Director Jud's Blog

Sonya Purkovic, Cabin John, MD

In the last three weeks at SMA 2 Week Teen Camp I have had one of the most memorable times of my life. As a new camper I was nervous, but as soon as I got here I was greeted with hugs and smiles. I immediately felt at home and never felt left out. The real fun started with Disco Skating because it was my first time roller blading and I only fell once (with a little help from a lot of people)! This was three weeks of firsts for me: first time roller blading, my first roller coaster, first time falling out white water rafting, and my first time being on a boat while people wake boarded and water-skied. SMA Summer Camp was full of high points, way too many to count! It was an overall great experience. I have made many friendships that will last forever!

Kara Stein, Haverford, PA

These past three weeks at SMA Teen Camp were, as always, the best three weeks of my year. Every year I spend my time looking forward to spending time at my home away from home. When I am here, it’s like everything that was bad about my year just melts away. I can’t ever find the words to describe what this place means to me. It’s like everyone is just one big family. I have no doubt in my mind that the bonds I’ve made here will last forever. Even though it’s my 4^th year here, I’ve made so many new friends; not only with new people, but also with people I’ve just never had the opportunity to bond with until now. This place has a magic that cannot be put into words. I feel like nothing can fully capture its essence. I will carry the things I have learned from this place forever. I will never forget you! Shout out to my Mattawanna girls!!

Rose Brown, Highland Park, IL

Reflecting on three weeks is somewhat easy, reflecting on five years, a completely different story. SMA Teen Summer Camp is the most magical place I have ever been to. Being apart of this place has given me something to look forward to every summer. This summers has been especially special to me because it was a bonus summer here. I was so happy to be included in SMA’s truly captivating magic once again. Just having this place to look forward to made the beginning of my summer so much less stressful. Once I got here it was as though I didn’t have to worry about anything except having the best 3 weeks I could possibly have; and that’s exactly what I did. Every activity here is so much fun; from morning and afternoon activities to white water rating and Hershey Park. I can’t think of a time I wasn’t having fun. The people you meet here make this place even more special. They become your family. To my Mattawanna girls: Maric, Kara, Laura, Lisa and Andrea: I will miss you more than you will ever know. Thank you guys so much for the most amazing bunk experience for me. Being close to all of you gave me somewhere to go when I needed anything and that made camp that much more amazing for me. This year I went on my first overnight, which was amazing. I had so much fun and spent awesome time with awesome people. This is just another example of just how much this camp really changes people. Another bonus of coming back was getting to spend another 3 unforgettable weeks in the barn with Pam and all the Horse Masters. I got to spend precious time with Scooter and see her everyday. I feel like I can do anything I set my mind to. When I’m in the barn - that place is magical! I’ve accomplished so much while I’ve been here and I really do feel like a new person, but not a new person really the same person with different values. Things that used to be important seem like minor annoyances to me now. Saying good bye now feels like the hardest thing I’ve learned here I will take always be in my heart and every lesson I’ve learned here I will take with me. SMA, you have defiantly changed me and shown me that it’s ok to cry and encouraged to laugh. I love everyone here and I will never forget you. To Jud and Family, thank you for giving me this place to come to, to forget everything in my stressful life and just live. Thank you a million times!!! I love you so much I will definitely try to come back as a counselor… Much love, Rose Brown ’07-‘11