Today It's Cold Out

Greetings, Whitman folks, and happy 2015! Hopefully you are all staying warm and enjoying the new year.

It may be cold out right now, but we know that won't last! Summer will be here before we know it, and with it will come a whole new season of Camp Whitman adventures (including some adventures Whitman has never seen before)! Keep checking back...registration is opening soon! 

Please also check out our updated camp wish list all the way at the bottom of this page. Every year, donations from individuals and churches go a long way towards making camp the best possible experience for all of our campers. If you would like to make a donation, please contact our office at (315) 536-7753, by e-mailing kjensen@presbyteryofgeneva.org or ormsbyc@my.canisius.edu, or by messaging Camp Whitman on Facebook. 

Merry Christmas to All...

"For it is good to be children sometimes, and never better than at Christmas, when its mighty Founder was a child Himself.”  - Charles Dickens

From the Camp Whitman family to yours, have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Nite Owl Fancy Dance

     Each year, during Nite Owl week, the staff and campers have the opportunity to dress up for our weekly dance.  Here are are several pictures of both staff and campers who were keeping it classy last week as they enjoyed good music and great company.  Our 3rd year counselor, Ileya, did a great job of trying to get into as many pictures as possible :)

Counselors Ileya, Jeremy, and Matt

Counselors Ileya and Chris

Counselors Ileya and Megan 

2014 Fancy Dance Staff

3 of our sets of sisters on staff

Nite Owl Campers with their Counselor Ileya

Counselors Ileya, Michaela, Jess, and Erin

Ileya and one of our Coordinators, Lindsey

Counselor Lacey with a Whitman Under the Stars Camper

Counselors, Chris and Ben

Counselors Lacey and Matt

Ben with one of our campers

Wilderness Survival Camp!

     This week's high school camp was Wilderness Survival, where their counselors worked with them to learn new outdoor skills and survival techniques.   On Thursday morning this group went to the Cayuga Nature Center and had the opportunity to observe many different kinds of animals and enjoy the outdoors.

Camper Samantha, with our Counselor Lacey

6 story Tree Fort

     We had the opportunity to observe several types of snakes, a few of which were in the midst of shedding their skins, which was something a couple of campers (and staff) found very interesting to observe.  There were also turtles, flying squirrels, and many other animals, including a Peacock, Peahen and his family of newly hatched chicks.

One of the snakes shedding its skin while we visited

Martin observing some of the reptiles

 One of the last activities the campers were able to participate in, was exploring inside of enormous tree fort that Cayuga Nature Center had on their site.  This was definitely some of the campers' favorite event of the day, and we all spent some quality time hanging out in the very top of the fort talking about the week.

Samantha and Phoebe saying hello from the fort

The very top of the fort

Samantha, Matt, Pastor Leah, and Phoebe enjoying the view

   

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!

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

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 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.

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!