Tag Archives: Family Affair

Trail’s End Camp – Ready, Set, BOWL!

Tradition, Camp Every fall, we count down the days till our camp family is able to get together for our annual TEC Bowling Reunions, and this year was no different.

Camp Varsity Girls The weekend started off on Saturday as we spent the afternoon with our current 6^th – 11^th graders at Bowlmor. It was a great reunion for our older campers as they hung out with their friends, had pizza & sliders and premiered our 2014 video yearbook. We loved being able to get back to that camp feeling that we have been missing all fall. It was also so much fun to watch everyone reconnect and to see how excited they were to see some of their favorite staff members. TEC Group Leaders and Head Counselors flew in from all over the US to spend the weekend with their summer family.

Boy's Summer Camp On Sunday, it was our 1^st – 5^th grade campers’ turn to reunite and make some new friends during their bowling get-togethers at Syosset Lanes. The turnout was awesome and we were so happy to see how welcoming our returning campers were to the many 1^st time Trail’s Enders. After some bowling and icebreakers, the reunions ended with Marc handing out raffle prizes to the lucky winners which included a golf cart ride for your bunk, the counselors having to do clean up, bunk milkshake parties and pizza parties for the entire group, to name a few.

Having spent an incredible weekend with everyone has put us into full-on camp mode. We in the process of finalizing most of the program for 2015 and will be sure to share some of the highlights with you in January. It is have to believe that we are less than 200 days away from Opening Campfire.

Girl's Camp

Boys Camp

Wishing you and your family a Happy Holidays. Be sure to keep your eyes open for the video yearbook which coming to your mailbox over the next few days.

Spring Fling 2014

Spring is one of the most exciting times of the year for our 1st time campers. By this time, they have started to buy their camp clothes, have had playdates with potential bunkmates and have spent hours talking about the summer of 2014. We have even heard that some campers start off each day by putting another X on a countdown calendar.

Last weekend, we had a chance to spend the day with our 1st time campers at our Annual Spring Fling. The day was perfect and helped to build the comfort and confidence needed to succeed during their first summer. While the campers were exploring Trail’s End, Marc, Stan and Ryan ran a new parent workshop that answered many of the last minute questions. We then had a Trail’s End barbeque complete with our famous TEC chocolate chip cookies.

Once we finished lunch, it was time to play camp. Campers got a glimpse as to what’s in store for them this summer as they participated in some of our favorite camp activities including flag football, gymnastics, wiffle ball, and basketball. The Gaga pits and Kan Jam courts were open for the first time and needless to say, they are going to be a HUGE hit this summer.

It was amazing to see the campers and staff’s enthusiasm this weekend. Only 36 more “Xs” on the calendar and the summer of 2014 will arrive.

Jaidyn Shapiro Discovers Trail’s End Camp

Jaidyn Discovery Camp

For one weekend every summer, a group of wide-eyed, excited, future Trail’s Enders drive through the gates of TEC to embark on an amazing weekend adventure. Discovery Camp provides current 1^st – 4^th graders with the unique opportunity to “play” camp and see what the TEC Experience is all about. We checked in with Jaidyn Shapiro to see how her Discovery Camp experience in 2012 helped her transition into a full time camper in 2013.

Hi! My name is Jaidyn Shapiro and I am almost 9 years old. Last summer was my first summer at Trail’s End Camp. I was a Lower Buddie and it was THE BEST SUMM Jaidyn and Brother ER OF MY LIFE. I live in Plainview, Long Island with my eleven-year old brother Stefen (who by the way LOVES Trail’s End too). My elementary school is named Stratford Road and I love being in 3^rd grade. My favorite activities are playing tennis, basketball, hip-hop, being silly with friends and snuggling up with a good book! I especially like going on vacation with my family.

Describe your Discovery Camp Experience: At Discovery Camp, I played lots of fun games and sports. I also had s’mores and tried Outdoor Adventure. I didn’t want to go home…I was very jealous that my brother got to stay the full summer. I was crying on the bus ride home because I wanted to stay at camp. When I was in 2^nd grade, I published a book at school about Discovery Camp (see gallery below to read Jaidyn’s book). It was the best experience of my life and I will treasure those memories forever.

What was your favorite thing about Discovery Camp: My favorite thing about Discovery Camp was the sibling cookout and swimming in the lake. Also, the 3 counselors were VERY nice and hugged me a lot. I LOVED that!

How did Discovery Camp help you transition to camp last summer: Discovery Camp helped me because I made new friends and it also helped me learn the Trail’s End routine…I knew exactly what to expect the following summer – FUN, FUN, FUN. I also was able to build friendships with staff members. During my first year at camp, it was so nice to see all the familiar faces when I stepped off the bus.

Favorite band/musician: One Direction

Discovery Camp Highlight Favorite song(s): (sorry…couldn’t pick one)
“She Wolf (Falling to Pieces)” – Sia/David Guetta
“Dark Horse” – Katy Perry
“Story of My Life” – One Direction
“The Monster” – Rihanna /Eminem
“Brave” – Sara Bareilles
“Stay the Night” – Zedd
“What Does the Fox Say?” – Ylvis
I REALLY WANT TO BE A DJ SOMEDAY!

Favorite camp activity: Swimming in the lake

Favorite book: Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo (it’s so touching and I think about the book all the time)

How did you know Trail’s End Camp was the right camp for you: I knew Trail’s End was the right camp for me because I immediately felt comfortable and loved by the Trail’s End staff. The first year, when my brother was at Trail’s End and I was home, I watched his camp videos over and over and over and over and over and over – (get the hint ?) waiting for my time to be a camper. Anytime Trail’s End is mentioned, I light up like a light bulb. I just love my summer home!

Your favorite camp memories: Olympic Breakout/New Year’s Eve, blueberry picking (after we got ice cream, yum!), movies under the stars, SING, flashlight time, midnight snack, winning College Day and CANTEEN!

Favorite foods: Tacos, Hot Dogs and Nutella (not combined or in any specific order)

Favorite camp evening activity: Group Night with boating and s’mores

Describe Trail’s End in four words: TEC IS THE BOSS!

The Mullens Make it a Family Affair at TEC

Family Affair, Trail's End Camp - Summer Camp 2015

HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Just 169 days till Opening Campfire 2014.

Last June, Harrison Mullen came up to camp from Florida for his first TEC summer as an Upper Ranger. He had an amazing time and this summer, his mom Shari, his sister, Victoria, and his brother, Samuel, will be coming to camp too – making it a true family affair! We are very excited that Shari will be joining us as our new Tennis Director.

We recently spoke with the Mullen kids. We asked Harrison, Victoria and Samuel (pictured above) some questions about camp and their thoughts on the upcoming summer:

Harrison:

My name is Harrison Mullen, but my good friends call me Harry. This is my 2^nd summer at Trail’s End Camp. I was born in Los Angeles, California (Go Lakers!) and moved to Delray Beach, Florida when I was a baby. I attend Pine Crest School here in Florida. My favorite thing to do in my free time is play lacrosse. I have played on many travel lacrosse teams, but right now I play for the South Florida Swordfish. This fall we placed 2^nd in the State!

I am so excited that my mom and little brother, Sam, and little sister, Victoria, will be at Trail’s End this summer because I will have them to sit with at the sibling lunch. I think Sam will really like playing Taps and Victoria will like singing at the camper talent show. My mom is going to love being the Tennis Director at TEC because all of the campers and counselors are really nice. She has played tennis since she was younger than me and loves to play and have fun! I can’t wait to experience the awesomeness of Trail’s End with my family. Trail’s End 2014 will be the best summer of my life! Below are some fun facts about me and my siblings coming to camp for the first time this summer! Family Affair - Trail's End Camp - Summer Camp 2 Hours From NYC

Favorite Band/Musician: Eminem
Favorite Song: “Lose Yourself” by Eminem
Favorite Camp Activity: European Handball
Favorite Book: “The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane” by Kate DiCamillo
Favorite Quote: “How hard would you play today, if you knew you could not play tomorrow?”
How did you know Trail’s End was the right camp for you: I didn’t go and visit any camps because I live in Florida. So I watched a lot of camp videos and decided on TEC. The TEC video was so amazing. That mixed with the people I know from Florida that go to TEC and a home visit from Marc, made me choose Trail’s End. I am so HAPPY I did!
Your favorite camp memory: Olympics 2013 breakout. The New Year’s Eve party was awesome!
Favorite Food: Ben and Jerry’s Everything but the Kitchen Sink ice cream
Favorite Camp Evening Activity: Boating and S’mores
Describe Trail’s End in four words: Fun, Awesome, Fun, Awesome

Samuel:
Nickname: Sam
Favorite Band/Musician: Pitbull
Favorite Song: “Timber” by Ke$ha and Pitbull
Favorite Food: Steak
Favorite Color: Purple
What are you looking forward to most this summer: Playing lacrosse.

Victoria:
Nickname: Tori
Favorite Band/Musician: One Direction
Favorite Song: Anything from Shrek the Musical
Favorite Food: Lamb Chops
Favorite Color: Purple
What are you looking forward to most this summer: Playing around gymnastics.

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Just 169 days till Opening Campfire 2014.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Just 169 days till Opening Campfire 2014.