Specialty Camp Highlight: Nocturnal

This Week: Nocturnal

When: - Session 3, July 15 - 20
- Session 5/6, July 31 - August 5

Who:
Campers entering 8th - 12th grade

What: 
This camp is designed for night owls!  Staying up later each night for nighttime hiking, archery, paddleboarding, and more, Nocturnal campers get to experience the magic of Sealth in the dark.  The week wraps up with a trip to the Pt. Robinson lighthouse to watch the sunrise.  Click here to learn more about Nocturnal camp!
 
Act now!  Nocturnal Camp is one of our most popular programs, so don't wait to register!

Specialty Camp Highlight: Splish Splash

This Week: Splish Splash

When: Session 7, August 12-17

Who: Campers entering 4th - 6th grade

What:  Does you have a camper who wants to spend as much time as possible in and on the water, but isn't quite ready for Kiwanis?  This is the camp for them!  Splish Splash campers have time every day for boating, fishing, and swimming on the beautiful Camp Sealth waterfront, as well as a special field trip to the Vashon Pool.  Get wet and stay cool, with plenty of time left over for traditional camp activities.  Click here to learn more about Splish Splash camp!
 
Act now!  Specialty camps are often the first to fill.  Register during the month of December and get a special customized certificate to give to your camper as a holiday gift!

Specialty Camp Highlight: Wacky Science

Registration for Camp Sealth's summer programs opened on Saturday!  To celebrate, we'll be featuring a different one of our specialty camps in our blog for the next several weeks.  In addition to our beloved Wrangler (horse camp), Bullseye! (archery camp), and Kiwanis (boating camp), we have lots of new specialty camps, so stay tuned to see what's in store this summer.

This week:  Wacky Science

When: Session 3, July 15-20

Who: Campers entering 3rd - 5th grade

What:  If your camper loves science experiments and learning by doing, this camp is a perfect fit.  Campers choose the projects they are interested in at the beginning of the week, and every day brings a new opportunity - ooblek, pop bottle rockets, giant bubbles, sun prints, and more - the possibilities are endless!  Learn a lot in a fun environment that won't feel like school, with plenty of time left over for traditional camp activities.  Click here to learn more about Wacky Science camp!
 
Act now!  Specialty camps are often the first to fill.  Register today!

Halloween on Vashon Island

Here at Sealth, we take dressing in costume pretty seriously, so it's no surprise that Halloween is one of our favorite holidays!  We think there's no better way to celebrate than participating in the trick-or-treating fun in the town of Vashon.  Every year, a few blocks of the main street are closed to cars, and instead filled with ghosts, ghouls, princesses, and pirates on the hunt for candy.

Left-right:  Things 1 & 2, Cat in the Hat, Brown Barbaloot, Fox in Socks, The Lorax, The Grinch, and Green Eggs & Ham.
What creative staff we have!

This year, Sealth staff decided on a Dr. Seuss theme for our costumes and decorations.  We dressed as characters from Cat in the Hat, The Grinch, and more, and visitors to our candy table approached through a Truffula forest.
It was a great chance to connect with our neighbors in this wonderful island community, and much fun was had by all!

Camp's horses are ready for the rainy weather!

Camp Sealth would like to give out a heartfelt thank you to one of our community donors.

Island Hardware and Lumber

Thanks to Island Hardware and Lumber, the 5 horses in our Fall/Spring herd now have their very own Weatherbeeta blankets to keep them cozy and dry from the elements, and after last night's downpour, they have been rain-tested and horse approved!

Ozone (left) and Little Red (right) successfully show-off their new waterproof wear.

This upcoming Sunday is our last horse workshop for the season!

We'll be looking forward to the return of your favorites:

Hampton, Benny, Little Red, Becky, and Ozone in the Spring of 2013!

If you're looking for a way to stay involved with horses, or support out programs, we are still looking for care lease homes for two of our horses, Ozone and Little Red. Care leasing is a great opportunity for anyone considering horse ownership, but looking for a trial period or test-run. Our horses are kid-tested and our staff can offer support through the process. Interested in learning more? Click here.

More information on our horse workshops, horse program, and Camp Sealth can be found at www.campsealth.org 

Ready to Ride!

The sun still shines as summer transitions to fall and our horse workshop participants couldn't be happier. This Sunday brought the first horse workshop of the fall 2012 season and we had a blast! 5 girls joined us for a day of riding, learning, sun and fun!

On Saturdays and Sundays in September and October, Camp Sealth is once again offering the full-day workshops to those kids either wanting their first taste of being around horses or those beginner and intermediate riders looking to progress their skills with a schedule that works for them. The cost is $75 for the day of care and horse time, and includes transportation to and from the ferry.

A typical horse workshop day runs from about 9:45 to 4:15. This Sunday our five girls groomed and saddled up then spent their morning in a two hour riding lesson, progressing from the basics of stopping, starting, and steering, to learning to trot and beginning control at a trot. Following a break for lunch, then it was time for a lesson in what it takes to train and desensitize a horse. Each of the girls worked with one of the horses, learning about the need for trust in a relationship at horses as they guided it over a tarp and exposed it to new and 'scary' objects, such as a hula hoop. The day ended with a grooming competition and tail braiding, along with doing barn chores and feeding their new four-legged friends.

If interested in attending or learning more about the workshops, the Junior Riding Staff program, opportunities for group riding, and more information on our horse program, visit campsealth.org/horseworkshops or contact Meaghan Luchau at meaghanl@campfire-usa.org (206) 463-3174 ext. 44

Harry Potter Theme Week Takes Camp Sealth By Storm

It's Harry Potter week at Sealth, and magic is in the air!  Campers have been busy making potions and learning spells.  There have been rumors of a troll seen in the Orchard - maybe it has something to do with tomorrow's Tri-Wizard Tournament!

Our specialty camps are going on some very special journeys this session.  The Kiwanis unit took an overnight canoe trip to a campsite a couple miles north of Sealth, and some Wrangler campers will be riding horses to their overnight sites this evening.

And speaking of overnights, Nocturnal camp 2012 has begun!  You can always identify these brave campers by the sunglasses they wear 'til sundown to protect their night vision.

The session's more than half over, but with two All-Camp Events, Wail Lunch, and Picnic Dinner still to come, who knows what else is in store for Session 3 at the Sealth School of Witchcraft and Wizardry!

Summer Camp Themes!

The 2012 season is underway - the 100 staff that will be our counselors, activity leaders and support staff are in the middle of an intense 10-day training to learn all about their summer jobs.

This week, the staff picked the themes for the eight weeks of camp this summer.  The themes will be incorporated in both overnight and day camp. They brainstormed tons of ideas to make the themes come alive!

This year's summer themes are listed below. Keep in mind that not all campers will get to do every listed activity, but the themes are integrated throughout the camp experience.  Campers are encouraged to bring costumes to help get into the camp spirit!

Wild (Wild) West
Session 1
Experience the days of the Wild West - yeehaw!  Go camping out on the range and learn survival skills, try your hand at roping "cattle" and take part in a Gold Rush or Oregon Trail game.  Bring yer boots and cowboy hat!

Time Warp (Decades)
Session 2
Travel back in time and experience the music and culture from past (or future) decades - go to a sock hop or disco, make tie-dye and build a time machine to get back to the present day.  Dress up in clothes from your favorite decade:  50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s or now.

Harry Potter Theme Week
Session 3
Spend a week as a wizard - go to "classes" like Potions and Herbology, be sorted into houses and compete for house points, and participate in a Quidditch match.

Camp Jurassic
Session 4
Go back to the time of dinosaurs - learn primitive survival skills, hunt for dinosaur eggs and create your own dinosaur.

Olympics
Session 5
Celebrate the London 2012 Olympics - camp style. We'll host our own camp Olympic games, representing and learning about different countries from around the world.  This is your chance to go for the gold!

Sealth Strikes Back (Jedi Theme Week)
Session 6
"Try not.  Do or do not.  There is no try."  Learn to use the Force and practice Jedi skills in this Star Wars themed week:  try out pod-racing, Jedi mind tricks and more.  Light sabers are optional.

Animation Nation
Session 7
This week revolves around the characters and stories from classic animated and children's movies, with lots of opportunities for dress-up, scavenger hunts and much more! Campers can bring costumes from their favorite movie.

Superheroes
Session 8
It's a bird, it's a plane, it's - YOU! Create your own superhero and work with your cabinmates to save the day.  Make costumes, capes and masks (or bring your own) and discover your own super-powers.

New Tractor!

If you've been at Sealth in the last couple days, you may have noticed our newest addition to our vehicle fleet!  Thanks to a generous gift from the Boeing Employees Community Fund, Camp Sealth has a new Kubota tractor.  It will come in handy for all of our hauling, loading, and backhoeing needs!

Assistant Camp Director Plaid! couldn't wait to take the tractor for a spin.

Bikes, Boats, and Bows & Arrows at Special Family Weekend

Memorial Day Weekend is always exciting here at Sealth!  It's our Special Family Weekend - a time for children with special needs and their families to come hang out at camp.  Over 50 families joined us for a three-day weekend of boating, fishing, touch tanks, archery, pony rides, pony & llama petting, crafts, and adaptive bicycles from OutdoorsForAll led by our awesome Camp Sealth staff and volunteers.

Special Family Weekend was started by a Kent Camp Fire club in 1995 as a WoHeLo advocacy, and we are so proud of how much it has grown.  We are also immensely grateful to the individual and corporate donors, DSHS, and Camp Fire fundraisers who, through subsidies and camperships, make it possible for children of all abilities to experience the magic of Sealth.

It's not too early to start planning for next year!  Special Family Weekend 2013 will be May 25th-27th.  For more information, check out www.campsealth.org/specialfamilyweekend.html.  To be added to the SFW mailing list, contact Carrie at carriek@campfire-usa.org.

Horsin' Around through the Spring and Summer!

The horses at Camp Sealth have been hard at work this spring! Over Special Family Weekend May 26^th-28^th , they met many kids who were able to pet, lead, and ride our calm and furry friends. It also proved to be a big and exciting weekend for the horses as they were introduced to llamas for the very first time.

This past weekend was another big day for the crew as Saturday June 2nd,  was our All-Participant Play Day! Families and friends of our spring participants were able to come out and meet the horses they’ve been hearing so much about. Participants led their siblings and parents on pony rides and then participated in a program where they were able to show off the skills they’ve been honing over their weekends at camp.

At the Sunday workshop, our pasture was packed full of kids who were able to not only take their lessons with their trusty steeds, but create friendship bracelets, learn about equine first-aid, lungeing and more!

Camp Sealth's workshops for the rest of the spring are full at this point, but if you have a horse-crazy person itchin’ to get out to camp, we’re gearing up for our summer camp season and our new batch of horses.

June 14^th our herd will grow by an additional 20 horses in preparation for a summer full of trail rides, gymkhana games, beach rides, horse overnights, new staff and of course, kids! Our summer sessions of horse camp are still open, but filling quickly!

 If interested in summer, please checkout our program at: http://campsealth.org/residentcamp.html

Staff Member of the Month: Summer

Alexa, aka Summer, is our June Staff Member of the Month

What’s your name?
Alexa

Do you have a camp name?
Summer

Where are you from?
I’m from Redmond, Washington

What’s your job at Camp Sealth?
I’m an Environmental Education Specialist.  [Editor's note: Since our interview, Summer has been hired as the 2012 Unit Leader for BBH.  We're excited we get to keep her for an extra 10 weeks!]

What do you do when you’re not at camp?
I like hiking, camping, rafting, snowboarding – I’m a ski and snowboard instructor in winter – and spending time with my friends and family.

Where are you an instructor?
I taught at Snoqualmie Pass the last 4 years.

Did you go to camp as a kid?
I did not!  I was in Girl Scouts as a kid and we went to little sleepaway weekends.  I wish I had gone to camp.

Well, now you’re here!
That’s why I was so excited to start working here; I feel like I missed out on it as a kid.

If you could eat one food for the entirety of the camp season, what would it be?
I really like the berry cobbler Mary makes.  It’s good stuff.  I also like pasta in any form.

If you were an animal, what animal would you be? Why? I really like snow leopards, so I’d be a snow leopard, because…they really like the snow?  They like to be outside and they’re really cute animals...Snow is my favorite.

Why did you choose to work at a summer camp?
I’m very passionate about working with children, allowing them to experience nature, learn new skills, and learn about themselves.  I also wanted to have that camp experience I didn’t get as a kid!

What are you most excited to bring to camp?
Passion for the outdoors and a desire to make a difference.

Staff Member of the Month: Dots

May SMotM: Dots!

What’s your name? Dots

Where are you from? Bellevue, Washington

What’s your job at Camp Sealth this summer? Intern 2

What do you do when you're not at camp? In the fall and winter quarter I was attending Highline Community College. I was in the Achieve program.
I go horse back riding every Wednesday from 4:15- until 5:15; the horse that I ride is amazing.

Did you go to camp as a kid? Did you like it?  Yes I went to Camp Sealth as kid. I really did enjoy it was amazing.

What’s your favorite camp food? Waffles on the last morning, grasshopper brownies, pastas.

If you could be cabinmates with any person, living or dead, who would it be?If I could be any cabinmates with any person it would have to be all my friends that I have met recently and become good friends with.

If you were an animal, what animal would you be? Why?  I would be a horse because horses have so much to give and talent, or I be a Goldendoodle Dog because those dogs are the best and great companions and I have one of my own.

Tell us a camp story. I would have to say last summer at Intern training I really enjoyed how all the Interns really connected and become a family.

What does camp mean to you? Camp does so much for people: it makes them who they are, and makes them shine, and you can be yourself without feeling like you’re being judged or not liked by others.  Camp has so many gifts and talents and so much fun to offer.  Camp helped me not to be shy and helped me to be confident and become energetic and I let it show.

Staff Member of the Month: Wonton Soup

Dear Readers:

We're excited to announce the return of our Staff Member of the Month feature!  Every month we'll interview and introduce you to a year-round or seasonal Camp Sealth staff member, what they have to say about camp, and some fun facts about them.  Check back regularly for profiles of your favorite staff members!

April: Wonton (as interviewed by Cheshire)

What’s your name?

My name is Daniel Muzi or Wonton Soup, depending on whether I’m at camp or not at camp.

Where are you from?

I’m from Seattle, Washington.

What’s your job at Camp Sealth this summer?

I’m going to be a Teen Leadership counselor.

What do you do when you're not at camp?

I’ll be in school for at least one more year.  I study animation and game design, with minors in creative writing and math.  I also play video games and…that’s about it.

Did you go to camp as a kid? Did you like it?

I did, and I did!

What’s your favorite camp food?

I really like chicken fettucini alfredo. 

Me too!  I feel like it's underappreciated.

I don’t know if I could call it my favorite, because we don’t have it frequently enough, but every time it’s there, I eat it.

If you could be cabinmates with any person, living or dead, who would it be?

You.

Do you want me to write “Cheshire” or “You”?Good question.

If you were an animal, what animal would you be? Why?

I would be a velociraptor, because they’re beasts.  Not just that they’re bestial, but that they’re just so cool, and smart; they’re the definition of cool.

Tell us a funny camp story.

Last year, at First Night Fun, when we asked campers what things we shouldn’t put in toilets, one camper said “Babies!”  We could not stop laughing.

What does camp mean to you?

It’s like my second home.  I feel more comfortable there than almost any other place, ever, which is awesome.  And it means I get to hang out with Cheshire.

Staff Changes at Sealth

Last month we said a sad farewell to Assistant Camp Director Turbo (aka Eric).  He is now helping build new programs at Camp Berkshire Hills Emanuel in upstate New York, closer to his home state of Pennsylvania. 

“I had an amazing time getting to be out there on the shores of Camp Sealth.  The experience has shaped me in so many ways - having a Floata on Da Boata, getting crazy (even more than usual) for Wail Lunch, and all of the great times we shared.  Now I’m off to make sure another group of campers gets their meal time announcements. Thank you for everything!!!”

But don’t worry, it’s not all melancholy news!  We’re excited to announce Plaid! (aka Rebecca) as our new ACD.  From her years on summer staff, including running the Teen Leadership program last summer, we know Plaid! is a wonderful addition to complete our Summer Leadership team.  

“I am very excited to join the leadership team for this upcoming summer! I look forward to getting Sealth geared up for a new summer of camping and singing The Tennessee Wiggle Walk!"
Please join us in wishing Turbo the best of luck with his new venture, and welcoming Plaid! to the Sealth crew!

Seattle Works Service Projects, Horse Workshop Update, and More!

Sealth thrives on the care and hard work of so many wonderful organizations in the Pacific Northwest.  Last week, a group of volunteers (plus one toddler!) from Seattle Works visited for a service weekend at Sealth.  They worked with our facility staff and put in over 250 volunteer hours, landscaping our new fire extinguisher circle, digging power line ditches, raising the hay tent, and more.  We have another volunteer group from Global Visionaries joining us next weekend for more service projects.

Spring horse workshops (weekends from 4/1-6/10) are filling up, but there are still spots open for riders of any skill level, so register now!  Sign your child up for three dates and get the fourth one free! www.campsealth.org/horseworkshops.html

A lot of our summer staff have been hired, but we are still looking for some positions, especially male counselors, and staff who are 19 years old or older.  Please pass on our website (www.campsealth.org/summercampjobs.html) to anyone you know who you think could make a great Sealth staff member.

Coming soon: Sealth staff head to Camp Killoquah next week for small craft training.  Pictures incoming!  Our blog will also soon restart the “staff member of the month” feature.

Thank You to NCCC and Camp Fire Teens, Hello to Horses!



Silver 1 poses with their legacy at Sealth. We can't thank them enough for their hard work!



Fuji, a Sealth veteran.



Our NCCC Silver 1 team has hammered in the last fence post at Wrangler, and just in time, because the horses are finally here!  Silver 1 left early this morning for their next assignment, but not before they got a chance to take the horses on one of their first rides of the spring.  Among our six new arrivals are Oreo and Howdy, two geldings who appeared in last year's blockbuster Cowboys and Aliens!  Movie stars or not, all of our horses are enjoying their brand new arena.  Along with our great riding program staff and volunteers, they will spend the next three months helping Camp Fire groups and our other horse workshop participants hone their riding skills, then be joined by about twenty more horses for our summer camp season.

A special "Thank you!" shoutout to the teen volunteers from Camp Fire's Horizon program who planned and executed our recent Dad/Kid weekend.  This annual event gives a unique opportunity for dads and honorary dads to bond outdoors with their kids.  This year's weekend was spy themed, so dads and kids wore hand-made disguises, created spy gadgets, and went on a scavenger hunt for clues.  Some quotes from dads:
"The outdoor activities were excellent."
"My daughter had a fun time and can't wait till next year!"
"I will definitely come back. Thank you! You rock!"

Campfire USA Adult Weekend

Last weekend Camp Sealth welcomed nearly one hundred adults for Adult Weekend.  This annual weekend is a chance for adults who have fond memories of camp to experience it again, and for adults who never went to camp to try it out.  As always, we were amazed by the skills participants brought to teach a variety of workshops, from yoga to cake decorating to crafts with glass, old magazines, coffee cans, and more.  Between workshops, catching up with old and new friends, and visits to the camp store, it was a busy weekend!

In other news, NCCC is nearly finished with the new Wrangler arenas.  Our first horses will arrive for spring horse workshops next week, so stay tuned to see how they like it!

Spring Horse Workshop Registration Has Arrived

It’s already that time of year! Registrations are up and available for any individuals interested in attending one (or more) of our horse workshop days this spring. The program will be open to up to 10 attendees a day, with 6 new horses to get to know and love, as well as a whole crew of bright and shining volunteers and staff to get to know. Also be on the lookout for some exciting new developments in the program, new arena fences, and much more!

Information and Registration are available at http://campsealth.org/horseworkshops.html.
For questions: please contact Meaghan Luchau at 206 463 3174 ext. 44 or meaghanl@campfire-usa.org.

All About NCCC Silver 1

We’re excited to be hosting our first Americorps NCCC team of 2012!

A few fun facts about Silver 1: 
- All but one of the crew hails from east of the Mississippi.
- Their team mascot is a cookie cutter named Roy.
- With three team members at the upper age limit, they are one of the oldest teams in NCCC history.
- They are accomplished cooks – last week they hosted a potluck and wowed us with their taco soup.



Team lead Michelle scraping mussels off of the swim dock



Silver 1 is well into their 8-week stay at Camp Sealth, and they’ve been working hard, cleaning up after our winter storm, building trails, and much more – including installing Wrangler’s brand new fence just in time for spring horse workshops!  Stay tuned for more on their service projects and culinary adventures.

Spring Renewal Weekend

Camp Sealth is hosting the next in our series of Renewal Weekends for adults March 30^th to April 1^st!

Horseback trail rides will be offered during the weekend, with programs for everyone, from those who have never ridden a horse before, up to advanced riders looking for adventure!  Arts and crafts activities will include DIY all-natural soap and facial products.  We will also be facilitating recreation and fitness activities including archery, boating, morning runs, and yoga. If you are interested in learning more about the Vashon Island ecology, we will be leading hikes focusing on tree and plant identification, as well as silent, meditative hikes.

The price is $125 per adult, which includes lodging, dining, and all activities.  Please visit www.campsealth.org to register, or contact Elyse Dull at elysed@campfire-usa.org for more information.  Whether you are looking for a new adventure or a relaxing escape, we hope you join us for a weekend of renewal!

NW Trek Community Service Day

When our staff and NCCC Silver 1 crew heard our friends at Northwest Trek Wildlife Park had had some of their exhibits damaged by the winter storm, we pulled on our work boots and headed out for a community service clean-up day.  The weather was great and spirits were high, and in four hours, four very full dump trucks of downed trees and brush were hauled away from the Black Bear Enclosure. 

We were happy for the opportunity to get to know Silver 1 better while providing a helping hand to a local organization in need.  NW Trek has another volunteer day scheduled this Saturday, February 11^th, and plans to reopen all exhibits by February 17^th.  To learn more or help out, check out www.nwtrek.org.

Winter Storm Brings Camp Staff Together



Snowmen in the Orchard



The year-round staff at Camp Sealth have been making the most of stormy conditions over the past two days.  Wednesday brought 5 inches of snow to main camp and 8 inches of snow to upper camp (Dupar and Wrangler).  Thursday brought freezing rain, ice, slush and more snow on top of what we already had.  Driving up the camp road was virtually impossible, so the 11 camp staff and visitors plus 8 Americorps NCCC members have been stranded at camp since Tuesday night.

To celebrate Wednesday's snow day, staff made snowmen in the Orchard, took pictures of the snowfall, went sledding and tubing on the famous Camp Sealth hills and wrapped up the day with a movie & popcorn in Rounds Hall.

As of Thursday afternoon, the freezing rain has turned into snow once again, and looks like it might be accumulating.  Ice from this morning has started to bring down trees and large branches throughout the property.  NCCC has been hard at work clearing snow and ice from porches and walkways in main camp.  Much more storm clean-up will happen after the snow melts.  And although we've been fortunate to not lose power (yet), we expect that it could happen today with the weight of ice and snow on tree branches.

Although it's cold outside, we are staying cozy and warm with the cocoa machine, meals in Rounds Hall, and a great group of people to spend time with!

More pictures of snow at camp can be found on our Facebook page:  www.facebook.com/campsealth. 

Grant Provides New Renewable Energy Curriculum

Camp Sealth has exciting news for those interested in Environmental Education and renewable energy.  We recently received a grant through Puget Sound Engergy to install a turbine and solar panel, as well as expand curriculum used with Environmental Education groups during the spring and fall. We have new units for classes that will directly use our space to teach about several different types of sustainable energy. The new material will start being used within the next couple of months and throughout the spring.


The turbine and solar panel will be up and ready around April of this year and will be used to power the marine touch tanks on the Boata Dock. This will allow students to see an actual example of real-life renewable energy use and apply what they learn about harvesting energy. We also have received supplies for hands on activities that will inspire creativity and imagination along with their scientific basis. Students will be able to build their own solar powered cars or boats to race in camp, construct a turbine to move water and other great activities. From these, students will be able to understand energy ranging from solar and wind power to biomass and tidal energy! They can participate in hands on activities to further their understanding about the use, harvesting and practicality of these forms of energy.

Sealth is thrilled to implement this new aspect of our program as early as next week with a local Vashon Island school, and then in full swing this spring with the schools coming to camp. We will make sure to get some pictures up in the next couple of weeks!