The Alvernian Session 3, Week 1
From The Pool
Hi from the pool staff! We are all about having fun at the pool, however we always make sure safety is our top priority. The lifeguards and swim instructors have been working hard all summer to maintain a safe environment for the campers to enjoy.
When planning lessons, our Water Safety Instructors take time to implement water safety topics into each lesson. This week, the Sandpipers worked on blowing bubbles and backfloats. These skills are important for beginners because they help campers feel comfortable with their faces in the water and teach them how to rest and stay afloat if they ever need a break. Billy and Fiona mastered their backfloats and are now able to swim with no bubble!
We love incorporating games into lessons so that campers can continue to practice their skills while having fun and working together. The Sandpipers’ favorite game is Sharks and Minnows. Ryan, the first shark, used his flutter kicks to swim fast and tag a few campers to join him. Before long, they were all cheering, laughing, and working together to tag the remaining minnows.
The pool staff aims to create a space where campers can feel relaxed, supported, and safe. It is so amazing watching each camper’s confidence in the water grow as they learn new skills. Whether it’s a camper finally putting their face in the water, swimming their first lap without a bubble, or laughing with friends during a game, these are the moments that make our jobs so rewarding. We can’t wait to see what new milestones and memories the next week will bring!
Amelia, Pool Team Leader
JC/CIT
Our JCs and CITs have grown tremendously this summer, and we’re so proud. As we come to the last session, we are getting a lot of questions about our amazing leadership program, so we put together a description!
Read on to find out more about the magic. And pass this information to anyone you think might benefit from this incredible opportunity!
What is the Leadership Program at Camp Alvernia? A FREE two-year leadership development and mentorship program in an outdoor summer day camp context that is open to teenagers who will be 15 years or older by the start of the camp season. The goal of the program is to develop their leadership skills and help them grow into confident, effective leaders. Applicants must complete a staff application and participate in a group interview in order to be considered for the position. Lunch, t-shirts, and a weekly stipend is offered as well.
What does the average day look like for CITs and JCs? CITs start the day off welcoming campers from their vehicles and bringing them to their respective camper groups. CITs spend the day helping run the various activities that make up the camp day including sports, games, waterfront activities, theater, dance, and music. CITs are also responsible for serving lunch to our campers and helping facilitate camper dismissal at the end of the day.
JCs are assigned to work with a specific age group as an assistant counselor. They accompany their campers to all activities over the course of the day, including pool, nature activities, and arts & crafts. They have the opportunity to work with two different age groups over the course of the summer.
Both CITs and JCs participate in twice weekly classes led by a Leadership Supervisor who works with them to develop professional competencies and skills such as conflict resolution, collaboration, flexibility, team-building, and communication strategies. Personalized feedback from the Leadership Supervisor is a hallmark of the program.
How long are the work days? All Camp Alvernia staff start at 8:30 AM and end at 4pm with an 8am start on Wednesdays.
Am I invited to fill out my teenager’s application and be part of the interview process? Camp Alvernia encourages and expects all prospective staff members, including CITs and JCs, to complete their own application and interview process. As such, parents are not invited to be part of the interview process but may act as a guide as needed. Parents and caregivers will see significant growth in their teens as they own this experience with confidence.
Why/How is this beneficial for me/my teen? The Camp Alvernia Leadership Program provides incredible benefits for teens as they learn essential life and career skills and grow through hands-on experience while enjoying camp activities.
Sarah & Anika, leadership supervisors
Floaters
Being a camp floater is like being offered a choice board at camp, with so many different activities to lead or participate in. It is an incredibly fun and rewarding experience because you get to take on many different roles. Each role has its unique joys and challenges, as you could be leading an activity to being behind the scenes part of the operations team in a flash.
It’s special to get to connect with all the campers here at Camp Alvernia. Depending on the day, you could be paddleboating with the Ducklings, playing sports with Sandpipers, running various games with the Plovers, leading gaga with the Ospreys, making friendship bracelets with the Herons, or enjoying time in the Rec Hall with the Eagles.
Being a camp floater is challenging but fun. We wear a lot of hats, and we keep them in a box, ready to go!
Kim, floating supervisor
Eagles
The start of session 3 was a great one for our Eagles campers! Tuesday marked our last Eagle’s Pool Party for the summer, with campers enjoying the extra time to swim, hang out, and dive through hoops! The energy was infectious, and every camper looked like they were having a great time! The pool party was followed with some delicious pizza and a friendly-yet-competitive game of “Family Feud.” The Eagles split into two teams, boys versus girls, to see who would come out on top. Shoutout to the boys team for sweeping the competition with a score of 18-0… everyone had a great time and their competitive natures definitely shined through.
Special shoutout to Tanner, Jackson, and our counselor Will for coming through with top answers to help lead their team to a shutout victory! Everyone had a great time and their competitive natures definitely shined through.
Looking on to next week, the Eagles are getting ready to fly at the Long Island Adventure Park. Campers will take on various climbing levels and zip their way around on an exhilarating aerial adventure! Campers and counselors are looking forward to this session’s trip and ending the summer with laughs, fun, and excitement.
If you have an Eagle from any of the previous sessions who has yet to receive their 2025 Eagle t-shirt yet, please stop by Camp Alvernia during the week between the hours of 10am and 2pm to pick it up!
Go Eagles!
Claude, Kierstin, and Erin, Eagle supervisors
Herons
Week 6 in the Heron age group at Camp Alvernia kicked off Session Three with great energy and excitement.
Abby and Natalie wasted no time jumping in and earning their sailing certifications. Groups 2, 4, and 6 brought extra color to camp on Wednesday with tie-dye activities, while Thursday’s visit from the fire truck was a highlight, giving everyone a chance to cool off. The cooler weather made for perfect days outdoors, and the campers took full advantage of it.
One of the week’s most exciting moments happened on the basketball court, where an intense game of knockout kept everyone on their toes. Evan took the win twice, and Teddy snagged one victory for himself.
The Heron group has kept the camp spirit alive and strong. As Week 6 comes to a close, we’re ready to carry that energy into Week 7 and finish the summer on a high note.
Jack, Heron supervisor
Ospreys
Session Three kicked off on Monday, and the Ospreys were excited to welcome back familiar faces while also making new friends! Campers jumped right into the fun with a week full of classic Camp Alvernia activities. We stayed cool thanks to a visit from the fire truck — its last stop at camp this summer — and the Ospreys had a blast running through the spray.
Throughout the week, we tie-dyed colorful shirts, went sailing across the bay, and learned new skills during our swim lessons. We had swim races at our swim lessons and Osprey Chase came out on top. We also had paddle races down at waterfront and Mia and Reese earned free canteen with the fastest paddle times.
Wednesday brought lots of laughs (and wild socks!) as we celebrated Crazy Sock Day in true Osprey style.
As we head into our final week of summer, we’re looking forward to making every moment count!
Juliet, Osprey supervisor
Plovers
Week 1 of session 3 has been so exciting for the Plovers. They are loving the new whale sprinkler and water tables down at the waterfront!
The campfire was a big hit Wednesday night! Lots of Plovers had fun making s’mores and hanging out with friends.
The Plovers’ favorite area this week has been basketball. Some of their favorite activities there are shooting hoops and archery. Gabby and Noah both shot bullseyes!
We are looking forward to another great week!
Bree, Plover supervisor
Sandpipers
Session 3 is off to a fantastic start! We were so excited to welcome both new and returning Sandpipers on Monday, and the cooler weather this week has made outdoor fun even more enjoyable. Campers have been loving gaga ball, pool time and especially spending time down at the waterfront on our new splash pad area. The splash pad and water tables have been a huge hit with our Sandpipers! Crazy Sock Wednesday brought out some seriously silly, colorful, and creative socks, and it was a blast seeing everyone show off their unique styles.
We also want to give a special shout-out to some Sandpiper standouts this week! Connor is a gaga ball champ who always plays fair and is kind to his peers on the court. Camila loved going down the waterslide and is like the glue of her group, always kind to others and a great listener to her counselors. Al is a true social butterfly who brings laughter to his group and always cheers everyone on.
As always, a few helpful reminders for parents: Please send your camper to camp each day with sunscreen already applied and their swimsuit on, even on cloudy mornings. Campers should come prepared with a refillable water bottle, a towel, dry clothes, and extra sunscreen in their backpack. Be sure to check backpacks daily for notes from staff, and please label all personal items with your camper’s name and group number to help us keep track of everyone’s gear. We’re looking forward to making the most of our final session of summer!
Brad & Talia, Sandpiper supervisors
Ducklings
The first week of Session 3 was a lot of fun for the Ducklings! We welcomed some new campers, Nicolette, Noah, Quinn, Finn, and Heidi, and we welcomed back our returning friends. They had a blast power paddling at the waterfront, and Ella Rose and Zach loved trying out kayaking!
The Ducklings enjoyed getting a little messy while making handprint paintings and tie dyeing shirts, and they got to try making sandcastles while at the volleyball court! It was a great week, and while we’re sad that camp is coming to an end, we can’t wait to make the most of next week!
Matty & Linda, Duckling supervisors
Badyr’s Quote of the Week
Maybe it was the challenge of flight, the opportunity to fly, the competition of summer camp, and the inspiration and discipline of West Point. I think all of those things helped me to develop a dedication and inspired me to get ahead.