Month: March 2025

Shibley Day Camp quickly became a second home to me. The summer was filled with unforgettable memories, amazing friendships, and personal growth. I met amazing people that I talk to all year long. The sense of community and the impact at Shibley I had on campers made me realize how meaningful this experience truly is. I can’t wait to return and continue making a difference by creating even more incredible moments. Shibley Shibley!

-Jayden T 

I choose to work at Shibley Day Camp this summer because when I was a camper I felt included and loved.  I want other kids to have such great counselors like I did.

-Noemi W

I chose to work at Shibley Day Camp because when hearing others talk about their experience working here, it seemed like an awesome place to spend the summer. I’m constantly hearing about the fun vibes, great people, and tons of enriching activities that Shibley has to offer. I’ve always enjoyed working with kids and it looks as though this camp has created the perfect environment to help both staff and campers create some amazing bonds and memories over our summer break. The energy here seems super positive and I’m excited to be part of a team that’s all about having fun and making a difference.

–Jeannine V 

Shibley Day Camp is a great place to work because of it’s supportive and encouraging leadership, which helps create a positive and motivating work environment for all staff members. Shibley fosters a sense of community, where everyone works together as one big family. It is incredibly rewarding to see campers come out of their shell, build confidence, and develop new skills throughout the summer. The camp’s dedication to both staff and campers makes it a truly special place to be a part of. I am so grateful to have spent the past two summers with Shibley and I am so excited for Summer 2025!

~ Megan F

Shibley not only allows, but totally embraces my loud, boisterous “rah-rah” personality and my desire to engage everyone around me. I feel like this is a match made in heaven.  

-Joe W 

It is an honor to have been selected to work at Shibley Day Camp. As a new staff member I’ve chosen to work here to continue the legacy, values, and goals to enrich campers in ways they might not have never experienced before. Through encouragement and leadership, I’m most excited to embark on the journey of seeing campers building confidence, developing new skill sets, and creating long lasting friendships . I can’t wait for camp, see you all there!  

-Zaria G

I return to Shibley year after year because of the incredible sense of community. From the moment I step onto the campgrounds, I am welcomed by familiar, friendly faces, creating an environment that feels like home. It is also truly rewarding to reconnect with past campers and see how much they have grown over the years. The bonds I have formed with both colleagues and campers make this experience deeply meaningful, and I am grateful to be part of such a special community! 

-Mary H

This will be my first time working at Shibley, and I chose to work here because I know they have a good swimming program and I will be a lifeguard this year. I also would like to be able to teach the little campers who may not know how to swim yet to be able to swim. 

-William M

I chose to work at Shibley because I went to Shibley as a camper and loved all of my summers there. My counselors made my summers great, and I would love to do the same by making my campers’ summers their best one yet! My mom went to Shibley, my uncle went to Shibley, and both also worked at Shibley, so for me, one can say that it runs in the family!  

-Danny W

 I’m returning to Shibley for another year because of how welcoming the community is. Working at Shibley was my first job experience and I truly felt at home. Both the campers and staff make working here worthwhile! 

-Emily K 

 The best part of working at Shibley is seeing the world through a child’s eyes—full of wonder, laughter, and endless possibilities. Working at camp isn’t just a job—it’s an opportunity to make a difference one smile at a time.   Every messy craft, every silly song, every new activity attempted —these are the moments that make camp unforgettable. When a child learns a new skill, makes a new friend or discovers new possibilities, it enables them to take risks and develop confidence to be successful in all other areas in life. 

Working at Shibley has given me the opportunity to be a part of a family that helps every child learn and grow. My coworkers and I truly respect every camper, recognizing that each child is special and unique. We believe in creating an environment where every camper feels valued, heard, and celebrated for who they are. By fostering kindness, empathy, and inclusivity, we ensure that every child’s individuality shines. Most importantly, working at Shibley has connected me with incredible people—campers who inspire me with their curiosity and resilience, and coworkers who have become lifelong friends. In short, Shibley has given me confidence, perspective, and memories I’ll carry forever. 

-Ali M 

I felt like Shibley Day Camp was the perfect place to spend my summer; fresh air, good people, and of course, a day filled with fun! Summer can’t come fast enough!! 

-Lauryn G

I am so excited to be a Shibley staff member.  Having spent six amazing summers at Shibley Day Camp as a camper, I knew right away that I wanted to return as a counselor. My time at camp was unforgettable, filled with fun, friendships, and incredible memories that I’ll always cherish. The counselors I had made every summer special, and now I want to do the same for the next generation of campers. Shibley is more than just a camp, it’s a place where kids can truly be themselves and have the best summer ever.

-Ryan M

As a returning group leader, I am counting down the days till summer camp at Shibley because… 

1) I love the walk through junior to senior camp in the mornings. 

2) I love working with Shibley people .

3) I love the energy of the Shibley campers!!! 

-Leah L 

I’m choosing to work here at Shibley Day Camp because I get to work with amazing young kids, become a role model to these campers and to be somebody they can remember when they’re older. This can help prepare me to go into the educational field as a teacher. Thank you for this wonderful opportunity to be a counselor for summer 2025 and I’m really looking forward to it.

-Sophia D

I return to camp every summer to continue teaching the children arts and crafts. This is where they can gather together, sit and talk, be themselves. They can be creative and be proud to make something to bring home to show their parents. If I can bring smile to all the campers that love to come  and create with me…my heart stays full knowing that I’ve helped in making their summer so great!  

-Deb L 

The warm and family style environment is the kind of camp that I want my children to be a part of every summer. Both my camper and myself have made friends that make going to camp a fulfilling experience.

– Josh S 

I chose to come back to camp this summer because it made me so excited and to have something to look forward to. Helping the kids to have the best summer experience makes it so rewarding because I remember as a kid myself even though I didn’t go to camp I went to summer school and the teachers I had made sure to give me the best experience and left such a huge impact on me and that is what I want to do for these kids.

-Annabelle Y 

This will be my third summer at Shibley Day Camp, and I’m thrilled! The staff is incredibly welcoming and supportive and always ready to help when the summer heat and energetic kids get overwhelming. The strong sense of community makes it feel like a second home. I truly love coming to work here, the energy is always high and the kids’ excitement truly adds to the experience! 

-Irina P

I look forward to Summer 2025 at Shibley Day camp because I love the kids, the staff, and the activities!  This summer I especially look forward to running a new sports program in Junior Camp and sharing my love for sports with the campers!  I can’t wait for camp to be here!  

-Jess M

The reason I continue to come back to camp every summer is because it feels like home. Each summer I go back my love for camp only grows. The whole entire staff works together throughout the summer to ensure that the campers have the best summer ever. Seeing the smiles on the campers faces everyday is a very rewarding feeling.  

-Angela M

Day camp  = $$$$. Swim lessons = $$$. Swimsuits  = $$. Bathing Caps = $

Terrified children at the beginning of the summer who turn around at you before the Summer ends to say, “I can do it myself”  –  PRICELESS

-Rena L  

I’m returning to Shibley Day Camp in 2025 because it’s my second home and a place of pure magic. Every summer, I’m inspired by the joy, friendships, and memories that are made here. Watching my kids grow and shine at Shibley is a gift, and I’m proud to be part of a community that feels like family and turns every day into an adventure.

-Liz H

Shibley is my Happy Place for the last  30 summers. I always say it’s like being in Disney all summer long. I love working with my Shibley family and the happy children and of course hula hooping for all to watch:)

-Grace M

Meet our 2025 Head Nurse, Emily Baker, whose family is joining us for their third summer at Shibley. This is a blog she wrote after her first summer at camp:

There is something beautiful in watching children in an environment where they can grow and develop, all while navigating and exploring the fundamental simplicities of life.

I’ve spent the majority of my career as a Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Nurse and unfortunately, I have seen the harsh realities of life firsthand, realities that no child should have to ever be part of or witness.  It is this experience as a nurse that helped me to realize that life is truly precious and is a gift that should be lived to the fullest, even when you are young.

This past summer I was blessed with the opportunity to be one of the camp nurses for Shibley Day Camp and as an added bonus my three children would get to experience camp for the first time.  For full disclosure, you should know that my husband and I grew up in Iowa and there certainly were not any camps for us to attend, the concept of camp was foreign but incredibly intriguing.  Scenes from The Parent Trap kept playing in my head throughout Winter and Spring in anticipation of what we were getting into.

I knew from the moment that our family first toured the Shibley grounds that the environment simply felt right, it felt like home, and it felt like we were walking into a family.   Even with that positive first experience, there were quite a few first-day jitters and I can confidently say that my children and I had no idea what we were walking into.

Day 1 quickly turned into day 39, and our hearts were forever changed.  As a Pediatric Nurse, I love taking care of children, and for the first time in my career, I was given the opportunity to take care of healthy children.  As the days of summer went by and the Band-Aids, Gatorade, and ice packs were handed out, I was reminded of how important it is for children to be in environments where they can grow as individuals through exploring new activities, develop friendships, and be challenged in ways they are not used to, all in a safe, family-friendly, and nurturing environment.

Witnessing the children of Shibley Day Camp grow this summer was truly a blessing, however, witnessing how Shibley Day Camp impacted my children this summer was truly remarkable.  All three of my children went into summer being very reserved and afraid to speak up for themselves and they walked out of Shibley as three confident and very independent children with memories that will last a lifetime.

As both a Camp Nurse and a parent, I can wholeheartedly say that Shibley Day Camp provides a magical and nurturing environment that truly promotes personal growth, lifelong friendships, and memories to last a lifetime.  In our home, our hearts will be longing for next summer.