Campfires Fall 2013
A look back at Summer 2013
New York YMCA Camp 300 Big Pond Rd Huguenot, NY 12746 www.nyycamp.org 877-30-YCAMP
Table of Contents: A look back at Summer 2013 Summer Camp gets a new look Meet the new staff! Kids Page! Sports Fall Rally Share Your Camp Story Become a Y Champion Winter Sleepaway Camp
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What a great summer we had in 2013! The campers and staff had a fantastic three months and definitely can’t wait to come back! Every summer is special in its own way, but what made this summer stand out was a focus on community and personal growth. The sense of community at camp was better than ever. Through nightly vespers, campers grew closer to their counselors, and their peers. Vespers are a way to close out the day and talk openly about feelings, ideas and values connected to camp events. There is a shared acceptance as campers experience the opportunity to share and grow emotionally and socially. Campers and staff even had a theme song that rang especially true this year. It was appropriately titled the “Self-Esteem Song”. It was impossible to not feel empowered and inspired when hearing hundreds of children and staff shout, “I’m BIG, I’m STRONG! I’m ready for whatever comes along!” throughout the villages. That simple song gave children the confidence to strive to new heights. During our opening ceremony each session we challenged campers to be the best version of themselves that they can be at camp. An example of how children challenged themselves this year was our waterfront. Through positive encouragement by the staff and the will of the children, an average of 20% of campers improved their swim level during camp. These children just couldn’t wait to show off their new swim band along with massive smiles! Swimming wasn’t the only thing that challenged campers, though. Children learned to shoot a bow and arrow, ride a horse, climb on our climbing tower, and identify fruits and vegetables in our garden. Camp allows children to be challenged in a safe environment and experience personal growth allowing them to be the best they can be and they love it! Camp wouldn’t have been so fantastic this year, though, if it wasn’t for our staff. As many of you may know, being a camp counselor is not exactly the easiest job, but it’s definitely the most rewarding. Professionalism this year was at an all time high. Many of our counselors were college students with a career path in psychology or education, and this helped bring a lot of knowledge and provide wonderful care towards the children. It was clear how much pride our staff had towards their role. Many expressed that they felt like “proud little mamas and papas” when their campers demonstrated a skill that they learned from them. It’s amazing that in only three months such wonderful relationships are built and personal growth happens to so many people involved. Thank you to campers, staff and everyone who was a part of Summer Camp 2013. It was truly a magical season. Camp is already planning to make sure that Summer 2014 is the best yet. We can’t wait to see you all again! 1
McAlister and Talcott Village to receive a new look! Some very exciting changes are being made at our Sleepaway Camp villages! This past summer we created two model cabins for our campers, parents and staff to see in both villages. Camp listened to everyone’s input to make final plans to be complete for summer 2014. Our cabins and bathhouses will have very new looks. For McAlister: The bunk beds in each cabin will be pushed back and cubbies for camper’s belongings will be installed. Screened in porches will be added on to each cabin. Both improvements will be creating much more floor space for our campers and counselors to enjoy! For Talcott: Each cabin will receive a new open air porch. This will be a great hangout space for campers and counselors. The space will allow them to have fun outside, while enjoying welcome shade on those hot summer days. For Both Villages: Each cabin will be getting a new metal roof and a fresh new look. McAlister cabins will be accented in red while Talcott will be green. Every bathhouse at camp will be renovated to have a new look and provide more space and showers for campers!
How Can I Help? Have you ever wondered how you can leave a lasting mark at camp? Newly renovated cabins at Talcott and McAlister bring opportunities to donate $12,000 (which can be paid over three years) and have the name of your choice on a cabin forever. Other ways to help can be through donating labor and/or materials to help us with this project. To learn more please contact our main office at 877-30-YCAMP. We greatly appreciate your effort! 2
Meet the new Greenkill Outdoor Education Staff! Jason Marker Delaware City, DE Favorite Animal: Grey Fox Favorite Movie: Dead Poets Society Favorite CD: Achtung Baby Fun Fact: Has lived in DE, NC, MN, KY, MA, and OH. Dani Brown Clifton, NJ Favorite Animal: Horse Favorite Book: Any by Bernh Heinrich Favorite CD: Candymaker - Aunt Martha Fun Fact: Has a pet rabbit named Ma Ma Mable Cindell Stacy Gig Harbor, WA Favorite Animal: Giraffe Favorite Movie: Shawshank Redemption Favorite CD: Backstreet Boys Fun Fact: When she was 8 she ate a baby snake
Dylan Pollock Savannah, GA Favorite Animal: Vulture Favorite Book: Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil Favorite CD: Europe 72 - Grateful Dead Fun Fact: Paula Dean was once his neighbor
Brittaney Massengill Four Oaks, NC Favorite Animal: Salamander Favorite Movie: Drive Me Crazy Favorite Book: Harry Potter: Book 6 Fun Fact: Used to try to ID trees by chewing on twigs Elliott Kasprzak Fort Atkinson, WI Favorite Animal: Mountain Goat Favorite Movie: Into the Wild Favorite CD: Proof that the Youth are Revolting Five Iron Frenzy Fun Fact: Has swam in all 5 Great Lakes
Kristy Carter Olathe, KS
Marit Olsen Pinckney, MI
Favorite Animal: Penguin Favorite Movie: Twister Favorite CD: The Goat Rodeo Sessions Fun Fact: Started playing musical instruments when she was 3
Favorite Animal: Goat Favorite Movie: Newsies Favorite Book: Where the Red Fern Grows Fun Fact: Her feet are always warm
Duncan Campbell Coventry, CT Favorite Animal: Golden Lion Tamirin Favorite Movie: Big Fish Favorite Book: 100 Years of Solitude Fun Fact: Has superglued his mouth shut Lisa Panisch N. Miami Beach, FL Favorite Animal: Linx Favorite Movie: The Matrix Favorite Book: The Bible Fun Fact: Began SCUBA diving when she was 8
Phil Brown Ipswich, England Favorite Animal: Dog Favorite Movie: The Green Mile Favorite Book: 1984 - George Orwell Fun Fact: Once trained to run for England’s Olympic team
Mike Yuhnke West Valley, NY Favorite Animal: Panda Favorite Movie: Batman (all) Favorite Book: The Alchemist Fun Fact: Is one of less than 100 Americans to summit a high altitude peak in Kyrgyzstan
Travis Hughes Howell, MI Favorite Animal: Grey Wolf Favorite Movie: Stand By Me Favorite Book: Hatchet Fun Fact: Ran the width of Michigan with a team of 10 people Jesse Wells Pickerington, OH Favorite Animal: Bobcat Favorite Movie: Grumpy Old Men Favorite CD: In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth Fun Fact: Once touched a live rattle snake on it’s rattle
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4 1. Jacket missing in left bottom corner 2. Staff ID missing 3. Boys shirt is now J.P.8 4. New tree in background 5. Middle girl’s shirt now purple 6. Middle girl has a tall sock 7. Wibit hand is pink 8. Pathway on right is full of trees
Photo Hunt! Can you spot the 8 differences? Answers on the side
New York YMCA Camp word search! T E N G H B Z R K P M R T M B R I U F P L F U N M
A F L S I F G E O Q A E P Q A E G C U F L Z J G H
V Q R E D L P S Q Z V T Q G F Y I P N H A I Z G O
G F I O J H S P T H M S S R A C A Z I P B J R K I
N Z J N G O I O A F C I J N T Z N O P B T S A Z W
I J Y A D L L N K P Q L T A T T T X I X E E F A C
B M Z C M F V S T E T A L L O J S D S X P E K Y Y
U M Q X U O E I S I G C G J C P L Z S B R R R E S
T U Y X L D R B H W C M W S L M A E I O A T U G B
G B V X N D S I H I I O V Y A M D A N E C F C D P
N Z Z Y Y F W L T O S M N K T B D N G R S C O S R
I H P M D A I I X H R H M D Q F E Q B I T Y G K T
R S P K E Y N T U J C S U I E F R U C F Z R Y K Q
A P T V E C G Y Q A L X E R N R G V V P P R U R A
C M Y R E S P E C T U L K S A G O A Z M N Y R A R
Z E W J U N I P E R W R I F P G D G W A L T E H C
B L L Y E K X W I B I T R K C H V R A C R X S S H
U G K W B S O D B K J C Y M N I O T X P F I L Y E
B H B P J I M G A F Q F U N J E F N Q B M N O B R
W P S Z F P A O I H S K D H Q P E M E W J A Q A Y
C E A V W U P S R Y M B M L T B M R V S O R C B N
E J D N K F T G G E Q Q V X J P C B G L T P L T Q
C T T K I M H U H K O Y M C A K U S U L U Y R J E
M G N I K I H F L T I S I Z I P L I N E P Z V K D
H L R S M P R R L Q X A G S A S S A F R A S F S S
HONESTY
TREES
SILVERSWING
JUNIPER
TUBING
TALCOTT
CARING
CAMP
HORSES
NIPISSING
CANOES
MCALISTER
RESPONSIBILITY
FROG
GIANTSLADDER
SASSAFRAS
CARPETBALL
YMCA
RESPECT
ZIPLINE
BABYSHARK
TICONDEROGA
SWIMMING
WIBIT
SMOREOS
HIKING
ARCHERY
CAMPFIRE
GREENKILL
FUN 5
SPORTS
* Register for one of our three sports camps: Gymnastics, Volleyball, or Judo at www.nyycamp.org today!
Congratulations to Gymnastics Camper, Lexy! One of our very own campers this year has been making quite a name for herself in the world of gymnastics. High school freshman Lexy, who has been coming to camp with coach Rob Murray for four years, won the 2013 USAG JR Olympic National Championship. While at camp this summer, she trained for the Secret US Classic, an annual summer gymnastics meet for elite female gymnasts in the United States. While competing in the US Classic, Lexy was able to qualify for the P & G National Championships in the Elite Level. She competed at P & G in August and had a great crowd of people cheering her on! Lexy took up gymnastics in 2004 and her goal is to make the National Team. Camp congratulates Lexy on having a fantastic year and good luck to all of our gymnastics on the rest of your season!
Port Jervis Cross Country Team This has been a very BIG year for the Port Jervis Raiders Boys XC team! The team finished 3rd in Boys Class B New York State Championships, had 3 State Medalists, and 7 National Elite Runners. The team has been training on New York YMCA Camp’s very own course for the past several months. The course, nicknamed “The Rock” and built roughly 4 years ago, is quickly winning a reputation as being one of the most difficult courses to run in the state, thanks to its steep hills and diverse terrain. Coach Bob Dorn and his team, comprised mostly of seniors, have done a fantastic job. Several runners on the team finished in the top 10 at every meet. The XC team finished their regular season this year with the Section IX title and a perfect 8-0 record. Go Raiders!
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LEADERS CLUB: Fall Rally Future leaders from the NE take over Greenkill Every Fall for the past several years, over 200 future leaders descend onto New York YMCA Camp’s Greenkill Village. This weekend rally is packed full of activities that are not only fun but designed to help teens grow as individuals and lead in a positive and constructive way. There are 4 of these themed rallies throughout the year for Leader’s Club, along with Leader’s School during the summer. Leader’s Club is a program provided by the Y that gives teens the opportunity to become more effective in interactions with others. Leader’s Club also improves teen’s individual leadership and social skills while experiencing new ways to give back and grow. The teens meet on a weekly basis in small groups to develop themselves and implement projects aimed at providing valuable services to their local community. “I was a part of Leader’s Club from 2005 to 2009,” said Phoebe, a current staff member at NY Y Camp. “I wish I started earlier. In 2005, I was a leader, in 2006, I was Co-President of Flushing Leader’s Club. From 2007 to 2009 I was a Junior Advisor because I still wanted to be involved after I graduated from High School.” Many teens throughout the Northeast are greatly affected by their involvement in Leader’s Club and credit the program with helping them develop in ways they never thought they could. “I used to care about what people thought of me, and it would always bring me down. I hated school and never cared about it. The Leader’s Club encouraged me to finish school and to succeed. The Y’s four core values were a huge part of what I learned. Learning about respect of myself and others and about being my own person has changed me A LOT,” said Phoebe. The energy at Greenkill during Leader’s Rallies is higher than ever. Silly songs and empowering chants can be heard throughout the entire campus. Throughout their stay, teens participate in teambuilding activities that range from games, team fire building, and high team-building challenges. The skills learned here, such as healthy communication, critical thinking, self-awareness are then translated and put to use in the teens’ everyday lives. Teens also learn that they don’t always have to lead. They can be great team members by sometimes encouraging others to take the lead. Phoebe, reflecting on her time involved with Leader’s Club and participating at rallies, “You learn to deal with situations and learn about other people. I have made life-long friends from all over the Northeast. I have built a family.” To learn more about getting involved in Leader’s Club please visit http://www.ymcanyc.org/association/classes/leadersclub
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Share your Camp Story! I want to thank you for a wonderful time in camp. The kids and staff are the best! I was particularly touched by the joy the children felt; very rarely do I experience the joy of young people in the schools I visit. Our tour guides were great - they so internalized the values of the camp. When they explained how they choose activities, I asked what happens when kids want to do the same thing over and over again. They explained that the counselors want you to try new things and other kids need a chance. When we talked about swimming and they showed their colored bracelets, I told them that when I was a kid in camp we didn’t have colored bands - we were A-B-C-D water swimmers. They asked what band I was! Such delightful and elated young people! You have staff who love their jobs and love children. It doesn’t get better than that! Please thank everyone for a lovely visit! -Betty, Friend of Camp Check out this video at http://bit.ly/1cDsDJ4 where Berna, a 2013 staff member, shares a humorous take on sharing camp expeirences once you get home.
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“Camp is the one place I felt I could grow, learn new skills and be myself. NY YMCA Camp is an amazing place!” -Greg, 2012-2013
I don't know where to start. I had one of the best summers at New York YMCA Sleepaway Camp. I grew so much as a person! One of my best memories at camp was helping three campers learn how to deal with bullying and how to build confidence. The best part of it all was when my campers came to say, “Thank you mama (the nickname they gave to me) for helping me.” It brought me to tears, because I knew that I was able to help them grow. I will carry that in my heart forever. Thank you, for giving me a chance to work at camp this summer and to allow me to have such a great experience. You’re the best! -Dionisia, 2013 Camp Staff
One of the luckiest things that's ever happened to me was meeting Kent Sampson, the director of Camp Talcott, at a UConn job fair in 1985, when I was a freshman. Hearing him describe camp, I knew the job was for me. Working with kids, in a natural environment, with staff members from around the world. It sounded perfect. And it was; It was just what I needed, in fact. Like some of the kids that come to camp, I had a tough childhood but a good heart. And like them, I found camp to be different than any place I'd ever been. It was safe and supportive, and gave me a new chance to decide who I was and who I could be. At camp I learned some of the most important lessons of my life: the beauty inside all of us; how people flourish when they feel appreciated; the importance of strong leadership and how many ways there are to lead; and so much more I don't have space to list. Without camp I don't think I would have been able to accomplish what I have. When I entered the Peace Corps, I already knew everyone was my brother. As a teacher at a private school for boys, I borrowed the camp talent show to give forgotten kids a way to shine. And as a magazine editor for most of my career, I've kept my camp sense of humor alive and well. I owe more to camp than I can repay, but as a prospective member of the camp's board of managers, I intend to try. If you see me around camp, I'll be smiling. -Asa Christiana, 1985-1988 Camp Staff If you have a camp story you would like to share email it to us at camps@ymcanyc.org or post it on our facebook page www.facebook.com/newyorkymcacamp 8
Give back in the digital age Become a Y Champion! Becoming a Y Champion is a simple and unique opportunity to share your own Y story with friends and family. With our new online Y Champion program, you have the ability to tell your camp stories while raising support for children to experience the joys of camp. The funds you raise on your page will directly assist deserving children to attend New York YMCA Camp. Below are easy and quick tools on your Y Champion page that will help you set up your page, including prewritten emails you can send to your family and friends. There is even an address book, and you can track your fundraising success.
Follow these easy steps to create your page today! 1. Visit the NYC Y’s website (www.ymcanyc.org), use the “Get Involved” drop down menu, and select “Become a Y Champion”
2. Click “Support New York City’s YMCA by creating a personal page” 3. Enter your Y Champion Fund Name: Example. FIRST NAME’S Y Champion Fundraising Page 4. Tell Your Story: Do you have your own Y story? Is this your first experience with the Y? This is your opportunity to tell people why you created your Y Champion page -You can edit this information at a later date in your Champion Center -Don’t have a great story? Use one of the suggested stories provided by the Y at the site 5. Upload your photo or any image that might inspire people to support you (you can always go back to add or edit your photo)
6. Set a goal! Remember, when you pass the goal you can always set it higher! Thank you so much for getting involved!
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End the year and start the new one with your best friends at camp. You’ll stay in our heated cabins and enjoy new programs along with some of your favorite activities from the summer. Activities include winter wildlife, campfires, indoor sports, arts and crafts, snow tubing, and our annual New Year’s Eve celebration!
Tuition: $399*
*financial assistance is available
NEW YORK YMCA CAMP P.O. Box 622 - Mailing Address 186 Big Pond Rd - GPS Address Huguenot, NY 12746 877-30-YCAMP camps@ymcanyc.org
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