SCATICO BLOG

Camp Scatico 4/9/26 Camp Scatico 4/9/26

Scatico Goes Global: Reflections from International Staff

Scatico fits differently into each of our lives and means different things to different members of our community. No two experiences are alike. But I feel confident that whether you spend one summer at camp or twenty - Scatico changes you in some way. I have a particular appreciation and admiration for staff that put their name into an international agency portal, take a leap of faith, and travel thousands of miles from their home, for that chance to experience their own camp magic.

Audrey and Moe manning the booth at the Camp America Hiring Fair in London.

If you’ve been to a college fair, or a job fair, or even a science fair…you have a general understanding of the Camp America London Hiring Fair. Except, imagine all of those, but with the energy and enthusiasm of camp people. There are t-shirt sling shots, welcome songs, and spontaneous bursts of applause – the first of which occurred at 10:04 when the first candidate was hired (doors opened at 10).

The Camp America fair is just one of dozens of hiring fairs that take place each year for the summer camp industry. Fairs take place in cities around the world, and are hosted by different J-1 Visa sponsor agencies (Camp America is just one), but these fairs share one thing… they bring ready-for-a-new-experience young people to work at summer camps in the U.S.

My first interview question is always: “Why do you want to work at an American summer camp?” Most struggle to pin down the exact words – how could you when you’ve never been – but the essence is always the experience. Though basic, I understand the broad answer. I have spent every summer of my life at camp, and am often at a loss for words in how to describe “the experience.”

So, we reached out to just a few of our returning international staff members to share a piece of their Scatico story and experience.

George leading the Senior Boys in sing in 2024. He came back to be their DL for their Upper Senior summer in 2025.

George Richardson

Home Town: Sheffield, England

Summers at Scatico: 2022-2026

Why did you want to work at an American sleepaway camp?

After COVID I wanted to have a summer that I would remember. I had been looking at American sleepaway camps since I was 18 and after two summers inside, I decided to take the plunge and do it. It seemed as the perfect way for me to start a gap year and make new friends!

Why did you choose Scatico?

When I applied, I was provided with a list of different camps and I could select a top three. When I first looked at Scatico, I knew it was the camp that I wanted to work at. The values, history and general vibe on the website appealed to me. However, it was how down-to-earth and refreshingly traditional that Scatico felt that really resonated with me. There was a sense of joy and community that made Scatico stand out in a really special way.

What about Scatico surprised you the most?

I think it was how welcoming Scatico was that surprised me the most. As I got closer to summer, I begun to hear lots of stories from people who had been to other camps, and not felt welcomed or enjoyed it. However, I knew as soon as the plane touched down that this was not Scatico. Nicki was waiting at JFK with a handmade sign and instantly I felt at ease, it was in the days when we still had to COVID test and being taken to a conference room with the other internationals was actually a really nice way to begin the journey. It was from here that the lifelong connections I have made at camp started and as camp became filled more with counsellors and campers, Scatico truly did feel like it was home away from home. Within a week I knew that I wanted to be back for a second summer!

How have you changed because of your experience at camp?

My intentions were to spend one summer at camp, now I am on summer number 5! When I left university I had applied to join the police, but I had to wait a year to start. It was during my second summer in which I realised that I wanted to work with and support young people. I took another year out in which I worked with young people who were struggling at school before coming back to camp again! Now, I am a qualified teacher and if I hadn’t spent a summer at camp then I don't think I would be the person that I am today!

Sophie at Catamount overcoming her fear of heights alongside her campers!

Sophie Leonard

Hometown: Grangemouth, Scotland

Summers at Scatico: 2025-2026

Why did you want to work at an American sleepaway camp?

I love working with kids but wanted to experience working in America and learning new skills that could follow me for life and learn what it’s like to spend an entire summer caring for a group of young people. Also time in the outdoors definitely was also a driving factor, especially to escape the Scottish weather!

Why did you choose Scatico?

I chose Scatico because of the overall camp ethos of time to be a kid. I feel like that is so important in a world where children are surrounded by the constant societal pressures of being on social media and having access to the whole world at their fingertips. I thought it was fabulous that kids just get to be kids at Scatico and try all these fun activities without any distractions and bond with their friends in real time. I also selfishly loved not having to be constantly online and getting to fully immerse myself in camp life. It ended up being so healthy for me.

What about Scatico surprised you the most?

The thing that surprised me about Scatico was the rich history and traditions that are still upheld today. I loved seeing how many kids had family members who are now alumni and pointed them out on the wall in the staff lounge and also got the chance to read the colour war booklets that had been kept from as early as the 50’s. It was pretty awesome to chat to some of the staff who had worked at Scatico and went to Scatico for years and hear their lovely memories from years gone by.

How have you changed because of your experience at camp?

Camp changed me for the better. I learned to appreciate being in the moment and treating every day as a new beginning. I also learned new things about other cultures due to the international staff (and campers!) that I met. Camp also pushed me to get out of my comfort zone and also get over a pretty big fear of heights (on our big trip to Catamount!) and I actually was able to try flying in my cheer team back home because I was no longer deeply afraid of heights. I also learned so many things from my campers and picked up some new craft skills from Laura! Camp is a place where you can learn new things without the pressure of failing, even as a staff member.

Josh Thomson

Hometown: Ballymena, Northern Ireland… but currently living in the Dominican Republic!

Summers at Scatico: 2022 - 2024 + 2026

Why did you want to work at an American sleepaway camp?

During university/college, my friend had been at a summer camp in the US and when he came back, I admit, I was getting a little annoyed when he would bring up stories about his new friends he made all over the world and all the places he went to and all the fun he had. It irked me to the point where I thought I would have my own camp experience so I could bombard him with my own stories and shenanigans. I also needed a summer job, and I had previously travelled in Europe, so the USA looked like a new frontier for me.

Why did you choose Scatico?

I chose Scatico, honestly, because Scatico was the first camp to contact me! I liked that it was near New York, a city I’ve always wanted to visit, and the camp itself sounded like it was from a classic 90’s summer movie (particularly Parent Trap). I was sold on all the activities Scatico offers, the camp culture and camaraderie, and its long history made me excited for the potential to be part of something great.

What about Scatico surprised you the most?

What surprised me the most when camp was in full swing was how busy I would be, but in the best way. I was never bored at camp because it just wasn’t an option. Between working my program, lifeguarding, and camp events, and then hanging out with campers, fellow staff, going out in the evenings (or practice in the staff rock band) and day trips, I never felt stuck on what to do next or who to talk to. Camp has given me this energy of positive momentum and for me it is very addictive.

How have you changed because of your experience at camp?

One thing that has changed about me is my ability to adapt and adopt new things. During camp I was taking on responsibilities that I had never thought I could do previously, the confidence that gave me helped me take on challenges and work at home which I would have not considered before. Scatico helped me realise that you can truly have a home away from home,you just need to buy into the experience.

My love of travel has not changed however because as I am writing this I am in the Dominican Republic!

Camp Scatico 3/20/26 Camp Scatico 3/20/26

Camp, True Fun, and the 2026 Tri-State Conference!

Lessons on the power of True Fun and why camp needs to be screen-free.

In the off-season camp cycle there are two phases: pre-Tri-State and post-Tri-State.

In the former, our planning is big-picture. We are interviewing staff, reviewing building plans, researching new products, and reflecting on the previous summer as we lay the groundwork for the one ahead.

In the second phase, planning is no longer theoretical. Construction projects break ground. Staff hiring shifts to staff placements (...we’ll never tell). And it’s time to fine-tune the logistics for those exciting program ideas (an in-camp, coed soccer tournament is coming to Scatico in 2026) and systems (our master transportation spreadsheet is a work of art).

We imagine a similar shift occurs in your homes just as Spring Break comes to a close. Duffels taken out of storage. Green shorts swapped for the next size up. And that “when I’m at camp…” conversation starts to carry a little more weight.

While the logistical preparation for summer is exciting, the conference also reminds us to zoom out from the never-ending to-do list and stay grounded in the larger mission of camp. A major theme this year was the importance of keeping your camp’s core values at the center of every decision — from staff training and daily activities to family communication and camp policies.

Closing keynote speaker Catherine Price framed the growing importance of camp as one of the rare places where kids can experience what she calls “True Fun,” a magical confluence that happens when we are undistracted by screens and able to fully engage and connect in the moment. Price is the author of The Amazing Generation, a handbook written for kids and teens on how to live a life not hijacked by screens, and her self-proclaimed goal is to help people “scroll less and live move.” We left her talk wishing a recording could be sent to every member of the Scatico community. Instead, we’ll settle for sharing a few of the takeaways that stuck with us most.

You KNOW what True Fun looks and feels like.

You can probably imagine True Fun, but Price described it as being truly alive; lit up from within. True Fun, she said, lies at the intersection of “playfulness, connection, and flow,” and happens when you are so present and engaged in the moment, you lose track of time. At it’s essence, it echoes one of Scatico’s core values: “Time to be a kid.” When we close our eyes and imagine True Fun we see kids floating on lake noodles, cracking up in the deep end. We see a rainbow of College Bowl shirts sprinting down the golf course hill. Price had her own True Fun images, but here are some of ours.

Screen Shot 2026-03-20 at 3.40.57 PM.png

True Fun is powerful.

Price feels people often talk about “fun” in a frivolous, superficial way. But, True Fun (something that isn’t marketed to us, or is fun as “product” or “content”) is the key to a happier and healthier life. There is nothing frivolous about it. Price had a lot of scientific research to back her up, and it all pointed to how True Fun leads to increased… creativity, happiness, engagement, resilience, mindfulness, attention span, restful sleep… and decreased… stress.

True Fun can’t happen with screens around.

Screens take us out of the moment, and break connection. When we are distracted or passively absorbing content, we are unable to engage in True Fun.

Camp will be the longest stretch of time many campers spend without their devices in their entire lives.

This fact feels obvious once said, but the power of that reality cannot be overstated. Without the constant pull of screens, kids rediscover how to immerse themselves fully in the moment and experience True Fun. And with that comes all the benefits listed above. And it’s not just kids who tap into True Fun at camp… staff go much of their day phone free and part of the playfulness, connection, and flow, too.

Scatico Aug 9 2024 Color War-265 (1).jpg

Education is key.

Price shared data to emphasize her message, and her website is chock full of wonderful resources. A lot of what she shared we all know on a basic level, but having the actual numbers makes it click. One stat she shared is how the average teen spends 4-5 hours daily on their phone, which roughly breaks out to two full months of every year. Two months of nonstop scrolling or, in our framing, an entire summer at camp.

We cannot wait to put our phones down and get back out there for a summer of True Fun with our extended Scatico family!

Camp Scatico 12/11/25 Camp Scatico 12/11/25

Camp: Analog’s Last Frontier?

Summer camp as an answer to AI's influence on childhood.

It’s early June 2025 and we’re knee deep in the usual pre-camp rush. Staff pickups at the airport. Finishing touches on new cabin bathrooms. Ordering art supplies and a few dozen basketballs. Pouring over camper forms.

One bullet point on the to-do list? The OD (“On Duty”) Chart. The calendar of counselor assignments for who is in charge of each division from the end of Evening Activity through counselor curfew. Seemingly straightforward enough, but it’s a tedious task. Assistant Head Counselors Jane and Quinn and Head Counselors Kerri and Mark have taken on the lion’s share.

Mark enlists the help of Google Gemini. This is what AI is made for, right? He puts in the general parameters: first names of counselor staff; the dates we need OD; number of OD assignments on each of those nights. Gemini spits out a calendar… but Mark looks it over and it isn’t quite right. Junior Counselors can’t have OD on their van nights. He adds the parameter. Hmmm. Still imperfect. We want more equitable distribution of newer and more senior counselors. We want each counselor to have the same total number of ODs, but not on back-to-back nights. We want…..

Finally Gemini responds: “Due to the complexity of re-balancing the entire schedule while strictly adhering to this constraint and other rules, it will take some time to recalculate.” Gemini spins and spins and spits out… nothing. As Mark texted: “The OD Chart broke Gemini.” Or, more accurately, the nuanced camp brain and eye was not yet something that AI could replicate.

Camp… a land of checking the physical schedule.

Last month, Audrey and I attended a conference on Camp and AI. While camping and tech hardly go hand-in-hand (in fact, we spend a lot of effort ensuring that they don’t), there are of course operational sides of the business that could benefit from AI’s innovation. From processing camper bus sign ups and identifying the most equitably convenient pickup location; to streamlining Suncup and Chocolate Milk inventory and ordering… I can think of plenty of tasks we’d be happy to AI outsource.

And yet… I also can’t stop thinking about how back in the 1990s, my dad knew every camper’s zip code (if not entire address) by heart. Back then, we still sent all camp paperwork (not just the newsletter) through snail mail. And so, entire spring evenings would be dedicated to adhering printed address labels to envelopes… usually on our living room couch, with a Yankee game on in the background.

The zip code knowledge was something of a party trick. At camp raffles, or games when dad had to pick a camper by name, the intro would go something like:… she’s a 10580… 11 Eve Lane… Kerri Winderman! He could do this for an astonishingly large percentage of camp.

And the winner is… 10506…Lila Savitsky! The rush of winning at a full-camp event (this one Carnival’s “horse race.”)

The more I think about it, the more I realize it’s more than a party trick. It’s a human connection. A human brain. It’s connecting dots in real time, and getting to know our community on a deeper level. Precisely because there was this pretty tedious task, and we didn’t tech shortcut it. And while I may score pretty high on camper hometowns, without that physical mail labeling, I definitely don’t know full addresses. Something gets lost when we’re not in the analog, administrative weeds. And while in this example, the mailing efficiency pros clearly outweigh the zip code knowledge cons… the cons are always worth considering.

We’re prone to reflecting on the power of camp, and how fundamentally essential in-person, radically unplugged, connection and play is for kids. It feels more essential by the day. For every article celebrating advances in AI, another warns of its dangers. “How AI is rewiring childhood,” was the latest headline to catch my eye. The article shares two AI pitfalls that are particularly relevant to camp:

“The technology quickly learns what its master likes—and shows more of it… The child who likes football may be told football stories by his teddy and given footballing examples by his ai tutor. Not only does this stamp out serendipity. A favourites-only diet means a child need never learn to tolerate something unfamiliar.”
“One-sided relationships with chatbots… ai companions that never criticise, nor share feelings of their own, are a poor preparation for dealing with imperfect humans…Yes-bots threaten to create children not used to taking turns, who grow up into colleagues unable to compromise…”

Camps (and schools) are natural spaces to address these pitfalls. To lean into all the “humanness” that robots can’t teach. From being “bed buddies” with a kid who has different interests than your own; to trying out an activity you rolled your eyes at the week before; to getting in a real disagreement on the Gaga court, stewing at Crafts, but working through it at General Swim; to going to a counselor for advice, one who will draw from their own experiences growing up, and challenge you to take another’s perspective.

The art of face-to-face, or side-by-side.

Now… I don’t think we’re going back to all snail mail camper forms. And maybe in a few months Gemini can get us going on that first draft of an OD Calendar (before Jane and Mark go in with their exacting eyes). There are obvious advantages and logistical realities at play, and Scatico has no interest in being frustratingly outdated or inaccessible. Not to mention, administrative time saved is more time spent on “the good stuff”: face-to-face time with campers and staff; proactive problem solving; cultivating community, spirit and tradition. Dedication to our mission. But we strive to be intentional in how and where tech is used. When we are trying to solve for a world in which kids are becoming friends with robots, we cannot lean on one to run our operations.

Pen on paper and card games… Analog connection at camp.

It feels liberating to say that faster and newer isn’t always better, and we’re lucky to operate a space and second home where kids and adults can escape AI’s relenting pull. Ken Vallario (back this year for a full summer!), once told me that he loves camp’s “inefficiency.” He was talking about all the ways you don’t take the shortest route from A to B at camp: whether it’s walking from the HC to the office, but getting derailed over the rave launch competition at the lake; or campers huddling around a radio at bedtime, catching the end of a baseball game when they don’t know what “FM” is; or heads bowing in concentration (and laughter) over Color War emblems carefully glued and sparkled by hand, when there’s probably a Cricut setting for that.

At Scatico, we have the luxury of simplicity and connection as the priority over efficiency and expediency. An essential power of camp that is… timeless.

Camp Scatico 10/16/25 Camp Scatico 10/16/25

How do you bring camp into your day-to-day?

The road path is at its peak foliage and local farms are buzzing with weekend apple picking trips and hay rides. As we fully settle into our home lives and routines, we asked leadership staff and DLs to do some reflecting. The prompt? One sentence on how you bring camp to your day-to-day. The responses represent a true camp range - from the silly to the sentimental - demonstrating how even small daily actions can connect us to our best camp selves.

A response we all can relate to…

“Whenever I hear a song that was in one of my sings, I start singing the lyrics to myself!”

Julia Metzendorf, Jinter DL

Honing in on community connection

Lexi Schwartz (camp role: division leader, real-world role: college sophomore)
I bring camp into my day to day through friendship and sisterhood, growing and strengthening bonds with sorority sisters just as I did growing up with my division.

Jane Rosenfeld (camp role: assistant head counselor, real-world role: fourth-grade teacher)
I strive to get my students all “rowing in the same direction” so to speak.

Sophie Rosen (camp role: division leader, real-world role: college junior)
I always set time aside to hang out with friends with no distractions like school work or technology, just like I'd be doing at camp. This helps me decompress from my day and gives me the closest feeling I can get to camp while not actually being there!

Ben Klein (camp role: mental health specialist, real-world role: school psychologist)
It makes the world and your community a better place when you make eye contact with people, smile, and say hello to people.

David Fleischner
I am always on the lookout for people doing little things in their day-to-day lives that make a positive difference.

Continuing small daily camp routines and rituals

Nile Cather (camp role: division leader, real-world role: college sophomore)
I wear one of my many white t-shirts almost every other day.

Katie Pargament (camp role: division leader, real-world role: graduate student)
My camp friends and I have an active group chat that we text in everyday…and I have Scatico stickers on so many of my belongings that I use every day.

Mark Gretenstein (camp role: head counselor, real-world role: 8th grade math teacher)
Instead of picking up trash as I pass it (that would be a lot in NYC), I pick up any stray pencil I walk by in school. I keep a collection of found pencils on my desk.

John Hickey (camp role: media counselor, real-world role: film director and IT)
The moment I come home from work, I climb into shorts and a white t-shirt!

Audrey Fleischner
I go for a walk outside every day - even when it is raining! Also, I end every meal with a bowl of grapes…thank you to Ricardo for establishing the perfect post-meal sweet snack!

Centering joy and “time to be a kid”

Kerri Winderman (camp role: head counselor, real-world role: school district math coach)
Camp reminds me that learning and fun are not mutually exclusive. As an instructional math coach, I try to make learning math joyful for teachers and students by incorporating games, movement, and challenges. Similarly to camp, one of my goals is for all children to remain engaged and curious.

Jamie Segal (camp role: head of girls performing arts and media, real-world role: second grade teacher)
Making ~time to be a kid~ by embracing the present moment with my students and finding ways to play, enjoy, and find downtime in a busy school day!

Will Bussert (camp role: head of outdoor adventure, real-world role: PE teacher)
Every day, I try to make school feel a bit more like camp for my students. Some of the activities I do started at camp and found their way to school—like land fishing, fire building, shelter building, and hikes with Will (my version of a Dave hike).

Nicki Fleischner
Stopping to marvel at unexpected nature / animals with my kids (different in NYC than Elizaville)!

Camp Scatico 8/9/25 Camp Scatico 8/9/25

Boys Color War

1, 2, 3, 4… We have Boys Color War! It was a special Friday night in the 12523, and, unbelieavably, the last one of the camp season.

Following Friday dinner, boys side congregated at the waterfront as is tradition. As the last Friday gathering of 2025, Upper Seniors were selected to deliver the sermon: Jack Weinberg and Jonah Cooper. Jack and Jonah shared their lessons and reflections, marveling at the passage of time at camp, and how to get the most out of your summers at Scatico. At their sermon's close, they picked a rock to throw into the crib section of the lake, another final Friday ritual. Different people have different interpretations of what the “rock throw” and ensuing ripples across the water mean for them, but one interpretation is that just as one rock can create ripples that grow and spread across the entire waterfront, so can one person or one action make an impact on the entirety of camp. Each individual at camp has their role and place that contributes to the whole.

Following Friday gathering, Mark announced it was time to head to the Social Hall for a “special ceremony.” Needless to say… everyone was on high Color War alert!!

Once in the Social Hall, the curiosity grew. Division Leaders distributed giant Q-Tips for each camper to hold. There was a projector set up, and a podium. There was a jersey hanging in the back corner. What could be happening?

Mark clarified the evening’s festivities. Boys Side was gathered for the official jersey retirement ceremony of Assistant Head Counselor Quinn Croland’s 2006 Nat Champion Jersey!! Quinn (whose nickname is Q-Tip… hence the props), is the only Nat Champ in all of boys side… and best part yet, Quinn had no idea this ceremony was happening! Mark kicked off the jersey retirement ceremony with a touching speech. Isaac Greenblatt (former Shack Boy) and Moises Torres (co-Assistant Head Counselor) spoke next, followed by Bence (the staff member responsible for delivering Snack) and Harry Savitz in a full-body bug costume to represent the bug that had to be surgically removed from Quinn’s ear earlier this summer (a longer story for another time). Among Quinn’s many roles and responsibilities is keeping the Boys HC organized and overseeing Shack Duty (essentially, manning the HC and its daily operations)… so the speaker lineup was a fitting tribute!

With each passing moment, boys side grew increasingly antsy for Color War, anticipating the moment that a speech might turn into a “Color War!’ announcement. But there was more to come…

Following speeches, we watched a Quinn Croland tribute video, filled with cameos from Scatico alum, including other members of the 2006 Nat Team! Next, DLs performed a “boys sing style” song set to the tune of “Wagon Wheel,” hailing Quinn as the “Shack King.” Shoutout to Sam Ryan, for leading the DLs! Finally, Quinn’s jersey was hoisted into the rafters, and Mark got set to reveal Quinn’s plaque. For anyone paying attention, a plaque of sorts had been hiding under a gold cloth next to Mark’s podium. When Mark announced it was time to give Quinn his plaque, and he took off the cloth… underneath was a sign that said Color War!! Simultaneously, DLs rained green and grey Q-Tips down on Quinn!!

In a flash…. everyone rushed to the A-Court!!!! Boys Color War had officially begun.

Color War Splits + Program

Camp Scatico 8/3/25 Camp Scatico 8/3/25

Girls Color War

1, 2, 3, 4… we have girls Color War!! It was a special day on girls side, ending in a major summer milestone… COLOR WAR!

It started with the walk to dinner, in which the Seniors successfully tricked us with a fake break! They decorated the road path and amphitheater with balloons and streamers… which led to an eruption of cheers. But alas, no Color War.

Once at the dining hall, it was a special Birthday Ball dinner. Birthday Ball is a time to celebrate everyone in camp’s birthday and to also celebrate the history of Scatico. We give out the year’s Scatico “party favors” (this year, a deck of cards with an image of the road path), and at the end of the meal we bring out four giant sheet cakes, with 104 candles (one for each year of Scatico), and have a candle lighting ceremony. In this ceremony, we call out the number of years at camp starting with 20+ years, then 15+, then 10+, and then 9, 8, 7, 6… until there are no candles left to be lit. With each year calling, all members of the community who have been at Scatico that long are able to come up and light a candle. It’s always a special moment when you’ve been at camp long enough to warrant a candle lighting!

Following dinner and cake, it was time for a movie in the Social Hall… Camp Rock! Donning PJs and Crazy Creeks in tow, girls side was ready for a movie “slumber party.” First bags of popcorn were distributed and then m&ms. But upon closer investigation… something was “off” with the m&m wrappers! They had a green and grey design and it said COLOR WAR :) Shouts ensued, the three judges emerged, and the Sooper splits were read.

On Girls Side, team Generals and Lieutenants— 4 Soopers who are voted for by their peers— first play a doubles tennis match to determine who gets dibs on color, Green or Grey. Ultimately, Brooke and Ila beat Lilah and Emily, and they chose GREEN! Then, divisions are called one at a time for a dodgeball match and as campers are eliminated they line up in front of the Judges and have their team color read. Green gathers on one half of the tennis courts, Grey on another, slowly growing and growing until each camper is on their respective side.

Color War Teams + Program

Camp Scatico 7/21/25 Camp Scatico 7/21/25

Summer Week 3

At Camp Scatico on Visiting Day, the Road Path comes alive with the sights and sounds of reunion. Roughly 200 cars line the driving range in neat rows, creating the illusion of a parking lot without a single painted line. Picnic blankets and lawn chairs line the Road Path while some families gravitate to off-the-beaten-path spots, perhaps under the tree by the Girls’ Social Hall or in the Pagoda. Relatives sit in clusters catching up, family-member alumni walk familiar paths, and campers proudly show off creations they’ve made in crafts or ceramics. Younger siblings sport green and white in anticipation of the day they’ll be campers too. The lake becomes a scene of summer joy, with adults launching children off the Rave, sending them flying with shrieks of laughter. Parents laugh, hug, and sometimes have to gently pull themselves away as teary-eyed campers cling tightly.

But Visiting Day is more than just a day of candy and activity. It’s a marker in time. It divides the summer in two, creating a distinct “before” and “after.” The first half of camp, filled with anticipation and adjustment, gives way to a second half shaped by a renewed confidence and the knowledge that time is ticking. For many, it’s the emotional core of the summer—a reminder of how much has changed in just a few weeks and how fast the rest will fly by. It’s a day that holds joy, nostalgia, and sometimes a few tears, signaling the shift from early summer innocence to the full-hearted sprint toward the end.

While the family-facing portion of Visiting Day can present its transitional challenges, once families say goodbye the day is filled with jam-packed fun to bring campers back into the swing of things.

Legends:

Created in 2016 by Head of Arts Ken Vallario, Legends has become one of Camp Scatico’s most imaginative traditions. Now in his ninth summer leading the event, Vallario’s vision remains rooted in storytelling, teamwork, and a sense of magic. Each summer, campers are divided into four teams, the Alchemists, Harbingers, Guardians, and Seers, each with its own identity and symbol. Much like a Hogwarts house, once placed on a team, campers remain part of it for the rest of their camper years, building loyalty and legacy over time. While the athletic events vary slightly from year to year, the spirit of Legends stays the same: a celebration of creativity and camp-wide connection.

This year’s Legends kicked off with a pickleball tournament on the new courts on the Hill. The Alchemists faced off against the Guardians, while the Harbingers took on the Seers in the opening round. The competition was spirited and fun, with the Harbingers ultimately emerging victorious over the Alchemists in the championship match. Following pickleball was the relay race. Teams rotated between eating dinner at the BBQ Deck (counselors man the grill– the only time Head Chef Ricardo lets this happen!) and participating in the relay, creating a relaxed and social atmosphere on the hill. The Lower Hill campers kicked things off by solving a puzzle that showed their team’s symbol. Once completed, a runner went down to the waterfront to tag in Upper Hill campers. There, the challenge involved filling a bucket with water until a ping pong ball floated out. Campers who weren’t actively racing spent time shooting hoops, playing catch, or simply enjoying the summer evening with teammates.

Once the athletic events wrapped up, the true essence of Legends began: the storytelling. Each team’s Seniors had full creative freedom to craft and present an original story, weaving in their team’s identity in any form they chose. These stories could be anecdotal, mystical, magical, humorous, or heartfelt, but all shared a common thread by having an underlying moral lesson. The entire camp was captivated, pulled into other worlds as the Seniors showcased their imagination, writing, and performance skills. It was a moment for each team to shine, not through scores or competition, but through creativity and self-expression.

The day concluded with a general swim and s’mores. Campers splashed in the lake under the evening sky, toasted marshmallows, and reflected on the stories they had just heard. Legends doesn’t end with medals or rankings. It ends with the memory of a day where imagination reigned and every camper felt a little more connected to something bigger than themselves.

Scatapalooza:

Scatapalooza is a vibrant and ever-evolving tradition at Camp Scatico and typically revolves around strengthening the bond between camp sisters. This year’s event kicked off with a wildly fun game called Organized Mass Chaos, featuring two concentric rings of counselors: the outer ring made up of Lower Hill staff and the inner ring of Upper Hill staff, guarding materials like pool noodles, shaving cream, and kickballs. Camp sisters paired up to navigate the rings, traveling from counselor to counselor collecting slips of paper with wacky tasks such as, “Tell five people you lost your compass and can’t find your way north,” or “Get two more pairs of camp sisters and form a human pyramid.” With each completed task, a counselor checked off their slip, and the goal was simple: complete as many tasks as possible before time ran out.

After the high-energy chaos of the challenge, the camp sisters wound down with a relaxing general swim. The swim served not just as a cool-down or a chance to laugh about the game, but to turn everyday camp activities into lasting memories, strengthening the sisterhood that Scatapalooza celebrates.

As night fell, the energy shifted to the evening activity: Salmagundi. While usually hosted on the tennis courts, this year’s event embraced a more rustic mood, taking place across five fire pits on back campus. Around each fire pit were different stations offering a mix of activities, each one designed to keep the spirit of fun and togetherness alive. One fire pit station was for “novleties” (little challenges like eating a cracker and whistling, or getting an oreo from your forehead into your mouth without using your hands). Another fire pit station was “entourage rock, paper, scissors” (in which campers cheer on rock paper scissor matches). The flicker of firelight, the buzz of laughter, and the excitement of trying new activities made the night feel magical, closing out Scatapalooza with warmth, creativity, and that special Scatico sense of community.

While Saturday was a particularly special camp night, we must not forget other standout moments from Week 3…

Week 3 Highlights:

Hikes and Overnights: The last of the camper hikes went out, with the Junior girls heading to Mills Mansion and berry picking. Several groups also headed to the campfire site for overnights! Headed by the dynamic duo of Nature Will and Nature Mike, overnights consist of cooking dinner over a fire, storytelling, s’mores, and of course… sleeping in tents!

Co-Ed Activities: This summer we have added weekly, division-specific co-ed activities during the day. Lower hill groups do their activities on Wednesdays, and Upper Hill on Fridays. Some lower hill co-ed activity highlights from this week included the Inter girls and Sub Junior boys having a graduation ceremony– complete with diplomas– and the Centers and Juniors doing a Scatico-themed Scavenger Hunt.

Girls Scatico Softball: Camp Scatico hosted four camps for the 8th Grade Softball Tournament and went an impressive 3-0 to clinch first place. The team faced off against Lenox, Schodack, and Wah-Nee, delivering strong performances in each game. Ruby Elkin led the way on the mound with excellent pitching, while every player on the team got on base, Annabelle Noe also crushed a key triple and on defense, Ryan Thaler and Emma Fabian anchored the infield with standout plays at shortstop.

Boys Scatico Baseball: Camp Scatico’s baseball team put up a strong showing in their tournament, finishing in second place with a 1-1 record. In Game 1, they defeated Wah-Nee 4-0 behind three scoreless innings from Chuck Wachalter and closing performance by Levi Gross. In Game 2 against Greylock, Ezra Elkin provided a spark by stealing third and scoring on an overthrow. Although Scatico ultimately fell 8-1, this hardworking group proved themselves to be a cohesive and determined team, and they should be proud of all they accomplished.

Co-ed Scatico Tennis: Scatico Tennis had an outstanding showing this summer, with strong performances across both the girls’ and boys’ brackets. On the girls’ side, Scatico swept the finals. The boys also had a strong showing. Aaron Taubenfeld won the singles championship 6-2, earning back-to-back titles!

Week 3 at Camp Scatico was packed with unforgettable moments, from the emotional highs of Visiting Day to the creative magic of Legends and Scatapalooza, and there is so much yet to come.

Camp Scatico 7/16/25 Camp Scatico 7/16/25

Summer 2025, Week 2

Isaac Newton’s First Law of Motion (for those with lack of scientific expertise), claims that an object in motion stays in motion. In Camp Scatico terms, which is probably a more common language for those of us reading, this means that the spirit and action of camp we saw bloom in Week 1 has only continued. See below for Week 2 Highlights…

Week 2 Highlights

Girls Nat: The week began with the Girls’ Nat Holman Invitational Tournament. The bleachers of the Pavilion were filled with green and grey as the crowd cheered on their team. The first game was a blowout against Kinder Ring. Although the team lost to Lenox in the semis, the energy remained high because later that day…

DJ Pure: “DJ Pure” set up shop in the Pavillion and hosted a dance party for evening activity. Campers of all ages danced the night away and enjoyed music with their peers.

Teams Day 1: Thunderbolt and Racing Wind played against Blazing Arrow and Flying Eagle for the day. Each division played two sports in the morning followed by the swim meet in the afternoon. At the evening campfire, each team sang their Jingle, which is a short fight song, and demonstrated their Pyramid, which is a gymnastics formation. The current standings have Blazing Arrow in first, Flying Eagle in second, Racing Wind in third, and Thunderbolt in fourth.

College Bowl: The Upper Seniors did a fantastic job leading their teams in College Bowl, a two day competition between four teams on Boys’ Side. The teams remain the same every summer, being University of Michigan (royal blue), UCLA (light blue), USC (yellow), and Ohio State (red). College Bowl starts with a full evening capture the flag, and the next day continues with Mass Softball (everyone in the field at once, everyone at bat), Full Camp Dodgeball and Rock Paper Scissors, and Greasy Watermelon. The afternoon follows with the full-camp Relay, an intense game of Knockout, and the Upper Senior Slapball Homerun Derby.

The special event was completed with the Campfire. The silliness of the novelties like Pillow Fights and Fool Ball was balanced with the solemn ceremony honoring the Upper Seniors, where Division Leader George Richardson gifted each Upper Senior with a Scatico backpack.

Yes, there are moments of stillness within this all… a walk back to a bunk from a meal, reading a comic book or playing a card game during rest hour… but Camp Scatico is undoubtedly within a state of inertia. The rush of cheering on your bunkmates during the Nat, the anticipation of waiting for your event during the relay, the thrill of hearing that the following day is a late morning… Summer at Camp Scatico is an object in motion, moving along with an intangible vitality, and it refuses to be stopped.

Camp Scatico 7/7/25 Camp Scatico 7/7/25

Summer 2025, Week 1

Scatico is excited to have longtime camper, former Division Leader, and current college student Emma Hochberg as our head of social media this summer! She is behind our new instagram stories, and this post marks her first blog of the summer. Happy reading!!

Summer is underway and Week 1 in the 12523 is in the books! We’re already embracing the journey…

Freshmen at their first-ever Slapball… a game perhaps ONLY played in the 12523.

19th century philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson is credited with the quote, “It’s about the journey, not the destination”. One could argue that Miley Cyrus’ “The Climb” from Hannah Montana: The Movie (2009) is a contemporary adaptation.

Once a Scaticonian crosses camp’s white gates, they subscribe to camp’s four core values… a social contract of sorts. While these values may not have been at the forefront of campers’ minds this first week of camp– there is so much activity going on!-- the value “Personal Growth: Embrace the Journey” stands out as we reflect on these past seven days.

Time seems to pass differently in “camp world”, and while Opening Day was not so long ago, growth is already happening all around us. From first time campers mastering morning routines and the dining hall with a little more confidence, to longtime campers stepping into new leadership roles, or addressing the full camp for the first time– each day comes with its own set of learning curves and growth moments big and small.

A silly, microcosm of the passage of time and growth at camp: on Opening Day the Senior boys had a Scatico FIRST— not one, but TWO campers hit slapball home runs that went through the basket on the far hoop of the B-court— a rare shot that wins the division a pizza party. The B-court went wild with cheers. Just a few days later, the Freshman had their first-ever game of slapball, learning the nuanced rules and insider tips of this “only-at-Scatico” game. No pizza parties won… but it was a success!

Week 1 Highlights

Opening Campfires– Formally mark the beginning of summer. Fool ball and pillow fights (on boys side) keep the energy high. A historical, classic baseball story from Dave widens the eyes of Lower Hill (this year’s focused on Ed Delehanty). The year song (on girls side) marks the passage of time. And as one flame turns into 150 after the Soopers pass out candles, each camper is inextricably tied together– a glowing, radiant summer circle.

Team Judges take the floor (well, bench) during the break.

Teams– broke last Monday, when a pre-lunch dance party at “The U” (the Dining Hall porch), featured a remix of “Pink Pony Club,” in which Chappel Roan’s voice was interrupted by an alarm and “Attention Girls Side, Teams 2-0-2-5 has begun”! The Judges emerged and excitement ensued!. For Teams, the Seniors serve as leaders and girls side is split into four– Flying Eagle (green), Thunderbolt (blue), Blazing Arrow (red), and Racing Wind (yellow). You can find your camper’s team here. There will be one Teams day per week over the next three weeks in which girls compete in sports, arts, singing, and a series of “challenges”. Walking through back campus during Sunday evening Teams Meetings, girls side was a chorus of singing as campers practiced their “Jingle” (the song to be showcased at the first Teams Campfire on Tuesday).

Leagues– For boys’ side, lower hill participates in Hoops, Baseball and Soccer Leagues (Frosh and Sophs together in one league, and Sub Juniors and Juniors together in another). Inters and Subs have their own Hoops League, Upper Seniors and Seniors their own Soccer League, and then ALL of upper hill participates in Twilight League. A sunset softball league, T-League is one of those deeply beloved– and long-remembered camp traditions. Highlights from Leagues so far include TWO Soph-Frosh Hoops Leagues games that went into overtime, and were then won with a three pointer with under 30 seconds left in the game! Shoutouts to Ryder Millman and Austin Taylor for nailing those shots!

Subs at the top of Bonticou Crag. They all opted for the harder route, involving a scramble!!

Hikes– The first divisional hikes have gone out! So far we’ve sent… the Debs to Monument Mountain, Sub Girls to Bonticou Crag, Jinter Girls to Boulder Rock, and the Junior Boys to Monument Mountain. Of course, no hike outing is complete without an ice cream stop on the way back to camp.

4th of July– Leaving the tried-and-true reveille behind, camp woke up to Tom Petty’s “American Girl,” and the first full-camp special event of summer kicked into high gear! The rest of the day follows in similar fashion with bugles replaced by American-themed songs. Green and white is traded in for red, white, and blue, indicating a day of decked-out camp spirit. Daily activities are followed by a co-ed BBQ, talent show and fireworks on the driving range. The talent show is always a special moment— the first time the full camp assembles in the amphitheater, and comes together as the sun slowly dips below the horizon (most of the show takes place during golden hour, adding a magical glow to the evening’s festivities). Whether it was a performer’s Scatico stage debut or they’d already established themselves as an audience fan favorite, each act brought its own spin from singing and dancing, to magic tricks and gymnastics. We often marvel at how repeat performers grow year after year, their voice growing ever stronger and their stage presense more at ease. The Soopers performed a rendition of a dance they choreographed as Centers in 2021 (a real, full-circle camp moment); Music Counselor Sam Ryan and Nurse Carly performed an amazing rendition of “Shallow” (the Scatico equivalent of two solo pop stars coming together for a surprise duet); and the night closed out with a dance from Platano Power (the name our Dominican staff have given themselves for their act since 2022)! But the best part of the talent show?… the audience support and participation. There is something about watching a bunkmate leave the stage, and return to their amphitheater seat to be met by hugs, high fives, and cheers that encapsulates what camp is all about.

Impromptu Junior dance party at cooking on the 4th

Rave Launch Competition— a (relatively new) 4th of July tradition on boys side.

In the words of Miley…. we may not know it, but these are the moments that we’re going to remember most. New and old campers alike face challenges and experiences that help them grow as individuals, as divisional entities, and as an entire camp. New campers are slowly familiarizing themselves with the nature of camp, asking less and less frequently questions like, “What’s that bugle?” or “Where’s the infirm?” They already seem to be incorporating camp lingo into their vocabulary, such as “mess hall” and “canteen”, as if they are deeply-embedded second nature. In all aspects, we are slowly becoming those camp versions of ourselves by embracing the journey.

Camp Scatico 6/1/25 Camp Scatico 6/1/25

Meet the 2025 DLs

We are incredibly excited to introduce the 2024 Division Leaders— 18 Scaticonians who combined have spent 150+ summers at Scatico!

We are incredibly excited to introduce the 2025 Division Leaders (DLs)— 17 Scaticonians who combined have spent 150+ summers at Scatico!

Division Leaders serve as a “head counselor” for each group in camp. They live in cabins with their campers, travel to virtually all of their activities with them, plus oversee the other counselors in the group. Each group has one DL with the exception of the Sophomore boys who are lucky to have co-DLs.

Get to know this year’s team below!

Jenna Fass, Juniors (Rising 3rd + 4th)

Number of summers at Scatico: 14

When I’m not at camp I… am receiving my masters in Early Childhood and Special Education at Teachers College, Columbia University (graduating in a few weeks :))

A fun fact about me is…I don't know how to ride a bike.

A camp memory I love is… the 4th of July, when the whole camp comes together, and we get to experience the BBQ, talent show, and fireworks together.

This summer, I’m most excited to…be back at the most special place and have my campers create lasting memories.

Henry Max, Freshmen (Rising 3rd + 4th)

Number of summers at Scatico: 10

When I’m not at camp I…am a rising sophomore at Tufts University planning to study English.

A fun fact about me is… I have three first names (including my middle name...)!

A camp memory I love is… The social hall after color war. Every summer it is a giant release of emotion that has been building up throughout the weeks, and that moment is always the annual time in my life where I feel most connected to a place and group of people.

This summer, I’m most excited to…See all of my best friends again, and help as many people as possible make their best friends.

Nile Cather, Sophomores (Rising 5th)

Number of summers at Scatico: 10

When I’m not at camp I…am a Sophomore at Tulane University.

A fun fact about me is…I am an experienced whittler and enjoy carving wood at the waterfront.

A camp memory I love is… Listening to free bird with all of boys side each summer.

This summer, I’m most excited to…play recreational hoops.

Jack Wasserman, Sophomores (Rising 5th)

Number of summers at Scatico: 10

When I’m not at camp I…am going into my Sophomore year at Syracuse University.

A fun fact about me is… I run a jam band focused college radio show.

A camp memory I love is… my division’s Upper Senior sweat lodge with Ishai and Ken.

This summer, I’m most excited to…spend as much time outside as I can.

Julia Metzendorf, Jinters (Rising 5th)

Number of summers at Scatico: 10

When I’m not at camp I…am finishing up my gap year that I have spent traveling and preparing to start my freshman year at Vanderbilt University.

A fun fact about me is… I spent two weeks working on an olive farm in Tuscany.

A camp memory I love is…my senior summer when all of girls side upper hill went mudsliding on back campus and then jumped in the lake!

This summer, I’m most excited to…take my campers caroling.

Lexi Schwartz, Inters (Rising 6th)

Number of summers at Scatico: 10

When I’m not at camp I…am a freshman at the University of Maryland studying psychology and recently joined the sorority Phi Sig!

A fun fact about me is…I was a tennis counselor for the past 2 summers and I even won the camper counselor tennis tournament last summer!

A camp memory I love is… stargazing with my division on the last night while listening to camp songs.

This summer, I’m most excited to… dance in the U with girls side every day before lunch!

Jacob Metlzer, Sub Juniors (Rising 6th)

Number of summers at Scatico: 9

When I’m not at camp I… am a student at Indiana University studying Finance and Business Analytics.

A fun fact about me is… the lake is my favorite spot at camp.

A camp memory I love is… Sitting in chair circles outside 1-A-B-C with my division mates.

This summer, I’m most excited to… have an amazing summer with the Sub-Juniors and spend quality time with my division mates.

Lexi Katz, Centers (Rising 7th)

Number of summers at Scatico: 10

When I am not at camp I…am going into sophomore year at Emerson College with a major in Business of Creative Enterprises.

A fun fact about me is… I'm in an acapella group in college!

A camp memory I love is…White water rafting with my division (twice)!

This summer, I’m most excited to… Play Scatico Ball on the hill.

Adam Steifel, Juniors (Rising 7th)

Number of summers at Scatico: 10

When I’m not at camp I… am a student at Northwestern University.

A fun fact about me is… I am a third generation Scaticonian.

A camp memory I love is…walking down to ballfields for T-league at sunset.

This summer, I’m most excited to…have a great summer with the Junior boys.

Vivi Loigman, Debs (Rising 8th)

Number of summers at Scatico: 11

When I’m not at camp I… am entering my Junior year at Vanderbilt University studying child development.

A fun fact about me is… I have the same birthday as both my parents!

A camp memory I love is… Whole girls side mudslide followed by an impromptu GS on back campus my Sooper summer!

This summer, I’m most excited to… help create the most incredible summer of memories for the Debs at the best place on earth!

Emmet Miller (right) in a game of capture the flag.

Emmet Miller, Inters (Rising 8th)

Number of summers at Scatico: 11

When I’m not at camp I… am a rising Junior studying Electrical Engineering at the University of Florida.

A fun fact about me is… I am a huge baseball fan, and I have been to over half of the MLB ballparks

A camp memory I love is… hitting my first slapball homerun.

This summer, I’m most excited to… get to make lifelong memories with my campers as their DL.

Katie Pargament, Subs (Rising 9th)

Number of summers at Scatico: 11

When I’m not at camp I… just graduated from Boston University and am going to graduate school at Adelphi University this fall to get my masters in mental health counseling.

A fun fact about me is… the day I was born was my brother’s first ever day of camp! Scatico is in my blood!

A camp memory I love is…all of the down time spent with my camp friends in the bunk, they are all still my best friends to this day.

This summer, I’m most excited to…connect with a new group of campers and counselors.

Ellis Zuckerman, Sub Seniors (Rising 9th)

Number of summers at Scatico: 12

When I’m not at camp I… am a sophomore at Northwestern University studying data science and mathematics.

A fun fact about me is… that I'm allergic to cold water.

A camp memory I love is… the buzz of the mess hall before a T-League game.

This summer, I’m most excited to…build lasting memories for my campers and help them grow as a group.

Emma Krasner, Seniors (Rising 10th)

Number of summers at Scatico: 13

When I’m not at camp I… just graduated from Syracuse University and will be attending Columbia Teacher’s College in the fall!

A fun fact about me is…I am obsessed with Flying Eagle and Green.

A camp memory I love is… seeing my old campers on the first day of camp!

This summer, I’m most excited to… be back with my amazing Senior girls for another incredible summer!!!

Sam Ranzer, Seniors (Rising 10th)

Number of summers at Scatico: 12

When I’m not at camp I… am a junior at Indiana University, studying sports marketing and management.

A fun fact about me is…I have hit a backwards half-court shot on the A, B, and C courts.

A camp memory I love is… Sitting around center campus in adirondack chairs with my divisionmates.

This summer, I’m most excited to…experience Lake Placid with the Seniors, since my division never got to go because of Covid.

Sophie Rosen, Soopers (Rising 11th)

Number of summers at Scatico: 11

When I’m not at camp I…am a student at Indiana university.

A fun fact about me is… my favorite activity at camp is slammajamma!

A camp memory I love is… walking to meals with my division every day.

This summer, I’m most excited to…have my first campers again, be back with everyone, and experience the DR for the first time!

George Richardson, Upper Seniors (Rising 11th)

Number of summers at Scatico: 4

When I’m not at camp I…am training to become a teacher back in England.

A fun fact about me is… I’ve been to 23 different countries across 4 continents.

A camp memory I love is…having the privilege of being the closing act to the July 4th talent show the last three years and seeing the whole camp community together having a good time.

This summer, I’m most excited to… Make the most of being at Scatico and giving the upper seniors a final summer as campers that they will remember.