Summer Themes 2022

The 2022 head staff of Heart O’ the Hills is so excited to announce the themes for the summer.  This year our overall theme for the summer is “Heart O’ the Hills where the Magic Happens!” Come in the front gate wearing your Sisterhood clothes (or whites if you’re a new camper), along with headgear and wands to show you …

Growth Mindset: Encouraging Campers

Camp, especially Heart O’ the Hills, provides an environment that embraces physical, emotional, and intellectual struggle. What makes it a great experience, is not just the understanding that these struggles can be overcome. It is doing so. So, as counselors it’s our job to encourage a growth mindset in our campers! It is through our language that we encourage a …

View Post

Choosing the right camp for your child

Even though it’s cold and blustery outside, now is the perfect time to begin planning for summer activities.  What’s at the top of the list to consider?  CAMP! There are many factors to consider when considering a summer camp “home” for your child.  Here’s some important questions to ask:        *What sort of professional affiliations is it a part of?  …

View Post

Being New to “The Heart”

Trying new things can be scary for everyone.  Oh, but the sense of accomplishment when you learn a different skill! Coming to camp for the first time is no different.  But there are lots of things you can do before arrival to ease the transition.  Come visit!  We love to give tours to familiarize folks with our facilities.  In late …

View Post

Thanksgiving Leftovers Pierogis

These Thanksgiving Leftover Pierogi’s are a hit! Recently, I became a huuuuge pierogi fan.  I love cheese and potatoes, I mean, who doesn’t! I love them even more when they are deep fried in butter with onions! I do not claim to be an expert in making them (this was my first time!). However, I was so surprised at how easily …

View Post

MESH. It’s a thing

Mental, emotional and social health issues (MESH) have come to the forefront of life after COVID isolation. Summer camp directors nationwide were the first responders in 2021, and now school teachers are taking over. The issues are real. When childhood was put on pause more than 18 months ago, children’s mental, emotional and social growth also stalled out. The normal …

View Post

What camp means to me: A Homebase

 “If you ever change your mind, come back to camp and you will find us waiting here at your command, we understand …. We understand” Staff sing the above song lyrics to campers on Final Mountain Top every term of every summer of every year.  It’s a promise that has been upheld in my lifetime more times than I can …

View Post

Things I Learned at Heart O’ the Hills

Things I Learned at Heart O’ the Hills As a camper, I never realized how many things I was learning while having so much fun. And the things I was learning weren’t the obvious things like swimming, riding a horse, archery, or learning to shoot a rifle. The things I am referring to could be considered ‘soft skills’ or ‘intangible …