SCATICO BLOG

Camp Scatico 5/12/24 Camp Scatico 5/12/24

Meet the 2024 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 2024 Division Leaders (DLs)— 18 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. Typically, there is one DL per division, but this year we are lucky to have Co-DLs for the Juniors and Freshman, the two youngest groups in camp!

Get to know this year’s team below!

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

Number of summers at Scatico: 13

When I’m not at camp I… am pursuing my masters at Teachers College in Early Childhood and Special Education.

My favorite place/ activity at camp is… the lake and parachute games.

A camp memory I love is… Opening Day each summer when I am back at my favorite place and give all of my closest friends the biggest hug.

This summer, I’m most excited to…make incoming campers love Scatico as much as I do!!

Carly Rosh, Juniors (Rising 3rd + 4th)

Number of summers at Scatico: 11!

When I’m not at camp I… just graduated from Syracuse University, and am going to be a teacher! I also enjoy spending time with my family and friends.

My favorite place/ activity at camp is… cooking. Shoutout Chef Ally for making my Junior Counselor (JC) summer so fun and memorable!

A camp memory I love is… being with my bunk mates and creating lasting bonds with everyone else at camp.

This summer, I’m most excited to…be back at my second home and have fun with all the campers and staff! I am excited to watch my campers experience “Camp Scatico Firsts” like jumping in the lake and walking to meals.

charlie bochner, freshmen (rising 3rd + 4th)

Number of summers at Scatico: 10

When I’m not at camp I…go to college in Boulder, Colorado.

My favorite place/ activity at camp is… hanging out, talking to my friends, making memories at the lake.

A camp memory I love is… waking up early to watch the sunrise with my former DL Bryce Holden. Another great memory is winning a basketball inter camp game against Kenmont.

This summer, I’m most excited to…see my friends for the first time in a while. Also meet the Freshmen and make memories with them!

Sam ranzer, freshmen (rising 3rd + 4th)

Number of summers at Scatico: 10

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

My favorite place/ activity at camp is… the 13-14 porch.

A camp memory I love is… sitting in Adirondack chairs with my division.

This summer, I’m most excited to…be back in camp with my lifelong friends.

RACHEL BIRD, JINTERS (Rising 5th)

Number of summers at Scatico: 3

When I’m not at camp I…am in the UK graduating from university. I'm going back to university in the fall to get my teaching qualification.

My favorite place/ activity at camp is… the lake. I love chilling at the lake as well as having fun at GS, especially on a hot day!

A camp memory I love is… having the time of my life with my campers at our Big Trip to Zoom Flume.

This summer, I’m most excited to…be a DL and spend time with my campers and friends, creating amazing memories.

RYAN DERASSE, Sophomores (Rising 5th)

Number of summers at Scatico: 12

When I’m not at camp I…am a student at the University of Illinois, studying to be an Elementary School Teacher. I am a member of the Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity and a part of Best Buddies at my school. In my free time, I enjoy hanging out with my friends and watching TV.

My favorite place/ activity at camp is… the boys fishing dock overlooking the lake. It is nice to take a step back from the busy days of camp to look out onto the beautiful lake. It is a peaceful spot that I go to, to appreciate camp and the world around me.

My favorite activity at camp is Rope Burn and a packed GS on a hot day. I love the Rope Burn because I have been obsessed with campfires and nature since I was a camper and have mastered the technique to the perfect Rope Burn fire. And… there is nothing better than pulling the audible on playing basketball in the blazing, hot sun, going to the lake, and seeing that every other lower hill division has made the same choice. With campers on the magic carpet, getting launched 40 feet in the air on the rave, or with a swarm on pool noodles chatting. Life doesn't get better than that.

A camp memory I love is… During my Senior summer, we had a Bar Mitzvah Theme Day for two international campers in our division. During the evening we threw a party in our bunk for them with campers and counselors of all ages.

This summer, I’m most excited to…guide my division into their first summer as a one grade division.

RYAN LAPATINE, Inters (Rising 6th)

Number of summers at Scatico: 10

When I’m not at camp I… am with my family/friends and studying engineering at Vanderbilt in Nashville!

My favorite place/ activity at camp is… the road path.

A camp memory I love is… the time right before lunch when everyone is together at the U and listening to music.

This summer, I’m most excited to… spend time in the best place on earth with the most amazing people!!

Logan cooper, sub juniors (Rising 6th)

Number of summers at Scatico: 9

When I’m not at camp I… am studying at the University of Richmond and spending time with friends and family.

My favorite place/ activity at camp is… center campus.

A camp memory I love is… the social hall of my Upper Senior summer on the final night of Color War.

This summer, I’m most excited to… get to know the sub juniors, create a fun bunk atmosphere, and bring the group closer together.

EMMA HOCHBERG, CENTERS (rising 7th)

Number of summers at Scatico: 11

When I’m not at camp I… am an undergraduate at Lehigh University studying International Relations and Economics!

My favorite place/ activity at camp is… Place: the Clubhouse porch, the lake, the Girls' HC, the plaque room, or the Coves! Activity: GS or softball.

A camp memory I love is…writing and performing a Junior Counselor (JC) sing with my divisionmates at the 2021 banquet.

This summer, I’m most excited to… spend time with my campers, friends, and family!

JORDAN KLEIN, JUNIORS (Rising 7th)

Number of summers at Scatico: 10

When I’m not at camp I… am a student at the University of Michigan. Go Blue!

My favorite place/ activity at camp is… T-League. Nothing beats being out on that field.

A camp memory I love is… hanging outside 1-AB with my division mates.

This summer, I’m most excited to… create lifelong memories for the Junior boys.

sophie rosen, debs (rising 8th)

Number of summers at Scatico: 10

When I’m not at camp I… go to school at Indiana University and hang out with my friends as much as I can!

My favorite place/ activity at camp is… the U at the dining hall where everyone comes together before meals!!

A camp memory I love is… simply just walking the road path to meals with my division every day.

This summer, I’m most excited to… be a DL for the first time, see my old campers, and bond with my new campers!!

Tyler winderman, inters (rising 8th)

Number of summers at Scatico: 10

When I’m not at camp I… attend the University of Michigan where I am majoring in Sport Management and Business.

My favorite place/ activity at camp is… My favorite place is field 4 / My favorite activity is T-league, softball.

A camp memory I love is… eating lunch and spending time together atop Breakneck after hiking.

This summer, I’m most excited to… help create lasting memories and friendships, like the ones I made as a camper.

emma krasner, SUBS (rising 9th)

Number of summers at Scatico: 12

When I’m not at camp I… study Education as Syracuse University!

My favorite place/ activity at camp is… the Admin Porch.

A camp memory I love is… Teams breaking my Sooper summer.

This summer, I’m most excited to… be back with my girls from 2022 for another amazing summer!

Ross Macpherson, SUB SENIORS (rising 9th)

Number of summers at Scatico: 3

When I’m not at camp I… am a Graduate Environmental consultant.

My favorite place/ activity at camp is… can’t beat the lake.

A camp memory I love is… having the honour of being a General last summer.

This summer, I’m most excited to… be with a new group of boys and making memories to last a lifetime!

JENNA MILLER, Seniors (rising 10th)

Number of summers at Scatico: 12

When I’m not at camp I… am hanging out with college friends at the University of Maryland. This past semester I also had the opportunity to study abroad in Florence.

My favorite place/ activity at camp is… the "U" outside the dining hall. I love that before meals everyone can hangout and you can see your friends from other divisions. Everyone is just talking and dancing to good music.

A camp memory I love is…the 4th of July talent show. I love how the whole camp comes together and it is always so special.

This summer, I’m most excited to…continue to create stronger relationships and more memories with the Senior girls!!! This is my second year with these girls and I could not be more excited to have the best summer ever with them.

GEORGE RICHARDSON, seniors (rising 10th)

Number of summers at Scatico: 3

When I’m not at camp I… work as an inclusion support mentor for children of all ages who struggle to stay in school. In September I will be going back to university to train as a high school biology teacher!

My favorite place/ activity at camp is… the lake. It's an obvious choice right?

A camp memory I love is… last summer our freshmen/sophmore soccer league final nearly got cancelled as there were not enough refs. The sub-seniors stepped up and refereed the final for us and cheered for the lower hill campers while they played. It really embodied camp spirit and community.

This summer, I’m most excited to… spend quality time at camp with a new division and create more memories to look back on fondly!

Andie perez, soopers (rising 11th)

Number of summers at Scatico: 4

When I’m not at camp I…am pursuing a Master’s in fashion management and working in marketing.

My favorite place/ activity at camp is… the lake and wipe out!!

A camp memory I love is… finding lifelong friends and maintaining long distance friendships!

This summer, I’m most excited to…be a DL and learn more about myself while helping the campers become better versions of themselves! As well as hoping to inspire them.

JUSTIN ZUCKER, UPPER SENIORS (rising 11th)

Number of summers at Scatico: 12

When I’m not at camp I… am entering my junior year. I just transferred to UNCW.

My favorite place/activity at camp is… Softball on field four.

A camp memory I love is… from my early camp career. Ging Vann was super head OD and let the lower hill stay up past taps to finish a full camp game of Chicago, which he won.

This summer, I’m most excited to… Win T-league and gain more wisdom from Ken.

Camp Scatico 4/19/24 Camp Scatico 4/19/24

Stories from Scatico Senior Staff: Ken Vallario

Ken shares the roots of camp’s Philosophy program, and who inspired him at camp.

The fourth post in our guest blog series, featuring Ken!

As a reminder…

In “Stories with Scatico Senior Staff” we have guest blog post authors share lessons, musings, or connections between their life outside of camp to their life in it. Our hope is that this series serves as a little taste of the 12523 during the school year, and helps you learn more about the people who help make Scatico… Scatico!

Ken addresses camp at Open Mic night, a special event he spearheaded at camp, along with The Art Show and Legends. (Open Mic also pictured in the banner above).

My name is… Ken Vallario.

My first summer at Scatico was… 1999.

My first summer on Senior Staff was… 2016.

When I’m not at camp, I’m… an artist, philosopher, and wandering educator.

At camp, I’m… Head of Arts and Crafts, Events, and Philosophy.

My favorite camp event is… Legends, of course.

After 25 years of being in the Scatico community I see camp as a place where people discover who they are. As I think back on my first summers Aziz comes to mind, a long-time tennis counselor who built a beautiful legacy at camp. He inspired people to be their best while also living out loud as a proud eccentric. He was a deep thinker and he liked to speak in riddles. As a young counselor I was fascinated by him. When I struggled as a young counselor, he would always speak to me from a very wide perspective and respected me as I was.

Aziz on the tennis courts his last summer.

Aziz invented The Heart of the Lion, a tradition of acknowledging somebody who showed a lot of heart in their tennis, regardless of their skill level. When I was new to Scatico I thought this was a beautiful tradition.

When I returned in 2015 , Aziz was still there, but he retired shortly after. I was just beginning to develop my programming at camp, and I knew Aziz’s absence would leave something of a hole in Scatico culture. The kids were just beginning to understand my love of philosophy and embrace it, and I felt a calling to try and step into Aziz’s role as camp mystic, to honor something that felt like part of the special sauce of Camp Scatico. And to my surprise it started to feel right. I know I am very different from Aziz, but the philosophy program at camp would not exist without the seeds he planted.

As my daughter prepares for her last camper summer I am also mindful of how much camp has helped Dusty, Poppy, and I to have the unique experience of discovering who we are as a family.

In my work outside of camp as an artist and educator I am often advocating from an eccentric viewpoint, looking for ways to support educational environments where people can discover who they are. And this can be uncomfortable. Sometimes people look at me as if I am speaking in riddles. And thanks to the influence of late great Aziz Kommel, sometimes I do.

Ken, Dusty and Poppy at Carnival circa 2016

Camp Scatico 3/10/24 Camp Scatico 3/10/24

Scatico March Madness

It’s time for (drumroll please) the FIFTH ANNUAL SCATICO MARCH MADNESS!

It’s time for (drumroll please) the FIFTH ANNUAL SCATICO MARCH MADNESS! This year we reflected on the essence of camp and decided on the five senses as our organizing force. What are the best sights, sounds, tastes, smells, and touches of camp? Only you can decide!

HOW TO PARTICIPATE

Fill out the bracket below with your picks and email it to nicki@scatico.com by Sunday, March 17. There’s also a blank bracket on the Scatico instagram, and you can fill it out via stories and DM it @campscatico_official.

Starting on March 18 we will be conducting polls on the Scatico instargram to decide which entries advance to the next round. As always, the Top 3 most accurate brackets will win some Scatico prizes!

Some of the entry descriptions were hard to fit in (space-wise), so see a fuller description below.

Download a Bracket to Fill Out Here

Submitted Brackets

Camp Scatico 3/6/24 Camp Scatico 3/6/24

Stories from Scatico Senior Staff: Jane Rosenfeld

Jane shares the meaning of camp friendship in the next post of our guest blog series.

The third post in our guest blog series, featuring Jane!

As a reminder…

My name is… Jane Rosenfeld.

**Above:** Jane at the 2022 carnival… 100th anniversary edition. **In the banner:** Senior Staff pose during Best Day Ever (Taylor’s Version)… a special event envisioned and planned by Jane!

My first summer at Scatico was… 2004.

My first summer on Senior Staff was… 2022.

When I’m not at camp, I’m… teaching 4th grade at an all-girls school in NYC.

At camp, I’m… Assistant Head Counselor on Girls Side (first summer in this role)!

My favorite camp event is… Divisional Sing.

My love (or obsession) with Scatico is undeniable to anyone who knows me. Within minutes of meeting someone new, I find myself sharing camp’s profound impact on my life. It's the very inspiration behind my pursuit of becoming a teacher and remains a source of immense anticipation for ten months each year. While Scatico has equipped me with countless life lessons, both big and small, the most cherished one, is how Scatico has taught me what true friendship looks like. Cliché, but undeniably real.

In 2009, I was a Sooper alongside 12 others, sharing that year with roughly 20 Upper Seniors. Over the years, our division went through many highs and lows, and we navigated some tough moments that our counselors and senior staff members helped us through. There were times we didn't always mesh perfectly, but ultimately, we learned and grew together, forming a bond I'll always cherish.

2004 Inters on a hike (Jane in blue bucket hat).

I remember one instance during our Sub summer when we were on an arguing streak. One day after breakfast, our counselors and the Head Counselor, Nancy, sat us down for a talk on the HC porch. Although I can't recall the specifics, I vividly remember what our Division Leader told us:

"It's normal to fight, everyone does it. Especially when you’ve been sharing a bunk for 7 weeks. Just remember that in 10, 20, or even 30 years from now, you'll be calling each other up asking for advice, maybe crying over something small, or asking your friend to come over late at night just so you can vent. You can be angry with each other now, but trust me, you'll never regret forgiving and moving on."

She was right.

Luckily for me, when I graduated from college and moved back to my hometown of New York City, most of my camp friends did the same. We navigated moving into our first apartments together and experiencing our first jobs. The words of my DL still hold true. They are, quite literally, the people I call in a crisis, or when I see something funny, or something random reminds me of camp. They are truly the most reliable, special, and trustworthy people I know.

The thing I love most about us is how different everyone in my division is. We went to very different schools, have pursued very different careers, and are from different places. Yet, when we're together, a special force takes over. We erupt in laughter, guessing each other's Holy Cow orders, reminiscing about our synchronized dance routines, and overanalyzing who lost a relay race during that infamous Teams track meet. What unites us isn't just shared camp days, but the profound impact they had on shaping who we are today.

As I move into a new role at camp this summer, I anticipate and welcome the next generation of campers. A pang of envy (quickly replaced by excitement) washes over me, knowing they'll experience the thrill of meeting new bunkmates and forging lifelong connections. Scatico friendships offer a unique space for self-discovery and growth, fostering bonds that go beyond campfires and divisional sing practices (for anyone who knows me, divisional sing is my everything). Camp friends are simply unlike any other, and I, like countless others, am eternally grateful for mine.

Jane with sisters Kate (left) and Anna (right) her Sooper summer.

Camp Scatico 1/24/24 Camp Scatico 1/24/24

Stories from Scatico Senior Staff: Moises Torres

The next post in our guest blog series— Moe!

As a reminder…

In “Stories with Scatico Senior Staff”, we’re going to have different members of Senior Staff serve as guest blog post authors to share lessons, musings, or connections between their life outside of camp to their life in it. Our hope is that this series serves as a little taste of the 12523 during the school year, and helps you learn more about the people who help make Scatico… Scatico!

My name is… Moises “Moe” Torres .

A “famous” photo of Moe at Scatico as a kid! While Moe was not a camper, he went to Scatico through FYI— a Washington Heights-based, youth development nonprofit— that would use Scatico’s facilities for an off-season retreat!

My first summer at Scatico was… 2013.

My first summer on Senior Staff was… 2016.

When I’m not at camp, I’m… in charge of the After School English Department at Wonderland Academy in Prague. I also play Semi Pro Basketball in Prague.

At camp, I’m… Assistant Head Counselor on Boys Side. I’m also a trip leader for the Sooper/ Upper Senior trip to the Dominican Republic.

My favorite camp event is… The Nat.

So, to follow up on Jamie’s heartfelt post about how she shares a piece of camp in her classroom...

To make a long story short, like many of you may know, I have had a-- what some would call-- diverse camp career. Starting at Maintenance in the summer of 2013, I was initially supposed to go to camp with friends, but in the end went alone. This made me very concerned and anxious because of how close everyone was, and feeling like people already knew each other from previous summers. But something that stuck with me was all of the amazing stories I had heard from my older brother, Amauri, whose first summer at Scatico was 2000. He always talked about how camp was so special to him because of the long-lasting friendships he made during his, "summer away from NYC”. I gave Scatico a try.

During that first summer, despite being home sick at times (even as an adult), someone who helped me get through it was a former camper/ counselor. One day, he saw me working maintenance around camp and struck up a conversation with me. We found out that we had a lot in common, especially discovering that if I had gone to Scatico as a kid, we would have been in the same division. After the conversation he invited me to play pick-up basketball along with his friend, and after winning the game I got their permanent stamp of approval.

For those curious about who the person was, it was Quinn Hood, along with his former bunkmate Eli Rousso (Upper Seniors in 2009). Little did they know, but in that moment with them just including me in a simple game of pick-up, it made me want to keep coming back to camp. Throughout that summer, I created long lasting memories, and this has continued each summer I’ve been back (on Maintenance, running the Girls Hill, going to the DR, and now, as Boys Assistant HC).

Moe has always been famed for his 4th of July flag cape!

To wrap it all up, something I share with kids at school and at camp, is the importance of inclusivity. Whether it be cheering on a bunkmate in a baseball game, which can start a 14-run rally when down 7-0 (as last summer’s winning Kenmont Baseball team can attest to) .... Or even something as simple as having someone new join in a conversation. A small gesture, can make a big impact.

Camp Scatico 12/22/23 Camp Scatico 12/22/23

Winter Break-- with a touch of Scatico!

With so many of our campers kicking off winter break today, we figured it was a good time to bring a “taste”(pun, intended) of the 12523 to all of your homes! Enjoy these two camp-themed activities…

Chef Ally’s OMG Brownie Recipe

This recipe is a Cook Shack staple! Chef Ally’s signature brownies with the “campy” s’mores style addition of graham crackers, marshmallows and chocolate. Happy baking and bon appetite!

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees
Grease your baking pan to prevent sticking
Add 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips (or whichever kind you have!) and 1 stick of unsalted butter into medium saucepan. Place on stove over LOW heat and slowly stir with cooking spoon until fully melted. This may take a few minutes; keep mixture moving for smooth consistency (and so nothing burns). When fully melted, take off heat.
Add 3/4 light brown sugar and 3/4 cups granulated white sugar to melted chocolate chip and butter mix. Mix well with whisk or cooking spoon. It’s OK to substitute whatever sugar you have available! Mixture should be pretty thick when finished.
Make sure your mixture is cooled. Add four eggs. Mix well. Mixture should now have the consistency of batter.
Add 1tsp vanilla. Mix in.
Slowly add 1 cup of flour. Fully integrate the flour into your batter. Add it slowly so your flour doesn’t get all over the place!
Add 1/2 tsp salt and mix in. Put batter mixture to the side.
Line the bottom of your greased baking pan with graham crackers. Don’t crumble them! Treat the graham crackers “like a puzzle” and fit in the pieces as best you can. It’s ok if you need to break some into smaller pieces, and it’s a little uneven.
Pour the batter into the pan on top of the graham crackers. Make sure you spread it out evenly and don’t get any on the sides, which will burn!
Put pan into the oven for 35 minutes.
Remove from oven, and add mini marshmallows (or larger marshmallows torn up) and 1 cup mini chocolate chips to the top of your brownies. Feel free to add more or less marshmallows or chocolate chips depending on your preferences! You could also do 1/2 pan regular brownies, 1/2 with s’more topping !
Put pan back into the oven for 10 minutes, until marshmallows and chocolate on top melty. If you’d like, you can broil for 30 seconds to get that golden s’more quality on your marshmallows afterwards.
Let sit and cool for around 40 minutes and then eat! YUM!

Scaticonnections

Move over Wordle… Connections is the new New York Times game of the moment. Jamie Segal created a Scatico version of the fun, quick game at the link below!

Play Scaticonnections

For those unfamiliar with Connections, essentially there is a “board” with 16 words, and the goal is to group the words together into the correct 4 categories of 4 words each! Here is a screenshot of the official explanation of the game rules. Click on the four words you think belong together, and click “submit” to see if they form a category!

Camp Scatico 12/17/23 Camp Scatico 12/17/23

Stories from Scatico Senior Staff: Jamie Segal

In celebration of the approaching new year, we’re launching… a new Scatico guest blog series: “Stories with Scatico Senior Staff.”

At Scatico, we’re extremely fortunate to have a wonderfully talented and dedicated group of Senior Staff, many of whom have been at camp since they were campers themselves. During the summer, Senior Staff wear many hats. They oversee program areas. Run daily operations. Serve as a resource for counselors, and a support system for campers. Plan special and co-ed events. During the year... their jobs are just as varied! Some Senior Staff have jobs that mirror their work at camp (ie. Ricardo and Chef Ally both run their own catering companies); many are teachers; some (Laura and Ishai) even run their own schools!

In “Stories with Scatico Senior Staff”, we’re going to have different members of Senior Staff serve as guest blog post authors to share something that connects their life outside of camp to their life in it. Our hope is that this series provides some camp life lessons, serves as a little taste of the 12523 during the school year, and helps you learn more about the people who help make Scatico… Scatico!

Up first (drumroll, please)… Jamie Segal!

My name is… Jamie Segal.

My first summer at Scatico was… 2007.

My first summer on Senior Staff was… 2023.

When I’m not at camp, I’m… a first grade teacher at The Town School in NYC.

At camp, I’m… Head of Performing Arts on Girls Side .

My favorite camp event is… Divisional Sing.

One of my favorite things about being a teacher is getting to go back to camp each summer… And one of my favorite things about going back to camp each summer is bringing camp into my teaching! No matter the grade I teach or the school I am working at, my students always learn three things about me:

I love to sing and play the ukulele with my class.
My favorite animal is a penguin.
I work at a sleepaway camp that I talk about all the time.

This fall, I taught my first graders how to write stories about small, special moments in their lives. I wrote an example story with my students, and, when selecting my own topic, it was a no-brainer to choose a memory from camp! In thinking about summer 2023 and all of its highlights, I chose a standout special moment for me: singing with the band at open mic night (yes, a highlight even at age 25).

When I first started working on this small moment story, one of my students asked me, “Ms. Segal, is this a story from when you were a kid?” I laughed out loud, thinking to myself that it actually was a fair question. Sharing this story with my students, I sounded as joy-filled and giddy as I did when sharing stories with my parents after my first summer at camp. I shocked the class with my reply: “No, this was from this past summer!” This question made me appreciate that no matter the age, whether you’re a camper, counselor, or even on Senior Staff, you’ll always have those magic moments when you get to feel like a kid and just enjoy the fun of camp.

The truth is that this small moment story was one of thousands I could’ve picked from this past summer. Even within that night there were endless highlights: getting a golden paint brush (Thank you, Ken!!!); playing guitar for the SITs while they sang “The Circle Game” for their first time on stage; seeing my old campers in the last row mimicking their Divisional Sing dance moves I had taught them five years ago. Every day at camp is filled with hundreds of small moment stories worth sharing.

Writing the story of the open mic night with my first graders reminded me how lucky I am to be at camp each summer and continue experiencing childlike moments of pure camp joy, even in my mid twenties. I feel so grateful that I can share my stories with my students and relive those memories in the real world, keeping the camp spark alive year-round.

I can’t wait for all the small moments to come in summer 2024!

Camp Scatico 8/6/23 Camp Scatico 8/6/23

1, 2, 3, 4... We Have Color War!

It’s that time of summer… COLOR WAR is upon us!

Color War is one of those special camp events that brings campers of all ages together, and allows divisionmates to collaborate in new ways. It’s the perfecting closing camp event, in which every kid gets their unique moment to shine— whether that’s creatively, athletically, through their leadership, through their friendship. .. or the countless moments, interactions, and competitions that make Color War what it is. It’s also the ultimate culmination of the Soopers and Upper Seniors camper careers, and their time to take everything they’ve learned at Scatico to serve as leaders.

On Girls Side, Color War “broke” the morning of August 1. It was a laundry morning (meaning the camp laundry goes out), and hidden among the over stuffed bags of laundry strewn across cabin porches, was a surprise….12523 Magazine! The cover story? “Back from the DR and ready to lead!” featuring photos of the Soopers!! Other magazine stories included lake path closures due to flooding, and new friendship bracelet patterns. Senior Staff had placed the magazines on each cabin porch in the middle of the night (quite literally at 3AM!) so that campers would not see them until they headed out of the bunk for morning lineup. It was the Jinters who discovered the magazine first… and as soon as they did, it didn’t take long for everyone to catch on!

Girls Side Splits

On Boys Side, the break happened last night and it tied into the baseball card story shared at their Opening Campfire. For those who didn’t catch our first blog… at the boys Opening Campfire David opened a pack of 1987 baseball cards and all of boys side entered the a Topps Sweepstakes. So for the break… Topps responded to our sweepstakes entry with a special package!! All of boys side assembled at the waterfront bleachers to examine the contents. The package contained gum (once again, consumed by Emmett Miller), Cracker Jacks, eye black, baseball glove oil (all items purchased by Quinn Croland on a day off), and two packs of cards. One pack, was a real pack of 2023 players. David opened this pack and read them off one-by-one, sharing an impressive array of random facts about each player. Of course, the anticipation was mounting, as many campers knew what was to come…

The second pack was a special one, and this one Mark opened. Each card was for a different Upper Senior! Mark read off their hometowns, birth dates, and fun facts, and one by one the Upper Seniors lined up at the bottom of the waterfront bleachers. Once all the Upper Seniors were assembled, Mark pulled one final item out of the package… a baseball tee… and on the back it said COLOR WAR, A COURT!

Boys Side Splits

We’re ready to see what the next 4 days of competition brings!

Camp Scatico 7/16/23 Camp Scatico 7/16/23

5 Questions with Girls Side...

For the three week mark of camp we decided to check-in with various campers and staff about their summers so far! We asked everyone the same five questions…

This blog post comes courtesy of the Scatico blog elective and was written by Soopers Kayla Schmeidler and Kate Miller.

For the three week mark of camp we decided to check-in with various campers and staff about their summers so far! We asked everyone the same five questions:

LEAH MOSCOU— SENIOR

What is a highlight of your summer so far? TEAMS breaking.
What is something you’re still looking forward to? Carnival.
What is something new you tried this summer? Pickleball.
What do you like to do during your free time? Sleeping or hanging out with friends.
What is your favorite camp tradition? Camp sisters.

LILY JACOBS— CENTER

What is a highlight of your summer so far? Being an older camp sister.
What is something you’re still looking forward to? Divisional Sing and Color War.
What is something new you tried this summer? Doing music and learning ukelele.
What do you like to do during your free time? Hanging with friends in the bunk and writing letters together.
What is your favorite camp tradition? Camp sisters.

INTER DIVISION (answered as a group)

What is a highlight of your summer so far? 4th of July and DJ Pure.
What is something you’re still looking forward to? Color War.
What is something new you tried this summer? Newcomb, pickleball and falafel.
What do you like to do during your free time? 9-square, bracelet making, and reading.
What is your favorite camp tradition? Campfires.

ANNA ROSENFELD— DIVISION LEADER

What is a highlight of your summer so far? Being back at camp after 4 years.
What is something you’re still looking forward to? Watching my kids sing at Divisional Sing.
What is something new you tried this summer? Speedball.
What do you like to do during your free time? Make bracelets and hang with campers.
What is your favorite camp tradition? Singing camp songs on the last night.

HANNAH POMERANTZ— JUNIOR COUNSELOR

What is a highlight of your summer so far? Becoming a counselor.
What is something you’re still looking forward to? Birthday ball.
What is something new you tried this summer? Becoming an archery counselor.
What do you like to do during your free time? Running.
What is your favorite camp tradition? Singing camp songs.

ANNABELLE NOE— JINTER

What is a highlight of your summer so far? 4th of July.
What is something you’re still looking forward to? Color War and my birthday.
What is something new you tried this summer? Skippy ball.
What do you like to do during your free time? Writing letters.
What is your favorite camp tradition? Milk and cookies.

JULI— SENIOR STAFF

What is a highlight of your summer so far? Full camp GS and water aerobics.
What is something you’re still looking forward to? Color War.
What is something new you tried this summer? Super head OD in the HC.
What do you like to do during your free time? Swimming!
What is your favorite camp tradition? Polar bear swims.

Camp Scatico 7/6/23 Camp Scatico 7/6/23

24 Hours in the 12523

We often talk about how just one day at camp contains multitudes.

We often talk about how just one day at camp contains multitudes. Not just in terms of activities and events, but also small moments of connection. You start the day baking brownies and end in costume, dancing in front of the whole camp, and somehow in between you played softball, swam, painted, helped a friend, had hundreds of interactions with people from 8 years old to 40, saw a turtle, jumped and ran, and, perhaps most importantly, laughed. Sometimes come dinner an exchange from the morning feels like a lifetime ago.

So what makes a day in the 12523? Let’s take just one special day…. the 4th of July!

The 4th of July always marks a turning point of the summer. It’s no longer just “the beginning of camp.” Now we’re entering the heart of daily rhythm. Divisions have found their groove, and for first-time campers and staff, Scatico feels familiar.

A few random, highlight moments from 7/4/2023 include…

A launch competition…

The Rave (aka the water trampoline located at each waterfront) is definitely one of the most popular spots in camp, and campers love getting air as they are launched from it. A relatively new tradition (in the context of Scatico) is a proper launch competition in which counselors are paired with campers— the former being the launcher and the latter the launchee— to get the most air possible. Campers try to strike a pose, or do a trick, mid air. Three judges sit along the dock and score on a scale of 1-9, while spectators file into the bleachers. This summer’s launch competition actually ended in a tie and led to a LAUNCH OFF!

A counselor hair cutting…

Sometimes it’s elevating the quotidian and random to ceremony and ritual that make for the most special, most “campy” camp moments. Such was the case for the public haircutting of Emmett Miller, a longtime Scaticonian and second-year counselor. Emmett has notoriously long hair, and when he was ready for a cut… it became a celebratory, communal affair! Several counselors made cameos as hairdressers, and boys side campers circled around in their bungee chairs and crazy creeks to soak it all in. Music played and chatter ensued. Younger campers looked on in awe at the deep level of friendship (or even more, kinship) on display among their counselors, most of whom have grown up together at Scatico, and the level of trust to have not one or two, but SEVERAL, peer barbers. Older campers joked and lounged. Something that would be utterly routine in the outside world but with the right combination of camp elements…. a cause for celebration.

Annual flag football…

Another relatively new tradition in the 12523 on the 4th… the Soopers vs. Seniors girls side flag football game! Spearheaded by Kerri’s husband, Michael Winderman, (though he prefers “Head of the Scatico Football Department”), the flag football game strikes that difficult balance of very competitive but also very fun. This year, the Soopers emerged victorious.

Talent show…

Of course, the biggest 4th of July program is our full-camp evening… BBQ, talent show and fireworks. It’s the first full-camp special event of the summer, and as campers descend from the BBQ deck and file into the amphitheater, the sun dips just below the tops of the trees lining the lake to awash the whole camp in its magic hour glow. Josh Thompson, Head of Boys Side Music, and Jamie Segal, head of Girls Performing Arts, served as hosts and led us through an impressive 26 acts! There was stand up comedy and magic… gymnastics and dance… spoken word poetry and karaoke… singing and band-jamming.

The talent show always feels like a moment when the best of camp is on brilliant display. There are first-time campers working up the bravery to perform in front of an audience of 400 (give or take), and there are talent show veterans who get a standing ovation even before they sing out their first note. Somehow the audience knows just when it’s time to clap or sing along, and when it’s time to get real quiet and soak it all in. Divisions cheer on their bunkmates, and a few acts take us all by surprise… a camper revealing a talent no one knew they had.

When the talent show ends groups make their way to the top of the driving range— red, white and blue popsicles now in hand— to take in the fireworks display. A snap, crackle, pop of magic in the darkening Elizaville sky.

So there it is. Snippets of one day in the 12523. And we got it all in before a deluge of 10 PM rain…