everyone in the pool!

At French Creek the kids at Pottstown's Camp Daniel Boone spend hours enjoying the pool!  Notice the PFD in the background, yep, we even make sure our kids who are not at YMCA pools wear them.  It's all about safety and peace of mind.  These boys don't care, they're jsut having fun! 

DJ Dance Party

The DJ Dance Party at Pottstown was a great time!  From the dance contests to the prizes, to watching the counselors show their moves, everyone got up and had fun.  The All Camp conga line was one of hte longest I've ever seen.  This is one of our long time cmapers.  The head sets help him enjoy the music more!  YMCA Camps can be a great experience for most kids!   

Down on the Farm

These kids never knew how much fun they could have on a farm.  Fishing and feeding goats was just part of it.  One of the great things aobut Y CAMPS is the variety of expereinces kids are exposed to .  How do we know we like somehting if we've never tried it or experienced it?  At Y CAMP kids are always trying new things and developing interestes they never imagined they would have. 

Brush your teeth

The Pre K Kids at Camp Pottstown were treated to a LIVE Show with the Tooth Buddy!  He taught the kids all about brushing their teeth. Our primary teeth are placeholders for our permanent teeth, but if there is a problem with the "baby teeth" it can cause problems down the line with our adult teeth and can interfere with learning.    These kids arent going to let that happen!  They now know how important it is to brush before bed and after breakfast.

working at the car wash

Spring Valley Pre K Camp is not just another day of FUN.  Here kids can run through a human car wash in addition to the pools and amazing Sandlyland Playground. There are so many ways to cool off and get wet here.   

Random Acts of Kindness

At Pottstown's Camp Daniel Boone  the kids make sure to practice random acts of kindness.  With The World Kindness Challenge just days away  you can see how the camp kids are already making this part of their every day culture.  These are truly a great group of kids!  They look out for one another and know the impact kindess has!

Best Hair Day Ever!

 Crazy Hair Day was a complete success- don't believe me, check out my evidence. . .

Some came prepared for the day . . . 

While other brave souls, like Ms. Beth, had their crazy hair provided by  Camp Yumka. 

Some of it was truly awesome . . . 

. . . and other's displayed their commitment to the cause. 

Ultimately we thought we looked pretty good . . . 

 . . . well some of us looked pretty good. Just kidding, Ms. Monica, your who-hair is great!

So thanks so much for your participation is our first annual Crazy Hair Day! 

Week 8 Newsletter

Dear Parents/ Guardians,

           Summer is under way!!  We are outside to enjoy the summer during each day, so dress your child in clothes to help stay cool and send sunscreen. They may also get wet on hot days with sprinklers,  water games, and even a water balloon or two so come prepared!

           It is time to take a trip back in time– way back in time for Knights of Cydonia week. It’s all about castles and knights, dragons and chainmail.  Remember, we are headed to Dorney Park at the end of the summer– make sure you have your money in on time!

Ready, set, let’s have fun!

Sarena Barausky, Camp Director

 Swim Schedule– BIG CHANGES!!!!

AM Swim– All Oneidas, Senecas, and Teens*

PM Swim– All Mohawks and Cayugas*

* Groups Swim Monday thru Thursday

Sports– Tuesday and Thursday Mornings

Specialty– Tuesday and Thursday Afternoons

Field Trips-

Cayugas, Senecas, and Teens will be headed to the Renaissance Faire on Thursday, August 2nd, Mohawks and Cayugas will be taking a dip at French Creek Pool on Friday, August 3rd.

oh the places we went- a report back on Gimme Shelter's camping trip

So if you were with us last week, you might have noticed some different faces running the front desk last week in the afternoons. That was because I was largely out of camp with Gimme Shelter, our 3 week advanced outdoor living skills camp. It was our second year for this camp and  since we had so much fun last year, we added an extra day to our overnight trip.
So we took off Monday and moved into our new home base for the week, Camp Tohikanee in Quakertown. On Tuesday, we were off again- this time to the Pocono Environmental Education Center in Dingman's Ferry. We hiked, canoed, cooked so much food, and tried our hands at ropes elements or two. We also got to do some amazing stargazing since while PEEC has many things, it does not have light pollution. Then it was back to Tohikanee on Wednesday night for another excellent meal. Thursday found us working on more ropes and teambuilding elements before taking dip in the pool. We weathered the storms that rolled through Thursday night without issue and then packed (and cleaned) everything up and headed back to camp on Friday afternoon. It was an awesome week and while we will make some alterations next year, like spending more time at PEEC, we will have the memories of this year to tide us over until then.

Here are a few shots of what we were up to-

Ms. Caitlin in the morning . . . an interesting site to behold . 

But she wasn't the only strange site- this is a full spine that we found on the side of trail on our  waterfall hike. Okay, to be fair, Ms. Caitlin looks pretty weird here too. 

But some of the things we saw were truly awesome- here some of our campers pose in front of the overlook on our waterfall hike.

Okay, now that everyone knows where we went, why not think about joining us next summer? 

APACHE FUN!
                                   We are APACHE!

Proud of our creations!

Aquarium crafts

The proud Apache

Hot Wheels Derby Announces All Winners!

Camp YOMECA held a Hot Wheels Derby at camp on Tuesday! The Derby was led by Jim Conrad.
RACERS...TAKE YOUR MARK, GET SET...






 Gail Kooser, the only girl in the
 competition, placed 2nd in the event!

 Congratulations, Gail!

Meet our winners!

First place: Garrett Wilson

Second place: Gail Kooser
Third place: Nathaniel Wilson
Fourth place: Zackary Silver
Fifth place: Jackson Phillips

Week 7- Captain

JUST A REMINDER: Be the "captain" of your own ship.  Take responsibility for the choices that you make each day.  We strive to encourage "good choices" each day at camp.  If you make a "poor choice" that hurts either yourself or someone else, make up for it by doing something that helps someone else.  We are all family at Camp Phoenix and we need to remember our CHARACTER VALUES: HONESTY
                                        CARING
                                        RESPECT
                                        RESPONSIBILITY

These values should be the basis of all we do and say throughout each day.

So what are we doing this week you ask?

Bruce Fagan rocked Pavilion 1 as he usually does every summer! 

Bike, Hike & Canoe is getting a bit extreme!  They will be hiking Valley Forge, climbing at the Philadelphia Rock Gym, and biking the Chester Valley & Perkiomen trails. 

The Dance & Cheer Camps are energizing the whole camp and polishing up their routines for their final performances.  Check out some of their pics below.

                              Miss Lori leads the practice routine...

And 1...2...feel the music!

Miss Danielle carefully helps with a stunt.

Simultaneous cartwheels...our next olympic sport?

Steady!

Running cartwheel beautifully executed.

Changes to Extreme Bike, Hike & Canoe

On Tuesday, July 24th we will be changing the hiking trip to Valley Forge so the kids have more time to hike.  The campers will need their bikes on the 25th when we visit the Chester Valley Trail.  Just a reminder that all campers will need their health forms completed to attend trips.

Once a counselor, always a counselor!

I slept better than I have been...even with my two daughters waking me up earlier than usual.  Why you ask?  The week was filled with activities, walking, games, walking, swimming, games, walking, running and did I mention walking.  If you are sitting at your desk all day, you don't know what you're missing. 
I have to tip my hat to our camp counselors.  They persevere through 11 weeks of fun and madness.  Usually, I only have time to drop in for a few games of this and that during the summer and spend most of my time doing administrative things...and believe me...it takes up my day.  This past week I sacrificed some "office" time and put myself into the counselor role.  I forgot how much fun being a counselor was.  Granted, I was exhausted by 11:00AM, but it was awesome.  I thought I was in decent shape...but was I wrong.
I introduced the Sioux and Iroquois to "Chookie Wookie".  A game much like handball that involves coordination, teamwork and stamina.  A game we used to play everyday when I was a counselor, but somehow was lost over the years to other games that campers want to play.  The game was taken well and now counselors are scheduling it into their day.  I will obviously make a guest appearance when a game starts.  
Just getting back to the basics makes me appreciate all that my staff does on a daily basis.  They do so much for the program at such an early age (18) that they don't even think about the impact they are making.  I am very proud to have this bunch as a staff and hopefully they know that without them, what we do at the Y would not work.  Thank you counselors for your time, it is valuable to everyone in the program...especially our campers.  They look up to you so much and it shows on their faces.  
It's been a wonderful 7 weeks...keep up the great work!     

Chris Spinozzi
Camp Phoenix Director

Week 7 Newsletter

Dear Parents/ Guardians,

           Summer is under way!!  We are outside to enjoy the summer during each day, so dress your child in clothes to help stay cool and send sunscreen. They may also get wet on hot days with sprinklers,  water games, and even a water balloon or two so come prepared!

           It is Down by the Water Week– as the temperature rises, we are prepared to cool off! We are also gearing up for the end of the summer– the Dorney Park trip is set for August 24th so if you will be with us for week 11, make sure to get your checks in!

Get ready, get set – Let’s have some fun!

Sarena Barausky, Camp Director

 Swim Schedule– BIG CHANGES!!!!

AM Swim– All Oneidas, Senecas, and Teens*

PM Swim– All Mohawks and Cayugas*

* Groups Swim Monday thru Thursday

Sports– Tuesday and Thursday Mornings

Specialty– Tuesday and Thursday Afternoons

Field Trips-

We are headed back to Towamencin Community Pool this Friday so make sure to pack your swim suits and towels!

It's a hard knock life...for us!

For weeks this blogger has been teasing you with trailers, scenery shots and actor sightings. "Annie" finally hit the BTC stage and was a hit! The performers had a final dress rehearsal in front of 400 campers earlier in the day and were treated to a round of applause as the show closed.

Miss Sarah & Miss T. did a fantastic job producing the show!  Thank you so much ladies.

Livin' in an orphanage...

They have it rough these kids!

                                                                 Little Orphan Annie

Easy Street

The group did a fantastic job with the show and everything ran smoothly.  Great performance cast and crew!

Camp Phoenix Carnival 2012

Thank you to all of the families who participated last evening.  We had so much fun and it was great to have a chance to meet and chat with you.  We estimated about 300 people came back to camp for some fun. 
We were so glad the rain held off so we could have some activites outside.  The weather was perfect for dunking, flouring, decorating, painting, dropping, picking, jumping, knocking, stomping, ponging, tossing, snacking, throwing, guessing, laughing and just having a blast!  If you don't believe us, check out the proof below.  Thanks to all of you for supporting our camp family and the Y-Cares Campaign!  We are looking forward to the rest of the summer!


                                                    Jump up... jump up... and get down!

                    The other guy...providing smiles for free!

Cookie decorating at its best!

Cheating is encouraged to get the CIT's into the tank!

                                                                         The artiste!

                                                                               Rollin'!

                                                  Still energetic after a day at camp!

If at 1st you don't succeed...you may get another chance!

                                                                      Gigantic spare!

                                                                       Candy pong!

                                        You do not want to lose at the infamous "Penny Cut"

                                                      The quarter drop...a new favorite!

 It seems puppy dogs are permitted at camp.

                                            A carnival night tradition...the Balloon Stomp!

Balloon Stomp Finale!

Carter hopes this duck earns him a prize.

                                     There are 1,610,423 jellybeans in that jar, I just know it!

                                              The serious lollipop tree...no talking please!

                                                                         Frisbee toss.

                                                  Can anybody find me somebody to love!

                                            Brothers don't shake hands...brothers gotta hug!

    Its got a chance!

Another great turnout! Thanks everyone!

                                                                 Violet's a happy camper!

Another mystery- what is Cherry Crest Adventure Farms?

When I posted the information for Mohawk and Oneida field trip this week, I was ready for the questions. We are into three years and running into journeying to Cherry Crest Adventure Farms since I discovered it on a random internet search when another field trip had fallen through. I will be honest- I didn't know much about but it looked like fun and they had an opening (and all the required insurance documentation I need) so off we went. And we had a blast! So each year, we head off again and I field question after question about what there is to do there, which is fair, I mean, it is the only "adventure farm" I have ever encountered. So here is a smattering of what exactly there is to do there-

There are things to slid down. . . 

and yet more things to slid down . . . 

. . . things to bounce on or just strike a pose as these Mohawks demonstrate . . . 

. . . adorable things to hold . . . 

. . . and pet . . .

and still more adorable things to hold (I know that it seems excessive to post two chick photos but keep in mind that I have like 30 of these pictures so I think two actually shows quite a bit of restraint on my part)

and at the end of the day when we have still only done a fraction of what there is to do, there is a bus to take us back to camp and provide an excellent place to nap . . .

So hopefully this answers some of the questions about what exactly Cherry Crest Adventure Farms is but keep in mind that this is only part of all the stuff there is to do there so you can bet that we will be back again next year!