Meet the Director!

Our Communications & Camp Director, Rhonda Everdyke, spent some time talking to us about why she loved camp as a kid, and why she still loves it today. 

How many years were you a camper at CW?

10 years (3rd-12th grade)

What was your favorite part of camp when you were a camper? What kept you coming back year after year?

My favorite part of camp was making new friends each week/year. Those friends have lasted a lifetime. I still get together with friends that I made as a young camper. Whitman is a very special place that is why I think we all keep coming back or visiting year after year. I am just blessed that I get to work for a place that meant the world to me as a kid. It is a place where your peers don't know who you are, where you come from, what kind of house you live in, etc. You are just campers, no clicks, no past, everyone starts out on on Sunday in the same boat and that week is an amazing experience getting to know each other and enjoying the great place that IS Camp Whitman on Seneca Lake. 

Describe a typical day at camp for you as the director. 

I have learned there are no typical days. Each day has different challenges and joys! Each day it is all about the campers :) 

What is your favorite part of the camp day or week?

I love attending the talent shows each Tuesday night! The whole Camp Whitman community comes together for a night of laughs and enjoyment! The talent of our campers and staff is just amazing week after week! 

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

I am still working all the time to get camp up and running for the following season. Even though Camp Whitman is only open in the summer for formal camping, there is a lot to be done each week of the year for this amazing place! This year has been especially busy as 2014 is the 60th Anniversary for Camp Whitman. There are fun events happening each month this year! Check it out on our website! Buy your tickets for the 60th Anniversary Gala and Silent Auction in May now! :) 

What advice do you have for first-time campers and their families?

First things first, get ready for a fun week! :) Labeling clothes is helpful and during check out make sure you have all of your belongings before you leave camp! Other than that, everything else will be just fine - it's going to be a week you will not forget! 

12 Days of Christmas, Camp Style

Thank you to Benjammin' for adapting the lyrics!

On the 12th day of Christmas, my campers gave to me...

12 boondoggles, 

11 sing-alongs

10 glitter crafts 

9 expensive ducks

8 call-upons

7 punny jokes

6 cups of ice cream

5 warm fuzzies

4 mind games

3 tie-dye shirts

2 friendship bracelets 

and a hug like I was Herman the tree!

Merry Christmas, camp folks! We are already getting super pumped about some Christmas in July/August festivities coming up in 2014 :)

15 Things to Expect on Your First Day of Camp

It's Sunday at 2:00. You've packed (and repacked) your suitcase, backpack, and shower bag... but what's next? Here's what to expect on your first day of camp at Camp Whitman.

1.  You arrive at the main lodge...

2. ...where these people are SO EXCITED to greet you.

seriously...why are they so excited? And why won't they stop singing?

3. You check in with the camp director and camp nurse...

4. ..and then meet your counselors out on the porch.

5. When everyone arrives, you play some name games / icebreakers.

These games may or may not involve a rubber chicken...

6. Then it's time for the safety hike so that you can get to know camp a little more. 

7. The safety hike ends back at your campsite, and you move into your cabin. 

Perfect for sleeping, friendship bracelet making, and letter writing.

8. If you're in a camp that does a lot of boating, you might have time to squeeze in a swim test before dinner. 

Lifeguards! Assemble!

9.  It's finally time to go back to the lodge for dinner!

I can't believe I'm so hungry already! And why won't they stop singing?

10. After dinner, everyone goes to Sam's Point for all-camp vespers. 

11. After vespers, your counselors might perform some skits about the camp rules.

12. You might have time for a main field game...

This particular main field game appears to have involved a pterodactyl.

13. ...or some team building exercises. 

14. You finish out your night with a fire back at your camp site...

15. and you start to think that this week might be pretty awesome!

Check back soon for more about what you can expect in 2014 (really...the snow just means we're a step closer to summer!). 

Meet the Camp Staff: Interview with Former Camper and Current Counselor, Michaela!

How many years were you a camper at CW?
I was a camper between 5-7 years. 

What was your favorite camp activity?
My favorite activity as a camper was banana boating. 

What's your favorite activity as a counselor?
My favorite activity as a counselor is campfire time and sailing.

Why do you keep coming back?
I keep coming back because it's easy to see that everyone bonds really quickly. 

If you could be any animal, what would you be and why?
If I could be any animal I would be a butterfly or a dragonfly.... It's always warm when you see them, they can fly, and I always feel relaxed when I see them because of family stories about them growing up.

Michaela thoroughly enjoying campfire time at the end of camp in 2013. 

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

CW Staff Participates in NYC Missions Trip

Day Camper, Gregory, trick-or-treating for UNICEF

     Over Columbus Day weekend, some CW staff had the opportunity to experience a Mission and Learning trip in New York City that was sponsored by The Presbytery of Geneva.  Over a three day period, our counselors were able to see how local Presbyterys interact with the UN and their involvement with UNICEF.

CW Staff who painted grass for the mural

Counselors adding clouds and windows to the mural

   


They also took some time to go to Coney Island to work on a mural for a school that was damaged by Hurricane Sandy.  This mural was painted to show how the school has grown and recovered since the disaster.

Breakfast on the Go for a couple of our staff

   

Counselor and camper, Ben and Daniel pointing
out landmarks around the UN

   


   







While there was time for counselors to explore the city on their own, the learning experiences were extremely beneficial and a huge thanks goes to the Presbytery, who made this opportunity possible, and to the organizations and churches that we worked with while were were in NYC, for making us feel welcome and exposing us to brand new experiences.

2013 CW Staff enjoying dinner at Bubba Gump

Staff at the 9/11 memorial site 

Our Fearless Leaders discussing the day's events

Meet our New Intern, Ileya.

Ileya at Camp Whitman this past summer. 

My name is Ileya Heins; I grew up in Prattsburgh, New York.  I graduated from high school in 2011 and I am currently going to Corning Community College (CCC).  This coming December, I will have my Associates degree in Human Services.  I want to continue my education and finish getting my Social Science degree.  I have worked at Camp Whitman on Seneca Lake for the past two summers and hope to work there this summer as well.

I am excited to be the Community Relations and Outreach intern for the Presbytery of Geneva this semester. I will be working on cultivating our existing community relationships (and creating some new ones too!) for Camp Whitman, be assisting with planning and attending the NYC Mission and Learning experience next month, and managing some of the 60th Anniversary events for Camp Whitman’s year of celebration. I have already learned so much in this semester from being in the office and am ready for the challenge! I want to thank the Presbytery for this opportunity.

I look forward to meeting and working with some of you this semester!