Life at the Bay

So this is what Sugar Bay Staff do in their spare time... haha More fun vids can be found on our Youtube Channel

Summer camps provide much more than just plain entertainment to kids. Kids not only have great fun but also learn many things that they don’t get to in their schools and homes. Camp can offer a variety of learning activities that bring positive changes in the personality of the children. Counselors make sure that the kids are rewarded for their achievements so that it encourages kids to do even better. Kids learn to be independent, explore out of their comfort zone and many by the end of camp have come out of their shell of shyness and nervousness. Summer camps enhance the self esteem of children and they return to school more confident and ready to face the new term head on. Camp hones their talents and skills, helping them to recognise their strength and teaches them how to overcome their weaknesses. They learn to share their things with others and develop new relationships with other children. The child becomes more social and adaptable and this is a must to succeed in the...

There is an amazing phenomena that happens at our company when counselors receive their camp names. Peter Smith and Glenda Jones become the most awesome and inspiring individuals when they adapt their alter egos. They morph into positive role models who try harder, live bigger and achieve more than what they ever did before, dropping the persona that walked through the door with all limitations that family, friends and the society have placed on them. Our counselors form a strong bond between each other as they now are part of an "exclusive" team. This bond is evident as they work together for many hours to achieve common goals. An alter ego also gives the counselors a sense of mystery and intrigue while protecting their privacy. It also helps to break the ice when meeting new campers for the first time as their funny names become an enthusiastic talking point. Who wont be intrigued to find out more about "Tinkerbell", "Shower" and "Jaguar". ...

Summer camp was a foreign concept where I grew up, in South Africa. I never went, and neither did any child or teenager I knew. My holiday experiences consisted of TV marathons, building forts in the garden and (in later years) a waitressing job at a local restaurant. Camping, maybe, but summer camp? This was exclusively an American tradition, as far as I was concerned. It was not until my second year in university that a close friend of mine suggested I work with her at a local camp over the 2010 world cup holidays. It was that May that I took the first steps into my future career path, dipping my toes into the sea of my future (both literally and metaphorically) . Days spent on the lagoon with surfing, kayaking, paddle boarding and swimming, all ending off with a final campfire on the last night of every camp. I’m reasonably sure I never want to go home. Every camper I met loved the camp as much as I loved being a counselor there. The benefits stretched beyond learning to ...

GOD CREATED CHILDREN (AND IN THE PROCESS GRANDCHILDREN) To those of us who have children in our lives, whether they are our own, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, or students... here is something to make you chuckle. Whenever your children are out of control, you can take comfort from the thought that even God's omnipotence did not extend to His own children. After creating heaven and earth, God created Adam and Eve. And the first thing he said was 'DON'T! ' 'Don't what ?' Adam replied. 'Don't eat the forbidden fruit.' God said. 'Forbidden fruit? We have forbidden fruit? Hey Eve..we have forbidden fruit! ' ' No Way! ' 'Yes way! ' 'Do NOT eat the fruit! ' said God. 'Why? ' 'Because I am your Father and I said so ! ' God replied, wondering why He hadn't stopped creation after ma...

Camp And Youth Development Outcomes Parents want the best opportunities for their children. They want them to have whatever it takes to be happy and successful - good health, ability to get along with others, thinking and problem solving skills, a good self-concept. Children need resiliency skills: self-esteem, life skills, self-reliance, and pro-social behaviors. The camp experience offers a nurturing environment away from the distractions and, in some cases, the hostile environment of the city. Peter Scales, Ph.D., is a senior fellow with the Search Institute in Minneapolis. A noted educator, author, and psychologist, Dr. Scales says, "Camp is one of the few institutions where young people can experience and satisfy their need for physical activity, creative expression and true participation in a community environment. Most schools don't satisfy all these needs." In recent years camps have put a greater emphasis on what leaders in the child developmen...

Posted on September 7, 2012 Article Author: Dr. Christopher Thurber Everyone has talents–some obvious, some hidden. At camp, it’s easy to see who the athletes are, somewhat harder to see who the artists are, and almost impossible to see who the intellectuals are. Find new ways to help all of your campers shine. Because enhanced self-esteem is a cornerstone outcome of most camp programs, it is worth reflecting now–post season–about the ways in which your program identifies, cultivates, and showcases talents of all types. Self-esteem, after all, is grounded in feelings of competence. And feeling good about at least one thing is essential for authentic happiness. Most camps heavily emphasize physical prowess, as evidenced by the surfeit of inter- and intra-camp athletic competitions. These competitions are especially wonderful when they allow all children a chance to play, when they focus on fun, and when they include non-traditional games and sports that l...