And we're off...! Week 1 flew by!

Whew! The first week of Summer Camp 2010 sped by in what seemed to be the blink of an eye! Tie-dye projects, beach parties, counselors in crazy costumes, slumber parties, MTV night, yoga, sailing, archery, BBQs in the Meadow, horseback riding, and so much more that we all sank gratefully into our bunks each night and woke each morning ready to do MORE! In one short week, campers and staff alike pushed their limits and found new abilities, built lasting friendships, gained self confidence and mastered activities and skills. As a Camp Director, I spend 40 weeks each year planning for and anticipating the Summer Camp season when we all discover the very best in ourselves! This week was even better than anticipated.Camp is pure JOY - where the most important thing is not how well you do something but that you DO IT.

Week Two is underway. Can't wait for what it brings! Stay tuned! www.campspeersymca.org

Summer Camp Eve

This evening I am struck by that same sense of heightened excitement and anticipation that I usually feel on Christmas Eve and the night before other momentous occassions. I'm officially declaring tonight "Summer Camp Eve! My Camp - Camp Speers Eljabar YMCA and almost all others in the NYC tri-state area are officially opening for the summer tomorrow.

All throughout NJ, NY, PA, CT, DC, MD... kids are saying "see you when I get back" to their friends while parents frantically consult the Camp Packing List to make sure that their child will have everything that they need for their foray into the wilderness - aka Summer Camp.

Just like Christmas morning, Summer Camp will bring great surprises, a sense of wonder and joyful connections to others. Just like the Christmas Season, at Camp people seem kinder, friendlier, and yes - more cheerful than other places and other times.

In keeping with this Christmas comparison - it's easy to exchange our lake, woods and fields for the enchanted winter wonderland of the North Pole - recognizing that Camp does become a place where magic occurs. And I guess that means that I - Camp CEO - am the Summer Camp equivalent to Santa Claus?!!! I will pull on my staff shirt, name tag and closed toed sandals - the Camp version of the Santa suit, assemble my staff (elves) and with a hearty "ARE YOU READY?" will signal the start of the Summer Camp Season much as Santa would do for Christmas time with his "ho ho ho"

The campfires, friendship building, long sunny days on the lake, treks through the woods, star gazing, role modeling, loud (often off key) singing and chanting, and endless fun - begin tomorrow.

And tonight, on Summer Camp Eve - I pause to joyfully anticipate all the wonderful experiences that tomorrow will bring.

So, Merry Summer Camp Eve to all - and to all a good night!

Playing in the Dirt Makes You Smarter!

Those of us connected to CSEY and the outdoor world have always known that playing outside and getting dirty is good for us! Now the American Society for Microbiology provides us with scientific evidence of all the benefits of getting dirty and having fun outdoors. Check out this article from the Huffington Post brought to my attention from a great newsletter from the Children & Nature Network. ENJOY!


Can Playing in the Dirt Make You Smarter?
Huffington Post – June 14, 2010By Linda Buzzell If you need yet another good reason to convince yourself or your kids to go outside and get your hands in the dirt, here it is: new research reveals that a bacterium in the soil not only lowers depression and anxiety but also can make you smarter! http://www.childrenandnature.org/news/detail/3861/

What a day!

On Monday, June 14th we hosted 3 school groups with a combined student population of over 500 children and teens! This was be far our greatest number of guests at Camp on a single day in anyone's memory.

With over 35 staff leading activities throughout Camp's program areas - everyone appeared to be and expressed having a great day! At one point an estimated 200 people were rowboating, canoeing, swimming, fishing, and sunbathing at the waterfront - our lifeguards were kept busy but they were more than equal to the challenge. The basketball courts, target shooting ranges, and sports fields saw non-stop action. The arts & crafts room had a steady stream of candle makers. The hiking and mountain bike trails saw constant traffic as well.

On days like these, it's easy to focus on the numbers of people and what they were busy doing. However, a deeper look reveals so much more! I saw boys and girls overcoming fears, exploring new activities & environment, gaining skills and deepening relationships . I heard snippets of conversation as our staff talked about the turtles, lily pads and other aquatic life with students who seldom venture beyond the environs of Bronx NY. I watched confidence bloom as teenagers who never paddled a canoe previously, became adept and criss crossed the lake without tipping. I witnessed expressions of pure joy blossom on faces that had shown apprehension and boredom upon arrival.

These schools could have just as easily taken their students to the amusement park for their end of year trips. Instead they choose to bring them to Camp for an experience that would enhance and transform their lives. Even one day's exposure to the skills and growth opportunities that we foster can and does make a difference in the lives of children, teens and adults. Clearly this difference would be greater and more life enhancing with a longer experience. These short term visits to camp (for these groups ranging from 1 day to 6 days) give everyone a sample.

Who knows when these students will again find themselves at Camp Speers-Eljabar YMCA. We do know that they leave with a strong desire to return.

And being ones who always try to make the most of every situation - we ensured that everyone took home a camp brochure. Some even took home employment applications.

What a day! What a Camp! What a life!!!

Lasting Friendships ... because of Camp

We often note that the building of lasting friendships is one of the most important outcomes of the Camp Speers-Eljabar YMCA experience. Yesterday, I spent the day with an extraordinary group of adults who bear witness to this. The CSEY Alumni Committee sponsored the first "Eljabarbeque" at the Watchung Reservation in Mountainside NJ. Over a dozen people joined together for good food, fun and great conversations.

Most of those in attendance were campers during the 90s and became staff in the early 2000s. They with a number of other CSEY Alumni who have settled in the NYC/NJ area continue to get together frequently - meeting for sushi, attending each other's life celebrations (weddings, birthdays, new jobs...) and staying in touch through Facebook & cell phones.

What began for them as a week or two away from home - confronting homesickness, learning to canoe, and hearing about the lives of kids different from their own has evolved into deep, supportive and permanent relationships amongst a group of caring and responsible adults. All because of Camp!

As I turned on my computer this morning I noted that there are 20 days left until we open for this summer's camp season. While it is normal for me at this point to begin envisioning the lake filled with boaters and swimmers, climbers scaling the towers, mountain bikers whizzing by, and the dining halls filled with laughing, cheering and singing campers & staff - after yesterday I am also envisioning those same kids 15 years from now as young professionals joining together to share their camp memories and continuing their friendships - I hope that they will invite me to the picnic!