Director Jud's Blog

Reliving the Adventure: SMA Session 1 Slideshow

Summer at Stone Mountain Adventures (SMA) teen camp is always a whirlwind of fun, learning, and personal growth, and Session 1 was no exception. From the very first day, campers jumped into a variety of activities designed to challenge, excite, and inspire. Whether it was rock climbing, kayaking, hiking, or team-building games, each moment offered opportunities for teens to develop confidence, resilience, and friendships that often last a lifetime. Our dedicated staff made sure every camper felt supported, included, and encouraged to explore new experiences, making SMA teen camp a truly transformative environment for young people.

There’s nothing like a Stone Mountain Adventures rafting day, and on August 14, 2025, our Session 4 crew proved it once again!

We woke up bright and early (okay, some of us were still a little sleepy), grabbed a quick cold breakfast to fuel up, and piled into the vans. The excitement was buzzing before we even hit the road. Our destination? Ohiopyle, PA — home of the mighty Youghiogheny River (locals call it The Yough… pros like us just say it with a grin).

When we rolled into town, our friends at Wilderness Voyagers were ready for us. Helmets, paddles, life jackets — check. A super-thorough safety briefing — check. Enough adrenaline to power a small city — double check!

Then we launched into a day of epic rapids, splash fights, teamwork, and that magical mix of sunshine and river spray. We laughed, we paddled hard, we got soaked… and we loved every second.

By the time we hit the take-out, there was no doubt — we had truly saved the best for last. Session 4, you absolutely crushed it out there!

At Stone Mountain Adventures, we love our daily camp rhythm—morning activities, lunch in the dining hall, afternoon adventures—but once a week, we shake things up in the best way possible with All Camp Day. This long-standing SMA tradition is a chance to hit pause on the usual schedule and spend the whole day laughing, bonding, and creating memories that last a lifetime.

For Session 4, our All Camp Day theme was SMA Through the Decades. Campers and staff dove right in, dressing up, dancing, and celebrating the styles and vibes of every era—from groovy 70s bell bottoms to 80s neon, 90s grunge, and beyond. Cabin skits were packed with creativity, humor, and full-on commitment, as each group performed for the Bunk Inspectors. The energy in the room was electric, with cheers, laughter, and a whole lot of nostalgia.

The day began with a much-appreciated late wake-up (a true camp luxury!) followed by a breakfast spread of donuts, bagels, and smiles. Afterward, cabins jumped into Deep Clean—but with a twist. While sweeping floors and making beds, campers worked skit practice into the mix, blending teamwork with plenty of silliness.

The wait is over, and we couldn’t be more thrilled—Session 4 at Stone Mountain Adventures is officially here, and we truly believe we saved the best for last!

At Stone Mountain Adventures, there’s a rhythm to camp life—but once a week, we flip the script with All Camp Day. This legendary tradition gives everyone a break from the usual schedule and a full day to laugh hard, recharge, and create memories that will last long after summer ends.

Session 3’s All Camp Day theme was “SMA on Broadway!” and campers hit the stage with show-stopping energy and creativity. Each cabin transformed into a theater troupe, bringing musicals, plays, and dramatic flair to life in only the way SMA can. With costumes, original songs, witty dialogue, and full-throttle performances, the skits were pure Broadway magic. After hours of brainstorming, rehearsal, and improv, each group lit up the stage in front of the Bunk Inspectors and staff—it was a standing ovation kind of night!

We’ve been counting down the days, and now it’s official—Session 3 at Stone Mountain Adventures is underway, and we are buzzing with excitement! Whether your camper is here for two weeks or the full four, we are so pumped to have them with us for this next incredible chapter of summer.

At Stone Mountain Adventures, there’s a rhythm to camp life—but once a week we flip the script with All Camp Day. This legendary tradition gives everyone a break from the usual schedule and a full day to laugh hard, recharge, and create memories that will stick long after summer ends.

Session 2’s All Camp Day theme was Opposite Day, and campers dove in head‑first, turning everything upside down in the most creative ways imaginable. Cabin skits were wild, weird, and wonderful—costumes, clever twists, and wholehearted commitment included. After plenty of brainstorming, rehearsals, and belly laughs, each cabin performed its skit in front of the Bunk Inspectors and staff. They absolutely brought the house down.

All Camp Day is more than skits. The morning starts with a late wake‑up (yes!), followed by a special breakfast of donuts, bagels, and good vibes. Next comes Cabin Deep Clean with a twist: groups must tidy up while weaving skit practice into the mix. It’s teamwork, imagination, and fun rolled into one.

After lunch, campers head out for afternoon activities, then return for one of our favorites—the camp‑wide barbecue. Good food, music, and friends set the tone for the evening meeting, where we introduced the SMAM Program (Stone Mountain Activity Masters). This system encourages campers to try new things and earn the coveted SMA water bottle.

A few days ago week, I had the opportunity to speak with WTAJ, our local CBS affiliate, about camper safety in light of the heartbreaking flooding at a summer camp in the Hill Country of Texas. You can watch the full segment and article here:

Click Here to View the Interview and Article.

It was a meaningful conversation—and one I’ve had many times this past week with concerned parents. When events like this happen, they shake all of us. As a camp director, as a husband, and as a parent of two teenagers, I understand those fears on a deeply personal level.

Our family has been caring for kids at Stone Mountain Adventures for over four decades. My parents, Pam and Biff Houldin, founded SMA in 1983 with a vision of creating a tight-knit, adventurous, and safe community for teens. They still live on camp property and continue to be a steady presence—offering guidance, wisdom, and support whenever needed. Their lifelong commitment to youth development and safety set the foundation we stand on today, and I’m proud to carry that mission forward.

                                                                                                          Pam and Biff at Wyatt's HS Graduation

We know it’s not easy saying goodbye for two whole weeks (and for some it's 4 weeks!)—especially if this is your camper’s first adventure away from home. But trust us when we say: they’re thriving here at Stone Mountain Adventures in all the best ways.

At Stone Mountain Adventures (SMA), there’s a rhythm to each week—and one of the absolute highlights is All Camp Day. It’s a cherished weekly tradition that gives campers and staff a break from the regular schedule and a chance to kick back, laugh hard, and create some seriously amazing memories together.

This week’s All Camp Day was one for the books. The theme? SMA BOOTCAMP—and as you’ll see in the photos, our campers brought the intensity, hilarity, and full-on creativity to their cabin skits. After spending time brainstorming, rehearsing, and crafting their performances, each cabin performs thier skit in their cabin in front of the "Bunk Inspectors" and other SMA Staff.  Let me tell you: we were blown away.  From absurd obstacle courses to mock-serious training drills and over-the-top “drill sergeants,” the creativity on display was off the charts.

Here at SMA, we’re always looking for ways to spark creativity, build community, and let campers shine—and one of my all-time favorite evening activities that checks all those boxes is something we call the Invention Convention.

It’s a totally unique event, and it’s as fun and zany as it sounds.

Here’s how it works: we start by intentionally dividing the entire camp into five smaller, mixed-age groups. Each group is given three things:

1. A camp counselor to help guide the madness,

2. A unique location around camp to gather and brainstorm, and

3. A giant bin of wild and wonderful props, toys, and tools collected from all corners of SMA.

From there, the challenge is simple—but not easy: use what you find in the bin to imagine, create, and build a brand-new invention. Not only that, but each group must also put together a 3–5 minute “infomercial” skit to pitch their invention to the rest of camp.

The campers practice, rehearse, and polish their performance, and then we all gather together on the SMA stage to watch each group bring their wild ideas to life. The results? Absolutely hilarious, sometimes ingenious, and always bursting with energy.

Hello Amazing SMA Session 1 Parents!

We know you’re missing your campers—and we totally get it! That first week away can be tough. But we’re here to say: your kids are thriving at Stone Mountain Adventures!

Every morning kicks off with energy, laughter, and the unforgettable sound of “The Birdie Song” echoing through camp. It’s our fun (and slightly silly) wake-up call that sets the tone for a day full of adventure, connection, and growth.

After brushing teeth and fueling up with a hearty breakfast in the Rhino Dining Hall, campers gather with their “Crew”—a small group they’ll share chores, laughs, and memories with all session long. These short morning Crew times (just 15 minutes!) help campers take ownership of camp life and feel truly part of this community.

We’re writing with heartfelt news regarding one of the most beloved traditions at Stone Mountain Adventures—our overnight camping trips to Raystown Lake for mountain biking and wakeboarding. These overnights are more than just trips—they're memory-making adventures that our campers look forward to year after year. Watching teens bond around campfires, ride world-class trails, and wakeboard into sunset is the kind of magic that defines summer at SMA.

If you’ve been to camp in central Pennsylvania during certain summers, you may have heard a sound so intense, so otherworldly, that you rolled up your windows, cranked the AC, and still couldn’t escape it. That’s not your ears ringing after cheering too hard at the dance—those are cicadas, and this summer, they’ve made a grand entrance at Stone Mountain Adventures.

It’s official—the SMA summer season has begun! We are thrilled to announce that the Stone Mountain Adventures 2025 Staff Team has arrived, and we’ve kicked off our 10-day pre-camp staff training with energy, enthusiasm, and a whole lot of sunscreen.

There’s something magical about this time of year in central Pennsylvania. The quiet browns and grays of winter have finally given way to the vibrant greens of spring. Every day, it feels like something new is blooming—flowers, trees, ideas, excitement. Here at Stone Mountain Adventures, we are fully springing into summer, and I couldn’t be more excited about everything coming to life around us.

One of the projects that has me particularly fired up is our new vegetable garden! We’ve broken ground, planted early crops, and are already dreaming about the meals we’ll make with fresh, local ingredients this summer. Gardening has so many benefits—not just for our bodies, but for our minds and hearts as well. It teaches patience, responsibility, and appreciation for where our food comes from. It connects us to the land and gives campers a hands-on way to learn about sustainability and healthy living. Plus, nothing beats the taste of a tomato picked straight off the vine!

We were thrilled and honored to host the inaugural Pennsylvania Climbing Advocacy Summit here at Stone Mountain Adventures from May 2–4, 2025. This exciting weekend brought together passionate climbing advocates, stewards, and stakeholders from across the state, united by a shared goal: to protect and shape the future of rock climbing in Pennsylvania.

From Friday’s welcome gathering and fireside hangout to Sunday’s engaging World Café discussions and crag site visits, our property buzzed with energy, collaboration, and a deep love for the outdoors. Speakers like Nathan Reigner, Diane Kripas, Daniel Dunn, Keith Christenson, and many more inspired us with stories, data, and dreams for the future of climbing access and stewardship.

After a five-year hiatus, Dirt Fest returned to Raystown Lake on May 9–11, 2025—and let me tell you, it felt like coming home.

This is Jud Millar, and I’m the Camp Director at Stone Mountain Adventures (SMA), a teen summer camp nestled right here in Central PA. From 2010 to 2020, SMA had the incredible opportunity to host a booth at the Dirt Fest Expo each spring. Over the years, we built lasting connections, met countless amazing families, and even created traditions that still live in SMA legend today. We hosted the annual Kids and Teen Ride, giving young riders a fun and confidence-building intro to the Allegrippis Trails. One year, we even set up a youth bike track with features right next to the Visitor Center—parents could drop their kids off while they hit the trails, knowing their kids were having just as much fun.