Stockwell Day Camp Archives - Page 3 of 11

Code of a Camp Counselor

By YMCA of the Pines|2013-02-22T13:52:59-05:00February 22nd, 2013|

I have an old staff shirt from 1992, I believe. It is badly faded and is, at this point, more of a see-through shirt. I can't quite remember where I got it, because I was still a camper in 1992, but the words on the back of the shirt still ring true today for all of our counselors. I've never seen this anywhere but on that old shirt. We even used it again about 10 or 12 years ago on the back of a staff sweatshirt (that no longer fits around my middle!). I'm not sure who came up with [...]

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 [...]

Getting Excited!

By YMCA of the Pines|2013-02-15T14:41:30-05:00February 15th, 2013|

I think I probably wrote a blog about this last year, but since it is an annual event, I can probably get away with sharing my excitement again. It's a great thing to be able to honestly say that I love my job. I don't think that is the case for everyone. One of my favorite parts of being Boys Camp Director is assembling the "staff puzzle," as I like to call it. Each winter, I start to receive applications from new job candidates and rehire applications from returners. It's always great to see so many of last year's staff [...]

First Time

By YMCA of the Pines|2013-02-08T13:44:53-05:00February 8th, 2013|

I'm in the process of hiring our new international staff for the summer. It looks like there will only be 2 new guys at Ocky this summer, since many of last year's int's are coming back. When I talk to them through skype, I try to paint a picture with words for them about what Camp life is like. I think that is only fair, since they will be leaving everything and everyone they are most familiar with for 3 months or so to be at Camp and I wouldn't want them to travel this far and not have it [...]

Friendship

By YMCA of the Pines|2013-02-07T13:38:55-05:00February 7th, 2013|

This year will be my fourth summer here at Camp and I cannot even begin to express my excitement for another year of fun, new games, new challenges, and most importantly, friendships. Throughout my life I have had all different types of friends but nothing compares to a good camp friend. The quote below, in which I found online, describes all of my camp friendships I have grown to cherish so much. I hope that throughout your summer here at camp beyond you are able to have these friendships that I do today. "Over time we've developed something extraordinary, That [...]

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 [...]

Summer Memories

By YMCA of the Pines|2013-01-31T11:15:55-05:00January 31st, 2013|

What’s the one thing I always think about??? Camp! Whether it’s talking about new activities, programs, staff, or just reliving the memories, camp is always on my mind. Now that we have been actively planning camp as the dates move closer, I like to reminisce and think about all of the fun times at Camp that I have had. One of my favorite camp memories this past summer was helping create our Lake Stockwell mural. I had the opportunity to work with many different campers in each village as we glued this beautiful picture of the lake together. Below is [...]

It’s that time of year… Camp Fair Season!

By YMCA of the Pines|2013-01-23T09:23:52-05:00January 23rd, 2013|

This past weekend was the kick-off to our 2013 Camp Fair Season. We were at the Moorestown Mall in Moorestown, NJ and also at the Grand Summit Hotel in Summit, NJ! We had a great weekend and had the pleasure of sharing our love of camp with many families intersted in the summer camp experience. Tonight we are heading to Conestoga High School in Berwyn, PA from 5:30-8:30pm for another exciting Camp Fair! If you are in the area tonight or at any of the other locations throughout the next few weeks, please stop by to say Hi and cook [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]