Posts Tagged ‘America’s finest summer camps’

Becoming a Leader Through Leagues

Wednesday, November 6th, 2019

For some, leadership is an inherent trait. For others, it is learned. However, all of our campers can learn and develop leadership skills. At Camp Starlight, our Leagues Program provides our campers with a great opportunity to hone their leadership skills.

Each summer, Camp Starlight features an intra-camp League, in which every camper is assigned to a team named after a College Athletic Program. The teams compete throughout the summer in various sports against all the other teams. The teams are competing within their divisions to win the coveted Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream prize at the end of the season.

Because our League teams are named for schools, days in which campers participate in leagues games are called College Days. When it’s a College Day at Camp Starlight, you know it! Campers dress in their team shirt to get in the competitive spirit and cheer their teammates on the sidelines to support the team. The teams will face-off once per league day in a grand show of athleticism, sportsmanship, and fun.

For individual campers, competing in leagues provides familiarity, as they have the same teammates for the duration of the summer. This creates an environment that fosters stronger relationships, cooperation, camaraderie, and responsibility.

When players first start to play together, they become aware of their individual strengths and how they can contribute to the team. Those who have strengths in a certain area, have the opportunity to be a teacher and a role model for their teammates. In other areas or sports, these campers may switch roles, allowing our campers to learn to be great leaders and great learners. They gain self-confidence through their own performance and by encouraging their teammates.  Team members build upon each other’s strengths to better the team towards a common goal.

Leadership, however, isn’t just about ability. It’s about being accountable for one’s actions and leading by example. All players get the chance to develop leadership through determination, communication, self-confidence, and drive.  Even if a camper isn’t a top athlete, they have the ability to lead through great sportsmanship and a positive attitude.

Because leagues promote teamwork and foster relationships, campers also become better at communicating. And because sports also instill self-esteem, Campers not only communicate better, but they do so with confidence.

In the end, the winning teams might get the ice cream, but everyone receives the added benefit of becoming a better leader.

 

To a Sweet New Year!

Thursday, September 26th, 2019

As we celebrate the New Year, we can’t help but look back on all that was sweet last summer at Camp Starlight. We take this time to appreciate the beautiful gifts that camp gives all of us.

We are grateful for the friendships that form each year. Summer after summer, we welcome old and new friends into our life. Camp Starlight allows us to create special memories with our bunk mates while also exposing us to campers from other bunks and divisions. We are fortunate to experience divisional traditions so that we can form friendships in and out of the bunk. We are always excited to meet our camp siblings, allowing us to form bonds with campers regardless of their age. We work together on sports teams, league teams, and Olympic teams to bring us even closer to our Starlight Family. There are friends and there are camp friends. The seven weeks we have together makes our camp friends our best friends, and best friends are forever.

We remember all of the special counselors that helped us through the summer. We are so grateful for the counselors that come from all over the world to make sure we have a great summer. We reflect on all the hard work the counselors put in to take care of us and all their patience and kindness that they show. They help create the warm and welcoming environment that makes Camp Starlight feel like home summer after summer.

We look back on all the fun that we had at each activity and all of the new skills we developed. We focus on our passions while discovering new passions through new experiences! We take the time to remember all of the fun evening activities and special events that created so many laughs and memories. We cherish the songs, the cheers, the dance moves, and the spirit that is Camp Starlight.

We envision the beauty of Camp Starlight. We recall the feeling of driving down the mile-long road, lined with trees on both sides and the feeling you get when you wrap around the corner and see the image of camp after waiting 10 months. The endless mountains and the reflection of the beautiful sunset over lake as the day nears the end are so clear in our minds. Finally, we picture the stars that twinkle above our summer home. We think about the wish we made on a shooting star, that will hopefully bring us all home next June.

We look forward to a sweet new year and cannot wait to get back to our summer home for another summer of friendship, love, fun, and memories to last a lifetime.

Camp Starlight Studios

Tuesday, July 30th, 2019

Under the rec hall is a state-of-the-art program area known at Starlight Studios. The Studios are specifically for unleashing your creativity in many different ways.

Upon entrance of Starlight Studios, you are greeted immediately by hard-working area specialists asking how you’d like to spend the period. There are many different options for every camper to explore through the summer.

In Sports Broadcasting, campers have the opportunity to gain experience with real studio microphones and go on the air, discussing camp sporting events. Those participating learn the fundamentals of speaking clearly and audibly on-air, as well as how to properly phrase sentences in the most convenient way for the listener. Right across from Sports Broadcasting is MakerSpace, which is our very own on-camp science lab. Some activities include exploding watermelons with rubber bands, making ice cream, and even shooting rockets into the air!

A little further down the hall is Digital Photography, where campers can use professional cameras to document their adventures around camp and capture moments that can be held on to for a lifetime. Right next door is Video Production, which is another area where campers are able to utilize professional equipment. In the room is also a green screen, so videos made can have any setting, with no limits. Everything in those two rooms are also edited with high-quality editing software on Mac Desktops.

The Basement is where singing is taught- Campers learn songs and perform them for each other, with the coaching of our incredibly talented voice specialist. The Dressing Room is also an option in Starlight Studios, where campers are given sewing projects for them to complete and take home with them. This includes scrunchies, tote bags, and even headbands. The Dressing Room also works with the Starlight Theater, making costumes for the plays currently being produced.

Starlight Studios is a very exciting location in the camp. In the Studios, creativity and imagination are key. At the end of the period, every camper walks out with new knowledge or a new project. The possibilities are truly endless!

The Junior Show at Camp Starlight

Wednesday, July 24th, 2019

Sunday night marked the fourth production in the Starlight Playhouse, The Jungle Book. This family-oriented musical tells the story of Mowgli (Simon B), and his journey through the jungle. He is guided by Bagheera the Panther (Mikayla T) and Baloo the Bear (Rory M) as he learns valuable lessons about life and about himself. Crowd favorite songs included the beloved classic, “The Bare Necessities” as well as “Trust in Me” and “Overture”. The hard work of the juniors surely showed when the audience was offering a standing ovation to congratulate them on a job well done. An honorable mention is also in order for the adorable elephants, played by our very own day campers!

The juniors gave an unforgettable performance and all campers and counselors are very proud of all of their hard work. Coming soon to the Starlight Playhouse is our all-camp show, Frozen, which will be performed this upcoming Sunday.

Visiting Day at Camp Starlight

Monday, July 22nd, 2019

It’s safe to say that on the eve of July 20th, the bunks at Camp Starlight were filled with pure excitement and energy. Visiting Day is one of the most anticipated days of the summer, and with good reason; it’s the day where campers and their families are finally reunited, in a party of laughing, crying, and eating.

With the day finally here and the excitement levels high, our campers began the day with the annual visiting day singalong. You could barely hear Jeff Moss on the mic over the sounds of the entire camp singing along to their most favorite camp songs as they anxiously awaited the arrival of their parents. With the grand finale of Celebrate (an all time camp favorite) it was time to head back to the bunks and prepare for the moment that campers and their parents have been waiting so long for.

As cars filled with gifts, candy and excited parents began to pull into the camp road, the parking lot quickly filled up with parents and their families eager to secure a spot along the blue rope. 11 o’clock couldn’t come soon enough, as the lineup of moms, dads, grandparents and siblings, continued to grow. They’re carefully counting down the seconds until they are able to run and greet their kids for the first time in weeks. As soon as the tape is cut, Camp Starlight is instantly flooded with hundreds of people: The sight is like no other.

Once the hugs were hugged and the tears shed, it was time to enjoy the day, with many families opting to set up along the grass facing Starlight’s beautiful lake. Campers put on a visiting day show and dance feature for all to see. Chef and the entire kitchen staff spoiled everyone with a delicious barbecue lunch, packed with hot dogs, delicious burgers and the most amazing grilled chicken. Although many campers were already too full from the mouth watering treats that their parents brought from home.

Most activities are available to partake in, including tennis, Gaga, volleyball, and, with temperatures reaching well into the 90’s, a visiting day first – free swim in the lake, allowing campers and their families to cool off and relax in the lake together and catch a break from the heat.

Fortunately, this is not only an opportunity for families to reunite, but for parents to finally meet the counselors who have been watching over their kids this summer.

Sadly, all things that are happy and exciting must come to an end. At 4:00 in the afternoon, the families must say goodbye as they wish campers a great second half of the summer, All campers are incredibly glad that they were able to invite their loved ones to Camp Starlight for the day, and can’t wait to tell everyone at home about the incredible summer that they experienced this year.

Lower Seniors Basketball Versus Chen-a-Wanda

Tuesday, July 9th, 2019

On July 3rd, the lower senior boys basketball team had a nail biting victory over Chen-a-Wanda in this week’s Wayne County match. Hayden A was a fantastic rebounder who played hard throughout the game, scoring 2 points and 5 rebounds. Jesse K scored 6 points, 2 rebounds and had a strong finish at the rim, caused a foul and put the free throw in to take the lead at half time. Benjamin K scored 6pts, 1 rebound and 2 steals, playing strongly in the point guard position while Dre L’s strong communication to teammates gave a defensive advantage. Ryan S, with 3 rebounds and steal, as well as his hustle made a difference in the game. Benjamin A was present on the defensive end and was a rebounding threat on the floor with 4 rebounds. Dylan C was a defensive threat on the floor and had 1 assist. Jackson F was a strong all round player who rebounded skillfully and scored some points while on the floor, totaling 6 points, 10 and rebounds. Charlie G played hard and hustled while on the court and ended the match with 3 rebounds. Charlie H finished with 10 points and 4 rebounds. He was a big contributor to the game with strong ball handling skills. Kyle M was a strong points leader with 15 points, 2 rebounds and 1 assist. He was a great communicator with his teammates. Jack S handled the ball well and ended with 2 rebounds and 1 assist. Tared S ran the floor and rebounded well ending the match with 5 rebounds.Benjamin R scored 15 points and had the game winning free throw that put the team ahead with 9 seconds to spare to steal the victory.

 

 

 

Upper Debs Basketball versus Camp Tioga

Monday, July 8th, 2019

On Tuesday July 2nd, the upper debs from Camp Starlight fought with heart, spirit and ambition. In the beginning of the game, Lily A won the jump ball to start the game. Chloe B shot 7 points as Camp Tioga tried to shake her down. Carly E had two points to take the pressure off of the team, which boosted up the spirit of the game. Sienna K had great ball control when the other team tried to trap her in the corner. As the 3rd quarter was reaching the peak to finish, Myla W grabbed the rebound and held the ball with her life as Tioga was trying to receive it. Emma J and Shira R played good defense and made great passes. Cassidy W contributed with master mind plays and helped guide her team. Joie E, Emma D and Sarah T played good defense, which resulted in blocking the ball, rebounds and slowing down their best point guard. Lastly, Ashley W did a great job of controlling the speed of the game, and being unselfish with playing with her teammates. However, the girl’s efforts came out short and lost to Tioga, but a valiant effort was put forth. Great job upper debs!

Week 1 at Camp Starlight

Sunday, July 7th, 2019

Week 1 in Review 2019 from Camp Starlight on Vimeo.

Camp Photographer at Camp Starlight

Thursday, May 30th, 2019

We are thrilled to be welcoming Courtney back as our camp photographer for her second summer at Camp Starlight! Read below to see some of her favorite photos from summer 2018.  

As the excitement builds for our upcoming trek to Camp Starlight,  here it is…a kind of BEST OF SUMMER 2018.    I ain’t gonna lie, I could look at camp pictures all day.    So this was a fun project to work on throughout the past 10 months.   And honestly, this doesn’t even scratch the surface of images that take my breath away.  But this tells the story, and hopefully stokes the excitement in you for the summer ahead.

In less than a month, I’ll be back to do it again.  This time some of those smiling faces that come bouncing off the bus on arrival day, may actually be that excited to see “me”.  And that makes me feel pretty special.   Something really incredible happens during those 7 weeks.  My experience was unique in that I got to experience ALL of camp.  Not just isolated with one age group, gender, or activity.  I was with every age group, every gender, every sport, every activity…EVERY DAY.  I saw it all.  Incredible and exhausting all at the same time.

See you soon,

courtney

Best of Camp Starlight 2018

Camp Starlight Memories

Tuesday, May 7th, 2019

Camp Memories 2018

  1. Making brand new friends in the bunk
  2. Having cool counselors from all over the world
  3. Tubing around the lake
  4. Having two awesome camp sisters
  5. Funny times in the bunk
  6. Being a music kitten in the play Aristocats
  7. Trying the star jump for the first time ever
  8. Going to the best camp ever!
  • Sydney G1

Some of my favorite camp memories were…

  1. Winning MTV Night divisionals
  2. Getting pizza for dinner on Junior day
  3. Having the best time ever with my amazing counselors and my awesome CA.
  4. Having a water fight after our parent left on visiting day. Even though I was crying the water fight cheered my right up.
  5. The best Olympic breakout!
  6. We saw the movie Coco after Olympics and we got popcorn

This year was a great year.

  • Andie G6

Camp Memories

It was raining so hard outside so our counselor Sydney started singing “Singing in the Rain”. So we all went outside and started singing with her. We all got soaked. It was so much fun.

  • Claudia G10