10 Ways to Make Your Camper Confident

It’s Spring which means that before you know it, you’ll be at the bus stop sending your kid off to camp for the first time for what is sure to be the time of his or her life! She’s watched the welcome video, taken the tour, and has shown nothing but excitement about being a camper.

Yet, as the date on the calendar approaches, you may notice a change in her tone. Her excitement has been tempered by her concerns. What if she doesn’t make friends? What if the food isn’t good? What if they make her play sports she isn’t good at, or swim in the deep end, which terrifies her. What if she’s homesick?

This can be a tricky situation for parents. Some may reconsider their decision, while others may be inclined to respond with a “Don’t worry! Everyone loves camp when they get there.”

There is a lot you can do to prepare for these moments with your new camper, which we will get to shortly. But here’s what I encourage you to do first: Unless your child has been diagnosed with anxiety, I strongly encourage you to coach them through their fears and concerns without using the words stress and anxiety.

Camp is a transition, which means it’s novel and unpredictable. These same qualities make it exciting and also a little unsettling because we like the familiar and known. Framing this as a normal, natural part of the process helps kids understand and develop a tolerance for what they are feeling.

However, when we associate these natural, normal feelings with a negative word like anxiety, we frame the experience in a way that encourages us to see that there is something wrong. Once the “anxiety monster” is awakened, it’s powerful. Instead of, “Camp is a new, exciting experience that may take some time to adjust to” the message the monster sends the message that, “Camp is stressful and I have anxiety about camp.”

If you think of anxiety as a wedge, with the thinnest part being the jitters and the thickest part being panic disorder, where do your child’s pre-camp fears fall? If they are losing sleep, or obsessing over it, they are on the thicker side of the wedge. If that’s the case, enlist the help of a licensed therapist.

But if you listen to their worries and they sound on the thinner side of the wedge, you can coach them through their fears without mentioning anxiety. But I believe it’s in everyone’s best interest to use these words–stress and anxiety–selectively. Instead, here are some ideas to fortify them with tools for resilience and coping.

So, how can you talk to your camper about his worries and fears?

To start with, emotions are contagious, and kids often mirror ours. It’s normal to feel some worry about your kids, but be aware of it and acknowledge it beforehand with your partner or your best friend. Write out your concerns and identify the worst case scenario.  In other words: Get that business under control before you attempt to coach your 10 year-old into becoming a confident camper!

Once you’ve tamed your own anxieties, you can take some of these proactive steps for developing resilience and problem-solving, while leaving the “a-word” out of the equation.

Update your vocabulary: Here are some other words for anxiety and stress that you can memorize:

  • Worry
  • Butterflies
  • Jitters
  • Nerves
  • Nervous
  • Concerned
  • Thinking about
  • Uneasiness

Listen to them: Kids want to be heard and not judged. If they are coming to you and telling you that they are scared of certain things, hear them out. If their concerns seem trivial to you, bite your cheeks and let them know you hear them.

Don’t trivialize or generalize: Feelings are real, and we don’t have to be afraid of having them. In fact, the more we can identify them, the less consuming and mysterious they are. We don’t have to fix them with a platitude like, “Everyone feels like this at first, but everyone loves camp.” Kids are perceptive–What if they get there and everyone else seems to be having a great time except them? What if they really don’t love it? Instead…

Empathize like a pro: “I hear you (insert pet name). I really do.”

Normalize and relate: What they are feeling is normal, so let them know that with a simple statement like: “It’s normal to feel a mix of feelings when you are doing something new.” You can also try relating, but don’t steal the focus. You can say something like, “I remember feeling pretty similar when I____________” and then dig back into your past and find a parallel experience where you were nervous.” Help them understand that novelty may bring up some feelings and to let them see your vulnerability.

Make it concrete: Help him identify the fear. If they say they’re just nervous, coax them to clarify: Are they nervous about getting changed in front of other people, or to play soccer, or to eat in a dining room because they are picky eaters. Once it’s more concrete, kids can see that what they feel is only a part of the whole experience.

Name the feeling: After you make it concrete, help him identify the feeling. Each kid will have a unique thing that makes him jittery, and a feeling that goes along with it. Don’t presume to know, and give him space to explore it. If he’s stuck, offer something like, “Would you be afraid…”  or “Are you embarrassed…” or “Does it make you nervous?”

Help them anticipate or problem solve: In these conversations, hopefully you will get some valuable, concrete information. Let’s take the example of changing in front of other people because they are embarrassed. Ask him, “What can you do?” Maybe he can change in the bathroom at first, or get up a little earlier, or wait until everyone is done. Even if he doesn’t do any of these things, the practice of problem solving is empowering. Or in the example of being a picky eater, ask him to identify the foods he definitely likes, take a look at the sample menus and talk about how he can find these things at camp. Let him know that the Camp Moms can always be there to help him make choices. Or in the example of homesickness, read the book, “The Kissing Hand” before they leave and kiss their hand. Whenever they need a connection they can kiss their hand or just remember that in their hand always is a kiss from home.

Remind him of other times he was brave: Bravery is not the absence of fear, it’s doing things we are afraid of. Help them remember times when they did things that required some bravery. Ask them to recall the details and if they can’t you can do it for them. Make the connection  that this experience is like those other times.

Give them your confidence: Throughout their lives, kids look to us for cues on what’s okay–It’s called social referencing and it starts when they are infants. This is why you checked your own anxiety before these talks–so that you can give him your confidence. You can use the examples of other times he was brave or other times things worked out for him. Even better: if you can acknowledge his fears and also boost his confidence. Something like, “I know you’re worried now kid, but I’ve seen you do so many amazing things. I trust that you are going to be okay.”

There are lots of ways to deal with nervous kids that fall in the “What Not To Do” category, which you can learn about here.

A real life example:

This came up recently in my own house. My daughter was getting ready to sing at her school’s talent show. She was complaining of a stomach ache. She had butterflies in her stomach, she was antsy and she was talking a mile a minute.

I asked her if she might have a case of the jitters. She asked me to clarify and I told her that it was a mix of being nervous and excited. Yes, that’s exactly what she had. Is it normal she asked?

Yes. Feeling the jitters before a big performance is common. Who do you know has probably had the jitters?

Cousin Shane? Before a game?

Yes, I think so.

I don’t want to sing. I’m too nervous.

I know you are buddy. I’ve been there too. But I’ve seen you be brave before.

When?

Your first day of camp. Remember? We talked about first days, and how it would be nicer if you could start camp on the third day, after you knew what to expect.

Smiling–Yes, I guess that was pretty brave.

It was. Can you imagine how you might feel after the performance?

Smiling again–Proud of myself.

And she sang her heart out, I cried and it was awesome.

This was not a long conversation, and it didn’t take a whole lot of digging. For something like camp, which is a bigger experience, you may have to have a few more of these talks. If you choose to, you are strengthening both your connection and the muscles of courage and resilience.

Imagine your kid showing up on camp’s shores for the first time. Instead of saying, “I am stressed,” or “I am anxious,”  he is remembering your talks leading up to the experience. He is parroting your language, and he’s telling his counselors that he knows it’s normal to feel a mix of feelings when he’s trying something new. He recalls your words, “You’ve been brave before and you’ve done so much.” He is empowered, and because he is, he can connect with his counselor because he is not withdrawn and distressed.

It’s easy to default to the words stress and anxiety. But for novel experiences, which are part of life, we owe it to kids to teach them that there are loads of other emotional options. We can teach them that a mix of excitement and nerves is normal. If we know that this is part of the deal and how to manage these feelings, then we can cultivate healthy mindset and resilience.

Feelings are normal and manageable. Kids look to us for cues, and our influence on their perception of things cannot be overstated. Give them more than anxiety and stress as an explanation, and watch them become mentally strong and brave!

 

About the Author:

Helaina Altabef is a parent educator, coach, and teen advocate with over 15 years of experience working with teens.  You can download her “8 Go-To Lines All Parents Should Memorize” on her website Tame the Teen.

Hey Google – You Need Camp Counselors!

In a recent article in the Washington Post, Google revealed something surprising…their best employees aren’t STEM whizzes! Their BEST employees possess the critical “soft skills” you develop when working at camp!

“The seven top characteristics of success at Google are all soft skills: being a good coach; communicating and listening well; possessing insights into others (including others different values and points of view); having empathy toward and being supportive of one’s colleagues; being a good critical thinker and problem solver; and being able to make connections across complex ideas.”

“The best teams at Google exhibit a range of soft skills: equality, generosity, curiosity toward the ideas of your teammates, empathy, and emotional intelligence. And topping the list: emotional safety. No bullying. To succeed, each and every team member must feel confident speaking up and making mistakes. They must know they are being heard.”

When you work at camp, you manage a team of campers in a safe, bully-free environment. You learn how to get the best out each and every camper, and help maximize their potential. You have the opportunity to work alongside people of different cultures and backgrounds. You help campers and your colleagues problem solve to overcome homesickness, a challenging day or work together as a team.  And you are given opportunities to create, lead, challenge and support.

With insight like this from leading companies like Google, what are you waiting for? Being a camp counselor undoubtedly gives you the skills you need today for a bright, professional future.

Click here to read the original article!

This is It! Red Farmers vs. Blue Fishermen!

Dear Murphy’s Law,

The day started out sunny, beautiful, a few white puffy clouds…things were cruising along nicely, even my shirt color seem to change with each passing cloud. Gorgeous.

A morning of activities and then as we entered the mess hall for lunch with a very loud American Pie playing, it started to thunder and rain; the tension was as thick as the humid air. After lunch we had a short lull in thunderstorm activity as everyone raced back to their bunks.  We decided to extend rest hour (good ol’ BUNK-O) as the rain and thunder resumed and kept on rolling.  Our plans for another all-camp general swim  seemed to become more and more unrealistic as the clock ticked by. In fact, it was pouring heavily and the thunder and lightning strikes increased.

Mitch and crew went from Plan A to Plan B to Plan C to Plan D and the finally at 4pm as the t-storms were safely away and the rain was just a drizzle we brought the whole camp back to the mess hall for all-camp bingo. The cards were distributed, the game began being called; the rain pounded again on the roof and the place was jammed.

Over the loudspeaker came the sound of IS ANYBODY OUT THERE and all could see through the windows , coming through the alley where the delivery trucks usually drive… a mess of people dressed in overalls, flannel shirts, straw hats, bright yellow fishing waders….followed by a parade of a huge hay wagon, a cow leading the way and behind the hay wagon was a fishing boat following.  On top of the hay wagon were 2 farmers holding a banner, behind the fishing boat another banner.

Everyone raced out of the mess hall, ran around the flagpole through the courtyard and onto the basketball court; on the outside PA blasted IS ANYBODY OUT THERE… the cow, farmers, wagon and boat made its way to the white rock; fog horns blasted, and as the head Judgie Bob stood up high on the white rock, he declared this OLYMPICS 2017!!!!

As he said that, on cue….the clouds parted and believe you me…the sun beamed onto the entire area…despite that, we probably had over 3 inches of rain…it had finally stopped…and the crowd was in a frenzied state.   Yelling, screaming, hugging, crying, cheering and in just awe!

The cow moo-ed, the air horns blasted and the generals, camper captains, sergeants and lieutenants were called; the teams had meetings; we had an official Olympic flag presentation, we had a late dinner followed by the burning of the olympic rings ceremony, the coveted silent Olympic dinner (so much fun), Olympic taps, a few top level meetings and that was BREAKOUT.

Not as originally planned with a herd of cows coming down to general swim with the fishermen blasting horns from their boats…but exciting and still pretty cool…in fact perhaps better than planned. And credit to Jared for his planning!

The culmination of the psych outs, the fakeouts and all the talk and suspicion (including yesterday’s local FOX News Team doing a story on the economic impact of the Wayne County Camp Association on the region. It all added up to the start of this year’s Olympic Games.  Reveille will be at 7:45 AM; I will be on the Ghost Court the next 5 days and let the sportsmanship, camaraderie, support and fun begin!!!

Just finished a meeting with the generals and spoke about this opportunity to experience management tools, control stamina, pro-active planning ,,analysis and evaluation…plus communication and creativity skills. I told the generals that this is an awesome experience where we want them and their staff to give it their all for this potentially amazing impact opportunity for co-counselors and campers. They loved it and we told them we will support  through varying methods (including subsidizing late night snacks so they don’t use their nites off other than to help the teams prepare for the next day’s activities). The generals realized that this was beyond camp, this was a crash course in true leadership…and the same applies to the older kids; whether Camper Captains or not, to rise and shine to their best personal best.

This is what Towanda is about.

And as the generals plan their day, I shall retire to the mansion for the rest of the night (hopefully)…all else is really quiet.

One parent said to me today; thank you so much for taking the time to write, as the director of this ship, to us each night; I think I speak on behalf of many of the parents that we really appreciate it and know that this camp is like no other.

That means a lot; we do care and love sharing the insight. Thank you.

PS: anybody catch the breakout on the live camp cam???

*And I think I might need to buy a new bingo set for 800 (pieces were everywhere)!

-Mitch

About Camp Towanda:

Camp Towanda is an independent, traditional, co-ed sleep-away camp in the Poconos in Pennsylvania. It is privately owned, operated and directed by Mitch and Stephanie Reiter (who are celebrating 28 years as owners and directors).  For 95 years, Camp Towanda has continued to define what camp should really be. Our program offers state-of-the-art facilities, an excellent and professional athletic department, waterfront, extensive arts, drama and adventure programs, and special events.  We are highly regarded and respected as an industry leader and are involved in giving back to various organizations throughout the year.  Camp Towanda is accredited by the American Camp Association and a member of the Camp-Alert-Network, Wayne County Camp Association, Camp Owners and Directors Association and the Pennsylvania Camp Association.

The Gift is Camp

If you are like many camp parents, it is easy to get caught up in the Visiting Day hoopla. When did Visiting Day go from bringing ritz crackers and spray cheese to window shopping through endless Instagram photos of gifts and baskets and cellophane-wrapped camp-themed goodies? Visiting Day fever is a real thing that parents can catch (and it seems contagious)! It’s even in the news.

As you pack up your cars this Saturday and head for the hills of Honesdale, please remember that the real gift IS camp. It was only just 4 weeks ago that you shipped off your camper with trunks full of clothing, new camp swag and the promise of an amazing summer. Your campers have not forgotten how lucky they are. They are well-fed and enjoying canteen, dippin’ dots, birthday cake, milk & cookies, and trip day treats! They are sharing their clothes with their groupmates (which means they have 10x the clothes they even need!). They are learning how to spend unstructured time, unplugged with simple games, tetherball and jacks. They are busy cherishing every moment they have at camp with their summer family. They are also learning through our community service that not everyone gets this incredible opportunity. And most importantly, they know none of this would be possible without the amazing gift of camp that you already gave them.

So bring up some of their favorite comforts from home (maybe a NYC bagel or some Dunkin Donuts…you can leave the sushi behind!). And remember the day is really all about one thing.  It’s not about toys, or bunk gifts (which we don’t allow), or endless amounts of candy (that they won’t have time to eat).  It’s about your camper showing off THEIR camp, their friends, their counselors, their experience. It’s about seeing Towanda all over again through the eyes of your camper. It’s about pride, love and a taste of home. It’s about getting a peek into their world and then walking away for them to experience the best that is yet to come. And it’s about knowing they are growing, learning and ready to take on the next 3 weeks.

As you drive away on Saturday afternoon, you can feel amazing knowing that the best gift you gave your camper wasn’t wrapped in cellophane… it is the gift of camp! It is the gift that keeps on giving!

~Stephanie, Mitch and our entire terrific staff

About Camp Towanda:

Camp Towanda is an independent, traditional, co-ed sleep-away camp in the Poconos in Pennsylvania. It is privately owned, operated and directed by Mitch and Stephanie Reiter (who are celebrating 28 years as owners and directors).  For 95 years, Camp Towanda has continued to define what camp should really be. Our program offers state-of-the-art facilities, an excellent and professional athletic department, waterfront, extensive arts, drama and adventure programs, and special events.  We are highly regarded and respected as an industry leader and are involved in giving back to various organizations throughout the year.  Camp Towanda is accredited by the American Camp Association and a member of the Camp-Alert-Network, Wayne County Camp Association, Camp Owners and Directors Association and the Pennsylvania Camp Association.

Don’t Shy Away From Camp

A few weeks ago, The W.O.C. (aka our Winter Office Crew), Stephanie and I attended the annual American Camping Association Tri-State conference (hey, I’m on the Board of Directors). The conference is an opportunity for us to hit pause on the camp countdown and learn with industry experts about the camping business and child development…and buy some cool new toys for the summer at the expo. We all split up to attend different sessions throughout the 3 days- topics like “Working with Millennials”, The Importance of Teaching Character, Values and Community”, “Planning for the Unexpected”, “What to Expect When You’re Expecting Middle Schoolers”, “Teaching Your Staff How to Build Powerful and Positive Relationships with Campers” and so much more. We also met for the keynote speaker who was Susan Cain – TED speaker and author of the book “Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking”. 

Susan Cain started off her speech with a story about going to sleepaway camp as a young girl. Her mother packed her trunk full of books to enjoy during all the quiet times at camp. But she remembers being criticized for reading, not being social and lacking “camp spirit”. In fact, she humorously shared a defining moment when her campmates cheered “R-O-W-D-I-E” (you know the cheer!) and realized that to be successful at this camp, she too would have to be ROWDIE. When Susan Cain got older and wiser, she came to the realization that not everyone is rowdy by nature. And that they should be encouraged to step out of their comfort zone without stepping outside of themselves.

Her enlightening speech talked about three kinds of people: Introverts, Extroverts and Ambiverts (those who are in between). See definitions below.

One out of every two or three kids (and staff) is an introvert. That’s half to a third of the population. Camp is a place full of spirit, energy and “rowdiness”. But it can also be a place of creativity, reflection and serenity. Understanding what makes introverts and extroverts different, can help us at camp (and in life) create an environment and appreciation for how to get the most out of everyone.

Susan Cain changed our perspective and helped us better understand “the shy child”, who really may not be shy at all. Do you have a child that you have said “it just takes longer for them to warm up”? They may be an introvert or ambivert. Because while the extrovert jumps into the situation (sometimes unaware of the risks or surroundings), the introvert “has a longer runway”. Introverts step back, assess the situation, the risks, the personalities and quietly wait until there is water in the pool before he or she jumps in.

Introverts tend to be more creative and thoughtful. You can get the most out of them one-on-one or in smaller groups and by telling them what you want in advance. Here’s a great example of how to talk to an introvert at camp:

We teach our counselors to say “Tommy, don’t be so shy!” or “Tommy is so quiet”, imagine how Tommy would feel if a counselor said “Wow, you’re great at arts and crafts. Where did you learn to do that? I can see you are a deep thinker. You don’t miss a thing that’s going on do you?”

What we learned from Susan Cain is to rethink the “shy child” and celebrate the wonderful qualities of the introvert, the extrovert and the ambivert. One is not better than the other…it’s just their style and part of who they are at the core. Each style has it’s positives and drawbacks. Understanding the introvert, extrovert and ambivert liberates us from pigeonholing anyone. Camp allows all three of these personalities to find their way, be comfortable in who they are and blossom into their full potential.

We look forward to sharing Susan Cain’s insights this summer at our staff orientation. In addition to our campers, “Quiet” will help us appreciate what makes our staff tick. You can watch Susan Cain’s TED talk here. You can also take Cain’s “Quiet Quiz” . Where do you fall on the introvert/extrovert spectrum? Does your result surprise you?

Definitions:

EXTROVERT
You relish social life and are energized by interacting with friends and strangers alike. You’re assertive, go-getting, and able to seize the day. You’re great at thinking on your feet and relatively comfortable with conflict. Given the choice, you usually prefer more stimulating environments that give you frequent opportunities to see and speak with others. When you’re in quiet environments, you’re prone to feeling bored and restless. You’re actively engaged in the world around you and at your best when you tap into its energy.

INTROVERTS
Given the choice, introverts will devote their social energy to a small group of people they care about most, preferring a glass of wine with a close friend to a party full of strangers. Introverts think before they speak, have a more deliberate approach to risk, and enjoy solitude. They feel energized when focusing deeply on a subject or activity that really interests them. When they’re in overly stimulating environments (too loud, too crowded, etc.), they tend to feel overwhelmed. They seek out environments of peace, sanctuary, and beauty; they have an active inner life and are at their best when they tap into its riches.

AMBIVERTS
Ambiverts fall smack in the middle of the introvert-extrovert spectrum. In many ways, ambiverts have the best of both worlds, able to tap into the strengths of both introverts and extroverts as needed.

Source: http://www.quietrev.com/.

About Camp Towanda:

Camp Towanda is an independent, traditional, co-ed sleep-away camp in the Poconos in Pennsylvania. It is privately owned, operated and directed by Mitch and Stephanie Reiter (who are celebrating 27 years as owners and directors).  For over 90 years, Camp Towanda has continued to define what camp should really be. Our program offers state-of-the-art facilities, an excellent and professional athletic department, waterfront, extensive arts, drama and adventure programs, and special events.  We are highly regarded and respected as an industry leader and are involved in giving back to various organizations throughout the year.  Camp Towanda is accredited by the American Camp Association and a member of the Camp-Alert-Network, Wayne County Camp Association, Camp Owners and Directors Association and the Pennsylvania Camp Association.

Working at Camp Puts Millennials on the Path to Success (Today More Than Ever)

There has been a viral video by TED Talk speaker Simon Sinek about millennials in the workplace that has been very hot over social media newsfeeds during recent weeks. If you haven’t seen it, it is a must- check it out here. Then, read on!

In summary, the video suggests the millennial generation is struggling in the real world because they were not given the tools and social skills needed to survive and thrive in a corporate work environment. It then goes on to challenge corporations to find better ways to nurture and mentor millennials instead of throwing their hands in the air.

As camp professionals, we have had the opportunity to work with, coach, raise, mentor and employ hundreds of millennials over the past 27 years. We have witnessed the evolution of what Mr. Sinek discusses in his interview first hand. He talks about how the millennial generation is often characterized as “entitled, narcissistic and unfocused”. They want to work at a “place with a purpose, to make an impact, that has free food and bean bags”. Immediately, our ears perked up when we heard this, because at camp, we’ve got most of that covered!

We make a difference in kid’s lives- check! What’s better than camp food – check! And 235 acres of rolling hills, lakes, ziplines and outdoors is way cooler than bean bags – check! But then he went on to talk about why millennials are finding the workplace so challenging (and why corporations are so frustrated by them as a generation). His theory is that millennials are the product of four factors: parenting skills, technology, impatience and their environment.

When we looked at these factors more closely, we came to the conclusion that camp already addresses the issues that Mr. Sinek is challenging corporations to fix, giving millennials who attend or work at camp an advantage. Here’s why:

  1. Parenting. At camp we aim to make everyone feel special, mentored and shine, but they need to earn it. We do not give out participation medals and you need to earn leadership positions. Not everyone gets to be a Group Leader or an Olympics General. Not everyone gets to be a counselor for the group of kids they may have wanted to. We make our decisions for the “good of camp” in order for our camp to run smoothly and thrive. We see potential in ways that sometimes our staff may not see in themselves. We give our staff the training, mentoring and tools to succeed.  We provide a nurturing, supportive environment that will always be there to catch them if they fall. We publicly acknowledge and reward our staff for achievements just as we would our campers. Staff deserve feedback and praise just like campers do!
  2. Technology. Social media and cellphones simply do not have a place at camp. That means young adults get the opportunity for the first time to learn how to build relationships with co-workers, campers and senior staff that are based on trust, honesty and genuine interest in one another. Moreover, they learn how to practice coping with stress without relying on technology. In Mr. Sinek’s interview he talks about “no cellphones in the conference room” so that coworkers can get to know each other and build trust before meetings begin. This is daily life at camp 24/7 for seven weeks.
  3. Impatience. At camp, life is blissfully old school. We are nestled in the woods in the middle of the Pocono Mountains. There is no Netflix to binge watch, or even TV! If they want someone’s opinion of their outfit, they need to ask them in person to give an actual thumb’s up or down. We have a daily schedule that everyone follows. Sometimes our evening activities run late and counselors may have to wait an extra 30 minutes before they can go into town for their night off with friends. And try being in charge of a group of 7-year old kids and get them to clean a bunk…now that takes patience!
  4. Environment.  Working at camp is a journey, not just a single summer. Our goal for our staff members is that they come back year after year to grow, make an impact and continue to be rewarded and challenged (which is no different for our campers). We give them experiences, opportunities and traditions to look forward to. Which is why if you ask a counselor who worked at camp for four years about their experience, it will be very different than if you ask a counselor who only worked at camp for one summer. Circling back to what Mr. Sinek said that the beginning of his interview, making an impact takes time, work, effort and patience. At camp, we do everything in our power to create an environment and culture where patience, loyalty and paying your dues has its rewards.

The opportunity and value that growing up and working at camp provides is greater than ever. The experience at camp helps produce long-term proven success.

A recent article published by Mark Weller on LinkedIn said it best, “If companies should be hiring anyone, it should be camp counselors. Camp counselors are arguably some of the most patient, caring, hard-working individuals out there, and companies would be lucky to have them on their staff.” When you work at camp you have an advantage in learning the skills that hiring managers are looking for; skills like flexibility, adaptability, initiative, self-direction, social and cross-cultural skills, productivity, accountability, leadership and responsibility. When we reach out to former counselors, they tell us that the skills they learned at camp set them apart from their coworkers and prepared them for the “real world” better than their office internships.

So we agree that every generation is given its own challenges and this generation has its own fair share. Parenting, technology, impatience and environment may be obstacles, but at camp, we see these as opportunities.

We hope that parents continue to see the critical importance for their millennial children to work at camp, as corporations (and internships) fail to find ways to mentor this generation. We hope millennials recognize the value of their experiences at camp and how they translate into the workplace. We hope that employers learn from the camp industry as they struggle to motivate millennials. In the meantime, if they happen to see “Camp Counselor” on a candidate’s resume, they should confidently move it to the top of the pile!

For testimonials on how working at camp made an impact on our former counselor’s careers, click here.

The Sound of Silence

c2998683-f54e-4371-861e-2b761a1bdfcd-2Parents don’t always realize how intense the build-up to camp is until their campers flee the nest. For the past 6+ months you have been talking about camp, not talking about camp, shopping for camp, labeling for camp, practicing goodbyes, packing trunks, and just about everything in between, to prepare for the day the busses pulled away. With all that preparation, you must have been ready for them to go, right? You thought so, and then the silence set in. No more bed to make, no more reminders to brush their teeth, do their homework, schlep them to activities. No more talking with coaches and teachers about their progress, no more extensive grocery shopping lists and no more smelly socks to wash. So now what?

You are left praying for a postcard, yearning for the back of their head in a photo, patiently awaiting a phone call.  Something. Anything. The silence and the waiting can be a big adjustment…especially for first year parents. Even for seasoned parents, the letting go of the details of your child’s life isn’t easy.  We totally get it and can promise you a few things:

  1. It gets so much easier. We bet you didn’t realize that your world has been on HIGH SPEED for the past few months leading up to camp. The sudden halt is abrupt. But while you are hearing the sounds of silence, we are hearing the screaming, cheering, laughing, cheering, cheering, cheering…. And all this amazing energy and spirit wouldn’t happen if you were here, because that is the magic of camp. However, after a few days, you will get the hang of being on your own and start to enjoy the break that you deserve. The summer moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and enjoy it, you could miss it. They will be back before you know it!
  2. Trust the system. This is not the first rodeo for Mitch, Stephanie, Amy, Bobby and our incredible Senior Staff. They have seen and lived through almost every scenario you could possibly imagine, and are ready to handle those that come their way. The Towanda philosophy about bunk dynamics, bunk life and the communication with parents comes from decades of combined experience. No decision is taken lightly. It is all FTGOC (For the Good of the Camp & For the Good of the Camper).
  3. Towanda is not like other camps. Everything we do is to help your camper grow into an independent, healthy, confident person. That’s our big picture goal. We care about not just this summer, but the summers and years to come. Your camper will benefit in the long run. Watch how they blossom. See what motivates and interests THEM. Enjoy learning about what choices they make. Sit back and find out how they deal with challenges that come their way. You have given them so many tools, love and support. Trust in them. And trust in the fresh perspectives they will get here at camp. We will not let them fall. We’ve got this! You’ve got this!

About Camp Towanda:

Camp Towanda is an independent, traditional, co-ed sleep-away camp in the Poconos in Pennsylvania. It is privately owned, operated and directed by Mitch and Stephanie Reiter (who are celebrating 25 years as owners and directors).  For over 90 years, Camp Towanda has continued to define what camp should really be. Our program offers state-of-the-art facilities, an excellent and professional athletic department, waterfront, extensive arts, drama and adventure programs, and special events.  We are highly regarded and respected as an industry leader and are involved in giving back to various organizations throughout the year.  Camp Towanda is accredited by the American Camp Association and a member of the Camp-Alert-Network, Wayne County Camp Association, Camp Owners and Directors Association and the Pennsylvania Camp Association.

Camp Towanda Creates “Totally Epic” Pepsi Camp Half Time Videos

When we learned that Pepsi was launching a new series of videos called “Camp Halftime” leading up to the Super Bowl, we were excited. And then we saw that they were filmed on the Netflix set of Wet Hot American Summer…which is really the Hollywood replica set of Camp Towanda! If you remember, the original movie Wet Hot American Summer was filmed at Camp Towanda back in 2001 and helped launch the careers of Bradley Cooper, Amy Poehler, Paul Rudd and then some.

Which got us thinking…we need to create our own Camp Halftime here at the real Camp Towanda. We had two consecutive weekends of Senior Sleepovers coming up, plus talent and a creative team ready to go! Over the years, we have amassed quite a bit of Pepsi signage and an affinity for making skits through our famous Friday Nite Flix, so this Pepsi challenge was a natural fit.

First check out Pepsi’s Camp Halftime videos starring Donald Faison:

https://youtu.be/cwBtoxqkk44

https://youtu.be/44fKCuflR34

And then check out the first two episodes of Camp Halftime from Camp Towanda, starring Roger the Broom Balancer.

A big thanks to the President of Pepsi’s Global Beverage Group, Brad Jakeman for tweeting that our videos are “Totally Epic” and  to Summer Camp Culture for all the coverage. It’s been fun. We hope you have enjoyed watching these videos as much as we enjoyed producing them.

We’re ready for the Super Bowl!

Camp and Giving

promo_044With the holiday gift-giving season upon us, we thought it was fitting to recognize what we believe is the greatest gift a parent can give a child…it can’t be wrapped, it can’t be opened, it can only be experienced…because it is the gift of CAMP. Our campers tell us repeatedly throughout the summer how thankful they are. During our weekly Friday Night Services, we take time to reflect, appreciate and value all that camp gives us. When parents send us (and are surprised by) letters of gratitude that they receive from their camper, we remind them how much of our program is about appreciating how lucky we are to have the privilege of camp.

Camp Towanda is proud to support and be involved with many philanthropic organizations. We teach, demonstrate and encourage our campers and staff about the importance of giving back, being involved and caring. There are several opportunities during camp and throughout the year for our families to get involved, including the Foundation Fighting Blindness Vision Walk, Project Morry Swim-a-Thon, Walk-a-Thon and Basketball-a-Thons, and SCOPE (Summer Camp Opportunities Promote Education). At Camp Towanda, giving back is so important to the fabric of our camp and culture and as a result, campers gain an even deeper appreciation for their own experiences.

We want to share some other ways that you and your camper can share the gift of camp and some of the causes we support at camp:

SCOPE

As many of you know, Mitch is president of this national organization that provides underprivileged children the opportunity to experience the advantage and edge of sleep away camp. SCOPE funds camperships at non-profit residential camps (thusly, helping the camps, too) and following through with college support.

Many Towanda campers, staff, parents, alumni and friends have contributed time, energy and money to SCOPE. Some efforts include events and sales during the summer, volunteering at off-season fundraiser events, creating school events that support, Mitzvah projects and business contributions.

Our Dorm, Club, LIT and CITs are involved in the SCOPE Junior Leadership Council. And Jared Reiter is on the Young Leaders Board!

Shout out to Evan Seiden for organizing a Bake Sale at his school that netted $350.00 and www.MitzvahMarket.com, Modell’s Sporting Goods and all of our camper volunteers at recent events (Allie Chaiken, Evan Seiden, Josh Merlin, Huggie, Jake Weinstein and Sydney Levy).

Check out SCOPEUSA.ORG for the latest events for all ages.

We are looking for volunteers for the April 5 Benefit Dinner at the Conrad Hotel in Manhattan (where we will officially welcome Towanda Alumni Hank Azaria to the Honorary Board)! ALL ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND AND SUPPORT! THIS FUN EVENING!

To our Floridian Families; SCOPE is currently looking for an adult to head up our SouthEast Chapter; please contact Mitch if you are interested. This is a great opportunity!

SCOPE currently has chapters in New York, Chicago, South Florida, Texas and we are always looking to expand (Anyone for New England or West Coast?).

There are other ways to #SupportScope, including starting a SCOPE fundraiser in your own community. Visit their website to learn more!

Morry’s Camp

In the summer we swim laps and shoot hoops to help send kids to camp. You can also support this organization year-round through their website and winter events and auctions. Congratulations To Janine and Stephen Rosen (Stephen is Alum) on bidding and winning The Morry’s Camp online tuition bid. Twelve camps (including Towanda) donated a camper tuition to help raise funds for Project Morry. Of all the camps and bidders; The Rosen’s won! We are very proud of their generosity and support!

Vision Walk

You can still purchase a Vision Walk T-Shirt designed by our LITs of 2015 and proceeds go to Foundation Fighting Blindness. Send a $25 check to Camp Towanda. The Spring, 2016 VisionWalk date has not yet been announced…but get your shirt ready!

And thank you to all our camp families that donated during our Holiday Food Drive at the NY Area Reunion! Coming in the next issue of The Towanda Times will be information on our very own Towanda Campership Fund!

Together we can share the gift of camp and pay it forward!

Happy and Healthy Holidays!

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