Packing Tips

  It's mid-February, but it's never too early to begin thinking about summer!  Many parents have called to ask about packing for camp. A packing list can be found here.    Be sure to pay close attention to themes and special days.
    About 10 days before each sessions, parents will receive an email listing cabin assignments and listing "camp colors."  Campers and staff wear their camp colors for opening night campfire.  We encourage camper and staff participation in all "dress up" opportunities.  Cabins will have opportunities to earn "All-In" points as they participate in all of the many activities held during the two-week sessions.  (Details of the All-In program will be detailed during Opening Night campfires.)

 

Resident Camp Experiences Changes Lives...

 It is not uncommon for parents to reach out to camp and inquire about the many positive reasons for allowing their children to experience camp.  This article highlights just a few of the advantage camp provides for young people.  We take the role and responsibility of meeting these challenges seriously. It is our since hope that you will select Camp Thunderbird for your child's camping experience!

Why Camp?

The benefits of camp are many!  A little known secret is that there is tremendous value in working at camp as well as attending as a camper.  This blog points to just a few of the benefits of serving at camp.  YMCA Camp Thunderbird employs some 175 high school and college students.  Although we are staffed for Summer 2017, we hoe you will consider a summer in the future!

   Thinking About a Summer Internship...Think Again

    Colleges across America are tempting students with the call to participate in internships.  However, there are so many great reasons to choose service as a camp counselor over internships.  Check out this article from the American Camping Association...you may decide to rethink your goals for summer.  

Choose a Job at Camp

Early Bird Pricing Deadline is Jan. 31

YMCA Camp Thunderbird is currently accepting new registrations.  In fact, through January 31, those who register will receive a $50 per week reduction in pricing.  As inviting as this sounds, we know that there are many parents of new campers who have never met the staff or directors of camp.  For that reason, we are hosting a number of events that provide parents just that opportunity.  A complete listing of these events is posted to the Events page of YMCA Camp Thunderbird Resident Camp's Facebook page.  Although we would love to know that you plan to attend one of these events, please know that you do not need to register to attend.  We would welcome the opportunity to meet with you and share information related to our summer camps with you!

Those who would like some information about camp in advance of attending an informational meeting or of registering for camp, may find answers they are seeing in our Parent Information Guide, found here:

https://www.ymcacharlotte.org/Camps/Camp-Thunderbird/resident-camp/parent-resources.aspx

Please feel free to give us a call should you have additional questions.  We would be happy to talk with you or assist with registration.

Cracking Kids Secret Code - Bully Prevention

    Dr. Chris Thurber,  camping champion and staff training expert, has put together a training that many parents will find interesting.  The webinar will be held on November 22 at 9 p.m. EST.  We hope that parents will find this dialogue to be helpful. The link for participating in this webinar is as follows:

          https://app.webinarjam.net/register/31239/179f601f6a 
     

 

Camp Counseling as an Internship in Real Life...

 I just a few short weeks, school buses will cease running their routes, teachers will finish entering grades for the semester, and summer will "officially" begin.  YMCA Camp will begin what will be their 81st summer on the shores of Lake Wylie.  The task of interviewing and subsequently hiring over 150 college-aged students to lead all of those seeking the magic that can only be found at summer camp will come to a close for the 2016 season.  Having this experience is one of the great pleasures I enjoy.  I say that as I sincerely believe that the experience of spending a summer serving as a camp counselor can truly be one of the most transformational experiences one can have.
     For many T-Bird counselors, camp is a place that allows them to make their best friendships.  They can laugh their hardest, and they can find a place where they can truly be themselves.  They are challenged to stretch and grow while encouraging campers to do the same.  The responsibility is not for the faint of heart.  You see, counselors actually serve as "parents" to the over 400 campers in attendance each session.  The experience of meeting campers and accepting them just as they are can be a challenge, but it is one that can leave leaders feeling more than a little accomplished.
     One of the biggest challenges facing camp directors is competing with colleges that now require internships.  These institutions of higher learning want their students to try on life.  What better venue to try on life than by working at summer camp?  Counselors must develop social skills and interact with all kinds of people.  They must work collaboratively with a group of other college-aged staffers to create memorable experiences for children.  Furthermore, staff must display strong character as the campers in their charge will quickly point to inconsistencies in the words spoken by their counselors and the actions displayed. The benefits of working at summer camp can easily be defined as improving communication skills, learning to collaborate,  learning to solve "real-world" problems-just to mention a few.  If we are talking about life skills, I would be remiss if I didn't mention that summer camp counselors learn to be creative.  The onset of sudden summer shower calls for creativity and flexibility.  To list every benefit of serving as a camp counselor would take volumes of written text.
   A first year junior counselor wrote," Camp its a place where spirits grow, friendships form, and you realize the deepest of love.  Camp is home."  We are still seeking a few staff members for Summer 2016.  If you or someone you know is looking for a summer experience that will provide opportunities to touch the future, we hope to hear from you in days to come.  We'd love to share a little of the magic that exists here on these shores of Lake Wylie!