Monthly Archives: June 2012

Even as the years go by and the faces change, character develoment, friendship building, and learning new skills continues to be the foundation that the Camp experience is based on.  This past week, Ockanickon has seen many of its sons assume new responsibilities.  As has always been our tradition, when senior staff move on, someone  steps up to take their place.  With men like Ezra Schwartz, Joe Hurford, Donny Palmer, Dan Rozov, and Rich Rinaldi moving onto the next chapters of their lives and men like James Otwell (Ranger Head) , Rob Rinaldi (Oneida VC), and Brennan Downey (Program Director) accepting new positions at Camp, there have [...]

Three days until session two and the first Ranger trip of the summer! Ranger directors Sam, Meg, James and Paul have been preparing for a fabulous adventure! A lot more goes into the preparation for Rangers than you might think. We have spent the last three weeks organizing this summer's Ranger trips. Between planning meals, sorting packs and supplies, reviewing the trail and river course, and renewing necessary certifications we have been very busy! We have updated the meals we take on the trail and river according to previous campers' feedback. We got rid of unpopular and unhealthy meals and [...]

Over the last couple of days camp transformed into a bustling hub of movement, activity, and laughter. Around every turn there is a group of campers and counselors engaged in the countless programs, activities, and games here at camp. For me, I've been dedicating most of my time to Ockanickon, partly because of my involvement in this summer's newest camp activity, woodworking, but mostly because that is where my heart is. Just in the past few minutes, as our woodworking group walked back from the Ockanickon Nature Cabin we watched the Stockwell Explorers and Matolly Algonquins engaged in both low elements and [...]

I can't believe it! Staff training will come to an end tomorrow and before we know it, the campers of Lake Stockwell Day will be arriving Monday morning. Although I will be sad to see our training end, I am super excited for our campers to arrive. Our staff has been working hard all week long to learn the ins and outs of their positions, getting to know one another, and of course, learning new songs and games they can teach their campers. Here's to the best summer Lake Stockwell has yet to have!

I wanted to take a moment to welcome the newest brave to the Ocky Nation. Mason Benjamin Wilson was born on June 4th at 3:35 pm to my fellow CIT, Ben Wilson. Ben and I spent many summers here at camp winding our way through Assistant Counselor, Counselor, Village Chief, and everything in between. Ben is now an English teacher at Absegami High School and has the opportunity to challenge students every day throughout the school year. I had the pleasure of meeting Mason on Sunday and he already has the makings of a great Ocky camper. Congratulations Ben and [...]

I don't know exactly when Summer Camp starts for me.  I first start to feel it in May when some of the seasonal staff start to arrive.  It gets real when the Ad Staff arrive for training (last week).  When all of the staff roll in for General Staff Orientation (3pm today) it is game on!  We had an amazing time over the last week getting the Village Chiefs, Activity Directors, Ranger and CIT/LIT Staff up to speed and preparing Camp for campers.  I expect this week to be just as AWESOME!  Here is a thought of the day by [...]