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New to Day Camp!

By YMCA of the Pines|2013-01-17T03:30:05-05:00January 17th, 2013|

This summer we decided to spice up Lake Stockwell's Explorers program by adding.... FIELD TRIPS! That's right. Every Wednesday our Explorers will be leaving Camp for the day to enjoy the various trips we have planned. We are very excited they will be able to enjoy these trips with their friends and counselors! Below is the list of the 2013 Field Trips. Hope to see you there! Session 1: Funplex of Mt. Laurel Session 2: Cherry Hill Skating Center Session 3: Adventure Aquarium Session 4: Sahara Sam's Session 5: Funplex of Mt. Laurel Session 6: Philadelphia Zoo Session 7: Camden [...]

The Lockout is Over

By YMCA of the Pines|2013-01-15T13:37:28-05:00January 15th, 2013|

For those of you who may not have known, there was a lockout in the NHL this past year that resulted in over half of the games in the 2012-2013 season being cancelled. Anyone who spends time with me has learned from me either proudly (pre lockout) or begrudgingly (during the lockout) that for the first time in my life this past year I became a season ticketholder for the Philadelphia Flyers. Needless to say the recent news that the lockout had ended made me very happy. Strangely enough as I reflect back on it, my relationship with the sport [...]

Menu Tasting

By YMCA of the Pines|2013-01-12T15:46:38-05:00January 12th, 2013|

This past Tuesday we hosted an extremely unique and delicious event at the Ockanickon DH. A menu tasting event is something I have heard Chef Jason talk about and for the 1st time, I was able to actually partake in a menu tasting. These events are typically made up of a handful of Camp chefs, who gather to talk about summer camp menus, share cooking stories and review (and taste) new menu items. Some of the new menu items we had a chance to sample: Chinese Foods, vegetarian dishes, pizzas, Greek yogurts, breads and a ton of desserts. All in [...]

Summer Camp Music and Memories

By YMCA of the Pines|2013-01-11T13:18:16-05:00January 11th, 2013|

I was dancing in my kitchen with my 2 month old daughter, Anna, last night to get her ready for bed (as I like to do with my 2 little girls). We have our ipod and dock on the kitchen counter and I was thumbing through artists when I came across an album that I haven't listened to in a long time. I selected it and was instantly transported through time to the mid-1990's. Before the music ended, I had a tear in my eye. Anna could care less. She was just glad to be bounced! I often think about [...]

Counselor of the Week

By YMCA of the Pines|2013-01-10T07:52:51-05:00January 10th, 2013|

Our School's Out program at Haines 6th Grade Center has decided to let each camper be "Counselor of the Week" throughout the remainder of the school year. This allows the campers to be actively involved in the School’s Out daily agenda and most importantly, develop leadership skills. I’m very proud our campers are taking this seriously and have already began planning their week even if they do not go until the end of February. I have been asked about the many different games and activities that I know for them to lead to the group and what websites are best [...]

Vital Engagement

By YMCA of the Pines|2013-01-08T10:00:46-05:00January 8th, 2013|

In a world of virtual engagement parent’s can find summer camp as one of the few places left where vital engagement is so rich and positive in a “safe place for their children to thrive and develop a deeper sense of self."

Spring Calendar Release!

By YMCA of the Pines|2013-01-05T16:20:59-05:00January 5th, 2013|

A couple of weeks ago we started to work on our spring calendar of events. To me, these events and programs are amazing opportunities for the local community to come out and spend some time at Camp. It's also a great opportunity for us at Camp to stay active and stay fit. Over the next couple of weeks, I along with the rest of the Camp staff will be posting about each and every program we will be offering over the next couple of months. Of course you can head over to www.ycamp.org to view all of our programs and events or click on [...]

Camp Family

By YMCA of the Pines|2013-01-05T05:15:02-05:00January 5th, 2013|

It is always great to have former counselors pay a visit to Camp. Unfortunately, we will all reach a point when we can no longer return to Summer Camp, whether it is because of a big move or college graduation or a new job opportunity. One generation heads out into the world as another one starts their own Camp memories. Fortunately, you can always come back. We had a quite a few visitors at Winter Camp. Not only did we have over 40 Ocky, Matolly, and Stockwell staff members volunteer to come and work at Winter Camp, we also had [...]

The Holiday Season!

By YMCA of the Pines|2012-12-29T05:58:57-05:00December 29th, 2012|

This year the year-round staff was treated to an amazing trip to New York City. An amazing lunch followed by some pictures of the Rockefeller Tree and a walking tour of Rockefeller Plaza. All finished with some amazing views of the City.

Doing a little remembering

By YMCA of the Pines|2012-12-22T12:21:47-05:00December 22nd, 2012|

A couple of weeks ago I was in NYC for a SCOPE meeting and happened to have some extra time afterwards. Since I grew up just outside of NYC, I decided it was time to visit the 9/11 Memorial at Ground Zero. Part of my decision to visit was to see the memorial and the other part was to take a picture of somebody who we have permanently memorialized at Camp. Frank De Martini is a hero, he died saving lives on that fateful day in 2001. His life was part of a movie that Brent talked about last year and I [...]

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