Posts Tagged ‘camp counselor’
Camp Starlight Radio: Jonah’s Glasses
Sunday, July 17th, 2016Camp Starlight Radio: Aides Ice
Thursday, July 14th, 20166th Grade Boys Basketball Scores
Tuesday, July 12th, 2016
Sport: Boys Basketball
Age: 6th Grade
Date: 7/6/16
Wayne County Update
Basketball vs. Morasha
Unfortunately, Starlight started the game off on the wrong foot, falling behind early 21-4. Despite the poor start, Starlight cut the lead to 2 with 1.2 seconds left. Ben K. took a three as time expired which sadly rattled in and out. Charlie H. and Ben. K finished the game with 20 points each. Jackson F. played well and was a rebound monster. Final Score 49-51.
21 Thoughts that Run Through a First Time Counselors Mind During the First Week of Camp
Wednesday, July 6th, 2016 
- Hi. It’s me, your counselor. Hello. I’m over here.
- I don’t think these campers will ever remember my name.
- WHY DO YOU HAVE SO MUCH STUFF???
- What is with all of these Adidas shoes that my dad wore when playing basketball in the 70’s? Maybe I should get those. Yeah, my cool days are over.
- *While campers sing all their camp songs* “Fa la la I don’t know the words, I don’t know the words, maybe one day I will know the words
- I’m sweating so much. I. Didn’t. Know. I. Could. Sweat. So. Much.
- Long-time camp staff where do you get all of this energy from?? Teach me your ways.
- It’s 7:55 a.m. Is that taps or tattoos?
- Campers, pleeeeeeease just help clean the bunk. It’s not fair, I know.. but life’s not fair.
- You’re telling me that the whole camp eats lunch at the same time??
- I can’t climb to the top bunk, someone let me sit on your bed forseconds.
- Yay! You finally know my name.
- 48 more days of this?? How am I going to survive?
- Kids…. for the 1500th time. Please go to bed!!
- Ahhh!! Tomorrow is a new day.
- Wow today was much better!
- Yay! The campers wrote their parents and said they liked their counselors… cha-ching!
- I’m getting the hang of this.. I kinda like it. Okay I like it a LOT.
- Aww… a camper just offered me to sit on her bed.
- I got it! The first bugle call is Reveille.
- One week down already? That went by so fast. I’m so excited for the rest of the summer and all of the memories that my bunk is going to make. These next six weeks need to slooooooooowwww down.
Camp Starlight Year 15
Friday, March 4th, 2016
Written by Megan Panelas
This summer will be my 15th year working at Camp Starlight and every year people ask why I return summer after summer. I usually give the short answer of “it’s my second home,” but thought I would share the long version this time around.
Camp Starlight is a very Special place. Camp is a place where time slows down. It lets everyone take time out of their busy lives to really just be themselves. Both staff and campers can be who they truly are. It is amazing to watch campers in the camp atmosphere gain confidence in a nurturing environment. Each summer as they come back they truly gain a better sense of themselves. They belong at camp and they are part of the community that we, the staff, strive for. Through the program that has been developed at camp, each age group has their own set of traditions that they contribute to the Starlight community. It is amazing to watch their progression. From the junior enthusiasts who live and breathe camp and have so much fun, to the inters, who embrace the fun they are having and make lifelong friends. Then to the upper camp debs, who really learn more about themselves and bond to create more of a community atmosphere, and the seniors who have become a family. The Upper Seniors take on the role of helping the juniors have fun through a few special events. This cycle continues and is so strong at Starlight that many return as Counselor Assistants (CA’s) and then as counselors.
This is the part that I am now enjoying the most. Campers that I met when they were 7 and 8 are now counselors in the lower deb division with me. This truly is a full circle community. These campers turned counselors are the essence of camp and often make campers summers even more spectacular. I have had the joy to watch so many campers grow on a summerly basis, becoming exemplary staff and mentors over time.
Every camper is unique and may enjoy a variety of different things and camp has the opportunities to flourish in a million different ways. From being center stage, to being on a Wayne county team, from winning a race for the swim team to finally mustering up the courage to do the zip line, from launching rockets to scoring a goal in a league game and from dance parties to divisional campfires, there is something for everyone. It is finding that passion in each camper and helping them excel to have the best summer, every summer, as they grow and are true citizens of the Starlight community.
Being a part of this Community, and watching it grow is astounding and I just can’t stay away. I have become a part of it. Wabam.
Big Easy Blues
Monday, August 10th, 2015
The day began well for the Blue team, starting 115 points up and with an uplifting Billy Madison reference by General Ben Kadel. As the day progressed Big Easy Blues fought as White Madness attempted to ease the lead.
In the Upper Plebe Gamma game, Cooper G. and Kyle F. both caught several touchdown passes. Even with their impact, Blue was overpowered by Abe W. and lost 70-54. This afternoon the Junior Gamma hockey game was decided by just one goal and it was the Blue team that had it. With time running out, Owen G. scored our team’s sixth goal and then ended the chance of a comeback by White. Tonight is rope burn, one of the most exciting nights of camp, our Seniors look to continue our impressive run and improve our lead.
Camp Starlight’s Gymnastics Meet
Saturday, August 1st, 2015
The annual Camp Starlight Gymnastics Meet was a great success with Camps Lohikan, Westmont, Indian Head and Tyler Hill all participating in the competition. The day was a great success and gave all the Starlight girls who love gymnastics the opportunity to compete. All of the participants have been training really hard over the last few weeks for this meet and their hard work definitely paid off when Starlight took home 3rd place.
Individual places were won by Juniors Julia H, Ashley T, Charlotte C, Carly E and Ava R. Senior individual places went to Maddie S, Evann S and Sofie F.
The day ran smoothly with all campers enjoying the day. We would like to thank all of the girls who competed for working so hard and also to our Head Coach, Micaela, for organizing such a successful meet.
Cooking at Camp Starlight
Monday, April 20th, 2015
One of the perks about sending your child to Camp Starlight that nobody mentions to parents is that it is very realistic to send your child away for the summer and get a private chef when they return. Your child who only knew how to make a sandwich or had no idea how to boil water could come back as a baking, sautéing, mixing foodie who has a newfound appreciation for seasonings, sauces and the magic that can happen in the kitchen. This transformation begins when kids take advantage of the cooking programs at camp.
The cooking program is taught by specialists with a wide range of experiences. The state-of-the-art facility gives kids the tools, appliances and space to create their favorite dishes and learn a few new ones.
Encouraging your child to explore their culinary side not only ensures your get to try some of their creations once they return home, but also teaches them valuable life skills. Cooking is not just throwing ingredients together and waiting until it’s edible. Cooking is an art, and a way for students to express themselves. The thought, preparation, and emotion that goes into cooking is something many children find challenging but rewarding. They also learn valuable skills such as time management, following directions, and communication, and cooking also perfects math and science skills in a way that is fun and different.
When your child is able to start and finish a project in the kitchen, their self confidence grows and they become more self assured and willing to try new things that seem out of their comfort zone. When they are active in the kitchen and learn about the things that go into their food, they are also learning about making healthy choices when it comes to what they eat.
Cooking also gives kids a sense of purpose, and gives them something they feel they can contribute to the family. Once the family takes a bite of their famous mac and cheese or savory French Onion soup and can’t get enough, they’ll feel accomplished and that they have a valuable quality to contribute to family functions. Even if they just learn basic cooking skills, the importance of cleaning up after yourself, and how to measure properly, they will be ahead of most of their microwave dinner eating peers.
Whether your child is a chef in the making, or is just starting to show interest in the kitchen, cooking at camp is a great way for kids to explore the culinary arts.
Being a Camp Counselor at Camp Starlight
Monday, February 23rd, 2015
Everyone has that one teacher, babysitter, neighbor, family friend or other adult influence that has made a lasting impression on their lives; a person they credit with shaping and molding the person they’ve become. When you become a camp counselor, you become this and so much more to hundreds of children every year. A camp counselor does so much in the life of a child, but not many people realize how working on staff at Camp Starlight changes and shapes the camp counselors as well.
Camp counselors become experts at time management. They learn how long it takes to get from one place to another, how long clean up, set up and break down takes, and how to effectively manage their time so activities run smoothly camp-wide. They learn the importance of appreciating the time and schedules of others, and campers pick up on this valuable social skill.
Camp counselors become expert communicators. They have no choice but to constantly strive to be good listeners, as kids will remember people who they feel truly listen and hear them, and those who write them off. Counselors learn to speak confidently, while always keeping in mind the effects their words can have on those around them. They learn how to express their concerns and articulate their opinions and expectations without hurting the feelings of others. The ability to successfully communicate with individuals and large groups is a vital and life changing skill that comes naturally from being a counselor.
Problem solving, conflict management and the ability to maintain a positive attitude in even the most stressful circumstances are all things counselors learn while spending their summers at Camp Starlight. All of these skills are exactly what employers are looking for in the people they hire, and a summer (or two!) as a counselor really sets you up to be the “dream employee” so many jobs are looking for.
Being a camp counselor changes who you are, in a good way of course. Watching hundreds of campers learn more about themselves, create lasting memories and try new and exciting things because they knew YOU believed in them will change your life. You will experience a sense of purpose as you build relationships with campers that you can’t get anywhere else. Being a camp counselor makes you a better friend, family member, student, employee and most importantly, it makes you a better YOU.
My First Year as a Counselor
Tuesday, October 14th, 2014I went to Camp Starlight as a camper for 8 summers. I remained in the same bunk with the same group of girls since I was a junior all the way until CA summer. I was understandably nervous about joining the starlight staff for the summer of 2014, but knew that it was an experience I must complete in order to complete my journey at Camp Starlight. Undoubtedly, this summer exceeded any of my previous expectations. I was a Lower Deb Counselor (GO UNICORNS) and I couldn’t have asked for a better
group of girls to spend my summer with. I admired their constant positivity and energy at every activity and in the bunk. My co-counselors and I became the best of friend, and I learned more about teamwork and responsibility than I thought I could ever learn anywhere. Outside the bunk, I was a lacrosse specialist and it w
as amazing to get to know almost the entire girls side. Every group of girls brought forth a different contribution to the program, which only added to my incredible experience as a coach. I truly thought my years as a camper were the best it was going to get, but my first year counselor experience exceeded anything before it. I learned so much about myself, while spending every second with the people I came to love the most.
Devon H.
