Tag: camp weequahic

An Attitude of Gratitude

November 23rd, 2011

The Attitude of Gratitude

With Thanksgiving almost upon us, we here at Weequahic are counting our many blessings. Just to name a few of our “thankfuls”:

  • The most special group of campers in the world.
  • Families who trust us to develop a community in which their children learn, grow, and build memories that will last a lifetime.
  • A camp staff passionate about creating the best camp experience possible and talented and humble enough to do it successfully.
  • The opportunity to carry on a tradition that started in 1953 and has positively affected so many lives.

We talk a lot about gratitude at Weequahic. It’s one of three core principles (along with choosing your attitude and courage of the difficult, everyday variety). Our campers hear about it often, see it practiced each day, and learn about it more thoroughly at one of their weekly camp fires.

There are a number of great quotes on gratitude. Aesop, the great storyteller and teacher, said “Gratitude is the sign of noble souls.” When you find a person expressing true and humble gratitude, it certainly feels that Aesop is right.

However, people have been known to fake it. As La Rochefoucauld said, “In most of mankind gratitude is merely a secret hope of further favors.” I can think of times when, as a young person waiting for holiday gifts, I fell into that category. While I hope La Rochefoucauld is wrong, I know from experience there are many fakers out there.

May favorite quote on gratitude comes from Cicero: “Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others.”

A person with a gracious heart is normally humble, helpful, and happy. They are not swayed by the swirling winds of society and seem older or wiser than their years suggest. This gracious outlook on life is a habit that leads to happier and virtuous journey. And, though some may argue that gratitude can be found in our genes, I’m a firm believer that an ‘attitude of gratitude’ can be built in each of us.

So, on this Thanksgiving, I challenge you to cultivate a gracious outlook on life. It is a choice and one we can’t wait to talk about more around the campfire!

Happy Thanksgiving, Weequahic.

Cole Kelly
Director

Now is the Time to Start Choosing a Summer Camp

November 5th, 2011

The leaves are falling off the trees and the weather is starting to cool down, but it’s not too early to start thinking about sending your children to summer camp next summer.  There is certainly no shortage of American summer camps and finding the right one for your children is essential to their success there.  There’s a lot to think about, which makes now a great time to start thinking about what you want in a camp.

Traditional summer camps are a great way to introduce children to summer camp because they offer a broad and well-rounded experience.  Children still trying to find their niche in a sport or hobby find great success at these camps because they’re given opportunities throughout the summer to take part in many different types of activities.

The length of the summer camp you choose is also important.  Most overnight camps accept campers from the age of seven.  When considering camps, it’s key to consider your family’s lifestyle, your children’s other activities and commitments, and even your children themselves. Many embrace the traditional seven week experience because it removes the stress of trying to figure out how to keep children active and entertained during summer vacation.

Consider how far away from home you want your child to travel as well.  Some parents prefer to send their children to a summer camp within a few hours of home while others view summer camp as a way to introduce a global perspective to their children and send them abroad to attend summer camp.  This is particularly becoming a trend in Europe, where European parents are deciding that they’d like their children to experience traditional American summer camps.  However, increasingly, parents from all over the world are making this decision as well.  Many American parents find the amazing reputations, beautiful campuses, and the breathtaking scenery of Northeast Pennsylvania idyllic and send their children from as far away as California, Florida, and many other states.

The structure of a camp’s program should be given careful consideration as well.  Campers like to make decisions about their daily activities at camp, and Camp Weequahic gives them the opportunity to do so.  Our program is a choice program that allows campers to choose their activities each day.

Once you have decided what type of camp, length, location, and program are right for your child, you will likely find your search narrowed to a manageable number of camps.  Since you are reading this blog, you have found Camp Weequahic’s website and are on the right track.  We also invite you to check out our Facebook page, and sign up to follow our Twitter feed.  By doing this now, you will give yourself plenty of time to watch, read, and listen.  If you are unfamiliar with camp, you will be pleasantly surprised at how active our summer camp community remains throughout the winter.  In fact, many Starlight families will tell you that camp never really ends for them—and that’s a good thing!

Weequahic Soccer…Kaizan!

October 14th, 2011

There is a great Japanese word, “Kaizan.”  It means improvement or change for the better.  However, it is more than just increasing productivity, or producing a final result.  It is a culture, a daily process that involves praise and encouragement to reach big goals.  At Camp Weequahic “Kaizan” is the perfect word to describe our soccer program.

Soccer has doubled in popularity over the past three summers and is now one of our top team sports.   Campers have the opportunity to participate in daily skill development, tactical instruction, recreational play, and private lessons.

Our choice based program allows campers to choose as much time at soccer as they want.  Instruction for the first time player or more advanced player is available throughout the day.   Campers may also choose our specialty soccer camp during our once a session Wee Excel day. When it comes to instruction, each player is evaluated and placed in soccer classes with other campers of similar age and ability.

Weequahic’s soccer program is directed by a professional soccer coach and staffed with NCAA level college age players who have experience coaching and playing at the college level.  More importantly, they understand the importance of praise and encouragement while creating a fun and engaging environment to grow as a soccer player.

Camp Weequahic’s soccer culture is also supported by Director Kate Kelly and Program Director Sue Baldwin, who were college soccer teammates at Dartmouth College. Kate, a three time team captain for Dartmouth, went on to coach soccer at Northfield Mt. Hermon, a prestigious boarding school in New England, for four years.

Sue was an All- American player who continued her soccer experience with coaching stops at Stanford, Virginia, and Michigan State. She continues to coach actively for local clubs in her hometown of Athens, Georgia.  She also offers private instruction.  Sue guides Weequahic’s soccer director throughout the summer as well as offers special clinics and private instruction to Weequahic’s most enthusiastic soccer players.

Weequahic soccer players are also reaching new heights competing in inter camp soccer games with the Wayne County Athletic Association.  (The Wayne County Athletic Association is comprised of over 20 camps that host tournaments and games throughout the summer.) Camp Weequahic  fields girls’and boys’ soccer teams in all age brackets.

If you are looking to improve your game or just have fun playing soccer then join Team Kaizan at Camp Weequahic this summer!