Welcome to Camp!
Finally, campers have arrived, and Camp Schodack is once again filled with excitement, spirit, and energy after waiting all year for Summer 2026!
All of our staff were outside with massive signs, eagerly awaiting the campers’ arrival. They cheered with the biggest smiles as the buses rolled in, ready to greet returning campers and welcome new ones. In no time, campers were in their summer home, reuniting with friends, making new ones, and laughing like they never left or like they’d been part of the Schodack family all along.
Hi! I’m Alex Prior, the Communications Counselor for this summer. I couldn’t be more excited to showcase the Schodack magic and all the fun we’ll have this summer through our weekly newsletter, keeping families updated on everything happening in the 12123. Riyen (Video) and Nate (Photo) are also part of the Communications Team, and together we’ll be capturing all the action and documenting the memories throughout the summer.
What to Expect in Each Newsletter Every Friday evening, we’ll be sending out a newsletter with a look back at the week here at Camp Schodack. You can expect:
- Recaps and highlights from events, night activities, and all the unique moments that make Schodack special
- Short updates from each Division Head about what their group has been up to
- Snippets from The Schodack Scoop, our daily camp newspaper that campers read each morning
- A weekly video roundup, capturing the energy and fun from across camp
We’re excited to share everything happening here each week, right from the heart of camp!
Division Write Ups
Click below to jump to your camper’s division:
Acorns
Junior Camp
Middle Camp
Senior Camp
LTs
Acorns
The 12123 is buzzing and the acorns are already making a mark on their new summer home! Maddy Moir, acorn DH here to share how all the little acorns are settling into their first summer at Schodack. Acorn boys and Acorn 1 and 2 girls are quickly proving that even the smallest of campers are filled with so much spirit and spunk!
Starting off summer with enormous success I am delighted to report that all acorns have passed their swim tests and are eagerly awaiting all the amazing lake activities as well as the brand-new water slides!!
Acorn boys are becoming well versed in all JCP games showing off all their basketball, gaga, and tether ball skills. Acorn 1 girls have been busy bonding and experiencing the joys of camp together while building the friendships that make camp so special. Acorn 2 girls got their groove on at the councillor show with some stand out performances like Ryan’s Zumba and pool staff making a splash!
Such an amazing start to summer and plenty more updates to come!!
Maddy Moir, Acorn DH
Junior Girls
Hey Junior Girl Families!
The Junior Girls have had an amazing first 24 hours at camp! It has been so exciting to welcome the Beech, Cypress, Dogwood, and Hickory girls to camp and watch them settle into their summer home. From meeting their new bunkmates and counselors to learning bunk cheers and beginning their daily routines, the energy around the division has been incredible.
After their first night, all of the girls enjoyed the Counselor Show, full of funny skits and performances that had everyone smiling and laughing together. It was the perfect way to end an exciting first day and kick off the summer.
The girls are already making new friends, trying new things, and building confidence with every moment. We are so excited to watch them continue to grow, have fun, and make lifelong memories over the weeks ahead.
I can’t wait to share more Junior Girl highlights with you soon!
Reagan, Junior Girls DH
Junior Boys
Summer 26 is officially underway, and the junior boys couldn’t be more excited for an amazing summer ahead! The junior boys have had a fantastic start to camp, already making memories and settling into camp life. A couple of highlights already!
The Beech Boys have been loving the JCP already, with plenty of games of GaGa taking place.
The Cypress Boys have jumped right back into camp, and jibbit trading – the bunk is thriving. Basketball is their favourite activity so far!
The Dogwood Boys have settled in super quick and are getting to know and love their counselors already.
An exciting first few days, with many more to come for the junior boys.
Jacob DH
Middle Girls
Hey!!!
What an incredible first day for the Middle Girl Division! The Willow, Mahogany, Sequoia, and Redwood girls have officially settled into camp life, making their bunks feel like home with photos, lights, and plenty of personal touches. It was so special to see campers reconnect with old friends while also forming brand-new friendships that are sure to last all summer long.
The day was filled with all of the best first-day traditions, from grilled cheese at lunch and first-day rotations, as well as bedazzling kits, Tether Ball , Jibbitz, and friendship bracelets. The girls explored camp, got to know their counselors, and got right into the camp spirit!
We wrapped up the evening with the classic Counselor Show, where the girls laughed, cheered on their counselors, and enjoyed cookies as they kicked off another unforgettable summer together.
Day one is in the books, and if today is any indication, we’re in for an amazing summer here in 12123. We can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings!
Emily, Middle Girls DH
Middle Boys
After ten months apart the Middle Boys are back in the 12123! My name is Ewan McCabe and I’m the Middle Boys Division Head for Summer 2026. I look forward to keeping you updated on our four fantastic bunks: Mahogany, Redwood, Sequoia, and Willow.
From the first bus arriving the atmosphere on camp was electric as counsellors welcomed their campers back for another summer of fun. After a classic camp lunch of grilled cheese, tomato soup, and goldfish, afternoon bunk rotations got everyone back into the groove of camp. Basketball games in the JCP and spikeball showdowns outside C4 have already kicked off and will likely continue throughout the summer.
To finish off the day, the counsellor show kept us all entertained with dances, skits, and of course… Zumba led by Ryan. It was great seeing the campers up joining in and having a good time. Today has been a brilliant start to summer ’26 and I can’t wait for the next 7 weeks of fun at camp!
All the best,
Ewan DH
Senior Girls
Hello from the 12123!
The first day back at Camp Schodack has been full of excitement, laughter, friendship bracelets, and the start of so many unforgettable memories for our Senior Girls! Senior 1, 2, 3, and 4 arrived full of smiles and energy, ready to kick off another amazing summer together.
As soon as they hopped off the bus, everyone raced to their bunks to unpack, decorate, and fill the walls with photos, lights, and little touches from home. It didn’t take long before each bunk was transformed into a cozy home away from home, shared with all of their summer best friends.
The afternoon was spent getting back into the camp spirit with our opening day rotations. Whether they were playing tetherball, keeping a volleyball in the air, tossing a softball, or simply catching up with friends, there was excitement around every corner. It was so special to see everyone reconnecting and settling into our summer home.
We wrapped up our first night with one of Camp Schodack’s classic night activities, the Counselor Show! The Senior Girls had the best time cheering on their counselors as they sang, danced, and performed on stage, setting the tone for a summer full of fun. To end the night, everyone headed back to their bunks for a classic camp snack of cookies before winding down after an incredible first day.
We can’t wait to see what the rest of the summer has in store and so excited for all the memories ahead,
Charlie Schwartz 💕Senior Girls Division Head
Senior Boys
Hello from Camp! It’s Aaron Dagless. I’m super excited to be the Senior Boys Division Head for 2026!!! Senior 123 (1, 2, and 3) are off to a fantastic start and already having a great time together (as expected)!
Senior boys have already had their first handball madness, while some of the other senior boys enjoyed some 9 square and basketball.
Senior 1 are settling in to c1 with some new and old counsellors, bonding, playing cards and enjoying each other’s company. Senior 2 have already taken over the garden and bonded over their love for the LT video at the counselor show! Senior 3 have had a very exciting day, leading into a quiet night of soccer talk, lots of reading and some great music.
I’ll be sharing highlights every week of all the fun that goes on around camp! We’ve got so many activities, special events, and trip days ahead!
I’m so excited for a summer of new friendships and I already feel the Camp Schodack love!
Aaron Dagless, Senior Boys Division Head
LTs
The LTs have had a fabulous start to the summer. The first bus arrived just a few minutes before 11 am and in about fifty minutes the Dining Hall and the Patio had been completely set up by the second year LTs. At 1:00PM we opened the doors and welcomed the campers back to the Opening Day Tradition of grilled cheese, and a delicious tomato soup. The service was seamless and the atmosphere electric. The second year LTs put out an immaculate service and followed up in fine style at dinner. The first ‘win’ of the summer!
Credit to LTCs Eli and Ellie and LT Head Counselor Ryan, backed up by an outstanding staff –
George, Jack, Avi, Harry, Rose, Ellie, Hannah and Rachel. We are eagerly awaiting Hannah Reich (LTC) who will be with us on Saturday.
Our first training sessions were this morning and this afternoon we will meet with all of the Little Brothers and Sisters. On Sunday the first years will present the 19th renewal of All For One! This intra-bunk competition rewards those who participate the most – but it just couldn’t happen without a large group of enthusiastic event hosts – and that is exactly what the LTs will be.
Challenge Day teams will be revealed this weekend, and we are all looking forward to the first one which will be happening very soon. Amazing to think that when we write next we will be full into rehearsals for Talent Show!
Owen
More From The First 24
What a first 24 hours we have had already, and this is just the start! From the cheers that welcomed the buses to games and bunk chats, the excitement has been nonstop. Campers jumped right into the fun with a classic grilled cheese, followed by plenty of activities and time to catch up with old friends while making new ones.
We ended the night with the Annual Counselor Show. It was a crowd pleaser, full of surprises and laughs, and it really did get everybody on their feet.
The first full day was packed with activities all across camp, from water activities at the lake to drama auditions for the play. Everyone was bursting with excitement to go on the new waterslides at the pool!
Big/Little Program
As part of our Big/Little Program, every new camper is paired with a Leadership Trainee (LT). During the second Camper’s Choice on Friday, Bigs and Littles officially met in person!
Scoop Of The Week
The Schodack Scoop is our daily camp newspaper, delivered with breakfast each morning. It’s meant to celebrate our campers, highlight special moments, and help everyone start their day with something fun.
