SCATICO BLOG
Winter Break-- with a touch of Scatico!
With so many of our campers kicking off winter break today, we figured it was a good time to bring a “taste”(pun, intended) of the 12523 to all of your homes! Enjoy these two camp-themed activities…
With so many of our campers kicking off winter break today, we figured it was a good time to bring a “taste”(pun, intended) of the 12523 to all of your homes! Enjoy these two camp-themed activities…
Chef Ally’s OMG Brownie Recipe
This recipe is a Cook Shack staple! Chef Ally’s signature brownies with the “campy” s’mores style addition of graham crackers, marshmallows and chocolate. Happy baking and bon appetite!
INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees
Grease your baking pan to prevent sticking
Add 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips (or whichever kind you have!) and 1 stick of unsalted butter into medium saucepan. Place on stove over LOW heat and slowly stir with cooking spoon until fully melted. This may take a few minutes; keep mixture moving for smooth consistency (and so nothing burns). When fully melted, take off heat.
Add 3/4 light brown sugar and 3/4 cups granulated white sugar to melted chocolate chip and butter mix. Mix well with whisk or cooking spoon. It’s OK to substitute whatever sugar you have available! Mixture should be pretty thick when finished.
Make sure your mixture is cooled. Add four eggs. Mix well. Mixture should now have the consistency of batter.
Add 1tsp vanilla. Mix in.
Slowly add 1 cup of flour. Fully integrate the flour into your batter. Add it slowly so your flour doesn’t get all over the place!
Add 1/2 tsp salt and mix in. Put batter mixture to the side.
Line the bottom of your greased baking pan with graham crackers. Don’t crumble them! Treat the graham crackers “like a puzzle” and fit in the pieces as best you can. It’s ok if you need to break some into smaller pieces, and it’s a little uneven.
Pour the batter into the pan on top of the graham crackers. Make sure you spread it out evenly and don’t get any on the sides, which will burn!
Put pan into the oven for 35 minutes.
Remove from oven, and add mini marshmallows (or larger marshmallows torn up) and 1 cup mini chocolate chips to the top of your brownies. Feel free to add more or less marshmallows or chocolate chips depending on your preferences! You could also do 1/2 pan regular brownies, 1/2 with s’more topping !
Put pan back into the oven for 10 minutes, until marshmallows and chocolate on top melty. If you’d like, you can broil for 30 seconds to get that golden s’more quality on your marshmallows afterwards.
Let sit and cool for around 40 minutes and then eat! YUM!
Scaticonnections
Move over Wordle… Connections is the new New York Times game of the moment. Jamie Segal created a Scatico version of the fun, quick game at the link below!
For those unfamiliar with Connections, essentially there is a “board” with 16 words, and the goal is to group the words together into the correct 4 categories of 4 words each! Here is a screenshot of the official explanation of the game rules. Click on the four words you think belong together, and click “submit” to see if they form a category!
Stories from Scatico Senior Staff: Jamie Segal
In celebration of the approaching new year, we’re launching… a new Scatico guest blog series: “Stories with Scatico Senior Staff.”
In celebration of the approaching new year, we’re launching… a new Scatico guest blog series: “Stories with Scatico Senior Staff.”
At Scatico, we’re extremely fortunate to have a wonderfully talented and dedicated group of Senior Staff, many of whom have been at camp since they were campers themselves. During the summer, Senior Staff wear many hats. They oversee program areas. Run daily operations. Serve as a resource for counselors, and a support system for campers. Plan special and co-ed events. During the year... their jobs are just as varied! Some Senior Staff have jobs that mirror their work at camp (ie. Ricardo and Chef Ally both run their own catering companies); many are teachers; some (Laura and Ishai) even run their own schools!
In “Stories with Scatico Senior Staff”, we’re going to have different members of Senior Staff serve as guest blog post authors to share something that connects their life outside of camp to their life in it. Our hope is that this series provides some camp life lessons, serves as a little taste of the 12523 during the school year, and helps you learn more about the people who help make Scatico… Scatico!
Up first (drumroll, please)… Jamie Segal!
Jamie as a camper!
My name is… Jamie Segal.
My first summer at Scatico was… 2007.
My first summer on Senior Staff was… 2023.
When I’m not at camp, I’m… a first grade teacher at The Town School in NYC.
At camp, I’m… Head of Performing Arts on Girls Side .
My favorite camp event is… Divisional Sing.
One of my favorite things about being a teacher is getting to go back to camp each summer… And one of my favorite things about going back to camp each summer is bringing camp into my teaching! No matter the grade I teach or the school I am working at, my students always learn three things about me:
I love to sing and play the ukulele with my class.
My favorite animal is a penguin.
I work at a sleepaway camp that I talk about all the time.
This fall, I taught my first graders how to write stories about small, special moments in their lives. I wrote an example story with my students, and, when selecting my own topic, it was a no-brainer to choose a memory from camp! In thinking about summer 2023 and all of its highlights, I chose a standout special moment for me: singing with the band at open mic night (yes, a highlight even at age 25).
A piece of camp in the classroom.
When I first started working on this small moment story, one of my students asked me, “Ms. Segal, is this a story from when you were a kid?” I laughed out loud, thinking to myself that it actually was a fair question. Sharing this story with my students, I sounded as joy-filled and giddy as I did when sharing stories with my parents after my first summer at camp. I shocked the class with my reply: “No, this was from this past summer!” This question made me appreciate that no matter the age, whether you’re a camper, counselor, or even on Senior Staff, you’ll always have those magic moments when you get to feel like a kid and just enjoy the fun of camp.
The truth is that this small moment story was one of thousands I could’ve picked from this past summer. Even within that night there were endless highlights: getting a golden paint brush (Thank you, Ken!!!); playing guitar for the SITs while they sang “The Circle Game” for their first time on stage; seeing my old campers in the last row mimicking their Divisional Sing dance moves I had taught them five years ago. Every day at camp is filled with hundreds of small moment stories worth sharing.
Open Mic Night, 2023
Jamie takes the stage!
Writing the story of the open mic night with my first graders reminded me how lucky I am to be at camp each summer and continue experiencing childlike moments of pure camp joy, even in my mid twenties. I feel so grateful that I can share my stories with my students and relive those memories in the real world, keeping the camp spark alive year-round.
I can’t wait for all the small moments to come in summer 2024!
1, 2, 3, 4... We Have Color War!
It’s that time of summer… COLOR WAR is upon us!
It’s that time of summer… COLOR WAR is upon us!
Color War is one of those special camp events that brings campers of all ages together, and allows divisionmates to collaborate in new ways. It’s the perfecting closing camp event, in which every kid gets their unique moment to shine— whether that’s creatively, athletically, through their leadership, through their friendship. .. or the countless moments, interactions, and competitions that make Color War what it is. It’s also the ultimate culmination of the Soopers and Upper Seniors camper careers, and their time to take everything they’ve learned at Scatico to serve as leaders.
On Girls Side, Color War “broke” the morning of August 1. It was a laundry morning (meaning the camp laundry goes out), and hidden among the over stuffed bags of laundry strewn across cabin porches, was a surprise….12523 Magazine! The cover story? “Back from the DR and ready to lead!” featuring photos of the Soopers!! Other magazine stories included lake path closures due to flooding, and new friendship bracelet patterns. Senior Staff had placed the magazines on each cabin porch in the middle of the night (quite literally at 3AM!) so that campers would not see them until they headed out of the bunk for morning lineup. It was the Jinters who discovered the magazine first… and as soon as they did, it didn’t take long for everyone to catch on!
On Boys Side, the break happened last night and it tied into the baseball card story shared at their Opening Campfire. For those who didn’t catch our first blog… at the boys Opening Campfire David opened a pack of 1987 baseball cards and all of boys side entered the a Topps Sweepstakes. So for the break… Topps responded to our sweepstakes entry with a special package!! All of boys side assembled at the waterfront bleachers to examine the contents. The package contained gum (once again, consumed by Emmett Miller), Cracker Jacks, eye black, baseball glove oil (all items purchased by Quinn Croland on a day off), and two packs of cards. One pack, was a real pack of 2023 players. David opened this pack and read them off one-by-one, sharing an impressive array of random facts about each player. Of course, the anticipation was mounting, as many campers knew what was to come…
The second pack was a special one, and this one Mark opened. Each card was for a different Upper Senior! Mark read off their hometowns, birth dates, and fun facts, and one by one the Upper Seniors lined up at the bottom of the waterfront bleachers. Once all the Upper Seniors were assembled, Mark pulled one final item out of the package… a baseball tee… and on the back it said COLOR WAR, A COURT!
We’re ready to see what the next 4 days of competition brings!
5 Questions with Girls Side...
For the three week mark of camp we decided to check-in with various campers and staff about their summers so far! We asked everyone the same five questions…
This blog post comes courtesy of the Scatico blog elective and was written by Soopers Kayla Schmeidler and Kate Miller.
For the three week mark of camp we decided to check-in with various campers and staff about their summers so far! We asked everyone the same five questions:
LEAH MOSCOU— SENIOR
What is a highlight of your summer so far? TEAMS breaking.
What is something you’re still looking forward to? Carnival.
What is something new you tried this summer? Pickleball.
What do you like to do during your free time? Sleeping or hanging out with friends.
What is your favorite camp tradition? Camp sisters.
TEAMS Campfire
LILY JACOBS— CENTER
What is a highlight of your summer so far? Being an older camp sister.
What is something you’re still looking forward to? Divisional Sing and Color War.
What is something new you tried this summer? Doing music and learning ukelele.
What do you like to do during your free time? Hanging with friends in the bunk and writing letters together.
What is your favorite camp tradition? Camp sisters.
Camp sister color run.
INTER DIVISION (answered as a group)
What is a highlight of your summer so far? 4th of July and DJ Pure.
What is something you’re still looking forward to? Color War.
What is something new you tried this summer? Newcomb, pickleball and falafel.
What do you like to do during your free time? 9-square, bracelet making, and reading.
What is your favorite camp tradition? Campfires.
4th of July fireworks.
ANNA ROSENFELD— DIVISION LEADER
What is a highlight of your summer so far? Being back at camp after 4 years.
What is something you’re still looking forward to? Watching my kids sing at Divisional Sing.
What is something new you tried this summer? Speedball.
What do you like to do during your free time? Make bracelets and hang with campers.
What is your favorite camp tradition? Singing camp songs on the last night.
HANNAH POMERANTZ— JUNIOR COUNSELOR
What is a highlight of your summer so far? Becoming a counselor.
What is something you’re still looking forward to? Birthday ball.
What is something new you tried this summer? Becoming an archery counselor.
What do you like to do during your free time? Running.
What is your favorite camp tradition? Singing camp songs.
ANNABELLE NOE— JINTER
What is a highlight of your summer so far? 4th of July.
What is something you’re still looking forward to? Color War and my birthday.
What is something new you tried this summer? Skippy ball.
What do you like to do during your free time? Writing letters.
What is your favorite camp tradition? Milk and cookies.
JULI— SENIOR STAFF
General Swim
What is a highlight of your summer so far? Full camp GS and water aerobics.
What is something you’re still looking forward to? Color War.
What is something new you tried this summer? Super head OD in the HC.
What do you like to do during your free time? Swimming!
What is your favorite camp tradition? Polar bear swims.
24 Hours in the 12523
We often talk about how just one day at camp contains multitudes.
We often talk about how just one day at camp contains multitudes. Not just in terms of activities and events, but also small moments of connection. You start the day baking brownies and end in costume, dancing in front of the whole camp, and somehow in between you played softball, swam, painted, helped a friend, had hundreds of interactions with people from 8 years old to 40, saw a turtle, jumped and ran, and, perhaps most importantly, laughed. Sometimes come dinner an exchange from the morning feels like a lifetime ago.
Red, White and Blue treats in Cooking
So what makes a day in the 12523? Let’s take just one special day…. the 4th of July!
The 4th of July always marks a turning point of the summer. It’s no longer just “the beginning of camp.” Now we’re entering the heart of daily rhythm. Divisions have found their groove, and for first-time campers and staff, Scatico feels familiar.
A few random, highlight moments from 7/4/2023 include…
A launch competition…
The Rave (aka the water trampoline located at each waterfront) is definitely one of the most popular spots in camp, and campers love getting air as they are launched from it. A relatively new tradition (in the context of Scatico) is a proper launch competition in which counselors are paired with campers— the former being the launcher and the latter the launchee— to get the most air possible. Campers try to strike a pose, or do a trick, mid air. Three judges sit along the dock and score on a scale of 1-9, while spectators file into the bleachers. This summer’s launch competition actually ended in a tie and led to a LAUNCH OFF!
A counselor hair cutting…
Sometimes it’s elevating the quotidian and random to ceremony and ritual that make for the most special, most “campy” camp moments. Such was the case for the public haircutting of Emmett Miller, a longtime Scaticonian and second-year counselor. Emmett has notoriously long hair, and when he was ready for a cut… it became a celebratory, communal affair! Several counselors made cameos as hairdressers, and boys side campers circled around in their bungee chairs and crazy creeks to soak it all in. Music played and chatter ensued. Younger campers looked on in awe at the deep level of friendship (or even more, kinship) on display among their counselors, most of whom have grown up together at Scatico, and the level of trust to have not one or two, but SEVERAL, peer barbers. Older campers joked and lounged. Something that would be utterly routine in the outside world but with the right combination of camp elements…. a cause for celebration.
Annual flag football…
Another relatively new tradition in the 12523 on the 4th… the Soopers vs. Seniors girls side flag football game! Spearheaded by Kerri’s husband, Michael Winderman, (though he prefers “Head of the Scatico Football Department”), the flag football game strikes that difficult balance of very competitive but also very fun. This year, the Soopers emerged victorious.
Talent show…
Of course, the biggest 4th of July program is our full-camp evening… BBQ, talent show and fireworks. It’s the first full-camp special event of the summer, and as campers descend from the BBQ deck and file into the amphitheater, the sun dips just below the tops of the trees lining the lake to awash the whole camp in its magic hour glow. Josh Thompson, Head of Boys Side Music, and Jamie Segal, head of Girls Performing Arts, served as hosts and led us through an impressive 26 acts! There was stand up comedy and magic… gymnastics and dance… spoken word poetry and karaoke… singing and band-jamming.
The talent show always feels like a moment when the best of camp is on brilliant display. There are first-time campers working up the bravery to perform in front of an audience of 400 (give or take), and there are talent show veterans who get a standing ovation even before they sing out their first note. Somehow the audience knows just when it’s time to clap or sing along, and when it’s time to get real quiet and soak it all in. Divisions cheer on their bunkmates, and a few acts take us all by surprise… a camper revealing a talent no one knew they had.
When the talent show ends groups make their way to the top of the driving range— red, white and blue popsicles now in hand— to take in the fireworks display. A snap, crackle, pop of magic in the darkening Elizaville sky.
So there it is. Snippets of one day in the 12523. And we got it all in before a deluge of 10 PM rain…
Lessons from the Opening Campfires..
Time is a funny thing at camp. And while it has only been 4 full days of Scatico, we cannot believe all that has happened.
Time is a funny thing at camp. While it has only been 4 full days of Scatico, we cannot believe all that has happened. For returning campers, it may feel like they’ve never left, so seamlessly do they slip back into the rhythms and routines of camp life. For first-timers, the strength of connections formed with bunkmates is supercharged! Bunkmates you’ve only known for a few days already feel like old friends.
Instead of trying to summarize all that has happened in the 12523 in the last few days, we’re going to transport you to two special camp moments… our Opening Campfires.
On the second night of camp the entire boys camp and the entire girls camp gather at their respective campfire circles and participate in a night of tradition and wonderment. Campfires start around 7:30 PM. The sky is still light, a reminder that summer has only just begun…
A shared new tradition… both campuses read aloud Scatico’s Land Acknowledgement, which we wrote during the summer of 2021. The Land Acknowledgement shares how Scatico’s name comes from the tribe Schaghticoke First Nations, because the land where Scatico was originally founded was their ancestral home. The Schaghticoke are a tribe formed from the merging of several Algonquian language-speaking people, and the word Schaghticoke actually means “mingling waters,” a reference to both the joining of rivers and the unification of several once-disparate tribes.
And now a shared old tradition… on Boys Side we do the “Calling of the Years,” in which Head Counselor Mark says aloud the years in which Scaticonians started at camp, beginning with the longest-tenured (David in 1964), and ending with 2023. As your year is called you stand, so that by the end the entire circle stands together. On Girls Side, this tradition comes in the form of the aptly-titled “Year Song.” We start with Head Counselor Kerri in 1981, with the lyrics… “1-9-8-1 at Scatico, no other year the same. Every girl a comrade true. Whatever year, or name, or fame.” As we count down the years and more and more Scaticonians stand, we reflect on the unifying experience of Scatico… one that transcends any single year, or time, or generation. Something we all can share.
Each campfire also involves a good amount of storytelling. At the Boys Campfire, David opened a pack of baseball cards from 1987, and told the story of each player. The message being— each player brings their own unique skills and perspectives to comprise the pack (just like campers in a divison). The pack of cards also had entry to a sweepstakes… a free trip to a Spring Training sight of your choice in 1988. So, naturally, we entered! David penned the letter asking for submission to the sweepstakes (we chose the Yankees), printed it on Scatico stationary, and had members of camp sign. One counselor even sampled the gum contained inside the pack… he swears it retained its flavor.
At the Girls Campfire, the Sooper girls (the oldest campers) run the show… explaining time-honored traditions and highlight moments we can expect from over the summer. At the campfire’s close, as campers rose to sing the Alma Mater, a flutter of wings was heard overhead. One of Scatico’s resident bald eagles had landed on the highest perch of a pine located directly next to the campfire circle. This eagle seemed to be one of the younger ones (its white head of feathers not fully grown in), and it just hung out on its branch, unperturbed by (or maybe listening in on?) the singing below.
On the walk back to milk and cookies groups of campers stopped along the campfire path to peer up, friends pointing out the unmistakeable silhouette to those who could not spot it. “Ah, yes, I see it now!” Small moments of triumph and awe. A perfect start to summer…
Scatico x SCOPE Dream Boxes
Learn about Scatico Service Day— and donations needed for SCOPE!
Each summer we aim to embody camp’s fourth value “From the 12523 to the World,” to extend the camp experience and philosophy beyond Scatico’s gates. As part of this goal, on July 26, we are having Scatico's second annual Service Day, where we will engage campers in projects and activities to partner with local and nonprofit organizations. Campers will have the opportunity to participate in various service projects, such as running a car wash to raise money for the local fire department and working alongside our friends at Kite’s Nest to compost and participate in their community garden.
As part of the Service Day activities Scatico is once-again partnering with SCOPE, a nonprofit organization that provides children from low-income families opportunities at overnight summer camps to help them grow in the camp environment and beyond. SCOPE believes that summer camp is an essential component of the year-round education and development of children that impacts their futures. SCOPE raises funds to send kids to one of their dozens of their ACA-accredited nonprofit overnight camp partners across the United States.
For the SCOPE Service Day project, campers will create “Dream Boxes” for SCOPE campers at Ramapo for the 2023-2024 school year. Each “Dream Box” will contain new school supplies and be personally decorated to reflect each recipient kid!
This is where we need your help! On Opening Day and Visiting Day, families will have the opportunity to donate new educational supplies for the “Dream Boxes.” The list of supplies needed includes but is not limited to:
Pencils
Pens
Notebooks
Pencil Cases
Erasers
Colored Pencils
Crayons
Highlighters
Stickers
Pencil Sharpeners
Scissors
Sharpie Pens
Glue Sticks
Folders
Index Cards
White-out
Tape
Rulers
Above + Right: Campers make Dream Boxes for last summer’s Service Day!
We can’t wait to create these “Dream Boxes” this summer with your help! On Opening Day, we’ll have a clearly labeled bin to collect all supply donations.
Meet the 2023 DLs
We are incredibly excited to introduce the 2023 Division Leaders— 16 Scaticonians who combined have spent 150+ summers at Scatico!
We are incredibly excited to introduce the 2023 Division Leaders— 16 Scaticonians who combined have spent 150+ summers at Scatico! Division Leaders serve as a “head counselor” for each group in camp. They live in cabins with their campers, travel to virtually all of their activities with them, plus oversee the other counselors in the group.
Get to know this year’s team below!
Jenna (left)
Jenna Fass, Juniors/ Pixies (Rising 3rd + 4th)
Number of summers at Scatico: 12
When I’m not at camp I… am graduating from UW - Madison and am going to grad school at Teachers College in the Fall.
My favorite place in camp is… the lake.
A camp memory I love is… my Sooper summer Color War break.
This summer, I’m most excited to… be back at camp and teach my amazing campers what Scatico is all about!
GEORGE RICHARDSON, FRESHMeN (rising 3rd + 4th)
Number of summers at Scatico: 2
When I’m not at camp I… am either back at home working in England or traveling the world, meeting new people and seeing new places!
My favorite place in camp is… the waterfront. Nothing beats sitting by the water after a hot day with a suncup in hand spending time with friends!
A camp memory I love is… our end of summer trip to Howe Caverns last year. It was a really fun day full of memories, but I most fondly remember the boat ride at the end... the Freshmen spontaneously started singing their songs from the divisional sing and it just felt perfect.
This summer, I’m most excited to… be back at Scatico for summer number 2 making more memories and giving this years freshmen a summer to remember!
George (grey t-shirt)
Anna
Anna Rosenfeld, Jinters (rising 5th)
Number of summers at Scatico: 12
When I’m not at camp I… just graduated from the University of Virginia ... but I'll be going back to school in the UK in the fall!
My favorite place in camp is… HC porch, looking out onto back campus.
A camp memory I love is… freezing cold polar bear swims with whoever in my division could be convinced to wake up with me.
This summer, I’m most excited to… meet all the new campers and reconnect with everyone at camp that I haven't seen since my last summer (four years ago!!)
Ross Macpherson, sophomores (rising 5th)
Number of summers at Scatico: 2
When I’m not at camp I… am a 4th-year University student and part-time Barista back home in Scotland.
My favorite place in camp is… a tie between the driving range and the lake.
A camp memory I love is… the talent show.
This summer, I’m most excited to… have another fantastic summer with campers and staff!
Ross
Leia (right)
LEIA PINALS, INTERS (rising 6th)
Number of summers at Scatico: 11
When I’m not at camp I… am hiking, doing embroidery, cooking, or playing volleyball.
My favorite place in camp is… the hill!
A camp memory I love is…playing cards with my division (especially on the HC porch). We played the games Spoons, Spit, and President a lot!
This summer, I’m most excited to… be a DL for the first time :)
Sam meltzer, sub juniors (rising 6th)
Number of summers at Scatico: 8
When I’m not at camp I… spend my most of my time at school. However, when I’m home in New Jersey I love going to Yankees games, playing sports, traveling, and hanging out with friends.
My favorite place in camp is… the lake. The lake is by far the best spot at camp, especially on a very hot day. The lake is so versatile as you can go boating, swimming, or just chill out on one of the docks.
A camp memory I love is…going to Lake Placid with my division my Upper Senior summer back in 2018. From the bus drive to the all the fun activities we did on the trip like bobsledding it was a trip filled with memories that will last forever.
This summer, I’m most excited to… be back with Sub Juniors for the 3rd year in a row! Also, I can’t wait to reconnect with the entire Scatico community.
Sam (right)
Emma
emma krasner, centers (rising 7th)
Number of summers at Scatico: 11
When I’m not at camp I… am an Education Major at Syracuse University.
My favorite place in camp is… the HC Porch.
A camp memory I love is… writing my alma mater Sooper summer on the admin porch watching the sunset.
This summer, I’m most excited to… get to know a new group of campers!!
Manny jacobson, juniors (rising 7th)
Number of summers at Scatico: 11
When I’m not at camp I… am studying filmmaking at Kenyon and thinking about camp.
My favorite place in camp is… boys center campus.
A camp memory I love is… winning the sing last summer with the sub juniors (now juniors).
This summer, I’m most excited to… spend quality time with my divisionmates and my campers.
Manny
Kate (left)
KATE METZENDORF (Metz), Debs (rising 8th)
Number of summers at Scatico: 11
When I’m not at camp I… am at school in Michigan and/or spending time with friends and family.
My favorite place in camp is… the road path.
A camp memory I love is… being in the campitheter with the entire camp for the 4th of July talent show and feeling all the love and energy!!!
This summer, I’m most excited to… make connections and friendships with staff and campers that will last a lifetime!!
HENRY LILIENFELD, INTERS (rising 8th)
Number of summers at Scatico: 9
When I’m not at camp I… think about camp.
My favorite place in camp is… the ballfields.
A camp memory I love is… watching my brother score the game winning goal in his Color War hockey game last summer.
This summer, I’m most excited to… spend time with my divisionmates and siblings.
Henry (right)
Jenna (left)
JENNA MILLER, SUBS (rising 9th)
Number of summers at Scatico: 11
When I’m not at camp I… go to The University of Maryland and hang out with my friends.
My favorite place in camp is… the U at the dining hall. I love how all of girl side comes together and it gives people the opportunity to talk to people in other divisions.
A camp memory I love is…when I was a camper hanging out with my division during rest hour, shower hour, and freeplay. I always loved the downtime I spent with my division and that’s when we created the best memories.
This summer, I’m most excited to…get to know my campers and form a special bond with all of them. I can't wait to create so many memories with them!!
Ethan Rosenberg, Sub-Senior DL (rising 9th)
Number of summers at Scatico: 10
When I’m not at camp I…am a student at Wake Forest University.
My favorite place in camp is… the porch of 15-16.
A camp memory I love is… winning T-League with Cory.
This summer, I’m most excited to… spend time unplugged with friends.
Ethan
Emma
Emma Rosh, SeniorS (rising 10th)
Number of summers at Scatico: 13
When I’m not at camp I… spent the spring semester studying abroad in Rome and traveling across Europe!! But when I’m not there and not at camp I go to The University of Maryland where I will be a Senior in the fall.
My favorite place in camp is… All of it. I literally can’t choose. The entire place is my favorite.
A camp memory I love is… my Sooper summer pulling up to camp and finally being back in the best place with my best friends.
This summer, I’m most excited to… spend time doing the little things. The walks to meals, waiting for campers to get out of the bunk, going to activities and eating in the dining hall. I’m also so excited for Lake Placid!!
JUSTIN ZUCKER, SENIORS (rising 10th)
Number of summers at Scatico: 11
When I’m not at camp I… attend College of Charleston and try to get to the beach as much as I can.
My favorite place in camp is… Field 4, nothing comes close to it.
A camp memory I love is… my CIT summer on my T-league team we always had 5 people hanging on the bench watching the line. We took the only boring parts of league and made it into a team tradition.
This summer, I’m most excited to… get back out on the lake with the boys and win T-league.
Justin
Katie (middle)
Katie corren, soopers (rising 11th)
Number of summers at Scatico: 9
When I’m not at camp I… am hanging out with my friends and family :)
My favorite place in camp is… the lake!
A camp memory I love is… going to volunteer with the DREAM Project in the Dominican Republic with my division in 2017 and having that unbelievable and special experience with all of them.
This summer, I’m most excited to… reunite with my amazing campers again…. create more lifelong memories with them and for them… travel to the DR with them… and to make their Sooper summer the best one yet!!!
brett simons, upper seniors (rising 11th)
Number of summers at Scatico: 11
When I’m not at camp I… enjoy hanging out with friends and relaxing outside.
My favorite place in camp is… the ballfields.
A camp memory I love is… the first night of T-league every summer.
This summer, I’m most excited to… see my campers be the leaders of boy side.
Brett
Meet Scatico Senior Leadership + Program Staff
We’re excited to introduce our leadership and program staff for summer 2023 (all of whom have previously spent a summer at Scatico)! These are members of our community who do not live in cabins with campers (as Counselors and Division Leaders do) but who help oversee camper life, activities and special events. We figured it was time to share a little more about these key Scaticonians! Who wants to do the math on how many combined Scatico summers they represent?
HEAD COUNSELORS
Kerri
KERRI WINDERMAN, GIRLS HEAD COUNSELOR
My first summer at camp was… 1984, summer #24!
I travel to camp from… Rye, NY.
When I’m not at camp I’m… an Elementary Math Instructional Coach.
At camp, you’ll most likely find me…walking around girls side.
This summer, I’m most excited to… jump in the lake for the first full camp GS!
MARK GRETENSTEIN, BOYS HEAD COUNSELOR
My first summer at camp was… 2018, 5th summer at Scatico. Or 2002, 15th summer at camp if we're including Camp Blue Star (summer camp in North Carolina where Mark went as a kid).
I travel to camp from… Brooklyn.
When I’m not at camp I… teach middle school math at Liberty Avenue Middle School in East New York, Brooklyn.
At camp, you’ll most likely find me…hanging on the HC porch or shooting around on the A Court.
This summer, I’m most excited to…welcome a new group of campers into the Scatico community and introduce them to all of our amazing and unique activities and special events.
Mark (left)
Dusty (right)
DUSTY FOX, ASSISTANT GIRLS HEAD COUNSELOR
Number of summers at Scatico… 25!
I travel to camp from… Asheville, NC .
When I’m not at camp I’m… a 4th grade teacher.
At camp, you’ll most likely find me…walking around, joining in at activities, or somewhere with Kerri!
This summer, I’m most excited to… meet new campers and staff, and welcome back returning campers and staff!
QUINN CROLAND, ASSISTANT BOYS HEAD COUNSELOR
My first summer at camp was… 2001, summer #20!
I travel to camp from… Hawthorne, NJ.
When I’m not at camp I’m… a Middle School Special Education teacher.
At camp, you’ll most likely find me…at the boys HC.
This summer, I’m most excited to…meet and work with all returning and new staff to have an amazing 2023 summer.
Quinn
Audrey
AUDREY FLEISCHNER, PROGRAM HEAD
My first summer at camp was… 2000 (23 summers).
I travel to camp from… Brooklyn.
When I’m not at camp I… teach 5th grade in New York City.
At camp, you’ll most likely find me…on the girls hill, organizing the sports shed.
This summer, I’m most excited to… pig out at the first full camp BBQ!
MOISES TORRES, ASSISTANT BOYS HEAD COUNSELOR
My first summer at camp was… 2013, and this will be my 10th summer!
I travel to camp from… Prague, but originally I am from NYC.
When I’m not at camp I’m… working in a language school and an international private school teaching English and Spanish.
At camp, you’ll most likely find me…shooting some hoops or playing on center campus.
This summer I’m most excited to… get to visit and stay at a place I consider a second home. And most importantly, get to see all of the campers thrive in activities they enjoy with friends, and be able to pass the knowledge I’ve learned from mentors growing up!
Moises
Jane
JANE ROSENFELD, PROGRAM HEAD
My first summer at camp was… 2004, this is summer #16!
I travel to camp from… New York City
When I’m not at camp I’m… a 4th grade teacher.
At camp, you’ll most likely find me…walking around girls side, hanging by the HC, swimming the lane, or playing pickleball!
This summer, I’m most excited to… go to the DR! And schedule some great programming for everybody!
WATERFRONTS
ISHAI ESHED, HEAD BOYS WATERFRONT
My first summer at camp was… 2019.
I travel to camp from… Ecuador, but I’m originally from Israel.
When I’m not at camp I’m… running an adventure tourism company, MontaniTours.
At camp, you’ll most likely find me…at the waterfront.
This summer I’m most excited to… introduce a new group of campers to sailing!
Ishai (left)
Juli
Julieta martos, HEAD of girls waterfront
My first summer at camp was… 2021, summer #3.
I travel to camp from… Córdoba, Argentina.
When I’m not at camp I… work as a swimming teacher and lifeguard. I also dance and work as a physical education teacher.
At camp, you’ll most likely find me…at the waterfront!
This summer, I’m most excited to… see the girls and meet new people.
ATHLETICS
RANDY AU, HEAD OF BOYS ATHLETICS
My first summer at camp was… 1984, 21st summer.
I travel to camp from…Columbus, OH.
When I’m not at camp I… am recently retired from the YMCA.
At camp, you’ll most likely find me…on the A-Court.
This summer, I’m most excited to…Reconnect with everyone. Hoops with Randy!
Randy
Katie (right)
KATIE HECKER, HEAD OF GIRLS ATHLETICS
My first summer at camp was…2004 (18 summers).
I travel to camp from…NYC, originally from Demarest, NJ.
When I’m not at camp I… teach second grade at a NYC public elementary school.
At camp, you’ll most likely find me…on the hill playing sports or organizing the shed!
This summer, I’m most excited to…be back on the hill with old campers and new!
TOMAS FERNANDEZ, ASSISTANT ATHLETICS
My first summer at camp was… 2021, third summer.
I travel to camp from…Córdoba, Argentina.
When I’m not at camp I… am working and traveling as a physical education teacher and teaching acroyoga classes.
At camp, you’ll most likely find me…on the basketball courts, at girls athletics, and at the waterfront!
This summer, I’m most excited to…get back and feel the Scatico energy! Also to keep learning and enjoying this beautiful place and the whole Scatico community.
Tomas
Vinod
VINOD DOGRA, HEAD OF BOYS TENNIS
My first summer at camp was… 2000, summer 21.
I travel to camp from…India.
When I’m not at camp I… run tennis programs for adults and kids… and now pickleball too!
At camp, you’ll most likely find me…at the boys side tennis courts and with Scatico's pickellers.
This summer, I’m most excited to… create an in house pickleball leauge / all camp pickleball / pickleball doubles Scatico Championship. Subject to time available when not doing big time tennis.
BEN LEW, HEAD GIRLS TENNIS
My first summer at camp was… 1996 / my total camp summers is in the vicinity of 13-ish, depending on how we are officially accruing service time.
Travel to camp from… Clermont, NY (12526!)/ I grew up in Ardsley.
When I’m not at camp I’m… Henry’s dad and a small business owner.
At camp, you’ll most likely find me…playing tennis, but maybe sneaking away to the A court for rec hoops a bit more if scheduling permits.
This summer, I’m most excited to… improve my second serve and have the confidence to hit it hard when the pressure’s on.
Ben (and Henry)
CREATIVE + CULINARY ARTS
Ken
KEN VALLARiO, HEAD OF ART AND PHILOSOPHY
My first summer at camp was…1999 (10 summers at Scatico).
I travel to camp from…Asheville, NC.
When I’m not at camp I… do art and teach kids.
At camp, you’ll most likely find me…in arts and crafts or running a philosophy circle under a tree.
This summer, I’m most excited to…do more pottery on boys side and more philosophy on girls side.
LAURA GOLD, HEAD OF ARTS N CRAFTS
My first summer at camp was… 1995, 16 summers at camp!
I travel to camp from… Olon, Ecuador, but I’m originally from New York.
When I’m not at camp I… serve as the director of the Ayni Green School!
At camp, you’ll most likely find me…covered in paint in the arts n crafts building.
This summer, I’m most excited to…bring new, creative projects to girls side and see what work people showcase at the art show!
Laura
Ally
ALLY MCARTHUR (LIPTON), co-hEAD OF COOKING
My first summer at camp was… 1983 (summer #20).
I travel to camp from…CT! I’m from CT, lived in NYC until 2020, and am back in CT now.
When I’m not at camp I… am the owner of herb-n-peach catering and events, we plan and produce corporate, social and nonprofit events.
At camp, you’ll most likely find me…at the cook shack or health center porch 🤗💚.
This summer, I’m most excited to…share new recipes and mindful cooking techniques.
Justin Mazzola, co-hEAD OF COOKING
My first summer at camp was… 2016. This will be my 6th summer at Scatico.
I travel to camp from… Stamford, CT.
When I’m not at camp I… am a full time nursing student and a server on the weekends.
At camp, you’ll most likely find me…in the cook shack!!
This summer, I’m most excited to…see all the campers growth over the past year!
Justin (right)
JJ
JJ HICKEy, HEAD OF FILMMAKING
My first summer at camp was… 1982, summer #38.
I travel to camp from…Los Angeles. Originally from Elizaville!
When I’m not at camp I… write and direct films in LA.
At camp, you’ll most likely find me…surrounded by kids pitching films they want to make!
This summer, I’m most excited to… welcome everyone new to Scatico and welcome back everyone else!
SERGIO GARBIN, HEAD OF WOODSHOP
My first summer at camp was… 2015, summer #6.
I travel to camp from…Hudson, NY.
When I’m not at camp I… work as a carpenter.
At camp, you’ll most likely find me…in the woodshop, head over a lathe.
This summer, I’m most excited to… be back after a brief hiatus! I haven’t been at camp since 2019.
Sergio
Jamie
JAMIE SEGAL, HEAD OF PERFORMING ARTS
My first summer at camp was… 2007, this is my 15th summer!
I travel to camp from…New York City… I’m from Larchmont.
When I’m not at camp I… am an elementary school teacher!
At camp, you’ll most likely find me…at the Scatico Playhouse or swimming in the lake.
This summer, I’m most excited to… bring ukuleles to Scatico :)
MAR VAZQUEZ, ART + DANCE
My first summer at camp was… 2019, this will be my 4th summer.
I travel to camp from… Mexico City.
When I’m not at camp I… study business and work as a model.
At camp, you’ll most likely find me… at the Dance Studio.
This summer, I’m most excited to… challenge myself working in a new program area and meet new people :)
Mar
Pauli
PAULA FERNANDEZ, CERAMICS
My first summer at camp was… 2021 (second summer at Scatico).
I travel to camp from… Argentina.
When I’m not at camp… I'm an Architect and I design projects for houses, stores, and buildings. I also have a business selling my art.
At camp, you’ll most likely find me… at arts n crafts.
This summer, I’m most excited to… meet everyone and share my culture.
OUTDOOR ADVENTURE
WILL BUSSERT, HEAD of OUTDOOR ADVENTURE
My first summer at camp was… 2021, so this will be my third summer at Camp Scatico! I also worked at Camp Walden (4 years) and Camp Eagle Hill (1 year).
I travel to camp from… Niskayuna, NY. We just moved there from Red Hook!
When I’m not at camp I… teach Elementary Physical Education. I love to be outdoors and go to the Adirondacks. I love to go canoeing. I love playing soccer and enjoy participating in a range of different sports.
At camp, you’ll most likely find me…near the water, at the fishing hut, fishing or looking for a new spot to fish, in the woods, making a fire, setting up / cleaning the tents and campsites, or clearing the trails.
This summer, I’m most excited to… be more involved in evening activities and potentially getting rope burn on the girls side!
Will
Steve, back left
STEVE LEWANICK, HEAD of ropes + tower
My first summer at camp was… I took Scatico groups caving 15-20 years ago but started running the Tower three years ago. (I rode down to check out the camp but had no intention of taking the position. Then I met David…)
Travel to camp from… Albany. Lived in the the capital district all my life.
When I’m not at camp I’m… trying to learn how to stay out of trouble. ;) I rock/ice climb, cave, golf, scuba dive, ski, ride my motorcycle.
At camp, you’ll most likely find me…yelling, I mean encouraging folks to learn and laugh.
This summer, I’m most excited to… work with my awesome staff and see the emotional growth of the campers.
PHOTO
JESICA PEDROCCA, HEAD OF PHOTO
My first summer at camp was… 2021 (summer #3).
I travel to camp from… Argentina.
When I’m not at camp I… take photos at events and teach AcroYoga classes. I also travel and study computer programming.
At camp, you’ll most likely find me… making videos and photos for the Slide Show and the website.
This summer, I’m most excited to… put my new video editing skills to use, practice my English, and meet more people from all over the world.
Jesica (middle)
Buckets 4 Beigel Charity Basketball Tournament
On May 6, Scatico is participating in an off-season charity basketball tournament, BUCKETS 4 BEIGEL, at North Shore Day Camp in Glen Cove, NY. Come watch current campers and JCs represent Team Scatico, and support a great cause!
The BUCKETS 4 BEIGEL tournament is in support of the Scott J. Beigel Memorial Fund, an organization that "sends at-risk and underserved children who have been impacted by gun violence to sleepaway camp." The organization is named for Scott Biegel, a teacher and cross-country coach at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, who was shot and killed in the 2018 mass shooting at the school. Scott also spent more than 15 summers at Camp Starlight in Pennsylvania, beginning at 7 years old, and was passionate about the sleepaway experience.
Tickets to attend and watch the games are $10, and go towards the Scott J. Beigel Memorial Fund. Spectators should arrive at 1:15PM and bring lawn chairs/ towels. More below!
