First Lady Michelle Obama has challenged the country to eat healthier and summer camps are answering the call. Jewish summer camps especially are making more educated food choices and passing that sensibility to their campers. Some camps are changing their daily menus while others are introducing vegetable gardens into their educational programs.
Click for more on how camps are getting healthier from The Jewish Daily Forward
May 2011 Archives
On September 6th 2010, the Fourmile Fire burned over 6,200 acres and 169 homes, making it the largest wildfire in Colorado's recorded history. 3,500 residents had to be evacuated and it took firefighters nine days to contain the fire. Thankfully, no lives were lost.
The Colorado Mountain Ranch, a children's summer camp owned and operated by the Walker Family at the top of Fourmile canyon, was hit hard by the fire. The fire swept through the ranch's horse corrals, burning down the horse barn and leveling 20 structures including the children's activities building and the camp owner's family home. 
The Ranch family and staff were able to successfully evacuate all 35 horses, two dogs and their cat before heading out of the mountains to safety.
Once evacuees were allowed back into the area nine days later, the enormous camp community and family rallied together to begin the long process of cleaning up and rebuilding the ranch. Instead of rebuilding their family home, the Walkers focused their efforts on building a new barn to house their children's horse program and getting ready for summer camp in only 9 short months.
Camp begins in only three weeks and the Walkers are planning on having all activities and programs running this summer. They feel so thankful to have such a strong community behind them. Support their efforts by donating today!
MySummerCamps and KidsCamps have relaunched our Facebook page as a resource for parents & campers as well as a place for the camp community to promote scholarships and share memories.
To kick off our new Facebook presence in style, our good friends at TruKid are co-sponsoring a special giveaway for parents and campers. "Like" our Facebook page to enter to win a prize package of their all-natural skin care products for kids, valued at over $100!
If your child struggles with shyness, summer camp can be a great place for them to overcome their anxieties and learn new social skills. Not only is the camp environment supportive and infused with positivity, most camp directors and counselors are trained to handle shy, quiet kids and ensure their camp experience is fun and memorable.
According to Shannon Benner, general manager for Tim Horton Memorial Camp in Parry Sound, Ontario, "Camp is a group experience, not just an individual experience. Shy kids really come out of their shell and feel empowered when others are cheering for them while they are trying to climb the rock wall or doing archery."
Click for more about how summer camp can help kids overcome shyness from the Toronto Sun
