Written by: Madeleine Saraisky
On Sundays, the Camp schedule is unique, leading campers through Capers (co-ed Vespers), Sunday programming, Chapel, and topping off the special day with the Ice Cream Social (ICS). The ICS is a beloved evening program at Camp which takes place on the middle Sunday of every session.
Officially, the ICS consists of three parts: a dance party, free time in Arts and Crafts, and a chance to watch a movie in the Lodge. Campers fill the Pavilion as they dance to ICS classics like Dancing Queen, Mr. Brightside, Peanut Butter Jelly, and a medley of Taylor Swift songs. In Arts and Crafts, campers are given free reign over the materials, able to make friendship bracelets, paint and draw, or work on other projects. Meanwhile, the Lodge transforms into a movie theater; past showings include Ice Age, Frozen, and Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.
With something for everyone, campers can choose how they want to spend their time, rotating between any of the three areas to maximize their fun. Of course, it wouldn’t be an ice cream social without ice cream! The ICS is run by the CITs (Counselors-In-Training) on Camp each session. They set up an ice cream bar– stock with four different ice cream flavors, whipped cream, chocolate and strawberry sauce, and sprinkles– all served to campers with a smile.
The ICS is always a highlight of the session. Campers love dressing up in glitter, jerseys, and funky hair to match that night’s theme; dancing and singing with their friends under the disco ball in the Pavilion; concocting an ice cream sundae; and reveling in the infectious energy that arises on Sunday night.
About Madeleine: Madeleine is the Storytelling and Writing Intern for summer 2025. She has spent eight summers at Coniston and credits Camp with teaching her how to use her voice. Madeleine hopes to use that voice to build a career pursuing writing.