Operation Catapult²⁰⁰⁹

It's been a couple packed days since the last update, but the good news is that that means you get a big picture update! On the 23rd we had casino night with several tables and games set up for the monkeys to win tickets and ultimately prizes. The 24th included some free time at the SRC pool, as well as intramural basketball, a slip 'n slide, and karaoke. Finally yesterday we played some kickball and had Gamer's Glory night at Chauncey's student lounge. Cruise over to the Photos page and check it all out!

*Important note to parents* The admissions meeting scheduled for 3-4:30PM in Hatfield Hall on the last day (July 1st) has changed locations. The new location is lecture hall room E-104 located on the west side, second floor of Moench Hall. Some counselors should be walking around giving directions so find one of them if you need help locating the new room. If you have any questions feel free to email me, or contact Aaron Kelley (info on the Contact Page).

New pictures added! Check out photos of our Wacky Olympics (Sat), and the King's Island trip (Sun) for an idea of how our weekend was. The olympics included events such as "Saran Wrap" (wrap an entire team in saran wrap and they have to move together to cross the finish line first), a condiment-body art gallery, and of course the relay race (example stations being human wheelbarrow, 2-liter chug, balloon shaving...) among others. Today we had intramural volleyball, as well as a campfire and some s'mores roasted on Speed Beach! Projects seem to be going really well and we're all excited for the new Transformers movie tomorrow...

Severe thunderstorm and tornado warnings last night threatened to bring the fun to a stop, but to no avail. The bad part blew over pretty quick and we just got some nice rain throughout the night. The past couple days have consisted of a midnight game of Sardines (a nice twist on Hide and Seek) which was dominated by Jace McGuire. He hid up in a tree for an hour and a half! Also the monkeys participated in some intramural kickball during the moist afternoon, and enjoyed some ice cream with us last night. Today we've got the Wacky Olympics! Check in tomorrow for pictures and descriptions of some of the events. The pictures for the 18th are updated, and I should have more going up later today. Some of the monkeys have been taking their own pictures and with their permission I'd love to post some of those as well.

The problems are now fixed and the website is good to go! Parents, you'll be happy to find quite a few new pictures to peruse (sorry for changing the gallery fomats, it was necessary as I was running out of space), as well as the Lecture Schedule posted (on the link under the "Upcoming Events" section to the right), AND the archived opening session webcast (available on the Webcast page). Following intramural basketball, wacky hair day, and a trip to Bogey's Family Fun Center yesterday, we've got Laser Tag and (weather permitting) an all-campus game of Sardines coming up tonight.

PS- You can use the arrow keys and the spacebar to navigate the new photo gallery. Have fun, and of course let me know if something doesn't work.

I ran into a snag yesterday posting pictures, so I apologize for not having those up. I'm working on it right now. Also I have the bowling pictures almost ready to go. The good news is I finally have the daily schedule posted. If you click on the "upcoming events" title to the right it'll open adobe reader and display the schedule. If you have any problems accessing this, please email me. Other than that, expect the webcast video and more picture updates by the end of today. Thank you for your patience!

Today was all about getting to know each other, and we had a blast doing it. After the monkeys chose projects and met with their faculty advisors, it was time to play. We all went down to the SRC for good 'ole camp-style team games. Amidst the ambient cries of "bake cookie bake! bake cookie bake!" there was a very obvious feeling of energy pervading the group. After dinner we started the first Movie Night! Each of the counselors put on one of their favorite movies and the monkeys flooded into the flick of their choosing (I think Alex crammed about 20 people into his 14'x14' room). Finally, the day was capped with a great game of All-Campus Capture the Flag. Congratulations to the Red Team for pulling off a seemingly impossible victory (even though I'm still sour about it, I was on the Blue team). Day 2 pictures are posted!

Another note to parents: I added Dr. Brackin's cell phone number to the contact page. I'm still working on adding the session schedule, but that will be up by tomorrow for sure. Also I didn't get a chance to pick up the webcast video today, but I promise I'll grab that tomorrow morning. Finally, we have pictures from the bowling trip we took for the kids who were here Saturday night, I just need to get them and I'll post them as well. As always, I'm just an email away.

Well Day 1 went off without a hitch! Starting around 10 this morning, catamonkeys came from far and wide to get checked into BSB Hall. Counselors bustled about (helping to move things here, there, and everywhere), papers were flying, and new friends were made every few minutes. It was structured chaos. As soon as everyone was settled, we had a cookout dinner with cheeseburgers and hotdogs grilled by our very own faculty! Then there was the Luau Party... might as well get over to the Photos page and check it out.

Note to parents: I received several emails regarding the sudden termination of the Opening Session Webcast and I would like to address this. The webcast was shut off while the parents in attendance shared a question/answer session with Program Directress, Dr. Brackin. This was done to preserve the privacy of the session. If you have outstanding questions, ask away! My email address is on the contact page. For anyone who missed the webcast, I will be posting a link to the archived video file as soon as I get ahold of it tomorrow. I have also added Erik Hayes's and Natalie Dickman's cell phone numbers to the contact page. I'll add Dr. Brackin's tomorrow, as well as a link to the session's schedule in .PDF format (requires Adobe Reader to view). If there is anything else I can do, just email me!

In it's 43rd year, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology's Operation Catapult summer program is about to begin! The faculty/staff and of course the counselors would like to welcome the Catamonkeys (participants) and their parents to our campus. Participants will be arriving today and tomorrow from all over the country to begin the check-in/move-in process. Opening session begins tomorrow at 1:00PM! In the meantime, feel free to browse the website for Session 1. You'll find Counselor Biographies (believe them or not), and contact information, as well as the future locations of daily photo galleries, final reports, and the opening/closing session webcasts. If you get bored, just click on the date to the right! We're all excited to get started, and look forward to meeting everyone and helping them begin their Rose experience!