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Trail’s End Camp – Ready, Set, BOWL!

Tradition, CampEvery 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 GirlsThe weekend started off on Saturday as we spent the afternoon with our current 6th – 11th 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 CampOn Sunday, it was our 1st – 5th 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 1st 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.

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!

 

It’s Staffing Time – Trail’s End Hits the Road!

London GroupRegardless of the time of year, summer is always just around the corner for all of us in the TEC Office. As soon as the buses roll out of the gates in August, we begin preparing for our next camp adventure.  A large part of the preparation is staff recruiting.  We review Edinburgh Scotlandhundreds of applications and attend domestic and international staff fairs.  We do all of this with one goal in mind: finding the perfect counselors to join our camp family.

We recently traveled to England and Scotland, where we attended camp fairs for Camp America and CCUSA.  With the help of a few wonderful TEC Alumni, we hired many GREAT new staff members.  This month we will be traveling to Colorado State University, the University of Northern Colorado, Indiana University, Purdue, Penn State, Clarion, Lockhaven, Slippery Rock and Indiana University oLondon Fairsf Pennsylvania.  We’re excited to continue our search for the best counselors these schools have to offer.

Counselors are an integral part of the Trail’s End Experience. They are role models, mentors, coaches and older siblings. They help create an environment where our campers feel comfortable and confident, while having “An Experience of a Lifetime.”

In order to get a sense of what the TEC Staff Experience is all about, we spoke with 3 people, each viewing TEC through their own unique lens.  First, from our alumni ranks, Sam Elman, who grew up at TEC.  Sam was a 6-year camper and a bunk counselor for 3 summers.  Second, we have Kate Howe who was our dance instructor for 2 seasons.  Kate will be returning to TEC in 2014 for the first time in 5 years and will be serving as a Varsity Group Leader.  Third, we spoke with James Aird who will be a first time bunk counselor in for the summer of 2014.  He was recently hired at a camp fair in the UK.

Sam ElmanSam Elman

Nickname: Selman, The Legend Elman
Favorite Sports Team: New York Giants and Syracuse (Cuse) basketball
Favorite Quote: When Stan tells everyone at services, “Close your eyes and think of someone you never knew before you got to camp. Think about why that person is important to you today.”
Years at TEC: 9 Amazing Summers!

Hi, my name is Sam Elman and I am a junior at Syracuse University, but am currently studying abroad this semester in London. Since being abroad, I have been able to catch up with so many old friends from camp. I was fortunate enough to be able to experience Trail’s End. My time at Trail’s End was unforgettable and helped me become the person I am today. The family atmosphere, incredible staff members and continuous support at Trail’s End helped me grow during my time at camp.

The best part of the experience for mSam Elmane as a counselor was seeing each and every one of my campers grow up before my eyes and become the people they are today.  A lot of my campers are going to be in Varsity this summer, which is crazy! I can remember when Brandon Warren was a Pioneer and now he will be a First Year… time goes so fast. Being the go to person for my campers, giving them advice and working together to solve whatever problems they were having was the part of the job I loved.

Last summer was my first summer not being at Trail’s End, real life kicked in and I cannot tell you how much I missed it. It’s weird when you aren’t at the Axelrod Site for Opening Campfire in June but I know Trail’s End will always be a part of me. I couldn’t imagine a better way to spend your summers, as a camper or staff member, other than in Beach Lake at Trail’s End.

Kate HoweKate Howe

Nickname: Watson, Datey
Favorite song: “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” – Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell
Favorite Artist/Group: Arctic Monkeys, Rihanna, Rudimental, Ben Howard, Chase & Status, Florence + the Machine…I could go on!
Favorite Quote: ‘You’ll always be my friend, you know too much ;)’

My name is Kate Howe. I live with one of my best friends in the West Country of England. I’m currently working as a personal banker for Barclay’s Bank in the UK, the last thing I thought I would ever get into was finance but finding it quite interesting!

This will be my third year at Trail’s End, but my first as a Group Leader for Varsity. I have previously been a dance counselor with the Lowers. I had an amazing group of girls in 2007 and 2008. In 2008, I was lucky enough to have been made Olympic captain for Israel. TEC Olympics was the most exciting few days I’ve had. I don’t think I’ve ever laughed and cried so much in such a short space of time! I have so many amazing memories of camp as a staff member. It’s definitely the best job in the world and I cannot wait to return to my summer home in 2014!

Camp Colors KateI never thought that after 5 years I would be going back to camp, but I’m so happy I am! I know I needed a few more summers at camp before I can say I’ve had my Trail’s End fix, but I’m sure I’ll still be saying that when I’m 50! I have made lifelong friends at camp, with co-counselors and campers. I feel very lucky to be going back this summer and starting my Trail’s End journey all over again!

This summer, I simply cannot wait to do the following things: Winning Lou Flego 🙂 Sing, Dancing with Rona, Olympics, Campfires and s’mores, Nancy Tucker and basically every amazing thing camp has to offer (which is EVERYTHING!).

James Aird
James
Nickname:
Airdy
Favorite Sport: Football (soccer!) and Rugby
Favorite Quote: “All know the way, few actually walk it”
Favorite Bands: The Courteeners, Oasis & Blink-182

Hey! My name is James. I am from Blackpool, near Manchester, England. I attended Arnold School and I am currently studying International History and Politics at the University of Leeds. I am a huge sports fan and I love to play football (soccer) with friends. Music is also a big interest of mine and I really enjoy going to concerts and festivals.

Last summer, I traveled around Europe with a group of friends and saw some incredible things. When I returned from my travels around Europe, I wanted to see as much of the world as possible and I realized camp was a great way to do this. After watching the video for TEC, I saw how happy the kids and staff were and knew Trail’s End was the camp for me! This is my first year at Trail’s End. I attended the international fair in Leeds, met Sara, and got hired all in one day. It was very exciting.

I will be acting as a JAMES 2Cabin Specialist. I can’t wait to see camp in person and experience everything being part of the TEC family has to offer. Although it will be a challenge living in another country, it is very much a challenge I am looking forward to! I am very excited for this fantastic opportunity. Trail’s End looks an exceptional camp. I cannot wait to meet everybody and have the best summer ever! It truly will be a summer of a lifetime for me!

 

We are excited for everyone to reunite with all of their counselors from last summer, while also meeting all of the wonderful new staff we have hired. Summer is just around the corner. We can’t wait till opening campfire. Only 132 more days!

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.