When you spend eight summers of your life at the same summer camp, you get to reflect on all the magic you’ve experienced and memories you have made at a place that is so special and unlike anywhere else. At Camp Starlight, Upper Senior campers truly get to experience every single aspect of summer camp, transitioning from summer to summer with more responsibility and more fun. Upper Seniors get to see every angle of Camp Starlight and experience every special activity, they really do it all. However, when the last night of the last summer comes, it always arrives too quickly for these Upper Seniors. Reflecting back on every summer spent at Camp Starlight, here are the things that Upper Seniors will miss most about Camp Starlight when they have to say their final goodbye.
- The Traditions: They will miss all the iconic traditions that define Camp Starlight because that is what makes a summer camp experience. The relay races, Olympic games, powder puff football, color wars and campfires all make for a picture perfect summer and these traditions is what transforms a normal summer into a magical one to remember.
- The Staff: Coaches and counselors really help define a camper’s summer because they are the mentors in their life guiding them to achieve their goals and overcome their obstacles for that summer. The constant support and belief is what helps a camper become the better athlete, the better artist and the better individual.
- The Adventure: Campers are able to explore and feel an adrenaline rush practically every day on or off campus, travelling to different places and cities for special trips when they aren’t whizzing on the zipline or jumping great heights at outdoor adventure. The sense of adventure and opportunity to discover the unknown is an element of Camp Starlight that campers will yearn for the most.
- The Memories: Camp Starlight is unique in the fact that practically every moment can be transformed into a memory. Every evening activity, special event or moment that made a camper smile creates a summer for campers to always look back fondly on, the memories these campers make with each other are unique and often the ones they never forget for the rest of their lives.
- The Friendships: Since most campers don’t all come from the same place, summers spent at Camp Starlight are so special since this is the only time campers are able to connect and bond with their camp friends. Camp Starlight helps form friendships that are so strong and unlike any friendship back home. The friendships are a vital element of what campers look forward to seeing every summer and will regret saying goodbye to the most.
Being a Lower Deb comes with more respect, responsibilities, opportunities, and freedom. We have a mascot that represents who we are, and who we can be. We have our own cheer that shows our spirit, and proves that we are powerful. We are lucky to be able to get 10 times closer with our division just from one night. Being the role models that we looked up to as a lower junior means so much. In Upper Camp, we now have the responsibility of making a younger camp sister feel happy and comfortable. We also have the privilege of having two sisters with whom we form a special bond and friendship. You learn to be a loyal bunkmate, sister, and friend. We learn to step out of our comfort zone and try new things. We wouldn’t trade this memorable experience for anything else in the world.
Camp Starlight provides campers with so many opportunities when they are on campus, from every sport and activity imaginable, campers are always busy and able to have fun. To keep the fun exciting, Camp Starlight also gives campers from different divisions the chance to go on off campus trips. Each division travels to a different location and for a different amount of time, but every camper is guaranteed a unique off campus experience. The Seniors travelled to Niagara Falls to see the amazing firework show, jet boat through class five rapids, and experience the amazing roller coasters and rides at Darian Lake Amusement Park. The Upper Debs and Plebes made their way to Lake George and Six Flags. While the Lower Debs and Plebes experienced Hershey Park! The Upper Inters take a trip to Dorney Park to experience all the fun! The Lower Inters head to Cooperstown, New York to visit the National Baseball Hall of Fame and enjoy all the best food the town had to offer. The Juniors found their way to Skate Estate in New York, playing games, skating all around and enjoying everything the day had to offer. All the divisions experienced new things, ideas and places when they were given the opportunity to travel off campus for an extended period of time. When campers are able to travel and experience new places, they are able to learn more about different cities, culture, people and ideas, broadening their minds and increasing their curiosity. It is important that campers get out of camp every once in a while and see new things because that is how they grow to be learners and leaders, taking a step out of the box to experience something like never before. Opportunities like these show how Camp Starlight is devoted to helping campers stay curious and become leaders inside and outside of camp.
In the spirit of National Emoji Day, Starlighters wasted no time getting decked out in their emoji gear and gadgets to celebrate. While emojis are a part of Starlight everyday from the bunk junk, sweatshirts, tees, jewelry, blankets, pillows, and towels, campers took their emoji love to a new level. Not only were campers wearing their emoji gear, but they dressed up like emojis too! Running to and from activities, the best part of the day was that the smiles and heart eyes from campers were even bigger and brighter than those on their clothes and accessories. Whether on the court or in arts and crafts, Starlighters are always smiling from all corners of campus. Happy National Emoji Day!
Living away from your parents for any period of time is a big adjustment. At camp, campers must learn to do things for themselves and it is through this that independence is learned over the course of the summer.
Camp Starlight would not be complete without the picturesque waterfront. Our two lakes are one of the main reasons that many Starlighters call their summer home “the most beautiful place on Earth”. There are countless ways to explore the waterfront and each different experience is special in its own way. Here are our top picks this summer!
Starnight was a night to remember. Future Starlighters were accompanied by current Starlighters and Starlight staff for the full Starlight experience. In an atmosphere of “Rahoos” and “H-O-T-T-O-G-O” the Starnighters blended right in and joined in the fun. Junior campers adopted their Starnighters with open bunk doors and open arms as future campers got to see what it’s really like to be a true Starlight camper. The Starlight experience is truly like no other and it showed for future campers and Starlighters alike. In an evening activity full of spirit, tradition, pure joy, and excitement, future Starlighters felt the energy within the building. Starnighters and their families left with special treats, smiles on their faces, and memories to last all summer. With a successfully completed Starnight experience under the Starlight sky, campers and Starnighters already can’t wait for the next one!