Many times throughout the year, I get to go out to schools for a Parent Presentation and talk about camp.  This is mainly to calm parent’s nerves and answer any questions that they may have for their upcoming 5th grade camping trip.  However, I view it as a chance to brag about how lucky we are here at Camp Copneconic. One of my favorite segments of the presentation is talking about our wonderful staff.

Here at Copneconic we are one of the fortunate few who don’t really have to compete for good staff.  Being a larger camp and staying open all year really helps great staff from all of the country (and world) want to work for us.  As well as local instructors we have staff anywhere from Pennsylvania out to California.  We even have two in from England!  All of which are dedicated to giving your kids the best experience possible.  Every day, rain or shine, their enthusiasm for working with youth is evident.  

During 5th grade camp, every moment of every day, our staff is being evaluated.  At the end of each trip, each group is given evaluations to fill out and a substantial portion of it is based around their interactions with our instructors.  Here are a couple comments from this week alone:

• “The staff is always fun, helpful and caring.  It’s really a great group of young people every year.  I appreciate how they can connect to our middle schoolers yet still command their respect.” 
• “Our group had an excellent time while here.  The staff was very friendly, helpful and really seems to enjoy their job at camp.” 

I believe that says it all. 

Each year, Camp Copneconic gives out Mock Awards to the staff as part of the end of summer Banquet.  These awards range from Best Co-Counselor to Most Likely to End up in the Health Center.  Two awards that stand out above the rest are the Fish and Giving Tree awards.  Staff are asked to seriously consider nominees for each of these awards, and take a moment to write a paragraph or so explaining why they think their nominee should be the recipient. This month we are recognizing the winners of the “Fish Award.”

Everett Fitzhugh is a truly the Fish at Resident Camp.  His experience and caring attitude spread to each and every one of his campers, as well as the rest of the staff.  He is always trying to make the camp experience better, never being satisfied with the status quo.  He makes others laugh, goes above and beyond with his campers, and puts a smile on everyone’s face.  He is never too busy to give a listening ear, and always willing to jump in and lend an extra hand, oftentimes without being asked.  He truly cares for others, and not only exemplifies the “Fish” philosophy, but the Camp Copneconic attitude as well.

At Day Camp, Brandi Bates has gone above and beyond this summer. She showed up every single day with a positive attitude and a smile on her face. The kids and the staff really enjoyed being around her. There was never a boring moment with her. Brandi would show up with glitter in her hair, jewels on her face and costumes that were out of this world. She won the FISH award this year because the staff really recognized her hard work and she always fulfilled the FISH philosophy which was, make their day, play, choose your attitude and be there. Brandi is an amazing role model for and child or adult!

Each year, Camp Copneconic gives out Mock Awards to the staff as part of the end of summer Banquet.  These awards range from Best Co-Counselor to Most Likely to End up in the Health Center.  Two awards that stand out above the rest are the Fish and Giving Tree awards.  Staff are asked to seriously consider nominees for each of these awards, and take a moment to write a paragraph or so explaining why they think their nominee should be the recipient. This month we are highlighting the recipients of the “The Giving Tree.”

Sally Quinn was this year’s Resident Camp recipient.  Sally goes above and beyond at Camp.  When she could easily be taking time for herself, she is always asking “What can I do to help?”  She always finds productive ways to use her free time, whether it’s digging for extra worms for camp’s Fishing Trek, or jumping into a cabin at night to let a counselor have a break, she is always there for the campers and her co-workers, and always with a smile on her face.  She gives without ever asking for anything in return and truly makes Camp Copneconic a better place to be.

Patty Rudd is the Day Camp recipient and is one of the friendliest and kind people you could ever meet. She goes out of her way to make anyone’s day. She constantly lends a helping hand to whoever would need it. Patty would be seen at work all the time before and after the kids came to camp. She would work on little projects that would help enhance everyone’s day. She’s someone that everyone could go to when they needed any type of help. Patty makes everyone laugh and you can tell that camp is the place she wants to be. She wants to show everyone what camp has to offer and these are just a tip of the iceberg on why Patty received the Giving Tree Award.

This is my eleventh summer here (eight as a camper and third as a counselor), and even after all of this time, this place still amazes me. I think of camp as my second home. The activities never get old... you're always learning new things and growing in ways you never thought possible. It is because of camp that I have virtually shattered my comfort zone and am willing to do and try just about anything. Camp has allowed me to truly be myself and gain a certain level of confidence that I do not think would have been possible.

The lessons and values that I have gained here have followed me throughout my life as well. From an early age, we are taught crucial lessons about respect, friendship, and selflessness. However it takes a place like camp to fully understand those lessons. It is because of camp that every day I try to put myself third, and try to live the four core values of respect, honesty, responsibility and caring.

Camp means so much to a lot of people. It impacts and touches people in ways that cannot be seen anywhere else. Whether it is counselors, campers, kitchen staff or the administration, this camp has a special place in the hearts and minds of many people.  The people that come through here come from many different homes, backgrounds, countries and situations. I have seen rich and poor, black and white, old and young embrace each other and come together and start friendships because they both hit a bulls eye at archery, or conquered their fear of heights on high ropes. There have been campers that had no interest of being here on Sunday, cry on Friday because they did not want to go home. Campers that may have been reserved and shy one summer, have come out of their shell and are outgoing and visible the next. I firmly believe that this would not be easily achieved without a place like camp. 

Every year more and more stories are told and more and more lives are changed because of camp, and that effect will continue for years to come because, as cliché as it may sound, camp is a magical place, and the proof can be found in the people who keep coming back for more.