What happens when all the campers know each other already?

04/06/2017

New families often ask me the following question when considering Frost Valley YMCA’s summer camp programs for the first time:

I’m looking at 3^rd session but I’m worried about my child coming later in the summer. How do you handle when a child comes into camp when it has already started?

I think one of the strengths of Frost Valley YMCA’s summer camp programs is our focus on building a community and creating lifelong friendships.

Here are two ways we try to set every camper up for success

Every session is a new mix of campers! There are a few ways the structure of our dates allows for each cabin make up to be completely different. Our summer camp population breaks into 3 groups every summer
1. Campers that come annually only come for 1 session.
2. Campers that stays for longer than two weeks and do a combination of our programs.
3. Campers that stays for longer than two weeks and do the same program two sessions in a row.

The first few days of the camp cabin are all about coming together as a group! Our cabin counselors the first 3 days are focused on building a team. This includes talking about our 8 core values and how we practice them at camp, facilitating activities that encourage kids to get together.

In addition, Summer Camp is an exciting time to step outside your comfort zone. We want every camper to feel welcomed and at home. As always we will do our best to support someone through their camp experience!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dan Weir

Dan Weir
Director of Camping Services
campdirector@frostvalley.org
845-985-2291 ext 270

Growing up in New Jersey, Dan Weir knew Frost Valley YMCA as the place his family loved. Now Dan has 21 summers working at Frost Valley YMCA under his belt. He has progressed from junior camp counselor to Director of Camping Services, overseeing Frost Valley’s overnight summer camp programs. Dan holds a Master’s Degree from Stony Brook University, specializing in youth development and technology affecting youth, and a Bachelor’s Degree from George Washington University in Psychology. Dan lives year round at camp with his family.