June 2011 - YMCA OF THE PINES

Plantain Fritters

By YMCA of the Pines|2011-06-21T18:06:57-04:00June 21st, 2011|

Hello all... Since we are busy, busy, busy training our Staff and getting ready for Summer Camp to begin (Yes, Session One starts SUNDAY!!) I want to drop in and give you a quick and easy treat that is sure to impress. I say impress because not too many people know what to do with a Plantain... and if you get this recipe right you'll teach folks a thing or two about how delicious a plantain can be. Wait... I hear you asking "Chef Jason, what's a plantain?" Well... in layman's terms... a plantain is that really big green banana-looking [...]

Leadership!

By YMCA of the Pines|2011-06-18T06:48:57-04:00June 18th, 2011|

Today, Ocky & Matolly & Stockwell finished up our Leadership training! What an incredible week! Our staff worked on communication, team work, and how to create the most wonderful experience for both our Staff and Campers. As the Stockwell staff were finishing up an intense morning on the Challenge Course, we had an emotion conversation about how much we appreciate each other and value each other's work. I am so proud to have this group of people to lead our Staff and Campers. Let the Summer begin!

Summer Camp is On!!!!

By YMCA of the Pines|2011-06-10T16:52:24-04:00June 10th, 2011|

From a Camp Director's point of view, Camp is on!!! Summer staff are arriving every day and that feeling that can only be described as Summer Camp can be felt all over Ocky, Matolly, and Stockwell! The enthusiasm and camaraderie of the Summer staff is exploding everywhere. The only thing missing is the campers. We're going to spend the next 2 weeks getting everyone prepared to be the very best counselors we can be. Come June 26, WE WILL BE READY! I hope all of the Campers are ready for a GREAT SUMMER! We'll see you soon! Brent Birchler Boys [...]

Can you tell me how to get…to Camp Ockanickon?

By YMCA of the Pines|2011-06-10T10:46:08-04:00June 10th, 2011|

Many of you know that Brent and I have a 14 month old daughter - Katelyn is the funniest, cutest, most wonderful little girl! She is IN LOVE with Elmo - Well, according to her, his name is "Melmo." Every morning we have to watch "Melmo" on YouTube. She picks up my iPhone and asks for "Melmo" and it cracks me up every time. Below is a link for one of our favorite songs on Sesame Street. When you listen to the words, I really feel like both our Staff and Campers can relate! Check it out...and those Muppets have [...]

For the Garden of Your Daily Living

By YMCA of the Pines|2011-06-09T05:01:19-04:00June 9th, 2011|

Plant three rows of peas: Peace of mind, Peace of heart, Peace of soul. Plant four rows of squash: Squash gossip, Squash indifference, Squash grumbling, Squash selfishness. Plant four rows of lettuce: Lettuce be faithful, Lettuce be kind, Lettuce be patient, Lettuce truly love each other. Not a garden without turnips: Turnip for meetings, Turnip for service, Turnip to help one another. To conclude our garden, we must have thyme: Thyme for each other, Thyme for family, Thyme for friends. Water freely with patience and cultivate with love. There is much fruit in your garden because you reap what you [...]

Marvelous Baked Mac n’ Cheese

By YMCA of the Pines|2011-06-08T08:21:04-04:00June 8th, 2011|

Hey folks... Here's a real treat. Put down the boxed Mac & Cheese and give this home-made Baked Macaroni and Cheese a try!! You won't be disappointed! Ingredients 1/2 pound elbow macaroni 3 tablespoons butter 3 tablespoons flour 1 tablespoon powdered mustard 3 cups milk 1/2 cup yellow onion, finely diced 1 bay leaf 1/2 teaspoon paprika 1 large egg 12 ounces sharp cheddar, shredded 1 teaspoon salt Fresh black pepper Topping: 3 tablespoons butter 1 cup panko bread crumbs Directions Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a large pot of boiling, salted water cook the pasta to al [...]

What is a counselor?

By YMCA of the Pines|2011-06-02T06:38:52-04:00June 2nd, 2011|

Somewhere between adolescence and adulthood there occurs in human development an age which is physically and psychologically impossible. It is that unfathomable stage known as the camp counselor, a creature undefined by psychologists, misunderstood by camp directors, worshiped by campers, either admired or doubted by parents, and unheard of by the rest of society. A camp counselor is a rare combination of doctor, lawyer, indian and chief. She is a competent child psychologist with her sophomore textbook as proof. She is an underpaid babysitter with neither television nor refrigerator. She is a strict disciplinarian with a twinkle in her eye. [...]

My favorite Camp Song!

By YMCA of the Pines|2011-06-01T06:49:17-04:00June 1st, 2011|

Linger Mmmm I want to linger, Mmmm a little longer Mmmm a little longer with you mmm mmm mmm. It’s such a perfect night, Mmmm it doesn’t seem quite right, Mmmm that it should be my last with you, mmm, mmm, mmm. And come September, Mmmm I will remember, Mmmm Matollionequay so true, mmm, mmm, mmm. And as the years go by, Mmmm I’II think of you and sigh, Mmmm this is goodnight but not goodbye, mmm, mmm, mmm. I want to linger, Mmmm a little longer, Mmmm a little longer with you, mmm, mmm, mmm.

Monthly Archives: June 2011