Director Jud's Blog

Click Here to Check Out the Session 2 Memory Book!

What an incredible Session 2 we shared together! From July 5 to August 2, the energy at SMA was electric—full of laughter, adventure, and friendships forming at every turn. It’s amazing how quickly a group of teens can come together, support one another, and create memories that will last a lifetime. Whether we were paddling across the lake, pedaling along mountain bike trails, or singing around the campfire, Session 2 campers brought their best selves every single day.

Campers, we already miss your smiles, your energy, and the unique personalities you each brought to SMA. The way you cheered each other on, tried new things, and made every activity fun reminded us why summer camp is so special. We hope you carry that same spirit of adventure and confidence into the school year—remember, the courage you discovered at camp is something you can use every day at home.

Parents, thank you for sharing your teens with us this summer. It was incredible to watch them grow—whether they were stepping into leadership roles, making new friends, or pushing themselves on a new challenge. The qualities each camper brought helped shape the positive, supportive environment of Session 2, and we are deeply grateful for your trust in us.

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!

Zoey K.

This session was one of my favorite years ever. I loved how I made a close relationship with all of the girls here. It was really nice having everyone together having fun and enjoying each other's company. My favorite part about camp was that I was always surrounded by people because it made me so happy. I also enjoyed my group for white water rafting. It was so much fun. Talent show was really nice and every act was amazing and fun to watch. I love SMA and hope I can come back next year :) :) :) I ❤️SMA

Matthew

I made new friends, has furnace late nights and wakeboarding was a lot of fun.

Henry Parrish

This was my 5th year at camp. The best part about this camp is definitely the relationships you make here. You become so close with everyone, and its like family. The activities are also super fun, like wakeboarding, mountain biking, and white water rafting. I am glad I stayed for two sessions. This camp is such a special place, and I will miss it.

Lilly SMA2 Reflection

This was my 3rd year at SMA and I’m so glad I came back again this summer. Something about being here just makes me feel like the best version of myself. I had such a good time in the art studio, canoeing, and even white water rafting. SMA just keeps being such an awesome camp.

Lucia Gurmendi

This session at SMA has been amazing. I had a lot of fun with my friends. We have done so many fun activities, like doing art studio, waterskiing. The overnights are so fun, because you get to camp with your friends and have fun outside camp.

This camp year I got to spend a lot of time with old and new friends I made at camp, and I hope I come back one day as a counselor or AOP so I can help new campers have such a good time as me. I was able to reconnect with old friends from last summer this session and really enjoyed myself.

Julia Z.

               I had one of the best sessions that I’ve ever had at SMA. I reconnected with lots of old friends as well as made new ones. I loved wakeboarding almost every day on Wake Masters. I improved way more than I thought I would and I’m very proud of myself. I really enjoyed both of the wake overnights and I made memories that will stay with me forever. I loved being able to share my thoughts and feelings at candlelight meetings. White water rafting was by far my favorite day at camp. I also enjoyed art studio and the different sports that I did this session. I wish I had pushed myself to participate in more of the activities, but I still have next session. This session taught me so much about myself and gave me lots of new opportunities and memories. I am so grateful for the second session of 2025 and the chance to stay for another session.

Olivia

 Second session this year had some downs but many, many more ups. Being in Mattawana with Julia Z, Lily, Zoey, and Lucia was some of the most fun I’ve ever had. I made many good friends along the way these past two weeks whilst also catching up with old friends. I’m very happy to see all the younger girls in my friend group grow into themselves each and every day we’re here. It’s going to be sad to see many leave and not know when I’ll see them again. I’ve had fun on every single activity I’ve gone on. Despite all my complaining every day, looking back, I wouldn’t change a single second of these past two weeks. Love, Tucci

Natalie D.

               What I loved most about this session was all the new people I met and the activities we did to grow closer. I love how much freedom this camp gives us and the amazing, unique activities offered. All the counselors were supportive and were not too strict. The other campers were so funny and friendly and very easy to talk to. Some of my favorite activities included the canoe overnight, volleyball, rock climbing, bowling, sup n’ sail, and French Revolution. I also loved stopping at Sheetz and being able to see friends from last year and make so many more. Each year, I’m afraid of the new session. I don’t want old friends to go away because I thought the year before was perfect. I didn’t want to lose that. But each year that I am at this camp, I gain confidence in myself, develop further my personality, and make more friends each year. I love how this camp is outside of my home state so that I can make connections to people from all around the country and the world. When I go home, I am really going to miss the tight companionships and the community of this camp. I always really look forward to camp, even if I just finished a session. I can’t wait to come back next year!

Paige

Overall, this session was the best! I had so much fun, especially on the canoeing overnight. For me, I love how the whole time we just laughed about so many things. I love Mich’s Momo stories, and our inside jokes (Sin-Jon). I made so many new friends this session, and that made it so much more enjoyable. I had so much fun doing art studio, SUP and sail, and even just being at the farm. I don’t think I have ever laughed this much in the span of two weeks. One of my favorite things about SMA is all of the traditions. From the talent show, to candlelight, to secret friends, these activities are one of the main reasons I look forward to coming to camp every year. I especially enjoyed being a third year this session, because doing dance prep and paper plates was really fun! I also loved playing French Revolution and meeting new people. Something that really made this session the best one yet is all the people here. SMA has the nicest, funniest, and best people I have ever met. Most people I knew from past years, but this year I really became close with them. Feeling like I belong means the world to me, and SMA is the greatest place to feel really at home. Overall, the past two weeks have been the best