The rest of Aidan Mahoney’s group had already taken their turns on the alpine tower swing and were ready to leave for the next activity by the time he was ready to give it a try.

So the YMCA Camp Arrowhead counselors strapped him in and put on his helmet.

Someone asked if he had done it before.

“It’s my first time,” Mahoney said just before he was released from the ladder.

For about 20 seconds, Mahoney went back and forth on the line, being cheered on by his group before asking to come down.

It’s those kinds of first experiences and the fellowship among campers that make Camp Arrowhead a special place to be during the summer, according to Victoria Treat, YMCA youth development director.

“One of the biggest things that I’ve noticed this summer, especially, is just all of the camaraderie from the kids and stuff,” Treat said. “Obviously, sometimes it’s like 100 degrees outside and super hot, so tensions can get high, but we have a lot of kids meeting new friends.”

The camp, which runs throughout the summer, was forced to keep all of its activities indoors for a week earlier this month due to excessive heat, but on Friday, campers were enjoying their outdoor time.

On normal days when they can make use of its 55 acres, campers start out with an opening ceremony and challenges before rotating to various stations all over the camp. They have daily pool time, as well as activities such as archery, music, drama, the Gaga Pit and sports. Campers also get time to go to Davis Lakes Campground. And after piloting specialty camps last summer, Treat said, the program has expanded this year to include such things as cooking, art in nature, pop star camp and design squad.

“We’re just trying to give them more of a focused activity,” Treat said.

Another new thing the camp rolled out this summer is achievement bands, in which Treat said campers can earn for upholding the YMCA’s core values of caring, responsibility, respect, honesty and faith. Another band says “splash,” for someone who overcomes fear in the water or achieves something in the pool.

“Just to see them foster relationships and everything like that, it’s a big thing for us,” Treat said, “and for the kids to just be themselves and to know that (they’re) all included. Anyone can come that wants to come.”

They have bands for other camp activities, also, and there are others for those who are good to the environment, such as picking up trash.  They get a band that says “green zone.” Another band says “peacemaker,” and that’s for kids who work to resolve conflicts.

Any camp counselor can hand those out to the kids.

“It’s super cool,” Treat said. “We’re super excited. The kids love getting them.”

Those out at Camp Arrowhead range in age from 5 to 12, and at Suffolk Family YMCA off of Godwin Boulevard, there’s also a camp for 4- to 5-year-olds. Treat said they’re averaging between 160 to 170 campers per week, with 55 people on staff working the camp this summer.

“It brings a lot of challenges, but it’s super fun,” Treat said. “We wouldn’t choose to do anything different.”

 

Want to go?

As of Friday, spots were still available at YMCA’s Camp Arrowhead and at Kinder Camp for the following ages:

• For ages 4-5, Kinder Camp is available for the weeks of Aug. 19-23 and Aug. 26-30. The weeks of Aug. 5-9 and Aug. 12-16 are wait-list only, as are the swim lesson add-ons for Aug. 5-9, Aug. 12-16 and Aug. 19-23.
• For ages 5-7, spots are available for the weeks of Aug. 5-9 and Aug. 12-16. For the weeks of Aug. 5-9 and Aug. 19-23, those weeks are waitlist only.
• For ages 8-9 for the weeks of July 29-Aug. 2, Aug. 5-9, Aug. 12-16, and Aug. 19-23, there is a waitlist only.
• For ages 10-12, there are spots available for the Aug. 5-9, Aug. 12-16 and Aug. 19-23 camps, though the Weird Science specialty add-on for Aug. 12-16 is waitlist only.

For the outdoor camps for ages 5-12, the cost is $155 for the week for YMCA members, and $215 for non-members. The registration fee is $50, and a $25 deposit is due at the time of registration. Camp add-ons for specialty activities cost an extra $15 for the week. To register for the outdoor camps for ages 5-12, or for more information, go to www.ymcashr.org/outdoor-day-camp-ymca-camp-arrowhead-0.

For Kinder Camp, the cost for YMCA members is $145 per week, or $205 for non-members, with a registration fee of $50 and a $25 deposit per week required. Swim lessons are an extra $30 per week.