Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Meet the Staff of 2016! - Vol. I - Bridget Interviews Jaclyn

It's that time of year again!

Time to start our countdown to Summer Camp by getting introduced to the thing that is going to make the Summer of 2016 completely unique to itself and different from all the summers that have come before it. And what amazing, rare, magical thing is that?

Why, the STAFF of course! A summer at Camp is always defined by the people who are here, and we couldn't be happier for you to meet the exciting batch of folks who are going to be creating Camp for the 2016 season.

So let's kick it off as...











Bridget: First question - how long have you been coming to camp? And in what roles?
 
Jaclyn: This will be my 6th summer! I was an EE/Cabin 11 counselor my first summer, the Counselor in Training (CIT) coordinator for 3 summers, and this summer will my second as the Assistant Program Director. 

Bridget: Lots of time in the woods! To tie into your Cabin 11 summer, who was your favorite camper?! ;)
 
Jaclyn : Considering a few of them are on staff this summer (including my interviewer), I think I have to plea the 5th on that one.

Bridget: Good answer! So next question, what is your favorite meal at camp?
 
Jaclyn: That's an even harder question! All of the food is so, so good. Since I'm gluten-free, the kitchen staff go to a lot of trouble to make sure that everyone with dietary restrictions eats really well. I especially love Carl's gluten-free buffalo chicken pizza -- I look forward to it every week. (I'm hungry just thinking about it!)

Bridget: Before meals at camp I hear there is something everyone does in front of the dining hall- singing camp songs! Do you have a favorite camp song??

Jaclyn: One of the best camp traditions! I'm definitely a fan of a new classic, "It's a 60s party from a 60s movie." One of our campers introduced us to that song a few years ago and it became an instant hit - I'm convinced it's due to the accompanying dance moves.

Bridget: Dance moves always do make songs better! If you had to perform an act at a talent show, what would you do?

Jaclyn : Hmmm. That's a tricky one. Since a number of our male staff members are secret fans of One Direction, I think I'd recruit them for a choreographed medley of 1D songs. BONUS: One staff member I have in mind even has an Irish accent - hello, we have our Niall. (Editor’s Note: I don’t have the slightest idea what that word means.)

Bridget: WOW! If this doesn't make people want to go to camp, I don't know what will! Speaking of international staff, what are your experiences with travelling internationally?

 Bealer: I've only done a little here and there: I spent a semester in Buenos Aires, Argentina when I was in college; lived and studied in Newcastle upon Tyne, England for 2 years; and am just about to wrap up a 2-year adventure in Quito, Ecuador. What about you? I hear you're quite the globe-trotter as well.
 
Bridget: That's more than just a little! You must have had some pretty great adventures :) I studied abroad in Eichstaett, Germany for a semester, travelled to India for 3 weeks, and to Norway, Rome, France, Nicaragua, and Switzerland for about a week each.
 
Jaclyn:  What a diverse list. We'll have to compare notes this summer.

Bridget:  Maybe we can chat during Rooster Run in the mornings. Well, I think those are all of the questions I have for you. Thanks, Jaclyn!

Jaclyn: Don't think that you're getting away that easily. I have a few questions, too! You actually have a long history with Lindley G. Cook. Can you tell us a little bit about the time you've spent at camp and in what roles?

Bridget: I started coming to camp as a camper in 2007! Then somehow I grew up and was too old to be a camper, so I came back as a volunteer the summers of 2011 and 2012, then an EE counselor in 2013 and 2014. Last summer I was studying in Germany until the end of July, but was able to come volunteer for a week. Now I will be the CIT coordinator! I just can't seem to escape this place ;

Jaclyn:  Trust me, I know the feeling! Camp turns you into a boomerang. Congratulations on the new role. What made you want to become the Counselor in Training Coordinator?

Bridget: I really love the giving-back aspect of camp. When you had great times as a camper, you want to ensure that happens for the other campers. The CIT program is all about giving back to camp and taking on leadership roles. Plus we have a lot of fun and great conversations! It is such a transformative program for camp's oldest campers, and I am so excited to be a part of it this summer!

Jaclyn: And we're so thrilled to have you back this summer! Since you have experience in so many different areas of camp, do you have any advice for new counselors joining us for their first summer?

Bridget: Get ready to laugh, learn, and love! Also, expect camp to bring out your crazy side (if you say you don't have one, you will certainly leave camp with one)!

Jaclyn: Words of wisdom right there. Thanks so much, Bridget. I look forward to working with you this summer!

Bridget: Same with you, Jaclyn! Camp is only a couple months away!!!

Jaclyn: Whoop whoop! Counting down the days :) 

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But wait!

Surprise! 

Bonus! 

It's time for...

A Nice Picture/Goofy Picture Swap!

(What's the cause for this special occasion?)

Why, it's only because both...




AND


..Just can't WAIT for Summer Camp to start...

Yes. 

Bridget too.

Even with that face.

Stay tuned to meet the rest of the staff over about 92 more volumes! We should be all done just in time for Staff Training.


Tuesday, March 22, 2016

A Spring FULL of Summer

To help rush the summer our way, we've filled our spring  with plenty of great weekend events to help you while away the time until Summer Camp begins! Well, plenty being three. Which we think is plenty.  We hope you'll think so too, and join us at Camp for some (or all) of them!

Pre-Summer Event #1- Spring Opening Day



Our big annual service day! We'll focus on taking the Dining Hall out of winter-moth-balls and preparing it for the 2016 season, as well as setting up the waterfront, doing some work on our new Disc Golf course, and other general spring cleaning and facility projects. We will also be hosting Camp Tours in the afternoon.

So come on out and join us, we can use all the hands we can get to help prepare Camp for summer (plus it's a nice excuse to spend a morning with us in Stokes State Forest).

Pre-Summer Event# 2 - Ignite Creative Camp


This is the first of a new series of weekends that we're quite excited about. 

This retreat is for all those adults who tell us "I wish I could go away to Camp!" 

Participants will live in the cabins, enjoy a weekend at our lovely facility, and enroll in one of three creative disciplines. For our first Ignite Weekend, we'll be offering workshops in Story-Telling, Meditation and Yoga, and Creative Writing. In addition, we'll take some breaks to relax around the lake, meet some new people, and enjoy some classic Camp activities like archery, hiking and canoeing. 

Go here to register, or for more details. We're offering a special discount for our tried and true camp folks attending the weekend. Just use the code CAMPFAMILY for a 25% discount.

In the future we'll be planning Ignite Weekends for more disciplines, and some for kids to attend as well. If interested, please join us and be here for the first time around!


Pre-Summer Event #3 - Spring Family Weekend


Our classic May weekend, and a Camp Family favorite. It's a wonderful opportunity for some quality family time around Lake Shawanni, enjoying a weekend away from it all. It includes a taste of the whole Summer Camp experience, from Dining Hall meals to evening camp fires, and a whole slew of Camp games and activities. Many of our families attend Spring Family weekend year after year. Join us and create a new May tradition for your family!

Sign up here and now!


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So, don't wait all the way 'till summer for Summer Camp! L.G. Cook 4-H Camp is beautiful in the spring, and you don't have to take our word for it. Come spend some time and see it for yourself!

Tuesday, March 8, 2016

March Madness (Last of the Early Birds)

Just one week remains in our Early-Bird Camp Registration, an opportunity get choice selection on sessions (which are filling up) and classes (which are filling up faster), as well as to get  a discounted rate on Summer Camp 2016.


To celebrate, it is tradition to bring a bit of Summer Camp to our wintry landscape.





Well. 

That's not that wintry. 

I mean, don't get me wrong. 

That March mountain lake is cold. But it's not wintry compared to...


LAST YEAR:


THIS YEAR:


Yes, LAST YEAR:



THIS YEAR:



In short. What a difference a year can make. In lake temperature, amongst other such things.



But wait...here's a wintry Camp!




But that's not our wintry camp. 

What wintry camp is that!?






It's Jim's wintry camp! He's saying hello from Camp Sacandaga in the Adirondacks.

And he has a message! 

What is it? 

What do you have to tell us Jim?

Oh. 

He says "SIGN UP FOR YOUR SUMMER AT L.G. COOK 4-H CAMP THIS WEEK DURING EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION!"

Good message! 

Funny. That's exactly what I was just saying.

'Cause at Camp...the more things change, the more they stay the same. 

Register here and now!


Yeah, okay. We're done. Get on out. This lake is cold.