Our dear friends and family…
After escaping Hurricane Sandy relatively unscathed Camp had the extreme honor to host another wedding here on our hallowed grounds.
Checking in on Friday, the wedding party, friends and family were quick to start transforming our humble and rustic facilities… especially the Ocky Dining Hall… into a magical and unique setting for a simply amazing event… the marriage of Jeff and Becca.
That evening, after one of our traditional BBQ dinners, the gang once again spent the night preparing the place to hold this very, very important day.
Preparations for this weekend all began days ago after one of the worst storms New Jersey has ever seen roared thru the region… beginning with a call I made to order all of the food for this weekend. In the cold dampness of that morning, without power to our house here at Camp Matollionequay, I called to make sure all the food from all the various vendors we use would arrive before Friday to ensure our planned menu would go off without a hitch. After much uncertainty throughout the week, all the food we needed to pull together an outstanding spread did arrive. I was a little nervous until the last truck left… but… shhhhhh, don’t tell the bride.
Very quickly the rest of our staff sprung in to action starting that very Monday, even while Sandy’s effects were still being felt.
From tree removal to leaf raking and blowing… from road grading to cleaning and setting up the Ocky Dining Hall… the Group Services, Maintenance and Housekeeping staff all went above and beyond to ensure Camp looked at its best by the time the weekend arrived. The Maintenance duo of Jamie and Bob were even in the Dining Hall just a few short hours before the reception, hanging new track lighting that highlighted and accented our buffet line perfectly! Many times people only relate weddings, banquets and parties to the Food Service department… but here at Camp, it’s a total effort by everyone working as a team.
Dave Kaubin, our Outdoor Recreation Director and myself, orchestrate these types of events but the team of people we have working for us and around us… in my humble opinion… can not be beat. They take on every challenge and succeed. Succeed with time and energy to spare… succeed by making the extra effort… the extra care… because good business begins with building honest, strong and lasting relationships… and friendships for that matter.
Personally, I like to look at the effort expended by all of us here at Camp, our “wedding gift” to the happy couple.
(Oh… and… a free year membership to Camp!!)
Included in this special weekend… guess what? We had Archery, Boating and our Climbing Tower open for a few hours on both Saturday and Sunday for those in the party to enjoy… not to mention, two brunches.
If you are wondering as I was initially, what brought this couple come to choose Camp to hold their wedding? Becca shared with me that she came here, to Ockanickon, with her Mom and their Girl Scout Troop back when she was a kid.
I suppose something drew her back to our little sanctuary in the Pine Barrens of Southern New Jersey.
I can only hope that Jeff and Becca and their whole family come back and visit us again and again. In my idealistic vision, I see Becca and Jeff having a few little ones running around and one day Becca will bring her little girl to Camp Ockanickon for their first Girl Scout trip… and Jeff will bring their kids out to one of our Father & Child retreats. Maybe even some day Jeff will walk their daughter down the aisle on Chapel Island in a ceremony much like we witnessed this weekend.
All in all the weekend seemed like a huge success for one and all. Raves and compliments poured in all weekend about practically every aspect of Camp. I had a chance to talk to many of the guests and there was general level of satisfaction that was in the stratosphere.
To Jeff and Becca… from all of us here at Camp Ockanickon… thank you for allowing us to serve you and share this special part of the beginning of your lives together. It was truly an honor. We wish you all the love and good luck your hearts can handle. You are part of the Camp family now… don’t be strangers.
To the staff and crew that assisted me in pulling off another spectacular meal… I am eternally grateful for all that you have done, are doing and will continue to do. You guys all rock. Seriously. I wouldn’t trade any one of you for anything in the world.
To Camp… What can I say? Your magnetism amazes me. Your possibilities excite me. Your beauty enthralls me. Although time and weather put you to the test you stand as wonderful as ever… as magnificent as always. After 16 years of doing what I do here, waking up surrounded by your glory puts the biggest smile on my face.
Be good… and eat dessert first!
Chef Jason
