Valley Bowl
Third Branch Pottery
Arc and Curve
Windy Lane Bakery
Wood Frog Flowers
Speaking Volumes
RoyalTown Gifts

Art Exhibit On Display

WOW!!! We are so excited to let you all know that our campers work is on display at the local Third Branch Supply Gallery!

September 26th we will be hosting an closing ceremony and silent auction to fundraiser for GEMS. This fundraiser will help us to continue to offer full scholarships to campers!

Please join us 9/26th 6-pm and invite family and friends to show off our campers talent and partake in our silent auction.

It’s Summer Camp Time

Wow! We just wrapped up our first week and we are onto our second week of camp! What an exciting time we had and support from our community!
We are so thankful to Brunswick School for being our host these past few years, not only is their campus beautiful but their staff are so welcoming and thoughtful to our campers and our needs.

We also had several guests come to camp and teach us/guide us on our self discoveries.

We were excited to welcome back Tommy Given with Green Mountain Martial Arts to lead us in discussion and exercises.

As well as Bailey Wood who led our group week long on a photography journey where our campers will hang their art work in the Art Exhibit this fall!

Also excited to welcome Kelly Wantuch from the Sanctuary in Northfield VT who led us in a yoga movement and guided our senses to the here and now!

On to week 2!

We can’t wait for these weeks adventure! Stay tuned!

Summer 2025

Is it summer yet?  We are asking the same question.  To beat the winter blues we have already started our summer planning!  Summer camp weeks will be July 7th, 14th, 28th and August 4th!  July 7th will primarily be devoted to a guest photographer! We will also have yoga and martial arts this week available as well.

We are being hosted by Brunswick School again, we are so excited to share their campus and work together with such an awesome team!  While we are planning this summer's activities I would love to hear from you! What would you like to see at camp this summer?  Send me an email and let me know what you would like to do, learn or participate in!  Can’t wait to see everyone this summer!

- Adria Ciampaglia