Join us on October 1st for OCTOBERFEST!!!

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It's Hard to Say Goodbye.....

It’s here…the last day of summer. Today was filled with laughter and some tears, with hugs and with sharpies. We want more summer 2011, but it’s time to say goodbye…. till we meet again!

We acknowledged the summer’s memories and achievements, and we reluctantly took our campers to their buses.  With mixed emotions, we stood on the hill for one last time and waved to our campers; their faces pressed against the windows.  For some, the tears flowed while others smiled and soaked in the sense of community…one last time together in 2011.

We have three words of advice: rejoice, validate, and listen!

• Rejoice in the reality that your child has grown physically, emotionally, and socially this summer, and that you made it happen by choosing Stonybrook Day Camp. You gave your child a fabulous summer, and we thank you for trusting us to make it happen.
• Validate the feelings of sadness that camp is over for a while.  Be open and available to talk about camp. Share your own feelings and observations about your camper’s accomplishments. Acknowledge the transition from camp to whatever comes next and move forward, happy that they enjoyed their time at Stonybrook.
• And listen, listen, listen: keep the pace slow for a few days, linger over family dinners, ask questions – What was your favorite moment at camp? What will you miss the most about camp? Talk about their friends…even their challenges and especially their triumphs. 
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And we want to stay connected.  We’d love for you to share some of your camper’s triumphs and accomplishments with us on Facebook at facebook.com/stonybrookcamp.  Our camp community continues past today and beyond camp.  Please let us know about your milestones and achievements throughout the year!

Next summer isn’t far away…thank goodness…

See you at Octoberfest on October 1st,

Roger and the Stonybrook Team

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Monkey Bread Recipe

Monkey Bread

We created this recipe using a 9x12 in. pan.  However, this recipe also works well in a Bundt pan (if you choose to use the bundt pan, I would suggest doubling the recipe)

1 package + 2 extra buttermilk biscuit tubes (a total of ten biscuits)

½ cup sugar

2 teaspoons cinnamon

½ cup butter

½ cup brown sugar

Take each of the 10 biscuits and cut each biscuit into 4 pieces.  Roll the pieces into balls.  Drop rolled pieces into ½ cup sugar and 2 teaspoons of cinnamon mix (a Ziploc bag works best).  Shake the pieces to coat them with the mixture.  Once you remove them from the bag, flatten the pieces.  Lay them into the well-buttered pan, slightly overlapping them.

Put the remaining sugar/cinnamon mixture, the rest of the stick of butter, and ½ cup packed brown sugar into a small saucepan.

Bring this mixture just to a boil and remove from heat immediately.  Carefully drizzle over the roll pieces.

Bake at 350F for 30 minutes.

Cool slightly in an upright position, then tip pan over onto a plate to remove monkey pull-apart bread.  Enjoy!

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Stonybrook Day Camp Carnival!

Carnival is a highlight at Stonybrook Day Camp, and this year's Carnival  exceeded expectations!

Matt started the event with a swinging of the hammer at the big carnival hammer game.  As he showed off his strength,  crazy excitement hit camp and our campers took over from there!

Campers  enjoyed a huge super slide moon walker, bounce house, foam jousting and red rocket bounce. They also enjoyed an array of carnival booths, including a can smash, ring toss, six-cats-down (you get three chances to knock six cats down), tic tac toe and electric basketball. There was also a sports challenge and Jurassic toss, among other activities.

And your camper may have some BIG NEWS.... the carnival marriage booth was EXTREMELY busy! 

In keeping with our Carnival theme, campers enjoyed cotton candy and snow cones.  Campers 2nd grade and up earned tickets which they redeemed for prizes and all of our younger campers received Stonybrook bags filled with loot.  This was an event campers did not want to end; You could hear them asking for more as the day came to a close.  And we can't blame them- the weather was perfect and it was pure fun, plain and simple.  

With all the Carnival action, our campers should sleep well tonight!

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Sports at Stonybrook Day Camp!

Sports at Stonybrook has been grand slam excitement!  The Sports Specialist team, including seasoned veterans Jim Stricchiola, Rich Gordon, Rob Moore, and Bill Nausbaum, along with Tyler Raff, have enjoyed working with each and every group this summer. 

Under Jim's instruction, our basketball court has been filled with campers working on dribbling, passing and shooting skills.

Campers have also been on the softball field with Rich. With the Stony Monster looming over the left field fence, campers have been instructed in fielding, running the bases, throwing and hitting.

With soccer balls flying high, Bill has kept the campers moving and involved. Working on skills such as dribbling, passing and shooting, campers have been getting in plenty of cardio along the way.

Rob has had the campers working on their marksmanship in archery. Not a day goes by that a camper isn’t announcing that they hit the bullseye! Rob also has the campers zipping around the Stonybrook ATV course. With safety first, campers have become very adept at handling the turns of the course.

Tyler has instructed campers in the game of tennis. Forehands and backhands have been improving for all! 

The softball/baseball, basketball, and soccer clinics run by Rick Petrosine aka "Coach Rick" has added a specialized touch this year.  

All in all, the sports team has had the campers actively involved in all things sports. Whether focusing on the rules of the game, taking turns, or working on specific skills, all sports activities centered on having fun!  

Thanks for a great season and see you next summer!

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