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Open Water Swim Camp
Somerset Hills YMCA and Camp Speers-Eljabar YMCA are offering the best of Competitive Swim Training and Summer Sleep Away Camping with the 2010 Open Water Swim Camp Aug 22 - 28 for YMCA League swimmers ages 11 - 14 (Silver Level and above).
Somerset Hills and Camp Speers-Eljabar YMCAs present
2010 Open Water Swim Camp
Sunday, Aug 22nd – Saturday, Aug 28th
Camp Speers-Eljabar YMCA
Dingmans Ferry PA
Open to all YMCA Swim League - Silver Level & above Swimmers
Ages 11-14 (as of July 1st, 2010)
Ages 11-14 (as of July 1st, 2010)
Combining the very best
open water swim training with traditional summer sleep away camping!
open water swim training with traditional summer sleep away camping!
Improve strokes, timing and endurance
Explore & master new activities
Gain self confidence & skills
Build lasting friendships
Have FUN
STAFF
Our head coaches, Peter Barry, Barbara S. Huey and Laura Riddell are well respected in the YMCA Competitive Swim world and beyond. Under their expertise swim campers will work on and improve strokes, endurance, timing and strategy. They will be joined by registered coaches from the Northern New Jersey YMCA Swim League. Coach to camper ratio is 1:10
Camp Counselors (a.k.a. the “Fun-gineers”), young men and women who are typically college students and/or recent college grads who have studied and worked in education, recreation and/or a related field live in the cabins with the Swim Campers as well as lead camp activities. Staff are selected for their experience in working with children/teens, as well as their good character and knowledge of camp programming. Staff to camper ratio is 1:6
Camp Counselors (a.k.a. the “Fun-gineers”), young men and women who are typically college students and/or recent college grads who have studied and worked in education, recreation and/or a related field live in the cabins with the Swim Campers as well as lead camp activities. Staff are selected for their experience in working with children/teens, as well as their good character and knowledge of camp programming. Staff to camper ratio is 1:6
ABOUT THE HEAD COACHES
Peter Barry - Director of Competitive Aquatics, Somerset Hills YMCA
Peter brings his 30 years of coaching experience to the open water of Lake Nichecronk. He has been head coach at SHY for the past 9 years, working with athletes aged 7- 18. He was previously head coach at Morris Center YMCA and assistant Coach for the Columbia University Women’s Swim Team. Peter graduated with a BA from Columbia University. He is a member of the Northern New Jersey Swim League.
Peter brings his 30 years of coaching experience to the open water of Lake Nichecronk. He has been head coach at SHY for the past 9 years, working with athletes aged 7- 18. He was previously head coach at Morris Center YMCA and assistant Coach for the Columbia University Women’s Swim Team. Peter graduated with a BA from Columbia University. He is a member of the Northern New Jersey Swim League.
Barbara S. Huey - Director of Competitive Aquatics, Hunterdon County YMCA, emeritus
Barbara has over 25 years of competitive swimming coaching experience. She was most recently the Competitive Aquatics Director/Head Coach at the Hunterdon County YMCA where she just recently “retired” from her 14-year coaching position there. She has also coached with various league clubs including Summit YMCA, North Carolina State University, University of Miami, Union College, and the University of Virginia. She also served on the North NJ YMCA Swim League Executive Board for the past 6+ years. She received her BS from Penn State & her Masters in Recreation/Sports Psychology from North Carolina State.
Barbara has over 25 years of competitive swimming coaching experience. She was most recently the Competitive Aquatics Director/Head Coach at the Hunterdon County YMCA where she just recently “retired” from her 14-year coaching position there. She has also coached with various league clubs including Summit YMCA, North Carolina State University, University of Miami, Union College, and the University of Virginia. She also served on the North NJ YMCA Swim League Executive Board for the past 6+ years. She received her BS from Penn State & her Masters in Recreation/Sports Psychology from North Carolina State.
Laura Riddell - Director of Competitive Aquatics, Summit Area YMCA
Laura is Director of Competitive Aquatics at the Summit Area YMCA. She has coached for Summit for 20 years. Laura swam competitively and completed her high school swimming career at the Summit YMCA where she was a national level athlete. She swam all 4 years while attending Lehigh University. In addition to holding a BS from Lehigh, she also earned, with distinction, an MS from Kean University.
Laura is Director of Competitive Aquatics at the Summit Area YMCA. She has coached for Summit for 20 years. Laura swam competitively and completed her high school swimming career at the Summit YMCA where she was a national level athlete. She swam all 4 years while attending Lehigh University. In addition to holding a BS from Lehigh, she also earned, with distinction, an MS from Kean University.
ABOUT CAMP
Lake Nichecronk translates to “clear waters” in the language of Native Americans who once inhabited this area. Lake Nichecronk is a private, natural spring fed lake comprised of 42 acres with a length of over 1 mile. It is also home to sailing, kayaking, canoeing, row boating and fishing. Large inflated water slides and bouncers bring even more FUN to the water.
Facilities & Activities: Welcome to a bit of Paradise on Earth! Our Pocono Mountain woodland facilities are second to none with beautiful, spacious log cabins that accommodate up to 14 people with in-cabin bathrooms and showers. Other log cabin-style buildings provide indoor activity and dining space. Miles of trails wind through our 1,100 acres offering hikers, mountain bikers, and horse back riders a variety of terrain. Our ranch boasts two riding arenas and a fully equipped barn surrounded by paddocks. Archery and Riflery ranges, arts & crafts studios, climbing towers, obstacle courses, high ropes course, and fields for games offer campers great places to enjoy activities galore.
Health Care:Air-conditioned well equipped Health Lodges are staffed 24 hours per day by a RN, LPN or Health Care Assistant. They manage daily medications, triage and treat injuries and illness and work with medical providers to ensure that we meet our campers’ health care needs.
Meals served in our Dining Hall include a variety of fresh and tantalizing dishes sure to tempt even the “pickiest eater”. Vegetarian options are always available. We can often accommodate other special diets with advance notice. Please indicate special dietary needs on registration form or contact our offices to discuss.
TYPICAL DAILY SCHEDULE
7:00 – 8:00 Morning swim
8:00 – 9:00 Breakfast
9:00 – 12:15 3 Activity Periods (1 is either running or biking on alternating days)
Campers choose from a menu of activities that could include:
- Archery
- Aerobics
- Arts & Crafts
- Basketball
- Canoeing
- Ceramics
- Climbing Tower
- Cooking
- Fishing
- Drama
- High Ropes
- Horseback Riding*
- Kayaking
- Land Sports
- Mountain Biking
- Newspaper
- Outdoor Living
- Riflery
- Sailing
12:30 - 1:15 Lunch
1:30 - 2:30 Quiet Hour or Teambuilding
Cabin groups working together experience a full range of options and the emphasis on group decision making fosters stronger cohesiveness & appreciation of each member of the group.
2:30 - 3:30 Discovery Hour
Campers choose from amongst the day’s activity offerings to discover and experience something new and/or unusual. Sample activities include blueberry picking, hikes, free swim, & tie-dyeing,
3:45-5:15 Afternoon Swim
5:30 - 6:30 Dinner
6:30 - 7:30 Free time / Prep for evening program
7:30 – 9:00 Evening Program
Skits, dances, games, scavenger hunts, and campfires are just a few of the evening programs that bring the campers together to share even more fun.
10:00 Lights Out / Sleep Well!
* = additional fee for horseback riding
$ 25 for one hour clinic or trail ride / $ 125 for five – one hour lessons each morning
$ 25 for one hour clinic or trail ride / $ 125 for five – one hour lessons each morning
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
The Somerset Hills and Camp Speers-Eljabar YMCAs are dedicated to the many benefits of the Open Water Swim Camp experience for all. We make every effort to provide financial assistance to campers who would otherwise not be able to participate due to financial hardship. Please contact April Coquet at 570-828-2329 or via email
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for information on payment plans, to receive a Campership Application or to make a donation to the Campership Fund.
RATES
Open Water Swim Camp fee is $ 675 per person. All meals, activities, staff, and lodging are included.
Additional / Optional Fees
- Single, 1 hour horseback riding - Trail Ride OR Horsemanship Clinic = $ 25
- Five, 1 hour horseback riding lesson = $ 125
- Camp Store Account-campers may purchase a snack item from the Camp Store each day. Twice during the Camp week they will be able to purchase souveniers and camp clothing. Recommended Camper Store Account = $ 25 - 50
REGISTRATION PROVISIONS
- A deposit of $ 100 for per camper must be received by June 30th with the completed Open Water Swim Camp Registration Form. After July 1st Full Open Water Swim Camp fee of $ 675 must accompany the Registration. Registrations are processed on a 1st come basis.
- Refunds:
- If written notice of cancellation is received by July 1, 2010 all deposits and fees will be refunded. After July 1st, the deposit is non-refundable.
- If written notice is received a minimum of one month prior to the start of the camp session, fees paid minus the deposit will be refunded.
- Refunds of fees are provided when the camper is unable to attend due to medical issues. A physician’s statement to that effect is required. If the camper has attended a portion of the camp program and must leave early due to medical issues, a prorated portion of fees are refunded.
- No fee reductions are made for late arrivals or early departures.
- Registration Confirmation Packet: You will receive more information about health care and other program options that you can add to your child’s camp program in the Registration Confirmation Packet. The Registration Packet will also contain other forms that will need to be completed and returned to Camp prior to August 1st. The Registration Confirmation Packet will be mailed to you following receipt of the Registration and Deposit.
- YMCA Membership: A current YMCA Membership must be in effect during your child’s camp participation. If your child does not have a current YMCA membership, you may purchase a Camp Speers-Eljabar YMCA membership. Proof of a YMCA Membership in effect through the camp session is required to waive the Camp Speers-Eljabar YMCA membership fee.
- Medical Retainer: Since medical payments are required at time services are rendered and many insurance policies have co-pays and deductibles, we collect a medical retainer of $ 200 in the event medical services are required. Any unused portions of the medical retainer are returned at the end of the session. If medical services are used, you will be provided with a description of all costs paid with funds from the medical retainer. You may provide a separate check (returned to you if no medical expenses are incurred) or authorize a charge to your credit card if needed.
- Health History, Camper Information and Liability Waiver/Photo Release Forms: Forms must be returned to Camp by August 1st. The camper’s physician must complete a portion of the Health History Form and sign it each year. Campers are required to have a complete physical no more than 24 months prior to attending camp. The Health History Form is included in the confirmation packet. The Health History Form must be signed by the parent/guardian and notarized.
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