Outdoor Ed - Welcome Erie Middle School!

The first week of outdoor education is off to a great start with our staff instructing the seventh graders of Erie Middle School in our Native American's and Mountaineering learning units. The first half of the seventh grade class was treated to two great evening programs; dutch auction, and a team building circuit, which culminated in a fantastic campfire.

Yesterday we welcomed the second half of the seventh grade, and like there counterparts, theypartook in a teambuilding circuit. Kids, staff and counselors awoke early for a hike up to the statue, and after a fantastic breakfast prepared by our talented kitchen staff, are off on their first learning sessions of the day.

Stay tuned for pictures!

Tom

Blizzard & Outdoor Education Staff

The last week has brought an abundance of activity to Camp Santa Maria. Andrew, Arianne, Chelsea and I attended the American Camp Association spring conference last Friday, braving heavy snow on Highway 285 to witness an enlightening presentation by Steve McGuire.

As evidenced by the photos above, old man winter hung around a bit late in the front range of Colorado this season, sparing nowhere, especially Camp Santa Maria. By Saturday afternoon, Camp was blanketed with about three feet of the heavy white stuff, which despite its initial annoyance, is actually a blessing in disguise due to the dry winter, and the threat of forest fire come spring.

After a weekend away, the leadership staff returned to camp Monday to prepare for the arrival of our six outdoor education instructors, Jess, Aryn, Will, Ross, Natalie, and Aaron. Jess and Aaron are returning to CSM, and with their leadership, the new staff have injected the camp with energy, which will only increase with the arrival of 80 eager students next week.

Now that snow has given way to sunny, seventy degree weather, the staff have been outside preparing their learning units for the students. Check back soon for updates on the first week of Outdoor Education.

Tom

Greetings from Camp!

As it snows across the front range, the staff of YMCA Camp Santa Maria are busy planning for what is sure to be the greatest camp season yet.

I arrived at camp Monday after a long cross-country trip from Boston, which included stops in the beautiful cities of Buffalo, NY, Joliet, IL, Lincoln, NE and lastly, four nights in Denver Colorado, one of which saw me spend an evening with the brilliant man we call The Boss!

Until todays snowfall, the weather at camp has been mild and sunny. Yesterday, after a brief meeting in the office and a tour around camp with some visitors, Arianne, Andrew and I spent the afternoon cleaning out the chaplins house in preperation for the arrival of our new cook, Chelsea, who will reside there. While we were unable to get Chelsea's new residance up to our code, we are thrilled at her arrival.

Today, while Chelsea and Arianne have gone shopping for supplies in Denver, I have spent the day on the phone speaking with parents about Summer Camp 2009, while Andrew (as well as myself) have kept our eyes glued to the sky, while simultaneoulsy keeping in contact with those attending the American Camp Associations Rocky Mountain Section Spring Workshop, which, as of now, is a go for tomorrow morning.

This is first, of what is sure to be many posts from the new YMCA Camp Santa Maria blogspot. We hope this blog can be utilized by campers, parents, staff and the alike as a portal where they can keep up with the daily activities of camp.

So long for now,
Tom
(Pathfinders Unit Director)