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Two new Specialty Tracks planned for '08
Specialty Tracks are electives that take place in two-hour blocks during the daily U-Pick-It activity periods. These tracks broaden campers' horizons with a whole new level of learning and experience! Last year, we introduced the Adventure Mania and Treasure Hunter Tracks; these will continue in 2008. Adventure Mania gives campers an awesome experience on the Senior Challenge Course, Vertical Playpen and either Rappelling or Outdoor High Ropes. Treasure Hunters learn how to use our “high-tech” GPS units as they search for hidden treasure.
Two new Specialties will be offered in addition:
(1) Advanced Archery and
(2) Mountain Biking.
Advanced Archery Track:
• Two 2-hour sessions ($20)
• Trekkers, Adventurers, Navigators
Mountain Biking Track:
• Two 2-hour sessions ($30)
• Adventurers, Navigators
Adventure Mania Track:
• Three 2-hour sessions ($30)
• Adventurers, Navigators
Treasure Hunter Track:
• Two 2-hour sessions ($20)
• Trekkers, Adventurers, Navigators
New bikes arriving for Mountain Biking Track
The Mountain Biking Track will include instruction on proper bike fit, riding techniques, and plenty of riding on Spruce Lake's trails and back roads during the two 2-hour sessions. Campers will ride Spruce Lake's brand new fleet of GIANT Boulder SE and Rincon bikes that feature lightweight Aluxx aluminum frames with 100 mm. of front-end suspension travel.
• Our new fleet will also be used by Expeditions — the new Catskill
Hike & Bike and Explorer PA Junior Expeditions. Our fleet of 15 new mountain bikes will consist of the GIANT Rincon and the GIANT Boulder SE.
Former Olympic hopeful, Alex Ferrer, will direct new Advanced Archery Track
Alex Ferrer, who has been leading the general archery U-Pick-It, will also be in charge of the advanced course offered next year — two 2- hour sessions during the U-Pick-It period. Alex has been target shooting — whether with bow and arrow or gun — since age 14. He especially loves archery because it requires not only steady discipline, but also a keen artistic sense. Plus, it's a sport great for all ages. His wife, Lisa, and their three daughters have all enjoyed archery as a family. Alex entered competitive archery in '87 and participated in the '89 World Team Trials. He tried out for the Olympics in 1992 and 1996.
Three new expeditions lined up:
1. Pine Barrens & Jersey Shore Trek (for something new in Junior Expeditions)
Ages 12-14 (separate trips for guys and gals) ... On this unique trip, you'll get the
chance to hike, canoe and simply play in the largest piece of open space that still
exists between Boston and Richmond, Virginia!
The Pine Barrens (or Pinelands) is a heavily forested area of over 1 million acres.
The sandy, acidic soil is just perfect for a unique and diverse spectrum of plant life.
Highlights of this trip will be:
• Canoeing wild and scenic rivers in Wharton State Forest.
• Hiking Pineland trails that encompass unique area ecosystems and history.
• Playing at Island Beach State Park, a 10-mile pristine shoreline, one of the few
remaining undeveloped barrier beaches on the entire North Atlantic coast.
• A Friday morning stop at the Seaside Park boardwalk, just for fun.
2. Backpacking the Loyalsock (for those who want an "epic journey")
Ages 14-18 ... Backpacking the Loyalsock will take 11 days, with nine
whole days spent traveling one of the best-loved trails in Pennsylvania!
The group of gals and guys on this trek will begin just off Rt. 87 near
Montoursville in north central PA, and step off the trail at World's End State
Park. You'll follow mountain ranges and streams, old logging roads and
forested paths on elevations that fluctuate from 665 feet to as high as 2,140
feet. You'll see vistas, canyons and waterfalls all along the way!
With backpacks to carry gear and the food you'll need for nine days, this
hiking/camping adventure will place you into the natural rhythms of the forest.
3. Catskill Bike & Hike (for exploring the region's very best!)
Ages 14-18 ... get ready for rugged, rocky terrain, clear streams cutting out
valleys, and cliffs emerging into waterfalls in the Catskills and Shawangunk
Mountains!
You'll camp out and take day treks to really explore the area well! Spend two
days riding Spruce Lake's new mountain bikes through the Minnewaska State
Park Preserve — it's the most popular mountain biking site in the Hudson
Valley.
Then hike and climb some of the Catskills' most awesome spots that will
include Slide Mountain (over 2,000 feet), Katterskill Falls (the highest in New
York), and one of the best-known paths that will have so many crevices and
scrambles, it'll be like a giant game of chutes and ladders!
Adults enjoyed first-everParent-Child camps
Parents who attended Parent-Child Discoverer Camp and the Parent-Child Mini-Week gave "high-fives" for their experience! Parent Stephen Knudsen said, “It was a three day stretch I would not trade for the world!” “It was so wonderful being with only Isaiah for those three days,” said Stephen, “watching him catch frogs, playing carpet ball with him, watching him make new friends, playing mini-golf with him, going on the water slide with him, and most importantly, spending that morning time in the Bible with him.”
ACA accreditation has been renewed
American Camping Association sets high standards for youth camping operations. Member camps are visited and evaluated every three years for compliance with over 100 standards that cover the gamut of camp facilities and operations. Our staff managers spent many hours documenting compliance in accordance with the new ACA accreditation manual that came out this year. The documentation was evaluated August 1 and a thorough physical inspection of our site took place August 7. |
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