Camp Skylemar

Patrick

I will never forget the two Color War weeks that I was a part of as a counselor. To see the passion and heart that was put in by all that were involved was inspiring to see and I wanted to do my best as an official to call a fair and correct game. But the best part was seeing the kids at the end all coming back together as one camp to celebrate another amazing summer.

Will

How can I choose just one memory from seven of the best summers of my life at Skylemar? One singular memory that stands out: the walk back to the bunk from the Rec Hall with my bunkmates on our last night as campers. We started the walk in smiles, then sobbed like babies at the thought of leaving a place that had really become our home, and ended the walk in bittersweet smiles again. Thanks to Skylemar, I met the greatest group of guys in the world. I’m always going to be thankful for my experiences there and for those who made those memories possible.

Joel

While I didn’t know it at the time, Camp Skylemar helped make me the person I am today. What I never thought; however, was how great the experience would be for me to send my son to Skylemar, and watch him grow and experience what many people believe is “The greatest place on earth!” The campers believe that they work 10 months in school to live 2 months in Maine! Being one of the only boys from central New Jersey, my son has been able to create his own identity at Skylemar. 2014 will be his fifth summer in Naples, and Shep and Arleen Shepherd have certainly carried on the fine tradition of founders Lee Horowitz and Herb Blumenfeld, along with adding many of their own, making Skylemar a fun, nurturing and safe place to learn and grow each summer. My son has developed such confidence which I feel is a direct result fostered by the friendships he’s created and the people he’s come in contact with at Skylemar. There’s a saying that at Skylemar, you don’t just sign up for the summer, you sign on for life. It’s certainly the case!

Sara

We love visiting Noah on Visiting Day at Camp Skylemar—to see him run, carefree, with all his campmates reminds me of the special experience that camp brought for me. Noah’s favorite part of camp is Color War––when he came home from camp, it took him days to agree to not wear his Color War ribbon. His team didn’t even won Color War but the bonding, hard work and teamwork was such a unique experience for him.

Suzie

I’ll never forgot dropping my oldest off for his first “proposed” four week session at Camp Skylemar. I got into the car and looked at my husband and told him, “Zach isn’t coming home after four weeks. He’s staying the summer.” And he did.

Laime

On visiting day, watching my son try the ropes course for the first time. He was completely determined to try the highest course at camp and was so happy when he did it successfully.