March 2012 - YMCA OF THE PINES

Race Away!

By YMCA of the Pines|2012-03-31T14:12:34-04:00March 31st, 2012|

Although there was some rain, over 200 people came out to Camp Ockanickon for the 2nd Annual Above and Beyond 10K Mud Run. This was Chad Mason’s (Founder) 2nd 10K that was held at Camp and from the initial feedback, it was wet, dirty, muddy, and really hard. These of course are all the things we wanted to hear as we wrapped up an amazing race day. This of course is not our only race we host here at Camp. Up next is the South New Jersey Law Enforcement Challenge which will kick off at 9am on Saturday, April 14th. [...]

Volunteerism: Building fun!!

By YMCA of the Pines|2012-03-31T08:02:14-04:00March 31st, 2012|

Hello all!! I wanted to take this opportunity to thank, on behalf of the staff and Campers, Tom Ostroski (my dad)(right) and his good friend Bob Szeliga (left) for constructing two brand new Carpet Ball tables for use here at the Camps!! As you might already know, Carpet Ball has become a bit of a craze out here and adding two new tables will add to the volume of fun we are already having with this cool new game. Tom and Bob are both retired Health & Physical Education teachers and football & softball coaches servicing Burlington County in the Willingboro school district [...]

Trainings, Trainings, and More Trainings!

By YMCA of the Pines|2012-03-30T21:19:08-04:00March 30th, 2012|

I'd love to tell you that I invented Carpetball. Dave Kaubin would love to claim GaGa as his own creation. Gab, MaryAnn, and Lynn wish that they had co-authored the lyrics to "Little Red Wagon." Chef Jason dreams that he was the first chef to slice open a soft pretzel and slap a piece of ham and a slice of cheese in between the 2 halves. The truth is that we have learned a lot of our Camp games, activities, songs, counseling skills, and recipes from some of the smartest minds in the Camping industry, past and present. Over the [...]

Live Your Life On Purpose!

By YMCA of the Pines|2012-03-29T08:35:27-04:00March 29th, 2012|

The best day of your life is the day on which you decide your life is your own. No one to lean on, rely on or blame. The gift is yours, it is an amazing journey, and you alone are responsible for the quality of it. Life is about the choices you make - choose wisely. Start by choosing the two most important "guiding stars" - your values and your mission. Choose your values: Values are personal choices you make about what's important to you. Being guided by your highest values brings immense satisfaction and meaning to life. ~ Anonymous As [...]

Alphabet Acronym

By YMCA of the Pines|2012-03-29T08:07:06-04:00March 29th, 2012|

"Children are... Amazing, acknowledge them. Believable, trust them. Childlike, allow them. Divine, honor them. Energetic, nourish them. Gifts, treasure them. Innocent, delight with them. Joyful, appreciate them. Kindhearted, learn from them. Loveable, cherish them. Magical, fly with them Noble, esteem them. Open minded, respect them. Precious, value them. Questioners, encourage them. Resourceful, support them. Spontaneous, enjoy them. Talented, believe in them. Unique, affirm them. Vulnerable, protect them. Whole, recognize them. Xtraspecial, celebrate them. Yearning, notice them. Zany, laugh with them." ~ Meriji Stewart Here at Camp, through all of our programs, we recognize the qualities our campers have and embrace [...]

Camp is just for the summer, right?

By YMCA of the Pines|2012-03-27T08:52:36-04:00March 27th, 2012|

Wrong. Camps all over the country serve as the outdoor classroom, an extension of the science, math, and physical education curriculums throughout the year. Outdoor education programs are a valuable way to create closer relationships within the learning community, experience character development, and reinforce lessons being taught in the classroom. Students are kinesthetic learners and need hands-on, active learning opportunities. We have begun collecting data from all of our students in outdoor education programs and are beginning to find very interesting trends. Students that participate in our programs overwhelmingly have stated that; they learn more about their strengths while at [...]

Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge

By YMCA of the Pines|2012-03-27T05:23:36-04:00March 27th, 2012|

Many times a year, the folks from Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge come to Camp to present programs to students, scouts and campers. We are lucky enough to have them come visit with us during our Spring Break Vacation Camp! Not only will we be doing boating, archery and the challenge course (let's hope for some of that warm weather to come back!) but Cedar Run will be joining us to share their knowledge of the "Hunters of the Sky." Hawks and owls will visit our Camp for a dramatic presentation. Our Campers will become part of the program to highlight [...]

Learn To Cook…

By YMCA of the Pines|2012-03-25T08:09:17-04:00March 25th, 2012|

Hello All… Well… our Spring “Learn To Cook” class has come to an end… and truthfully, I will miss my team of aspiring Chefs and our fun filled Friday evening classes. […]

Mudding it UP!

By YMCA of the Pines|2012-03-24T15:10:25-04:00March 24th, 2012|

Do Mud Runs make any sense to you? They do to me, but that is because I have been watching one being built and placed around various areas at the YMCA Camps of Medford. Have you ever done a Mud Run before? I have not, but the more time I spend with Chad Mason (creator of the ABF 10Mudrun) the more I have been getting my nerve up to this event. What I have learned is that it does not take a special person to participate in a Mud Run, but it takes a special person to design and even [...]

Blue

By YMCA of the Pines|2012-03-24T08:24:09-04:00March 24th, 2012|

We mourn the passing of our brother, Ocky Camper Alec Metzger. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends. I don't have the words right now to express my feelings. Alec's best friend, Spencer Parke, however was able to find the words. "Over the past 10 years, you've woven yourself into the fabric of my life...you were more than just a friend, a brother...you were a piece of me. Not a day went by that I didn't think of the next time we would see each other. There's not a day in the future that I won't remember [...]

Monthly Archives: March 2012