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.

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.

Ultimate Action's Ultimate Camp Experience

Last week, high school campers in Ultimate Action had an epic week of sailing, kayaking, canoeing, leadership development, and other Camp Whitman classic activities. We had an awesome group of campers who were up for anything, and who were great friends with each other by the end of the week.

Some of the Ultimate Action campers with their counselors on Friday morning. 

Kayla driving the boat with campers tubing behind her. 

Pioneer Camp's Fun in the Sun

After one day of rain, Pioneer Camp was off to a much better start today and were able to complete all of their planned activities for the day.  After a delicious breakfast we headed off on a tractor ride that took us all over camp to places our campers hadn't seen yet.  The fun continued once we disembarked from the tractor, and began to tie-dye the white shirts our campers had brought from home.  There were many creative designs and no two campers' shirts came out the same :) The rain also held off long enough that our Pioneers were finally able to go swimming in the pool!

Kayla, Cheria, and Payton enjoying pool time

Braydon is all set to jump in the pool!

Pioneers showing their love to Herman the hugging tree.

16-time camper Chris on his Camp Whitman experience

What was your first week of camp like?

Chris is now a second-year counselor

Well, the first week I came, it was the summer before my 4th grade year in school. . My mom and dad both came with me to see me off because I'd never been away from home for this long before. I met my counselors and felt instantly welcome. Everyone on staff and all of the campers were so friendly and open, I knew I would love it there. Though I don't remember many of the specifics of that week, being that it was eleven years ago, I do remember it was more fun than I'd ever had before and, much to my surprise, I didn't feel homesick in the slightest. I actually didn't want to leave and say goodbye when my parents came to pick me up at the end of the week. That week at camp decided for me what I would spend every summer doing for many years to come.

As a counselor, what are your favorite activities for 4th and 5th grade campers?

I really liked having two swim times, including the lessons. I also remember this really fun game of tag we played during morning watch involving making something out of play-dough and giving it to someone else to hold while we played (the idea that we tend to take more care of someone else's thing better than our own). Now, I generally like any sort of tag game and I still find the swim times to be amusing.

What's your favorite part of camp in general?

Pretty much all of the water stuff, specifically kayaking and other boating activities.