Why I Play

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I cannot feel a single part of my body for I have been standing outside in negative five-degree weather for the past two hours. I have on thermals, wind pants, Under Armour, a sweatshirt a hat and a pair of gloves. Oh, and let’s not forget my kilt and practice jersey. It has been snowing for a while now, but for the past ten minutes, it seems as if the snow is coming up from the turf rather than down from the sky; if that is at all conceivably possible. My coach has blown the whistle and the ball has miraculously fallen into my stick. As I begin to run down the field, I can feel the wind trying to stop me, biting my nose, forcing me to question my trek forward. Faking one way, then dodging the other, I gently place the ball into the top right corner of the net. As the whistle blows to indicate a goal has been scored, I run back to the center of the circle, slapping my teammates high-five with smiles all around. At the moment, I take a second to look at my surroundings and remember the reasons why I play.

It’s not about winning or losing, championship trophies, or who’s better than whom. It’s not about receiving a scholarship, earning post-season honors or making captain. It’s not about the athletic endorsements, the free clothing or being drafted. It’s about pride, teamwork, passion and determination. It’s about the blood, the sweat, the tears and the effort put forth during each game. It’s about that feeling of exhaustion and exhilaration knowing you have just given it your all.

I am an athlete because I portray these characteristics both on and off of the field. Before I am a woman, a friend or a student, I am an athlete and a teammate. My life would be completely unfulfilled had I not been involved in athletics for it has been my source of motivation. My passion for sports has only grown with age. I know that I will never be a professional athlete who plays prime time on ESPN, signs Nike contracts or is featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated. But I do know that I will take each and every practice, game and high five with me throughout the rest of my life, for I have cherished every moment I have stepped out onto that field.

Written 15 years ago by Rachel Millim, Director of Brant Lake Sports Academy. Rachel earned her BS in Sociology from Cornell where she was an All-American Lacrosse player. She was also an All-American Lacrosse player in high school and an All-County basketball player. Post-college, Rachel worked as a NASM Certified Personal Trainer. Her competitive edge has never left as she recently  has completed marathons, triathlons and century rides.

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Family Camp

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对于世界上很多家庭来说，去美国旅游就是他们最大的心愿之一。很多父母为了丰富孩子对世界的了解，会送孩子去旅行，让他们接触不同的地方和文化。计划去新的国家旅游是一件激动人心的事情，因为那里有很多好看的风景和好玩的事情，而且也很难找到其他适合全家一起玩的活动了。且不说去哪或去做什么，出国旅游的家庭就是想要在体验新地方的文化和生活方式的同时也能和家人在一起共度时光。这就是“家庭夏令营”备受这么多国际家庭欢迎的原因，因为美国夏令营举办地既安全又以家庭为中心，全家人都可以沉浸在这种独特的夏令营体验中。

 

参加“家庭夏令营”的家庭可以单独也可组队参加传统夏令营游戏和活动。活动按年龄来分组，这样一来每个家庭成员都可以找到适合自己年龄的活动，连家长也可以。通过合理分配家庭时间和个人时间，让每个家庭成员在彼此联系、相互鼓励的同时，可以发现自己的长处和热情。当全家人集体参与时，必会留下永生难忘的回忆。这些时光弥足珍贵，远离诸如手机和电脑的干扰，让家庭成员建立纽带，真正再次团聚，一起欢笑，一起分享故事，一起亲密地交谈，一起尝试新的事物。“家庭夏令营”可以打开父母和孩子所渴望的讨论和聊天的窗口，并建立对每个家庭成员的成长至关重要的沟通渠道。

 

每天，每个家庭成员可以参加诸如游泳、绳索挑战、艺术和手工艺课程、垒球、摄影、瑜伽和徒步旅行等活动。晚间活动如篝火晚会、竞猜节目和拾荒式寻物游戏则是结束充满乐趣的一天的好方法。“彩色战争”游戏肯定会给全家人带来难忘的回忆。每日提供三餐，餐餐健康美味，同时也是全家人聚餐和聊天的绝佳机会。

 

国际家庭可以一起体验传统的美国夏令营，也可以认识世界各地不同的家庭。多样性、认可度和文化渗透在暑假活动的方方面面，这无疑是父母教导孩子这些观念的绝佳方式。

 

“家庭夏令营”备受国际家庭喜欢的另一个原因在于营地的位置。在“家庭夏令营”度过3-4晚或6晚后，各个家庭可以继续去参观美国的著名地标，比如纽约城和尼亚加拉大瀑布。营地距离拉瓜迪亚机场只有3个小时的路程，方便各个家庭乘坐飞机继续他们一生一次的美国家庭度假之旅。

 

致力于为全家人创造难忘的假期，“家庭夏令营”为全家人提供一站式度假服务，包您喜欢。

 

Farm To Camp: A Summer Camp Experience With A Grown Up Twist

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Something amazing is happening on August 26th-27th, an event that combines the adventure and experience of summer camp with the delicacy of gourmet food from around the region. Farm to Camp is an adults-only summer camp experience packed into one amazing weekend. From a waterfront cocktail hour and a five-star meal under the stars to a wide variety of indoor and outdoor summer camp themed activities, this is an experience you won’t want to miss.

Eat

Farm to Camp starts off with a sunset cocktail party, where campers can mingle with new friends and taste local wines before dinner. After cocktails, an eight-course meal is served at a long table under the stars, surrounded by soft lighting and the gorgeous surroundings of Camp Starlight. Prepared by culinary geniuses, an extensive dinner menu featuring local and organic options will leave taste buds in a state of bliss. Fresh produce from farmers in the Pennsylvania and NY area, and guests all come together for a meal to remember. Even the tableware and serving dishes are environmentally friendly, adding another organic element to this incredible meal. Each plate is handcrafted not only for exceptional taste but for beauty as well. This is sure to be a meal to remember. In the morning, enjoy another exceptional, farm-fresh meal for brunch before you head home.

 

Play

Before the sunset cocktail hour, guests can spend the day feeling like a kid again by participating in many traditional summer camp activities. From tennis and softball to fitness classes and volleyball, guests can experience some of their favorite childhood activities, or branch out and try something new. When was the last time you let your guard down and had some good, clean fun? If it’s been too long, Farm to Camp will be a breath of fresh air. After dinner, guests can explore the grounds, socialize around the campfire, make S’mores, or dance the night away to the beats of a late night DJ.

 

Sleep

There’s only one thing to do after a day of fun and good food: Sleep. Guests can shower, unwind and relax in one of the camp cabins, complete with electricity and hot water. Campers can meet new friends by being assigned to a cabin with other guests, or choose in advance to stay with people they know. Private rooms are also available at an extra charge.

 

Farm To Camp allows guests to relive the summer camp of their childhood with a grown up twist. It allows campers to enjoy healthy, gorgeous, organic meals with good friends and good wine in a weekend that will make them feel like a kid again.

 

Spending a Summer at Camp Weequahic

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For a first time summer camp experience to remember, there’s no better place to spend your summer than Camp Weequahic. Specializing in first time campers, this exiting sleep away camp gives campers a unique camp experience based on a flexible program where their parents can choose from a wide range of options and choices to customize their summer to best suit the camper’s interests, strengths and passions. From high-energy sports like soccer and basketball, to creative outlets like theatre and robotics, Camp Weequahic’s focus on choice, spirit, adventure, tradition and family creates a safe, welcoming and exciting camp experience for those who are new to the summer camp experience. With two three week sessions or the option to stay for all six weeks, families have a lot of flexibility in planning their children’s summer.

The gorgeous waterfront location of Camp Weequahic makes it a picturesque place to experience fun and excitement on the water. The sparkling, spring-fed lake is where campers can try kayaking, water skiing and fishing for the first time, and the lighted and heated waterfront pool offers a refreshing place for a swim. For a more extreme summer camp adventure, campers can step out of their comfort zone and try the ropes course, rock climbing wall, mountain biking or zoom down a 400’ zip line. First time campers become forever campers after spending their summer at Weequahic, and it is easy to see why. The safe, positive and welcoming environment makes first time campers feel right at home, and builds a love and appreciation for the summer camp experience that they will cherish forever.

America’s Finest Family Camp Vacations

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For many international families, making a trip to the United States is high up on their bucket list. Many parents want to give their children the gift of travel and expose them to different places and cultures in order to better shape their understanding of the world. Planning a trip to a brand new country can be overwhelming, as there is so much to see and do, and it can be hard to find activities that the whole family can enjoy together. Regardless of what they do or where they go, families traveling to the states from other countries just want to spend time with each other while experiencing the culture and lifestyle of a new place. This is why so many international families fall in love with Family Camp, as it is a way for the entire family to fully immerse themselves in the American summer camp experience in a place that is safe and family focused.

Families who experience Family Camp together have the opportunity to participate in traditional summer camp games and activities as a group, as well as individuals. Activities are broken up by age group, so everyone in the family can find something they love that is age appropriate, even the adults. Having a balance of family time and individual time helps each member discover their strengths and passions while encouraging, inspiring, and connecting with each other at the same time. When the family comes together as a whole, lifelong memories are made. This precious time void of distractions like cell phones and laptops allows family members to bond and really reconnect, to laugh, share stories, have intimate conversations and try new things together. Family Camp opens up windows of discussion and conversation that parents and kids are craving, and establishes a line of communication that is vital for the growth of each member.

Each day, every family member can participate in activities such as swimming, ropes courses, arts and crafts, softball, photography, yoga and hiking. Evening programs like campfires, game shows and scavenger hunts are a great way to end a day full of fun, and special events like The Color War are sure to create lasting memories for the whole family. Three healthy and delicious meals are served a day and serve as another great opportunity for the whole family to come together, enjoy a meal, and have some meaningful conversations.

International families can experience the traditional American summer camp experience together and can get to know other families from all across the globe. This is an awesome way for parents to teach their children about diversity, acceptance, and culture, all disguised as the best summer vacation they’ve ever had.

Another reason international families love Family Camp is because of the location. After a 3, 4 or 6 night experience at Family Camp, families can move on to see some of the country’s famous landmarks, such as New York City and Niagara Falls. The camp is only 3 hours from LaGuardia Airport, making it easy for families to jump on a flight and continue their once in a lifetime USA family vacation.

For a memorable vacation for the whole family, Family Camp is a one-stop shop for a vacation the whole family will love.

 

Camp pour les familles

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Pour bien des familles étrangères, aller aux États-Unis se trouve en haut de la liste des rêves à réaliser. Nombreux sont les parents qui veulent offrir à leurs enfants l’occasion de voyager et de découvrir différents endroits et cultures pour mieux comprendre le monde. Préparer un voyage dans un tout nouveau pays peut sembler une tâche énorme car il y a tant à voir et à faire et trouver des activités qui plaisent à tous peut être difficile. Quelles que soient leurs destinations ou leurs activités, les familles qui viennent aux États-Unis veulent passer du temps ensemble tout en découvrant la culture et le style de vie du pays. C’est pour cette raison que beaucoup de familles étrangères adorent le Camp pour les familles car c’est une façon pour une famille entière de s’immerger dans un camp d’été américain et de vivre cette expérience en sécurité dans un endroit où prime la famille.

 

Les familles qui font l’expérience du Camp pour les familles ont l’occasion de participer à des jeux et des activités typiques d’un camp d’été en tant que groupe et individuellement. Les activités sont divisées par groupes d’âge et donc, tous les membres de la famille peuvent trouver une activité qu’ils adorent, même les parents. L’équilibre entre le temps consacré à la famille et aux individus permet à chacun de découvrir ses forces et ses passions tout en encourageant et en inspirant les autres et en se rapprochant d’eux. Lorsque la famille se retrouve, elle s’est créé des souvenirs impérissables. Ces instants précieux, sans distractions dues aux téléphones ou aux ordinateurs portables, leur permettent de resserrer leurs liens et de se retrouver, de rire, de partager des histoires, d’avoir des conversations intimes et d’essayer ensemble de nouvelles choses. Grâce au Camp pour les familles, parents et enfants peuvent enfin avoir ces discussions dont ils ont envie et qui établissent une ligne de communication vitale au développement de chacun.

 

Tous les jours, les membres de la famille participant à diverses activités comme la natation, les courses à la corde, les arts, le softball, la photographie, le yoga et la randonnée. Les programmes de soirée, tels que feux de camp, spectacles et chasses aux trésors, finissent en beauté ces journées de plaisir et des événements spéciaux comme La guerre des couleurs créeront à coup sûr de super souvenirs pour toute la famille. Trois bons repas sont servis tous les jours et offrent encore à la famille l’occasion de se réunir, partager un repas et une bonne conversation.

 

Les familles étrangères font ensemble l’expérience d’un camp d’été américain traditionnel et rencontrent d’autres familles venues du monde entier. Quelle merveilleuse façon pour les parents d’apprendre à leurs enfants la diversité, la tolérance et la culture sous le couvert de leurs meilleures vacances estivales !

 

Une autre raison pour laquelle les familles étrangères adorent le Camp pour les familles est l’emplacement. Après avoir passé 3, 4 ou 6 nuits au Camp, elles peuvent aller voir des sites connus comme New York ou les Chutes du Niagara. Le Camp ne se trouve qu’à 3 heures de l’aéroport de La Guardia, ce qui permet aux familles de sauter dans un avion et de continuer les vacances de leur vie aux États-Unis.

 

Pour des vacances mémorables pour tous, le Camp pour les familles est un tout-en-un que tous les membres d’une famille vont adorer.

 

Mentally Preparing for Brant Lake Sports Academy

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Spring has finally sprung here in the Northeast; birds are chirping, the grass is greener and families are starting to get ready for camp. So, what exactly does that mean? Of course, you need the proper gear, but once you’ve put name tags on all of your clothing, flashlights, goggles, toiletries, etc., you should be good to go, right? Not always! Some kids (and parents) need to prepare for what is about to happen – getting on that plane or bus and leaving home. Whether it’s for one week, three weeks, or seven weeks, all first-time campers have that feeling of butterflies in their stomach. So the real question is: how do we mentally prepare for our first successful camp session?

  1. Talk about camp with your child. Sharing camp stories will give you something to bond over with your son or daughter.
  1. Talk to your camp director. There is a reason why camp directors do what they do and it’s because the LOVE their job. And they have this magical ability to set a camper’s mind at ease.
  1. Connect to your camps social media pages. Facebook, Instagram and YouTube are just a few amazing ways to get an insider’s view of what your camp is all about.
  1. Have a positive attitude. SMILE. You are sending your child to an excellent camp, so be confident in the staff and let your kids be kids for a few weeks.

 

Many of our first-time campers are dropped off smiling, but with a bit of fear of the unknown. As we know, that is the greatest fear of all. With that in mind, our goal is to have them leave with memories filled with unique experiences, loving friendships and massive smiles that will last them until the next summer.

Brant Lake Dance Camp is Where I Feel at Home

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When I was 17 and applying for college, one of the questions on the common app was: “Where do you feel most at home?”. Brant Lake Dance Camp was the first place I thought about and still do to this day whenever this question is posed. I started attending Brant Lake as a baby because my dad was the modern dance teacher, and when I was old enough to be a camper I jumped at the opportunity. When I was looking for a summer job before going off to college, I knew exactly where I wanted to be.

Now here I am three years later, a rising senior at American University, and Brant Lake is the only place I could image spending my summers. While my peers clutter their resumes with unpaid internships and “real-world” experiences, I count the stars in upstate New York and think about the invaluable lessons I have learned at such a unique place.

I reminisce about learning a double time step in Tap 2 when I was 13 and about winning lip-sync my final summer as a camper at 15, but mostly I think about how my life continues to be shaped by the incredible people who also call Brant Lake home. I have joined a family for life, and I hope I can emanate that sensation to every new camper, parent, and visitor who steps on our grounds and into our lives.

Brant Lake teaches leadership. It teaches commitment and confidence. It fosters friendships and mentorships the supersede any that I have experienced to this day.

While nothing beats the thrill of a great afternoon swim in gorgeous Brant Lake… or leading a camp-wide evening activity called “LassaPallooza”, the moments I will never forget are the sing-a-longs on the arts and crafts bead porch, the hours spent sipping hot chocolate on the Adirondack chairs, or the numerous times giving advice to campers the way it was given to me nearly a decade ago.

The amount of pride I have in the work we do at Brant Lake is unmatched. Seeing my campers grow into intelligent, empathetic, caring, and beautiful young women year after year is what keeps me coming back. There is a lot that changes in a year, and I love hearing about all of the incredible things they have done. We have less then two months until drop-off day, and I can’t wait. With a walkie-talkie on my hip, a clipboard in my hand, and enough bug spray to make it through five weeks…I am home.

So while my peers clutter their resumes, I count down the days till I can jump in the lake and walk up that hill.

How Camp Helps Children be More Inclusive of People Who Have Different Life Experiences

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One of the most amazing things about camp is all of the different people who come together to make it the place that it is. Kids from all different backgrounds, races, cultures, religions and life experiences spend the summer laughing, playing and learning together. In most cases, kids meet other kids at camp that they may have never met in their small hometowns. Even campers who come from big cities have an opportunity to meet other kids from small, rural farming communities. Spending the summer at camp is a great lesson in inclusion and creating a global community.

Being surrounded by kids who come from a different place and have different life experiences helps to teach acceptance, tolerance and an appreciation for diversity. It also requires campers to step out of their normal cliques and interact with kids who they may not normally interact with in their everyday lives. Athletes and musicians bond over campfire s’mores, theatre lovers and adventure seekers team up during camp activities, bookworms and dance enthusiast’s share late night conversations in the cabins. Campers expand their social horizons by putting away their preconceived notions about people who are different than they are and confronting stereotypes head on.

When you get hundreds of young people together with different views, lifestyles, beliefs and opinions, it is a great opportunity for them to learn how to overcome differences in a respectful way. When they ask questions instead of making assumptions, they make steps towards educating themselves, which develops into understanding and acceptance.

Campers always come away from camp amazed at how much they learned from their new friends. Some campers come home with a brand new perspective on the world around them, and a new appreciation for how big and diverse the world really is. They teach each other new languages, educate each other on how their families celebrate holidays, explain traditions and rituals, and expose each other to a way of life different than their own.

Being at camp prepares campers for the real world, where they will constantly be working, living and playing with people from different cultures, races, religions and backgrounds. Camp instills the importance of respecting others from day one, and teaches to celebrate and embrace diversity.

There’s Nowhere Like Camp Laurel

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Campers come to camp with a lot of different things. They bring different life experiences, different expectations, and different strengths, ideas, and interests. But they all leave with the same things: lifelong memories, increase in skill and a whole bunch of new friends. Camp Laurel has a unique way of calming nerves of first time campers, and making everyone feel included. Counselors know their campers as if they were their own children.. It is a great camp for kids who are outgoing and kids who may be a little shy –because everyone finds a space where they belong. And speaking of space, the facilities at Camp Laurel are top-notch, and the high-tech equipment makes each activity that much more enjoyable.

From lush green fields for outdoor sports to a nine-mile-lake, fifteen all-weather tennis courts, to a modern fitness gym, , a 2,500 square foot dance studio to  a full Equestrian Center with 22 horses, not only does Camp Laurel offer incredible experiences, but beautiful spaces to do them in. In a world where kids try to navigate the “us” vs. “them” dynamic at school each day, Camp Laurel is a welcome change fostering inclusion, community, and togetherness. Campers come to Camp Laurel as strangers and leave with best friends for life.