Camp Foley is proud to bring you the history of Fencing...well, at least the history according to our most recent group of campers who attended our "Video Madness" class here at camp.
Check out this hilarious video created by our campers who let their creative sides run wild!
Showing posts with label lakes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label lakes. Show all posts
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Why the world needs summer camp
It is not easy for parents to make the decision to send their child away into the waiting arms of strangers who promise to take care of them – people who promise to show them the wonders of nature, fun, new skills, and friendships.
Jeff Merhige, executive director of YMCA Camp Kern, believes the world needs the next generation to be more tolerant of each others views, ideology and beliefs. Summer camp is an opportunity for children to be exposed to the best of human character. Trends show that children are making more friends online than at any other time in the past. This in itself is a startling statistic because it lends itself to children to desire to spend more and more time online and therefore away from a healthy real-life social environment.
Camp Foley enables campers to meet kids and staff from all over the world - from many races, cultures and socioeconomic cultures! Foley teaches children valuable skills, including social skills and challenges in a wide range of physical activities. These skills could never be taught from a computer screen.
Camp is a place where kids interact with people face-to-face, and at the same time, learn about themselves and others around a camp fire.
Growing up in the UK, summer camp was simply not an option for me as a child. Unfortunately the United Kingdom does not offer these kind of precious opportunities. I believe that the youth of the UK would benefit greatly from being able to attend summer camp much in the same way that American kids can. Personally I would have loved the opportunity when I was young. My advice: truly embrace this opportunity!
- Ricky Searson, Assistant Director
Jeff Merhige, executive director of YMCA Camp Kern, believes the world needs the next generation to be more tolerant of each others views, ideology and beliefs. Summer camp is an opportunity for children to be exposed to the best of human character. Trends show that children are making more friends online than at any other time in the past. This in itself is a startling statistic because it lends itself to children to desire to spend more and more time online and therefore away from a healthy real-life social environment.
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| Camp Foley... where kids can be KIDS! |
Camp is a place where kids interact with people face-to-face, and at the same time, learn about themselves and others around a camp fire.
Growing up in the UK, summer camp was simply not an option for me as a child. Unfortunately the United Kingdom does not offer these kind of precious opportunities. I believe that the youth of the UK would benefit greatly from being able to attend summer camp much in the same way that American kids can. Personally I would have loved the opportunity when I was young. My advice: truly embrace this opportunity!
- Ricky Searson, Assistant Director
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Ice Ridge
So, maybe I am the only one that has never heard of an ‘Ice Ridge’, but after this winter I now know what they are! Take a look at what Whitefish Lakes massive ice sheet can do.
From the Department of Natural Resources, “Minnesota winters can produce a phenomenon called "ice jacking". This powerful natural force forms a feature along the shoreline known as an "ice ridge." The result may include significant damage to retaining walls, docks and boat lifts, cabins, and public boat launching facilities.” If you want to see more photos of what the ice jacking can do – check this out...
More information can be found on the DNR website.
Until next time!
- Chris Mathiowetz, Director
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| An Ice Ridge, photographed on Whitefish Lake. |
More information can be found on the DNR website.
Until next time!
- Chris Mathiowetz, Director
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Living Room In The Woods
I recently read a great article written by Richard Dolesh which really highlighted the need for places for kids to play - "A Living Room In The Woods".
Dolesh tells us “A park manager from Five Rivers MetroParks in Dayton, OH, Todd Catchpole, recently told me about finding a secret nature place built by kids in one of their parks.” “The tableau was constructed from grape vines, stones, and other natural materials gathered from the nearby stream and populated by small dolls and toy furniture and decorated with fresh daffodils.”
Five Rivers MetroParks has designated a number of Nature Play areas in their parks, and this discovery was more than the creators could have wished for. “It was a delightful place, full of the imagination of children at play.”
This “Living Room in the Woods” highlights an important truth – the immense value of parks and places of recreation for kids. “Parks are one of the primary places that kids – and parents – can connect to nature and the outdoors. This got me thinking...this is also true of summer camps! Like parks, they’re a source of true nature and the perfect place where kids can play safe and learn. Summer camps offer a haven for children to explore the great outdoors, away from stranger dangers, and they offer an environment that is tailored towards their positive development. In today's fast-paced world, it's all too easy to overlook this essential necessity that is so important to the growth of tomorrows leaders.
- Ricky Searson, Assistant Director.
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| An outdoor living room, created by kids in Dayton, OH. |
Five Rivers MetroParks has designated a number of Nature Play areas in their parks, and this discovery was more than the creators could have wished for. “It was a delightful place, full of the imagination of children at play.”
This “Living Room in the Woods” highlights an important truth – the immense value of parks and places of recreation for kids. “Parks are one of the primary places that kids – and parents – can connect to nature and the outdoors. This got me thinking...this is also true of summer camps! Like parks, they’re a source of true nature and the perfect place where kids can play safe and learn. Summer camps offer a haven for children to explore the great outdoors, away from stranger dangers, and they offer an environment that is tailored towards their positive development. In today's fast-paced world, it's all too easy to overlook this essential necessity that is so important to the growth of tomorrows leaders.
- Ricky Searson, Assistant Director.
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Foley Encourages Wellness and Healthy Living
There’s no denying that childhood obesity is becoming a bigger and bigger problem. An alarming study by Olshansky et al., 2005 reports that the current generation of children may have shorter life expectancies than their parents for the first time in over two centuries. The rapid rise in childhood obesity in America may shorten children’s lifespan by two to five years. Almost one-third of children between the ages of two and nineteen years are overweight and 17% of those are classified as obese!
Being overweight or obese can be a serious health concern for both adults and children. Overweight and obesity is generally defined as having excess body weight for a particular height measured by Body Mass Index (BMI). Children who are 10-20% over the appropriate weight for their height are considered to be overweight, and children who are more than 20% over their ideal weight are classified as obese.
With this problem in mind I was urged to find out what exactly are the best steps in order to reverse this problem. I was pleasantly surprised by how closely Foley's daily schedule mirrors those recommended steps. www.livestrong.com states providing nutritious meals with fruits and vegetables as the number one recommendation. Ensuring children get at least 60 minutes of exercise, limit TV viewing and setting a good example from adult role models are the following three recommendations for curbing obesity.
Let's put that into the perspective of camp. Fresh fruit and vegetables are served in our kitchen every day and our campers are encouraged to eat at least one portion at every meal. With over 30 activities to choose from, kids get their 60 minutes per day of exercise in abundance! Adult role models in the form of Counselors, Directors and Assistant Directors who offer support, and also eat the same healthy menu that is served to our campers! This positive role modelling goes a long way to influence children to make healthy eating and exercise choices.
- Ricky Searson, Assistant Director
Being overweight or obese can be a serious health concern for both adults and children. Overweight and obesity is generally defined as having excess body weight for a particular height measured by Body Mass Index (BMI). Children who are 10-20% over the appropriate weight for their height are considered to be overweight, and children who are more than 20% over their ideal weight are classified as obese.
With this problem in mind I was urged to find out what exactly are the best steps in order to reverse this problem. I was pleasantly surprised by how closely Foley's daily schedule mirrors those recommended steps. www.livestrong.com states providing nutritious meals with fruits and vegetables as the number one recommendation. Ensuring children get at least 60 minutes of exercise, limit TV viewing and setting a good example from adult role models are the following three recommendations for curbing obesity.
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| There are plenty of opportunities for exercise. |
- Ricky Searson, Assistant Director
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
The importance of playing with your children
I am totally happy as a parent when I am outside “playing” with my children. A highlight over Christmas vacation was the adventures on frozen Whitefish Lake! We walked, we skated, and we played with the dogs. We laughed and visited with family and friends as we marveled at the beauty of nature. It is in those silly moments that the bonds of family are strengthened.
Kylie sprawled out on the ice with
Nike as if above the water.
Skating all over
Whitefish Lake!
The same is true for our campers as they become part of their “camp family” – it is in those moments of gazing at the stars, watching the sunset, or dangling their feet in the water, that they come to value their deep friendships with each other and the beauty of nature! Let’s partner together and “play” with our children!
- Marie Schmid, Executive Director, Camp Foley
Kylie sprawled out on the ice with
Nike as if above the water.
The ice was so clear that you could see the Crayfish
moving on the lake bottom.
Skating all over
Whitefish Lake!
The same is true for our campers as they become part of their “camp family” – it is in those moments of gazing at the stars, watching the sunset, or dangling their feet in the water, that they come to value their deep friendships with each other and the beauty of nature! Let’s partner together and “play” with our children!
- Marie Schmid, Executive Director, Camp Foley
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