Camp Canadensis
At Canadensis, their goal is "to create an environment that is emotionally, physically and socially safe for campers and their parents in a first-rate facility".
Canadensis is an American Camp Association accredited camp.
History
Camp Canadensis was founded by William "Uncle Bill" Saltzman in 1941, and was named a Pioneer of Camping by the American Camp Association. He owned and operated the camp until his death in 1997; in his later years, his son Stevan co-operated the camp. After Bill's death, Stevan operated the camp until his death in 2000. Since then, Stevan's sister Terri Saltzman has owned and operated the camp.
Activities
Outdoor adventure | Water sports | Athletics | Fine arts |
---|---|---|---|
High ropes course | Swimming | Basketball | Art shack |
Low ropes course | Waterskiing | Baseball/softball | Woodworking |
40-foot (12 m) rock wall | Knee/wakeboarding | Soccer | Ceramics |
COALS outdoor program | Waterslide/climbing tower | Floor/roller hockey | Photography |
Mountain biking | Sailing | Tennis | Glass fusion |
Honda motor bikes | Windsurfing | Gymnastics | Sewing/fashion design |
Go Karts | Canoeing/kayaking | Lacrosse | Rocketry |
Archery | Lake boats | Golf | Musical theatre |
Horseback riding | Water trampoline | Volleyball | Dance |
Wrestling | Rock band | ||
Flag football | Cooking | ||
Weight room/aerobics | Radio | ||
Gaga | STEM | ||
Frolf |
Recent years
In 2000 Canadensis built a 9,000-square-foot (840 m) art center; The Sylvia Saltzman Art Center is divided into six different rooms for a variety of art programs: The Art Shack (general crafts, drawing, painting, jewelry-making, tie-dyeing, etc.); Woodworking; Ceramics; Photography (black & white, and digital); Glass Fusion; and Fashion Design.".
In 2008 Canadensis built an outdoor amphitheater. Aunt T's Amphitheater overlooks Lake Lenape and serves as the venue for the camp's morning lineup, as well as a variety of evening programming.
Other recent additions to Camp Canadensis include an indoor, all-weather, basketball court, and newly renovated horse stables.
The camp's new website was designed by Philadelphia graphic designer Andy O'Dore.
Out-of-camp trips
Canadensis Senior Campers embark on four different multiple-day, out-of-camp trips to various locations. Traditionally, the trips visit the same destinations each year. Canadensis lower seniors spend 3 days and 2 nights in Lake Placid, New York, each summer. Campers visit the Olympic Training Center, and take part in a variety of Olympic Attractions. Canadensis upper seniors spend 3 days and 2 nights sightseeing in Boston. Although the exact details change every year, common attractions include a Boston duck tour, lunch at Fire and Ice, Quincy Market, and a tour of Harvard University. Super seniors spend 4 days in Niagara, and take part in traditional tourist attractions, such as Maid of the Mist. In 2010, the Niagara Falls trip also included a Cleveland, Ohio, component, so campers could experience the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Canadensis CITs (counselors-in-training) spend 5 days at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. In 2009 Canadensis introduced an optional college tour trip for their oldest campers, visiting Penn State, Franklin and Marshall, and Lehigh University. In 2010 the trip featured a series of New York schools.
Traditions
Color War has been a cherished tradition at Camp Canadensis since its establishment in 1941. It unfolds over the course of five days, during which the entire camp community divides into two teams, engaging in spirited competition encompassing both athletic and artistic pursuits. These two teams are led by individuals holding the esteemed titles of CIT Captains, CIT Lieutenants, Counselor Captains, and CIT leaders. To attain these roles, a staff member or Counselor-in-Training must exhibit exceptional dedication and exceptional leadership qualities that extend beyond their core responsibilities during the summer.
Originally, Color War was a unified competition, but in 1966, it was restructured into two distinct events: the Athletic Competition and the Sing Competition. Historical records, as indicated by the plaques displayed in the main office, show that Color War was scored as a single event with a single victor until 1965. From 1966 to 2006, separate winners were crowned for both the Athletic and Sing Competitions. However, beginning in 2007, Color War reverted to its original format, with a single winner determined across all competitions.
Camp Canadensis also upholds other cherished traditions, such as celebrating Independence Day with hotdogs and fireworks. Additionally, as a grand finale to the summer, all campers and staff members partake in a memorable trip to Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom
Recreation unlimited
Before and after the 7 Week Camp Program, Camp Canadensis rents its facility to a variety of outside groups. Recent groups include The Philadelphia Folksong Society, Girl Scouts of the USA, and Running Works, Community Middle School's Outdoor Education program, and Radnor Township School District, as well as multiple Marching Bands from bordering states.
References
- ^ "Camp Canadensis | Find a Camp". find.acacamps.org. Retrieved 2024-06-07.
- ^ "About". canadensis.com. Archived from the original on 2010-01-11. Retrieved 2010-01-18.
- ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2006-04-08. Retrieved 2010-03-08.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "Camp Canadensis | Traditional Camping for Today's Child". Archived from the original on 2010-01-11. Retrieved 2010-01-18.
- ^ "Camp Canadensis | Traditional Camping for Today's Child". Archived from the original on 2010-01-09. Retrieved 2010-01-18.
- ^ "Andy O'Dore » Camp Canadensis". Archived from the original on 2010-07-05. Retrieved 2010-09-23.
- ^ "Camp Canadensis | Traditional Camping for Today's Child". Archived from the original on 2010-01-08. Retrieved 2010-01-20.
- ^ "Camp Canadensis | Traditional Camping for Today's Child". Archived from the original on 2012-07-31. Retrieved 2010-01-22.
- ^ "Spring Thing". Archived from the original on 2010-02-28. Retrieved 2010-01-19.