Tag: value of summer camp

Fine Arts at Camp Weequahic

October 20th, 2015

11802642_10153511651761419_866835285771960755_oWe were thrilled to unveil our new Studio, the fine arts space at Camp Weequahic, for our Summer 2015 campers. This brand new space offered campers of all ages a chance to explore, create and play surrounded by engaged and excited staff.

Campers with “Studio” on their daily schedule were invited to join one of several project offerings between drawing & painting, jewelry, crafts and more. A number of very playful and creative kids developed their own projects to the wonder of our staff.

Memorable projects include picture frames, scrapbooks, melted wax, spray paint art and innumerable bracelets. The most interesting, though, was the homemade soap.

Campers spent time picking herbs from our garden to dry and then add to the soap. After a few successful attempts, several campers starting trying new options like citrus, oatmeal and crushed oreo cookies. (More than one visiting staff member wanted to take a bite….)

We hope you’ll spend some time with us next summer in The Studio. It’s a colorful, fun place where you can explore and create to heart’s content!

Camp Weequahic – A Brief History

October 5th, 2015

JFOFcRucVhABVjcW739U2QeAsaHEIXWB5Dm9Y15Kc1UCamp Weequahic was founded in 1953 on an old farm in Lakewood, PA. Art Lustig, who at the time was a teacher and coach at Weequahic High School in Newark, NJ, decided to turn his popular day camp into a residential camp.

With the help of his wife, Mollie, and his three children and their spouses, Mr. Lustig took what used to be an old farm in Lakewood, PA, and turned it into a remarkable summer home for campers and staff alike. Deciding to use what he knew to be a great name, Camp Weequahic was born.

We recently viewed several pictures of CW from its founding. Our Lodge, which serves as the camp office, was shown very clearly with absolutely no trees around it. It’s funny to think about that as the Lodge now enjoys near constant shade from our 100’+ spruce pines.

The Lustig family ran Camp Weequahic continuously from 1953 until 2008. Starting in 2009, the Kelly family took up the torch and has since done nothing else but help welcome campers and staff to Mr. Lustig’s camp.

We are honored to be a part of Camp Weequahic’s history and look forward to many, many more summers by Sly Lake.

Camp Weequahic Camp Outs

September 29th, 2015


 weequahicblog2We were thrilled to have so many campers enjoy a night sleeping outside this past summer. Our head of the Forest, the unforgettable and aptly named Forrest, let trips of campers of all ages and their staff out into the woods for a wonderful evening and morning in nature.

While our campouts take place on Camp Weequahic’s property, our camp ring is way back in the woods. A couple of times each week, campers loaded with sleeping bags, tents, and supplies hiked the 15 minutes from Main Camp to their overnight adventure.

Forrest quickly helps everyone get settled and then directs the placement of tents and collection of firewood. After some fun campfire games lead by Forrest or our Head of Outdoor Adventure, Danny, the kids all have some time to share their experiences with their friends.

Screen Shot 2015-09-22 at 2.43.26 PMFlashlights and campfires are extinguished and the kids quiet down, falling asleep in their tents while listening to the sounds of the forest. The next morning, the campers clean up their campsite, pack up their gear and hike back to camp in time for breakfast.

It’s touching to see so many kids (and some staff) return to camp after their first ever campout. It is a memory built at camp alongside friends from all over the country and world. It’s an experience they won’t soon forget and one that will keep them smiling for months to come.

We look forward to helping our campers continue their exploration of nature each summer!