A first-week treat for resident campers!

The first week of 2011 Resident Camp at YMCA Camp: Horsethief Reservoir is in the books, and we're off to an exciting start!

This spring, the Y received a grant from the Sierra Club Foundation to give children of military families a free week at camp. Well, thanks to three boys — Gus, Luke and Cole — and their Air Force dad, Scott, first-week campers got a special treat!

The boys received an email from their mom, Emily, to “watch for Dad in the sky.” Sure enough, one morning last week three A-10 jets flew over the camp during Chapel time. The pilots were able to fly very low so the kids got a great look at the aircraft.

It was a great moment for Scott’s sons and all the other amazed campers who got to watch the display. Thank you, Scott (and the other pilots)!

A reluctant camper is won over — by cold water?

72 DAYS UNTIL HORSETHIEF RESERVOIR GRAND OPENING!

When Max first went to YMCA Camp in 2001, it was not his choice, but his father's. With visions of every bad camp-themed horror movie in his mind, Max did not have high hopes for a fun week at camp. Oddly enough, it was during the swim test and his first taste of the chilly water that Max turned around. Here's what he had to say about the experience:

Jumping in the freezing cold lake really helped me start to appreciate camp and its surroundings. 

My first activity was swimming — Greased Watermelon, in particular. It never occurred to me that sprint-swimming through water with fruit covered in petroleum jelly could be so much fun. This was just one of the many new activities that thrilled me.

The games, however, did not compare to the relationships I made with the numerous first-time campers and counselors. So many of these meet-and-greets over tomato soup turned into lifelong relationships. All of these friendships will stick with me until the day I die.

"I consider camp a part of my family"

73 DAYS UNTIL HORSETHIEF RESERVOIR GRAND OPENING!

Read Ally's story about her transformation from shy camper to confident counselor:

Seven years ago, I was a shy 10-year-old who never spoke out. Then my mom decided that I should try YMCA Camp. I was terrified, but she assured me that if I did not like it, I would never have to go back.

When I arrived at Pilgrim Cove, I was so intimidated. I knew no one, had never been away from my family for more than a day, and there were all of these enthusiastic people talking to me. These were the counselors.

In my eyes, the counselors were the epitome of what I wanted to be, but I felt like that was so out of reach. To my surprise, a few days into camp I had made friends and I found myself talking more than I ever had before. I already loved camp. By the end of the week, I knew what my goal was — to become a counselor.

When I got home, my mom asked me if I would like to go back next year and I immediately said yes. My camp life had just begun — how could I not go back?

Throughout the next five years of being a camper, L.I.T. and C.I.T., I began to pick up the mannerisms of the counselors and realized that I had become outgoing, confident and who I truly am. 

As a second-year counselor, I have the foundation that I need to become a role model for my campers, and I feel like I have been building on that for years. Camp and the staff helped me become who I am, and for that I am forever grateful. I consider camp a part of my family, and I never want to give that up. Hopefully I can encourage my campers to feel that way, too.

"An amazing experience"

74 DAYS UNTIL HORSETHIEF RESERVOIR GRAND OPENING!

Some of our campers attend resident camp for the first time as teens. In Sean's case, his first YMCA Camp experience was as a Leader-in-Training (LIT); in subsequent years, he advanced to Counselor-in-Training and Assistant Counselor. Here's what he had to say about his four years with YMCA Camp:

I found out about Y Camp through my best friend, Michael. He said how much fun it was to be a camper and how much he enjoyed the counselors. As I drove up with Michael and his brother and sister, all three of them talked about their favorite counselors and their best experiences. I knew I would have the time of my life up at camp.

As I arrived in Pilgrim Cove for the first time, I was shocked to see how many kids there were. As I walked over, so many campers and staff were willing to accept me and welcome me into this new place.

The camp was an amazing experience. There were so many activities to choose from, and so many people who were there for the same reason — to have fun and meet new people.

I love being a mentor and someone for the kids to look up to. Camp has really allowed me to find myself and learn who I am and what I want to become.

"Camp didn't just bring me closer to my own family — it gave me a new one"

Growing up the middle child in a family of five children, longtime YMCA camper Megan says she didn't always feel independent and unique, and often quarreled with her sisters. That changed with her first trip to YMCA Camp:

I first came to camp when I was about 6 years old. My older sisters had gone for several years, and I was eager to see what all the excitement was about.

My first counselor was named Josie, and I had the time of my life that week. What was interesting was the drastic change in my relationship with my older sisters. We all went during the same week, and during that time it seemed like I couldn't get enough of them.

With independence that I had never had before, I was able to try my own things and make my own friends, not assisted by teachers, parents, neighbors or siblings. Seeing my sisters as I roamed the grounds with my new friends was a treat, not only for me but for them as well. There's a bond among siblings that is irreplaceable, but sometimes hard to find. Camp helped us find and foster that bond.

Now, 12 years later, my sister and I (the one I always fought with) are best friends. My other sister and I are much closer than we would have ever been as well. When I was old enough to receive leathers, I chose one of my sisters to tie my first, the triangle, and the other one to tie the second, the square.

Camp didn't just bring me closer to my own family — it gave me a new one. Every year, I meet new people and make new friends. As people come and go over the years, the Y Camp spirit remains and is the underlying theme in every camper's experience.

From camper to counselor: "I wanted to come back every year"

Many of our YMCA Camp staffers were once campers themselves. Here's Horsethief counselor Althea's story of that journey:

I first came to camp on a recommendation from a friend. She'd been going since she was 7 years old and had always wanted me to come and see the magic.

The first summer I came to camp, I was 11. I was so amazed at how the counselors and staff treated me like an adult, not a little kid. We got to pick the activities we would do all week and there was free time that was actually free. This was so different from camps I had attended in the past. I wanted to come back every year.

I later attended Teen Camp, where I met the most amazing people. My cabin was full of the kindest, most loving girls, and the boys that week were full of fun. We made life-long friendships that week.

At Teen Camp, I started my journey to becoming staff as an L.I.T. Being an L.I.T. was such an amazing experience. I learned all about becoming an effective leader and I got my first real taste of being able to positively change someone's life. It was the best feeling in the world.

I'm finally staff this year at a new location. I am part of an amazing team of people that will make history, and I couldn't be more excited. It's my turn to make magic for my campers, and if I can give them even half the amount of fun I have had at camp, I'll consider my job well done.

From Y Camp to the Marine Corps

YMCA Camp counselor Shane has gone from the woods of Idaho to the war zone of Iraq, and the lessons Shane learned as a camp counselor had an impact overseas as well:

"Most Marines have only three core values — God, Country, Corps — but I have seven: God, Country, Corps, Respect, Responsibility, Honesty and Caring. These core values I took over with me in my two tours in Iraq, and with over 1,000 combat missions under my belt, I never once let any of those core values stray from my conscience.

"I feel that because of some of things I learned at camp, me and the majority of my squad came home. I also take pride that because of the foundation that was instilled in me, I know I also saved a lot of Iraqis' lives who I knew if I met under different circumstances could have had a different outcome."

"The most influential counselor I ever had"

Longtime YMCA Camp resident camper Jenn first attended camp when she was 7 years old, and like many young campers, at first she was shy and uncertain. But that soon washed away with the help of her counselor, Christina.

"Christina was probably the most influential counselor I ever had. It wasn't what she said to me that made me feel like my own person, but it's what she did. She opened her arms and heart and let me in. Never in my life had I felt so a part of a family other than my own until then. That entire first week of camp was the first time that I felt independent."

"By the end, nobody could keep me away"

Here's an excerpt from a camp essay by Brandon, a longtime YMCA Camp resident camper:

"My first year at camp was the longest I had been away from my parents in my life. That week, I was extremely shy and didn't feel like doing much of anything. I was scared at the beginning of that week, but by the end, nobody could keep me away." 

YMCA Camp Alumni: Share your stories with us!

Attention YMCA Camp Alumni: 

We want to hear your stories! Whether you attended YMCA Camp at Horsethief Reservoir or anywhere else in Idaho, chances are you have a great story from camp to share with our blog readers.

If you are interested in sharing a story, please visit the Alumni Page on ycampidaho.com HERE, then click on Alumni Registration. Once registered, you can fill out a questionnaire, including stories, memories and how Y Camp influenced your life.

Since its inception in 1905, Y Camp has provided thousands of children and adults with memorable experiences that have lasted a lifetime. These experiences have carried on into the personal lives of everyone who has attended or worked at the camp. 

For years, there have been discussions about re-acquainting and re-connecting past participants and friends of Y Camp and now is the time! The Alumni Page is dedicated to re-connecting past alumni, staff and friends of Y Camp. Here is your chance to find out whatever happened to your fellow counselor or best friend you made at camp.

As the new alumni database grows, we are creating the opportunity to return to your camp roots and get involved with what’s happening at YMCA Camp: Horsethief Reservoir.

"The Perfect Summertime Remedy"

Here's an excerpt from an essay written by Caroline, a longtime YMCA Camp camper:

"I’m not really sure why I returned to camp each summer, or why I feel that it has shaped so much of who I am, but I do know that without those magical summers, I would not be who I am today.  ... After being a part of a culture outside of my norm, I was able to fully realize the necessity of being a gentle mannered and accepting human being."

Read Caroline's full essay HERE.

Ben's "Most Valuable Lesson"

All I really need to know I learned at Y camp. The only place where you can show your true self.  The only place where you can pour out your emotions to anyone no matter how you feel, and they will listen. The only place where everyone is sad because they have to wait another whole year to come back, because it means so much to them. The only place where people, no matter their background or past experiences, will feel at home.

This is what I have learned: 

• Be yourself.  

• Don’t be afraid to get dirty.  

• Real men do cry.  

• Speak your mind.  

• You have the power to change the world. 

• Caring, Respect, Responsibility and Honesty are four of the greatest values to live by.

• A night at campfire is a night to remember. 

• Friendship is everlasting.

• One tin soldier rides away… 

• Everyone is a winner. 

• Setting inner goals will truly help you succeed and progress in life. 

• Getting thrown in the lake isn’t so bad after all. 

• Get your sleep, you’ll need it.

• Look on the bright side.

• HAVE FUN!!! 

A while ago, I went up to a friend and asked him how he does it, always being so happy and cheerful. Here is what he told me. He said that when he wakes up in the morning, he has two options: He can either be in a good mood, or be in a bad mood; he chooses to be in a good mood. He said that when someone comes to him with a problem, he looks at it two ways: He can either agree with the person and complain with them, or look on the bright side and find ways to solve the problem; he looks on the bright side. Ever since I talked to him, I’ve chosen to live just like him, and always look at the bright side of things. If everyone were just like this friend of mine, the world would be a much happier place. 

Quotes from a camper

No one knows the YMCA Camp experience better than our campers. Here's what one camper told his aunt after returning from a week at Horsethief Reservoir last year:

"The first thing he said to my sister when she picked him up was, 'Can I go again next year?' He had a blast and has talked nonstop about his experience at camp. It has left more of an impression on him than even Disneyland. He can’t wait to go back and I’m so thankful for this great experience for him, and so very thankful for his counselors and all those up at Horsethief who are making camp such a great experience. I cannot say thanks enough. Keep up the great work."