Today our courageous group of campers and staff that make up Stone Mountain Adventures Session 3 went white water rafting on the mighty Youghiogheny River!  It was a great day on the river:

• The weather was perfect with blue skies 
• Our guides with Wilderness Voyagers were fantastic
• The SMA campers and staff of 3rd Session were brave and enthusiastic

Check out this video slideshow!

After a fantastic First Session all of us at Stone Mountain Adventures were thrilled to welcome our Second Session Campers on Sunday, July 7^th.   We had about 15 “hold over” campers from First Session who stayed on to join us for second Session.  Opening day was full of greeting new families, unpacking leaning names and generally getting settled at camp.  We started off the week with the first of many ‘Nuke ‘Em’ games, followed by a dip at Greenwood Lake (otherwise known as Freezewood!). After a delicious meal, some camp games & a wonderful evening meeting, we were off to the cabins to get a good night’s sleep ahead of a big first full day of camp!

Traditional Overnight Summer Camp has it's benefits.  But for some families, a Non-Traditional Overnight Summer Camp is just the right fit!  I challenge you to Declare Your Independence Traditional Overnight Camp and see if a Non-Traditional Overnight Camp Experience is the right one for your child!

What are the differences between Traditional and Non-Traditional Overnight Camps?

This is a great question and good place to start.  In this blog post I will explore the major differences between "Traditional Overnight Camp" and "Non-Traditional Overnight Camp".

On Sunday we were excited to welcome our much anticipated first session of campers back to camp after an incredible ten days of staff training! We started off the week with the first of many ‘Nuke ‘Em’ games, followed by a dip at Greenwood Lake (otherwise known as Freezewood!). After a delicious meal, some camp games & a wonderful evening meeting, we were off to the cabins to get a good night’s sleep ahead of a big first full day of camp!

All of us at Stone Mountain Adventures are excited to introduce our 2019 All Star Staff Team:

Today is the day that we set aside time to express our gratitude for all that Moms do.  Moms are special, they are patient and supportive and most importantly there when we need her most.  The great Stevie Wonder said "Mama was my greatest teacher, a teacher of compassion, love and fearlessness.  If love is sweet as a flower, then my mother is that sweet flower of love."

You have decided to send your child to a specific overnight camp summer. Now, the next big question is, "How long should I send my child to overnight camp for?"

Most overnight summer camps offer a variety of session length options, usually one to eight weeks and everything in between. In this blog post we'll explore some questions that you can answer for yourself that will assist you in finding the ideal session length for your child.

The sport of mountain biking is growing exponentially, and this is especially true for kids and teenagers.  Here are some of the reasons that mountain biking is good for kids and teenagers:

Kids “Unplug” and Reconnect with Nature:

Kids and Teens today are often referred to as “screenagers”. According to a report by Common Sense Media tweens age 8 to 12 spend 6 hours a day in front of screen while teens spend 9 hours on screens.  Mountain biking inherently takes place in nature.  Kid and teens who mountain bike reconnect with nature often without even realizing it. There really isn’t anything like being outside and breathing fresh air.  Kids who take time to unplug connect with nature can have a positive effect on their entire mind, body and spirit.

For many Americans attending a summer camp of some sort what a huge part of their childhood.  For those who attended an overnight summer camp in their tween and teen years the impact of camp on their lives is even greater.  Here are five life lessons you can learn at an overnight summer camp:

Build Relationships and Make New Friends

The friendships that you build at summer camp are strong and enduring.  When you attend an overnight camp, everything is new:

• You are sleeping and living in a in a new place
• The food you may be eating is different than what you are used to
• Your daily routine is totally different and new
• You are trying new activities everyday

When have all these experiences you can’t help but feel connected to the people you are sharing them with.  The memories, the friendships and the bonds built at summer camp are unique, special and enduring. 

All of us at Stone Mountain Adventures (SMA) would like to take a moment and wish you a Happy Valentine's Day!

Earlier this year Blue Knob Ski Area announced that they were hosting the First Annual "Snow Fest" From Friday 2/8/19 through Sunday 2/10/19.  Events included the following:

Stone Mountain Adventures Teen Summer Camp will be in Cherry Hill, NJ on Monday, February, 11th to attend a Teen Summer Expo!

When: Monday, February 11, 2019 from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM

Where: Milton & Betty Katz JCC (map)

How can You Help an Anxious Teen Look Forward to Summer Camp?

If your child has anxiety about attending a sleepaway summer camp there are some strategies that you as a parent can use to help them prepare and stay calm in the weeks leading up to the opening day of camp.  More than one in 20 kids and teens in America have anxiety or depression and for the majority, this won’t stop them from going to camp. If your child is excited about their upcoming adventure but is a little worried that anxiety may stop them from making the most of the experience, how can you help them keep their ‘fight or flight response’ in check?

Making Arrangements with Friends

Kids who have anxiety can feel much more comfortable about going to camp if friends they know will be joining them. It probably won’t be difficult to get friends excited about a camp at Stone Mountain Adventures, where kids can take part in so many amazing water and mountain activities. Even if friends are doing other things, let your child know that Stone Mountain Adventures is special because there are only about 60 campers per session. Therefore, there is a warm family atmosphere that will help your teen feel protected at all times.

SMA Teen Summer Camp Director and Owner Jud Millar will be traveling north to attend a Summer Opportunities Camp Fair hosted by the Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts.  The Summer Opportunities Camp Fair will be help on Sunday, January 27, 2019 from 12pm to 3pm.  The will be the 29th year that the Phillips Academy has hosted this camp fair.   This fair is designed to give middle and high school students and their families the chance to meet with representatives from approximately 100 local, national and international summer programs.  A wide range of programs will be represented here, including those that focus on academics, language study, community service, sleepaway teen camps, sports, mountain biking summer camps for teenagers, arts, research, internships, outdoor adventure, and international travel.

What: Summer Opportunities Camp Fair

When: Sunday, January 27, 2019 from 12pm to 3pm

Where: The Phillips Academy, 180 Main St, Andover, MA 01810 

SMA Summer Camp for Teens Director and Owner Jud Millar will be in Darien, CT on Saturday, January 26 for a Camp Fair.  The camp fair will be hosted by Tips on Trips and Camps and is designed to be a place where families with kids ages 8 to 18 can learn about sleepaway camps, creative and performing arts camps, sports camps, internships, community service opportunities, travel programs and more.  

What: Camp Fair for kids ages 8 to 18

Where: Darien High School (cafeteria)

      80 High School Lane, Darien, CT
When: Saturday, January 26 from  1 to 3:30 

Stone Mountain Adventures will be attending the Greenwich High School Camp Fair know as the "Summerfare" on Wednesday, January 23, 2019 from 6:00 - 8:00 PM.  Come see Camp Director and Owner Jud Millar at the Summerfare!

When:
Wednesday, January 23, 2019
6:00 - 8:00 PM

(snow date, Thursday, January 24, 2019)

Where:
GHS Student Center
10 Hillside Road
Greenwich, CT 06830

Camp Director Jud Millar will be on hand tonight at the Main Line Camp Fair.  You will find him at the SMA booth chatting with families about the summer:

When: Wednesday, January 16, 2019 from 5:30pm – 8:00pm

Where: Conestoga High School, 200 Irish Road, Berwyn, PA

One lucy person who attend will win a $350 voucher towards any of the participating camps.  The winner will be chosen at the end of the evening.

Irrespective of whether you are an new camper eight year- old battling with anxiety, a 12-year-old veteran camper struggling with concentration and expressive regulation, or a counselor who is just anxious and astounded, these three simple practices and breathing exercises can lessen tension, increase contentment, and generate permanent behaviors for wellness and pliability.