Director Jud's Blog

Click Here to Check Out the Session 3 Memory Book!

Session 3 was absolutely packed with adventure and connection. From July 20 to August 2, our campers dove into every opportunity—whether it was climbing, kayaking, hiking, or simply hanging out with new friends. The bonds formed in Session 3 were proof that it doesn’t take long for a group to become like family at SMA.

Campers, you amazed us with how quickly you jumped into camp life. You brought energy, humor, and a willingness to try new things that made every day exciting. The friendships you formed in just two weeks were so strong and real—it showed us once again that camp friendships grow faster and deeper than almost anywhere else. We miss your laughter and hope you’re bringing those memories with you into the year ahead.

Parents, thank you for trusting us with your teens during this short but powerful session. We witnessed so much growth in such a small window—campers finding their voice, encouraging their peers, and gaining confidence through new challenges. Your kids helped create a warm, inclusive environment that lifted everyone up, and we are grateful for the role you played in making that possible.

On the final day of the session, we asked each camper to take a moment to reflect on their experience at SMA. Enclosed in this Memory Book you’ll find those reflections, along with highlights of the activities we shared, written by our incredible staff team. These words and stories capture the magic of the summer and remind us why camp is such a powerful experience for young people.                                                    - Jud, Anne, Wyatt, Molly and Jack!

Julia Zocchi – Session 3, 2025

Session 3 of SMA 2025 was my fourth session at SMA. Last session I was nervous to say goodbye to my old friends and have to welcome a whole new group of campers. By the second day of this session, I was already enjoying my time as much as possible. I loved doing art studio, SUP and sail, sports, hiking, and wakeboarding. This session I went on the wake overnight; it was really fun, and I made a lot of memories with my friends.

My best memories of this session were the talent show, art studio tie-dye, wakeboarding, and getting closer with lots of new people. SMA Session 3, 2025 helped me to remember just how special this place is and why I will miss it so much.

SMA 2025 – Session 3 Reflection Fionn

My second year at SMA was really fun! I made a lot of new friends. Going on the wake overnight was really cool because I got on the boat and wake boarded, did waterskiing, and rode the wakeboard during the bike masters. I basically learned wheelies, which was really cool. There were a lot more fun things we did!

Helaina M. FitzPatrick – Session 3, 8/1/25

This was (so far) my favorite session I’ve ever attended. I made new friends and branched out more. Going home is sad, but it’s what makes SMA enjoyable. This is the first year I’ve been truly disappointed to be going home. SMA is so special. The days are busy without being stressful, the quiet moments that make you sit and enjoy nature, the campers from other countries, and the tight-knit community. Sadness is fleeting at camp; there is always something more to interest you in. Such as wakeboarding, which I learned how to do this session. While I am excited to see my family and my cats, I will miss waking up in Little J with my friends and the exciting adventures of the day. I know I’ll be back!

Love, Helaina

Elijah

My favorite thing here was the wakeboarding and SUP and sail. My favorite overnight was the wakeboard overnight. The people and counselors here are really nice. Mountain biking is pretty fun, you can even ask Mason.

Hannah Digenarro – Session 3, 2025

This is my first session at SMA. I was in Little J with Zoey and Jules. I love all of the fun memories I made with my cabin this session. During the past two weeks, I have tried so many fun and new things. I tried kneeboarding and rock climbing for the first time. I went on a canoeing overnight, which was a lot of fun. I really enjoyed SUP and sail and most of the other activities that I tried. I made so many friends here at camp that I am so grateful to have. Evening meetings were a lot of fun too. I loved playing Jud games. Yough Day was a blast! French Revolution was also a lot of fun. Sheetz is my new favorite thing in PA. I also loved Secret Friend and buying so many fun snacks for them. Overall, I truly love it here at SMA, and I hope that I can come back next year!!

Bradley – Reflection (Session 2, 2025) Zachary Deud
SMA 3 2025

This was my first year at Stone Mountain Adventures and it’s been great. I still had a blast meeting all the people. The people are nice and I was scared in the beginning, but I’m fine now and the activities are so fun and we can go out of camp.

My second session this summer here was good. What they said—and what they meant—was much more exciting than last session because there were more people. I really wish I could have stayed another session.

I don’t want to leave yet. I made a good friend this session. I can’t wait to come here next summer, and I hope this place will never change.

Evie Delano – S4 2K25 Reflection

SMA!!! This is my fifth and last summer here and I cannot fathom how much I have grown over these years. This camp has seen me go from a 13-year-old who had no grasp on who she was, to a 17-year-old who can finally describe herself in a concrete form. At SMA, I learned to play my days away (Jud’s words!) and how to appreciate every inch of life and what it offers. I find myself actually looking forward to activities I avoided years ago; I find myself enjoying the company of others without searching for noise to drown them out.The past 2 weeks that I have spent here have been unforgettable. I have made new friends, strengthened old friendships, and gotten to know myself even more. I made a point to try everything this year and I have successfully done everything needed to get the SMA award, even enjoying canoeing in the process, which is not something I would ever claim before this summer. The canoeing overnight, white water rafting, small candlelight, the talent show, hammocking, wakeboarding, rock climbing, and just being in the presence of the people I love have been highlights for me these past weeks. Also Sheetz, of course. Even as I write this now I am blown away by the memories I have made here. I am going to miss SMA more than words can express. I hope to cross paths with this place again, and to take a little piece of it home with me in my heart. I am so grateful I stayed for both session 3 and 4 this summer!

Asara Obra SMA3 Reflection:

This session was amazing! It was a last minute decision for me to come back and I now know it was the right one.  I had such a blast with my friends. We packed in so many awesome activities—wakeboarding, rock climbing, and more! The activities were super fun, but honestly, some of the best memories came from just hanging out with my friends during power hour, white water rafting, and playing Jud games. 

Lilly SMA3   Reflection 

I seriously loved this session. Doing all the 3rd-year stuff like the dance and paper plates was awesome. I’ve had so much fun at SMA, and white water rafting was definitely one of my favorite parts. I can’t believe I’ve been here a whole month—it feels like I just got here, but also like I’ve been here forever. I’m really gonna miss SMA!