Post on 30-Aug-2018
transcript
HALE RESERVATION GREATER BOSTON YMCA Day Camp WESTWOOD
CAMPER QUOTES
“I love finding new places to explore.
After 5 years of being here, there are
still new places to see.”
“I love the ropes courses. Being that
high in the air is thrilling.”
“Hale is where I learned to swim, and
I love being able to swim. If you love
nature, than Hale is your camp!”
STAFF HIGHLIGHT
Nicole Horan
Like many of our campers, I started at Hale as a
Pee Wee when I was 5 years old. Every summer
since then I have returned, and have moved up
from being a camper, to a Counselor In Training
(CIT), to a full camp counselor and as a Camp
Director. There are so many reasons why I have
decided to come back, some of which are the
hikes, the ropes course, swimming, the theme
weeks and most of all the great staff and
campers that I have been able to work with year
after year.
GREATER BOSTON YMCA
316 Huntington Ave,
Boston MA 02115
www.ymcaboston.org/camps
This camp must comply with regulations of the
Massaschusetts Department of Public Health and
be licensed by the local Board of Health
HISTORY OF THE Y @ HALE
The Greater Boston Y has held camp at Hale
Reservation for over 15 years, and is still based
out of the same cabin as it was on the first day
of camp. Our camp is a staple, and we do our
very best to make camp a highlight to our
campers’ year and a favorite place to return to
each summer. Even though our camps continue
to be successful, each year we re-evaluate how
we operate to make sure that we stay fresh!
THE FUN THAT WE HAVE
Themed Weeks & Special Days
There is no shortage of fun to be had at Hale
Reservation. Our staff have the best ways of
taking advantage of all that is offered. Whether
it’s themed weeks, or special events and days,
the campers always have plenty to look forward
to when spending their days at Hale.
There are many long-standing camp traditions
that are still alive and well to this day at Hale!
Like any great camp, skits have always been a
huge part of what the counselors and campers
do throughout the summer. Every other Friday
each group performs their skit for the entire
camp and finishes the day off with a pizza
party. Another tradition is the
Annual Bake-Off between the counselors,
where children create banners, have a parade
and create a cheering section during the mock
cook-off show.
In order to mix up the camp experience and also
have fun, the campers are encouraged to
participate in the theme days throughout the
summer. Examples of themes that have been
done are Halloween Day, Crazy Hat Day, Twin
Day and Mismatch Day. We also have entire
weeks devoted to fun and excitement. The most
popular have been Olympic Week and Ninja
Week, which are both centered around
challenges which build up to an awards
ceremony, complete with medals!
Many of the campers’ and counselors’ favorite
camp memories are centered around all-camp
challenges such as the Amazing Race, Clue
Day, Scavenger Hunts and the creation of a
camp movie:
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZW_5CHbi-Fc)
The movie is a sequel to one filmed around
2005 which included both campers and staff.
Activities That Are Unique to Hale Camp
One of the many perks of hosting our camp at
Hale Reservation is that we are able to take
advantage of some excellent, and sometimes life
-changing activities. Each week, the children
have the opportunity to participate in the
following activities: Boating, Fishing, Hiking,
Archery (ages 7 and up), Swim Lessons, and
use of the Ropes Course (ages 8 and up).
What Makes Hale So Special
Our camp is made up of many long time staff,
and it is very common for children to come back
year after year, moving up the ranks from
camper to CIT to counselor. This is a special
component to keeping Hale such a great place
to spend a summer. The counselors know Hale
Reservation and keep the fun traditions alive.
The counselors are a tight-knit group, and the
culture at Hale incorporates all of the groups,
so that campers know the entire staff within
their first few days at camp.
The Greater Boston Y has held a
Day Camp at Hale Reservation for
over 15 years, with many of our
counselors starting as campers.
Pee Wee trip to Turtle Pond
Annual Bake Off