Each summer, Camp Olympia has a new theme, and the theme for Camp Olympia’s 51st summer is "UNPLUGGED to make a REAL Connection.”

The term "unplugged” has many meanings in this day and age. At Olympia, we are "unplugged” in many ways from the pressures of the outside world, and we affectionately call this the "Camp Bubble”. It is the protective and freeing feeling that you get when you are here and the way that camp exists in a space and time that seems separate from the outside distractions of the world. Unplugged "plugs” right into that way of thinking. It is a chance to literally unplug from the devices that so often control our lives: the televisions, the gaming consoles, and the cell phones (the cell signal out here is so bad it nearly forces you to be "unplugged” anyway). There is also an opportunity to figuratively unplug from the everyday stresses and pressures of being a kid and college student.

But you might ask yourself if Olympia is so unplugged, from where will you draw "power” and how will you be "connected”? The power of being unplugged at camp comes from the relationships, growth and fun you have while here; time spent without those things we might call essentials in everyday life. The REAL Connections we make here are made possible by the absence of screens and the increase in face-to-face time (not Facetime). Connections are made in the walks to and from activities, eating in the chow hall, enjoying time with friends in the cabin, and singing your heart out to Journey at one of our many camp dances. While these connections are not necessarily uncommon outside of camp, there is something special about throwing inhibitions away and pausing the commotion of the rest of life when you drive through the front gates of Camp Olympia and enter the "Camp Bubble”. As a former counselor, it was liberating to get away from the Facebook and Twitter feeds during the summer. It was refreshing to have the soundtrack of your weeks be a Ross King theme song and the camp sounds of laughter and chow hall yells. Listening to the cheers of the Spartan/Athenian competition, the sounds of joy emanating from the lakefront, or whatever crazy song the wake-up show had on (not to mention all of the natural sounds of the birds, bullfrogs and crickets) seems to be the best noise there is. And I assure you, catching a Camp Olympia Talent Show is far more gratifying than any "America’s Got Talent” or "Dancing with the Stars” episode. The realness of the camp atmosphere is the best part. It allows us to plug into the things that really matter; the relationships, the friendships, and the memories that will last much longer than any cell phone battery will. Ask a counselor during their fall semester following a summer here at camp; better yet, ask their friends who weren’t there just how much camp has become a topic of conversation in everyday life. Ask a former counselor who now has the steady 9-5 job if they have ever looked out their window on a summer afternoon and thought to themselves, "4th period activity is about to start” and "Isn’t Rodeo tonight?” Camp Olympia memories and friendships are special and the connections made in a summer can last a lifetime.

As we all know the summer camp terms don’t last forever and the summer does in fact end, yet somehow the draw of getting "unplugged” becomes even more powerful each year. We hope that this summer we have more campers and counselors than ever before come to Camp Olympia to get "UNPLUGGED to make a REAL CONNECTION!”

Register Now!

Sleepaway camp is an iconic part of summertime in America. In fact, sleepaway camps are popping up for kids, and even adults, in every nook and cranny of the country. The travel experts at Canada’s leading online global travel agency, Flight Network, have noticed a trend in the growth of summer camps across the U.S., and it set them on a mission to find the best of the best.

Flight Network’s goal was to create a list of the camps that continue to stand above the rest, so parents and kids can make the most of their summer adventures. We were excited to find Camp Olympia on their list titled, This Summer’s 22 Most Amazing Sleepaway Camps in the U.S.

"You know what they say — everything is bigger in Texas. And in the case of Camp Olympia, an overnight hideaway located on the brisk shores of Lake Livingston, the same idea applies,” Flight Network stated.

The article went on to praise Camp Olympia for offering more than 45 activities that campers can choose to engage in during their stay, from horseback riding to water skiing and so much more. The writer mentioned our vast campgrounds of private land, which includes a swimming pool, archery field, challenge course and athletic courts for every interest. We couldn’t agree with the travel experts at Flight Network more. Camp Olympia truly does do everything the Texas way -- a whole lot bigger.

PRESS RELEASE

Only Traditional Summer Camp in Texas to be Honored

TRINITY, TX - Camp Olympia has been selected as one of the Top 50 Most Amazing Summer Camps for Kids by the Early Childhood Education Zone, the go-to site for early childhood education information.

"We are honored to receive this recognition, alongside so many other impactful and amazing summer camps in the United States.” Said Tommy Ferguson, Director of Camp Olympia. He went on to say, "While we place a great focus on providing a fun, safe and engaging atmosphere, we are very proud to receive a status recognizing character and value development.”

With over 40 activity choices offered ranging from wakeboarding to golf to horseback riding, Camp Olympia is the #1 and only traditional Texas summer camp to make this prestigious list. "Our activities are fun and build self-confidence. Campers often try activities that are new to them and discover they have a new talent,” stated Mr. Ferguson.

This is the second "Top 50” award received in the past year, also ranking as the #1 and only Texas Summer Camp on the 50 Most Amazing Summer Camps in the U.S. list, published on Top Education Degrees.

Learn more about the Camp Olympia Experience, activities and programs, or 2015 summer term dates.

About Camp Olympia


Established in 1968, Camp Olympia is an overnight Texas summer camp for boys and girls ages 6-16 located on Lake Livingston in Trinity, Texas: conveniently located just 100 miles north of Houston and close for families living in Sugar Land, Kingwood, Beaumont, Austin, San Antonio, and Dallas or those flying into Houston’s Bush Intercontinental Airport. Camp Olympia campers choose from over 40 camp activities, ranging from waterskiing to golf to horseback riding, so they participate in activities that interest them. Accredited by the American Camping Association, Camp Olympia focus on building character and values by teaching responsibility and cooperation. The veteran full-time camp leaders, with over 40 years of experience, and a dynamic group of college counselors serve as positive role models for campers. Camp Olympia is dedicated to having fun together, helping people grow in body, mind and spirit.

For more information, please contact:
Debbie Stubblefield
936.594.2541

To see the full press release from Early Childhood Education Zone, please click here.

PRESS RELEASE

Only 18 days until Term 1 Starts on June 8.

That's right, school is almost out and summer is almost here.

Get ready for camp, check out the cool new stuff we have in the Country Store: Spartan and Athenian Shirts, Tanks, Pillowcases, Belts, Caps, and so much more.

You can also pre-order care packages for your camper to be delivered during their term.

 

Warming Your Child's Cold Feet

Camps provide comprehensive checklists for all the gear our children need to pack, but it’s also helpful to compile a checklist for preparing them emotionally if they are experiencing some cold feet, dread, or worry.

An Emotion-Prep Checklist for Sleepaway Camp:

1. Name it to Tame it. It’s really unhelpful for parents to dismiss or minimize or ignore a child’s feelings and say, “You’ll be fine. You’ll love it! Don’t worry.” (Has someone telling you “Don’t worry” made you say “Oh, OK. I hadn’t thought of that. I’m not worried anymore.” Not helpful, right?) Instead, if you sense your child is feeling a bit unsure or fearful and she’s not bringing it up, you can begin the conversation by saying something like, “Some kids feel nervous about camp as it gets closer. How are you feeling about it?” And whether or not your child is initiating the discussion herself, it’s important to really listen and validate those feelings instead of trying to talk her out of them or dismiss them. There’s actually a lot of science that shows that naming our feelings calms the reactivity in the brain, so when we “name it” we can “tame it.”

2. Investigate and Problem-Solve. Find out what your child’s specific worries are, and then collaboratively problem-solve with her. Most kids worry about being homesick, but it might surprise you what they are actually concerned about. Kids worry that they won’t like the food, that they won’t be good at the activities, that they will wet the bed, and even that their shoes will get wet. Whatever the worries, it can be helpful to brainstorm together and talk about the “what ifs,” and what she can do in the circumstances she’s thinking about.

3. Normalize the Feelings. Just knowing that many other kids feel unsure or scared, too, and that it’s normal to feel worried about doing something that’s different, can help. Tell your own story about a time you stepped outside your comfort zone and how you felt apprehension at first, how you handled your feelings, and how the experience ended up being great. (Make sure to pick a resilient story—no stories about how it ended up being even worse than you could’ve imagined.)

4. Give Your Child a Strategy or two to help her calm her worries. One thing you can begin now that will give her a tool she can use while she’s at camp is something I use with anxious kids in my private practice. I give them an assignment that each night, once they are peaceful and relaxed and ready to fall asleep, they should place their hand on their chest (pledge-of-allegiance style). After doing this every night for a few weeks, the brain makes a connection between the sensation of the hand on the chest and a feeling of calm relaxation. Then, when the child is feeling worried or upset, she can easily place her hand on his chest wherever she is, and her body will begin to relax and her mind will begin to feel calm.

Another strategy is to teach her that while her feelings might feel really wild and stirred up, if she pauses to take a few deep breaths, the worries will settle, allowing her to see clearly again. The best thing I’ve found to teach this is the “glitter ball” analogy that Susan Kaiser-Greenland created. You can teach this to your kids by having them watch this super-short video with you. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dMiv5B7I0Y. Then send a glitter ball, or a small snow globe, to camp with your child, explaining that she can shake it up and watch the glitter settle when she’s feeling upset. Or, you can just have her imagine the glitter falling and you don’t have to send the actual ball.

If you do these two things in the weeks before your child leaves for camp, you can build some skills and empower her with some tools she can pull out when she needs them. This allows her to avoid becoming a victim to her feelings, and to be able to use her mind to change how she feels. In fact, you might try some of these tools too, if you are feeling worried about sending your child off!

This moment is a great opportunity to teach kids that while we should pay attention to our feelings, our feelings shouldn’t rule our worlds. If you name, investigate, normalize, and strategize, you will be preparing your children to go to camp with the best chance of overcoming their fears and learning something really important about themselves—that they are braver and stronger than they think. You’ll be helping them flex their emotional muscles to be strong and resilient in the face of challenges. You’ll be doing much more than just prepping them for camp, you’ll be prepping them for life.

 

 

Dr. Tina Payne Bryson is the co-author of the international best-selling, THE WHOLE-BRAIN CHILD (Random House Delacorte, 2011) and the upcoming book NO DRAMA DISCIPLINE. She is a renowned speaker, has appeared in numerous media programs and columns and is a consultant to schools, camps and child development professionals. You can learn more about Dr. Bryson at www.TinaBryson.com, where you can subscribe to her blog and read her articles about kids, camping, and parenting.

The Neuroscience of How Camp Transforms Kids

I spend most of my professional time talking to people about the brain and how to help kids become less reactive and more resilient. I’m also a mom of three boys, who is often thinking about their optimal development. Using both my professional lens, and my parental lens, I've become a huge proponent of the sleepaway camp experience. Camp promotes independence, confidence, friendship-building, resilience, thriving, character, grit, etc. — these are undoubtedly real outcomes for kids who have quality camp experiences.

But why do these outcomes occur? How do these changes happen in short periods of time, and then over years as well? How do we explain this? The answer is that camp gives kids experiences that change the brain.

That’s right: camp is good for kids’ brains. Here’s why.

Let me introduce you to the middle prefrontal cortex. It’s right behind the forehead and eye sockets and is the front most part of the frontal lobe. It gives us the ability to do all kinds of important things: regulate our body and emotions, have insight into ourselves and others, feel empathy, communicate in an attuned way, bounce back after failure, adapt to new situations, make thoughtful choices, and overcome fear. That’s pretty much what's needed to have a successful life filled with meaningful relationships and the conscientiousness to make things happen in the world. We can think about it as the part of the brain that gives rise to social and emotional intelligence and mental health.

And here’s the point: camp experiences develop this part of the brain.

Let me be clear: Yes, camp experiences influence kids’ minds. But those experiences also actually change the structure of their brains. When kids have camp experiences that require them to overcome fear, be flexible, handle their emotions (especially away from their parents), make decisions on their own, be persistent to master a task, build relationships, and so on, it builds the prefrontal cortex.

The main thing to know is that when the structure of the brain changes, the function of the brain changes. So camp plays a role in how these kids function in the greater world, and ultimately who they become as adults, even on a neuronal level.

Camps that are intentional about all facets of the camper experience and how they train their counselors already inherently provide the kinds of experiences that activate and build this “character” part of the brain. That’s why we can see significant changes in kids who have camp as part of their lives.

All of this is just one reason I’m a believer that camp can be a magical, transformative place for a child. Camps provide unique experiences for kids to be problem-solvers, step outside of their comfort-zone, and have repeated experiences that wire the brain in optimal ways. The way I like to say it is that bunks are good for brains. Experience changes the brain, so when kids have experiences that challenge them emotionally, when they’re given opportunities to make friends that are outside their typical circles, when they have to keep working at a skill to achieve mastery, these experiences change the connections in the brain regarding kids' capacity for persistence, how they see themselves, and how healthy they can be, both emotionally and relationally.

 

Dr. Tina Payne Bryson is the co-author of the international best-selling, THE WHOLE-BRAIN CHILD (Random House Delacorte, 2011) and the upcoming book NO DRAMA DISCIPLINE. She is a renowned speaker, has appeared in numerous media programs and columns and is a consultant to schools, camps and child development professionals. You can learn more about Dr. Bryson at www.TinaBryson.com, where you can subscribe to her blog and read her articles about kids, camping, and parenting.

Camp Olympia is making a BIG SPLASH for the Summer of 2014.

We will be posting pictures, as soon as they are available.  You will love the new WATER BALLOON LAUNCH STATIONS and AQUA REVOLUTION with a series of water inflatables an slides.  We are also getting PADDLE BOATS and WATER LOGS.  Lots of ways to cool off this summer.

We are also planning a huge July 4th Bash for Session 2.

Happy New Year from your friends at Camp Olympia!

The Camp Olympia Boys' Camp Director, Cody Mauldin, hand-delivered a check for $4,011 to Briarwood Elementary Principal and Camp Olympia counselor alumnus, Shelley Jacques-McMillin.

Camp Olympia Campers earn merits for their good deeds, and they can choose to give a portion of those earned merits to the Camp Olympia Philanthropy Club. Each year, the Camp O Philanthropy Club makes a donation to a worthwhile charity for children. Kids helping kids... it is O-mazing! See the video:

These cabins are the biggest ever at Camp Olympia, and they are now ready to use! 

The new cabin cluster has four cabins with indoor bathrooms and two meeting rooms. 

The names of the cabins are Lara, Rhea, Callisto and Hestia, with the meeting rooms named Ithaca and Crete.  The new cluster is in the girls’ camp area and overlooks the baseball field and has a great lake view. 

Girls camp will use the new cabin grouping for Summer 2014!

Started by Corbin Robertson, Jr. in 2001, this is the 7th Spirit International Amateur Golf Championship at the Whispering Pines Golf Club, ranked the #1 golf course in Texas for a record-setting 8th straight time. This is the same golf club that is home to our Camp Olympia Jr. Golf Academy.

Prior winners at The Spirit include now, pro-golfers: Lorena Ochoa, Paula Creamer, Martin Kaymer and Brandt Snedeker.






What is the Spirit?

The Spirit International Amateur Golf Championship is a world class golf event. It features the world's best amateur men and amateur women golfers as they represent their respective country in team and individual competitions. The 80 participants, two male and two female golf amateurs, from 20 countries spanning six continents enjoy a premier sporting event experience from the Opening/Closing Ceremonies, international village to competing for gold medals.

Invitation Guidelines:
The field of countries is limited to 20 teams (each team is comprised of two men and two women golfers). Twenty country teams are invited based on the men and women's combined results from the most recent World Amateur Team Championships.

Team Selection:
Each invited country assembles their best available amateur men and women golfers (two each). All players must be official citizens of their country. Each country's National Golf Association/Federation establishes its own selection criteria. However, national champions, finalists or top ranked players are the majority of participants. (76) National Amateur Champions participated in The 2009 Spirit.

Format of Play:
72 holes of best ball competition, five separate competitions are conducted: International Team (combined best ball of the Men's and Women's teams), Men's Team, Women's Team, Men's Individual, and Women's Individual. Gold, Silver and Bronze commemorative medals are awarded to the top three places in each competition.

Player Accommodations:
Camp Olympia, a nationally acclaimed youth camp located adjacent to Whispering Pines Golf Club provides accommodations for all Spirit participants. Camp Olympia is themed as an international village where participants enjoy lodging, meals and a wide variety of entertainment each evening.

Name: Andrew Ginty

School: Texas A&M

Major: History with Business Minor

Hometown: Houston, TX

Years at camp: 13

Position at camp: Junior Boys Division Head

Favorite camp tradition: Spartan & Athenian Competition

Favorite Camp Activities: Lacrosse

Favorite Camp Food: Chicken Fried Steak, Mashed Potatoes, and Green Beans

Favorite Hobbies: Frisbee, Lacrosse, Listening to Music and Catching Football

Favorite Movie: Friday Night Lights

Favorite Costume Day: Major League Monday

Fun Fact: I lived in Hong Kong for two years when I was younger.

Name: Emily Pluhowski

School: Bayloir University

Major: English, with a double minor in Spanish and Journalism

Hometown: Kingwood, TX

Years at camp: 13

Position at camp: Junior Girl Division Head

Favorite camp tradition: Carnival… it’s really fun to see everyone dressed up and I love being able to hang out with everyone at once.

Favorite Camp Activities: Kayaking, Archery, Wakeboard are all my favorites

Favorite Camp Food: Crispitos

Favorite Hobbies: Being involved in Pi Phi, Photography, Reading, Writing, Running, and Baking 

Favorite Movies: O Brother Where Art Thou?, Pride & Prejudice, Love Actually

Favorite Costume Day: Twinsday Wednesday

Fun Fact: I have one blue eye and one green eye 

Name: Parker Tennet

School: ACU (Abilene Christian University)

Major: Nursing

Hometown: Houston, TX

Years at camp: 12

Position at camp: Senior 1 Lead Counselor (Athenian Chief)

Favorite camp tradition: Spartan Athenian Rope Burn

Favorite Camp Activity: Wakeboarding

Favorite Camp Food: Crispitos

Favorite Hobbies: Playing Soccer, Lacrosse, Video Games, Snow Boarding, Fishing & Hunting

Favorite Movle: The Hobbit

Favorite Costume Day: Twinsday Wednesday

Fun Fact: Parker can whistle three different way

Whispering Pines Golf Club, the highly touted philanthropic private club near Trinity, unveiled its new short course on June 1, 2013 to rave reviews.

The new 9-hole short course will be used by the Camp Olympia Jr. Golf Academy campers this summer.

The course is named "The Needler" was designed for a tournament conducted by Camp Olympia co-founder and Whispering Pines founder Corby Robertson, Jr. 

Chet Williams designed the new 9-hole course at Whispering Pines, as well as the original 18-hole course.  He was Inspired by the par-3 courses at Augusta National and Pine Valley, the course has multiple sets of tees and can be played in any configuration. Holes range in length from 68 to 312 yards. It includes a double green that's almost 100 yards wide and encompasses 28,000 square feet with "plenty of buried elephants."




The course also yielded its first hole-in-one over the weekend when Randy Collins, who was part of the construction crew, holed out on No. 9.

"I wanted a course that everyone could enjoy," Robertson said. "This course is meant to share good times."

About Whispering Pines Golf Course
Whispering Pines, ranked No. 1 in the state by the Dallas Morning News, is the host course for the biennial Spirit Invitational, which features the best amateur players in the world. This year's event will be Oct. 27-Nov. 3.

About Camp Olympia Jr. Golf Academy
The Camp Olympia Junior Golf Academy is much more than just a golf clinic. It is the perfect combination of premier golf and amazing summer camp for children ages 6 -16. It is an experience like no other for the junior golfer. For over 15 years, the academy has provided top quality golf instruction to youth. At the Camp Olympia Junior Golf Academy, junior golfers practice and play at the stunning Whispering Pines Golf Course, rated the #1 golf course in Texas seven years straight by the Dallas Morning News. Tucked away in Trinity, Texas, Camp Olympia and Whispering Pines Golf Club are approximately 90 miles north of Houston. At the academy, golfers will receive PGA instruction at a ratio of 1 instructor to every 6 golfers. All skill levels are welcome. While working on their game, the junior golfers see noticeable improvement, make new friends and have a blast!

The Camp Olympia 2013 Leadership Team met to discuss plans for the 2013 summer session.  Several played softball, while the rest cheered them on. 



Here is the lineup:

ACTIVITIES and O'CREW

Point and Waterski
Jordan Dunn, Texas A&M University

Golf
Kyle Byrne, Texas A&M University - Graduate

Pool
Zach Tays, Oklahoma State University - Graduate

Videographer
David Quan, University of North Texas - Graduate

O'Crew
Liz Mark, TCU
Page Soder, Stephen F Austin


BOYS

J-Boys
AD - Eston Klutts, University of the Ozarks
DH - Andrew Ginty, Texas A&M University

I-Boys
AD - Grayson Fair, University of North Texas
DH - Kevin Baxter, Texas A&M University
Lead - Wilson Vier, Texas A&M University

Senior I-Boys
AD1 - John Nickel, Oklahoma State University - Graduate
AD 3, 4 - DJ Skilton, Texas A&M University
DH - Jesse Worsham, Texas A&M University
Lead - Parker Tennet, Abilene Christian University

Senior II-Boys
AD - Nate Miller, University of the Ozarks
DH - Jermery Victor, University of the Ozarks


GIRLS

J-Girls
AD 1 - Emily Schwabenland, University of Texas
DH - Emily Pluhowski, Baylor

I-Girls
AD - Courtney Creed, Stephen F Austin
DH - Haleigh Williams, Millsaps College

Senior I-Girls
AD - Blanche Schwabenland, University of Texas
DH - Jesse Buck, Stephen F Austin

Senior II-Girls
AD - Jordan White, Texas A&M University
DH - Madi Sandifer, Abilene Christian University

The Camp Olympia staff have been working hard all year long overseeing improvements to the camp.  Here is a sneak peak:

• The boy's I-cluster received new paint, new siding, new doors and new windows. 
• Our Cypress Point Trail has a new entrance and we added some new trails for you to give a try.
  
• The Camp O Country Store received some expansion improvements and is fully stocked.

Camp Olympia Awarded the Prestigious Markel Safety 1st Award for 2012 - Sixth Year in a Row



The Camp Olympia leadership staff just received notification that the prestigious Markel Safety 1st Award for 2012 has been given to the camp for the sixth year in a row!

Markel Specialty develops and underwrites specialty insurance products and programs for a variety of niche markets, including kids summer camps.

Camp Olympia, in Trinity, Texas, is hosting its annual Family Camp Weekend, March 22-24, 2013.  Family Camp Weekend is an exciting weekend where parents, not just campers ages 6-16, get to experience the FUN of this Texas summer camp with their children.  The weekend is a great way to spend quality family time together experiencing the great outdoors!

Families will participate in many fun adventure activities during the day like the giant swing at the challenge course, horseback riding, rock wall climbing, archery and fishing, in addition to the fun programs planned for the evenings. 

Mark your calendars for March 22^nd – March 24^th and REGISTER NOW for this fun-filled family weekend at Camp Olympia.

Established in 1968, Camp Olympia is a Texas summer camp tradition for boys and girls.  Located on the shores of Lake Livingston in the piney woods of East Texas, Camp Olympia is a private, residential summer camp that offers its campers over 40 different activities, including its premiere Junior Golf Academy and extensive waterfront activities. Camp Olympia is accredited by the American Camping Association.

It's that time of year again for the Camp Olympia full-time staff to make stops at many colleges and universities throughout Texas, Louisiana and Oklahoma to hunt for the next best summer camp counselors for its summer camp program.  Camp Olympia is looking for college students who have a heart for making a positive impact in the lives of children.  The job of a summer camp counselor is incredibly rewarding!  Counselors gain skills that translate into future career paths, plus make relationships and memories that last a lifetime.

Check out the recruiting trail to see which campuses have been scheduled (more campus dates TBD).  When the Olympia team is on your campus, stop by to learn more about Camp Olympia from one of the full-time staff members, complete an application, and schedule an interview.  Camp Olympia requires each applicant to submit a completed application, interview with a staff member, and have three references submitted.  (These references will be verified and a background check will be conducted by Camp Olympia before employment.)