Camp Erin Philadelphia

We are once again happy to announce that Diamond Ridge will be hosting, for the 3rd year, Penn Wissahickon Hospice's Camp Erin Philadelphia on May 15 - 17.

Camp Erin is a bereavement camp for children 6 to 17 years of age. The camp offers children and teenagers a place to go for a weekend to develop coping skills due to the loss of a loved one while meeting other children who have experienced a similar loss. Philadelphia Phillies Pitcher Jamie Moyer's foundation, The Moyer Foundation provides funding for the program while Diamond Ridge donates the entire facility and food service to the camp. One hundred campers plus fifty staff are scheduled to attend.

On May 31st, Diamond Ridge Camps will be one of the MVP Sponsors for Penn Wissahickon Hospice's Popcorn Day at the Phillies. The event includes lunch, fun activities for children and adults and tickets to see the World Champion Phillies host the Washington Nationals. Proceeds from this family-friendly event benefit the David Bradley Children's Bereavement Program, which offers free support for children and their families who have lost loved ones.

For more information about these events, please contact Wissahickon Hospice at 610.617.2474 or click here.

Open House

Thanks to all the prospective families (and some current families) who attended our Open House on Sunday. I was appreciative that so many people came from near and far...from Penn Valley to Huntingdon Valley...Dresher to Doylestown and everywhere else in between. We even had one family stop by to learn about our Overnight Camp for the summer of 2010. It is never too soon to starting thinking about summer camp.

For those of you were not able to attend the Open House, there is still time to enroll. If you would like to schedule a personal tour, feel free to contact me directly in the Camp Office at 215-343-8840 or e-mail me.

I look forward to seeing everyone 2 months from today, for the first day of camp!

Uncle Steven

Rock Ridge Cup 2009

Many campers have been calling and e-mailing wanting to know when the competition for the Rock Ridge Cup 2009 will take place. I am very happy to learn that so many campers are looking forward to defending the Cup against Sesame/Rockwood Camps. The best-of-five series will take place during Sessions 2 and 3.

For our new campers and camp families, the Rock Ridge Cup is the annual rivalry with our sister camp, Sesame/Rockwood, located in Blue Bell, Montgomery County. Last summer the camps competed in Boys Basketball, Boys Softball, Girls Newcomb, Co-ed Soccer and Co-ed Swimming. The camp that wins the best-of-series keeps the Rock Ridge Cup Trophy until the next summer. All Upper Camp campers enrolled during the sessions that the games take place are encouraged to tryout for a team.

Parents, please remember that we have an Open Visitation Policy and are thus welcome to watch the Rock Ridge Cup games or visit any other day. We'd love to see you at camp.

Uncle Steven

Going Greener

Last summer at Diamond Ridge Camps we began our initiative to Go Green and everyone pitched in...Campers, Counselors, Support Staff and Leadership Team. Thanks to everyone's hard work we made an impact by leaving less of a "footprint" on the Earth. This summer we are continuing that initiative to Go Greener by...
• Continuing to separate organic waste from trash at our meals. Our Compost Site continues to generate mulch that is being used in the flower beds throughout camp.
• Recycling all commingled plastics and paper throughout camp.
• Using less disposable plastic cups at meals
• Eliminating styrofoam cups for hot beverages for overnight staff. Instead, we'll be using ceramic mugs.

There are many things that you can do in your own home if you are interested in Going Green.
• Switch to energy efficient light bulbs. CFLs (compact fluorescent lamps) last ten times longer than incandescent bulbs and use two-thirds less energy.
• Use Eco-Friendly Shopping Bags instead of plastic bags. Plastic bags take from 400 or 1,000 years to photodegrade and contaminate the soil and water.
• Unplug any electronic equipment when they are not in use. Battery chargers use 40% of their regular running energy when left plugged in or on standby.

If you are interested in learning more information about Going Green, visit these Eco-Friendly websites:
Earth911 - Making every day Earth Day
Eartheasy - Ideas for sustainable living
Ecological Footprint - Find out just how big or small your ecological footprint is
The Daily Green - A consumer's guide to the green revolution
World Watch Institute - A vision for a sustainable world

This summer at Diamond Ridge Camps, one of our Theme Weeks will focus on Going Green. Campers and Staff will participate in a variety of fun and exciting activities including creating eco-friendly nature and art projects, recyclable bunk competitions and planting trees.

Camp will be here before we all know it. The first day is just 68 days away!

Uncle Steven

Spring Sports League

Can you believe that Spring sports are already here? I started coaching my daughter's 6-year old Soccer Team this past weekend.

Diamond Ridge is once again sponsoring Little League teams in the Doylestown Athletic Association and the Council Rock Newtown Athletic Association. Regardless of what league or sport you are participating in, please e-mail us to let us know how you and your team are doing so we can include it in our next newsletter.

I read a great article today about the health and welfare of children who participate in youth sports. I thought it would be insightful to many of our camp families. The article appeared in this week's Sports Illustrated. It was written by Mark Hyman who is also the author of Until It Hurts: America's Obsession with Youth Sports and How It Harms Our Kids. For more information on that book, click here.

Good luck to everyone in their Spring Sports Season!

Uncle Steven

Spring Open House - April 19th

Our Spring Open House is on Sunday, April 19, from 1 - 3 pm. This is great opportunity to invite your friends and family to learn more information about Diamond Ridge and take a tour of our 33-acre campus. Our Leadership of Directors will be on hand to answer any questions you a have about Arts, Athletic, Swim and Outdoors Programs.

Everyone is welcome for an afternoon of fun, friends and food.

Uncle Steven