Counselor Leah's Staff Interview

     Leah's first year of counseling has been a wonderful addition the the CW family!  She has brought a great energy, attitude, and new ideas that her campers are very thankful for.  This week, we interviewed her for some of her thoughts on camp life and her favorite parts about Whitman so far.

Leah and campers cake decorating

How did you hear about Camp Whitman?

     I knew about Camp Whitman because I came as a camper!  I'm not sure how my parents heard of the camp, but maybe it was through my aunt who also went here when she was camper age.

What have been some of your favorite activities this year?

     One of my favorite activities was paper making with All About the Arts.  Paper making is something I've been doing since I was little, so it was really awesome teaching others how to do it.

Leah making paper with some campers

What has surprised you about working at Camp Whitman?

     I was surprised by how easy it was to get back into the swing of being at camp.  Everyone; campers, counselors, and leadership are so welcoming and excited to be here - it's great.

Counselors, Leah and Erin, working with their campers to create a Play

If you had a piece of advice for a first year counselor what would it be?

    "Fake it 'til you make it" is definitely helpful, but also asking for help when you need it.

Leah playing Fetch with Pastor Colin's dog at C-field

Please describe Camp Whitman in one word.

Important.

Meet the 2014 CW Aquatics Staff

     This summer our aquatics has been awesome both on and off the water.  When they aren't at the pool or on the lake guarding, we can usually find them hanging out with one of our camps getting to know our campers.  Most of the lifeguards are returning staff from past years, except Amanda, who joined our staff after her sister Laura (also a lifeguard) worked at camp last summer.  We asked them some questions about their camping experiences and here are their responses.

Aquatics Director Kayla, and Lifeguards, Amanda, Laura, and Jess

One of our Lifeguards Joe!

Were you a camper at Camp Whitman as a Child?


While Joe was not familiar with CW until he came here as a counselor four years ago and Amanda said that she regrets not coming here as a kid, Kayla, Jess, and Laura were veterans of camp when they joined our staff.  Jess attended 4th and Fifth Grade Camp when she was young, and Kayla highlighted her years as a sailing camper as some of her favorites.  Laura also recalled very fond memories of Girl Power camp!

What is your favorite activity as aquatics staff?

Of course all of aquatics really enjoy different water activities.  Kayaking is at the top of Kayla and Jess' list and Joe loves anything that campers participate in on the lake.  Laura and Jess also have a great time guarding swim time for our D.R.I.V.E students and campers with developmental disabilities.  Amanda's favorite part of being on the aquatics team is blowing the whistle for Buddy Checks at the pool.  Laura also made a point of saying that she really enjoys eating homemade ice-cream with the campers after they make it.

Kayla teaching our High School campers how to rig a sailboat

Do you have a least favorite part of camp?

The only problem that aquatics staff has with camp is that they cannot get enough of it.  Joe said he is only disappointed when he has to go home on Friday and the rest of aquatics said that they wish they had the opportunity to get to know the campers better.

4th and 5th grade campers

What advice do you have for first-year campers?

Try New Things!!!

Aquatics staff making cookies for some other staff members

What is something new you have learned during you time at camp?

Everyone was able to describe a new skill they have gained because of their time at Camp Whitman.  Joe has learned how to make successful tie-dye. Kayla has learned how to teach sailing to campers as well as drive our Boston Whaler on the lake.  Laura and Jess talked about their excitement to work with our campers with developmental disabilities, and Amanda has gained new resources after witnessing several of camp's worship session.

Laura Guarding on the Lake

Finally, describe a typical day at camp.

After breakfast, we usually start our day with swim lessons or sailing depending on the age group we are working with.  After lunch we have swim time, and different camps do canoeing and kayaking on the lakefront.  When everyone has finished dinner, we take different family groups banana boating or our adult campers will enjoy a ride on the motor boat.

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 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.

Keeping the Cold At Bay: A Midwinter Cookout

     The weather in 2014 has left many of us thinking of ways to stay warm after several weeks with below zero degree temperatures.  The CW staff is no different.  A few weeks ago, some staffers got together to make a Camp Cookout Favorite, Door Slammin' Chicken.

In the spirit of camp, we cooked our rice in cast iron even though we had to make do without a campfire.

We used all of the same ingredients campers are familiar with from CW.

Even though this meal was delicious and helped keep us warm for the night.  It was not the same without our campers and fellow counselors to provide great company.  We look forward to seeing you all at camp this summer so we can enjoy our cookouts together!!

The Finished Product :)