Posts Tagged ‘benefits of camp’

Learning to Lose

Tuesday, October 6th, 2020

Walking off the field, high-fiving your teammates, and grabbing a snack after a close victory is one of the greatest feelings in sports. Players and coaches work hard all year to win. When they walk off the field after earning “the dub,” the whole team can take solace in a finite result.

The other team. The losing team. That is where real character is shown. Winning is easy, taking a loss with good sportsmanship, and learning from it is significantly harder.

At Camp Starlight, we offer top-quality instruction in all our activities to prepare campers for inter-camp competitions and for their lives at home. However, no matter how gifted our campers and staff are, we are not always the best at every activity. We lose sometimes.

Losing at camp, though, is not a permanent result. Losing is a learning opportunity and a chance to grow. It is also a chance to build resilience and perseverance to win the next game or competition. Our mature staff leads by example and loses with grace and sportsmanship. We always shake hands after games and work with campers not to be negative with ourselves or our teammates.

One of our coaches used to say “You have to learn to lose before you can love to win.” If you can’t learn to lose, which means using it as a tool to move forward and progress, then you will never get better to win. We cherish every win with humility and learn from every loss.

Win, lose, or draw, the true winners are the competitors who gave it their all, had fun and demonstrated sportsmanship. That’s what camp and competition are all about.

Generation Z Living Tech Free

Sunday, September 27th, 2020

  1. iPhone/ Smartphone
  2. iPad/ Tablet
  3. Laptop.
  4. Television.
  5. Apple Watch/Fit Bit/ Smart Watch
  6. Amazon Echo/ Google Home/ Apple Home Pod
  7. Bluetooth Speaker.

This list of items can be found in nearly all our campers’ homes. We live in a tech-ridden world where technology is not only common, but a must to keep up with the fast-paced environment. However, at summer camp, we allow campers to remove themselves from technology and slow things down.

By eliminating technology in the bunks, Camp Starlight fosters an environment that allows campers to develop relationships and grow. Without electronic distractions in the bunk such as social media and video games, our campers have real face-to-face interactions, creating bonds stronger than technology.

This is most evident on a rainy day at camp. While a rainy day may seem glum and uneventful from an outsider’s perspective, campers in their bunks are anything but glum. Imaginations seem to run wild when 10 friends are stuck in a bunk together for hours. They create games, bunk traditions, or even mini business ideas in their bunk all because they were in an environment that nurtured this creativity and teamwork between campers. When the option is to create a game or play a video game, the video game is often the easy choice. When the option is creating a game or sitting on your bed, imaginations go into hyperdrive, allowing children to grow individually and with their bunkmates.

We do understand the value of technology, however, which is why many of our member camps incorporate technology into their daily program with activities like coding, digital photography, music production, and digital media arts. We utilize technology in this capacity as a learning tool to equip our campers with a new skill set to use when they return home.

In a world where technology does so much for us that campers often don’t need to think for themselves, we take this influence out. We allow campers to think. We allow campers to grow. And we allow campers to slow things down, if just for a short few weeks.

“Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”

-Ferris Bueller

At Camp Starlight, we don’t miss it. We live it. All summer. Every summer.

10 for 2

Monday, September 14th, 2020

The leaves start to change color as the temperature drops.

The school year is here. Campers, please get your laptops.

They get their pens ready, notebooks all in a line,

“I don’t want to go to school,” they all seem to whine.

 

As the bus rolls up to school, it is clear summer is now done.

Campers are anxious now that school has begun.

Sports, homework, and music lessons they all have in store.

Hanging with friends, Hebrew school, and so much more.

 

Grab your winter coat. Winter is just around the bend.

The warmth goes away, but summer memories never end.

Group chats and hangouts with camp friends keep the spirit alive.

All anticipating next June when the buses arrive.

 

The distance between camp friends may grow this winter.

But the bonds they made this summer, the cold can’t hinder.

The summer is over. They miss their camp friends

But one thing we know is friendship never ends.

 

So, the time is now for school and extracurriculars, whether they like it or not.

To our campers, we say “We’ll see you in a few.”

The separation is only temporary…Because we all live 10 for 2.

 

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.

 

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 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

Appreciation at Camp Starlight

Friday, March 29th, 2019

Written by Tessa (Lakehouse B)

The word “appreciate” is simply one of the many that would come to my mind when thinking of this beautiful place. If someone were to ask me, “what did you appreciate overall during your upper junior summer?”, the answer would probably be the 10 Dena gave us on inspection that day, or maybe the canteen we would get 3 times a week. Coming upon my following summers here, my division leaders have been the ones who impacted me the most. Tracie teaching us to always walk around with our heads high. Janelle’s infectious attitude always relating back to being kind. Megan teaching me how to be a good person or better triceratops, upon entering my first year in upper camp. Then came my upper deb summer in 2016. Let me just say one word. Eagles. I could never appreciate something more than that summer blessing me with the relationships formed with the 35 girls in my division who I proudly call my sisters. When I say sisters, I truly mean family. Lower Senior summer with Shelby taught me that I cannot sweat the small things, and that it is beyond important to cherish every second in this place. Shelby has never failed to teach me that when we’re in this place, there is no other option to be anything but yourself. It is now my seventh summer, and being an Upper Senior who has now carried each tradition to every division below has really shown me how to appreciate every little thing and moment. Looking back, I wouldn’t change one moment, I wouldn’t even trade it for an extra canteen! Reflecting on my past summer I realize that my favorite place has given me my best friends, memories, opportunities and everything in between. Appreciation doesn’t necessarily have to be a “where”. The “how” is something that touches me the most. They say that home is where your heart is. Camp Starlight has my heart.

Camp Starlight Appreciation

Thursday, January 10th, 2019

Written by Hayden (Lakehouse B)

Appreciation is often missed in our daily lives. We always are onto the next, never really stopping to appreciate what we’re doing. To me, appreciation can take many, many forms. It can be returning a favor, doing something kind for someone, or simply saying “thank you”.

I came to camp starlight as an upper junior. At the time, I did not know how much I would come to appreciate this place, my second home. However, my appreciation for camp runs deeper than just being here. I find things to appreciate at camp every day, like my amazing division and my opportunity to live in the Lakehouse with them. The beautiful sunsets I watch on Friday Nights with my best friends in the world.

This summer, when I went to outdoor adventure, I had one of those small but special moments that happen when you’re at Camp Starlight. Normally when I have outdoor adventure, I head right for the fire – building, but that day I decided to try the high ropes. I got all geared up and headed for the zipline. It was very hot, and let me say, I am not the best climber. That didn’t matter to me. I climbed all the way to the top, listening to the encouragement of my friends below. When I finally reached the top, I was nervous and couldn’t stop shaking. Suddenly, right before I leaped off of the edge, I looked around, and the world seemed still. I looked over camp and just appreciated the view and how hard I had worked to get there. I almost succumbed to the day-to-day lack of appreciation.

So, that zipline taught me a valuable lesson. It taught me that sometimes we all need to take a minute in all of our fast-paced lives to just appreciate. Appreciate this beautiful camp, the wonderful people in it. The views we get to take in, and so much more.