Director Jud's Blog

This is Camp Director and Owner Jud Millar: Our initial goal was to determine if it was safe and responsible to hold summer camp in the wake of the global COVID-19 pandemic assuming we are allowed to open by local government. After working through the nuances of camp with Infectious Disease Epidemiologist, Cara Exten, and utilizing guidance published by the Pennsylvania Department of Health, CDC, WHO, and the American Camp Association (all resources listed on page 18), we have determined that it is possible to run a safe and responsible summer program with some changes to our programming and the addition of certain safety protocols. Bear in mind, if we are not permitted by law to open, we will not legally be able to hold our summer program.

We recently learned that  Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf announced that Huntingdon County will move to the Green Phase this Friday, June 19.

Now it's our turn to make an announcement:

                                              WE CAN RUN CAMP THIS SUMMER!!

We are literally Jumping for Joy!

We are close to making a decision about the SMA Summer of 2020 but we are not there yet:

• On Friday, June 5th Governor Tom Wolf announced that 12 PA Counties would move to the Green Phase. Unfortunately, Huntingdon County was not one of them and remains in the Yellow Phase due to cases in the 2 state penitentiaries located in our county. 
• We have been advised to delay making a decision until Saturday, 6/20 to make a decision about SMA Session 2. That will give us all 22 days notice If we can or cannot run that session. 
• Click Here to learn more about PA Governor’s Red, Yellow Green Phase Re-Opening Plan and how it affects Stone Mountain Adventures.

SMA COVID19 Protocol Update

This is Camp Director and Owner Jud Millar from Stone Mountain Adventures (SMA).  First, I want to start off by thanking you all for your continued support, patience, and understanding during this difficult time. We are incredibly grateful for all the positive phone calls and e-mails in response to the video that my daughter Molly and I made addressing the “What If’s” of the SMA summer of 2020. I’ve always said we’ve had the greatest families at Stone Mountain Adventures and this was even more evident during this extraordinary time. 

Rock climbing has changed quite a bit over the past few decades. The gear has gotten better, the safety protocols have improved, and the general knowledge of climbing has increased. People are pushing themselves even further than what was previously thought possible, and climbing routes that used to be looked at as “impossible” are now being conquered.

        With all of these advances in climbing though, a few aspects have remained unchanged; how good climbing is for one’s physical and mental state and the inevitable improvements with hand-eye coordination.

Check out this video of Molly Millar trying to solve the biggest mystery of all: What's Happening With Camp This Summer?  

Life can get busy and in the hectic daily routine of school, family and work, taking time to plan various trips (including summer camp) can help to improve many aspects of mental and physical health.  It is indeed that physical activities can enhance the courage, strength, stamina, and durability of the body.

We are all living in uncertain times.  COVID19 has altered every aspect of our lives as we all shelter in place and practice social distancing.  Social connection is still important  to all of us and it has been incredible to see how many people in our Stone Mountain Adventures family took time to dig out their favorite SMA T-shirt and post it online.  Check out this video #smaTshirtWeek:

We are excited to announce that this is Stone Mountain Adventures Camp T-Shirt Week! #SMAtshirtweek

Dear Stone Mountain Adventures Families: 

Most children love animals.  If you grew up with a family pet, you know that they can be cute, fun-loving and oh-so-cuddly.  But did you know that having a family pet in your home can benefit children’s lives?

Research has demonstrated that having a pet in your home and having daily encounters with pets assists kids with creating positive qualities. A connection with a furry friends can help kids alleviate anxiety, teach responsibility, keep kids active and while making kids happy.  They same is true at summer camp.  We find that new campers who attend our overnight summer camp and interact with camp pets at least once a day assimilate to live at camp better.

What Animals Do We Have at SMA Teen Summer Camp?

There is a need to support the physical activities of the children as well as their mental well-being for the proper development of the children. For doing so, we should try to develop a growth mindset approach to everything, we do. Kids should be encouraged to make healthy choices and make sure that their academic curriculum is balanced with a variety of extra-curricular activities. Summer camp activities offer this balance for kids.

Camp Director and Owner Jud Millar will represent Stone Mountain Adventures at the Acton Camp Fair.  This will be the 27th year that the and it is sponsored by the Merriam Parent Teacher Organization (PTO).  The Thursday, January
23rd, 2020 from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. at the Parker Damon Building, home to both Merriam and McCarthy-Towne Schools.  According to the Action Summer Camp Fair Committee "The camp fair committee strives to ensure attendance from diverse, prospective campers and their parents."

What: The Acton Camp Fare

When: Thursday, January 23 from 5 to 9pm

Where: The Parker Damon Building in Acton Massachusetts

Stone Mountain Adventures will be attending the Greenwich High School Summerfare on Wednesday, January 22 from 6 to 9pm. The Summerfare is a Camp Fair that is hosted by the Greenwich High School Parent Teacher Association (PTA). According to the Greenwich Sentinel "SummerFare is designed to give families an opportunity to find exciting and unique summer experiences for their children and teens for Summer 2020." They are expecting over day camps, overnight camps, teen camps, rock climbing camps and travel program to attend this years event.

What: Greenwich High School Summerfare

When: Wednesday, January 22 from 6 to 8pm

Where: the Greenwich High School located at 10 Hillside Road, Greenwich, CT 06830

Stone Mountain Adventures 2 Week Teen Camp Director and Owner Jud Millar will be at the Scarsdale High School Camp Fair.  The Summer Camp Fair will take place in the cafeteria at the Scarsdale High School from 7 to 9pm on Tuesday, January 21st.  This is a new date for the Scardale Teen Summer Camp Fair as is used to take place on the first Thursday after Thanksgiving.  At that time the Scarsdale Summer Camp Fair was considered the fair that kicked off the marketing season.

Camp Director Jud Millar will represent Stone Mountain Adventures at the 2020 Main Line  Camp Fair in Berwyn, PA!  Camp fairs are a terrific place to learn about summer opportunities for your child, meet camp directors and gather information about summer camps.

What: The Main Line Camp Fair

When: January 15, 2020 from 5.30 to 8pm

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

Stone Mountain Adventures is kicking of the 2020 new camper recruiting season by attending a camp fair at the Chapin School in New York City!

What: Summer Camp Fair

Where: The Chapin School

When: January, 9 2020 from 4 to 6.30pm

Making the decision about whether to send you child to a summer camp is a huge decision with important implications for your child’s future.  We are made up of our experiences.  A summer camp experience has the potential to provide your child or tween with a meaningful growth experience and can be an important part of their development.  These experiences are ones that they can carry with them into their lives.  Here we will look at six life lessons your child has the potential to learn at summer camp:

Challenge Yourself and Expand Your Comfort Zone

Another year is gone; it's finally past.
It sometimes seemed a grind, sometimes a blast.
Looking forward to a brand new year,
My source of joy and fun is very clear.

In all the happy times I can recall
People create pleasure most of all.
As I ponder the new year, each hour and minute,
I'm very glad my life still has you in it.

My appreciation for you is sincere,
So I wish for you a happy, bright new year.

By Joanna Fuchs