Tag Archives: Family

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 1st – 4th 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 SUMMJaidyn and BrotherER 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 3rd 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 2nd 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.
Lake Photo

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 HighlightFavorite 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!

photo 1Your 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:

DSCN0450Harrison:

My name is Harrison Mullen, but my good friends call me Harry. This is my 2nd 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 2nd 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, AwesomeHarry and Sam

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.

FamilyVictoria:
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.

 

TEC December Bowling Parties

TEC

 

We love seeing photos of our TEC camp families reuniting throughout the fall, winter and spring. There is no better feeling than reconnecting and catching up with everyone.

On Saturday December 7th, we spent the afternoon with our current 6th-11th graders at Bowlmor in Melville, NY.  It was great to watch our campers spend time with their favorite staff member as well as each other.  Seeing everyone stop what they were doing, sit on the lanes together and watch the premiere of our 2013 Yearbook Video was incredible and heartwarming.  To say we all live “10 months for 2,” would be a huge understatement.

On Sunday December 8th, we spent the entire day at Syosset Lanes, hosting campers from 2nd-5th grade.  We love showcasing our staff and getting a chance to meet all of our new camp families, while reconnecting with old friends.  There is nothing as special as watching our new campers smile all day long as they make new friends and start thinking about their upcoming summer adventure. This is always one of our favorite days of the year.

Even though the holiday season is upon us, we are more excited that there are less than 200 days until we are back at TEC, as a family, at our summer home in 18405!

Keep your eyes open for this week’s mail – the video yearbooks went out today.

Camper Spotlight: A Rising Star

Sydney Kayne, Varsity 2

Since she first stepped foot at Trail’s End Camp in 2008, wearing the traditional green and white, guitar in tow, Sydney Kayne has amazed us with her singing and songwriting ability.  Now in her 2nd Year of Varsity, she has begun performing around the tri-state area, uploading YouTube videos and continually impressing all of those who choose to hit “play.” We recently asked her a few questions about summer camp and her music career thus far.

Sydney Kayne, Varsity, Trail's End CampNickname: Squidney, Squid, and Syd

Favorite Camp Activity: Arts & Crafts!

Favorite Book: The Fault in our Stars by John Green

Favorite Camp Food: The banana bread is just too good!

 

Favorite Evening Activity: I think my favorite evening activity is the hypnotist.

Favorite Olympic Break: My favorite Olympic break was Disney because I just loved the clues!

Favorite Quote: “We learned more in a three minute record than we ever learned in school”- Bruce Springsteen, No Surrender

Sydney Kayne, Music, Guitar

Favorite Album: I have so many, but I really love Brandi Carlile’s Bear Creek right now – every song is so awesome and that’s rare!

When Did You Start Playing Guitar: I started playing guitar when I was 6 years old.

When Did You Start Writing Music: I’ve been making my own songs since I can talk, but I think actually writing them down started when I was almost 7 when I wrote a song about my brother called “I can’t stand you.” LOL.
Since then I have been writing music non-stop
and have multiple songs that I am waiting to release.

How did you know Trail’s End was the Right Camp for You: Actually, I looked at a lot of places. Once I went on a tour of Trail’s End and I said I played guitar, everyone thought it was so cool, and that I should definitely bring my guitar. I loved the camp, as well as the people, and decided it was the right summer home for me!  I was definitely right!

Favorite Camp Memory: Sydney Kaney, Marc Honigfeld, Trail's End CampThere are so many. Last summer, one of my favorite memories was when Varsity had a rainy day. All of the Varsity girls stayed inside the lounge and sang. There was also this time when all of my First Years, now Second Years, got into a circle and all sang “Wonderwall” by Oasis. Lastly, near the end of camp, all the First Year girls circled around the fire pit by the lake and said what  camp meant to them. All those are special memories for me.

What Camp Means to Me: Camp is a place to be my best self, free of judgment. I think what I look forward to the most every summer is a chance to escape from my town, and all the drama that comes with being a 14-year-old girl.

Favorite Camp Performance: Singing as an Upper Buddy with my bunk in the camper talent show to a song I wrote called Trail’s End. We were so cute! Below are the lyrics:

I wake up in the morning and I know it’s a special day
I’m going to camp in Beach Lake, PA
As soon as we got there, we went in the pool
It wasn’t warm, it was cool
Next we played soccer, it was fun
Kicking the ball high, into the sun
Next we went to the lake
I looked at all the friends I made, and SAID
Trail’s End, Trail’s End I don’t have just one –
I have lots of friends
Trail’s End, Trail’s End, one great big summer we’ll spend-
It is raining; we don’t know what to do.
We go inside our bunk, and take off our shoes.
We turn the music really loud
Before we know it we got a whole crowd singing
It is raining; we don’t know what to do.
We go inside our bunk, and take off our shoes.
We turn the music really loud
Before we know it we got a whole crowd singing
Trail’s End, Trail’s End, I don’t have just one –
I have lots of friends
Trail’s End, Trail’s End one great big summer we’ll spend

Sydney Kane Upper Buddies Talent Show

Your camp family is proud of you Sydney and we cannot wait to see what you come up with next!

Check out Sydney’s web page at http://sydneykayne.com/home/ and her brand new YouTube video here:

Defining a Camp Experience – 12 Memorable Summers…

Experience

A Camp Experience

 

 

 

 

 

 

When Jake Solomon arrived at Trail’s End Camp for the 1st time in 2002, as an Upper Ranger, he began the ultimate camp journey that extended over 12 summers. A camp experience.

Unfortunately, after 4 years as a counselor, “real life” has taken over and Jake won’t be returning to TEC in 2014. Jake sent us an email recently sharing his thoughts and feelings about his summers as a camper and counselor.

Top 5 (actually 8) Memories of Trail’s End:

  1. 1. Winning Olympics with Turkey in 2007 and breaking the curse of Green and White.
  2. 2. Making an Oscar video in 2008 with Sam Elman. The video was about how we both wanted to win a Camp Oscar. Sam won the Oscar, but I did not.
  3. 3. Winning Ranger Sing – my first year at camp in 2002.
  4. 5. Getting to be an Olympic Captain.
  5. 6. Being part of the first PCF Midnight Madness Sports-a-thon.
  6. 7.  Winning Lou Flego twice.  Both times there were people in my square who had never square danced before.
  7. 8. Sneaking out with the bunk for a midnight pizza party at the golf course. (Lower Cavalier summer, 2005).

Trail's End Camp Experience

 

My Former Counselors

I was fortunate to have many great counselors through the years… To name a few:  Adam Fox, Matt Stroman, Ryan Daughtry, Issac White, Travis Peoples, Jeff Shephard and Mike Russell.

My Former Co-Counselors

Once again, there were many but since you asked me to name a few, these instantly came to mind:  Jake Winston, Justin Potter, Adam Stenlake, David Margulies, Ben Bass, Johnny Mulhearn, Ben Taylor, Ali McIntosh.

 

Jake and David

While @ TEC

I love the leadership and family feeling that is formed at camp.  The level of support is amazing as you watch your friends, or your campers, grow and change for the better. A story on leadership that typifies TEC and still gives me chills to think about was a Team Eco-Challenge that came down to the wire.  Jeff Solomon (my brother) and Jake Secker had made it their goal to win this race.  Everyone thought they would definitely come in first.  They posted a great time and were confident that they had won.  I remember standing with them and watching their faces as Alex Baren’s team sped to the finish and ended up winning by seconds.  I thought Jeff and Jake’s team would be devastated.  Instead, they walked over and genuinely congratulated Alex. They were happy for him. To me, this is what TEC is all about, competing your hardest and even if you lose, you leave it all on the field, shake hands, and go back to being friends.

Young Jake Tug-a-War

 

Jake on Varsity

Varsity is the greatest thing for any kid going into high school. People go into Varsity knowing their bunkmates, but in the house, you room with new people, you share a lounge and you get to be with different age groups. Being with the older kids as a First Year and being with the younger kids as a Leadership Trainee (LT), is one of the best things about Varsity. I was an LT when Teddy Drucker, Michael Maslin, David Margulies, Mac Novich, and Ben Bass were 1st Years. They were some of my best friends that year and have grown to be some of my best friends in life.  I never really knew them before Varsity. 

Eat the Cake- Jake Experience

 

Final Thoughts – Not a Goodbye

I want everyone to understand the importance of Trail’s End Camp in my life and how I lived 10 months for 2. What gets people through those 10 months is the knowledge that there are another 2 months waiting for them at TEC.  Unfortunately, I will no longer be able to spend my summers at Trail’s End but I wanted to say thank you for always being there for me, and giving me the best 12 summers anyone could ever ask for.  Mostly, I want to thank everyone for making me into the person I am today and giving me memories and friendships that will last a lifetime.

I will see you at Visiting Day, Alumni Day and any other day I can be up in Beach Lake next summer for another great Experience.

Jake Solomon

Forever a TEC Camper