Is Your Camper Ready for Summer Camp?

As a director at Florida’s premier summer camp I often get asked the question by parents “Is my child ready for sleep-away camp?”    While there is no simple answer to that question there is a few things that any parent can look at to evaluate their child’s readiness for camp.  

Most parents need to start by asking themselves if they are ready to let their child go to sleep away Camp.   In the late 1990’s a trend of parents struggling with separation from their children began to emerge.   Today we see more parents that are dealing with separation from their children then we see homesickness with the campers.   As a parent you have to ask yourself the important questions about the value of allowing your child to build independence from you.    Many times children are ready for camp, but parents have to let go.   All too often I see campers that are fully ready for camp, but their parent’s unwillingness to separate from them holds them back.  

Camp is an amazing place where children learn independence, build new relationships, confidence, and experience the outdoor world in a safe environment.    With that said it does require some basic skills for success from the child.   If this is the first sleep away camp experience for your child, they should be able to demonstrate they can spend small amounts of time away from you.   This may have been an overnight with a grandparent or a sleep over at a friend’s house.   In some cases, this does not even need to be an overnight, but simply able to spend the day away from a parent.

Campers should also be able to manage some basic hygiene.   For example, at our camp all campers must take a shower once a day.   Counselors will help younger campers lay out their clothing, ensure they brush their teeth and help with most hygiene issues.   A camper, however should be able to take a shower on their own or at the very least with minimal assistance.

Children should also be able to understand how to follow a base schedule for the day.  In the case of Circle F Dude Ranch Camp our younger campers are escorted to activities while older campers change between activities on their own.  Most campers who attend school and function on that schedule are able to be successful at camp.

Success at camp is as much about the camper and family as it is about the camp itself.  All parents and guardians should take a close look at the summer camp where they choose to send their son or daughter.  Quality camps have staff trained to help with campers with homesickness, building friends, and having the best experience possible.   Their teams are invested in the power of camp and how to make a positive impact on your camper.    At Circle F Dude Ranch Camp, we encourage you to tour our facility and speak regularly with the camp directors.   There are no wrong questions when it comes to the well-being of your child for the summer.

 

Check out our next week’s post on how to prepare your camper for the Summer!

Ben Moss is the Camp Director at Circle F Dude Ranch Camp.   He has over 20 years of youth development experience working in youth programming and summer camps.

Summer Camp Session Two News

What have we been up to this week more fun more games more water play MTV night backwards day and water works and that just gives you a little glimpse into the days and nights this year at Circle F Summer Camp

I hope all of you have been keeping up with us on Facebook and checking all the photos posted on Bunk1.

Each day begins with the flag rising then morning thought then the rush to breakfast

Then everyone going to ready themselves for a day full of fun and learning new activities or perfecting skills already enjoyed on previous days. Summer here at Circle F is a good as it gets!

Logan teaching Basketball this year for the first time has been a great success. Of course having Afton working with the Dance Tumble Cheer group always brings smiles.

But wait till you hear about this for the first time our Drama teacher Erica has put together a group that will present Romeo & Juliet an amazing feat at summer camp the kids are so excited there is even a Sword scene that we all can't wait to see.

Saturday was Water Wars and the Hawaiian dance night and we all had so very much fun!

Sundays was backwards day dinner for breakfast and breakfast for dinner the giggles were everywhere.

Stay tuned for this weeks activities for 4th of July Ben promises a bigger display then he did last year.

As our Camp Director you can always count on him to make sure we are all happy Circle F family members for summer camp!

So as amazing as it seems 2^nd session is almost over! Are you planning on a lifetime of memories for your child?  Don’t waste any more time call the office today 863-676-4113 for 3^rd session or the wonderful shorter 4^th session for those kids who must be back at school early.

See Ya Jessie!

  

"Amazing!" is what I have to say about the first week at Circle F summer camp 2013!

Ben wanted everyone to know his thoughts when I asked what he was feeling:

 “This has been an action packed first week and half of camp.  We have a great team of counselors working with this year’s campers who continue to give their all to make sure each camper has a truly special summer.   In just 10 days campers at Circle F have experienced hayrides, theme park trips, cook outs, camp outs, and so many activities that I can’t list them all here.    This has been a great kick off to a full summer of fun and I can’t wait to meet all of the new and returning campers in our upcoming sessions.     We have a motto at camp that you give 212 all the time.   It means that water boils at 212 degrees but 211 its just hot water.   To make it special you have to give that extra degree or little bit of hard work.     I can tell everyone we are truly having a 212 summer thanks to the hard work of the counselors and the excitement of our campers " See what I mean it's AMAZING here this summer.

Ben has really worked hard to help all the staff be ready for the campers.

We had a great staff training week and everyday we all have been so very prepared to work through each program Katie our program director has planned for our campers.

I hope all of the Moms & Dads have had time to visit us on Facebook or logged in to Bunk1 to view the photos capturing every special moment that has been going on here everyday.

It's hard to believe the first session is almost over. We all have been practicing for the first Rodeo of the summer and our drill team is the best ever. The fun that happens is added to by some of our counselors who were once campers themselves guiding new youngsters in the Circle F Summer Camp traditions along with the new and improved programs headed by Katie.

Path girls even did an overnight that is always filled with stories that last a lifetime. So if you haven’t had Mom & Dad sign you up for this year at Circle F you better hurry call Kris I would want to miss seeing you this summer!

See ya Jessie…

Circle F summer camp 2013 has started!

Hi girls & boys Moms & Dads we're back! Circle F summer camp 2013 has started and we are all so excited to be at the place we love the most.

Our new Program director Katie says 10 for 2 that's 10 months of school and everything else we have to do for 2 months of Summer camp at Circle F the place we dream about all year.

This year there has been a very big change Outdoor Education that means all winter schools have been enjoying Circle F outdoor programs especially designed for team building and challenge courses. Logan (that's right) our Logan now lives full time at Circle F creating special classes for schools to bring students as part of their learning experience to the camp. I hope you have all been keeping up on Facebook so you know Paul got us an Alpine Tower! It is an unbelievable experience. I even got to climb over Thanksgiving. Along with the Tower we also got Swing by choose that lets each of us decide when we want to let go and swing. So Circle F Dude Ranch is now open all year round for all different types of groups needing Outdoor Education.

Getting back to Katie she is so much fun the ideas she has for us this summer are so exciting everyone of us can't wait till we get to help you all enjoy them. Her energy level is catching she is always ready for fun. We all just love she has joined our family. Of course there are some old timers back which we are also so happy about. Chris Moon is head of boys along with John new to us but someone who has had this role at another camp.

On the girls side Aya is back and Jessie who I know you will absolutely love is heading up girls. Make sure to say hi when you get here.

I almost forgot we have a new baby horse for those who haven't seen him on Facebook " Scout " is really a fine looking colt, he eats plays & sleeps.

I love getting to play with him. Sherry & Linda are really good about teaching all of us wranglers how to take care of him. Chip & Bolt ( his older pals) look all grown up when they play together. It is so unbelievable to see how big Chip has gotten in just one year.

Every area deserves a story about what's new this year so check out the weekly blog to see what's up.


Until next timee


Yee Ya Jessie

Summer Camp Update

It seems hard to believe but all the campers went home Tuesday…

We miss all of you already. Happily there are so many activities we are all responsible for that the excitement hasn’t ended yet. The banquet Monday I think was the best ever! They gave every counselor an award for all the years they had been at Circle F and I even got one for working with the horses and helping Taylor Brown and Natasha Dillnutt all summer.

The campers got backpacks and bandanas with the special 60^th logo. It was a really great evening. What made it extra special was Holly the photo teacher made a video of all 4^th session campers and we all piled into the Roundup and watched and remembered the fun of the last 10 days! Then it was the final dance and everyone talked about the events and how much we would all miss summer here at the ranch.

The exciting news about Logan’s new job here was greeted with enthusiasm. It was amazing to find out he has been coming here since 1996. So I though I would tell you a little about who he is. He first came here on a family weekend and fell in love instantly. He was a summer camper for 12 years! As a camper he started in “Co-Buck” and went all the way to “Pioneers.” Logan told me  “I enjoyed watching the evolution of the camp when I was child. Year by year I would see new additions like the Blob, Rockwall, Paintball, and Skatepark, but through all of the physical changes, we always kept the same traditions and that extraordinary sense of family. I have experienced so much at this place and I have become a better person from it.”

 Then he became a junior counselor, then on to riding counselor followed by Head of Riding. He told me he rode in at least 20 different Drill Teams and was the Captain for more then half.   This summer as you all know he was Head Counselor for Boys upper group. Logan is from Boca Raton and attended Saint Andrews School for Middle and High School. He volunteered in the High Five Basketball and TOP Soccer programs in Boca Raton as a Buddy and a Coach for special needs athletes. He graduated with a B.S. degree in Marketing from Florida State University. He also studied abroad through the Florida State University International Programs in Valencia, Spain in 2010 and got to watch as Spain won their first ever World Cup. He went on to tell me he loves to travel to learn and experience new people and places. We all know he is an avid musician and he has been playing guitar for over 10 years. His performance at banquets is never missed! Logan said, ” I am a nerd at heart and can solve anywhere from a 3x3 to a 7x7 Rubik’s cube. I have recently found a passion for photography and web design and they are two of my favorite hobbies”. So that is just a little of what we got to learn about his background when Paul (the owner of Circle F Dude Ranch) interviewed Logan for the “Director of Sales & Marketing”. Wow I’m sure this will turn out to be an exciting year. I hear Logan will be traveling to different schools and Camp Fairs so make sure to keep a look out for him.

Well that’s it for the moment campers Moms, Dads, Grandparents and all the rest of my faithful followers.  I plan to keep you updated on the different events and weekends here at the ranch and don’t forget to stay up with us on facebook. Miss you all see you Circle F Dude Ranch Summer Camp 2013.

See Ya Jessie!

Summer Camp Session Four Kicks Off!

Hi everyone I am so excited to tell you all about the closing of 3^rd session and the beginning of Summer Camp 4^th session!

What a great last campfire we had Thursday night with the campers and counselors telling stories about the years at Circle F and the throwing in their wood chip as a symbol of return. Then Friday night banquet and a wonderful turkey dinner and presentations of year awards for the campers. Everyone was photographing each other and signing and hugging it was great. Then we went to the Roundup for the closing dance. The night was cool and everyone stayed up late laughing and telling stories. I heard at some point Director Ben went around and told everyone it was time to go to sleep.

Saturday was the most amazing Flag team first then the Drill team followed it is so very wonderful to see how carefully planned the whole thing turns out. I get such pleasure watching Taylor Brown & Natasha Dillnutt work with each camper and the improvement that is visible after only 3 weeks! The Drill team is so very exciting to watch and this session the leaders decided to wear black or white shirts and match them with white or brown horses it was absolutely amazing. Each race or event was beautiful to watch from the poles to the shoes or English it all turned out great. Make sure to check out Bunk1.com for all the photos.

Then it was goodbye to all our campers from 3^rd session and get ready to greet everyone Sunday morning. We are always excited to welcome back old timers and meet new campers for their first experience at Circle F Dude Ranch Summer camp. By the afternoon cabin photos had been taken and some of the kids had swim tests. We all knew what the evening had in store- first dinner then the opening campfire which turned out to have lots of surprises. The admin. Team had planned a joke on Ben and they covered him in shaving cream then poured water on him it was so funny, check out Face Book for the photos.

The beauty of the setting sun and the smiling faces are all most of us need to keep coming back to Circle F each summer. I know I plan never to grow up and always be here at the start of each summer camp season.

Monday was another great day morning announcements in the Lasso Lodge are always fun Ben tells where everything is and Logan points to it on the map. Of course they don’t just stand there everything they do is made into a funny moment. Then it was songs for everyone to join in learn you couldn’t ask for a better breakfast. The day seemed to fly by and when night arrived we had a cowboy & cowgirl dance which I think might be my favorite.

So everyone make sure to check out Face book & Bunk1 and check in with me next week for my closing thoughts about camp and other surprises in planned for fall 2012.

See Ya!

Jessie…

Summer Camp Update

I have so much to tell all of you about the past week and all the happenings I almost couldn’t decide where to start.

So first I thought I would tell you something about little Chip and his Mom Oreo.

Sherry the head of the Barn and in charge of all the horses & Linda take Chip & Oreo to the other side of the Lake each day to teach Chip how to graze. It also helps get him used to walking on a lead and being handled by people.

Chip always wants to play and his Mom Oreo is always trying to get him to stand still and rest sometimes it is funny to watch.

We sure have had lots of events. The Rock Star dance is always a big hit and The Super Hero Dance as well makes for a great evening. Megan & Afton made sure all the kids were involved and we even had Karaoke the crowd loved it!

Last Friday night as a special surprise we got to see the opening ceremonies of the 2012 Olympics. Everyone loved it and it was exciting for all the campers to have this experience at Circle F for the first time.

Saturday the kids had a blast running the water obstacle course. Jimmy made Lily Pads they are small platforms for the kids to run across. The counselors cheered the campers on and a few of them even tried to do it as well.

Sunday was the excursion to Islands of Adventure I didn’t get to go but was told it was really great fun. Harry Potter World was the favorite of the day for many including Afton  & Ben our director. He told me he had the opportunity to have some fun with the campers.  He visited Harry Potter and got to experience the ride with a whole group of our buckaroo campers it was a nice break from the daily responsibilities of being the camp director.  Afton told me she still loves going on the Dr. Seuss ride with the campers as it makes her feel like she is still a kid. When everyone got back that night we ate pizza and watched the Muppet movie which everyone loves.

Fear Factor at night was the funniest! Aya one of the girl counselors beat Blake Lennon from waterfront and Wipe Out was equally entertaining. The talent show is loved by everyone and many of the campers can’t wait to perform and show their friends what they can do.

Typhoon Lagoon & Lego Land is always a big hit as well. Holly seems to be everywhere so make sure to check out the photos on Bunk1.

Jimmy and Megan stayed at Camp this past Sunday while most of the campers were on the trip. This allowed the rest of us to spend the day relaxing we did a long morning thought and then we broke up into small groups and talked about how important it is to have a good attitude each day when we wake up and we identified things we all look forward to doing. Then we had a long swim and some of us built sand castles and played capture the flag.

Thursday night is the closing campfire then Friday is the Banquet and closing dance. It is unbelievable 3^rd session is almost over. So all that’s left of Circle F Dude Ranch Summer Summer Camp 2012 is 4^th session. If you haven’t been here yet you better hurry before it is to late. So have Mom or Dad call and sign you up for our shortest session. Call today 863-676-4113.

SeeYa Jessie!