Theme Weekend '09

   



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3/05/10
Only 15 Days to Spring!

March 20th is the first day of spring. Technically, it’s something called the vernal equinox, when the sun – for one, special moment – is exactly vertical to the equator. That moment this year is 5:32 PM on March 20th. You can read more about it here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vernal_equinox

March 20th also marks 99 days until Opening Day at Camp Mason – and that’s a special moment, too! In fact, summer 2010 is sure to be filled with special moments, from Opening Campfires to Final Banquets, and everything in-between. We’re excited about the new and familiar faces that will be joining us as campers and staff members. We’re excited about new activities and adventures and trips. We’re excited about warm sunny days and cool starry nights. But most of all we’re excited about the chance to make new friends, reconnect with old ones, and Camp Mason memories that will last throughout the year. Have you registered for summer camp yet?

See you around the flagpole!

Don Jennings
Summer Camp Director

   
 

 

3/04/10
Spring Work Weekend at Camp Mason!

Come join us on April 9-11 for a weekend of fun. We’re looking for a hardy group of volunteers – alumni, camp families, friends – to help us with important projects around camp. These projects are necessary to get ready of the 2010 summer season. You'll be helping to make many children's summer experience that little bit better.

Some of theprojects thatwe are undertaking this spring are as follows:

  • Building & installing bunk rails and ladders in camper cabins.
  • Installing shelves and towel hooks in cabin bathrooms.
  • Building tent platforms at camp overnight sites.
  • Sanding/refinishing Algonquin Rec Lodge floor.
  • Power-washing and staining cabin decks & porches.
  • Dismantling the sledding hill (taking down snow fence, removing hay bales).
  • Dining Hall clean-up.
  • Setting up boats and canoes at the lakefront.
  • Various landscaping projects (raking, mulching, garden prep).
  • Staining/painting cabin exteriors.

We’ll provide the housing and meals – you provide the enthusiasm and muscle. Bring the whole family; There will be supervised children’s groups to keep the kids busy. And when the work day ends, there will be plenty of camp activities to enjoy. Best of all, our work weekend is completely FREE!

For more information about our 2010 Work Weekends, or to register, please visit the link below or contact the camp office.

Click here

 

 
 

 

3/5/10
Outdoor Center - Class Profile

Geocaching

The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a collection of 24 satellites owned by the US government. The government designed and uses these satellites for military purposes, but people can use them for sea navigation, positioning and orienteering as well. Originally the signals received by civilians were intentionally degraded to deter misuse. On May 1 2000 the government stopped this practice. A few days later geocaching was born as the first cache was hidden, posted on the internet, and its finders logging their visit. Students at Camp Mason use GPS units to find caches hidden around camp property. This class is a fun way to begin to understand 20th century navigation and learn how to use GPS.

Pioneer Living

The late eighteenth century was a time of expansion and exploration. The country was in the middle of a revolutionary war. Daily life was spent surviving: building and maintaining fires, feeding and caring for livestock, creating clothes for the family, making food, drying meat, and preserving the harvest, on top of the daily cleaning chores.

This class uses the concept of a day in the life of a pioneer family in the late 1700s-early 1800s. Students learn first hand what life was like. Students collect food, cook, and make crafts. This is a great hands-on activity to explore what life was like for pioneers, and compare it to life today.

   
 
 

3/2/10
Black Bears Are Here- But Have No Fear!

Three species of bears live in North America- the polar bear, the brown or grizzly bear, and the black bear but only one inhabits the woods around Camp Mason- the black bear. At up to 600 pounds, these mammals are certainly the biggest animals around so it’s natural to feel a bit intimidated by them. However, if you see a bear around camp it is actually more afraid of you than you are of it!

Black bears are omnivorous, eating mostly plants, berries, seeds, and nuts. The rest of their diet consists of insects and occasionally small mammals and road kill. They are opportunistic feeders, eating whatever provides the most calories and requires the least amount of energy to obtain. This is why garbage is so tempting to them- grabbing a trash bag full of leftover goodies outside a cabin is almost effortless! Bears have an impressive memory and will come back to an easy feeding spot time and time again- even if the bear is relocated miles away. Once a bear is used to eating garbage it is very difficult to re-train them to eat their natural diet. The best way to keep bears away from humans is to make trash inaccessible. Our efforts at doing this at Camp Mason include bear resistant trash cans, locking up our dumpsters, and getting the word out to our guests.

No one in the history of the state of New Jersey has ever been seriously injured by a black bear. In fact, fewer than 60 people in the US have been killed by black bears in the past 100 years. Black bears are generally not aggressive towards humans. The idea of a mother defending her cubs is a myth; the mother will send her cubs up a nearby tree then run away. So, what should you do if you see a bear? If it hasn’t seen you then feel free to observe it for a moment. Note how quietly it walks around and how it sniffs the air. Then do your best to scare it away. Yell, blow a whistle, stomp your feet on the ground, and wave your arms. The idea is to have the bear associate humans with danger so they stay away and in their natural habitat. If you’ve ever seen one of our staff members yelling into the woods, they’re not crazy- they’re just doing their part! If the bear makes any noises or scratches the ground it’s because they’re scared and are looking for the best escape route.

Bears around camp are looking for an easy meal- not to harm anyone. During your visit to Camp Mason do your part and keep all food and trash inside and consider yourself lucky if you spot one of these shy animals!

 

 
 

3/1/10
Camp Mason's Family Camp Weekends

Did you know that Camp Mason offers family camp weekends? In our busy, modern lives we all seem to have far too many distractions that pull us away from the things that really matter. We say family foremost! Quality time with the family when you can all be together seems harder and harder to find. But, the YMCA has a solution - a tradition that spans seven decades. Family Camp!!!

Our program is designed to be a fun-for-the-whole-family weekend of things to do, indoors and out. Do as much or as little as you like. Relax at camp, or hit the trail! Throughout the weekend we will be offering various camp activities you can enjoy as a group - or divide up for a time so each can sample the activity they most enjoy. Some activities are self directed while others are supervised by our helpful, caring staff. The weekend also includes planned group events. Evening programs include exciting presenters, treasure hunts, and a traditional campfire complete with s’mores

Our 2010 Family Camp Dates are out now, please click here for more information and to download a registration form.

 
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YMCA Camp Ralph S. Mason
23 Birch Ridge Road, Hardwick, New Jersey 07825
Phone: (908) 362-8217
Fax: (908) 362-5767
campemail@campmason.org