Director Jud's Blog

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Memory Book!

What an amazing way to kick off the summer! From June 20 to July 3, our first session of SMA 2025 was filled with excitement, energy, and endless smiles. As soon as campers arrived, the camp came alive with laughter, enthusiasm, and a readiness for adventure. Whether we were on the lake, out on the trails, or gathered around the campfire, this group set the tone for the entire summer with their positivity and spirit.

Campers, we miss you already! You made the first session unforgettable by bringing your humor, courage, and willingness to try new things to every activity. From cheering each other on during challenges to creating inside jokes that had us laughing for days, you reminded us what makes SMA so special. We hope the confidence, friendships, and memories you built here will carry you through the year ahead until we meet again.

Parents, thank you for giving your teens the gift of camp and trusting us to share these two weeks with them. The first session always sets the stage for the rest of the summer, and your campers brought incredible energy, kindness, and curiosity that shaped the community in wonderful ways. Watching them grow, support one another, and embrace the SMA spirit was a privilege we don’t take lightly.

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.

Robbie

This session was everything I had hoped for. I got really close to the Furnace boys and Mattawanna girls, as well as a good amount of counselors. Playing music during breaks and power Hour transformed into playing two songs in the talent show. The show was a ton of fun, I think I was in six or seven acts in total. These are friends I will keep for life. Thank you, SMA.

Mylen

My experience at this camp for my second year has been amazing. I had a chance to see my friends in person once again and have many new experiences. I also was able to make new friends along the way. During the last two weeks I spent at SMA, not only did I get to make bonds with each person I met, but I also had a chance to grow personally. An example of an activity that helped me was Candlelight since I was able to express myself freely with nobody judging me because everyone was supportive and loving. Overall, my experience at this camp has been awesome and I hope to return for a third year in the future.

Jacob Ross

I had a great time this year at SMA. My favorite memories were learning how to wakeboard on the wake overnight and trashbag sledding with the whole camp during a rainy Power Hour. I have really enjoyed getting to know everyone here, both new campers and old ones I have had the pleasure of reuniting with every year. I will carry SMA with me wherever I go and will never forget the incredible experience I had here.

Kiara

This camp has become my second home and my safe place. I am so glad I decided to come back and hope to come back again next year. This was the first place I jumped on a wakeboard, played softball, and wore a unicorn costume to get ice cream. My favorite part of camp this year was the new relationships I created and the Yough trip. SMA is an amazing first and last camp to go to and I hope every next person that comes here enjoys it as much as me…or more.

Mikayla

What I felt like I liked about camp this year was the way everyone was friendly and empathetic to each other. I also liked the wakeboat a lot since it was really entertaining to try new things like water skiing and kneeboarding. I enjoy coming to this camp and came another year mainly because everyone feels like family and I feel pushed to try things I’ve never done which sometimes is really great for me. It was also really cool to meet new counselors and campers and get to know them. I also feel like the overnights were really fun. I was not a big fan of the sports activities but I was happy that I tried them.

Hannah

This was my fourth year at SMA and since my first year here it has felt like home. I have learned so much about myself and met my lifelong best friends. There is nothing I look forward to more than going to camp every summer and I can’t believe I won’t be back next year. I thank this camp for everything it has given me and I hope it continues to share its magic.

Maddie Nielson

SMA has been my home away from home for five years now, and I can confidently say that each one has been a unique and wonderful experience. SMA is a place unlike any other I have ever known, where people are forced to try new things and get to know each other on a deep level. The bubble that we exist in at SMA harbors the deepest and most vulnerable relationships I have ever known. Here, even in such a short amount of time, I get to know people better than I know many people in my town. Without SMA I would not be the person I am today. The experiences I have had here and the feeling of belonging that engulfs every person who sets foot in this place have shaped my character. I am so grateful for SMA and feel so lucky that I have gotten to spend five amazing summers here.

Jacob Boomer

This was a very fun session. It was exciting and eventful but also had relaxing moments. The talent show is definitely something I will remember for a long time. I got closer to friends I knew and made new friends as well. I will be back next year.

Ulysse:

I travelled far from home to attend SMA, I really enjoyed my second year here and made many new friends. I look forward to coming back again, thank you SMA!

Lilah

This place is such an awesome experience. I am so happy I got to come here. SMA has played a large role in my life. It has helped me become a better person. I think all of the outgoing activities and meeting so many new types of people really helps you develop skills necessary for life. From canoeing to the bird sanctuary, we have had the time of our lives bonding with the campers and the counselors. Even though there were a few bumps in the road, I will always remember this year. I love SMA!!!

Abby

At camp, I had fun at the art studio, white water rafting, and when I was reading my books. I mainly did SUP and sail, and art studio, but I also went canoeing and did the 1000-step hike.

Sonya

This year was my 5th year at SMA and I can't believe it is my last. SMA is truly my home away from home and I don’t know what I will do next year without it. The friendships I have made here will last a lifetime and I am so lucky to have met my lifelong best friends. There is truly something so special about this place. There is no better feeling than pulling into camp on the first day of the session. This place will always hold a large space in my heart and I have no doubt I will be back in a few years because the thought of never coming back here again makes me nauseous. Every day here is a blast and time flies. It feels like yesterday I was here for the first time all those years ago. This place also makes me the best version of myself. Every time I go home from here, I am the most confident, kind, and all-around best version of myself. I cannot put into words all this place has done for me, and how sad I am to leave. Thank you, Jud, for everything and for creating a chosen second home for me.