Tag Archives: TEC

College Day 2016

College Day or what some call a “mini” Olympics, broke out Tuesday around 4:00 pm. The teams for the 2-day competition were the South Dakota State Jack Rabbits, University of North Texas Green Horns, and lastly, the San Diego State Aztects. These last two days gave our Second Year Varsity campers a chance to come together as a group, and lead camp through a sports-filled friendly competition.

College Day Breakout - 001

The Second Year girls, matching with their French braided hair, as well as matching shirts, and the boys matching in their button downs, showed the rest of TEC how they’ve been ready for this moment the day they walked through the gates. A boy and girl, who have been overall great leaders and campers, are chosen and rewarded to be in charge of one of the three teams. However, each Second Year camper gets a role, whether being a rope burn captain, an athletic captain or a cheer captain.

TEC Run - 172

College Day started off with the traditional running of the bases, which was filled with spirit and sportsmanship. The next day was followed by a morning and afternoon filled with competitive sports such as soccer, softball, flag football, relay races and more. Of course the Varsity European hand ball game was the all time favorite. New talents were found, and new relationships between different ages were built as each Second Year put their best foot forward to make sure all of the campers and staff’s College Day experience was the best one yet.

College Day ended with the famous rope burn. Four Second Year campers, who have been looking forward to this since their first College Day, work together to build that fire higher, higher hoping to burn the 8 ft. tall rope.

Rope Burn - 185

The lucky winners were the Yellow Jack Rabbits who swept Rope Burn and Overall Cheer, making them the Overall College Day winners.

 

 

 

 

 

Community Service Awards!

“Friendships deepen through years with thee, lasting till eternity,” is a quote that every Trail’s End camper and staff member holds true to their heart. Friendship is one of the many gifts a camper is given from their experiences at TEC. Trail’s End gives everyone the opportunity to grow in many ways. Every week, specific campers are rewarded with different color dog tags to reflect their good character that was exhibited the previous week. As the children accumulate a number of them, we love to hear the sounds of success as they run around camp.

A few years ago, we implemented our Community Service Awards which are given to staff and campers who go above and beyond what is expected at camp. This award is extremely special, as it is only given to a select few each week and recognizes a sense of selflessness with putting their camp family before themselves.

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Every week, after Friday night services, the Community Service Award winners are called down, after the person that nominates them, reads off why they were nominated. It is truly an honor to see the faces of the surprised honorees as they are called down to stand in front of the entire camp.

This week, the Community Service Award winners were: Jeff Donaldson, Brandon Hoovis, Coleman Perret, Paula Kemp, Maddi Webb, Adin Kurtz, Monica Briceno, Caila Bender and Brooke Selmer. Congrats to this week’s winners!

4th of July Show!

4th of July, Campers dressed in red, white and blue

Trail’s End Camp hosted the largest BBQ in Beach Lake, for the Fourth of July Monday night, continuing the tradition of hot dogs and hamburgers on America’s birthday. The July 4th spirit was in the air last night, while the Buddies and Rangers put on a show for the Trail’s End Camp family. The cook out slope was colored in shades of red, white and blue as everyone was painted from head to toe in our nation’s patriotic colors.

Campers singing and dancing 4th of JulyThe youngest, but loudest campers participated in our annual Fourth of July show proudly representing our country’s Independence Day. The night began with campers performing traditional songs while the entire camp was singing and dancing along. The cook out slope was filled with smiles and laughs, showing all of the new friendships that were formed over the past week.4th of July fireworks

After a fun concert, beautiful fireworks exploded over the sky to end the night. The Fourth of July show is an important tradition at TEC that has been in place year after year. This special event also enables the youngest campers to show how important they are to our TEC family. Many campers were able to step out of their comfort zone to either crack a joke, or have a solo in a song on stage. The July 4th show is one of our favorite events in camp that gets the second week off to a great start.

Goldberg Stadium

Saturday was a special one for the entire Trail’s End family as we welcomed our campers for the start of our 70th season and then unveiled the new basketball stadium prior to the start of our Opening Campfire. With great pride, Marc announced to the camp that the stadium would be dedicated to Starr and Stan Goldberg.

Since the early 1960s, the names Starr and Stan Goldberg have been synonymous with Trail’s End     Camp. In 1960, Stan was hired as a counselor at TEC. Two years later Starr joined him. Little did they know, 54 summers later, they would still be here AND they never, ever could have imagined that they would be celebrating this summer as their 30th year of owning Trail’s End, with their children and grandchildren by their side.

The Goldbergs make everyone truly feel at home. Their spirit and energy is boundless which is why our secret club is blessed to have this amazing couple leading us each and every day. Our camp slogan “better for having been at Trail’s End Camp” can be best felt and seen because of them. All of us are better for having had Starr and Stan Goldberg in our lives.

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The amazing new basketball stadium, where campers will be shooting hoops and creating memories, has a press box, sound system, lights and a scoreboard. It will be an ever lasting reminder of these two amazing and loving camp icons.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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!