Dispatches from Y Camp: Rob

During this historic Grand Opening year at YMCA Camp: Horsethief Reservoir, we are asking campers and staffers to share their experiences with parents, camp alumni, prospective campers and other blog readers. Today, Youth Camp leadership staffer Rob of Moscow tells us about his day.

What was your favorite thing you did yesterday at camp?

I took some campers out and did a team-building exercise. When they succeeded at accomplishing their task, I was so proud.

Did you try something new yesterday?

I don't usually get a cabin being leadership staff, so this is almost like a new experience. I love getting one-on-one with campers.

What's one thing you learned about yourself or others today at camp?

I learned that once you have been a counselor, you will always be a counselor, regardless of your job title.

Dispatches from Y Camp: Director Bob Sellinger

During this historic Grand Opening year at YMCA Camp: Horsethief Reservoir, we are asking campers and staffers to share their experiences with parents, camp alumni, prospective campers and other blog readers. Today, we hear from Camp and Leadership Development Director Bob Sellinger:

Well, here we are entering our last week of the 2010 season! And what a summer it has been! Over 1,200 campers total, including 140 this week. What an unbelievable way to open such an amazing facility that so many have given their time, money, resources, expertise and love to make possible.

This week, we have Youth Campers ages 7-12, Rangers ages 13-17, LITs ages 15-17, and our Teen Adventure group (Choose Your Adventure) ages 11-14. Youth campers will receive their Camptivity assignments this chilly morning and spend time with their cabin group before lunch taking hikes, swimming, bike riding, practicing teambuilding activities and climbing the rock tower. Our rangers will be finishing some projects, like our group meeting area benches and limb clearing, which is part of our fire management plan on our property. And the LITs will begin planning some special activities for youth cabins that will happen later in the week.

Last night, campers ran crazy in our all-camp game Smugglers and Sneakers, collecting marker colors and avoiding the dreaded biffers. We also held our opening campfire ceremony where Jayden (first-year 7-year-old camper) got to add the ashes from fires before and Monty (sixth-year ranger camper) had the honor of lighting the ceremonial first fire. (Each week the youngest camper adds the ashes and the longest returning camper lights it.) All in all, it was a high-energy, smile-filled opening to our finally camp of the 2010 season. We thank all the parents who have chosen to give their children the incredible gift of camp this summer!

Dispatches from Y Camp: Amy

During this historic Grand Opening year at YMCA Camp: Horsethief Reservoir, we are asking campers and staffers to share their experiences with parents, camp alumni, prospective campers and other blog readers. Today, Survivor Camp counselor Amy of Star gives us the staffer perspective.

What was your favorite thing you did yesterday at camp?

Getting to know how my fellow staff reacts in harsh conditions.

Did you try something new yesterday?

Cooked bacon for the first time. It was good except for the burned pieces.

What's one thing you learned about yourself or others today at camp?

That even in the middle of a rain storm you can laugh, and that the simplest in life can brighten your day.

Dispatches from Y Camp: Cody

During this historic Grand Opening year at YMCA Camp: Horsethief Reservoir, we are asking campers and staffers to share their experiences with parents, camp alumni, prospective campers and other blog readers. Today, Boise camper Cody tells us about Survivor Camp:

What was your favorite thing you did yesterday at camp?

Stood by the fire.

Did you try something new yesterday?

Building my shelter and trying to stay warm and dry.

What's one thing you learned about yourself or others today at camp?

Some of these people are awesome.

Dispatches from Y Camp: Evan

During this historic Grand Opening year at YMCA Camp: Horsethief Reservoir, we are asking campers and staffers to share their experiences with parents, camp alumni, prospective campers and other blog readers. Today, Boise Youth Camper Evan tells us about his day at camp:

What was your favorite thing you did yesterday at camp?

My Camptivity Crazy Creations. We made boats to float in the creek. Mine was made of duct tape and sticks and made it all the way down the creek!

Did you try something new yesterday?

My cabin group went for a hike and explored camp. Even though it was raining, we had fun!

What's one thing you learned about yourself or others today at camp?

I have learned to not judge people by how they look. Instead, I should get to know them and what they are really like.

Anything else?

Swimming in the lake is my favorite part of camp.

Dispatches from Y Camp: Zoe

During this historic Grand Opening year at YMCA Camp: Horsethief Reservoir, we are asking campers and staffers to share their experiences with parents, camp alumni, prospective campers and other blog readers. Today, Boise Youth Camper Zoe shares her day with us:

What was your favorite thing you did yesterday at camp?

Drama, Survival and Camptivities.

Did you try something new yesterday?

Making a fire in Survival.

What's one thing you learned about yourself or others today at camp?

It doesn't have to be "all about you."

Dispatches from Y Camp: Ryan

During this historic Grand Opening year at YMCA Camp: Horsethief Reservoir, we are asking campers and staffers to share their experiences with parents, camp alumni, prospective campers and other blog readers. Today, Ryan tells us about a fun day at camp:

What was your favorite thing you did yesterday at camp?

I liked rocketry because you get to launch big bottle rockets 200 feet in the air.

Did you try something new yesterday?

Build a mountain bike trail.

What's one thing you learned about yourself or others today at camp?

I learned that doing work can be fun. I learned that the people here are nice.

"It taught me to value endurance, patience and so many other things"

The YMCA Camp: Horsethief Reservoir staff leads and teaches, but oftentimes, the staffers are the ones who do the learning. Here's an excerpt from Jessica's essay about her first year at Y Camp as a Leader-in-Training (LIT):

I heard about YMCA Camp from my sister's friend. She was always so excited about it, so when I turned 15, I decided to try out Y Camp. I signed up as an LIT and packed my bags.

I really didn't know what to expect. We were a very diverse group of LITs, all completely different, and I was one of the youngest. Honestly, at first I felt really out of place. When we got to camp, that's when all the fun began. Our team had a hard time getting things done and would spend hours on one activity. Some days we were even late to lunch, dinner or other activities because of it.

Our leaders never gave up on us, though; they just pushed us harder. It made us close, and by the end of the week, our activities were taking a lot less time. My favorite part of being an LIT was getting to know our team. Although many of the activities we did made us irritated and tired, it taught me to value endurance, patience and so many other things.

I remember at night we would meet to talk about the day and our lives. It was incredible to hear so many different life stories — some good, some bad. I learned something about people that week. The great thing was that when everyone's stories were told, there were no judgments. It was an incredible feeling.

So, here we are at a new camp with new possibilities to affect change. I am so excited to see the ways I can help these kids. In some ways, I guess I am selfish. I know that the kids gain a lot from us and we are here for the kids, but at the same time, one of the reasons I keep coming back is because of the gifts that the kids give me. They are gifts of joy, peace, innocence, happiness and so many other things that I am lucky enough to pick up on.

Not only do we have the power to change them for the good, but they have the power to change us as well. These kids have certainly changed my life thus far and I can't wait to see what happens this year.