Tag Archives: summer camp

Catching Up With Chestnut Lake Girls Head Counselor, Kelsie Hartl

Kelsie Hartl
Greetings Chestnut Lake!

My name is Kelsie Hartl and I am looking forward to another exciting year at Chestnut Lake Camp! Last year was my first summer as the Girls’ Head Counselor at CLC. It was full of laughter, excitement and an amazing positive energy that I could not get enough of. I have worked at camps for over 9 years and last summer was by far my favorite. I made some amazing memories with the staff and campers that I will never forget.

 Kelsie Hartl Campfire

I have been keeping very busy this school year! I live in a suburb of Chicago, but teach in Antioch, Illinois. This year I have a class of 29 5th graders with a whole lot of personality. They are an incredible group and we have been learning a great deal from one another. I have also been extremely busy with my final classes in my Master’s program. In May, I will officially hold my Master’s Degree! In addition to these activities I have been traveling, playing rugby, and spending time with friends and family.

Kelsie RugbyKelsie Rugby

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As we get closer to Summer, I am becoming more and more excited about  2014 on Girls’ Campus. I am growing anxious to see our fantastic Division Leaders again so that we can continue planning some amazing group nights, line ups and other fun activities for our girls. We have some new ideas for Big Sis – Little Sis that I can’t wait to see in action! I am constantly talking about all of the fun we had last summer with my coworkers, family and friends. I am looking forward to coming back to my summer home. See you soon!

 

Kelsie 4th of JulyKelsie Gymnastics

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Olivia Marshall Discovers Chestnut Lake Camp

For one weekend every summer, prospective campers have an opportunity to take a journey through the life of a Chestnut Lake camper and experience all that CLC has to offer. Discovery Camp is a two day adventure for current 1st-4th graders which will give them the opportunity to see and feel the warmth and spirit of Chestnut Lake Camp.  We spoke to Olivia Marshall, one of our 2013 Discovery campers, to find out how her weekend experience helped prepare her for her upcoming summer at Chestnut Lake.

Olivia Marshall

Hi! My name is Olivia Marshall. I am 9 years old and I am in 4th Grade in Howell, New Jersey.  I do not have any brothers or sisters but I do have a whole lot of cousins and a beagle named Buddy.  I like to sing, dance and act.  I also like to play school, the clarinet and Mine Craft.  When I grow up I would like to be a teacher.

 

olivia-tunnel

Describe your Discovery Camp Experience:  My Discovery Camp experience started when I got off the bus.  I went through the tunnel and at that very moment I knew that I was part of the Chestnut Lake Family.  Everyone made me feel welcome and special inside.   I was very nervous in the beginning but I was assigned “Big Sisters” and they were always by my side.  I knew I wanted to come back to CLC.  When it was time to leave after Discovery Camp I got very sad and didn’t want to leave.  As soon as I got in the car I told my mom and Dad..”I HAVE to go back for 3 weeks! Pleeeeeeease!!!!”

 

What was your favorite thing about Discovery Camp:  I can think of lots of favorite things about Discovery Camp.  I liked hanging out with new friends, going on the blob in the lake, having Big sisters, S’mores, activities at night and the games you play in your bunk before you go to bed.  Actually, I liked everything.

olivia marshall-arts

Favorite Band/Musician:  Selena Gomez

Favorite Song:  Slow Down by Selena Gomez

Favorite Book:  Dork Diaries Series of books

Favorite Foods:  Pasta-with butter and garlic, salad, pizza, macaroni & cheese, mozzarella sticks, raspberries, Ramen noodle soup

What is one thing that you are looking forward to the most about your first summer at CLC:  Doing theater and seeing my counselors, swimming in the lake and playing games in the bunk at night before bed. (sorry-couldn’t pick just one)

Click here to watch the Discovery Camp Video.

 

Chestnut Lake Camp Reunions – Friends, Fun & Bowling

summer camp reunions

Summers at CLC provide us with amazing friendships and special memories that last a lifetime. We can’t wait the entire school year to see each other again and relive those special moments, so every winter Chestnut Lake Camp hosts bowling reunions to provide our campers an opportunity to reconnect with one another while also welcoming new CLC campers into the family.

While we host our reunions at bowling venues, it’s easy to see that the reunion is about much more than strikes and spares. Our reunions have become such a tradition with our campers that families travel great distances to attend not only the reunion, but also the numerous sleep-overs that have become a part of the reunion weekends.

While the campers love reconnecting with one another, they are just as excited to see their favorite staff members. CLC Division Leaders and Head Counselors fly in from all over the country, as well as overseas, to take part in all the fun! The reunion weekend is definitely the highlight of the staff’s winter, as they take a break from teaching and college to reunite with their summer family.

Many Chestnut Lake campers reconnected at the reunions held in New York, Florida and Maryland. Paul even reconnected with some Chestnut Lake campers in Paris! But we still have one more reunion left before Opening Campfire. Spring Fling is a full day of fun activities designed for the whole family. We invite you to join us at Chestnut Lake Camp on May 18th for our Annual Spring Fling. Please click on the link below for the invitation and more details.

– SPRING FLING –

If you ever have your own CLC reunion, don’t forget to send us a photo so we can put it on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!