2023 Graduating Upper Seniors are all returning as Junior Counselors in 2024. Maybe ready to reprise their poetry recitation at the 4th of July Talent Show?
As might come as no surprise… When I was a camper in the late 1960s and early 70s, springtime was filled with excitement and anticipation for the approaching summer—probably beginning from the moment in May when my parents lined up the four hard trunks (no duffels then!) for me and my three siblings on the living room floor (and the chaos began). On a recent drive to Elizaville, I channeled my school-aged self to remember those specific things that I looked forward to most. Long languid afternoons playing Rec Hoops on the A Court during afternoon optional periods. Cookout dinners at the campsite behind the ballfields, that indescribable sense of remoteness, the swirl of smoke ascending to a darkening sky. Endless games of Hearts with bunkmates huddled on three beds pushed close together, made even better with the sound of rain on the roof or a counselor soon to tell us to please put the cards away because the mess call bugle sounded 5 minutes ago. As much as I loved (and still love) the energy of full-camp special events, it was (and is) those moments of routine, when time slows comfortingly to a creep, that has me still thinking ahead about what’s to come. All of the above, speaks to the rhythm of camp life and time spent with friends.
So, what’s on the springtime minds of the current generation of campers and staff? What “firsts” are people looking forward to the most? Who better to ask than the 21 graduating Upper Seniors and Soopers from 2023, who will all return as Junior Counselors (first-year staff members) in 2024? So, we asked—and they answered. A few responses:
• Excited to be in the dining hall doing cheers;
• Evenings on girls side at the Campitheater, when a division is running the activity;
• My bunk all unpacked and decorated, and for the first dinner when we all get to do
“We’re All Together Again”;
• Activit[ies] at my specialty area;
• Watching everyone walk in the bunk on Opening Day and not knowing the amazing
summer they’re about to have—and so many memories to be made;
• Seeing all my friends again on the first day—that feeling is one of the best.
As the final countdown winds down, I imagine some nervousness mingling with the excitement, especially for the 50-plus first-time campers getting ready for their first Opening Days, their first group activities, their first general swims, their first… As I often like to share that first time the entire camp sits together around a campfire: “Look around the circle. Everyone you see, from the youngest first-year camper to members of senior staff who began their Scatico careers more than 30 years ago—everyone had a first Opening Day.”
We’ve all been there. We can imagine how you feel. And probably quite a few of us are jealous of the journeys about to begin.
Staying In Touch
Sloan, Luke, Sam, and Sandy
Spencer and Mason
The final Staying In Touch column of the 2023-24 off-season. When next we “meet” it won’t be through the Newsletter, but in the 12523 (a certain zip code). Nothing makes us happier than reports of Random Scatico Sightings (RSS)…. Siblings Luke and Spencer Zuckerman clearly have tapped into the Rangers’ Sloan, Luke, Hockey RSS magic. Luke connected with bunkmate Sam, and Sandy Sam Tunick recently at Madison Square Garden in New York (with Luke’s dad Sloan and Sam’s Uncle Sandy Paul—both Scatico alumni—joining in the photo). 2024 Sooper-to-be Spencer spotted counselor Mason Lava at the Rangers-Islanders outdoor game at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey in January…. Another 2024 Sooper, Jess Hochberg, ran into the Shapiro sisters (Quinn and Sidney) while shopping in Manhattan…. Asher Kazi, playing in a road basketball game for his Ardsley, NY, middle school team, was thrilled to find a bunkmate cheering the opposing home team (and him)—Mason Florin. Talk about conflicting loyalties…. On the beach in the Cayman Islands in February, it was a joyous scream that announced a divisionmate RSS between Zoey Koretsky and Parker Percival…. Some of last year’s graduating campers (now in 11th grade) were on the road during winter vacation touring colleges. Bunkmates Rob Orseck (from Washington, D.C.) and Dylan Schmeidler (from New York City) found themselves together on a tour at Haverford College (with Dylan’s twin sister Kayla, who didn’t make the photo).
On to some non-RSS news…. Congratulations… to Scatico mom Jessica Saunders (daughters Frankie and Sylvie Eichel) on the publication of her first novel, “Love, Me.” Current campers and their parents joined the celebration at a January Q&A at a Manhattan Barnes & Noble;…. To 2024 Sub Maddy Klein, who starred as Karen in her middle school’s production of “Mean Girls”;…. And to second-year street hockey counselor Nick Mozga, upon finishing a long and successful junior hockey career. In the photo with Nick are his parents Pavel (from the Czech Republic) and Maggie from (Poland), who first met at Scatico as members of support staff in the 1990s. Nick and his older sister Natalie, returning as counselors this year, will attend college at Prague University in September.
Top row (L to R) Barcelona reunion; Dylan and Rob; Book Launch
Middle row (L to R) Mason and Asher; Sidney, Quinn, and Jess; Jonah and Nat
Bottom row (L to R) Nick; Zoey and Parker; Maddie in Mean Girls
Traveling to Boston to play in a basketball tournament, 2024 Senior Jonah Cooper visited the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, MA, sending in a photo from an exhibit featuring Scatico founder Nat Holman. Uncle Nat was inducted into the HoF as a player and coach in 1964…. Scatico reunion in Barcelona: sisters Kate and Emma Miller met up with Andie Perez (Emma studying abroad for the semester). Andi returns for her 4th summer on staff this year (maybe a record for a counselor from Spain!) and as the division leader for the Soopers. Her brother Marco is back for his third summer as a lifeguard and teaching sailing.
Thanks to everyone who contributed to Staying In Touch this year. Next stop, Elizaville!
New in the 12523
It’s been a busy off-season in Elizaville—with a range of projects completed and new equipment/supplies ordered. Some highlights:
Buildings
A 700-foot extension on Cove C;
Air conditioning in the Canteen;
New decks built on to the Clinic and the Girls Art Studio;
A new porch on the Clubhouse;
New showers and/or glassboarding in multiple camper cabins;
A rebuilt quarry stone floor in the dining room kitchen.
Program Areas
New equipment for the Boys Weight Room;
A repaneled Girls Music and Media room;
A new pitching machine at Girls Athletics;
New dugouts for the main baseball field on the Boys Ballfields;
Newly resurfaced A Basketball Court—with baskets that will now adjust to accommodate Hoops Leagues for younger campers;
Lights on the B Basketball and main Girls Volleyball courts.
March Madness
Congratulations to the winners of this year’s March Madness contest: Jamie Segal, Ford Watson, Carly Hodes, and Daphne and Ellis Zuckerman (joint sibling entry). The 2024 there was “Scatico Senses”—and Best Touch (jumping in the lake) defeated Best Sight (sunset on the lake) in the finals. The other “senses” to reach the Final Four were Best Sound (campfire singing) and Best Taste/Smell (Holy Cow ice cream after a tournament or hike).
Scatico March Madness: Best Touch (jumping in the lake) beat Best Sight (right) in the finals.
Best Sight (sunset on the lake)
Welcome to Scatico—Class of 2024
As of this writing, we will have 55 first-time campers at Scatico this summer. They’ll be traveling to Elizaville from 9 states and 2 countries. We are so excited to welcome them and their families. They will account for nearly 20 percent of the entire camper population.
For Parents
As a reminder, we need all luggage to arrive at camp no later than June 21. You can drop off duffels and trunks anytime between June 1 and June 21 at the main office;
Or… Send using Ship Camps (www.shipcamps.com), an independent service supporting camps throughout the United States.
Or… ship luggage by UPS or FedEx Ground to: Camp Scatico, 1558 County Route 19, Elizaville, NY, 12523.
Camper forms due on the Camper Portal on June 1.
From the 12523 to the World
Each summer we aim to embody From the 12523 to the World (one of the 4 core Scatico values), to extend the camp experience and philosophy beyond our front gates. As part of this goal, we're excitedly planning for Scatico's third annual Service Day where campers will have the opportunity to participate in various service projects that give back to the local community.
As part of Service Day activities, Scatico is once again partnering with SCOPE, a nonprofit organization that helps send children from low-income families to summer camp. For the SCOPE Service Day project, campers will create “Dream Boxes” for SCOPE campers at Ramapo for the 2024-2025 school year. Each “Dream Box” will contain new school supplies and be personally decorated to reflect each recipient kid! Rampao is Scatico's neighbor, located in Rhinebeck, and serves campers with learning differences.
This is where we need your help! On Opening Day, families will have the opportunity to donate new educational supplies for the “Dream Boxes.” We’ll have a bin where you can drop off donations by camp's entrance. The list of supplies needed includes but is not limited to: Pencils; Pens; Notebooks; Pencil Cases; Crayons; Highlighters; Stickers; Pencil Sharpeners; Sharpie Pens; Glue Sticks; Folders; Index Cards; Tape; and Rulers.
We’re also looking to expand camp’s ever-growing libraries! Reading in downtime (and swapping books with bunkmates) is always a cherished part of camp culture. We’re looking for a range of age-appropriate books to round out our boys’ side and girls’ side collections.
Service Day Fun Fact: Last summer, a local television news station featured the Freshmen and counselor Eli Tannenbaum’s work on DREAM boxes. That’s Eli to the right of Charlie Bochner, former bunkmates both returning as staff members in 2024.
Soon to be seen at a camp near you: New Big Sisters. Left—younger campers select the name of their Big Sister from the bowl held by Head Counselor Kerri Winderman. Right—embracing your “Sister” for the first time.
Full focus at the Woodshop with Daniel, who is back again to teach woodworking.
