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“We all needed camp!” So stated Camp Lots-of-Fun Director Ash Reddy when Family Promise staff paid a visit to the beautiful and welcoming facility set up at St. Catharine Church in Glen Rock. Ash told us how happy the campers were to see their old friends and make some new ones, to run around freely and just play outdoors on the fields or in the playground. “It was essential for the kids to have this time together, especially during the time of the pandemic when they’ve been isolated for so long”.
Camp Lots-of-Fun involved some extra planning and protocols this year due to Covid-19. Safety was the first consideration for campers and counselors alike. There were no outside trips and numbers were reduced by only accepting campers from Family Promise programs. Most activities took place outdoors under large tents and lots of time was spent cleaning, washing hands, and changing face masks! BUT, despite all of the changes, camp was, as always, a necessary and wonderful experience for the children during two fun-filled weeks in August! Sports equipment was on hand as were sprinklers for cooling down on the very hot days. A highlight was a traditional Field Day with an obstacle course, water balloon toss, and egg in spoon races. Also, this year, the children especially loved all of the arts and crafts activities and supplies available. And being outdoors allowed for a lot more use of all types of paints which everyone loved.
Campers always build special relationships with their counselors and this year was no exception. Especially with the smaller numbers and staying in one place there was a true one to one ratio and an opportunity for deep connections with the teens who all did a great job!
Thank you to all those who donated the delicious breakfasts and lunches or came to camp with engaging programs including STEM, drawing, empowerment, yoga, Zumba, and Mad Science. For example, SUEZ provided breakfast and lunch on one day, as well as STEM activities for campers based on their environmental science curriculum. Of course the last day of camp included the traditional Circus fun and Wild n Wacky challenge!
Camp Lots-of-Fun was made possible through the support of many individuals, foundations and corporations including The Robert and Joan Dircks Foundation, Visions Federal Credit Union, TD Bank, SUEZ, BD and Sharp Electronics.
Counselors and staff felt happy to get out and have a purpose at camp this summer. We appreciate their commitment to giving the children the best possible summer camp experience at this very challenging time. Mission Accomplished! Special thanks to the team: Director Ash Reddy, Assistant Director Lisa Eckerson, Head Counselor Jenny Henriquez, and Lunch Aide Fran Robertson.
By Jane He