Director Jud's Blog

Essential Life Skills That Teens Can Learn From Camping

Do you have a child born between 2004 and 2010? If you do, then you're parenting a teenager or a young adult who's part of Generation Z. Studies show that this generation is highly proficient in the use of technology and they can master any new app or gadget in a short period of time. However, they are also less proficient in practical skills and people skills, since they have been shaped in an era of digital devices. To help them thrive, experts say that it is important to introduce Gen Z to experiences that will enhance their communication and life skills, such as outdoor adventures and camping. Spending some time in nature at a summer camp for teens can benefit your child as they grow. Here are the essential skills that your teen can learn from attending an overnight camp. 

The wait is finally over... All of us at Stone Mountain Adventures are thrilled to announce that the 2021 SMA Session 4 Slideshow is finally done.  Enjoy!

All of us at Stone Mountain Adventures are thrilled that we are finally able to share the 2021 SMA Session 3 slideshow:

The wait is finally over... All of us at Stone Mountain Adventures are thrilled to announce that the 2021 SMA Session 2 Slideshow is finally done.  Enjoy!

All of us at Stone Mountain Adventures are SO EXCITED to share the Session 1, 2021 Slideshow

We had big and exciting water for our final white water rafting trip of Stone Mountain Adventures Teen Camp 2021!  Everyone had a blast and agreed it was one of the best camp days of the summer!

Every morning after breakfast at Stone Mountain Adventures we do "crew".  Every camper at SMA Teen Camp is a member of a "crew" and crews are basically chore groups.  We have a rotating job chat so each crew knows what their chores are each morning.  Crew time and morning chores are not a huge part of our daily life at camp as they only take about 15 minutes each day.  Crew time and chores are, however a large part of our summer camp philosophy: That every member of camp (campers included) must contribute to make our summer camp community "work".  During the first few mornings of crew time each session we take the opportunity to play name games and team building games.  Today we play what is far the loudest teambuilding game called "Pole Barn". 

All of SMA Session 3 had a fantastic day What Water Rafting yesterday on the Lower Youghiogheny River in Ohiopyle State Park!

Today marks half way through the third session and we are currently enjoying our All Camp Day with a late start, bagels, and donuts. This session has been jam packed with fun activities and lots of cooling off, whether that was hopping in the lake during the hot summer days or enjoying time out on the lake.

All of us at Stone Mountain Adventures are So Excited that SMA Session 3 is off and running!  We are already half way through the SMA Summer of 2021.  Here are some photos of our "Crews" (Chore Groups) from this morning after an awesome team building game of "Pole Barn"!

We had a fantastic day White Water Rafting yesterday on the Lower Youghiogheny River in Ohiopyle State Park!  Our 5th year campers even got to paddle single duckie inflatable kayaks!

All of us at Stone Mountain Adventures are So Excited that SMA Session 2 is off and running!  Here are some photos of our "crews (Chore Groups) from this morning after an awesome team building game of "Pole Barn"!

On Monday, July 5th every member of SMA Session 1, 2021 embarked on a Wonderful Adventure White Water Rafting the Lower Youghioghney aka "The Yough" and we had the BEST DAY EVER!!  The Photos speak for themselves: 

We are officially half way through the first session and currently enjoying our All Camp Day with
a late start, bagels, and donuts. This session has been jam packed with fun activities and lots of
cooling off, whether that was hopping in the lake during the heatwave or doing sports in the rain
that’s been around the last few rainy days. Some awesome activities we’ve been doing have
been lots of different hikes, climbing, SUP and sail, sports (soccer, volleyball, kickball, softball,
ultimate frisbee, and tennis), biking, canoeing, art studio, and even a strawberry picking +
baking activity!

This morning after a hearty breakfast of pancakes, cereal, fruit and toast we gathered in our Crew (Chore) Groups for an exciting game of Polebarn.  After the games we gathered from group photos and then did our morning chores.  As I write campers are already off to their morning activities:

• Volleyball Tournament
• Rock Climbing
• Kickball
• Horsemasters
• Wakeboarding and Water Skiing
• Art Studio

All of us at Stone Mountain Adventures are thrilled to introduce the SMA Staff Team of Summer 2021!

As the owner and director of an overnight teen summer camp, one of the most frequent post-camp parent comments I receive is "My kid is so much more responsible! He wakes up on his own and wants to do basic tasks around the house that I've been begging him to do for years!" Parents are incredulous. "What did you do to my kid? She's suddenly more responsible." Freedom and responsibility go hand-in-hand at an overnight summer camp. Teens often emerge from time away from home feeling confident and as if they have ownership over their choices and endeavors.