CIT Guest Blog: Part 2

      This week we are going to be featuring guest blogs from our CIT campers from last week.  They are giving details about their experiences as well as their overall impression of what it meant to be a counselor at Camp Whitman.  Our second blog was written by CIT counselor, Delaney Lukwoski.

2014 CIT campers

  The past week at CIT camp was fantastic. At first, on Sunday and Monday, I was a bit apprehensive about it because I wasn’t confident in myself. Being, even partially responsible for campers made me a bit uneasy. I knew that I was inexperienced and that made me very nervous. The worst possible situations kept coming to mind when I thought of having to lead campers. On the flip side of that I was beyond excited about being a CIT. After being a camper for six summers before this, I felt like I would be really good at this because of all my experiences at camp that I enjoyed and I would get a taste of what being a counselor is like. I had so many conflicting feelings about it.

Delaney working with a Day Camper

As the week went on, I became a lot more comfortable working with the campers. My counselors, Jess and Ileya were awesome. They were always giving us all helpful hints and tips on things; like how to get the campers attention; how to keep them focused and how to get all of them to participate in the activities. The first time we worked with campers was when we canoed with the Adventure camp. I was a bit nervous because I have never been a great canoer, I’ve always been better at kayaking and preferred it. The campers in my canoe were afraid of tipping over the boat, so to keep their minds off that fear I decided to ask them about their interests. Not only did talking calm them down, but it made me less tense about the canoe trip as well. I ended up really enjoying canoeing and really look forward to doing it again.

Volunteer Chaplain, Colin, winding up with a pillow
to help get Delaney out of bed

...and the follow through

Getting to know all of the campers was one of favorite parts of being a CIT. I love just talking with all of them. Hearing about why camp is so important to them and how they’ve made so many friends throughout the years and always plan what week they are coming so they can see all of them again. I enjoy it so much because it’s exactly what I’ve always done when I’m at camp. I also liked planning the crafts and games we got the opportunity to lead at the end of the week because it gave me a chance to think about what some of my favorites are. I aspire to become a counselor because I want campers to have the same wonderful memories and experiences at camp that I have had.

CITs on the stairs that they worked on to make more safe for our campers

When we had our meeting with Rhonda on Friday about our past week, she asked us how we felt our week went. I told her I thought the week went extremely well. I was ten times more confident in my leadership skills and felt like I had a good idea of what being a counselor would be like. I connected and related with several of the campers and it made me even more eager to become a counselor. Later on in the meeting she made a joke about the CIT camp being a camp where you pay to come and “work”. I found this quite comical because if that is what working at Camp Whitman is like, then working for them is going to be a breeze. I’d forget it’s work in mere seconds, it’s more fun than it is work. 

CITs participating in our Wednesday Vespers service

            

CIT Guest Blog: Part I

     This week we are going to be featuring guest blogs from our CIT campers from last week.  They are giving details about their experiences as well as their overall impression of what it meant to be a counselor at Camp Whitman.  Our first blog was written by CIT counselor, James Yoon.

2014 CIT campers and counselors

Reflecting upon my Counselor-In-Training experience at Camp Whitman, I can only recall fond memories. My experience as a CIT was not only eye-opening, but it taught me skills that would be useful for the rest of my life.

One thing I learned from this week is that being a counselor is not easy. The second thing is that it isn't impossibly hard, either. Although it is quite a big responsibility to babysit twenty campers for over 100 hours. Yet, a counselor is a teacher, a parent, a social worker, a spiritual guide, all built into one. And that's what's so rewarding about being a counselor. It's beautiful. Glorious.

CITs working with our day campers

During this week, under the direction of my phenomenal counselors, Ileya and Jess, and our Graded Camp Coordinator, Courtney, we spent lots of time interacting with campers of various age groups, skill levels, personalities, and cultural backgrounds. Slowly but surely, we learned to lead entire activities smoothly with minimal help!

More than anything, my experience with the Pine campers was the most meaningful to me, mostly because I had a prejudice toward people with disabilities before. To be completely honest, I used to feel scared and uncomfortable around them. However, from this experience, I finally understood that people with disablilities are human beings just like us and that they deserve to be respected like anyone else. They have a strong faith too, maybe even stronger than any of ours.

Speaking of faith, we looked into that during this week, too. With the guidance of Pastor Colin, my fellow CIT campers and I explored our faiths and assessed our connection with God. As Pastor Colin put it, we began telling each of the beginning of our personal stories, of why we are where we are today. Through this experience, I came closer to God and formed strong bonds with other campers, counselors, and of course, Pastor Colin.

So that was my week. I bonded with remarkable people, built my faith, and learned priceless leadership qualities. I can't really ask for much else.

James playing the piano

An Energetic Morning Wake-up

     A few family groups celebrated their last night at camp yesterday by sleeping outside of their cabins after the dance.  Our adventures campers enjoyed a night under the stars while sleeping on the main field and our CITs slept in our main lodge while enjoying a movie after the dance.

Adventure Camp's Sleep-out location

     The real excitement came this morning however, when our volunteer chaplain, Colin, took on the responsibility of waking the campers.  His dog Chanah, was very excited to see so many people sleeping and was more than willing to wake them all up.  We found this method for waking them up very effective and most campers were up and ready to go with 15 minutes.

Getting everyone up bright and early

Chanah making sure she didn't miss anybody

     The CIT campers were a little more stubborn.  After Chanah failed to get them to leave their sleeping bags, one of our counselors, Chris, turned on our sound system to play them, "Wake Me Up Before You Go Go" by Wham! while our newly arrived Day Campers prodded their favorite CITs awake.

Counselor, Jeremy cuddling with Chanah

Pastor Colin letting Chanah know who her next victim should be

Counselor Riley waking up from her first sleep-out

Camp Whitman's 2014 Camping Season Begins!

     This past Sunday, was Camp Whitman's opening day of the regular camping season for graded campers as well as our program for people with developmental disabilities.  It was awesome to see so many new and familiar faces this year in the registration line!

1st year counselor Matt, helps some Sports and Games campers
make their buttons

Adventures campers kickstart a game of Kickball

     We were able to welcome campers from 6 different camps this week.  In graded camp we had, Adventures (3rd-5th grade), Sailing (6th-8th), and our Counselor-in-Training (CITs) camp, while our campers with disabilities came for Sports and Games Camp as well as Explorations Camp.

Sailors getting to know each other

Counselors Jeremy, Riley, and Leah leading name games in Adventures camp

3rd year counselor Ben heading to Main Field

Our staff was very excited to finally meet campers after our week and a half of training, and jumped right into singing songs and getting to know everyone.  After meeting such great campers on our very first Sunday, we are very excited about what the rest of the summer will bring.

Our CIT Campers ended their evening with some Teambuilding
and trying to untangle a Human Knot.

     We want to extend a huge thank you to our volunteer Chaplain this week, Colin Pritchard from Victor, NY.  Campers are very excited for the energy and enthusiasm he will bring to all of our family groups.

Volunteer Chaplain, Colin, leading a song to close our Sunday
vespers service.

   

Our new Graded Camp Coordinator, Courtney spent
Vespers with Colin's dog, Chauna.

Meet the Staff: Erin's Camp Whitman Experience

Erin has been with us for several years as a camper, volunteer, lifeguard, and now as a counselor for the 2014 season. Here's what she had to say about her Camp Whitman experience:

Erin at camp in 2013

How many years were you a camper at Whitman?

I was a camper for 7 years, starting when I was going into 5th grade.

What was your favorite activity as a camper? Why?

My favorite activity as a camper was tie dye. It's always different, and I used to spend all year deciding what I wanted to do with my next tie dye shirt. I still do, actually.

What's your favorite activity as a counselor?

My current favorite activity is sailing. It took me a lot of practice, but now I can't wait to be back on the lake!

Do you have a least favorite part of camp?

My least favorite part of camp has to be getting sunburned.

What advice would you give to first time campers?

As a first-year camper, remember that there's nothing wrong with being goofy!

Why do you keep coming back?

 keep coming back to camp because I miss camp at home more than I miss home when I'm at camp.

If you could be any animal, what would you be and why?

I would like to be a dolphin because I wonder what it's like to swim the way that they do,

Meet the Camp Staff: An Interview with Lindsey

Lindsey (far left) at Camp Whitman last summer. 

Lindsey Jensen came on board as a counselor in 2008 and is about to begin her 3rd summer as the Coordinator for the Camps for People with Developmental Disabilities. Here's what she had to say about Camp Whitman.

What is your favorite part of the camp? Why is it your favorite?
My favorite part is getting to meet so many different people. I love to hear their stories and know their background. I also enjoy finding things in common with them and becoming life long friends.

Do you have a least favorite part of camp?
I don't have a least favorite part of camp, except having to say goodbye.

Describe a typical day for you at camp. 
My typical day is crazy! I wake up super early and spend all day doing activities with the campers including; the dance, talent show, motor boating, crafts, games, sing a longs. I also spend time meeting with people to plan for the rest of the week and summer.

What do you do during the non-camp months of the year?
When I'm not at camp I am a fifth grade teacher. I spend most of my time off with my puppies Bailey and Bentley and when I have additional free time I travel.

What advice do you have for first time campers?
The advice I would give first year campers is to come to camp with an open mind and willing to try something new. You never know what you will love once you try it.

If you could be any animal, what would you be and why?
I would be a butterfly! Who wouldn't want to fly and be pretty?

Meet the Camp Staff: Jess is Here! A Returning Lifeguard's Camp Whitman Experience.

At the waterfront in 2012. 

Jess is back for her 3rd year on our aquatics team this summer! Here's what she has to say about her experiences at Camp Whitman.

What is your favorite part of camp and why?

My favorite part of camp is the waterfront, because I think it's really beautiful, and I love going out on the lake and taking groups kayaking.

Do you have a least favorite part of camp?

My least favorite part of camp is training week because I am always so eager for the regular camp season to start, so we can spend time with all of the campers!

Describe a typical day at camp for you. 

During my typical day at camp, I will go to breakfast. After that, I usually teach swim lessons and lifeguard for a group at the pool. After lunch, I spend my whole afternoon lifeguarding at the pool or taking groups out on the kayaks or canoes. After dinner, I will either help with groups going banana boating or attend the various events throughout the week at camp.

Jess helping out at the camp store at our Anniversary Gala. 

What do you do during the non-camp months of the year? 

During non-camp months of the year, I attend Messiah College as a Biochemistry major. There, I work a lot with organizing volunteers for various school events. I also like to travel and spend time with my friends.

What advice do you have for first time campers? 

As a first time camper, you should be open to new experiences. You should always give every activity a chance!


If you could be any animal, what would you be and why?

If I could be any animal, I would be a fish. I think that this would be fun because I could go swimming really deep in the ocean and see all the cool plants and animals down there.