Keeping Cool at Camp!

     This week is gearing up to be one of the warmest our campers have experienced yet this summer, but that isn't stopping our campers and staff from having fun.  Monday night, our graded campers played an instincts field game that involved gaining life chips and food/water points without getting tagged by anyone else.  Even when it started raining the campers had a great attitude and continued playing a couple more rounds before drying off.

Campers playing instincts

The game continues in spite of some sprinkling

This morning our camps got off to a great start, beginning with our Day Campers enjoying a slip-n-slide before their swim lessons.

Counselor Ben, getting our campers ready for the Slip-n-Slide

     Our Experience campers also had a chance to practice their sailing a little bit more this morning, before our Bike and Kayak camp went out on the lake to enjoy a floating lunch in their kayaks.

Experience campers, rigging their boats

Enjoying the water and the sun!

CICIT Guest Blog: Part 3

     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.  This blog was written by CIT counselor, Shane Dubois.

2014 CIT campers

     When I was driving down Whitman Road for the 10th time in 7 years I had no clear idea what to expect in CIT this week. One thing I did know, it wasn't going be like any other camp I had ever been to in my past years of Whitman. After meeting my counselors Ileya and Jess, who I had never had before in past weeks at camp.  After doing name games and the normal safety hike, I knew that my life was never going to be the same.      

      Early in the week we had a deep discussion around the campfire and it amazed me that people would go that deep with people they barely knew. I immediately revisited the deep trust issues I had through the years and threw them out knowing I could trust this group to the sun and back. We also had an opportunity to have a vespers with Colin the wonderful volunteer Chaplin, and he asked us about what our story was and I really had to think. I've always thought as this average teenager from Elmira but Colin was really making me think and so I did, I'm was at this table with 4 other people who want to make a difference in at least one person’s life. Colin also asked us to describe one time in our life when we saw Jesus working in our lives or our favourite biblical story, most of us chose to describe when we saw Jesus’ work. I described when a man asked me to go to Camp Whitman and how every time I come to camp I take so much back with me every year.

CITs at all camp vespers, worship service

     We got the opportunity to work with almost all the camps that were there that week! I'll start with Pine, our camp for people with developmental disabilities. Pine is so easy to work with for me because my mom is disabled and I applied skills that I've used with her for years to working with pine. Taking time explaining the activity, fellow camper James and I led the "Sports and Games" camp and personally worked with that camp and all the other camps. It was incredible working with the Adventures camp and the Day camp. I had always had a good sense of planning things just not a clear way of executing things that I had planned, but I quickly learned a great way of doing this with Pine campers and also Graded campers. We also learned useful strategies to use when working with campers.

CITs working with our Day Campers

     We also had a service project that we worked on throughout the week, which was cleaning and making the stairway that leads from main field to where the Pine cabins are located. On the last day we sat on the bridge that was pretty much finished and talked and reflected back on the week. After some self thought when I got home I soon realized how much Jess and Ileya had helped me grow so much throughout the week and how blessed I really was to do CIT this year.

CIT campers standing on the stairs that they worked on this week

    After saying my goodbyes to my fellow counselors-in-training and getting in my car and driving down Whitman Road and Rt. 14 back to Elmira I had no words as people asked me how my week was it was the most life changing experience I have ever had and I am exited to devote the rest of my summer to volunteering with the wonderful ministry that is Camp Whitman on Seneca Lake!       

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

            

Top 10 Reasons We're Excited for Camp in 2014 (Part 2)

Part 1 can be found here.


5. Pioneer Camp is back! 

Last year, we began a 2-day program (with an optional overnight stay) for campers entering grades k-5 to come give camp a try. It was so much fun, we're doing it 3 times this summer! On July 10 & 11, July 31 & August 1, and August 14 & 15, you can come experience what camp is all about with new friends, swimming, boating, crafts, field games, and maybe even a camp dance. If you're feeling extra adventurous, you can stay the night and find out just how awesome it is to have s'mores with all these new friends and sleep in a cabin.

Having a blast during Pioneer Camp in 2013!

4.  We have a new camp for people with disabilities!

We have a ton of different camps for people with disabilities this year. From Whitman Under the Stars to Explorations, there is something for everyone, no matter where your interests lie. A new camp that we have this year is Pay It Forward, which will give campers the opportunity to work on service projects during their week at camp and make camp better for everyone. This week is sure to be an amazing show of Whitman spirit!

Baking a cake to share with everyone at lunch.

3.  The week of August 3 is the week of epic nighttime adventures!

Night Owl camp has been a high school favorite since it was created 8 years ago, and Moonlight Mystery is quickly becoming a middle school favorite. In addition to all of these adventures, last year, we started Whitman Under the Stars camp for people with disabilities.  During all of these camps, campers have the opportunity to stay up late and enjoy adventures like glow in the dark ultimate frisbee and detective work. This year, these camps are happening at the same time, along with a Night Camp themed Day Camp so that we can all celebrate how awesome nighttime in the summertime can be (and sleep in...we like that too...). 

2. Camp is not "Real Life"...

If you've ever been to camp, you know that there is never a dull moment. Someone is always singing a silly song about penguins, playing a field game that involves a rubber chicken, or getting ready for the next big sailing or bike trip. These are the things that make up a normal day at camp, and it's pretty stress-free. We're busy, but there's no work or homework to worry about, no phones ringing non-stop, no need to hurry (unless you're playing glow in the dark ultimate frisbee), and nowhere we need to be except right there. It's quite a relief. 

"Sail away with me, what will be will be..."

1. ...but Camp is as real as it gets!

Camp can be a welcome break from "Real Life" (as we jokingly refer to our lives outside of camp), but at the same time, Camp is totally Real Life. Ask anyone who has spent a week at camp, and they can tell you stories about what they did there, what they learned, and who they met who is still an important person to them. Many of us call Camp Whitman our second home and our camp friends our second family, which is why we are overflowing with excitement for everything we have in store for this summer!

Camp friends are the best friends!

The Top 10 Reasons We're Excited for Camp Whitman in 2014 (Part 1)

Last year, we put together a list of the top 10 reasons we were excited for camp in 2013 (here and here). These are all still  reasons to be excited about camp this summer, but we had to give 2014 it's own list because it's going to be extra awesome!


10. 2014 is a major milestone for Camp Whitman!

2014 is Whitman's 60th anniversary, and we're celebrating all year! This year, the camp adventures start before we even arrive at camp with the Silent Auction and Gala on May 31 at King's Catering in Canandaigua. This is Camp's big-time birthday party: there will be dancing, a bounce house, and camp friends of all ages...not to mention some pretty cool baskets and items in the silent auction. Sounds pretty perfect to me! For more info about the Gala and Camp's 60th anniversary, check out www.campwhitman.org

Working on a 60th anniversary bulletin board at camp.

9. 2014's staff might just be the coolest staff yet. 

A whole bunch of staff members from 2013 are back for more adventures this summer, and we couldn't be more excited! These are people who LOVE all things camp and have been looking forward to the 2014 season since we left last August. We are also super excited about welcoming all of the new staff into the Whitman family this summer; they are bringing all kinds of skills and experiences with them that will help this summer be the best summer ever.

Yup...definitely the coolest. 

8. Volunteer Chaplains are back!

Just like last summer, this summer we will be welcoming several pastors from local churches to spend a week with us to lead worship experiences and join in all the camp fun.

Pastor Colin did not miss out on a minute of the fun when he was with us for a week in 2013!

7. Camp Mondays will be Christmas Mondays.

This year, our curriculum has a special focus on Jesus.  Every day, each of the family groups will spend a little bit of their morning and evening exploring a different story about Jesus' life and ministry. For example, every Monday we will be looking at the story of Jesus' birth, which means that you should come ready to hear some Christmas songs in the middle of the summer!

I think we'll put the Christmas tree right behind those dancing counselors...

6. Day Camp 2.0. 

After a hugely successful first season in 2013, our day camp programs are back for round 2 for 8 weeks this year! Starting June 30 and running through August 22, this program offers campers who are entering grades k-5 in the fall the opportunity to experience all kinds of camp fun for a day, a week, or even the whole summer. Each week will have a different theme, such as Pirates, Arts and Crafts, Sports, and Water Rec. This is a great way to get outside, make some new friends, and have some fun while Mom and Dad are at work all day!

Last year, our new day campers wasted no time in learning all kinds of camp traditions!

Amber working on a craft with Laura and Sophie. 

Watch next week for the rest of the count down!

Fall Volunteer Day

     Last Weekend, Camp Whitman welcomed volunteers to assist in closing camp for the winter.  We thank all those who were able to donate their time and make sure that all our end of year tasks were completed smoothly.

4-square court being repainted

Chimney being removed

Volunteers cleaning the labyrinth

Laura collects leaves for an activity

 While the adults were busy cleaning cabins and packing things up, some counselors came back for the day and held an Autumn Day Camp session for the children of some of the volunteers. A few of our Summer Day Campers were able to return to camp for some fall activities and see camp when all the leaves are changing.  It was great to be able to experience camp again even though the season is over for this year.

Campers making a fall themed jar

60th anniversary Bulletin board

A Busy Last Week!

Everyone at lunch on Monday. 

Camp is busy this week with six different camps going on! We have Explorations and Born for the Wild camps happening in Pine, Wet 'n' Wild happening in Day Camp, and Explorers, Adventures, and Moonlight Mystery happening in Cedar, Oak, and Maple. We are super excited about all of the activities and adventures going on right now, and everyone seems to be having fun so far. Although... Moonlight Mystery seems to be having an issue with some missing sleep-out tarps. They're working on figuring out who took them so that they can enjoy this awesome camp tradition . 

Pioneer Camp Update

Pioneer fun has continued this afternoon and evening with even more fun activities! Even though it's been rainy, we've been finding all kinds of ways to enjoy camp. On Monday afternoon, we did crafts, games, and moved into cabins. Everyone has settled in very comfortably for the night without any issues. We'll be up early and ready for another awesome day tomorrow! We might even get the chance to do tie-dye or go for a tractor ride.

Joelle teaching Pioneer and family campers how to make God's eyes. 

Brianna with her God's eye. 

Payton and Alex working together. 

Working on a water color project. 

Kayla and our Camp Director, Rhonda, working on a craft together. 

This is the Day....that Pioneer Campers Arrive!

Camp is officially underway with the arrival of our family campers last night and pioneer campers this morning. Pioneer campers are brand new to Camp Whitman and are here for two days to see what camp is all about. So far, we have played some new games, including lizard tag, musical fruit, and the mystery game. Right now, their counselors Ben, Chris, and Ileya are leading them in some fun Repeat After Me songs.

All-camp vespers last night at Sam's Point

Pioneer campers singing the Tarzan song before lunch. 

The rain won't stop us!