EVR 2 week – Tie dye, staff demo and capture the flag

07/22/2015

As the session comes to an end, all of our girls are busy making the most of the last couple of days they have left. On Monday night we put on a staff demonstration with the horses so that the girls got the chance to see their instructors and counselors ride. The staff demo is always a popular EP and the girls love seeing their instructors put all their teaching to practice! Yesterday was another hot day, so we took the opportunity to cool down by exploring the river that flows alongside camp. We found newts and tadpoles, learnt how to make our own rock paint and some of the girls even caught a glimpse of a bear! It was really nice to cool down and learn something new for everyone. In the evening the camp store came to visit whilst we had hang out time the girls were able to choose between different activities such as origami, croquet, geronimo and gaga ball. This was followed by a big game of capture the flag that ended in a dead heat!

Today the girls have been tie dying all of their white clothes into funky patterns and learning about all of the different horse careers there are. Their tie dye clothes look fantastic and I don’t think there is a white sock to be seen in all of EVR now!! Today the last few groups have been heading out on the trails with their horses to enjoy the beautiful forests around camp and everyone else has been enjoying their penultimate lesson. It is great to see how much they have learnt and how well their partnerships with their horses have developed in the time that they have been here. This evening for evening programme we will be watching the 4 week girls put on a drill team display with their horses. They have spent hours preparing and practicing their routine and they have even come up with a soundtrack and dress up theme! I am excited to see it and the girls definitely are too. Keep checking smug mug for photos!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Nick Lomauro

Nick Lomauro is a lifetime lover of camp (overnight and day), outdoor recreation, and value-based programs. Nick grew up in the YMCA and discovered his passion for working in youth development as a summer camp counselor. Full of curiosity, Nick graduated from Montclair State University with a degree in General Humanities. Immediately following graduation Nick set off to Spain to hike the 500 mile ancient pilgrimage trail, El Camino de Santiago. Nick then returned to his childhood YMCA in NJ, of over 20 thousand members, as the Director of Youth Development. In this role he designed, developed, and implemented day camp and teen programs. In 2015, Nick returned to Frost Valley and he is now the Director of Camp Wawayanda. This is Nick's 16th summer at Frost Valley.