With my kids in camp and my husband on staff, I've had the unique opportunity to spend a few days here in Camp Seneca Lake with lots of time to observe. I feel like I've been let in on a secret shared by those who are part of the camp family…There is something truly magical about Camp Seneca Lake.
You can feel it almost immediately upon entering camp. I've spent the past few days trying to figure out where, exactly, this magic comes from. Perhaps part of it has to do with the idyllic setting, the physical beauty of the place itself. The camp, for any reader who hasn't been here, is set on a spectacular, wooded strip of Seneca lakefront. Campers live in "villages" of cabins or tents, each with a common area where they can gather. Bridges and passages through wooded areas connect them to other areas of camp. Everything looks so inviting. Colorful murals and signs from summers past adorn every part of camp. Camp looks great, and perhaps that is part of the magic, but that doesn't explain it all.
Part of the magic, a huge part, comes from the staff, who I have found to be incredibly energetic, warm and welcoming. You will not meet a group of people more dedicated to making sure your child is having a wonderful time at camp. From the opening night fire-circle, where the director arrived via flaming "chariot" (pontoon boat) from the lake, to elaborate scavenger hunts and creative games and group challenges, the programming is truly amazing. From breakfast till bedtime, campers are busy having fun! Today was a hot one, and my husband and I rode around camp with a huge jug of Gatorade to help keep kids hydrated. It was amazing to see the variety of activities going on… basketball, archery, tennis, hockey, biking, soccer, swimming, sailing, skiing, canoeing, just to name a few! In all of these activities the counselors and staff were not only working to ensure that every child was able to participate but also modeling good sportsmanship. So nice to see!
So while the "magic" of camp comes in part from setting, and in part from the staff, who despite their hard work, seem to be having as much fun as the campers, it surely comes from the campers themselves. You can HEAR it throughout camp… the cheers, chants, and spontaneous bursts of song. You can SEE it wherever you look… kids walking with arms around each other, or sitting in a circle talking under a shady tree. As a parent, it is amazing to me to see kids who, without the draw of TVs, phones, ipods and Xboxes, are engaged in a constant stream of healthy activities. They are TALKING with, not texting, their friends. They are sharing experiences and making memories. Magic!
I am completely convinced that there is no better place for your kids to be spending their time this summer!
Andi Koss (Ben, Lauren, Adam's Mom)
