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Hi! I’m Danny, Director of Operations, and I want to share with you some of the work we have done on the grounds at Shibley over the past few years and our tentative plans for the future. Enjoy!

This is our awesome facility team: Liam, Rashawn, Hunter, Dan & Kevin

Over the past few years we have made many upgrades to our facility. For Summer 2023 our big project is adding a 5th pool, the Galaxy Pool, up in Senior Camp. This new pool will be located next to the current Infinity Pool. This pool will add more intermediate/deep water space for our older campers and in turn open up more space in the pools down in Junior Camp (The Happy Pool, The Cool Pool and The Champion Pool) for our younger campers.

The other areas we are working on for this upcoming summer are in our senior and junior bunks. We are adding bunk space and additional bathrooms into existing bunks. This is a continuation of the beautification of all of our bunks, both inside and outside, that has been ongoing for about 7 years. The interior (walls/bathrooms) and exterior (siding/roof) of many bunks have been upgraded over this time.

We are also adding more seating to our beautiful outdoor theater for shows and camp gatherings.

Last year we added some exciting new elements to our adventure program. At the Senior Adventure Park we added a brand new climbing wall and new elements throughout the course, including the Green Values bridge that now leads to the zip line.  We also added a zip line and new element to the Junior Adventure Park for our younger campers.

Before last summer we also began renovating the dining hall, starting with a brand new roof. We will continue to upgrade the dining hall and kitchen areas over the next few years with additional projects outside and inside the building.

Other upgrades to our facility from the past few years include:

• renovation of Junior Field and new junior gaga court

• new fencing around camp
• relocated car wash (kid wash) water activity

• new golf cart for tours and getting around camp

• repaired and upgraded various fields and courts throughout camp
• added and expanded outdoor seating for lunch and snacks
• new science and nature activity area

What’s Next? Here are some ideas we are working on for the future.

• new Junior Camp creative play village
• expanded go kart track
• upgrades to inside of dining hall and kitchen
• more field/court upgrades

What would you like to see us add/upgrade/change at camp?

Let me know: danny@shibleydaycamp.com 

I’m thankful each time I return to Shibley because the timeless, screenless, active summers are restorative to my mind, body, and soul. It’s a much-needed reset in today’s world! – Jared H

I am thankful for the lifelong friendships that I have been able to create at Shibley while at the same time helping campers make new discoveries about themselves through trying new activities and having fun. – Matthew C (Boomer)

I am thankful to return to Shibley next summer because Shibley is an amazing environment full of fun and positive experiences. The number one reason I want to return to Shibley is because I really enjoyed giving kids the best summer of their lives. – 2022 Staff Member

I’m thankful for the kinship I have found at Shibley – Gladys L

I am so thankful for tons of things in life, but most of all, thankful to return to Shibley Summer Day Camp. Why? Because I’ll be reunited with lots of you who I met. – Erick V

I am thankful for all our beautiful Shibley children! You guys are the reason why I am returning to Shibley next summer and make more wonderful memories. – Esther C

Enjoying every camp day alongside the campers brings me great energy and joy! I am so thankful to be able to play in the sun with the campers from the minute the camp day starts until the last bus leaves the Shibley grounds. – Jon K

I’m thankful for everyone who has made me feel welcome to Shibley. And I’m thankful for the kids who have made working there so rewarding.  – Lara M

I am so thankful for having the opportunity to work with such wonderful people.  The summer cannot come fast enough. – Kyla V

💚Shibley has been a forever happy place for myself and my children since day one. I am thankful for working with an amazing and supportive staff that have and will be my friends for many summers to come. 💚 – Deb L

The reason I want to return to Shibley next summer is because of the amazing staff and campers I got to spend every day with. Last year was my first summer at Shibley so I was so nervous to be there at first, but after getting to meet such a welcoming staff and group of campers, I had an incredible summer, and I attribute that to all of those I was surrounded by. – Nico M

I am thankful to return to Shibley because it is such a positive work environment.  The #1 reason I want to return to Shibley is because I love working with the children, and also love working with my amazing coworkers. I am looking forward to spending another summer working with Shibley. – 2022 Staff Member

I am thankful to have found a family at Shibley Day Camp and I look forward to returning to them next summer to make more memories, both with campers and coworkers, that will last a lifetime. – Arabella N

I am so thankful for my Shibley family
Love being at Shibley Day Camp the smiles and laughter from the children and happy music when walking around camp makes me feel like I am in Disney all summer long Happy Thanksgiving 🦃 to all! Shibley Shibley – Grace M

I am thankful to return to Shibley because I was able to meet new people and create memories with them. The one reason I would want to return would be I can meet more people and create more bonds with children and coworkers. – Vivian M

I am Thankful to return to Shibley for the Summer of 2023! My #1 reason I want to return to Shibley is to see the Smiling Faces of the many Shibley campers & staff.  This includes my Bungee Crew. I love seeing the Shibley campers having FUN on Bungee- asking to go to “the Top Floor” or doing multiple flips or even getting the courage to do their first flip ever. This will be our 3rd Summer at Shibley. We can’t wait for Summer 2023. Shibley Shibley – Marisa M

I am so thankful to return to Shibley next summer because that means I get to meet new campers and make memories again!  The Shibley campers make the summer so enjoyable!! – Jess C

At my wedding, my father got up with my mother by his side, to give a speech. My father is a quiet man but when he has something to say it’s usually profound and this was no exception. He told my husband and I that the most important thing in a marriage is food. He explained further. What he meant by this is that most of the time that you will spend with your spouse (and your future children) is at the dinner table. This is where you will come together at the end of each day to not only eat, but reconnect and talk about the day’s events, the good, the bad and what’s to come.

It’s nice to come back together at the end of a crazy day and sit around the table. This is the time to catch up, touch base and see how everyone is doing. It gives the members of your family an opportunity to open up in a safe space. Even if the conversation is minimal, at least everyone knows that you are there to listen if they need it. This is also a space and time we can show our kids how important it is to have “face time”…not to be confused with “FaceTime” on the iPhone. It shows them the art of conversation and how to interact with people and not just a screen. I think back to my childhood and many of my favorite memories took place around the dinner table.

I have tried to follow my father’s advice. My husband and I do the best we can to sit down with our kids for dinner every night. Does this always happen? No, definitely not. School days are so hectic and everyone’s schedules are so different. Homework needs to be finished. Sports practices don’t end until late or someone has a late meeting. On many nights no one’s schedules line up and everyone is having dinner on the go. Or maybe we are going out with friends (which is also important for our own sanity, lol). But, when possible, it’s good to get the entire household together for a meal. Doing it just a few times a week can make all the difference.

And then comes the dreaded question…WHAT’S FOR DINNER??? This is probably the most asked question in my house. My children are barely finished with breakfast, and they already want to know what they are having for dinner. I find it hard, especially in the start of the school year, to come up with quick and easy meals to please the entire family. In the past I have tried to reinvent the wheel, thinking that I need to make a complicated, nutrition packed dinner that involves lots of chopping, cutting, mixing, and cooking. Who has time for all of that? (Certainly not me!) And I’m no Julia Child.

I’ve changed my ways and realized that keeping it simple is the way to go. The bottom line is that everyone needs to eat, and we need to try and be around the dinner table together.  I have a few recipes that I stick to every week. They are simple, fast and some I can make ahead of time. It might not always be the most glamorous meal but if I can make something (or half make something) that will satisfy everyone, then I feel good. And of course, there is always take out!

Quick weekly meal ideas:

• Spaghetti with meat sauce, garlic bread (store bought from the freezer aisle)
• Tacos!! Every Tuesday!!
• Breakfast for dinner
• Grilled chicken with rice and broccoli

And of course, if all else fails, there’s no shame in ordering in!! Enjoy!

I am a camp person. I have been my entire life. I started at day camp when I was three, then I was off to sleep away camp at age 8 and I stayed there through the age of 16. As soon as I was old enough, I became a counselor at a sleep away camp. After a short stint in the corporate world, I made my way back to day camp by way of Shibley! On the complete opposite end of the spectrum is my husband. He never went to camp. He spent his summers hanging out with friends and family. When he was old enough, he spent time at his father’s shop to learn the business. He didn’t know what camp was all about until he met me.

Early on in our relationship I planted the seed of our kids going to day camp and also one day going away to sleepaway camp. I mean, that’s just what you do…when it’s time, you send your kids to sleep away camp, no questions asked, right? Well, not according to him. “What do you mean you want to send our children away for the summer? We had kids so that we could do things with them, not to send them away!!!” He and I clearly had two different points of view.

I introduced my husband to camp life when our oldest was in nursery school. Our children started at their pre-school camp, moved on to the town camp and then when the oldest was entering 2^nd grade it was time for “real camp”, so we toured a few and chose Shibley for all three children ranging in ages from 3-years-old to 7-years-old. I also signed on as a group leader. This was a completely new world for my husband as he had never seen anything like this. It wasn’t just the incredible facility or awesome activities that caught him by surprise, but how the children were making friends, trying new things and displaying independence and confidence that he hadn’t seen before.

There is no way that we would be able to give them this type of experience on our own. Camp is focused on building skills that schools do not teach. The impact in just the first summer was huge. Camp helped our children to ease into the upcoming school year feeling great about who they are and feeling confident to take on any challenges that the school year may bring.

As the children got older, I would always talk about sleepaway camp as an option and my husband would always have the same response…” No! Why would I send my kids away? I will miss them too much.” But this is not about us, this is about them and what they will get out of the experience. Lucky for me, Shibley offers the perfect introduction to the sleepaway camp experience with our annual sleep away week to Club Getaway. The trip is run during the summer and attended by Shibley campers and staff who spend the first few weeks together at Shibley, getting to know each other. It was a perfect introduction for my 8-year-old and 9-year-old who had both expressed interest in going away. They were nervous but excited! We sent them off on Monday and they returned on Friday asking for more! I knew it was time…

In the Fall we started to talk about plans for summer. Over the holidays we spent time with family and the kids got to see their cousins who had just finished up their summer at sleepaway camp. Our oldest went right up to my husband and said “I think I want to go to sleepaway camp. I think I’m ready”.  This was something that my son had thought about and it was his decision. My husband couldn’t say no.

Luckily for us Shibley is affiliated with some of the best sleepaway camps in the country. There are single gender camps, co-ed camps, full summer camps and camps with shorter sessions. Each is unique, has its own “vibe” and program offerings. We ultimately picked a co-ed camp with full summer and session options so that the children could all go together and ease into the experience, if necessary. My daughter was not quite ready to spend an entire summer away from Shibley so she attended for 4 weeks and returned to Shibley for 4 weeks as well. My son spent the full summer (7 weeks, eeeek!!) at sleepaway camp. They will both be returning for summer 2024 and my youngest will be joining them for at least 4 weeks.

I am happy to discuss our camps and why it was so important to us to provide this experience for our children. Reach out any time – hayley@shibleydaycamp.com or 516 621 8777.

SHIBLEY SHIBLEY!

Read more about our camps:  https://www.shibleydaycamp.com/thinking-about-sleepaway-camp/

Sleepaway Savings Account Info: https://www.shibleydaycamp.com/summer-camp/sleepaway-camp-savings-account/

My name is Peter Strecansky, and I am elated to join the full-time team at Shibley! This is a dream come true for me. Shibley is practically in my blood.

My uncle, Jeff, was a Shibley camper in the 1970s and later served as a tennis instructor. My mom, Phyllis, was a Shibley group leader for almost two decades, and my aunt, Gina, served as a Shibley lifeguard and swim head for almost three decades. I began as a Shibley camper in 1990 in Junior Boys 2B. I still remember the location of my exact cubby in our current Lego Room. My younger sister Michelle (2022 Head Nurse) and I eagerly waited for each summer at camp.

During my college years, I worked summers at the Shibley Theater.  I also worked in the Shibley office during pre-camp in May and June. I am a proud graduate of Hofstra University Honors College and earned degrees in English and Secondary Education as well as the distinction of Magna Cum Laude.

While at Hofstra I participated in an internship at Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL as part of the Disney College Program and I returned to Disney World full-time after graduation.  I worked in Park Operations, as a Character Performer, Parade Performer, and Puppeteer. I received invaluable customer service training during my time at Disney World, which I continue to use to this very day.

 

In 2009, I was offered the chance to travel the world with a touring production of Disney Live!, where I performed in cities across the US and fifteen countries in Central and South America. We performed in both Spanish and Portuguese. I also worked at Disney Cruise Lines as a performer aboard the Disney Wonder.

Shibley came calling again in 2013 — as I told you, it’s in my blood. I spent two years working as Assistant to the Camp Director and as Director of Special Events but two years later I left again to pursue a position at Delta Air Lines as a member of In-Flight.

 

In 2022 I was invited back to be co-director of Sleepaway Week. With some time banked up at Delta I was able to commit to the entire Summer and served as Shibley’s Creative Arts Supervisor. I oversaw the areas of Drama, Dance, Art, Nature/Science, and Cooking. I played an active role in planning, coordinating and executing special events. The biggest thrill for me this summer, however, was seeing camp through the fresh eyes of my nieces, Lily, Sadie, and Maddy.

Spring is in the air. The weather is getting warmer and we are spending more time outdoors. We are getting excited! We are not only thinking about all the spring events and holidays that are coming our way but also the fact that summer is right around the corner.  We have just two months until camp starts and preparations are underway. The pools are being filled, craft supplies are being ordered and bunks are being decorated. That means that we want our children to be prepared as well. As the Junior Camp Director, I am focused on making sure that our youngest campers have an easy transition into their camp surroundings and one of the most important things that you must do before sending your tiny camper is: POTTY TRAINING!!

As a mom of three I know all too well the frustrations that come along with this task. i.e. the accidents, making sure there is always a change of clothing nearby, feeling like you can never be too far from a bathroom, the tears (yours and theirs) and more.

Here are some things that I found helpful:

The weeks leading up to potty training- talk to your child about all things potty. Have as many conversations as you can about it. Get them comfortable with the idea of it. Have some of their favorite books next to each potty or books about potty training to keep them interested. Here are a few good ones:

A Potty for ME! By Karen Katz

POTTY by Leslie Patricelli

The New Potty by Gina & Mercer Mayer

Have a kids potty on every floor to give your child easy access when they have to go:

Munchkin Potty Seat

OXO Tot Potty Chair

BlueSnail Double Step Up Stool

Before you start, bring your child to the store to pick out their new underwear. Get something that they like and are excited about.

And the most important thing to remember is once you take the diapers away DON’T EVER GO BACK!!! Stick with it. You can do it! and they can do it!

If I can help in any way, please send me a note: hayley@shibleydaycamp.com.