Lake Stockwell Blog

Our camp store, the Trading-Post, is stocked with some amazing new camp-specific gear! A couple of highlights are our YMCA Camp of the Pines T-shirt and water bottle! Also featured is our Lake Stockwell puzzle map and our popular camp fanny packs!  The camp store also has apparel for every occasion. (Well, just about every occasion!) There are tank tops, long sleeve shirts, hoodies, athletic shorts, etc.   Campers can purchase all of these items and more at the Trading Post during the week! (And coming soon ... camp fans will be able to order some of our most popular [...]

by Rick Worrell, Lake Stockwell Day Camp As we close out Session 2 at Lake Stockwell Day Camp, I consider the importance of the role that camp plays in our lives. I have two children who have attended camp since they were five. Both attended Stockwell, Ockanickon, and Matollionequay. My son, 17, is now a counselor at Ockanickon, the boys overnight camp. My daughter, 11, goes to both Stockwell and Matollionequay, the girls overnight camp. Like many of your children, they couldn’t wait to get to camp each day. Whether it was friends, counselors, or activities, they were always excited [...]

by Lynn Passarella, Director of Lake Stockwell Here at our camp, we have a wonderful dedicated team of lifeguards who look after our waterfront. The camp is split into  two different beaches for the different age groups; the older tribes going to Cherokee Beach where the head lifeguard is Hanz. The younger tribes use Bette's Beach, where the head lifeguard is Lauren.   At the beach, the campers like to play tag in the water and, of course, that classic game Marco Polo. Sometimes, they make sandcastles. We also have a wide range of fun toys, including pool noodles and [...]

by Lynn Passarella, Director of Lake Stockwell Day Camp One of my favorite things about Lake Stockwell Day Camp is watching the campers grow into staff members. Out of the 100+ staff members we have here at Stockwell this summer, 34 of them have been campers here at some point in their lives. Whether they were Seneca campers, Explorer campers, or even Counselor-in-Training participants, each of them were part of our day camp program. This summer, there are a few staff members working here for the first time and there are a few staff members who are working here for [...]

Today our third and fourth grade campers were able to partake in our first-ever circus-themed sand castle contest! Cherokee Beach was filled with smiling faces and handcrafted sandcastles covering the sand.   Campers were able to work together as a team to try and build a replica of various circus-themed items that were randomly assigned to them. Our campers truly brought this week’s special event to life as they constructed their clowns, circus tents and animals. 

Today (July 1),  our Music Director Sarah visited our preschoolers at Pomona Lodge! The energetic 3- and 4-year-olds showed off their dance moves by dancing to some music.  Everyone enjoyed dancing to “I like to Move It” from the movie, Madagascar. (If you don't know this adorable song, check it out on YouTube.) Sarah also taught our youngest campers a new camp song called Chili Chili. This catchy song had every kid singing. While the kids were singing they all showed off their own special dance moves! Our music director loved dancing with our preschoolers and she is excited to [...]

YMCA of the Pines works with multiple agencies that support the J1 working visa, allowing international staff members to work in the United States. This summer at Lake Stockwell, we have 19 staff members from places all over the globe. Pictured below are our international staff members for this summer. Seeing familiar faces? Camp made such an impact on a few last summer that they returned to camp for another great summer!   Top Row: Hannah G. – Stratford, England / Will H. – Bradford, England / Nathan H. – London, England / Emily G. – Glasgow, Scotland / Brianna [...]

by Lynn Passarella, Director of Lake Stockwell Day Camp Sarah, the leader of our Lenape Group (5th grade), has implemented a great recognition program for her tribe, known as THE DIAMOND DONUT! The Diamond Donut has been created to award the campers for demonstrating the 6 core values of YMCA of the Pines. After each period, a new camper is awarded the donut to wear on their backpack. Campers are able to nominate one another; they determine who should receive it for the following period. Here are a few of our Diamond Donut winners today: Zach Z. for Inclusion: At [...]

by Jess Dicken Today at Lake Stockwell day camp, our younger campers were able to adventure through our own Stockwell safari! Campers were able to meet many interesting creatures, such as the Gallanoodles, Brontonuggets, Stare-o-dactyl, Sleeposaurus, Buddyraptors, Dodgeapods, and the classic Iwannabeinthewater Rex. Campers were intrigued by the dinosaurs' unique traits and attributes. For instance, our lovely Dodgeapods are a competitive species that solve all of their life problems through the beloved game of dodgeball. Or our Stare-o-dactyl - do they ever blink? The world may never know! Our campers thoroughly enjoyed our first ever tractor ride through the Stockwell safari [...]

by Lynn Passarella, Director of Lake Stockwell Day Camp As a mom, I understand the importance of feeling connected to my daughter’s childcare provider. I, too, want to know if Zoe needs a special outfit for a theme day, the snack menu of the week, and so much more. Just like school or your current childcare provider, I want your family to feel connected to Lake Stockwell Day Camp throughout your child’s summer camp experience. No matter what session(s) they are attending, you’ll be able to keep up-to-date with the week’s happenings. Starting this summer, all of our newsletters, special [...]