I developed lasting friendships...
I learned self-esteem...
I became a team player...
I learned how to care...
I became a counselor...
We Went to Camp. Shouldn't You?
Emma Roberts, Hill Harper, Lisa Loeb, Kerri Strug, Michael DeLorenzo, Justin Chambers, Paul Adelstein, James Pickens, Blair Underwood, Sharon Lawrence, Frank Sesno, Glynn Turman, Ashlan Gorse, and Lisa Raye share how their lives have changed Because of Camp…™.
These days it is nearly impossible to find a child between the ages of 8 and 18 without a cell phone, computer, or some other electronic device that consumes hours of their time. According to the New York Times, children between these ages spend 7.5 hours on average per day in front of a screen. Whether that is surfing the web, texting a friend, or watching TV, we are in an era where technology and instant communication run our lives.
According to USA Today, the more media children use, the less happy they tend to become. Heavy media users are more likely to have bad grades, more likely to be "often sad or unhappy," less likely to get along well with their parents and twice as likely to "get into trouble a lot."
Childrenandnature.com states that there is a significant link between screen time and obesity. All of the time spent at a computer is more time taken away from going outside and doing something active, whether it is a sport or just walking to a friend’s house.
Technology usage has increased an hour and 17 minutes a day in the past 5 years. On top of that, children flip between things so rapidly that the actual amount of media content consumed is around 10 hours. What are people doing to tackle this ongoing obsession? Some parents are implementing restrictions on the number of hours spent on the computer and watching TV. Some experts are telling parents to just accept it, such as Dr. Michael Rich, a pediatrician at Children’s Hospital Boston. Rich said, “with media use so ubiquitous, it’s time to stop arguing over whether it’s good or bad and accept it as part of children’s environment, like the air they breathe, the water they drink and the food they eat.”
Maybe Rich is right, new technology is created every day. Things are changing faster than ever before. At least there are still places like Kingsley Pines that allow kids just to be kids. Camp lets children grow, move, discover, and actually talk to people. Not through a message they read on their cell phones, but actually talk with people physically face to face. After spending three months as a counselor last summer, I know this is something special.
Over the years, Kingsley Pines has received many compliments from campers, parents, and visitors on our fun, friendly, creative, and caring staff. This is why we are pleased and excited that so many counselors, administrative staff, and support staff from last year, will be returning for another great summer at Kingsley Pines! There are also several counselors that you may remember from prior years, who will also be returning to camp this summer.
Returning Counselors for 2010:
Adrianne Wurzl
Alice Bauman
Ben April
Brian Deyermond
Carl Lonsdale
Caroline Shepard
Colleen McInnis
Conor Clerkin
Dave Aceto
Dave Robb
Eli Applebaum
Elinor Silverman
Geoff Fisher
Ginny Lambiase- Mitchell
Hilary Jacomb
Jeremy Wolf
Jonathan Swartout
Karin Bennekers
Kelsey Riordan
Kelsey Smith
Kyndell Upton
Lauren Clapp
Lauren Schmidt
Lou Blatch
Marcus Liotta
Mark Hamann
Mary Boyle
Michelle Merola
Peter Hill
Returning counselors that you may remember from a few years ago:
Becky Nemchick
Jill Escobar
Meghan Summerson
Rob Totoonchie
We would like to extend a big welcome to the following counselors who will be embarking on their first summer at Kingsley Pines:
Anna Griffin
Derek Smith
Julie Croll
Kallen Bakas
Louise Moss
Marge Gormley
Marcus Powell
Nikki Ioannilli
Returning Administrative & Support Staff for 2010:
Alan Kissack - Director
Jean Spindler - Program Director
David Wagner - Assistant Program Director
Dan Emmons - Boy’s Campus Head
Bob Windrow - Waterfront Director
Brandon Hall - Climbing Director
Khoa Khuong - LIT Director
Kate Miesle - Leadership Director
Sam Williams - Sailing Director
Carey Hunt - Waterski Director
Snoop Clendinin - Trip Director
Jamie Bozicnik -Trip Director
George Viglakis - Food Service Director
Welcome New Administrative & Support Staff for 2010:
Tom Geffe - Cook
Nan Neer - Cook
Jiri Pokorak - Prep Cook
Don't try this at home! We checked the thickness of the ice in several locations and it is over 10 inches. It has been quite cold in Maine and, unfortunately, we have had very little snow. The office staff (Alan, Pam, Laura Jo, Jean, and myself) decided to take a walk out on the lake. It was a beautiful day and we needed to get outside for a couple of hours. Enjoy the pictures. You will notice that even during the winter months we always practice safety. As Bob would say "how do you spell fun, S.A.F.E.T.Y!"
With Saturday's temperatures in the low 20's, it was the perfect setting for Polar Pool Party and 2009 Reunion at the Holiday Inn in Somerville, MA. Thanks to the more than 60 campers that attended from around New England and even as far away as Florida. In addition to me, Alan, and Jean, counselors, GW, Brian, Dave, Lauren, and Colleen joined us for splashing good time!
Jean introduced us to to a new game, Human Poker. Each person was given a card. To "Shuffle the Deck", participants switched cards with another person in the room after introducing him or herself and answering a question, such as "what was your favorite meal at camp"? (The most popular answer was Taco Day!) After a few minutes, Jean shouted "Deal Me In" and everyone formed groups of five as quickly as possible. Each group was allowed to exchange 2 cards, but they could only do so if they performed a special action, like pretending to be a beached whale. There were many excellent beached whale impressions and a few that were worthy of an Oscar! The group that had the best poker hand in the end won a small prize.
Next I took group photos by session. Dave and Brian tried to "hide" in each of the photos. For lunch there was lots of pizza, salad and dessert which energized everyone for swimming. With so many people in the water, it may look like there was a contest to see how many campers could fit in the hot tub.
To top off the day, everyone got a reunion t-shirt designed by Jean exclusively for this event. We know Panther Pond is frozen over right now but seeing everyone made us hope that summer will be here soon!
For all you fans of KP's Culinary Staff and the tastey meals they whipped up every day during the summer, George, the Food Services Director, has graciously allowed us to post his secret recipe for Pico de Gallo. A must-have for any Superbowl Party or KPAlumni gathering. Whether you are a camper who misses Taco Day or a college-age counselor whose gourmet meal consists of a bowl of ramen noodles and a hot pocket, this recipe is sure to please... And if find yourself getting a little...
Each summer, there are several wonderful songs, poems, and thoughts shared by campers and staff at Reflections. I am sure you all remember a moment that really touched you. This week, counselors Brian Deyermond and Dave Robb stopped in for a visit. We all were hoping camp would start tomorrow, but since that is not possible, I thought I would share this poem from summer 2009. - Alan
It’s a long and winding road, the excitement piling high. A year has gone by. A year full of wild, unforgettable experiences. But none could last as long as the memory of that moment the bus rounds the corner and you see the sign. That one faithful sign that makes your heart skip a beat. Then as you bump up the drive and past the new field and the high ropes course… you feel that rush of adrenaline that had escaped you all year long. The atmosphere changes and you suddenly know where you belong. As you reach the office, a loud cheer comes from below, sending a warm fuzzy feeling through your veins. Your counselors welcome you as you step off the bus. Old and new. That night, you don’t want to go to sleep because there are too many people you want to talk to, too many places you want to go, and too many things you want to try.
The first morning you wake up before the wake up bell as that rush of adrenaline you felt the night before still lingers in the air. In the breakfast line you catch up with all your old friends, and maybe meet some new ones too. Over the course of the next few weeks, you make friends that will last a lifetime. Some from places far away like France, London, and Spain.
You meet amazing counselors that change your life forever. They help you to be yourself and never give up. They help you problem-solve and strategize. They help you to make new friends and most of all enjoy your time here at camp. From activities to special days, time flies like never before. Memories are made and jokes are told.
The last day of camp as we clean the cabin, the atmosphere is as strong as ever. Council Fire is our last time to be together as one big KP family. Outside the Playhouse tears are shed as some campers take off with their parents, only to return next summer in one long year full of waiting. The next morning is full of last minute tears and rushed goodbyes as everyone climbs on their bus with watery eyes. As the bus drives away and our cherished counselors wave, we again pass the sign, but this time for the wrong reason. We go the opposite direction and watch that one faithful sign with the two words we love as we drive away. Those two words are always somewhere in the back of my mind. And when I say them, it comes from the heart. Kingsley Pines has changed my life from the very first day I came, July 12, 2008 and has continued changing it to this day. Thanks to all the counselors, you guys make KP what it is. And a special thanks to all the great friends I’ve made along the way. Because as we all know, friendship is the glue that binds us together here at Kingsley Pines.
This past weekend was just just beautiful. On Saturday, we had temperatures in the high 30s (warm by our standards). Lisa, Timmy, GW, and myself went ice fishing about 500 feet off of the KP beach. We brought out a fire pit, tables and chairs and enjoyed a wicked nice day. Timmy turned out to be a successful sportsman and caught a giant Yellow Perch close to the end of the day (we practice catch and release). Lisa spent much of her time decorating a snow caterpillar named Chilly and colored her with green food coloring. If anyone is interested in spending a day at Kingsley Pines this winter trying their hand at ice fishing just let me know. I'll take any excuse possible to spend time on a frozen block of ice. Coming soon, we will have pictures of Alan driving across the lake with the plow truck. He'll be wearing a life jacket of course!
Hey 2009 campers, the Annual Kingsley Pines Massachusetts Winter Reunion is Saturday, January 30, 2010. The list of campers attending is growing, so don't miss out! Please RSVP so we know how much food and how many zany t-shirts to bring. Spend the afternoon with your KP buddies. We'll have games and a pool for swimming, so bring a bathing suit (one or two piece) and towel!Date: Saturday, January 30, 2010Time: 11:00 am - 2:00 pm, lunch includedLocation: Holiday Inn 30 Washington Street...
Maybe Rich is right, new technology is created every day. Things are changing faster than ever before. At least there are still places like Kingsley Pines that allow kids just to be kids. Camp lets children grow, move, discover, and actually talk to people. Not through a message they read on their cell phones, but actually talk with people physically face to face. After spending three months as a counselor last summer, I know this is something special. 
