HSKS Summer Camp '09

My Angel Package Has Arrived!

2009-10-21T06:01:00.000-07:00

I posted a thank you on my blog but wanted to draw everyone's attention to the wonderful angel package I received from Wisteria!

Thank you again Wisty!

Finally posted about my kit!

2009-09-24T08:49:00.000-07:00

Sorry it's so late! I finally posted about my kit! You can read about it here.

Yayness!!! My Kit!!!:D

2009-09-08T21:41:00.000-07:00

okie so now that the dorms internet is working, here is my awesome Kit!! thanks Phelicia!!!!:)

HSKS 9 - Delayed

2009-09-04T16:31:00.000-07:00

Hey, everyone!
We're going to delay HSKS 9 sign ups until October 5th. More information will be posted in the coming weeks.

My Kit is Here!

2009-09-04T04:51:00.000-07:00

I received a wonderful kit in the mail yesterday from Lavender Ollivander. Come to my blog to check it out!

Congratulations!!!!

2009-09-03T09:22:00.000-07:00

Thank you to everyone who voted! Thank you to every wonderful spoilee who took such great photos of their kits. And, even more important, thank you to all of the wonderful spoilers for sending so many wonderful kits! And, without further ado... our winner for the Best Kit of HSKS8 Summer Camp '09 is......

Congrats to Emma Wigworthy!!!

Small housekeeping note. You all had VERY different opinions on who sent the best kit in your cabin. So much so, that I didn't get ANY kind of consensus, so there will not be any Best Kit cabin winners. You are ALL winners though. Everyone loved everything... I can tell! Congrats to you all! :)

Thank you Madam Ferula

2009-09-02T19:07:00.001-07:00

Another Kit Received

2009-08-30T10:48:00.000-07:00

I received my kit from Mantacora Crimson! Come on over to my blog and check it out...

My kit arrived from Rowena

2009-08-30T05:07:00.000-07:00

I was travleing last week and did not get home until Friday, when I found this lovely and thoughtful kit from Rowena. Thanks so much. I already opened the nuts, drank a cup of coffee and fondled the yarn!

Pigs can fly!

2009-08-28T13:49:00.000-07:00

Can you guess what my kit theme is...
Check out all the goodness Fiera sent me!

My kit's arrived, too!

2009-08-27T14:32:00.000-07:00

And it's excellent. Perenelle T. is a great spoilee!Check it out at http://redheadknits.blogspot.com for more pics and descriptions!

I've got my kit

2009-08-27T12:42:00.000-07:00

I had to go and pick my kit from Dan'Azraella Deamonova up from the post office today, otherwise I would've had it on Tuesday. BUT now it's mine and there are pictures! :) Thank you Dan'Azraella!

To find out what's inside the cute kitty bag see my blog.

A Package from Astrid

2009-08-25T22:41:00.000-07:00

I got the most amazing Care of Magical Creatures package from Astrid yesterday! My girls were present, so the Cotton Candy Bubble gum and the Blood Pops did not last too long. The piece that amazed me most? The Student Planner! I had been at a meeting with a new principal and was wishing that I had a calendar to write down upcoming events as we discussed them. That same day I get the package with the exact thing that I needed! I put that to use today as I scheduled the first fundraiser of the year for my kid's school.

I also received the much, coveted by me, Gurumi Family kit from Knit Picks, a beautiful journal (can never have too many of those!), a harmony circular size 3, beautiful stitch markers, a cute little bag to put all the little essentials in, and an HP Snitch cloth in Huffle colors. Oh! And I can't forget the delicious tasting Twilight Sweethearts candies! I'm popping the last of those in my mouth as I type :) Thank you, Astrid, for a great summer care package!

It's Here!!

2009-08-24T19:05:00.001-07:00

Click on the pic for more photos of all the goodies

Voting has begun!

2009-08-23T15:21:00.000-07:00

Attention fellow campers! Voting has now begun for the Best Kit of HSKS 8 Summer Camp! Go to the Best Kit site and vote for your favorite kit. Those with a star next to their name are eligible to win. Remember, you cannot vote for your own kit or the kit you received. Also, send me the name of the favorite kit from your cabin (if available). You can send your votes to me either via PM on Ravelry (I'm dramaqt99) or email them to me at ashley dot cavell dot com. Voting will close Thursday, August 27 at 6 PM EST. If you have any questions or I have not marked your name, please let me know ASAP!

Owls!

2009-08-23T15:12:00.000-07:00

I recieved a wonderful package yesterday from Cassie Grubbly-Plank, take a look.
Thanks Cassie!!!!!!

Yarn in Training

2009-08-22T06:28:00.000-07:00

Birthday Girl Rowena!!!

Lookie what we found you for your birthday...
Yarn in Training!

We hope today is wonderful--- full of cake and laughter and hugs and kisses and calorie-less candy and, of course, love!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROWENA!!

2009-08-21T14:40:00.000-07:00

Hope you have a great birthday! You deserve it.

HSKS 9 - Quidditch Throughout the World

2009-08-21T12:36:00.000-07:00

Hello, Campers!!

I hope that you've all enjoyed Summer Camp this year. I know things have gotten busy for some, and I know that I did not anticipate a change in schedule on my part, but over all I hope that you've all had a good time. This was our first HSKS Summer Camp and a lot of good things have come out of it that we'll continue on into HSKS 9. That leaves me with my main announcement here :)

HSKS 9

Sign Ups
September 14th - September 18th

Swap Duration
September 21st - November 21st

Theme
Quidditch Teams
The teams are still yet to be decided. You will be able to choose a team that you'd like to join. Kits will be themed after the teams. There will be no House colors or identities. More than likely we'll go back to House colors during the first term of '10.

Looking for Team Captains
There will be four captains chosen. Please be watching the Rav board for application information.

Be watching the Rav board for more announcements!!

Please note!
Summer Camp ends August 29th!!
Get your kits in the mail before then!!

Clara Clovenhoof is the best!

2009-08-19T18:44:00.000-07:00

Without a doubt, Clara Clovenhoff deserves the prize for Best Kit! She spoiled me rotten (which is more than I can say for Cousin Thistle)! Check it out here !

It's here, it's here!

2009-08-19T17:38:00.001-07:00

I got the bestest kit EVER! Go over to my blog to check it out. Prendolyn the Weird is the BEST! She SO should get Best Kit! :)

Best Kits Voting

2009-08-18T13:05:00.001-07:00

Information on voting for the Best Kit is up. Go to the site now and check it out. If you have any questions, let me know. PM me on Ravelry (dramaqt99) or email me at ashley dot cavell at gmail dot com. Good luck everyone!

Game 7 badges!

2009-08-16T08:15:00.000-07:00

The detailed results of Game 7, Follow the Patronus, can be found on the Rav thread here.

Hinkypunks!

Thestrals!

Billywigs!!!

Congratulations to all the winners and all the participants!

Kit received

2009-08-16T05:22:00.000-07:00

I got a great kit from Helga Ze Horrid, read more about it on my blog

Owl Post!

2009-08-15T15:26:00.000-07:00

When I opened my front door this morning I had this on my porch! Thank you Calypso!!

Thank you, Wisty!

2009-08-13T17:22:00.000-07:00

I received my package from Wisty today! It's a Potions package full of love!

Keavy has delivered!!

2009-08-10T16:20:00.000-07:00

Check out my package from Bevin Rae Mooney, it's awesome!!! Thank you so much Bevin!

Delivery!

2009-08-04T17:58:00.000-07:00

Check out the wonderful kit Cassandra Grubbly-Plank's owl just dropped on my doorstep!!

http://winifredswhisperings.blogspot.com/2009/08/owl-has-landed.html

Spoiled!

2009-08-04T09:12:00.000-07:00

I got my kit from Fleur Dolohov last week and finally got the pictures posted! Check out my blog to see.

Week 6 Game Results

2009-08-03T12:44:00.000-07:00

The List

1. Draught of Peace
2. Mandrake Potion
3. Murlap Essence
4. Mrs. Scower's Magical Mess Remover
5. Forgetfulness Potion
6. Wit-Sharpening Essence
7. Mrs. Scower's Magical Mess Remover

Each potion is worth 5 points, so the total amount of points that may be earned is 35 for this game.

And the winner's are . . . .

HSKS8 Besk Kits Competition

2009-07-29T08:26:00.000-07:00

PLEASE NOTE THE CHANGE OF DATE!

Are you all having a great time at camp? It's hard to believe that there's less than a month left! Even harder to believe is the fact that August 15 is the end of the Early Bird sending period AND the end of the qualifying time for the Best Kits competition. Only a bit more than two weeks away! So, I hope that you're all taking a few pictures of your kits before sending them off! Feel free to send them to me (Cassie C. in the Hinkypunks Cabin) so I can enter you into the competition. You can ask your Counselor for the address!

Enjoy the rest of your summer and I'll see you around the campfire!

Summer Camp Game #5 Winners

2009-07-28T11:54:00.000-07:00

What a creative bunch of campers we have at Hogwarts Summer Camp! I am proud to announce the winners of Camp Game #5!

Third Place goes to BILLYWIGS with 100 points!

Second place goes to MANTICORES with 110 points!

First place goes to........drum roll................

ERUMPENTS with 120 points!

And congratulations to all campers! Every cabin has campers participating. Kudos to all.

Happy Birthday!!!!

2009-07-26T09:57:00.001-07:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LUNA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

COME JOIN THE PARTY IN CABIN ERUMPENT! BUTTERBEER FOR ALL!

Yaaaaaaaaaaaaay!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-07-23T09:29:00.003-07:00

Follow the portkey to see the fun goodies that found their way to my house!

Summer Camp Game #5

2009-07-20T12:08:00.000-07:00

It's time! Summer Camp Game #5 is open for participation! Let's see how creative everyone can be!

Summer Game #4 Winners....

2009-07-20T09:52:00.000-07:00

...likely no surprise! LOL Great searching, everyone! Here are the badges for the top three cabins:

Thestrals (with 90 points)

Manticores (with 135 points)

Billywigs (with 180 points!)

Congratulations to all the winners, and congratulations to everyone that found an egg (whether it was before or after it was already reported found)!

Fleur Sweeting's having a birthday!

2009-07-18T06:41:00.000-07:00

Everyone join me in wishing Fleur a Happy Birthday!!!

Prendolyn the Wierd's having a Special Day!

2009-07-18T06:39:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Pren! Hope your day is filled with cake, happy wishes, and lots and lots of yarn!

Kit Pictures

2009-07-15T20:53:00.001-07:00

I can't believe that we are already in the midst of the early send period! How is that so much time at camp has gone by?! As you near the time to send your owls out, please remember to take a few photos of your kits. This is in case your spoilee has camera problems and can't post a picture of your wonderful gifts. So take those pictures... we all LOVE to see the goodies! You can find my contact information on the Best Kits Site.

I look forward to getting all of your great pics!

Summer Game #3 Winners!

2009-07-15T16:26:00.000-07:00

It was certainly a challenge, and everyone had a chance to face and overcome their fears. The cabins with the most participation and best performance of the Riddikulus spell have earned these badges!

In a 4-way tie for 3rd place!
Ashwinders & Billywigs & Thestrals & Cornish Pixies

Hinkypunks

Manticores

Congratulations everyone!

And someone else who's lucky gets this egg!

New Cabin Counselor

2009-07-14T14:50:00.000-07:00

In honor of Fleur Sweeting's hard work in the Cornish Pixies cabin she has been henceforth bestowed the title of Co-Cabin Counselor! Here, here!! She was previously a Counselor-In-Training.

T-Shirt Sale @ CafePress

2009-07-14T07:41:00.000-07:00

There is a t-shirt sale going on for just a couple of days over at Cafe Press. Not sure if that would include the HSKS shirts, but it's always worth a look. If you don't see anything you like be sure to head over to the HSKS Gear store for more magical options!

Dumbledore wants YOU!!!!

2009-07-13T18:05:00.000-07:00

The Tri-Wizard Tournament has officially begun! How many golden eggs can you find for the the glory of your cabin?!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY WISTY!!

2009-07-10T10:08:00.000-07:00

Happiest Birthday to our most Wonderful Wisteria Lovegood!!

Strawberry Cake will be served in the Great Lodge with Daquiris, Butterbeer, Firewhisky and Cherry Sodas!!

Meet Our DADA Counselor

2009-07-07T17:28:00.001-07:00

I suppose it is time that I introduced our "new" DADA counselor, Lucious...er, that's Lucius Whitmarsh. Those of you who were at Hogwarts for Term 6 will recognize our dear professor.

Professor Whitmarsh left Hogwarts abruptly, without explanation, at the end of Term 6. I thought we had been very good friends, so when he left I was disappointed. I have since learned that vicious rumors had cost Professor Whitmarsh his reputation, position and status in the Wizarding community. His fall from grace came with a final blow to his ego when Professor of Bloodlust, Golemn Gollonas, was awarded the prized Novation Quantum Analysis doctorate grant to study and present his findings on 7th Sactum Terrorism at this year's Wizarding World Defense Against the Dark Arts Council.

Professor Whitmarsh decided that he wanted to return to HSKS and see if he could regain his status. He applied under a pseudoname in order to be judged on his qualifications, rather than reputation. I, for one, am glad he has returned and look forward to rekindling our friendship.

Game #3 is up

2009-07-06T21:47:00.001-07:00

Please head on over to our Ravelry forum to play a little game of casting the "Riddikulus" spell!

Game 3 ends Saturday!

Did you find one?!

2009-07-05T21:36:00.000-07:00

HSKS8 Best Kits Site

2009-07-05T20:08:00.001-07:00

Evening fellow campers! I hope you're all having as much fun as I am! If you haven't already, check out the Best Kits Site! There are some hints and tips on how to create some great kits. Feel free to add any ideas, suggestions and/or tips of your own as well!

Also, keep this in mind before you send off your kit. Please take some photos of it and send them to me. That way, you'll be sure to have some in case your spoilee has problems posting photos. My email address is ashley dot cavell at gmail dot com. Also, feel free to email me if you have any questions!

Happy spoiling!

Cassie C.

Summer Camp Game #2 Winners

2009-07-05T08:52:00.001-07:00

Once again we all found ourselves challenged by the Camp Games. This time, the Games Committee doled out some word-scrambling action AND some code-breaking. We hope you had fun! Just in case you were wondering, the correct answer was Ron Weasley!

We saw a lot of good effort out there from every cabin, but these 3 scored the highest.

Billywigs!

Ashwinders!

Thestrals!

Don't forget to sport your well-earned badges on your blog! And if you haven't gotten a badge yet...be encouraged: there are still 5 more games coming!!

Summer Camp Game #1 Winners

2009-07-03T14:38:00.001-07:00

All cabins put in an awesome effort in the first week of camp to be a part of the Summer Camp Games! The Games Committee would like to recognize those cabins who scored the highest on Game #1 through their combined efforts....

Erumpents & Billywigs & Manticores!
That's right, folks, a three-way tie for third!!!

Ashwinders!

Thestrals!

Congratulations everyone on a superb team effort!

Part 2 of Game 2 is up!

2009-07-02T23:39:00.000-07:00

We've had a great response to the Anagram solving game this week!

Part two is now up on the HSKS Rav topic. I hope you all enjoy it!

Ahhhhhhhhh!!!!

2009-06-30T13:03:00.000-07:00

I got so caught up in pestering my husband as to whether or not I get to go watch Half-Blood Prince in England, that I totally missed this yesterday!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DRACO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Potter-cake for all who swing by!!!

Angel's Needed

2009-06-30T08:43:00.000-07:00

Doesn't Hermione look angelic here? I tried to find a picture of an angel that I liked, but settled for this one :)

This is the first call for angel kit items. Generally, every term one or two people are in need of an angel kit because their spoiler does not fulfill his or her duties. Unfortunate, I know, but sometimes these things just can't be helped.

Though, I have allowed for people to place ads on this site in order to help with postage and prizes the turn out has not been great. The ads you see to the right will only help to pay for postage. So, I would like to ask for anyone wanting to donate an item for the Angel/Prize stash, please email misswartbobble AT yahoo.com.

Angel kit/prize items will need to be mailed to me by July 31st.

Summer Camp Game Two is up!

2009-06-30T00:02:00.000-07:00

The Picture is a Portkey to take you directly to

Game Two

of our Summer Camp Games!!

Witch & Wizardly Wisecracks!!

2009-06-24T18:42:00.000-07:00

WWW Begins Tonight!!

What is it?? Information to be posted on our Ravelry group in about 3 hours... as soon as my wee wizards are asleep!!

Cool Etsy Seller

2009-06-24T06:05:00.000-07:00

So I really had to share this with everyone. I found this seller on Etsy who makes really cute small project knitting bags, totes, stitch markers, and row counters. I love them, they look so cute and reasonably priced!! Here is the link to the small project bags!

Headmistress Campfire!

2009-06-21T21:29:00.000-07:00

Everyone is invited to the first Campfire of the summer! The staff and myself are hosting a campfire filled with good stories, fun, s'mores, and butterbeer! There are two campfire times available. Come to whichever one suits your schedule.

Tuesday, June 23rd

First Campfire

9 a.m. PST

11 a.m. CST

Noon EST

5 p.m. CET

Second Campfire

3 p.m. PST

5 p.m. CST

6 p.m. EST

11 p.m. CET

Great Lodge
(Do not use your Twitter ID to log in)

Happy Friday!

2009-06-19T09:11:00.000-07:00

Hi All I am so happy it is friday. I am trying to get settled into my cabin and figure out how to keep all the Pixie pests in line. They keep playing pranks on all of us. I am looking forward to summer camp and all the games!!!!!!
~Penelope~

HSKS Gear

2009-06-19T09:10:00.001-07:00

Don't leave camp without getting your HSKS Camp Gear! You'll notice that many of the items in the CafePress shop have camp spelled with a 'K.' That's because I was going to spell it that way, but kept forgetting when I'd made other images. So, consider it a collector edition when you see it spelled with a 'K' LOL

HSKS has a CafePress store and a Zazzle store. Both offer different things, so make sure that you stop by both because you never know what will catch your fancy!

Camp Calendar

2009-06-19T08:35:00.000-07:00

There are a few things to note over the summer. Because we all like to be on the same page there exists and HSKS calendar.

Highlights:

July 6th - Okay to Send
We like to keep people chatting and building relationships. Many times after the package is sent people feel that they are finished with the swap and their partner. To nurture the relationships we make sure that swappers don't send their packages out too early. This date exists so that people sending to others oversees can get their packages out in plenty of time so that their packages make it to their destinations well before the swap ends. Only those sending internationally qualify for the Early Send Bonus points.

July 13 to Aug. 15th - Early Bonus Point Period
During this time, if your package is postmarked between these dates your cabin will receive 50 bonus points per package.

August 15th - Best Kit Deadline
In order to be eligible for the Best Kit contest you must have your package postmarked and Delivery Confirmation # turned in to your Cabin Counselor by Aug. 16th.

August 29th - Official End of Summer Camp
All packages must be sent at this time. All swappers who do not send by this date are in jeopardy of not being able to return for the Fall term.

Cornish Pixies CIT

2009-06-19T06:33:00.001-07:00

I am pleased to annouce that Fleur Sweeting has taken on the responsibility of Counselor in Training for the Cornish Pixies. My cousin Thistle Lovegood is a Cornish Pixie this summer and I KNOW that Penelope of Flitwick is going to need ALLLLLL the help she can get!! Good luck Fleur! You're going to need it, believe me.

Workshops

2009-06-18T23:54:00.000-07:00

There has been a little confusion concerning the workshops, so I thought that I would clarify.

Everyone was able to choose more than one work shop. This was so that their spoiler had a choice of which workshop they wanted to send to their spoilee.

Only ONE workshop is supposed to be sent. If money permits you may send two, but I don't want those who chose more than one workshop to EXPECT more than one workshop. Another good idea would be to use the remaining budget towards extras... fill in the kit with other goodies. Everyone appreciates receiving a well thought out kit.

I know that we tend to go above and beyond with HSKS, but I want those on the receiving end to, please not expect that if you chose 3 different workshop that your partner will be sending you all three. Only ONE workshop sent is the requirement.

The Choice Has Been Made

2009-06-18T11:27:00.000-07:00

It seems that we've all become the victims of the befuddlement draught! It must have been in our Pumpkin Juice morning of last. It seems that Professor Warick is not who he appears to be. Though he is quite handsome, and his handsomeness alone could be a possible disarming charm, it appears that he fooled us all! With the vote between Professor Rayner and Professor Warick coming to an end it appears that we might have possibly been made fools of because the apparent choice in the majority for a new DADA is in fact none other than a more mature and a more seasoned Lucius Whitmarsh, who as our DADA during the winter term of last year!!!
Whitmarsh then:

Whitmarsh now:

Please wait for Wisteria to make formal introductions and then you can congratulate Whitmarsh on his . . . ah-hem - worthy assignment on her introductory post.

A Tie!

2009-06-17T23:18:00.000-07:00

There is a tie between Professor Gawain Rayner (#2) and Professor Kembell Warick (#3) ! Please vote one more time for these handsome gentlemen.

Professor Kembell Warick (#3) - Having fought with the Order of the Phoenix against Voldermort's initial attacks, Professor Warick has a keen knowledge of the Dark Arts that will aid any and every student to excel in this class.

Professor Gawain Rayner (#2) - Gawain Rayner is a seasoned DADA instructor. Within the span of an hour's time Professor Rayner can impress upon the minds of all the students a desire to learn DADA even enough to eventually become Auror.

Best Kits Site

2009-06-17T07:48:00.000-07:00

Have you visited the HSKS Best Kits website yet?

Information will be added daily on how to prepare and deliver your packages.

I want to know what you need to know so I can help you get your owls out and delivered smoothly.

Future blog posts will give you tips on:

Kit guidelines
Kit embellishment ideas
Owl delivery assistance
Photographic suggestions (Remember, we have end of term contest for the best kit!)

Also, please be sure to email me (Cassandra Crimsonchin, ashley dot cavell at gmail dot com) pics of your kits before sending them out for the end-of-term contest!

Posting on This Blog

2009-06-16T20:50:00.000-07:00

Invitations have been sent out to all campers giving you the privilege to post on this blog. Though your main posting should be done on the Cabin blogs you are welcome to post teasers here for your spoilee, especially if they are not in your cabin. Keep in mind that this blog is one of the main sources of information from the administrative staff and that our posts must be seen by all.An example of allowable posts on this blog would be kit teasers, received kits, informational posts from Cabin Counselors and other administrative staff.

Questions should be directed through the rav board, email or PM's on Ravelry. They can also be asked in the comments section of each post. But questions should not BE a post, if you know what I mean.

Defense Against The Dark Arts

2009-06-15T21:32:00.000-07:00

Need we say more? Those of you who have been around Hogwarts for a while know that the Defense Against the Dark Arts posts can never keep an instructor for more than a year. Well, every term we hire a new instructor. Our dear Wisty has . . . eh hem, shall we say, been given the task of orienting the new DADA instructors on their duties at the school. For summer we will do something a little different. Three instructors have applied for the job of Summer Camp DADA and I would like to have all the campers involved in deciding who our summer DADA will be.
Our first candidate is Caedmon McGooken. He has taught DADA at various other magic schools, but would come to us with only one year worth of experience. He, however, shows immense promise because of his uncharacteristic to teach his students dark arts in very interesting, and sometimes unethical ways.

Gawain Rayner is a seasoned DADA instructor. Within the span of an hour's time Professor Rayner can impress upon the minds of all the students a desire to learn DADA even enough to eventually become Auror.

Kembell Warick is last, but certainly not least. Having fought with the Order of the Phoenix against Voldermort's initial attacks, Professor Warick has a keen knowledge of the Dark Arts that will aid any and every student to excel in this class.

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Impromptu Trivia: Who among you knows WHY the DADA post can not be occupied for more than a year?

Welcome, Campers!

2009-06-13T05:36:00.000-07:00

Hello, Campers!

As you all arrive and camp and get settled in, please take this time to get to know your other cabin mates. Your Cabin Counselors will be creating a Cabin blog, if they have not already. This will be a private blog that only myself, the Camp Directors, and your cabin mates will be able to read. You will use this blog to share your Workshop choices (you will choose from the list that your spoilee provides), share your progress, and get to know each other. This blog and your cabin blog will become your main source of information over the course of the summer.

A Few Things Of Note:

Participation
We have attempted to design summer camp to not be as intensive as the regular terms, but of course, in our excitement of all that is camp we have offered many opportunities to make participation fun and exciting. Every camper is required to post on their blogs weekly. Passes may be given to those on vacation, but we must be made aware of this in advance. Any camper who does not post over a 14-day period will be dropped from the swap. If no attempt at maintaining communication with your spoilee/spoiler or Cabin Counselors is made you will be blacklisted from this swap and not allowed to return. Though there will be several places for you to participate (your blog, the cabin blog, and rav) ONLY posts on your blog are counted for attendance.

Important Information Forthcoming
Over the next few days we will be highlighting information that all campers will need in order to ensure a successful and happy camp experience. Please be watching this blog and your cabin blogs for important information. If you have questions the easiest place to get your questions answered is on the rav board, but the camp staff is all just an email away. We appreciate your patience as we all get settled in.

I would like to take this opportunity to introduce to you the Administrative staff of Camp HSKS.

Camp Director
Miss Winifred Wartbobble

Associate Camp Director
Miss Wisteria Lovegood

Assistant Camp Director
Miss Bevin Rae Mooney

Our creative staff consists of, all the Cabin Counselors, the Best Kit Counselor Cassandra Crimsonchin and the WWW (formerly RAOK) Counselor Bevin Rae Mooney. Without each one of these talented and dedicated people, Camp would not have been possible!

The Time Has Come!!!

2009-06-07T23:35:00.000-07:00

Please use this form to sign up for the swap. Sign ups are open until Friday, June 12th at midnight PST.

SIGN UPS FOR THE SUMMER SESSION ARE NOW CLOSED!

Is It Time Yet???

2009-06-02T22:33:00.000-07:00

It's almost time to sign up for camp! Are you ready?

When: June 8th through June 12th

Where: Here! There will be a portkey posted that will take you directly to the sign-up form.

Until that time make sure that you have your sleeping bags packed and don't forget your toothbrush!!!

Because of Camp

2009-05-14T10:50:00.000-07:00

Don't you want to go to camp? We're looking for campers and counselors. Join us!

Camp Counselors Wanted!

2009-04-27T09:15:00.000-07:00

For Summer Camp HSKS is going to do something a little different. We are going to have Camp Counselors in lieu of Head Girls/Boys. Camp promises to be a more relaxed environment than a regular term, but we will still need someone from each house to round up the troops and make sure that all is well. We are also taking applications for the activity counselors as well.

Also to change things up a bit in order to qualify to be a Camp Counselor you must fit into these qualifications:

You cannot have served as a Head Girl/Boy during the regular term. Serving as a Prefect during last term is okay.
You have to be able to spend at least 2-3 hours every week encouraging your campers, posting to your own blog and sending out needed reminders.
Dedicated to updating the Camp Record sheet with your cabin's scores and participation.
You have to have participated in at least one HSKS term.
You will need to be available for the Counselor Workshop June 1st through June 5th.
You can choose to be a Camp Counselor in these following roles: Cabin Counselor (only 10 will be accepted), Best Kit Counselor, Angel Kit Counselor, Traveling Rope Counselor, or ROAK Counselor. Counselor duties listed HERE.

Camp Counselors Have Been Chosen! Thank You For Your Interest!

Counselor Duties

2009-04-27T09:10:00.000-07:00

Cabin Counselor
A Cabin Counselor is someone who is in charge of making sure that your cabin mates are having a good time at camp. You will make sure that your cabin mates are participating to the best of their abilities, keep your cabin scores up to date, and make sure that you are in constant communication with the Camp Director and Assistant Director. Counselors will be expected to update their cabin information in an online collaborated excel spreadsheet (not as difficult as it sounds).

Best Kit Counselor
The Best Kit Counselor will need to know how to update a Blogspot blog. No HTML or CSS knowledge is required, but attention to detail is preferred. The Best Kit Counselor will be responsible for posting blog notices of Best Kit requirements, updating Best Kit site, accepting and keeping record of Best Kit photos sent via email, and orchestrating the final judging of the kits at the end of camp.

Angel Kits Counselor
The Angel Kits Counselor will be responsible for soliciting campers for angel kit donations and having the donations sent to his or her house, putting angel kits together if needed and determining what is left over for prizes at the end of camp. The Angel Kits Counselor is also responsible for sending out angel kits and prizes to recipients (postage supplied by HSKS).

ROAK Counselor
The ROAK Counselor will be responsible for posting the ROAK rules to the main blog, signing up participants, and facilitating the ROAKs.

Advertise With Us!

2009-04-26T20:15:00.000-07:00

Nothing comes without a price these days. To run a successful swap there are always hidden costs which the swappers at-large are many times unaware of. Hogwarts Sock Kit Swap receives many donations for angel kits and prizes, but there is always the cost of shipping these items out. To off set this cost and to award better prizes HSKS8 will display adverts here on a three week rotation. All paid advertisements are 125x125 pixels and are billed as a one-time fee. This swap has an average of 80 participants who use this site as the second most popular means of communication - this first being our Ravelry group forum.

We are looking for advertisements of:

Yarn
Stitch Markers
Patterns
Harry Potter themed items

To advertise with us:

Please send your image in either a .jpg, .gif, or .png format to misswartbobble AT yahoo.com
Only 125x125 images are acceptable.
You can purchase space for your ad to run 3, 6, or 9 weeks.
Accepting adverts until Friday, July 31st, 2009, at which time only 3-week adverts can be purchased.

Please see the fee schedule below:

Diagon Alley

2009-04-26T20:05:00.000-07:00

Diagon Alley is our free advertisement program. Diagon Alley will be linked to from the main page and provide text links to some of our favorite vendors. To get your link listed here just leave a message in the comments section of this post and we'll update soon.

Cicada Valley - NEW!!
15% to swappers!
Leave a message for the seller to receive discount.

Bumblebirch - NEW!!
Swappers will receive 10% off

The Froggery
Swappers will receive 50 cents off each set, but must follow instructions on the site.

TipoFilato
10% off to HSKS Swappers

Rumplestiltskin
10% off to HSKS swappers

Arachknits

Tempted Yarns

RazzyTazzyKnits

Jenny's Cards
$1 off for HSKS Swappers or 2 extra cards free of your preferred design.

InsanKnitty
10% off and free shipping
Mention you are with HSKS

Crazy 4 Dyeing
15% of everything in store
Coupon Code: HSKS7

Selena's Handarbeitskram
10% off - mention swap

Alivan's

Mac Kintosh Yarn

Craftilly

Misty Water Woman

Hogwarts Sock Stitch Markers

Crest Palace

Whimsical Alley

Cosmic Fibers

Hogwarts Recipes

Fairy Fiber

Luminous Jewlers

Wind Twirlers Shop

Night Blooming

What Is A Craft Swap?

2009-04-26T20:00:00.000-07:00

Swap
–verb (used with object)

1.	to exchange, barter, or trade, as one thing for another: He swapped his wrist watch for the radio.

In the case of a craft or knitting swap two participants agree to swap handmade items. In the case of this swap participants join the swap, agreeing to be matched up with someone following certain criteria (i.e. based on allergy compatibility, geographical location, ect.).

The Hogwarts Sock Kit Swap is a swap in which participants put together a kit and they swap this kit with another participant in the swap.

Kit
–verb (used with object)

8.	to package or make available in a kit: a new model airplane that has just been kitted for the hobbyist.

For an example of the types of kits that we swap please visit the Requirements page.

Favorite Camp Movie - Parent Trap

2009-04-10T09:45:00.000-07:00

One of my very favorite camp movies is Parent Trap. Below is the synopsis of the movie. Do you have a favorite Camp movie?

Synopsis

The Parent Trap follows identical twins Sharon and Susan (Hayley Mills) as they attempt to reunite their divorced parents Maggie and Mitch (Maureen O'Hara and Brian Keith). The two 13-year-old girls meet for the first time at summer camp and switch identities in order to visit the parent they have never seen. While Susan is in Boston masquerading as Sharon, Sharon is in California masquerading as Susan.

Sharon calls Susan in Boston with the news that their father is planning to marry a gold-digger and their mother needs to be rushed to California to prevent the union. In Boston, Susan tells her mother the truth about the switched identities and the two fly to California.

With both parents and both twins in California, the twins set about (with some slight approval from their mother) sabotaging their father's marriage plans. Mitch's money-hungry girlfriend Vicki Robinson (Joanna Barnes) receives some rude, mischievous treatment from the girls and some veiled cattiness from Maggie. When Vicki is away for an evening, the girls stage a reprise of their parents' first date in Mitch's home with an Italian dinner and a gypsy violinist. The former spouses are gradually drawn together. (Read More @ Wikipedia)

Requirements & Workshops

2009-04-09T18:21:00.000-07:00

All participants are required to be a part of Ravelry, so if you are not on there now, please go and sign up - if you are a heavy crafter you won't be sorry :)

The other requirement for this swap is that you MUST have a blog. The blog can be your regular blog, but you'll notice that most of the participants will create a character blog especially for HP type swaps.

Kit Should Not Go Over $30 and not under $15.

A Change of Pace

The following are a list of Workshops available for Summer Camp. These options will give you more leeway to add creative flare to your kits. Much of what goes in the kit will determine on how you interpret each workshop. Stitch markers and needles are NOT required. There are a few staples (musts) and they are listed below:

For Summer camp a handmade bag is NOT required. But, the workshop that you send has to be neatly contained in either a bag or a decorative box.
You must include yarn in the workshop and the yarn must be specifically for the workshop activity/craft.
Each workshop must include the instructions to complete the workshop (a pattern).

Workshops

Herbology
The Herbology workshop is very simple. You will include either a knit or crochet pattern of something which includes a little lace work. It does not need to include laceweight yarn, but could be pattern and yarn for something such as the Foliage hat or the Lace Round Dishcloth. Crochet examples include the Queen Annes Lace Scarf and Doral Wristlets.

Potions
For the potions workshop you will send workshop items a little out of the norm for HSKS. You will send ingredients and items for your spoilee to make homemade solutions: sugar and salt scrubs, soap, candles, or you can send ingredients for a new non-alcoholic drink such as a Slytherin Slushie or Plimpie Punch. Come up with your own creation and make sure it's delicious!

Care of Magical Creatures
For this workshop we will have a little fun! Include a pattern for a knitted or crochet toy. Make sure to include any buttons or other accessories your spoilee will need to complete the workshop. You can go to the Knitting Central or Crochet Pattern Central for some great ideas.

Defense Against The Dark Arts
For this workshop, you can get a little creative on what defending against the dark arts means and you will send yarn and pattern for your spoilee to complete the a pattern such as the Dark Side Cowl or the crocheted Seduction scarf.

Astronomy
The workshop will be yarn and pattern for something such as the knitted Star Crossed Beret or the crocheted Star Scarf.

Divination
This workshop is where you can let you creative imagination run wild!! You must divine a pattern for a small project. You will come up with your own creation for this one, but it must be a small project, such as a hat, gloves, scarf, dishcloth or something of that size.

Charms
This workshop will be of the beaded category. Stitch markers, bracelet, necklace, row counters, or any other wearable jewelry or knit/crochet accessory that you can think of. Please remember that your workshop items must come to at least $15.

Ancient Runes
This workshop will be of the Fairisle variety. Again, a small project, but will include yarn and pattern for a Fairisle project.

Transfiguration
This one will be a little tougher, but it must be something that is recycled and given new use - new life. It does not mean that you will send old yarn, but that you'll find something that was used has a hat, but once you felted it (by accident!) you've decided to use it as a coin caddy! This subject is definitely up for discussion, but has limitless possibilities.

Registration

2009-04-09T18:11:00.000-07:00

Registration for HSKS 8 will begin Monday, June 8th, for new and returning students. Keep watching the Rav board and this site for more information.

Camp HSKS

2009-04-09T15:10:00.000-07:00

The Swap

Camp HSKS is an overnight summer camp for girls & boys located in the "heart of a wooded mountain" in Imagination Peak, MakeBelieve. Founded in 2006, our art summer camp continues to provide an exciting and enriching summer camp experience for artisans of all ages.

Each summer Camp HSKS provides a unique summer camp program of recreation, adventure, creativity and fun. From Log Cabin crafts, Sock Beanies, Camp Games, and a Traveling Ropes Course. Each day at camp is filled with new experiences and great opportunities to develop lasting friendships.

Our swaps are structured in the round-robin method, so if your spoilee or spoiler has to leave the swap for any reason you will then be paired up with their spoiler or spoilee. Everyone who remains in the swap receives a kit!

Our Goals

Our goal through these summer camps is for each camper to gain, at his or her own pace, a deeper understanding of herself and of her relationship with other people and the magical world of craft. Emphasizing a friendly and somewhat *wink* competitive environment, we aim to provide summer camp memories that can serve as inner resources upon which to build character.

Our Promise & The Numbers

Though Summer Camp promises to be more relaxing than a regular term, swappers can count the promise of receiving a kit when the swap ends. HSKS terms average 80 participants and approximately two to three swappers are either dropped from the swap because of non-participation or because of family or financial emergencies. That is a pretty good record!! That means that HSKS swaps have a 96% retention rate during each of their swaps. Over half of the participants each term are returning swappers. HSKS swaps are about more than simply swapping. HSKS swaps are about building long term frienships. We hope you join us!

Please note: HSKS 8 is not an actual camp, but a fictional camp facilitating the HSKS swap during the summer months of 2009.