Letter from the Director

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Dear Parents, Campers, Alumni and Friends,

Camp Sloane YMCA is a piece of cake! More correctly, it is a piece of layer cake. At Camp Sloane, campers can experience a lot of great things like hiking, mountain biking, drama, painting, sailing, sports and much more. These activities are the top layer of the cake, the layer most people think of when they think of camp. What makes us different is that this top layer is supported by a second layer - our mission. We strive to build strong kids through great programs that teach not only great skills but also great character. We're building strong bodies but we're also building strong minds and spirits.

Safety is the top priority at Camp Sloane YMCA. Your biggest concern is for your child's safety and we understand this. We are accredited by the American Camp Association. The accreditation process has over 300 safety and quality standards to which we must adhere. We are also licensed and inspected by the State of Connecticut. There is a nurse on camp at all times and our camp doctor is local and on call, should we ever need him. Staff members are hired for their experience in areas such as sports, horseback riding, ropes courses, boating and aquatics. Our staff are trained and certified by organizations such as the Red Cross, Certified Horsemanship Association, and others.

High quality, well-trained role models are the type of people we seek to join our staff. We select our staff because they demonstrate good character. We train them to lead our campers with character. Our Camp Director interviews, checks references and secures criminal background checks on all prospective staff. Our 1:4 staff to camper ratio means that there are plenty of positive adult role models to provide your camper with a great camp experience. You have entrusted us with your children and we take this trust seriously.

Gaining new skills, increased self respect and sense of independence are trademarks of our program. Learning to shoot a bull's-eye in archery or learning to work with a fellow camper to sail a sloop around the lake gives campers a sense of achievement. Learning the perseverance and patience to gain those skills is what really builds a camper's positive sense of self. Because we take this "two layered" approach to camp, campers leave Camp Sloane not only with new skills but also with a better sense of what it means to be a caring, honest, respectful and responsible person, both for themselves and others.

Friendship is what Camp Sloane YMCA is all about. It starts with our small tent groups of five to seven campers. This is where campers can really connect with each other, free from the TV, the computer and other distractions. Whether it is an impromptu basketball game, talking with a new friend on the benches outside the dining hall or playing a simple game of cards with a tent mate, our daily program is designed to provide opportunities for campers to make new friends and build social competence. In our end of session survey, we ask campers if they made a new friend this year at camp. Only once have we seen someone answer "no." He said that he hadn't made any "new" friends because he was already friends with everyone at camp. Wow! Everyone? Well, not likely everyone, but his experience at Camp Sloane sure made him feel that way.

So, you get all that and a whole lot of fun too! Join us at our next open house or call for a personal tour and find out how choosing a great camp can be a piece of cake.

In the Spirit of Camping,
Paul "Bear" Bryant
Executive Director

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