Top 5 Summer Camp Movies

While we may be yearning to be back at Camp Tioga - when all that mattered was winning our 'color run’ race - we realize we still have a few months to go. Luckily, there are a few summer camp movies, filled with adventures, friends, and fun, to help us pass the time. Here’s our top five camp flicks to help with our summer camp blues.

1. Heavyweights (1995) -- The fun doesn't last long for the campers at Camp Hope, a fun-loving weight loss camp for boys. A fitness guru, played by Ben Stiller, takes over and drives the campers insane with his over-the-top fitness regime.

2. Camp Nowhere (1994) -- Morris “Mud” Himmel’s parents want to send him to summer camp, which he is adamantly against. Mud plots with his friends to fool his parents into sending him to a made-up camp where there are no rules - and no parents allowed.

3. Meatballs (1979) -- This classic comedy was filmed at a real camp in Ontario which adds to it’s authenticity and humor. You won’t stop laughing as you watch Camp North Star, the bad news bears of the camping world, face off against fancy-pants Camp Mohawk.

4. The Parent Trap (1961, 1998) -- The Parent Trap is a captivating story about a pair of identical twins, separated at birth, who run into each other at an all-girls camp. After terrorizing one another all summer, they decide to switch places to see how the other half lives, but mostly so they can get their parents back together.

5. Space Camp (1986) -- A group of kids attend space camp over the summer where they learn how to operate a space shuttle. It’s all fun and games until they accidentally launch the shuttle, and themselves, into orbit.

Have you ever watched one of these summer camp movies? We would love to hear your feedback! Connect with us on Facebook and Twitter or visit our website to learn more about Camp Tioga!

Podcasts Even Your Kids Will Love

Podcasts have been around for more than 10 years - almost as long as the iPod. However, only recently have people discovered their convenience, quality, and educational advantages. Studies show that kids can listen to content two-to-three grade levels higher than they can read. So, given the thousands of podcasts available, where should they start?

99% Invisible 
We rarely think of the who, why, and how when it comes to particular designs - i.e. our cell phone’s ring or certain flags and font patterns. This smart, insightful podcast focuses on the many ways that design impacts our lives.

The Allusionist
Do you have any word nerds in your family? This podcast investigates the weird and wonderful history of language. For instance, why are puns difficult to pull off and ‘groan-worthy?’ How are crossword puzzles created? What on Earth is equivalence?

RadioLab
Whether they’re science geeks or not, curious kids will appreciate this podcast. It touches on why humans laugh to what makes space worth exploring. The two hosts are determined to unpack science in all of its uncertainties - amusement and humor included!

Pitch
Your music lovers will enjoy this one! Pitch explores how and why sound works in our ears and our hearts. It features episodes that look at how careful pauses and silence are built into songs, as well as how one change in CD packaging revolutionized the music industry. To dig deeper into how individual songs are created, try Song Exploder.


Camp Tioga is much more than just a camp. Campers and counselors alike are apart of the Camp Tioga family. We hope to see all of our Tiogians grow and succeed. At Camp Tioga, your child can continue to grow as a person, while also still having fun on their summer break.This is due to our superior staff, picturesque grounds and the 80 activities we offer. If you would like to become apart of our family, call 516-938-0894 or visit our website to enroll today!

Summer Camp For Adults

Why should the kids have all the fun? According to the American Camp Association, summer camps for adults are thriving with more than a million people signing up each year. This is no surprise - in a hectic world, camps offer an oasis for people of all ages. So while you send your youngsters off to camp, pack your bags and do the same!

Camp No Counselors
This camp offers an adult version of the classic All-American sleepaway camp, only with an open bar included. Adult campers can set their own schedule and choose from activities like waterskiing, tubing, archery, and more.
Locations: 13 locations across the nation
Dates: Dependent on location preference

Camp Grounded
Camp Grounded is a typical summer camp experience with a twist - it’s theme is “100 percent IRL (In Real Life).” This means, no business talk, strict schedules, or technology! Enjoy activities like color war, meditation, photography, and stargazing. They’re even accommodating to both vegans and carnivores!
Location: Mendocino, California
Dates: May 19th-22nd and May 26th-29th

Soul Camp
If you sign up for Soul camp, you can go for the day or a weekend getaway. They offer yoga, meditation, dance, and arts and crafts. Campers will also be able to attend lectures from wellness experts and thought leaders.
Locations: New York, Chicago, California
Dates: Dependent on location preference

Wine Camp
This adult-only camp is four days complete with wine education and appreciation in the wine country of Long Island. Campers learn about sustainable vineyard management, wine tasting, food pairings, and you even get to blend your own wine! They also provide free time to visit the beach or other local vineyards.
Location: Peconic, New York
Date: May 4th-7th and July 10th-13th


Have you ever been to one of these summer camps? We would love to hear your feedback! Connect with us on Facebook and Twitter or visit our website to learn more about Camp Tioga!

Team Building Activities Your Employees Won't Hate

When someone hears the words “ice breaker” they usually break out in a cold sweat. While we recognize how important it is in building morale and camaraderie within your team, these activities can often feel forced and awkward. How can you include team building in a way where it doesn’t feel like a daunting process? Add some creativity to your plans and your team will surely rally.

 1. Take a field trip
Sometimes the best way for your employees to get to know one another is to interact freely, without a formal plan. Set up a field day filled with games and prizes or plan a quarterly outing. Depending on how much time you can allocate, your team will benefit from getting to know one another away from their jobsite.

 2. Get together to give back
Working together on a cause your team cares about is a great way to bond and learn about everyone’s interests. Facilitate volunteer outings with local non-profit organizations or set aside an hour a week for a simple charitable act, such as writing letters to service members.

 3. Participate in professional activities 
Professional learning and growth are important parts of your employees’ success. Get your team together to participate in a professional development activity and encourage them to learn collaboratively. Guest speakers and online seminars are great educational tools and opportunities for everyone.

 4. Show and tell
This may seem a little childish, but when done correctly show and tell can be a fun, low-pressure way to learn a little about one another. Try setting out five minutes during your staff meetings for a few people to share something that reflects who they are. Whether it’s a favorite recipe, interesting article, or sports uniform, encouragement is key!

At Camp Tioga, one of the secrets to our success is the bond between our employees. Campers and counselors alike are apart of the Camp Tioga family. We are confident that Camp Tioga is the right fit for any child. This is due to our superior staff, picturesque grounds and the 80 activities we offer. If you would like to become apart of our family, call 516-938-0894 or visit our website to enroll today! 

Why Yoga And Kids Go Together

There is no better time to find inner harmony than as a child. Yoga is the practice of accessing and integrating all aspects of our true self - body, mind and spirit. Kids who participate in yoga are introduced to cornerstone values such as truthfulness, cleanliness, gratitude, and self-discipline. Here are a few other areas in which yoga helps improve your children's overall well-being:

Enhances physical flexibility. Yoga helps teach your kids to use their muscles in new ways. Whether a pose is done standing, sitting, or lying down, each one challenges various muscle groups and helps your child become aware of their body and how it functions.

Refines balance and coordination. Poses in yoga help promote mental and physical strength, as well as clarity and stability. Even with difficult poses, if kids can stay calm and try again, they are improving their mental and physical balance.

Boosts self-esteem and confidence. Yoga teaches kids to persevere, be patient, and work towards their goals, which helps build their self-esteem and confidence. Yoga also provides tools for practicing compassion, focus, mindfulness, and generosity.

Strengthens the mind-body connection. Yoga helps kids achieve a sound mind in a sound body by exercising the physical body and calming their mental state. Yoga functions as a release from the very fast-paced life that children live in now.

​Your child can continue their yoga skills at Camp Tioga, or they can choose from one of our many other activities. Your child's physical and mental health is our first and foremost priority. Prior to camp, our medical staff contacts every camper to discuss their medical history. Want a camp that takes health and safety seriously? If so, enroll your child at Camp Tioga. Call 516-938-0894 today to inquire about enrollment.

A Day In The Life Of A Camp Counselor

Being a camp counselor can be one of the hardest, yet most rewarding experiences of your life. While your main goal is to make sure that every happy camper has the best summer ever, counselors also end up making unforgettable memories and bonds that last a lifetime. Here’s a look into a busy counselor’s day at Camp Tioga:

Daily Activities
Activities vary day by day, which makes the days, weeks, and summer go by that much quicker at Camp Tioga! After the counselors help the kids clean their bunk for inspection in the morning, it’s time for the fun to begin. Counselors will move around with the campers and help them get involved in each activity. Even during rest hour, if someone would rather play an activity then wind-down and relax, they’re there! Campers versus counselors basketball game anyone?

Meals
Meal time is a chance for everyone to relax and enjoy a great selection of food. Even the pickiest eaters find themselves diving back in for seconds  - no one at our dining hall leaves hungry! This time can get a bit chaotic, so the counselors will sit at the tables with the campers and make sure the food is going in their stomachs and is not thrown across the room!

Evening Activities
After dinner there will be an evening activity that involves special events, games, prizes, and much more! Compared to the other daily activities, this will give everyone the chance to be with other campers and counselors that they haven’t worked with throughout the day. Eventually, the counselors will head the campers to canteen for a snack, get ready for bed, and start the fun all over again the next day!


This powerful role gives you confidence and teaches you how to be grounded, kind, and responsible. So, on top of all the amazing memories you will make, holding this position can help prepare you and provide you with future job opportunities outside of camp. If you’re looking to become a camp counselor this summer, check out our website for more information.

Camp Tioga is much more than just a camp. Campers and counselors alike are apart of the Camp Tioga family. We are confident that Camp Tioga is the right fit for any child. This is due to our superior staff, picturesque grounds and the 80 activities we offer. If you would like to become apart of our family, call 516-938-0894 or visit our website to enroll today! 

5 Ways To Keep Your Child Active During The Winter

Thanks to the colder weather and shorter days, snuggling up on the couch is more tempting than usual. And although it’s important for your kids to get some rest, they still need to remain active. If you’re having trouble getting your kiddos to workout in this chilly weather, try some of our indoor activities. They’ll surely enjoy them and you will, too!

1. Book-Worm Workout

Story time doesn’t have to be just before bed. Pick a book that has a specific word repeated often. Every time that word comes up in the story, have your child do a jumping jack. The more books you read together, the more difficult the workout.

2. Freeze Dance
Who doesn’t love a good dance party? Have your kids show off their best dance moves to their favorite music - a guaranteed way to get them off the couch. Try incorporating freeze dance into the mix, it will help brush up on their listening skills.

3. Boot Camp Blast
Set up different workout stations around your house. Try one minute of shuttle runs, jumping jacks, and knee-ups. You can also be more involved in the workouts by partnering up for sit-ups or teaching them yoga poses. Once the buzzer sounds, move to the next station.

4. Indoor Hopscotch
This fun outdoor activity will be a hit indoors, too. Use masking tape to set up the board and make the game last longer by creating more than 10 squares - try going up to 15 or 20. Create an incentive to those who win - i.e. free of chores for one week.

5. Yoga JENGA
Write down a yoga position on each JENGA block. Set up the tower and play the game as usual, but this time when a block is pulled out, every player has to do the specific yoga move written down. If the tower falls, create another workout - i.e. hold a plank for 30 seconds.

For more fun indoor activities, click here.

Counting down the days until warmer weather is here? We are too because that means it's time for camp! If you’re looking for the best sleepaway camp in all of Pennsylvania for this summer, call Camp Tioga. Camp Tioga is the perfect way to provide fun, friendships, and education for your kids.. To learn more about all we have to offer or to schedule a tour of the camp, give us a call at 516-938-0894 or visit us on Facebook.