A blog from Eco Adventures!

Eco Adventures has sprouted at Stonybrook! We have two of our three raised bed organic gardens off to a great start by planting seedlings of corn, cucumbers, tomatoes, basil and strawberries. Several groups also sowed some seeds in cups to bring home once they have sprouted.

The Teen Xtreme group was a tremendous help with the installation of a deer fence to protect our new garden. We also have a wildflower garden gerimating after the M&M farmers sowed the seeds on the first day of camp. Mother nature also helped out with a thunderstorm!

We hope that our wildflower garden will become a future hang out for the 30 painted lady butterflies we hope to have emerge in two weeks or so. Right now they are just very hungry caterpillars that will from chrysalis's soon.

We have had a fantastic wet and muddy time down at the base of the brook where it feeds into the pond. We have discovered crayfish, minnows, water striders, and a variety of other aquatic creatures. Stony the tree frog is also visiting us this week after being found near the pool.

The 1st ever geocache placed at Stonybrook and was awarded the coveted FTF (first to find)! In return they scouted out the property and placed three more geocaches for the other campers to find.

Also, this week and next week we will be making paper out of recycled newspaper that can also be planted to grow wildflowers.

Upcoming events: nature scavenger hunt, hiking, geocaching, solar smores pizza oven, bird feeders, etc.

Don't forget to check out http://www.stonybrookdaycamp.smugmug.com to see all of the pictures from camp!

Day 2 of Camp

It's another great, sunny day here at Stonybrook Day Camp! The campers are having fun as they participate in all of our activities such as arts and crafts, fishing and boating, swimming, soccer, and cooking.

In arts and crafts they are making pot holders and at fishing we are catching tons of fish! While in cooking the campers made delicious pizza bagels and cupcakes.

Everyone is having a wonderful time here with their friends at camp!







Don't forget to check out http://www.stonybrookdaycamp.smugmug.com to see all of the pictures from camp!

First Day of Camp

It's the first day at Stonybrook Day Camp and everyone is so excited to be here! There are many activities going on such as swimming, cooking, drama, challenge course, and arts and crafts. Up at the pools, the campers are being evaluated to determine their swimming level. Over at the challenge course our campers are busy having fun on the zip line and the rock wall. Everyone is having a blast on this first day of camp! Everyone is drinking plenty of water and reapplying sunscreen. Be sure to look at the pictures to see the campers in action!

Don't forget to check out http://www.stonybrookdaycamp.smugmug.com to see all of the pictures from camp!

First Day Splash !

Monday is almost here and we are excited to begin summer 2010 at Stonybrook! It is sure to be a fabulous first day of camp.

Reminders for the first day……

Campers should bring a backpack or bag containing their clothing. Their belongings are placed in their cubbies and remain in camp for the week.
Please pack:
2 large towels
2 or 3 bathing suits (one-piece suits are advised for girls)
1 sweatshirt
raincoat
beach sandals or flip flops for the pool
Comb or hairbrush
Sunscreen
Hat

Labeling items is advised.

Please feel free to call us at anytime throughout the summer if you have any concerns or need to discuss anything. Let us know if you are impressed with something or you would like to see an area improved- we welcome your feedback. We are here to make your child’s summer memorable and partnering with parents always helps.

Please let your camper know we are so happy they will be spending their summer with us and it will be fun. New experiences, great friends and good times!

And just reminder…….. Join us Saturday from 1-3 for our Open House; campers will meet their counselors and meet other campers from their bunk.


Don't forget to check out http://www.stonybrookdaycamp.smugmug.com to see all of the pictures from camp!

Basketball Court is complete

Looking forward to Open House on Saturday from 1:00pm - 3:00pm.


















Don't forget to check out http://www.stonybrookdaycamp.smugmug.com to see all of the pictures from camp!

Alysia Battista - Upper Camp Girls Director

Stonybrook Day Camp welcomes Alysia Battista back for her fourth summer, but this year she will join us as the camp’s Upper Camp Girls Director. Ivonne, who held the job for the last 7 years relocated to the Boston area, and Alysia takes over the job with her blessing (and Ivonne sends everyone a hello and wishes for a great summer).

Alysia Battista is an elementary school science and technology teacher in Princeton, NJ. She just completed her Masters Degree in Special Education from Montclair State University. She coached high school soccer and teaches soccer classes at Lifetime Athletic in Florham Park. While Alysia is returning for her fourth summer at Stonybrook, this will actually be her tenth year on staff at a camp. She spent time as a girls counselor, art director, and assistant director at other camps before coming to Stonybrook as a Teen Extreme counselor and sports specialist.

We are certain you will come to love Alysia as you get to know her better. She is a hard worker and very creative in her approach to working with kids. She is very thoughtful and a great team player. And when she is not thinking about camp…. Alysia loves the Yankees, the beach, and ZUMBA classes. She also enjoys playing sports, gardening, and watching home improvement shows in the hopes that she'll own her own house in the very near future. In her spare time, she scrapbooks, takes pictures, and visits her two nieces and nephew. Alysia brings experience, energy and a love for camp to this leadership position and we are excited to have her back for another summer.

Please do not hesitate to call her along with veteran leadership members, Jen Hubert, Shelly Brittner, Alyse Seltzer, Katie Ruppell and Matt Buczek

Don't forget to check out http://www.stonybrookdaycamp.smugmug.com to see all of the pictures from camp!

Basketball Court turns Blue

2 Coats of sand sealer and 1 coat of US OPEN blue. Today, one more coat of blue and lines this weekend. Almost done. Believe it or not even at with the nets down low Matt still cannot dunk !!!


Don't forget to check out http://www.stonybrookdaycamp.smugmug.com to see all of the pictures from camp!

Staff Training

Camp is fast approaching and while we continue to get everything ready (arts and crafts supplies arrive daily and the basketball court is almost completed), we can definitely say that our staff is fully prepared for our campers.

This last weekend, Stonybrook Day Camp held its annual staff training and information from downtime games to camper safety was shared. Saturday they had a hands-on experience as they ran through a typical day at camp (this included a game of kickball) and learned about staff responsibilities. Camp management shared tips for being a fabulous counselor and their take on what camp is all about. Our new staff left day one of training with knowledge about camp operations and an appreciation for the importance of their jobs in helping campers form friendships, try new things and have a blast at camp.

On day two of training, all new and returning staff first met and mingled. In addition to meeting new staff, there was lots of catching up with old Stonybrook friends. Next, staff learned about and reviewed topics including swimming safety, professional behavior and health procedures. Camp Specialists shared tips for making the most of elective and group activity sessions (how counselors can be the most effective during these sessions). Our insurance representative came to speak with staff about how critical it is that camper safety be priority at all times. Staff learned a new activity for flagpole, and they were reminded about the importance of participation. Lastly, staff received their group assignments and spent time with their co-counselors planning and getting prepared for the summer. In addition, Specialists spent time organizing their areas and getting them ready for opening day of camp….. which will be here before we know it!!!!!


Don't forget to check out http://www.stonybrookdaycamp.smugmug.com to see all of the pictures from camp!