Uncategorized Archives - Page 27 of 38

The Pecking Order…

By YMCA of the Pines|2013-05-07T09:21:31-04:00May 7th, 2013|

Late last week Jamie and I were out at the challenge course when a little bit of an ornithological schoolyard fight played out in front of us. The red tailed hawk below had it's eye on a meal somewhere close to a blue jay's newly hatched nest. As the baby blue jays chirped away mom came over and started to let our hawk friend know that these guys were off the menu. A few well placed dives onto the hawks head with it's beak and the hawk got the message - taking off for a meal further down the road.

Summer Time!

By YMCA of the Pines|2013-05-06T06:56:48-04:00May 6th, 2013|

I typically mark the start of summer when the first international staff arrive. Jason Garrity from New Zealand arrived last night and first timer, Lex Kelly from Australia, arrived early this morning. Welcome to Lex and welcome back to Jason! Over the next few weeks, loads of international and American staff will be arriving at Camp to get things set up, to work with groups, to go through various trainings, and to begin forming the 2013 Summer Camp Teams for Ocky, Matolly, and Stockwell. Before we know it, the campers will be arriving and Camp will be in full swing! [...]

Our newest addition!

By YMCA of the Pines|2013-05-05T19:52:36-04:00May 5th, 2013|

Hello friends, family, alumni and campers... I am proud to announce the newest addition to our staff here at Camp... our new Assistant Food Service Director, Kimberly Graham. Kimberly... or Kimmie as she is known... has been on staff here at the Camp for a few years now, starting as a counselor at Matollionequay. She has worked for our Schools Out program, Lake Stockwell Day Camp and our Outdoor Recreation program. Kimmie has even helped in the kitchen from time to time when we needed an extra hand! And guess what?! She is actually a trained professional Chef. Kimmie is [...]

Boat Racks

By YMCA of the Pines|2013-05-04T15:59:38-04:00May 4th, 2013|

A huge thanks to the Haddonfield Y's Men for coming out and building some new boat racks for Camp! https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151588264785743.1073741831.558140742&type=1

The Countdown Begins…NOW!

By YMCA of the Pines|2013-05-02T12:13:44-04:00May 2nd, 2013|

It's that time of year where hiring paperwork is rolling in, staff are visting camp now that college is starting to end, and the final countdown of summer has begun! There is only 54 more days until the first session of Lake Stockwell Day Camp. We still have lots to do and lots to plan before 200+ campers arrive that Monday morning. With a new pre-school program, another village, an indoor sport court, and field trips for our explorers, this is going to be the best summer in Stockwell history! I'm sure ready! Are you?

A weekend to remember…

By YMCA of the Pines|2013-04-28T18:33:08-04:00April 28th, 2013|

Hello all... We here at YMCA Camp Ockanickon would like to congratulate Scott Partenheimer and Stevie Neale in their marital union that took place here at Camp this weekend... and what a beautiful weekend it was. We couldn't have ordered better weather... and Spring was popping everywhere around Camp... including a family of Canadian Geese with newly hatched goslings living right near the foot of the Chapel Island Bridge where the ceremony took place. Scott is an alumni of Camp and we couldn't be more honored to have hosted the happy couple and their event here for the weekend. From [...]

Letter to the Editor

By YMCA of the Pines|2013-04-27T09:50:13-04:00April 27th, 2013|

This amazing letter was submitted to the Medford Sun this past week by Kaya McKenna age 9 who is a member at YMCA Camp Ockanickon...I thought it was an amazing piece and wanted to share it with you. I love summer because I love to swim at the lake at Camp Ockanickon, or as the locals call it, "Ocky." I get excited on hot sunny summer days when the air is filled with laughter, shrieking and happiness coming from the camp. I can hear them all the way here at my house. I'm thrilled with anticipation of going. I put [...]

Coming up …

By YMCA of the Pines|2024-03-05T16:18:00-05:00April 26th, 2013|

Later this week, one of our long time camp counselors and friends, Scott, and his wife Stevie, will celebrate their marriage right here at camp. Scott spent a number of years here with many of us as a counselor, Nature Director, village chief, and year-round outdoor education and group retreats instructor. Best of luck to Scott and Stevie as they begin their new life together starting right here on the Ockanickon Nation.

Fish

By YMCA of the Pines|2013-04-25T12:46:30-04:00April 25th, 2013|

Floating around camp there is a video called “The Fish! Philosophy”. This video has been shown to our staff and sometimes incorporated into our CIT and LIT programs. About this time last year, I watched the video for the first time. I was amazed about culture of Seattle’s Pike Place Fish Market, where the video takes place. Although just getting up and going to work or school can be challenging some days, your day will depend on how you make it. Below is The Fish! Philosophy. I challenge you to apply their philosophy in your everyday life whether it’s at [...]

Once a Camp Director, Always a Camp Director

By YMCA of the Pines|2013-04-25T12:38:06-04:00April 25th, 2013|

It was truly a pleasure to watch former Ocky Director and current Pitman Principal, Chris Morris, lead his students during their stay at Camp Ockanickon last week. Having worked with many school groups over the years, I can tell you that I have not seen too many principals get as involved with their students' activities as Chris did! You can tell he still has a passion for Camp and for working with young people. I guess you can take the man out of Camp, but you can never take Camp out of the man! Having had Chris as my Ranger [...]

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