For more than 60 years, 92Y’s summer camps have given generations of kids unforgettable summers of magic and adventure. After last year’s virtual experiences, our families are more excited than ever to return to in-person, outdoor fun. On the eve of our first week of in-person camp in more than a year, we talked with Lauren Wexler, Director, 92Y Camp Programs, about what does into creating Camp Yomi’s unique “best summer ever” experience — and why this year, getting back to our beautiful Rockland County campgrounds feels sweeter than ever.
What do you love best about 92Y Camps?
I love the community that 92Y Camps builds. I’ve had the opportunity to watch shy campers make life-long friends, watch homesick campers grow with us to become superstar counselors and help develop mediocre junior counselors into strong members of leadership. I love that 92Y Camps makes a big city like NYC feel like a small town – it's very rare that I can walk around Manhattan without running into a current or former camp parent, camper or staff member. I gave up a high-school teaching career to work as a camp director at 92Y; it’s a decision I have never regretted.
After more than a year of lockdown and all-virtual camps last summer, what are you and our camps families most looking forward to, this summer?
Normalcy and laugher! As a parent of elementary school-aged boys, I share the excitement of kids having a routine again, providing a place where kids feel safe and cared for and an opportunity for safe risks (such as going down a zipline). As a Camp Director, I can’t wait to walk down to our pools on the first day of camp and listen to campers laughing with their friends and having fun.
How has camp changed since we were kids in camp?
My only memory of day camp as a kid was bug juice and a playground. My husband often jokes that our kids live such a privileged life at 92Y Camps — an adventure course, twice a day swimming, renowned art and sports instructors, and coach buses. However, at the heart of it, camps have remained unchanged — teaching teamwork, creating community and counselor role modeling.
What is extra special about the 92Y camps community?
I may be biased, but I think we have the best staff. Our staff are rigorously screened and chosen for their enthusiasm, empathy and ability to understand children. A camp is nothing without the people who bring the magic to life each day. I am most proud of our staff and the incredible work they do each summer.
What’s your advice to parents of children who are heading to camp for the first time this summer?
The Mommy Nearest blog recently asked me this question. Here’s what I told them: “Given the year we've lived through, it's natural to be more anxious about summer camp than in the past. It’s also the case that kids need to be kids again, more than ever, and camp in the great outdoors is one of the best places for that. If you’re nervous about your child’s camp experience or questioning whether sending them to camp was the right decision, you can help alleviate your anxiety by developing a rapport with the camp director and the counselor in charge. And it’s okay to get in touch frequently, regular parent-camp staff conversations are expected this summer — and encouraged!”
92Y Camps gives children of all ages and abilities the opportunity to expand their horizons and try new skills and experiences in a safe and nurturing environment. Why is this so important?
I recently interviewed a counselor candidate who was a camper at 92Y Camps. She talked about how when she was a camper, she would cry getting on the bus; leaving her parents each morning was tough even though she loved camp and was a model camper when she was at camp. She talked about the friendships she made at camp and how the friends convinced her to try sleepaway camp when they got older. Now, she is starting her sophomore year of college in another state. The resilience she had to learn at 5 years old from getting on the bus every day ended up opening opportunities for her future self. We can’t wait to see her work at camp this summer (as a bus captain, no less!).
What measures are 92Y Camps taking this summer to ensure a healthy, safe and happy experience for all?
Although NY State lifted all restrictions, we are acutely aware that most of our campers are not yet eligible for the vaccine. As a result, we are cautious of our camper safety. Our current measures include Masked whenever on the bus or indoors, daily screening for campers and staff, a largely outdoor program, reduced capacity program and busing, frequent cleaning of high touch areas, limiting any trips to local trips in the neighborhood of our campgrounds and podding groups for contract tracing. We will continue to monitor the numbers in NYC and adjust as necessary.
Learn more about all 92Y Camps programs.