Month: June 2014
Younger Campers – Life as a Blazer
Camper Age Groups
Mountain Camp has programs for campers entering 2nd grade through their senior year of high school. We manage this wide age range by dividing the camp into thirds for each session. The oldest third are called Alpiners, the middle third are Trackers, and the youngest third are known as the Blazers. These groups can vary from session to session depending on the overall distribution of ages during a given week. We try not to define any specific age to a group because a camper might be a Blazer in a session of mostly older campers, but a Tracker in a session of mostly younger campers.
Blazers Rule
The youngest kids in camp sometimes require a little bit of extra support, and for many of them, this is their first experience away from home. Our counselors have specific training to make sure that Blazers have a successful camp experience. This includes helping Blazers navigate the large camp environment, stay clean, manage homesickness, and stay involved. Mountain Camp also designates two male and female staff members as Blazer coordinators. These coordinators actually travel with the Blazer group to all activities to ensure that these young campers are signing up for their preferred activities, and generally having a good time.
The Youngest Campers
We allow the youngest campers to pick their own activities. Even though the day is structured, there is an element of choice and flexibility that allows all campers to get involved in the activities they prefer. From archery to wake boarding, we have equipment that fits campers of all sizes. No matter the age or size, Mountain Camp is set up for everyone to have an amazing experience.
10 Things You Didn’t Know About Mountain Camp
1. The entire camp is powered by a propane generator that operates daily. We also have a backup generator.
2. Ice House Reservoir typically recedes 30 – 50 feet during the summer season.
3. The kitchen prepares over 1500 servings of food daily, that’s a lot of cornbread.
4. There are 3 dogs that live at camp. Rusty, Charlie, and Bo.
5. Our water comes from an underground well off site.
6. There are 2 babies at camp this summer! Sam and Eli.
7. Mountain Camp, Plantation Farm Camp, and Mountain Camp Woodside are all under common ownership.
8. Each member of the leadership team averages 14 summers of experience at Mountain Camp.
9. We will host over 2000 campers this summer.
10. If you have a birthday at camp, the entire camp sings a custom birthday song to you at dinner.
Who is Dave Brown? Mountain Camp Program Director
Dave Brown has been a year round program director for Mountain Camp since 2009. If you have been to camp since then, you probably know Dave for his hilarious personality and constant enthusiasm. We asked Dave some questions to learn a little bit more about him.
What is your full name? David Nathan Brown
Where were you born? San Francisco, California
Where did you attend college? Wesleyan and UC Berkley
What was your major? Sociology and Social Welfare
How did you end up at Mt Camp? I was a camper for 5 years since age 10
Where are you from? Walnut Creek
What was your favorite sport as a kid? Volleyball
What do you love right now? Being a dad
Giant’s or A’s? A’s
Where do you want to go on vacation? Nepal
What was your favorite travel experience? Solo backpacking in New Zealand
Most people don’t know that…? I’m ordained to perform weddings
What is something you can’t go a day without? Sriracha hot sauce and Music
What is your favorite book? – East of Eden by John Steinbeck
Do you have a pet? Have you met Rusty Bear?
What is your favorite movie? The Last Waltz
What is your favorite meal at camp? Tacos
What is your cooking specialty? Carnitas
What do you like most about camp? The music and sunsets
6 Unlikely Moments…at Fictional Summer Camps
Hollywood has always presented summer camps in unique way. The following fictional summer camps are no exception.
Kamp Kikakee – Ernest Goes to Camp
The Story : Camp Kikakee was rich with the fictional mineral Petrocite, so much so that Sherman Krader of Krader Industries was planning to destroy the camp and mine for this elusive material. Thankfully the lovable buffoon Ernest P. Warrell takes on the challenge to save this camp from impending destruction.
The Moment : As the camp handyman, Ernest fashions an old lawnmower into a barbeque machine. There are so many reasons why this would have never happened in real life. The music alone is worth the watch.
Camp Walden – Parent Trap
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtOWbraVo4w
The Story : Nick and Elizabeth are two long divorced parents that coincidentally enroll their twin daughters in the same summer camp. The girls discover each other, and hatch a plan to trade places after camp, in the process they reunite their parents who promptly remarry at the end of the film. Ah, the power of camp.
The Moment : Hallie and Annie compete in an epic fencing match. We give lots of style points for the camp uniforms. We’re pretty sure these 11 year olds are semi professional fencers, and you will never expect the ending.
Camp Hope – Heavyweights
The Story : This weight-loss camp is under new ownership thanks to some poor accounting practices of the longtime owners. Tony Perkis comes in with profits in mind, and in the process takes the camp in a serious new direction, much to the dismay of the campers. At one point Tony cancels lunch, due to ‘lack of hustle.’
The Moment : Any moment with Tony. It’s impossible not to laugh as he assumes new ownership of the camp and states “I’m looking forward to interacting with children for the first time.” Skip to 3:17 for an intense workout. Bonus! Watch the trailer HERE.
Camp Anawanna – Salute Your Shorts
The Story : Strict counselor Ug Lee attempts, and generally fails, to crack down on the questionable behavior of the teenage campers like Donkey Lips, Budnick, and Pinsky.
The Moment : Pinsky finds out that the rules don’t apply to him as long as he keeps a steady supply of his mothers dry salami available to counselor Ug Lee. It’s odd that Ug never thinks to purchase salami on his own. Nobody really seems in charge at this place.
Wilderness Girls Jamboree – Troop Beverly Hills
The Story : Phyllis Nefler and her Wilderness Girls trip sell over 4000 cookies to make it to the annual Jamboree. The leader of the Red Feathers troop, Velda, warns Phyllis that her troop doesn’t have the outdoor skills necessary to survive the big event.
The Moment : The Culver City Red Feathers think they have won the Jamboree, unfortunately they crossed the finish line without their leader and are disqualified. Troop Beverly Hills promptly arrives to take the victory. Not a whole lot of this makes sense. Click HERE to see the video. (Warning, some PG-13 language)
Camp Ivanhoe – Moonrise Kingdom
The Story : Sam attends Camp Ivanhoe, a Khaki Scout summer camp led by Scoutmaster Randy. 12 year old Sam meets a young girl named Suzy and eventually runs away from camp.
The Moment : Randy begins each day with an organized walk through camp to check up on what’s happening. This camp seems to have a structured form of a lack of supervsion. We especially like the high rise tree house and the 2nd warning for ‘reckless cycling.’
