Blog – Tyler Hill Camp

To Me Camp Is A Feeling

2017-05-15T17:51:41Z

My name is Arie Wolf and it blows my mind to say this but 2017 will be my 18th summer at the best place in the world. I’ve seen quite a bit in my time at Tyler Hill. From watermelon sacrifices to the first Laz Bowl to even a victory as color war general (GO WHITE APPS!) camp has had such an impact on my life. Honestly, it’s pretty difficult to put it into words because to me camp is not simply a series of memories or even solely my summer home. To me camp is a feeling.

I consider myself extremely lucky to have been able to spend so much time at THC because I know that camp has developed me into the person I am today. Being able to play and learn with my friends out on the fields. Being able to sing at the top of my lungs in a room full of people that I truly care about. Seeing the impact I have on my own campers. Even being pushed outside of my comfort zone. Piece by piece Tyler Hill has molded me into, well, me.

Over the last year I have become heavily involved with the International Sports and Music Project. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that brings sports and music to people facing hardship around the world. It wasn’t until recently, however, that I realized why it was that I felt so at home in this organization. The answer was simply camp. I couldn’t imagine my life without Tyler Hill so much so that I sought out an organization that brings a little bit of camp to the people who need it most.

Sports and music are so important to the people we help. The world can be a tough place, and we all know that sports and music have the power to turn things around. We’re in the business of creating happiness, and we want the world to smile.

When you roll through the gates to kick off the best summer of your life think about the impact that our extraordinary camp has had on you. Think about how different your life would be without it. Most importantly, think about how even just a little bit of camp could change the life of someone who needed it most.

To learn more about the International Sports and Music Project and to help contribute to our Syrian Refugee Soccer Initiative go to: https://ismproject.org

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My name is Lydia and this will be my 5th summer at the Hill

2017-05-04T13:07:29Z

One of my favorite aspects of camp is that it challenges each and every one of us in different ways, allowing us to grow each time we go through those gates. Over the past 4 summers I have grown personally as a dance teacher, as a leader, and most importantly as a friend. Camp has taught me to take my job seriously, and at the same time to never be serious. I have learned how to let things go. I have gained courage and confidence in all aspects of my life. I’ve become more comfortable being out of my comfort zone and embracing the weirdness of camp life, as well as daily life.

While a typical day at THC is filled with crazy outfits, random games made up by counselors, and 800 people standing on the benches singing “Don’t Stop Believing,” I’ve realized these things are just at the surface. In a typical day at THC I also see the realest of friendships develop, the highs and lows of campers, the achievements made, and most importantly bonds that continue to strengthen. Within my first summer I made friends that will last a life time, by my second summer I was lucky enough to find my soulmate and best friend, Adam Lane, and in my fourth summer I watched my 32 beautiful CIT girls watch their final sunrise as campers.

Of course, it has been so special seeing such a large group of girls grow from the 12 and 13 year olds they were in my first summer, to the craziest CITs, and now watching the 2017 staff Facebook page fill up with each of their names. I can’t wait to admire them as they become counselors, and to watch younger campers look up to them as role models.

Flash forward to today, where I am ending an amazing 5 month trip through South America, where I got to see a part of the world with my favorite Division Leading family, Nicole, Ste, and Adam Lane; all three of you have had an incredible impact on my life. I would like to thank so many of Tyler Hill’s staff who have helped to create this place, where counselors and campers walk away with such amazing friendships and memories. So thank you Andy, Wendy, Mike, Deanna and Lonnie, I feel so lucky to have this “job.”

Much love,

Lydia

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Introducing Dr. Lonnie Sarnell!

2016-09-16T21:49:17Z

We are so proud of and excited for our own Girls’ Head Counselor, Lonnie Sarnell, as she opens the doors of her psychology practice in Millburn, NJ. As you read about her below, you’ll be even prouder to be affiliated with Tyler Hill Camp. Lonnie is the consummate professional and we’re so excited to share with you her off-season expertise.

Lonnie Sarnell, Psy.D. is a licensed clinical psychologist who provides clinical and sport psychology services to tweens, teens, and adults. Just this week, Lonnie opened her own psychology practice in Millburn, New Jersey. Lonnie specializes in peak performance and anxiety management, and she has experience working with a wide range of concerns, including test anxiety, panic attacks, depression, eating disorders, life transitions, and relationship difficulties. She has worked with athletes at the youth, high school, college, and professional level, and she offers sport psychology consultation and presentations to athletes, coaches, and teams. Lonnie provides individual therapy using an integrative approach to treatment with a focus on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Mindfulness-Based Techniques. Lonnie completed her B.A. in Psychology at Yale, where she was a member of the women’s lacrosse team, and she completed her Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology at La Salle University. She spent the past 3 years working at a private practice on the Upper East Side of Manhattan before deciding to open her own office in New Jersey. Lonnie is currently accepting new clients, and she is offering a free introductory sport psychology or anxiety management talk to local schools, teams, and organizations. If you’d like to learn more, you can contact Lonnie at drsarnell@gmail.com or check out her website: www.drlonniesarnell.com.

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Alumni Spotlight

2016-05-25T00:40:08Z

I love when people do cool stuff!! And while a delicious panini from a new New York City hot spot is what has inspired me to write this blog, the “meat” (if you will) of this story is about relationships formed over the years at Tyler Hill!

My first summer at Tyler Hill was in 1993 and I was a Group Leader in bunk one. One of my campers that summer was Michael Grant, whom I had the pleasure of watching grow up year after year at THC until he ultimately became a staff member. After Michael left Tyler Hill, we ultimately lost touch as he “grew up” and moved into the real world. When I saw Michael again at a mutual friend’s wedding last year (makes me feel so young that we have mutual friends now), Michael shared with me the news that he was just about to give up his super safe and successful life as a finance professional in NYC to open a panini shop. But not just any panini shop…the only New York panini shop of its kind. This panini shop is the New York outpost of Antico Noe – the one and only Florence, Italy-based Antico Noe. Having never been to Florence I had never heard of this little hole in wall place called Antico Noe that apparently has a cult following and brings people to their knees.

When I saw Michael again last week at our ”30-something” THC alumni reunion in NYC, I was thrilled to hear that his crazy dream was now a reality and Antico Noe was officially open and feeding hungry New Yorkers lunch and dinner every day. It didn’t take long for me to check it out myself. Just two nights later Wendy and I stood in line to see for ourselves what this cult following is all about — and I will confirm that it was well worth the wait. While I won’t go into details about the different sandwiches and offerings, I will say that Wendy and I fought one another for the last bite of each of the sandwiches we tried! Antico Noe is well worth the hype!

And while it may seem that the point of this post is to send you there to try out the paninis there, it’s actually just to express how proud we are of Michael and how great it feels to maintain these long-lasting relationships with former THC’ers. Nothing makes us happier than to hear about alumni doing amazing things and following their dreams.

Meanwhile, if you happen to be around midtown Manhattan (53^rd between 2^nd and 3^rd) be sure to stop by NYC’s newest and best panini shop – ANTICO NOE . Make sure you say hello to Michael and let him know you too are part of the Tyler Hill family. He’s come a long way from the days in bunk one where he couldn’t keep track of socks and t-shirts and needed me to cut his food for himJ

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My THC Story – Alexa Moss

2016-05-15T14:41:35Z

Around this time, nearly 11 years ago, I was beginning to prepare for the newest adventure in my life. After visiting only a few camps, my parents and I easily chose Tyler Hill. Immediately, we were all drawn to the magic, love, and unique atmosphere that can be felt even before pulling into the gates. Soon enough, my first trunks were packed and I was on the bus to camp for my first summer. I can’t say that besides the endless excitement, there was not a part of me that worried about what was to come. Little did I know how far Tyler Hill would exceed my expectations.

I started in Bunk 2, with several other girls that I would end up living with every summer following and that would become like sisters to me. From the first day, camp was my happy place. I would count down every day of the winter until I could be back on opening night, standing on the Social Hall benches, singing and dancing with my favorite people in the world. The girls that began in Bunk 2 moved up together every year. We became closer and closer with each other and with the other girls in our division, learning about each other and ourselves in the process. After going through and experiencing everything together, these girls have helped me grow into who I am and have stayed by my side even to this day.

The activities and traditions that are a part of Tyler Hill became second nature to me. I could never get camp songs out of my head, I didn’t sleep at night without wearing an old Color War t-shirt, and I couldn’t get through a day without getting excited for the Lazarus bowl, the THC dance competition, or Girl’s Sing. As I got older, the thought of a summer without Tyler Hill became more and more distant. Finally, it was time for my CIT summer. I had looked up to the CITS all my life and could not wait to lead the camp in everything I had grown to admire about this place. It was a blessing to be able to live in one room with my whole division and experience what every summer lead up to. We worked as hard as we could to embody the spirit of camp and be the best role models for the younger divisions. As my chapter of being a camper ended, there was no hesitation as to whether or not I should continue as a counselor. I was lucky enough to have had such amazing mentors as counselors in all of my summers and could not wait to take what I had learned from them and apply it to myself as a counselor. Rebecca “Frankie” Frank, happened to be one of my counselors for four summers long and helped me grow into the person I am. With the support and guidance of such special people, like Frankie, I was ready for the transition from camper to counselor.

In 2014, I began as a Junior Counselor for the Sophomore division. It was not the same as being a camper and I missed living with my own camp friends in a bunk. As soon as the campers arrived on opening day, I learned how much of an impact I had on the younger girls and loved being able to be their role model. As their counselor, I was not only a mentor, but a coach, support system, older sister, and friend.

This past summer, I was given an older division of girls – something I saw as both a challenge and a gift. I quickly fell in love with the twenty-eight girls. Having such an impact on 13-14 year-olds taught me more than I could believe and was extremely rewarding. I was able to watch young girls grow throughout the two months while developing stronger relationships with each other and enjoying every aspect of their happy place, just like I did.

I talk to my campers every day over the year to check on them. I have the same big sister instincts that Frankie has for my age group and I love being able to be there for my campers when they need someone to just call or talk to. Even at college, my favorite thing is the daily texts to and from my girls to hear about school, their friends, their lives in general, and how much they can’t wait to get back to camp.

Whenever I talk about camp to other people, I always try and show how it has been a huge part of how I was raised. I have gone through and grown up experiencing every hard and easy thing that is part of life and I could not have gotten through them without the people from Tyler Hill and the way that camp shaped me into who I am. Tyler Hill Camp is the most special home that I will always have a place in my heart for. I encourage every camper, parent, staff member, and anyone in connection with Tyler Hill to cherish all it has to offer, make it last every moment, and never stop going back. Only 40 more days… CAN’T WAIT!

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Family Connect – Play It Forward

2016-04-28T08:42:17Z

FAMILY CONNECT’S
APRIL FEATURE
Play It Forward

Play It Forward is a non-profit organization with the mission of helping musicians make the world a better place. This charity was recently founded by Steve Mazza, a longtime Counselor and Division Leader at Hampton Country Day Camp.

Steve founded Play It Forward to serve as a web-based platform where musicians could sell their albums in exchange for charitable donations to non-profit organizations of their choice. Currently, musicians featured on the site are raising money for the Leukemia Research Foundation, St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Feed the Children, among others.

We are excited to announce that TLC will be releasing an album of music written and recorded by ALL OF YOU! We are calling on all of our musically gifted parents, campers, and staff (past and present) to contribute original songs that they have written and recorded. Eligible songs may be previously recorded or can be written specifically for this project. Professional production is not a requirement.

Once we receive all of the submissions, we will compile them into a TLC Family of Camps album. Proceeds from the album will be donated to SCOPE, a nonprofit that gives the gift of summer camp to children from low-income families at ACA-accredited sleepaway camps, in celebration of its 25th Anniversary.

If you are interested in contributing a song, please e-mail Steve at steve@playitforward.com. And stay tuned – we will let you know as soon as the album is available for purchase/donation!

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Hello world!

2016-03-22T18:45:00Z

Welcome to WordPress. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start writing!

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Family Connect – Reel Sports Productions

2016-03-11T18:11:25Z

FAMILY CONNECT
MARCH FEATURE

Reel Sports Productions

Timber Lake West parent, Jeff Ross, had every teenage sports fanatic’s dream job – producer for major sports networks. With over 20 years of experience at ESPN and NBC Golf Channel, Jeff had been at the helm of productions like Stanley Cup Final, Daytona 500, Olympics, and Super Bowl – with 3 Emmy® awards to boot!

But last year Jeff said goodbye to network sports – and also to great tickets for major sporting events – for which his two sons Paul and Jonny, a 3rd year West counselor and Teen 2 camper, respectively, are still mourning. Instead, Jeff opted to try his hand at a labor of love.

Jeff’s new venture is Reel Sports Productions – a production company that creates video resume reels for prospective prep school and college athletes. He believes student athletes are so much more than the sum of their academic grades, stats, and team records. That is why Jeff loves working with these young athletes to help put a face on the stats and let their individual character and performance shine through.

Reel Sports combines home videos with video Jeff shoots himself, and then has the athlete ‘host’ their own reels. The result is a small, convenient package that can be electronically blasted off to recruiters and coaches.

If you would like to check out Jeff’s videos or want to learn more about his services, click here.

And if you have a child who is interested in pursuing a career in sports broadcasting, feel free to have them reach out to Jeff for any questions or advice. You can contact him through his website or LinkedIn page.

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My Story: Rebecca “Frankie” Frank

2016-02-23T21:02:16Z

In the summer of 1998, each weekend I traveled camp to camp with my family to find a sleep away camp for my brother to attend the following summer. I was jealous immediately, as I was still attending a day camp near home, but hoped that someday one of these camps would be my summer home. My brother chose Tyler Hill and my parents stopped bringing us to visit camps. Lucky for me, 3 years later it was my turn to spend my summer at Tyler Hill.

I was in bunk four as, “ The Bunk 4 Cauliflower Pickers,” but I couldn’t even try to tell you what that inside joke means now. Even though it was 15 years ago I still remember small moments – being a lion tamer for girls sing when we were “Freshmen Circus”, and being in the Austin Powers dance for color war that summer (I was on White Espionage). But what a remember most of all, was that this was the summer that I met some of my closest friends.

It was never an option (in my head) to not come back. So summer after summer I returned to my second home, leaving my parents easily and waiting for them to leave on visiting day so that I coul
d get to eating the yummy food. My bunk stayed together as we continued. We celebrated birthdays, bat mitzvahs, reunions and more. Just this year, I moved into my first NYC apartment with Emily Finkelstein, one of my friends who I started with in bunk four. You might not think so now, but your friends as an 8/9 year old at THC are your future best friends forever.
After I finished my days as a camper, after being a CIT in 2009, my friends and I all came back to be counselors. It was different. We weren’t in a bunk together anymore, we couldn’t run to one another to tell each other the hilarious thing that just happened, and we couldn’t end our nights together doing ridiculous games in the bunk. However, we started to create those bonds with our campers that we used to have with our counselors. We were beyond fortunate to end up with some of the greatest counselors who are now still some of our friends. We started to realize what life was like on the other side.

I was now the one on the porch helping girls get through little quarrels. I was now the bed that every camper came up on to hang out (even though only like 2 people could fit up there at a time). Most importantly, I was now the one falling in love with my campers, who to this day, make me proud and feel more loved then I ever could. My “original girls” are now freshmen in college. I truly feel like an older sister who has to check in every so often to know how they are doing, if they have nice friends, make sure they’re actually doing their work, and giving them advice. Parents always tell counselors how “my kid is lucky to have you,” but to be honest, it was because of their kids that I became the person I am today.

Since my girls moved on from being campers, I have now gotten to see them as counselors for two years now. I see parts of me in them when they talk to their campers, and I feel nothing but happiness when they come tell me “crazy” stories about their bunk – considering that was them just a year ago! Now I have moved to the youngest girls in camp. I was truly worried about going from the oldest to youngest, and I couldn’t love it more. These girls make me laugh and feel needed every single day, and I love being a second mom to them throughout the summer. Each day, I watch them try new activities, make friends and even try new foods! It makes me remember how I started as a freshmen and grew so much to where I am now at THC, a Friendship Coach, living in Wayne Hall – something you always think about as a camper.

I truly believe more then ever, that I wouldn’t be the person I am today without Tyler Hill. I am currently a special education teacher at a school in NYC for elementary students. All year I get the opportunity to work with children. Tyler Hill has given me more than I could ever imagine, and I hope it does for every new camper every summer at THC.

– Frankie

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Family Connect – Regents Review

2016-02-11T11:25:46Z

Tyler Hill Camp parents, Michelle and Harris Zakarin, have been sending their children to camp for years. But before the fun and excitement of each summer, the Zakarins are busy with a business they have built that alleviates the stress and anxiety of end-of-year exams.

Through their test-prep company, Regents Review, Michelle and Harris have been helping middle school and high school students excel on Regents, AP’s, and SAT II subject exams for decades – so that children can head off to camp with the peace of mind and confidence that they aced their final exams.

All of their courses are taught by top-tier teachers who are licensed, experienced experts in the subjects they teach. Their unique course offerings provide a complete review of the material, and students receive comprehensive instruction, practice exam-style questions, and time tested tips, strategies, and mnemonics, to maximize their study time and efforts and ensure test day success.

Regents Review offers classes in Long Island, Westchester, Manhattan and Rockland County. For more information and to access their schedule of classes, feel free to visit their website or call (631) 491-0075.

Best of luck to everyone starting their spring semester – and remember, that light you see at the end of the tunnel . . . IS CAMP!!!

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