January/February 2022
VOLUME 22 | ISSUE 1
Programming Abounds
Welcome to our annual Top Programming issue where creativity reigns and the ideas are plentiful! Every camp has a unique way of keeping campers engaged and involved. Whether it’s a special game or an annual event, we can almost hear the laughter that goes with each experience. A special thanks to everyone who contributed. And for those who are interested but missed the deadline to participate, don’t worry—we look for extraordinary ideas all year long. Shoot us an email at editor@northstarpubs.com.
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Camp Business is written by residential and day camp directors, staff members, and counselors. If that is you, then Camp Business is an important resource full of real-world experience you can use to solve problems, create new opportunities, and keep your community healthy and happy.
This Month’s Articles
Publisher’s Note
Little Moments
Snow was gently falling as we pulled into the deserted trailhead parking lot. It was the first significant snow of the season and my daughters, and the dog were eager to get out and play in it.
We jumped out of the truck, stepped into our ski boots, and attached our skins to our skis. As we fumbled with the start of ski tour stuff that would become routine in a few weeks, the dog ran around half crazed—sniffing all the new smells and chasing squirrels who had the temerity to squeak at him from their perch up high.
Eventually, we were strapped into our skis, backpacks straps snug against our shoulders. We glided across the snow-covered lot, scooted up and over a snow pile left by the plow and entered the thick pine tree forest. At first, we simply breathed, enjoying the amazing quiet you can only find in a deserted forest. We wound around dead falls, through gullies, and slowly worked our way up the slope we wanted to ski. As we got used to the effort, the girls started telling me about their day and their hopes for the coming winter season. They laughed as the dog hopped through snow over his head to check out a tree, then worked his way back to us to see if we were doing all right. When he tired, he simply walked along on our skin track sometimes riding on the backs of the girls’ skis—much to their delight.
Eventually, we made it to the top. We sat down in the snow, ripped the skins off our skis and transitioned to downhill mode. Before taking off, we talked about how to do it safely—keeping an eye out for barely submerged logs and choking brush that could catch their skis and injure them for the season.
Slowly, one by one, we skied the little slope—weaving between trees, trying to piece together wide-open meadows full of soft powder. It was a blast.
We worked our way back to the truck, dumped our gear in the bed, and jumped in for the ride home. I pulled a few candy bars out of my pocket and passed them around. We drove home slowly, savoring the moment and the chocolate. As we pulled into the garage, the girls turned to me and said simply, “Thanks, Dad. That was fun.”
They headed inside and I began to unpack. As I moved the gear from truck bed to ski racks, I smiled at how something so simple as walk in the woods with two of my daughters could bring so much joy. As always, I was thankful for these little moments that, when pieced together, make up a month, then a year and eventually, a life.
As we start this new year, my hope is you are heading into 12 months of wonderful, peaceful, happy little moments with the people you care about and the folks who care about you. And, I hope, this issue offers you a pleasant little moment to start you off right.
So, grab a cup of coffee or hot chocolate or whatever you love, find a comfy chair, and take a few moments to enjoy what we’ve created for you. As always, I like how it turned out. I hope you do, too.
Have a Happy New Year!
Rodney J. Auth
Publisher
This-N-That
Calendar
Buyer’s Guide
Product Review
Marketspace Spotlight
Classifieds
Coming Up
March/April
Aquatics & Annual Buyer’s Guide
Registration
Waterfront & Beaches
Swimming & Water Safety
Marketing
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Night hikes are pretty common for stargazing, but what if it’s a cloudy night? Don’t worry—there’s plenty to do in any kind of weather—as long as it’s dark!