Girls Sleepaway Camp in the Adirondack Mountains in Brant Lake, New York
Community Spirit
Camper of the Week for Community Spirit goes to a camper who builds up our community by bringing people together inside the age group and out. She embodies the idea of never leaving a camper behind. Her friendliness, thoughtfulness, and generosity contribute to our camp community and without her there would be a noticeable difference in the spirit of the age group.
Tennis at Point O’Pines starts with acquiring love for the game and having fun. Our girls have the highest motivation when they love what they are doing. Instilling love for the game starts and finishes with having fun.
Every instructor at the Point makes sure that each activity is fun for the campers. Instructors encourage and teach both by example and participating. They never instruct sitting down. When campers enjoy themselves, they acquire skills better and faster, just as they do in school with a great teacher who motivates them.
Our program starts with a spacious facility with twelve courts, eight featuring red clay and six featuring green Har-Tru. Our courts are lite for evening play and there is motivational music on every court. Visitors frequently comment on the difficulty and expense of maintaining excellent clay courts to conditions similar to those at Roland-Garros. Yes, that is true but clay is a comfortable, fun surface and quite enjoyable for both playing and learning.
At the Point we have an experienced instructor working with our campers on every court every period. Our instructors are highly qualified not only in playing but experienced in teaching as well. Most of our instructors teach year round and many work during the non-camp season at resorts.
Most of our instructors have been working with our campers for many summers. One of our two Tennis Directors comes to the Point from a tennis career in Mexico where he plays professionally and teaches tennis as a full time career. He has been at camp for 24 years. Our other Tennis Director hails from Australia where she teaches youth tennis full time when she is not at the Point. She has been at Point O’Pines for ten summers. Most of our tennis instructors have similar non-camp season careers and are mature individuals not only experienced in dealing with young tennis enthusiasts but equally able to motivate the beginner. We love having these instructors motivated to spend their summers at the Point.
Campers who love tennis can build as much tennis into their camp program as they desire. There is the opportunity for endless instruction, matches and games. Tennis starts every morning with optional “early bird” instruction before breakfast and ends in the evening under the lights.
Our staff is qualified to make recommendations to our families on equipment for our campers and we are delighted to restring rackets and change grips for our enthusiastic campers.
Team Competition has begun. On Monday night dinner was delayed by aliens (well, Peaker aliens, anyway). The Peak called us to the Rec Hall, where the Team Captains and Lieutenants emerged from the smoky stage and led camp outside for an outstanding dance performed the our Peakers. Camp was divided into the Blue and White teams, and, after dinner, each team met to learn cheers, to hear about sportsmanship at the Point and even to get to know their team for the summer. We were so excited about a great year of Team Competition.
In the morning yesterday (Tuesday) we were treated to a “Sunday” schedule (Sunday this week was delayed to allow time for breakout). After honoring many great campers, including our Campers of the Week we held the annual Scavenger Hunt all around camp. The teams were both terrific, and we look forward to the leadership of the great Peak of 2019! (Many more photos are available when you log in.)
Compassion
Campers receiving this award are those who we all enjoy being around for their bright smiles, welcoming spirits, and inclusive attitudes. She can put herself in someone else’s shoes and shows a great understanding of her fellow campers. She is compassionate with all of her fellow campers and staff, and does her best to learn the perspective of others during conflict.
Today we welcomed the arrival of our Point O’Pines campers. Campers met new friends and reconnected with old friends too. The girls unpacked and toured camp and older campers nominated candidates to lead our team competition this summer. After our first dinner we enjoyed a Welcome Show by the staff introducing all our camp activities.
Tonight shared plenty of photos of the day when you log in on our site.
