Tag Archives: Opening Campfire

Opening Campfire 2016!

The wait is over! Living ten months for two has finally arrived and Summer 2016 is off to an amazing start! The buses rolled through the 18405 gates straight to the cheerleading pavilion, where campers were reunited with their summer family.

Opening Campfire

Relationships rekindled as the campers sprinted to their assigned bunks where they dropped their bunk junk, to see what the next seven weeks would be all about. First year Varsity slowly walked down the hill, leaving campus behind, ready to take on a new role.

 

Steph Axelrod's Speech at TEC opening campfire 2016

The vibes were great. Everyone around was smiling, laughing, just like they had never left. Bagels and lox were soon forgotten, as our traditional pizza lunch was served to get the day going. The rest of the afternoon was followed with everyone’s favorite type of activity, ICE BREAKERS. The day flashed before our eyes and soon enough, the groups starting walking up the hill to opening campfire.Hello 2016

The Axelrod Site started as a dance party, playing all the hit summer songs that will be on repeat, ready to take on Summer 16. Together for the first time as a family, opening campfire started. After speeches from the leadership team, Steph’s booming voice was heard while he read off each group’s memories from the previous year, as well as his traditional speech, which the returners would not let him recite alone.

The Alma Mater was sung, Hello 16’ was lit, and just like that day 1 out of 51 was done. Living without Snapchat and Instagram, the campers jumped right into camp mode ready to wake up to Reveille to start day two, and an experience of lifetime.

Introducing Our Leadership Team – Summer 2015

Leadership TeamWelcome to the Summer of 2015! We would like to introduce you to our leadership team. Calvin Snyder, Stephanie Fineman, Zach Wahl-Alexander and Katie Donahue represent the Boys Campus, Girls Campus and Varsity. Juli Puglisi is our Parent Liaison and Special Needs Coordinator. Adam Haines serves as our Athletic Director, Sara Harl is our Evening Programer and Sara Fetterhoff is our Assistant Director leading all prospective families through camp during the summer. Stacy Carus, our other Assistant Director, will continue to work out of the New York office in Wantagh. Please feel free to contact them with any needs you have this summer.

Calvin SnyderScreen Shot 2015-06-06 at 12.58.36 PM
Nickname: Cal
Favorite Sports Team: Cleveland Browns
Favorite Color: Blue
Favorite Movie: “Field of Dreams”
Favorite Quote: “There may be people that have more talent than you, but there’s no excuse for anyone to work harder than you do.” – Derek Jeter
Favorite Camp Tradition: Olympics
Years in Camp: 12
Position In Camp: Boys Head Counselor
Favorite Camp Memory: The first line-up skit on Boys Campus!

Screen Shot 2015-06-06 at 12.58.10 PMMy name is Calvin Snyder and I have been coming to Trail’s End for the past twelve summers. I started as a baseball counselor then moved up to Group Leader and finally now the Boys Head Counselor. I am originally from Ohio but now have been living and working in Germantown, Maryland at Sheridan School as an Athletic Director and Physical Education teacher for the past 9 years. I can’t wait to spend another summer with my camp family and get to know all the new staff members and campers.

Stephanie FinemanIMG_9536
Nickname: Steph or “Mom”
Favorite Sports Team:  Florida Panthers
Favorite Color: TEC Green
Favorite Movie:  “Overboard!” and “The Shining”
Favorite Quote:  “You’re gonna need a bigger boat!” (Jaws)
Favorite Camp Tradition:  When Stan announces the Olympic teams at the cook out slope and asks if “they are ready” prior to going through the Olympic Village and Campfire
Years in Camp:  This is our 6th summer
Position in Camp:  Girls Head Counselor
Favorite Camp Memory:  Group Nights at the Arts and Crafts shop

IMG_7704Hi everyone!  It is a pleasure and an honor to introduce myself to all of you.  To begin, I’m the Mom who never grew up!  I have been camping since I was 11 years old, and will continue to do it until I cannot anymore.  (Hopefully never!)  Our family is from Florida, and while I get to play with all of your children along with my two boys, my fabulous husband, Alan, remains in the tropical heat to make us a living so we can continue the fun.  The Fineman’s are looking forward to another wonderful summer, as always.  I can’t wait to see how much all of “my girls” have grown up since last summer, as well as meeting all the “new friends” starting this season.  I am so happy to switch from my winter job as a teacher in the classroom, to the outdoor fresh air of beautiful Beach Lake, Pennsylvania.

Zach Wahl-AlexanderScreen Shot 2015-06-06 at 12.53.20 PM
Nickname: The Dr.
Favorite Sports Team: Alabama Crimson Tide
Favorite Color: Blue
Favorite Movie: “Gladiator”
Favorite Quote:  “I am the master of the universe.”
Favorite Camp Tradition: Olympic captains being called down the hill
Years in Camp: 4
Position In Camp: Varsity Head Counselor
Favorite Camp MemoryScreen Shot 2015-06-06 at 12.53.01 PM: Brian Carus being awarded Olympic captain

My name is Zachary Wahl-Alexander, and this is my 4th summer at Trail’s End.  For my first two summers, I was the Group Leader for the Pioneers, and last summer I shared an office with Calvin and served as Boys Head Counselor.  This summer, I am the Varsity Boys Head Counselor, and cannot wait to be down in the village.  I recently graduated from the University of Alabama with my PhD in Human Performance and began to officially be called Dr. in May.  I start work as an assistant professor at Northern Illinois University in August, and am very excited to start the next chapter in my life.

Katie DonahueScreen Shot 2015-06-06 at 12.53.58 PM
Nickname: Sunshine
Favorite Sports Team: The Alabama Crimson Tide
Favorite Color: Anything pastel
Favorite Movie: “The Princess Bride”
Favorite Quote: “In a world where you can be anything… be yourself”
Favorite Camp Tradition: Olympics
Years in Camp: 6
Position In Camp: Varsity Girls Head Counselor
Favorite Camp Memory: The last day of camp during my last year as a Group Leader (2013) when I spent the whole day with my girls sharing our favorite memories about the summer. I was (and still am) so proud of the cohesive, supportive, and loving group of girls. I watched them grow and felt so lucky to have been a part of their journey.

My name is Katie Donahue and this is my 6th summer at TEC. I started as a counselor for the Lower Collegiates back in 2010 and this summer I will complete my second year as Head Counselor down in Varsity. I can’t believe that the girls I had when I was a counselor will be COUNSELORS THEMSELVES this summer!
Screen Shot 2015-06-06 at 12.57.39 PMI received my undergraduate degree in Middle Childhood Education from The Ohio State University and this past December, I graduated with my Masters in Elementary Education from the University of Alabama, Roll Tide! After graduation, I got hired as a 6th grade math and science teacher in Alabama and loved it! However, I am leaving the warm weather and southern hospitality for Illinois after camp this year because Zach got a job as a professor at Northern Illinois University. I am currently looking for an Elementary teaching position and can’t wait for camp this summer.

Juli PuglisiFullSizeRender 2
Favorite sports Team: Giants
Favorite Color : Light blue ( Sabrina said it is purple but I think it’s light blue)
Favorite Movie : “The Fugitive”
Favorite Quote: “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take”- Wayne Gretzky.
Favorite Camp Tradition: Opening Olympic Ceremony
Years in Camp : 11 as a camper and will be 5 as a staff member
Position in camp: Parent Liaison/ Office Manager
Favorite camp memory: Olympics 2013- Flash Mob!

FullSizeRenderI live in Dix Hills, New York with my husband Greg and three children, Ellie (13), Sam (11) and Sabrina (11). I was a Special Education teacher in Manhattan until I had my children. After a few years off I moved to Long Island and went back to work as an Early Intervention teacher.  In 2011, I had the opportunity to start working at Trail’s End. This meant the world to me as Trail’s End has been my childhood summer home, starting as a Buddie in 1981 and continuing all the way through as a counselor. I love being up at camp and watching my children and the other campers have the experience that formed so many of my own childhood memories. My husband, Greg also gets to share in this experience as the camp doctor. I can’t wait for the memories of 2015.

Adam HainesScreen Shot 2015-06-25 at 6.36.36 AM
Nickname :  Tater Salad  (Ron White reference, I have no nickname)
Favorite Sports Teams:  San Antonio Spurs, Florida State football
Favorite Color:  Green
Favorite Movie:  “Saving Private Ryan,” “Braveheart,” “Band of Brothers” miniseries, “Elf” around Christmas time
Favorite Quotes: “The way you do anything is the way you do everything;”   “Give a man a fish, feed him for the day, teach a man to fish, feed him for life.”  “You can’t learn in school what the world is going to do next year.”
Favorite Camp tradition:  Olympics break, captain selection and opening ceremony
Years in Camp:  7
Screen Shot 2015-06-25 at 6.36.26 AMPosition in Camp:  Athletic Director and Basketball Director
Favorite Camp Memory:  Going to New York to make the movie for finding the missing torch for Olympics.

My name is Adam Haines.  I have been a teacher and basketball coach at the varsity level for 14 years and this is my 7th summer at Trail’s End.  I have been married to my wife Laurel for 11 years and I have two boys,  Wyatt who is 8 and Levi who is 7.  We live in the Charlotte, NC area but my wife is from Pennsylvania and I grew up in Virginia.

 

 

Sarah Harl
Nickname: The Other Sara(h)Screen Shot 2015-06-25 at 6.39.03 AM
Favorite Sports Team: Iowa Hawkeyes
Favorite Color: Turquoise
Favorite Movie:
 “Beauty and the Beast”
Favorite Quote: “Sometimes I believe in as many as six impossible things before breakfast” – Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland
Favorite Camp Tradition: I couldn’t pick – either Rope Burn or College Day Base Race
Years in Camp: 9
Position In Camp: Evening and Special Events Director
Favorite Camp Memory: The prep for and the Dr. Seuss breakout.

Screen Shot 2015-06-25 at 6.38.03 AMBy way of background, I’m originally from Iowa and graduated from Simpson College with a degree in Sports and Entertainment Management. In January, I moved to New Jersey and have been loving my new East Coast life. In my free time, I love to attend sporting events, travel (including making as many trips back to Iowa as I can!), and plan 1,001 Olympic Breaks. I can’t wait to spend summer number 9 in 18405!

 

Screen Shot 2015-06-25 at 6.39.58 AMSara Fetterhoff
Favorite Sports Team: Boston Celtics and Michigan State Men’s Basketball
Favorite Color: Teal
Favorite Movie: “The Goonies”
Favorite Quote:  “Maybe I have lost a few more games than planned, but, it won’t be the wins I’ll remember forever. It will be the blood, sweat, tears and friends that I’ve gained playing the game I love.” – Larry Bird
Favorite Camp Tradition: SING
Years in Camp: 8
Position In Camp: Assistant Director
Favorite Camp Memory: Winning Sing with the UBuds and URangers in 2011!

Screen Shot 2015-06-25 at 6.44.12 AMMy name is Sara Fetterhoff, I have been spending the past 8 summers at Trail’s End. Starting off as the basketball counselor with the Middies, I worked my way up and now spend 12 months a year thinking and planning for camp. What could be better!? This summer my first year campers are officially staff members, which is crazy to me. During the summers, I run our tour program and help educate all prospective families about how great Trail’s End is. I am so excited for the summer of 2015 and reunite with all of my favorite people.

Stacy Carus39671_417446548516_1254212_n
Favorite Sports Team: New York Islanders
Favorite Color: Green/Blue
Favorite Movie: “Inception”
Favorite Quote:  “Summer afternoon, summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language.”  –  Henry James
Favorite Camp Tradition: Apache Relay during Olympics
Years in Camp: 12
Position In Camp: Assistant Director
Favorite Camp Memory: Frog hunting during free play!

39333_418965738516_372809_nI came to TEC in 2003 as the Girls Head Counselor. That summer, four Carus’ went to camp. Ben was in his second summer as a Kadet, Brian was starting camp as an Upper Ranger and Erin was beginning camp as one of the Lower Lower Buddies.
My summers up on girls’ campus were the best summers of my life! I especially loved canoeing and sailing and connecting with so many wonderful girls and counselors. After my first summer, I joined the staff in the winter office and became Assistant Director for the winter months. As the last Carus camper finished Varsity in 2010, I switched roles and became Assistant Director in the New York office year-round. Of course, I still come up to camp a few times each summer – I haven’t missed a Visiting Day in 13 years!

 

 

Looking Ahead….

Sara's Photo

As the leaves start to turn and the cold weather is right around the corner, we have set our sights towards summer 2015. Here are some exciting camp events and changes we have planned for the upcoming year:

HALLOWEEN CONTEST – We are excited to announce our 2nd Annual Halloween Costume contest for campers and staff alike! Email Sara a photo of you in your costume by November 3rd to be entered in a raffle to win a Trail’s End prize pack! The lucky staff member and lucky camper will be announced via Facebook, Instagram and Twitter early November. Looking forward to seeing everyone all dressed up!

WINTER REUNION – We can’t wait to see our camp families at the Winter Reunions December 6th and 7th, It is always great hanging out and reuniting with old camp friends while getting to know our new incoming campers even better. Remember to RSVP by logging into your My TEC Account at trailsendcamp.com.

TennisTENNIS COURT RENOVATIONS – Our tennis court facility will be getting a full facelift. We will have 7 brand new tennis courts and 3 Quickstart training courts for our youngest campers. We are excited to see the courts in action come June!

BRAND NEW CRAFTS & TECHNOLOGY CENTER –  The biggest change to the 2015 program will be the expansion of Crafts & Technology.  The new center will include woodworking, ceramics, fine arts, jewelry making, textiles, cooking, video production, digital media and rock band. Keep your eyes peeled for photos throughout the winter.  We will post them on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

TOWEL SERVICE – Beginning in 2015, we will be providing towel service for our campers and staff.  Towels will be delivered daily to every camper and staff for showers.  Additionally, there will be towels at the lake or pool for their use when swimming and boating.  Our towel service will result in our Lake Photocampers bringing less “stuff” to camp and will create more room in the bunks!

We are very excited for the 2015 additions and cannot wait to be back at TEC. See you all soon!

Only 35 Saturdays till opening campfire!

 

– Missing 18405 –

MISSING 18405It seems hard to believe that camp ended a month ago. Unfortunately, early morningUNIQUE LOGAN AND HILARY school buses have replaced reveille and line up. What we would do for a day at 18405 right now! Instead we spend our time remembering the sounds of boys’ & girls’ campus, the smell of camp cookies coming from the kitchen and the feelings of excitement that we experienced during our 51 days together. As we sit and reflect on the past summer, we can’t help but smile at all the great times we had as a camp family.

We are sure you have spent the last 30 days telling everyone about the crazy moments with your friends, the special events, the trips, the championship sports teams, the incredible drama producNANCT TUCKERtions. How ridiculous was it when your counselors got hypnotized or how gross (and funny at the same time) it was to be covered in chocolate syrup with whipped cream on your head for an entire afternoon of Messy Tuesday. Have you taught your younger sibling and parents some Nancy Tucker songs like the one about One Meatball and No Spaghetti, Jellyfish or the hysterical Shower Cap Song?

The best memories at camp were often the moments you had during rest hour, free play and late nights with your friends. Those personal memories are something we all cherish all winter long.Olympics

So as we look back to what was another great summer, we are happy to share with you the highlights of Olympics. Those five days of non-stop fun, competition and cheer sessions culminated with what was one of the best Olympic Sing nights ever.  It was there that the white team of Slovakia was named the ultimate victor.

As you start to get into the swing of the academic year, we hope that you, like us, are able to reflect upon what an incredible summer it was and eagerly look forward to 2015. Before we know it we will have our December events. Please stay in touch and send us reunion photos and TEC sightings that you may have.

Only 44 more Fridays to go…..

2014 Olympics from Trail’s End Camp on Vimeo.

Welcome Home – Summer 2014

Marc and CrewAs soon as the buses drove through the gates and down the hill to our eagerly awaiting staff, we knew this summer was going to be amazing! From the time the first camper stepped off the bus, we hit the ground running, starting the day with our traditional pizza lunch before heading out to activities and icebreakers. We ended the 1st day with our traditional opening campfire where our returning Lower Buddies and Rangers helped Marc dig up the story buried in the ground late last August.

5O5A2358The energy and excitement continued into the first full day of activities. It was so wonderful seeing all of the hard courts and fields filled with campers learning new skills and drills and playing their favorite team sports. Our new Outdoor Adventure zip-line and high ropes elements took center stage for the entire first week. To say the additions are a hit is an understatement.Stan and Tennis

The evening program has been thriving, from the 70s staff Talent Show where the counselors and Group Leaders were able to showcase themselves to all of their campers to Pollapoolooza where Marc, Ryan and the Head Counselors were able to compete in funny challenges such as a human sundae and giant Jenga.

Tournament teams are in full swing with campers competing in soccer, baseball, tennis, softball, and flag football. Trail’s End has hosted two invitational flag football tournaments, one in which the Lower Cavaliers took home 1st and 2nd place, competing against 7 other Wayne County Camps and the other with the 9th grade boys taking home 2nd place. We are excited to see how well the rest of our sports teams will do this summer and how much fun they will have competing against other camps.

5O5A2140Play practices have begun. This summer we will be spotlighting every age group in a Broadway Musical. On the bill for this summer is Legally Blonde, Matilda, Little Shop of Horrors and Beauty and the Beast. We cannot wait to see what Lizzie and the drama team will be able to create with our talented campers.

We ended the week with our traditional Friday night services and Buddies and Rangers 4th of July Show. It was amazing to see the entire camp family on the cookout slope. We gave out our Community Service awards to 13 campers and staff in the Trail’s End community. We love seeing everyone going above and beyond to help someone else in 5O5A2142camp. Congrats to everyone! The Buddies and Rangers show was a huge success this year, as they were able to perform one of the best 4th of July shows we have seen in years. The night ended with our fireworks, Alma Mater and Taps – what a great finish to an amazing week. The first week at camp has been filled with many little moments that each camper and counselor will truly cherish forever and we can’t wait to see what weeks 2-7 bring. Welcome Home to our Trail’s End family. We are already loving summer 2014. Check out the week 1 highlight video!

 

 

Week 1 Highlights from Trail’s End Camp on Vimeo.