Camp Swift - Session 1 2018, Day 1!

"Fun is just the start" at Swift Youth Foundation and first session of Camp Swift is off to a great start! The Support Staff kicked off this action packed week in Prescott, AZ around 12:30 PM on Thursday and from the moment these awesome adult volunteers arrived, food was being prepped, programs were being organized, and relationships were being formed. 

Early Friday morning, Support Staff welcomed the 1st session counselors! Each counselor was introduced to their new unit and co-counselors for the session.

​During orientation the counselors learned the lay of the land and had the opportunity to bond with their unit. Sari Stein, youngest unit head, challenged her counselors to work together across a path of ‘stones.’ Eric Slosky, middle unit head, played "Two Truths and a Lie" as a way to get to know the unit. Marc Goodman, oldest unit head, led his unit in a mindfulness activity and then played "Count to 10".

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Each year Swift Youth Foundation works to maximize the amount of campers that get to come up to camp. This year, Camp Swift welcomed over 150 campers. The bus arrived with campers around 12:30 PM, Saturday afternoon. The cheers roared throughout camp as campers began stepping off the bus. Campers were immediately introduced to this year’s theme of superheroes because we are all our own type of hero.

Every camper was assigned to a cabin and learned about their new super powers. For lunch, Chef Bubba and support staff prepped penne pasta with the choice of bolognaise or veggies. Campers also had the option to enjoy a salad and fruit. Activities began right after lunch, from meeting new friends to taking a trip to Keppies, the free clothing and necessity store. Once acclimated, cabins began programs at the ropes course, gaga pit, swimming pool, and art where campers made their own tie dye. At each program, staff works to bring in the idea of “perceived competence,” the ability to create a plan and execute it.

Before dinner, campers cheered their favorite camp songs and learned new ones. Youngest and middle unit enjoyed a burger bar in the lodge for dinner while oldest unit set-off for the overnight where they enjoyed hot dogs and s’mores under the stars. Youngest unit ended the night with the Infinity Stones evening program and middle unit took a trip through the Riddler program. Camp Swift’s staff goal for 1st session is making ordinary moments extraordinary (MOME), check back each evening during Camp Swift for just how we make the ordinary, EXTRA-ordinary! 

Thank you to Hillary Lorsch, Support Staff extraordinaire and featured author of this "fresh-off-the-grill" Grilled Cheese Gazette blog post!