Stuff The Bus with Stonybrook Day Camp!

STUFF THE BUS WITH HEALTHY FOOD FOR C.H.O.W. (Community Hunger Outreach Warehouse)

ON TUESDAY, AUGUST 7th

BONUS VAN CHALLENGE ALERT! IN ADDITION TO HELPING FAMILIES IN NEED, 500 POINTS WILL BE AWARDED TO OUR WINNING VAN! 

Can our campers stuff a camp bus with healthy food donations?  It’s a challenge to the camp!  And we think they can do it!  

And to make it a little more fun, it’s also a van challenge.  We want to see which van can bring in the most food and help stuff our very own Stonybrook Day Camp bus with healthy food for C.H.O.W.  So please have your camper come to camp on TUESDAY AUGUST 7^th with a food donation (see below for requested items).  It will be a great opportunity for them to help us do something great for others.  

All collected food will be packed onto a camp bus and driven to Livingston where our camp bus will meet the official Stuff the Bus bus.  Stonybrook Day Camp will kick off the afternoon food drive tour through Livingston, which has been organized in part by one of our camp families.  Stonybrook’s food will be transferred onto the larger bus, which will make some additional stops, including Livingston’s Shoprite from 3:15-3:45pm & Livingston’s Kings from 4:15-4:50pm before parking at the town Oval for the National Night Out festivities.  Please feel free to spread the word to those who may want to come meet the bus at one of its stops and make a food donation.  In fact, it would be great if you did!

All food will be donated to C.H.O.W. (Community Hunger Outreach Warehouse). C.H.O.W, a project of the Livingston Clergy Association, will distribute collected items to families in need. Housed at St. Philomena’s, C.H.O.W. is open to families in need on a drop-in basis.  Excess food collected is donated to soup kitchens and food pantries in the surrounding areas. For additional information on C.H.O.W, contact Sister Barbara at (973) 992-1382. 

The non-perishable items requested for collection are: canned tuna, napkins, toilet tissue, paper towels, breakfast cereal, condiments, canned beans, dried beans, pasta, white or brown rice, pasta sauces, macaroni & cheese, powdered milk, canned fruit, canned vegetables, baby food and jelly & jam. Only new, unopened items will be collected.  Please make sure items are not expired and healthy items are appreciated.

C.H.O.W.’s requests for assistance has only increased, and this time of year is when C.H.O.W. is often in need of donations.  Please help Stonybrook Day Camp stuff the bus with food for C.H.O.W. and help kickoff this important food drive.  THANK YOU!

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Stonybrook Spotlight: Ben Denson

Stonybrook Spotlight:  Senior Counselor Ben Denson

Ben Denson was very excited to be a Senior Counselor this year and very excited to also be with the Spartans for the third year in a row.  And the feelings are mutual as this group is tight and all about camp.  Ben knows this group so well and has grown attached to them.  With some very athletic kids and some very creative kids, the group is varied in interests but very respectful of each other.  They are all very close friends and they like to have fun together, and that is what makes this so much fun for Ben.  And they happen to be very entertaining and provide many a good laugh.

Statistics on Ben

Age: 18

School: Recently graduated from Millburn High School and he will be headed to Tulane in the Fall.  May major in economics.

History at Camp:  He started camp at Stonybrook three years ago as a Junior Counselor.

Hobbies:  Loves golf, hanging with friends, video games and music.

Other:  Ben is REALLY, REALLY, REALLY excited for college.

Ben’s Favorite Camp Memory

When asked about his favorite camp memory, it was tough but he replied, “I will go with this one.  Last year’s Camel Beach/Water Day is my favorite camp memory.  It was just a whole lot of fun.  It was a rare time that the group was split up and I really got to know some of my campers even better than before.  We had a blast.”

What Ben Loves About Camp

When asked about what he loves about camp, he replied, “I love how many great and rewarding friendships I have made at this camp. I will remain friends with many long after we leave SBDC.  It has great kids and great staff”.

Ben’s Advice for New Counselors

When asked about his advice for new counselors, he replied, “Don’t take it too seriously and don’t slack off….. find that middle ground.  It’s the balance in between that allows you to really excel at the job.  And also be sure to drink lots of water and get sleep.  These kids are high energy!”

Ben is a well-rounded and responsible counselor.  He is super engaging with his campers and he really looks out for them.  He has a very positive attitude and he is just one of those counselors that everyone, staff and campers alike, love to be around. Ben, the Spartans and all of Stonybrook is lucky to have you for Summer 2012!

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Week 5--Highlights!

As we turn the corner of camp being halfway done, we didn't let anyone down with a fun filled week 5.  Although mother nature was a little moody and roared here there, our Stonybrook Campers ROARED even louder.  Teen Xtreme had 2 amazing trips to Patriots game and to Point Pleasant beach and the rest of camp enjoyed all of our fun themes, not to mention late night, Marigold Mike, and the grand finale....The "Stonybrook's Got Talent" show!  Ask your campers all about them all. Get ready because the last 3 weeks are jammed pack full of fun!

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Stonybrook Spotlight: Josh Laveman

Stonybrook Spotlight:  Lifeguard Josh Laveman

Josh Laveman is a fixture at Stonybrook Day Camp’s pool and the campers just love him. He can always been seen with a big smile and he is very connected with his campers. He is super sweet and soft spoken.  While very responsible, he is also laid back and that combination makes him a pleasure to work with.  You can count on him to get the job done well.  In addition to being a Lifeguard/Swim instructor, Josh is also a Van Counselor and he makes it fun for those kids. 

Statistics on Josh

Age: 19

School: Heading into Sophomore at Duke University majoring in Environmental Science.

Years at Camp:  2^nd summer as a Lifeguard & Swim Instructor (mainly in Jr. pool)

Activities:  He is currently in the Duke University Marching Band, Pep Band, and Jewish Student Union Board.  Josh has played saxophone since the 6^th grade and he was in the Livingston High School Marching Band and Jazz Band.  Our Upper Camp Boys Director, Jim Hegedus, was his band teacher from 4th grade through HS.  

Hobbies:  Huge Mets fan as well as all Duke sports.  He also likes biking and hiking 

Long term goals: Business School or maybe Law School

Thoughts on band:  The cool thing about being a band "geek" is that you get to make so many friends in college and high school.  In fact you really meet people faster than if you are on your own. Josh gets to travel with school for ALL band activities. He even gets to hang with mascots. Josh LOVES band.

SBDC favorite memory:  Josh enjoys working hard on something with his campers and then he gets to see them kids do on their own. It could be either dunking their head or swimming the length of pool. He loves that part of being an instructor.

Thoughts on Being a Lifeguard/Swim Instructor:  The pool community is fantastic.  Staff is great and he has developed long lasting friendships.  It’s a great job.

Advice for other Lifeguards/Swim Instructors:  Develop lessons to fit different types of kids, from little to 5th grade.  Personalize the experience and just have a great time.

We just love Josh Laveman and we are thrilled he loves Stonybrook.  But most importantly, our campers love him and are thrilled he loves Stonybrook!

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Teen Xtreme 2012!

TeenXtreme, Stonybrook’s leadership program for campers grades 7-9, has had a fabulous first half of the summer with lots of exciting trips:

WEEK 1-        Bridgewater Sports & Tubing on Lake Hopatcong

WEEK 2-        Mountain Creek & Great Wolf Lodge (Poconos, PA)

WEEK 3-        Baltimore, MD (USS Constellation, Inner Harbor, Camden Yards, Speedboat Tour) & NY Liberty

WEEK 4-        White Water Rafting, Red Bulls & the First Ever Stonybrook Campout

Moving forward the plans are looking good!

WEEK 5-        Somerset Patriots& Point Pleasant, NJ

WEEK 6-        Tomahawk Lake & Community Service Projects

WEEK 7-       Camel Beach & Mystic, CT (Mystic Village, Beach Magic Show & Aquarium)

WEEK 8-        Syracuse, NY (Carousel Center, Mini Golf, Zoo & Syracuse Chiefs Ball Game)

This program has a strong emphasis on leadership and allows teens an opportunity to develop more independence while still under excellent supervision.  Trips are far enough away, yet not too far…. Trips are overnight, yet not too long…. really the perfect combo for both kids and parents as a next step in their camp experience.   Looking forward to next week’s special community service project- we promise to blog all about it!

We will be keeping up on our new Teen Xtreme folder on Smug Mug. Check out the pictures from a recent trip!

Teen Xreme Smug Mug

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Rookie Day 2012!

Rookie Day 2012 is coming up and we want to spread the word! 

Rookie Day is a fantastic way to get your future camper, who is not yet at Stonybrook, ready for next summer when they are 3, 4 and 5 years old.  There is no commitment as the purpose is to get to know a bit more about the camp experience.  At Rookie Day, future campers have a unique opportunity to spend time at camp and try it out.  Campers take a journey through a mini-typical day at Stonybrook.   They get to experience some of the fun that Stonybrook has to offer.  

This exciting introduction to a ‘real summer camp’ provides the opportunity for Rookies to see and feel the warmth and the spirit that our campers have enjoyed for the past 75 summers.

Rookie Day is on Monday, August 6^th (raindate August 7^th).  There is no charge for this event.  Parents will drop their children off at 10:15am and return to pick them up at 11:30 am. 

Please contact the office (973 584 0078) by Friday, August 3^rd, so your child can participate in the Stonybrook Rookie Day Experience.  And we welcome you to spread the word and let family and friends know about this opportunity.  It’s gonna be an exciting day for many future campers.

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Stonybrook Spotlight: Michelle Marabondo

Stonybrook Spotlight:  Michelle Marabondo

Michelle Marabondo is an amazing and multi-talented addition to the Stonybrook Day Camp Community.  Always smiling, the campers just love her.  Equipped with amazing sports skills and an excellent attitude, Michelle is engaged with her campers in a way that truly makes every camper feel special.  She is an amazing person who brings positive energy with her everywhere she goes.   And with her goals, you may be hearing about her in the future, so we thought you’d like to get to know her a little better.

Statistics on Michelle

Age: 20 years old

College: Senior at William Paterson University (WPU)

Major: Early Childhood History

Long Term Goal: Become a teacher with a Masters or possibly get an MBA

Other:  4th year Senior Starter on William Paterson University’s Women's Soccer Team.  She is 16th in Nation for Goals per Game at Div III level.  She is also a pro-amateur player for the NJ Valkyries

Hobbies: Soccer, Soccer, Soccer, Soccer, Beach, Tennis, Soccer, Soccer.......

Years at Camp: This is her 1^st summer at SBDC and she is our Tennis Pro, but she also fills in for Soccer too!  She is a natural athlete and can lead any sport with a high level of expertise.

Favorite Thing at Camp (so far):  Getting to know the kids and seeing their excitement when they come into her groups.  It has been amazing to see them improve their skills.

Advice for Others:  Highly recommend working at camp.   It is a great experience for anyone going into teaching.  

Exciting Plans:  After she graduates from college and before she starts her teaching career, Michelle is going to try out for the Pro Women's Soccer team: The Boston Breakers.  Michelle, SBDC will be there to cheer you on every step of the way!  We are confident you will go far. 

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Week 4--Highlights and Spirit Week!

Hard to believe that camp is half way done for the summer, but not to worry, we still have 4 weeks to go.  And while mother nature was a bit crazy, the weather didn't stop spirit week from being high energy and fun.  The rain was a change of pace and there were enough dry periods for campers to still enjoy swimming, zipping and boating.  Congrats to all of our Spirit Week competitors and new Winners!

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