Stockwell Day Camp

Ancient Prime Time Television

By |2013-04-16T10:07:40-04:00April 16th, 2013|

In the 21st century, it is safe to say that when most people look at the stars, they think of science. Perhaps they are reminded of lessons that they learned in school about what causes the motion of celestial objects, or perhaps they are looking for something they heard about in the news. What we often forget; however, is that before we were able to scientifically explain astronomy, the stars were more of a cultural phenomenon than a scientific one. Before television, electricity, the printing press, or even a written language, parents of ancient times had the same monumental task [...]

April Is Here!

By |2013-04-09T10:01:34-04:00April 9th, 2013|

Last week was very exciting for all of us here at camp. We hosted the Northeast YMCA Outdoor Education Affinity Group Retreat, Spring Break Day Camp, Learn to Climb, the Moorestown Friends School Fourth Grade, and the South Jersey Law Enforcement Outdoor Challenge. We found ourselves in many different settings learning, instructing, and playing. Some things that really flapped my shutters; -          Watching so many campers get to the top of the wall when they thought they couldn’t. -          The exciting new games I learned from my friends at The New York YMCA Camps like Sonic the Hedgehog and Super [...]

To Laugh is to Risk

By |2013-03-25T10:50:38-04:00March 25th, 2013|

Was this anonymous poem written about our experiences at Camp? "To laugh is to risk appearing the fool, To weep is to risk appearing sentimental, To reach out for another is to risk involvement, To expose our feelings is to risk exposing our true self, To place your ideas and dreams before the crowd is to risk loss, To love is to risk not being loved in return, To live is to risk dying, To hope is to risk despair, To try at all is to risk failure, But risk we must, because the greatest hazard in life is to [...]

Seasonal thaw…

By |2013-03-24T17:17:24-04:00March 24th, 2013|

Hello folks… As my title to this post may lead you to think about the weather… it is not about that. I am not a weather man and I have no idea what tomorrow or next week may bring in terms of temperature or precipitation. What I am eluding to is the fact that Camp is right around the corner we are beginning to move out of the winter projects mode and on to busier times ahead leading up to Summer Camp! A mental thaw, so to speak. […]

Two Years

By |2013-03-21T11:07:46-04:00March 21st, 2013|

I once opened a fortune cookie that read “achievement will come with such hard work”. I think about this statement all of the time throughout my leadership in Lake Stockwell Day Camp and School’s Out. Exactly one week ago from today marked my second year, full time, here at Camp Ockanickon. Looking back, these last two years has been such a personal success for me. Not only have I had the opportunity of working here, I have had the opportunity to professional grow through multiple trainings, conferences, and networking events. Although some days are more rewarding than others and some [...]

All Play and No Work …

By |2013-03-19T09:16:57-04:00March 19th, 2013|

Working at camp all year, I have the privilege of saying that I play for a living. Yes, I do spend time in an office, and the work here at camp has a farther reaching and deeper impact than simply being fun. However, fun is the primary vehicle for the impact that we make, and as a result I am evaluated on my ability to have fun. This past week, many of us here at camp attended the American Camping Association Tri-State Camping Conference in Atlantic City. The convention provides three full days of workshops geared to all levels of [...]

Getting Ready for Open House

By |2013-03-17T19:59:23-04:00March 17th, 2013|

It was awesome to watch alumni, Ocky Staff, Matolly Staff, and Stockwell Staff working side by side to get Camp ready for our 1st Open House of the year.  We had 26 people volunteer today to finish the work we started last Monday to get the Matolly Dining Hall and Matolly tour route ready for next Sunday's Open House.  We raked lots of leaves, cut up and hauled out many down trees and limbs left over from Hurricane Sandy, and put the finishing touches on the Dining Hall.    We even got a start on raking the Ocky Villages as well.  [...]

Farewell to a Dear Friend of Camp

By |2013-03-08T18:12:20-05:00March 8th, 2013|

My father, Frank Birchler, passed away last Thursday, February 28 at home surrounded by his loving family.  Dad was 76 years old.  He has had a big impact on our Camp, both directly and indirectly.  For many years, one of Dad's hobbies has been fundraising for our Annual Golf Tournament. This wasn't something that Dad liked to brag about, because he did not like attention.  He was, however, very committed to helping kids get to Camp who couldn't afford it otherwise.  Dad did not like being in the spotlight.  The look he gave me when he was honored with the [...]

Flee Fly!

By |2013-03-07T03:01:56-05:00March 7th, 2013|

One of my all time favorite camp songs is Flee Fly. Not only do all the campers get really into it but so does the Stockwell staff. Throughout the summer we hold two staff Flee Fly relay races in which the campers sing the song as loud as they can and 4 teams of  2 counselors race to the Ockanickon Dam and back to the Dining Hall. Is it summer yet?! Flee Fly - repeat me song flee flee fly flee fly flow flee scott acumalouda acumalouda acumalouda escot no no no not tenescot escamany salimany do ought do oughtimany [...]

Go to Top