YMCA OF THE PINES
SUMMER CAMPS | RETREATS |
FAMILY PROGRAMS | CHILDCARE | WILDERNESS TRIPS
Summer is not too far away and here at camp we are having so much fun planning our summer events! Matolly Spirit Day is an event that will happen each session to commemorate Matolly's 75th and to celebrate "Girl Power!" In addition to this day we will also be having ... Session 2 ~ Magical Monday! Session 3 ~ Fancy Friday! Session 4 ~ Freaky Friday! Stay tuned to see what else we are planning this summer !!!
I'm saddened to inform our Camp family that our brother, Harley Chapman, has passed away at far too young an age this past weekend. Harley came to Ocky in the summer of 2008 from Australia as a Lifeguard and Cherokee Counselor. Even though we mourn his passing, Harley will be remembered as a man who truly LIVED. I only knew him for one summer, but everyone who knows Camp knows that it takes a very special person to work with our Cherokees, and Harley was a natural! To earn the love and respect of so many of our youngest campers [...]
This Saturday the staff here at camp spent the day in the air with Al Reisser and the rest of his team from The Summit in an Advanced Rescue Techniques Course. Al is our challenge course vendor and provides trainings, inspections, and advice year round to myself and the rest of the staff here at camp as it relates to the challenge course. What is a challenge course rescue? One of the scenarios we practiced Sturday involved a shirt becoming caught in the belay device (a friction device used in climbing) of a facilitator. We created a belay transfer which [...]
122. That’s how many Explorers we had at Lake Stockwell Day Camp last summer. That’s A LOT of Explorers! The Explorers program is a continuation of our main camp program that has been tweeked to fit the minds of our 12 – 14 year old campers. The Explorers participate in all of our traditional camp activities, but also have the opportunity to experience our Challenge Course. So, we thought…..“What can we do to make this program A LOT better?” And our answer…..“Let’s bring them together during the School Year and offer a bunch of different programs, just for our Explorers!” [...]
Hello all... As mentioned in the previous blog post, we have a host of amazing "Learn To..." classes coming up very soon. Your's truly will be hosting our Learn To Cook classes where we will be learning some essential kitchen safety & sanitation, techniques, professional kitchen etiquette ... and of course, we will be cooking, baking and having fun!! Pictured above is one of my students from last year making cookies... which is always a favorite. We always save a little time each class to enjoy the fruits of our labor and even encourage the parents to come back a [...]
A couple of years ago we started a new series of programs called Learn to & Intro to. The purpose of these programs were to teach local kids about some of the great programs we offer during the summer…but during the winter, spring, and fall! To date, we have offered programs in cooking, climbing, survival skills, archery, and kayaking! Because the kids have enjoyed this program so much over the past two years, we have decided to offer two brand new programs this spring: Intro to Camping and Intro to Mountain Biking. Sound like something you would be interested in? [...]
One of my favorite (and most frustrating) jobs each year is assembling the Boys Camp staff team. I have a large dry erase board in my office with around 75 squares on it. On about 40-45 of these squares, I write down the various positions that I think I will need at Ocky for the summer. Then the trick is to fill each square with the name of a super hero counselor. Unfortunately, they don't grow on trees. Fortunately however, we do grow quite a few of them right here at Camp. Then we import a few from overseas. Finally, [...]
I have found a new addiction that has many useful resources… Pinterest! It is such a great website that anyone can post things related to certain categories. Categories range from DIY Crafts, Gardening, Art, Education, and the list goes on. Whether it is new craft ideas for our programs, new recipes to try at home, or a new decoration idea for a holiday, Pinterest has it! One day as I was searching around Pinterest I stumbled upon a quote that relates to summer camp. Although in this quote the word “play” is used, after reading it thoroughly I have found [...]
"The best day of your life is the one on which you decide your life is your own. No apologies or excuses. No one to lean on, rely on or blame. The gift of life is yours... it's an amazing journey... and you alone are responsible for the quality of it." ~ Anonymous
5. Castles and Catapults 4. Putting peanut butter on Jason’s brownies 3. The sound of rain hitting a cabin roof 2. The smell of the Ranger tents 1. Making memories with friends every day