Welcome to the Kennolyn Blog

The Value of Play

A recent article in the New York Times reports on a study published this month in the journal Pediatrics. The study stresses the importance of play time, down time, and nature time in the healthy development of children.

"New research suggests that play and down time may be as important to a child’s academic experience as reading, science and math, and that regular recess, fitness or nature time can influence behavior, concentration and even grades."

Although the study is specifically measuring the effects of recess (or the lack of recess availability) in a classroom setting, the results and conclusions are relevant reflections of the benefits of the summer camp experience.

Read the article in its entirety by clicking HERE.

Let it grow, let it grow...

Our very own Mia, the most extraordinary Office Coordinator in the world, has been working hard preparing Kennolyn Camps' garden for new plants this year. Once summer camp is in full swing, there should be plenty of gardening fun for the kids to help out with.

New this year, Mia has set up a small portable greenhouse, so there's sure to be lots of fresh vegetables come harvest season.

I believe this is rosemary growing here. I personally don't have a very green thumb. Maybe the summer campers will be able to teach me a thing or two.

Here are a bunch of assorted buds, or saplings, or sprouts, or whatever it is you call baby plants. They're soaking up some humidity and warmth in the greenhouse.

These boxes are going to be overflowing with plantlife very soon!

That is, of course, if these guys don't get to them first!

I'll be updating the blog frequently to show the garden's progression - and hopefully this summer there will be lots of pictures of the summer camp kids with tons of fresh vegetables!

Yay vegetables!

What to Expect: Resident Camp

So you're signing up for resident aka sleepaway camp this summer at Kennolyn. What can you expect?

First, expect to have fun! Second, expect to do and experience things you've never done or experienced before (unless of course you are a returning camper!)

For resident camp, campers are allowed to choose six activities from over thirty-five offered in order to create their own individual schedules.

This activity selection is done before arriving at camp either online or by completing and returning an activity selection form. If the camper later wants to change an activity after trying out their choices at camp, they can do so on the second activity day.

Just a sample of activities available are as follows:

High Adventure:
Climbing (3rd grade and up)
Ropes Courses for all ages
Three Day Backpacking Trip
Mountain Biking (7th grade and up)

WaterSports:
Red Cross Swimming for all levels
Board Diving
Water Polo
Inner Tube Water Polo
Skin Diving (off-site trip included in tuition)
Synchronized Swimming
Basic Water Rescue (introduction to lifeguarding)

Equestrian:
English Riding for all levels
Western Trail Riding
Vaulting

The Arts:
Crafts
Pottery
Scrap Booking
Photography
Drama
Stained Glass (5th grade and up)
Carpentry
Photojournalism

BallSports:
Basketball
Volleyball
Tennis
Baseball Batting Cage
Golf

Dance & Music:
Jazz Dance
Guitar
Campfire Singing
Kennolyn Chorus

Read more about what activities Kennolyn Resident Camp offers by visiting the Resident Camp Activities Page on our website.

Thinking About a Summer Camp Job?

Our very own Andrew Townsend wrote an excellent article for About.com, with information and tips for anyone considering a summer camp job.

Most camps are in full swing with their hiring processes now, so this is a good time to read the article and get helpful pointers if you think a summer camp job is for you!

"A traditional source of employment for many is summer camp. As American as apple pie and growing in popularity. According to the American Camping Association (ACA) camp enrollment is increasing by 10% annually. Consequently, jobs abound at camps across the nation and even abroad. So who should work at a camp and what do camp directors look for in their staff?"

Read the article in it's entirety by clicking HERE

Out and About

The beautiful weather is back for a few days. I figured it was the perfect opportunity to take a stroll around Kennolyn.

The rain has made everything very green. Clover and other assorted ground cover abounds.



The sandy volleyball court is the perfect place to look for tracks.

Here are some deer tracks...



...and turkey tracks as big as my hand. Imagine the size of that drumstick! Yum!



A pair of hawks were circling overhead, but I was only able to get this shot of one of them. Maybe they were looking for that delicious turkey.



I stumbled upon an arrow stuck in a tree. Where's the archery range...?



Apparently it's thata' way:



Here's an old tin-can lid nailed to a tree as an improvised sign-post. Does anyone know what it's supposed to signify?



Just a random crooked tree.



And still more trees.



That's all for today!

Amgen Tour of California 2009 - Santa Cruz

Stage 2 of the Amgen Tour of California finished yesterday in beautiful downtown Santa Cruz. Kennolyn Camps was there, along with Gold Arrow Camp, Catalina Island Camps, and Mountain Camp in our booth "Summer Camps Grow Healthy Kids."

Despite the rain, we arrived early to set up our booth.

Andrew immediately set to bungee-ing up the banner:

15 minutes later, Andrew is still working on that bungee:

30 minutes later we were all finished...except for Andrew:

After some assistance, the banner was secure and the booth was ready!

The race began and our booth afforded us an excellent view of the jumbo-tron. Here we see the riders as they cross the Golden Gate bridge:

We set out some re-usable grocery bags with our camp logos and "Dennis the Menace Goes to Camp" comics to give away.

Chris and Andrew were ready to start handing them out...but the crowd seemed reserved. What could be done to get them to come to our booth?

Andrew quickly realized why the crowd was keeping it's distance...

...and almost as quickly, we became the most popular booth in the entire festival!

Later, Chris and I decided to take a walk along the finish line. No sign of Lance yet.

The weather was surprisingly cooperative, and at the finish the sun shone and blue skies welcomed the bicyclists.

For our part we had an excellent time, and hope to do it again next year!

A huge "Thanks!" from all of us at Kennolyn Camps to everyone who stopped by our booth, and to everyone who made the Amgen Tour of California's visit to Santa Cruz possible!

Friday the 13th!

Happy Friday the 13th everyone. Here's hoping this notoriously unlucky day goes easy on all of you. We've already had our share of bad luck today, including a blown fuse, computer issues, and one of us feeling sick and having to go home early. With two more hours to go, I hope that's all we have to deal with!

Useless trivia moment: Did you know that the specific phobia related to Friday the 13th is called "paraskavedekatriaphobia?"

I don't know which is scarier, Friday the 13th itself, or trying to pronounce paraskavedekatriaphobia.

On another note, don't forget that tomorrow is February 14th - also known as Valentine's Day. I'll leave it up to you to decide which day is scarier.

Summer Camp Promotes Healthy Childhood Development

Recent research continues to confirm what we in the camp world already know, that camp is a valuable component in healthy childhood development, and that it is a major component in helping them build the skills necessary to be successful adults.

"At camp, children have a good time and, more importantly, experience successes that promote self-confidence and future academic growth. The camp environment helps kids grow and learn in ways that will serve them for their entire lives. Camp can have a positive effect on children for the long term." Sari Van Otegham, president of ACA Northern California.

Read more at Cloud Computing Journal.

Why Choose a Sleepaway Camp?

New Jersey Family magazine recently sat down with Mary Ellen Folsom, Executive Director of the New Jersey section of the American Camp Association (ACA) to talk about what parents should consider when choosing an overnight camp. Although the magazine is New Jersey focused, the article is universal and the information is valuable to anyone considering sending their child to a sleepaway camp for the first time.

"Family: What do you think parents and children should expect to get out of a sleepaway camp experience?

Mary Ellen Folsom: All resident camps offer a fun way for children to learn by experience in a structured, safe, and nurturing environment. Camp allows children to meet new friends outside of their peers at school, in a setting where they are no longer defined by pre-set conditions like their grades or their siblings. They can connect with nature, breathe fresh air, exercise, and “unplug” with a break from technology that is more valuable now than ever. At sleepaway camp, children learn valuable interpersonal skills, like how to negotiate relationships, compromise, encourage others, and become positive members of a community."

Read the article in it's entirety at New Jersey Family Magazine.

Amgen Tour of California Lifestyle Festival - Monday Feb. 16th

Next Monday, February 16th (President's Day,) Kennolyn will be making an appearance at the 2009 Amgen Tour of California's Lifestyle Festival in beautiful downtown Santa Cruz!

A Tour de France-style cycling road race, the Amgen Tour of California is the largest cycling event in America and challenges the world’s top professional cycling teams to compete along a demanding, recently expanded, 750-mile course from Sacramento to Escondido from February 14-22, 2009.

This year marks the first time the Amgen Tour of California has come to Santa Cruz, so it is sure to be an exciting event for cycling and sport enthusiasts, as well as anyone who appreciates the thrill of victory!

The Lifestyle Festival, located between Front Street and River Street near the Stage 2 finish line, will feature a health & fitness expo, cancer awareness education, cycling gear, family activities, bike safety, food, entertainment and more! Kennolyn, along with Gold Arrow Camp, Catalina Island Camps, and Mountain Camp will be represented at our booth entitled "Summer Camps Grow Healthy Kids," promoting the health and emotional benefits that summer camps provide.

There will be plenty to see and do for everyone in your family, so come on down - and don't forget to swing by our booth to say "hi!"