On The Ropes with CF

The Camp Friendship Ropes Course is a very popular and important part of camp. The ropes course is used for vital team building activities for staff and campers, it offers challenging events both physically and mentally. Campers are able to participate in both low and high ropes course activities in the summer where they are presented with challenges to help them learn to work as a team and achieve specific goals.

This past Thursday we had a little refresher ropes course training ourselves. It was a great opportunity to work on our very own team building exercises. While not all of the CF year round staff were able to participate it was a great exercise for all who did. All staff who work for camp year round not only work hard in their specific areas but even help out with groups and other facets of camp. Our Ropes course is a big attraction for many of our visitors and this means we need qualified staff on hand. So our resident expert and Camp Director Ray Ackenbom took a few of us out on the course for a little refresher for those already trained, and beginner training for others. As always it was all good fun.

Alina shared some photos of the event with me since I was unable to attend. I have this silly need for having my feet firmly planted on the ground as often as possible. That’s not too say I haven’t entertained my tree climbing inner child in the past but that time has passed. Anyway I have some great photos to share of Zee, Ray, Alina, Robin, and even Sheri our registrar on the ropes just click the images for to enlarge and to see the rest.

See you soon,

Cris

ICF: Report From Quebec City

Camp Friendship’s owners Chuck and Alina Ackenbom have returned from Quebec City, Canada after 4 days participating in the International Camping Fellowship Congress. Please read below for a quick and formal update about the goals of ICF and the sessions and great learning experiences that took place this year.

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The International Camping Fellowship is a worldwide assembly of camping professionals interested in sharing their enthusiasm, knowledge and commitment to the camping experience. It was founded in 1987 amidst the energy of individuals gathered around the dream of a better world through camping and it is rooted in the belief that we can make a difference by “bringing together the world of outdoor experience.”

The ICF is committed to coordinating the exchange of news and information between individuals, camps, outdoor experiences and organizations in different countries in order to encourage and facilitate bilateral and multilateral exchanges and to stimulate efforts to achieve international understanding and global living, leadership, and ecological action through organized camping and outdoor experience and to encourage the organization of regional and national camping associations.

Every 3 years camp professionals from around the world gather together to share their knowledge on camps and camp programs. Chuck and Alina Ackenbom, owners of Camp Friendship in Palmyra participated in 8^th International Camping Congress in Quebec City, Canada held on October 4-7, 2008.

More than 600 delegates from Canada, Russia, Japan, France, Mongolia, USA, Ukraine, China, Mexico, Venezuela, Australia, Colombia and many more spent together four wonderful days packed with workshops, sessions, entertainment programs, and sightseeing tours.

One of the highlights of the congress included opening ceremony led by Max “One-Onti” Gros-Louis, Grand Chief of the Huron-Wendat Nation, also known as the founder and director of organizations dedicated to the culture and rights of First Nations (Indian tribes). Some of the other events presented at the Congress included evenings with McGill Conservatory Youth Choir, International Dance Troop Mackinaw and reception by the Minister of Education, Recreation and Sports of Quebec Province.

Delegates were very pleased to attend the general session led by Peg Smith, CEO of American Camp Association, Georges Brassard, Member of the Quebec and Canada Order, the highest distinctions of the country and the person who’s life story was reflected in the movie “Blue Butterfly” as well as other prominent speakers from around the world.

Chuck and Alina both serve on the steering committee of International Camping Fellowship representing camps from the USA. They admit that the Congress once again proved the important role that summer camps, year round camps and camp programs play in the lives of children and adults. By attending camps children learn social and life skills through play in a natural environment. They gain self-confidence and respect of others and make unforgettable memories and friendships lasting through their lives.

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Riding Camp: It’s More Than Just Horses!

The Equestrian Program at Camp Friendship is unrivaled by any other because it offers not only a well-rounded camp experience for girls ages 10-16 and a taste of international equine culture, but it also offers quality instruction in all levels of Hunt Seat riding. From the Beginner, riding for the very first time, to girls that ride and show regularly, there is something here for everyone at Camp Friendship.

Camp Friendship Equestrian Center has approximately 90 horses that are stabled here year-round. We take great pride in having such a wonderful group of kind, kid-friendly, and athletic horses. Our riding director Skye Ackenbom, daughter of owner and founder Chuck Ackenbom, believes that, “Having the opportunity to work with these horses year-round allows us to know our horses ‘inside and out.’” At Camp Friendship, each Riding Camper is assigned her own horse to ride and take care of for the duration of the camp session. Having such a large, diverse herd ensures a good horse and rider match—matching each horse’s innate personality with the different needs of our campers. Owning and maintaining such a large herd throughout the year allows for continuous training, and ensures that our horses know exactly what their “job” is each summer, offering a safe riding experience for campers.

Our state-of-the-art equestrian facility aids the Camp Friendship Equestrian Program’s success in running a program of this magnitude. The 2005 stable complex has 88 stalls equipped with an indoor ring to handle wet weather conditions. We also have a large show ring and three additional outdoor rings to accommodate concurrent lessons for all levels of riding.

The Equestrian Program’s riding instructors are also the riding campers’ counselors and stay with the campers at all times. The Riding Camp and stable staff are carefully chosen from different equine colleges and programs all over the world. We believe that this creates a diverse atmosphere, blending different equine cultures for the campers to experience and learn about. In addition to our international staff, we have many former campers that return to become counselors and staff—a true testament to the quality program that we stand behind. Before summer sessions begin, our Riding Camp staff participates in an intense two-week training program to learn Camp Friendship’s individual philosophy and style of Hunt Seat instruction and horse care, as well as our distinctive counselor philosophy and practice in meeting the needs of our campers.

The Equestrian Program offers one-week and two-week sessions to allow for different experiences for campers. The one-week sessions are great for campers trying out Camp Friendship for the first time, while the two-week sessions are usually packed with horse-crazy girls that continue to come back year after year. The two-week sessions offer a horse show at the end of the session, a perfect culmination for the campers’ ultimate equestrian experience.

Campers are housed in the lodge or cabin adjacent to the stable complex. Riding Campers room with girls of the same age, but are put into riding groups for lessons based on experience and ability. The campers’ daily schedule allows for two riding lessons a day. Where the first lesson is based mainly on riding fundamentals and equitation, the second lesson is aimed at having fun on horseback. We offer our campers unique experiences with horses, such as taking ponies to the river, riding up our Jumper’s Lane trail, participating in bareback lessons and playing relay games on horseback. The girls also participate in a daily theory lesson—verbal instruction or lectures on equine genres, from basic horse care to in-depth demonstrations on equine medicine. Campers put this theory to practice and are expected to complete barn chores, as we strongly believe that basic horse care and stable maintenance is an important part of any true equestrian’s agenda.

When not with the horses, it is important to us that Riding Campers participate in general camp activities. As part of their well-rounded camp experience, campers attend the Camp Dance, group campfires and other fun activities, such as our Mock Olympics and Slip-N-Slide. Riding Campers also enjoy a daily swim at the pool or lake to keep cool during hot Virginia summers.

Please note our other riding programs—Recreational Riding and Junior Girls with Riding. Recreational Riding is a co-ed beginner program for campers in our general camp who would like to choose riding as one of their activities. We also offer a Jr. Girls with Riding Program, which is for girls 8-12, beginner-intermediate riders, who would like to participate in Riding Camp for half of their day and choose general camp activities for the other half. We hope you will come join us at Camp Friendship for the summer sessions of 2009. Let your little horse-lover indulge in a summer of fun, friends and horses!

I wanted to share the above article here, for all who are interested in our riding programs. Our Riding Director explains in great detail the philosophy and goals of Camp Friendship’s Riding Programs. This article was original printed on our 2008 Fall Newsletter. If you would like to learn more about this program visit our website or call us at 1.800.873.3223.

See you soon

Cris