Tall Pines Day Camp

They say "Summers are Magical" at Tall Pines Day Camp and I won't disagree. On August 14th, we closed out Drew's 4th season as a camper at Tall Pines and my 14th year as a counselor at the premier day camp in South Jersey.

Drew came home happy every day talking about the adventures with his group (The Yellow Yodas), his wonderful counselors, and his "very best friend" Alex.

Drew grew so much this year as he became more

confident with swimming. He started being an edge grabber and wouldn't put his head under water without lots of encouragement. Before this year, he would mostly run and splash around in the baby pool, but now he is practicing strokes and is comfortable in the deeper pools and is swimming underwater and playing swim tag with the other kids. Thanks so much to Drew's swim instructors, who worked so well with him.

Drew also was more willing to try new things at lunch and grew more comfortable with the sports activities especxially tennis, gaga, soccer, lacrosse, minature golf, and kickball. Drew especially enjoyed participating in music class and dance class where he prepared to sing We Will Rock You and learned a dance to Thriller for the Junior Camp Show. He also performed "Take me out to the Ballgame" in front of the whole camp on baseball jersey day.

It was a great to see Drew grow in his four years at camp. I know how lucky we are that he gets to experience all of this fun and excitement and know that his involvement in camp has improved his confidence and will make him a better

kindergartner when school starts in a few days.

I also particularly enjoyed this season as my group was fantastic and the counselors that worked with me are two of the most incredible young men I know. It's nice each year to get a break from teaching and do something that is also rewarding and in my skill set, but without the pressures of gradebooks and standardized tests.

The following photo is from Drew's first season at camp in 2006 (the date printed on the photo is incorrect) as an active 2 1/2 year old!