Director Jud's Blog

Session 2 has kicked off with a whole host of activities and memories for our campers. With COVID-19 making a guest appearance, we have been doing everything we can to keep up with our planned activities (and fun) like normal – and its going super well! Campers have tried new things, learnt new skills and formed new friendships, all within just a week.

We celebrated the 4th of July at Stone Mountain Adventures by going White Water Rafting!

We started off this year’s SMA journey with a very enthusiastic and active first session with the exciting return of internationals both in staff and in campers alike. We’re currently halfway through session 1 with a full roster of 61 amazing campers who are constantly seeking challenges and new experiences in their SMA journey. We have had so much fun this past week and cannot wait for the weeks to come here at camp!

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

All of us at Stone Mountain Adventures are thrilled to introduce the SMA Staff Team of Summer 2022!

Making Every Child Feel Supported

Summer camp is a great way for teens and kids to learn new things and have fun. Here are the top seven reasons why summer camp can be beneficial:

1. New experiences

For many children, summer camp is an opportunity to try new things and have new experiences. They can learn to swim or paddle a kayak, explore different parts of the country or world, and make new friends.

We are excited to announce that as of 4 weeks ago we have a new kitten here at camp named Eddie Van Halen (Eddie for short).

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.