News From Elizaville

In a winter edition of the Camper Newsletter several years ago, I referred to Janus (January’s namesake), the Roman God of the past and future, with two faces looking in opposite directions (back and forward). Camp seems perpetually in this mode (and not just as the calendar flips from one year to the next), embracing shared memories and friendships while planning for future projects or activities and setting personal goals.

In this issue we include a version of this back and forward—as we share results from camper surveys from last season as well as projects/plans for the summer of 2026.

One aspect of the camper survey results particularly resonated. When asked to name three “favorite divisional activities” (full-camp Special Events falling into another category), forty-three different activities received votes. How is this even possible? With six activity periods in a typical day and (at last count) seven days in a week…. Well, you can do the math. Factor in the aforementioned special events and repeated activities (like general swims) and you could have a “favorite” activity every period, every day for 7 days and a few still in reserve for the following week).

The voted on activity “favorites” included staples under the headings of art, sports, swim ming, and outdoor camping…. Familiar camp activities like gymnastics, cooking, climbing, archery, woodshop, fishing,…. Plus, the uniquely Scatico games: Slapball, Human Stratego, Ulti mate Ball, downhill tennis baseball, Ice Bucket kickball, Slamma Jamma….

Considering my own Scatico years (starting as a camper in 1964), I know how the list of “favorites” changes over time, year to year or even day to day. Ranging from the frenetic and joyous to the slowed down and reflective. As a lower hill camper I loved archery and Twilight League (then named Little League and played in the afternoon). On the Upper Hill, it was afternoon optional periods consisting of Rec Hoops followed by General Swim along with hikes (anything involving tramping through woods), cookouts, and campfires. In my current camp iteration? I admit to some partiality to chess games on the HC Porch, plotting what Scatico ephemera to upcycle for an Art Show project, and on-campus Philosophy chair circles with random divisions. (A shout-out to Special Events coordinator Ken Vallario for somehow envisioning this as a regular activity about ten years ago—and Ken returns for a full summer in 2026!)

The takeaway? 2026 promises another summer of looking back and forward, each day embracing in dividually (and as a division), where we’ve been and where we’re going. And although daily we’ll each have favorite routines and programs, what those are today can easily be different tomorrow. And what we define as “favorite” will most likely vary from bunkmate to bunkmate or group to group. And isn’t all of that something else to embrace?

Coming soon to a camp near you....The moment Color War breaks: Left—the sprint to the A Court; Right—graduating Soopers assemble.

Scatinews

As always, we’ll start with RSSes (Random Scatico Sightings).... Reports of two independent RSSes with 2025 Inter Division Leader Emmett Miller, from a ski slope in Vermont (with his camper Ryan Percival) to outside a College Football Stadium in Florida (with brothers Greyson and Lucas Nestler). Emmett is currently a Junior at the University of Florida in Gainesville.... Two RSSes over winter break in Florida: 2025 Division Leader Katie Pargament and sisters Charley and Brooke Ecker.... On the streets in Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn (and clearly not dressed for the weather)—Alex Tergesen and Caleb Sanchez.... At AAU basketball tryouts in central New Jersey—divisionmates Ryder Millman and Evan Gilbert.... On vacation in Miami during Winter Break—divisionmates Jesse Gorin and Levi Gross.... And at an airport in Mexico—current counselor Zach Chait and former camper and counselor Max Rosh. In Max’s last summer as a counselor in 2021, Zach was in the Inter division (rising 8th-graders). No trouble making the connection (of course)....

In non-RSS news.... Some school trips are a little more memorable than others, especially when you live in Hong Kong (like Joe Kedwards) and your class travels to rural Mongolia.... Ava O’Farrell has commuted to Scatico and worked in the camp office since 2022, while training to become an airline pilot. On a recent training flight, she found herself passing over Elizaville and so sent in an aerial photo....Siblings Ryan and Noah Thaler celebrated an off-season visit to camp with (naturally) a stop at Holy Cow in nearby Red Hook. Even in the winter, the ice cream never disappoints.... Grandmothers living at the same complex in Florida created an opportunity for a spontaneous and multi-generational Scatico reunion with the Eichels, Eckers, Rappaports, and Norens. A special welcome to first-year camper Jack Noren (second from the right in the photo), who is a cousin of sisters Charley and Brooke Ecker. Jack’s mom Kim Goodman Noren (far right in the photo) was a camper in the 1990s.... Recent reunions: 2025 Frosh and Inters (bowling in NYC and Westchester respectively); 2025 Jinters (an overnight that included a Color War-styled relay race and a spontaneous Sing performance); and 2025 Centers at Emma Fabian’s Bat Mitzvah.

You can send all news (and non-news) for the Spring Issue of the Newsletter to info@scatico.com. As a reminder, we only include news/photos of planned get-togethers if the entire division is invited.

For Parents

Summer Forms—The Camper Portal. The Camper Portal launched in Janu ary with all necessary paperwork for the summer ahead. To access, simply log in to your CampinTouch account (Scatico.campintouch.com) and go to the “Forms and Documents” tab. Please reach out to info@scatico.com with any questions or for tech support.

Packing—At the suggestion of a camp parent, a simplified packing checklist is inserted into this newsletter. The goal is for this one-sheeter to aid in the actual packing process (and even to help involve campers)! The full, detailed Packing List , including fun optional items and policies on what not to bring, can be found in the portal.

Due April 1—Transportation Form. Scatico offers Opening and Closing Day transportation free of charge from New York City, Westchester County, New Jersey, and all three major NY-area airports (JFK, LGA, and EWR). In the portal you will find a transportation form to indicate whether your camper will be arriving via personal vehicle or if you’ll be choosing one of our options.

Getting Luggage to Camp—All camper bags need to arrive at camp by June 20 as we unpack all campers ahead of Opening Day. Families are welcome to drop bags off personally any time starting Memorial Day weekend, or can use Ship Camps, an outside vendor. Visit shipcamps.com/camp-scatico for info and pricing. Please note, the New Camper Orientation on June 14 is a great time to drop off bags for those attending! Luggage can also be shipped via UPS or Fed Ex to: Camp Scatico, 1558 County Route 19, Elizaville, NY 12523.

Survey Says

(results from our Camper Surveys from the summer of 2025)

**Iconic Slapball Moment #1:** When you “hit” a career-first “tennis court” home run, both teams line up in front of home plate to form a congratulatory “tunnel.”

**Iconic Slapball Moment #2:** Upper Senior Slapball Home Run Derby during College Bowl.

Favorite Activities (see “Sports” below):

Cooking (first place a second year in a row)
Climbing
Gymnastics
Art
Ceramics
Swim

Favorite Sports Activities

Slapball (a runaway vote-getter on boys side)
Basketball
Street Hockey
Soccer
Volleyball
Tennis
Baseball/Softball

Favorite Special Events (not including Color War)

Sing
College Bowl
July 4th
Carnival

Favorite Meals

Chicken Nuggets with Mac & Cheese
Pizza
Asian Stir Fry
Steak
Grilled Cheese

Forty-three different activities received votes under the two activity categories (which seems pretty incredible!). Eighteen different meals (not including breakfast) received votes.

Camper Survey Says... Favorite Sports Activities: Slapball and Basketball. Above left: 2025 Centers. Above right: At the Nat Holman Tournament.

Camper Survey Says... Favorite Activities (not including Sports): Cooking and Climbing. At climbing.... The Vertical Ladder and inches away from ringing the bell.

Coming to Scatico in 2026....

Not an exhaustive list, but a few items that will immediately impact camper life. Many of these are part of a multiyear plan….

Continuing bathroom renovations in camper cabins—that include fully renovated bathrooms with a bigger footprint, additional showers, new flooring, and added shelving.
Hydration Stations. Springboarding on the success of the two stations installed last year (providing ice and refrigerated water to fill bottles) units will be added at the Girls HC and the Boys Ballfields.
New waterfront docks and lake “toys.” “Deep end” docks are getting an upgrade.
New PA System—A major 2-year project, we are replacing Scatico’s PA system with new outdoor speakers as well as smaller speakers added inside each camper cabin. While we will keep the old-school bugle calls, the new system will allow for more efficient (and clearer!) communication and even operate in a power outage.
Social Hall renovations—another multiyear project that will include structural and cosmetic improvements and expansions. The plaques, history, and memories are going nowhere!
Expanded snacks—Responding to camper survey suggestions, there will be additional late-night food options for Inters/Debs and Subs.

And, on a separate front, visit www.scatico.com to view the new homepage and virtual map.

Winter 2025-2026, Edition 105, Issue #2

News From Elizaville

Scatinews

For Parents

Survey Says

Coming to Scatico in 2026....

Fall 2025, Edition 105, Issue #1