School's Out Archives - YMCA OF THE PINES

School’s Out at Camp

By YMCA of the Pines|2014-09-29T13:40:46-04:00September 29th, 2014|

School’s Out at Camp Hello to all of our wonderful School’s Out and School’s Out at Camp families! YMCA Camp Ockanickon is truly blessed to have you as a part of our organization! I have had the pleasure of meeting many of your children at Lake Stockwell Day Camp this past summer. Seeing the continued support throughout our camp is a testament to not only the staff but to our mission! This past Thursday we had our first School’s Out at Camp day! Although the weather was a bit dreary, the children came in smiling and eager to take on [...]

A Nice Surprise!

By YMCA of the Pines|2013-05-30T10:18:42-04:00May 30th, 2013|

This morning, the School's Out program at Chairville Elementary was able to experience touring a military helicopter that landed on the school’s baseball field yesterday morning. Yesterday, the helicopter had to make an emergency landing on the property as the helicopter was experiencing mechanical problems. While the military helicopter was still waiting for the parts to deliver, the School’s Out participants were able to get a tour of the helicopter!

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 [...]

Hoppity Hop Hop…

By YMCA of the Pines|2013-03-28T12:18:33-04:00March 28th, 2013|

Today at Neeta School's Out program the kids are gearing up for Easter! They spent their afternoon dying Easter eggs for the holiday. A special thanks to Kimmie and Erin for providing such a fun activity and Nick Homa from the Kitchen for boiling the eggs! =) From our family to yours... HAPPY EASTER!

Two Years

By YMCA of the Pines|2013-03-21T11:07:46-04:00March 21st, 2013|

I once opened a fortune cookie that read “achievement will come with such hard work”. I think about this statement all of the time throughout my leadership in Lake Stockwell Day Camp and School’s Out. Exactly one week ago from today marked my second year, full time, here at Camp Ockanickon. Looking back, these last two years has been such a personal success for me. Not only have I had the opportunity of working here, I have had the opportunity to professional grow through multiple trainings, conferences, and networking events. Although some days are more rewarding than others and some [...]

School’s Out at Camp!

By YMCA of the Pines|2013-02-21T12:09:15-05:00February 21st, 2013|

Last week we hosted School's Out at Camp for our campers in the surrounding districts. We did some pretty fun activities: gaga, roof ball, archery, arts & crafts, and we even made our very own play dough! One of my favorite activities we did last week was play Predator vs. Prey in the Black Forest. Below is a picture of a few campers hanging out in the Black Forest waiting for a new game to start.

1-2-3

By YMCA of the Pines|2013-02-19T12:17:19-05:00February 19th, 2013|

Philadelphia often feels like the farthest place one can be from camp. With the lack of trees, the tall buildings, and the millions of people that swallow one up; it does not radiate the feeling of a welcoming tight-knit community that one feels out among the trees at camp. “The outside world,” can be a place where we are not as comfortable expressing ourselves in the way we do at camp for fear of negative judgment. However, for those of us who often lament that we are unable to be our camp-selves outside of camp, hopefully this story provides encouragement [...]

A dirty four letter word …

By YMCA of the Pines|2013-02-05T09:45:55-05:00February 5th, 2013|

A lot of times at camp as in life we're faced with challenges; new, exciting, or different. Our own self perception can dictate how we handle those challenges and whether or not we overcome them. "Whether you think you can or your can't, you're right." - Henry Ford Having a consistent, vocal support group encouraging us to face challenges and overcome adversity is important to dealing with life's challenges. However, in the end, all of our challenges come down to the way we perceive them. I had the opportunity the hear a very intelligent, promising young instructor speak about the importance of failure and it's [...]

School In Disguise

By YMCA of the Pines|2013-01-22T12:38:25-05:00January 22nd, 2013|

I recall Wayne Holmes saying, “Wouldn’t it be great if you could just go to camp all year? I mean, camp is school in disguise, but way cooler.” Well, Wayne, apparently you can. The coolest head of school seems to be in Fort Worth, Texas at the Trinity Valley School, “an independent-college preparatory school with the mission of providing students with academic and character development.” Gary Krahn, PhD, advocates for the need for school-camp partnerships and the importance of exposing students to the outdoors in to meet new people, develop relationships, and confront new situations. Students under Krahn participate in [...]

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 [...]