“The positive attitudes, encouraging atmosphere, and attention to detail to provide a safe environment for the kids, counselors, and staff. It is a place where character counts and is expected." - Camp Seafarer Parent
“Camp is a magical place where you can truly be yourself, achieve goals, and learn about all kinds of things you cannot at home." - Camp Sea Gull Parent
On any given Tuesday or Thursday evening, it’s not uncommon to hear the lyrics of the “Desperado” song coming from the dugout of a kickball field.
Driving out of Seafarer’s gates after another incredible summer, I find it very difficult to fight back a sinking feeling at the prospect of not returning for an entire year. Working as a counselor allows me to develop so many important skills- leadership, organization, independence, communication, effective instruction- and it’s lots of fun! Additionally, being a counselor at camp helps me to give back to a place that gave me so much as a camper. When I’m not at camp, I like to continue working with children and giving back in other ways.
As the weather gets colder and the thought of summer seems so far away, it’s sometimes hard to remember the feeling of hot and sunny days at Camp. While we get to experience the magic of Camp all year long, this year we want to share it with YOU! On Friday, December 7th join your Camp friends from all over the country by participating in Fireball Friday. This event is a chance for you to show your Camp Spirit and relive all of your Camp memories; and all you have to do is wear Camp Sea Gull or Camp Seafarer apparel to school or work!
“The staff at camp stress to campers how important it is to live well and do the right thing and live with honesty, integrity, respect, and courage." - Camp Seafarer Parent
What a year for the Camp Annual Fund! We are pleased to announce the results of our 2012 Campaign and to share that this year was one for the record books—both in participation and in total dollars raised. Get the full scoop by watching this short video.
Neon orange shoelaces, running shoes, gummy bears, and carbo-loading. What do all of these things have in common? They were all an important part of Team Seafarer 2013, which came together this past weekend for the Charleston Marathon to run kids to Camp! 2013 marks the 13th Annual “Run a Kid to Camp” marathon event. Created by a group of Seafarer counselors who shared a passion for running as well as for Camp, this event has served as a way for people to stay connected throughout the year while also giving back to a place so important to their lives.
For the past several months I have had the pleasure of serving as an advisor to the Camp Sea Gull and Camp Seafarer delegation to the YMCA North Carolina Youth and Government program. Thirty-four students from Pamlico County High School participated in the Youth and Government Club, which met weekly beginning early in the fall semester. The mock legislature program provides many avenues for student involvement, and our students were able to participate as House and Senate legislators, bill authors, members of the press, and lobbyists.
Last weekend marked the 3rd Annual Leadership Summit down at Camp Seafarer. The purpose of the weekend is to invite prospective and returning members of the administrative staff for each of Camp Seafarer and Camp Sea Gull to get an update from directors on their full time work and to begin planning for summer 2013! This year the Leadership Summit was expanded to include directors and leadership staff from Camp Kanata, our sister camp just north of Raleigh.
Camp has already cranked up into high gear. The Adventure Guides and Mother Ducks have wasted no time getting the campers acclimated to Camp. The cheers in the Mess Hall are deafening, the boats are filled with campers, and the fields are roaring with games. These are the sounds that remind us that summer has arrived!
This is one of the familiar sounds of Starter Camp, however, these Ducks are not floating in the Canoe Lake, they are the Ducks leading the youngest campers. Our Mother Ducks are Xamp Alum who volunteer their time to help first time Starter Campers “waddle” from one activity to the next. These exceptional women have a love for Seafarer and the wisdom of a Mom that helps our youngest campers feel comfortable at camp.
I love Opening Day at Camp. Even though we might experience a 98 degree day in the shade, a torrential downpour just as the gates open, or a line at the Camp Store that is 50 people deep - it is filled with lots of robust "Ahoy There's" and excitement and anticipation for the adventure that lies ahead. It is so fun and meaningful to see friends reunited, share old stories, witness the almost instantaneous independence that blooms as boys and girls meet their counselors and cabinmates, and get that one last hug from Mom or Dad. Sometimes there's a tear - and that's OK.
Since Sunday, not once have I had to find a missing charge cord, enter a new WIFI passcode, referee a mother-daughter “discussion” about Instagram or scour every nook and cranny in this house to find that missing phone. Not once.
“How is this so,” you might ask?
Our two oldest children (Ella Reaves, 12, and Harry, 10) are at Camp Sea Gull and Camp Seafarer unplugged and without a coveted iPhone. (Cue the blood curdling scream.)
Yes, it’s true. And you know what? They’re doing just fine.
“I’m a Camp Four Gator and I love my Gator kin.” It’s the first line of the Gator Song written by Bo Roberts in 1978, and it’s never rung more true for me than this year. I joined the full time director team in March, but I am no stranger to camp. I worked on staff for seven summers from 2003-2009 which culminated in a three year stint as the Head Counselor of Camp IV. Still to this day, I consider it one of the best jobs in the world.
"What did you just say?" Second nature to campers and counselors, fascinating and utterly confusing to new camp parents, and constantly growing and changing to the delight of reminiscing alumni, Camp Sea Gull and Camp Seafarer lingo is a staple of the summer experience and quickly assimilates into everyday vocabulary. We have a habit of recycling phrases, giving our own names to camp equipment and activities, utilizing acronyms for anything and everything, and of course creating nicknames with reckless abandon.
A rainy day at Camp is typically an invited guest at Camp Seafarer. It provides a break from the heat, and gives the girls an opportunity to spend quality time together. We have had our share of rain this session, but our girls have made the most of every opportunity! They have laughed, talked and bonded through each storm.
Second Session is here and we have had a great start! Opening day was beautiful and we have loved the energy in the Mess Hall! Campers have not only reconnected with friends from the past, but more importantly to us, have reached out to new timers and included this group of campers into our incredible sisterhood known as Seafarer. Sunday evening was spent with our cabin groups getting to know each other on a deeper level – we are excited about the bonds that are beginning to form and the friendships generated that will last a lifetime.
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