PECONIC DUNES

Community Service

2012-02-03T16:56:00.012-05:00

Posted by Mike Connell, Assistant Director at Peconic Dunes 4-H Camp

What does dish-duty, the buddy system, the Lakota Friendship Circle, and Vespers all have in common? All of these activities promote an understanding of the importance of community. At Peconic Dunes, we foster an environment that helps our community to be aware and ready to serve their home community. A core value we embrace in all parts of camp life is community service. We want to create an understanding that you are a part of a larger community. Understanding an opportunity exists and choosing to become involved in a service project long after you leave us is one of our ultimate goals.

Peconic Dunes Community Service Project, Earth Day 2011

Community Service is donated service or activity that is performed for the benefit of the public or its institutions. Examples of community service can include many types of activities. One example could be volunteering at a community center to help out an elderly neighbor with yard work or shopping. Another could include becoming involved in a community project, like an Earth Day clean up. Or, it could include organizing a blanket drive for homeless shelters through your team, class or club. All of these forms of service have a tremendous value and impact on our home communities in a positive way.

Our younger campers may not feel ready to jump into community service roles. But, you can get involved, too! You could volunteer to help your parents or other family members with smaller projects around the house. Through practice, you will develop the ability to help serve others. And, your parents will really appreciate the extra hand!

Peconic Dunes Community Service Project, Earth Day 2011

Volunteering for community service offers its own reward. The satisfaction of helping others in need and giving back will help each person understand the connections we all share in our world. Service is a positive way to show the adults in your life, such as parents, grandparents, teachers, that you are maturing and ready for more responsibility. The more you reach out to help others, the more opportunity you will have for personal growth.

The best way to get involved with the community is to choose something you are passionate about. Do you really love animals? Then contact your local shelter and volunteer to become a dog walker. Do you like to read? Maybe the library needs volunteers to read to younger children. Are you worried about our environment? Then help organize a park or beach clean up with your class, school, or club. Do you need more suggestions? Take a look at this link that provides you with ideas specifically geared to youth. 366 Ways to Serve the Community 4-H Style.

At Peconic Dunes, we already know our campers are actively involved with their communities. But, now we would like to hear about your individual stories of personal service to the community. Join the discussion on Peconic Dunes Facebook Page. Let us know what you are doing so we can show the world just how great you are!

What are SKAAs?

2012-01-24T09:43:00.015-05:00

Posted by Christopher Colahan, Managing Director at Peconic Dunes 4-H Camp

What are SKAAs? Music characterized by a walking bass line accented with rhythms on the upbeat popularized in the US by bands like The Toasters and The Uptones? No! Not ska. SKAAs! SKAA is an acronym for skills, knowledge, attitudes, and awareness.

Every parent wants his or her child to grow up to be happy. That’s why parents try to provide their children with every opportunity that they think will help their child grow. Growth is usually measured in small successes, like learning how to tie one’s shoes, or memorizing the multiplication tables. Parents understand that each successive challenge, resulting in either success or failure, adds another brick to their child’s foundation of skills, knowledge, attitudes, and awareness. SKAAs are achievable, short-term outcomes with research-based connections to long-term outcomes that every parent ultimately wants for his or her grown child: employment, healthy family and social relationships, and community involvement.

A lot of people don’t know this, but Peconic Dunes uses a research-based, evaluation-proven curriculum that our counselors and instructors follow to help each camper achieve about a hundred short-term outcomes each week. The most critical outcomes come from The Search Institute's 40 Developmental Assets for Adolescents. Our program’s short-term outcomes (SKAAs) were chosen because of research showing their connection to long-term outcomes.

Every Sunday, not long after check-in, our counselors sit down with your child to discuss what needs to happen for everyone in the cabin to have an enjoyable week. One item that always comes up is chores. You’d think that given the choice, most kids would opt out of chores for the week. Not so. Kids like a relatively clean place just as much as anybody. The kids then discuss what chores need to be done and how to fairly distribute the responsibilities. (This is also influenced by the fact that cabins are inspected with rewards going to the cleanest cabins and penalties to the very worst.) Some kids turn out to be better at making a bed or sweeping, so they work together, teaching and supporting one another. This silly situation, sometimes motivated by ice cream, other times motivated by a desire to be the best...in anything, yields positive peer relationships, responsibility, and high expectations. Your child gets 3 of the 40 Developmental Assets before they’ve even had breakfast.

This curriculum spans the entire Peconic Dunes program, from every activity, to meals, chores, and the Thursday night dance. At Peconic Dunes we’re creating amazingly fun experiences… memories… that will benefit our campers today and the day they teach their children to fish, sing out loud, and make new friends.

When most people think of camp they probably think about fun, outdoors, friends, and activities. Peconic Dunes is fun because we believe that fun is the best way to learn.

If you're jonesing to get out of the classroom sooner than later, check out our Spring Break Camp. As always, you can continue the conversation on Facebook.

The Ultimate Peconic Dunes Guest!

2012-01-14T14:13:00.010-05:00

Posted by Sarah Marcus, STEM Director/Educator @ Peconic Dunes 4-H Camp

(STEM = Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math)

Do you think science textbooks are dry and boring? Are you starting to daydream about Peconic Dunes 4-H Camp while your teacher is lecturing about Mendelian genetics?

Well then you should tell your science teacher about the The Ultimate Peconic Dunes Guest!

No…it’s not the Camp Director, Chris Colahan, or the Camp Ranger, Roger Martin or the CIT Director Ryan Frazer….No, the Ultimate Peconic Dunes Guest travels in a tank and likes to eat worms.

Cornelius II and Webster are two frogs that live all year at Peconic Dunes 4-H Camp. You may have seen them in the tank in the Nature Den last summer and if you were lucky enough, you got to witness them devouring thick slimy earthworms. In the summertime, these two adorable amphibians provide entertainment and education for everyone that walks into the Nature Den. But what do these underwater air-breathers do during the winter and spring? Cornelius II and Webster may be curious to watch as they prey upon earthworms and hide under rocks, but they don’t just hang around Peconic Dunes to keep me company during the long cold off-season when you all are in school. They actually have the important job of traveling around to Long Island science classes so that students can get a taste of the outdoors right in their classrooms. That’s right, science class isn’t just about dissecting dead frogs that reek of formaldehyde, it is also about fun! Fun includes experiencing live frogs. After all, dissecting dead frogs can only offer you facts about the placement of their internal organs. Observing live frogs offers insights into their behavior like mate choice, habitat preference and fight or flight instinct.

Observation is the most important part of scientific discovery. Every science study, theory and law started with observation. When Cornelius II and Webster come to your school, you may notice something unusual about them and you may wonder how those unusual characteristics arose. This thought process is what makes science so cool. So, if you’re getting bored of memorizing your science textbook and can’t seem to figure out how the difference between animal cells and plant cells relate to your daily life, consider having Cornelius II and Webster make a guest appearance at your school. They’ll open your eyes to what science is really all about.

Peconic Dunes, this is your mission: All 5,000 of you, tell your science teachers about Peconic Dunes…tell them about our school programs…tell them about Cornelius II and Webster!

We hope to see you in your classrooms. If you're jonesing to get out of the classroom, check out our Spring Break Camp. In the meantime, check us out on Facebook.

Spring Break Ecology Camp

2011-02-11T13:39:00.017-05:00

CCE Suffolk Announces a New Spring Break Alternative for Middle School Students

The Spring Break Project, a weeklong environmental science overnight program, will begin its first year of operation this spring. The program is being offered to motivated students aged 12-15 years old, and will take place from April 17-22 at Dorothy P Flint 4H Camp in Riverhead, New York.

The rationale for creating the program came from a wide variety of research sources that report on the current state of scientific understanding in the American population. For example, according to a study done in 2006 by Futter, E, 43% of American 8^th graders tested did not have a basic understanding of science. In New York City, 2/3 of 8^th graders did not have the skills necessary for understanding scientific concepts and procedures. A similar, annually conducted study on adult environmental literacy reported similar results. The National Environmental and Education and Training Program found that on average, Americans can correctly answer fewer than 25% of the questions asked.

The Spring Break Project will tackle all of these issues by providing students with an enriching environment where they will work in groups to investigate questions about the outdoors. During the first two days of the program, instructors will guide students through an exploration of the woodlands at DPF and while teaching the fundamentals of ecology and the scientific method. On Wednesday, Thursday and Friday students will work in small groups to use the tools they just learned to investigate a research question about the local environment. Instructors serve as mentors in the process of scientific inquiry. During the late afternoons and evenings students will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of activities such as ropes courses, art projects, sports and geo caching events. Campfires and evening activities will also be part of the program. Groups will present their research findings to a panel of guest scientists on Friday night. Family members are welcome to join us for the presentations and the following award banquet. All student participants will receive certificates of completion and the best project will receive an award.

For more detailed information on the program and to see the brochure

click here.

-Sarah Marcus

ECO Program Director

Peconic Dunes 4-H Camp

Summer Camp & Summer Learning...

2010-03-19T11:01:00.049-04:00

Camp is fun…campfires, friends, songs, skits, The Dance, the games…it’s pretty much a fact. What’s not talked about as much is camp’s role in developing life-long learners. Good camps give their campers opportunities to be curious, creative, explore, and develop new skills. Good camps increase campers’ exposure to the world, get them outside, introduce them to new people, and encourage them to try new ways of doing things. Simply put, good camps are fun AND help people learn.

On October 22, I attended a speech by Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan and asked him a question, "What are your ideas or possible plans for partnering with summer camps…?"

"I am all for camping," he said. "I am a city kid, and I think anything that promotes getting out and increasing exposure to the world is important" (Transcript 10/22/2009). Secretary Duncan's support for camps and other out-of-school time learning programs aligns with the recent wave of support from the White House. And just this past summer, The Johns Hopkins University National Center for Summer Learning announced the President's proclamation declaring July 9, 2009, as "National Summer Learning Day" (Ozier, 2010).

But don’t kids learn enough in school? Aren’t they pushed hard enough already? Don’t they deserve…need…a break? Isn’t that what the summer is for…to chill?

I’m not advocating for year-round school, but as a youth development professional I have to acknowledge a well-documented phenomenon known as “summer learning loss.” Children routinely lose over half a year of learning, especially in math and science, when they are not challenged over the summer (Cooper, H., Nye, B., Charlton, K., Lindsay, J., and Greathouse, S. 1996). In suburban schools, literacy is also lost, but not to the degree math skills are, mostly thanks to required summer reading lists. Camp, family vacations, summer programs…they have all been linked to hindering summer learning loss (Rothstein, 2005). FYI-Peconic Dunes opened a camp library in 2007...all campers are encouraged to grab a book at rest hour and free times.

Peconic Dunes 4-H Camp offers an environmental science program that incorporates math, science, and literacy. It’s called ECO (pronounced ii-coh). ECO will be sponsored by the NYS DEC from 2010-2016. Every year will be a little different because our campers will be conducting actual research. In Years 1 & 2 they will collect data to obtain a baseline. In Year 3 they will develop a conservation plan that will require approval from the DEC. In Years 4-6 they will implement the plan and continue collecting data to observe and document the intended and unintended outcomes.

ECO campers focus on our campus' 4 distinct ecosystems: LI Sound, Great Pond, woodlands, and dunes. They’ll measure our pond’s pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, and use GPS and GIS. They’ll take trisects of our woodlands and dunes, identifying species, photographing them, and testing the soil. In the LI Sound campers will snorkel and seine, identify species, measure wind speed, and erosion. The data our campers collect will be real and valuable.

And ECO has all the fun our Basic program has, plus a whole lot more. ECO campers are also in small groups, no bigger than 10 campers, and everyone is 12-15 years old. And to give you fair warning, ECO instructors are a little goofy, love what they do, and make it their mission to ensure their program is better than everyone elses.

Click to learn more about ECO

-Christopher Colahan, Managing Director

References

Cooper, H., Nye, B., Charlton, K., Lindsay, J., and Greathouse, S. (1996). The effects of summer vacation on achievement test scores: A narrative and meta-analytic review. Review of Educational Research, 66, 227-268.

Duncan, Arne (October 22, 2009). Transcript of Major Policy Address. Columbia University Teachers College.

Ozier, Lance (2010). Camping Magazine. Volume 83 Number 2. March/April. http://www.acacamps.org/campmag/issues/1003/summer_school_summer_camp.php

Rothstein, Richard. (2005). http://www.hfrp.org/evaluation/the-evaluation-exchange/issue-archive/complementary-learning/a-conversation-with-richard-rothstein

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Peconic Dunes 4-H Camp, Long Island, North Fork, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Suffolk County, summer learning, youth development, outcomes, research, conservation, environmental science, biology, chemistry, ecology, peace education, community, children, kids, nature, outdoors, art, fishing, professional development, lifeguard

2010 Brochure Available for Download...

2010-02-13T10:33:00.005-05:00

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD A BROCHURE

New programs to look forward to:

2 Rookie Camps
Arts House (dance, music, theater, crafts, drawing)
Videography/Photography
DEC sponsored ECO
Extender Weekend trips to Shawnagunk Mountains, Connetquot River and more!
High Adventure trip to Green Mountains, VT

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN

2010-01-08T10:18:00.008-05:00

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Online registration is now open! We are working feverishly to get our new website and brochures up and out. In the meantime, here are some program improvements to look forward to in 2010...

1. "Arts and crafts" and "ECO Art" will expand into the new Expressive Arts House. There will be 6 activities in the new house: drawing, crafts, music, dance, theater, and videography/ photography. The last, videography/ photography, will require pre-registration and an additional fee. Campers will learn how to make a short video which will be screened at the Friday Campfire.

2. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is sponsoring ECO. ECO projects will include Great Pond, Long Island Sound, Shellfish Aquaculture, Dune Ecology, and Sustainable Design. Pre-registration is required to participate. The DEC is offering funding, curriculum and training to our staff. The DEC's generous support has created full, need-based scholarships for this program. We encourage you to apply.

3. Houses...in the afternoon, from 2pm-4pm, campers will be able to choose a "House". The Houses are Sports, Waterfront, Outdoor Life, and Expressive Arts (ECO is also a House, but those campers will have pre-registered). Once a camper has chosen a House, s/he'll be able to choose from any of the activities within the House. The will ensure campers receive more choice, and more opportunities to do their favorite activities with their friends.

4. New Staff...this summer we've created several new positions to serve our community even better. We've already filled our two newest positions: Camp Programs Director and Camp Life Director. The Camp Program Director will be responsible for overseeing all camp activities, evaluating program curriculum, and giving staff feedback for improvement. The Camp Life Director will be responsible for working with campers and staff on quality of life issues. We're excited to announce that our Camp Programs Director will be returning staff member, Matt Larsen, who possesses dual degrees in Physical and Outdoor Education. Our Camp Life Director will be new to P Dunes, Moana Kerr. Moana hails from New Zealand where she works as a student counselor and possesses a degree in counseling.

5. Food...we're bringing in 2 new cooks this summer. Both will be attending the North American Camp Food Service Conference. Our goal is to improve the quality of food. I'm meeting with our new cooks 1/12/10 to discuss challenges from last summer and the menu for 2010. The new cooks are Larisa Parsley and Jeremy Martin. Both bring years of experience to the professional kitchen, working in both high volume kitchens and high end restaurants. Larisa and Jeremy are both excited about the opportunity to use more fresh vegetables from our garden and have opportunities to work with the campers and staff to create meals that everyone will enjoy.

Alumni Service Day @ P Dunes

2009-11-09T09:38:00.010-05:00

The Peconic Dunes 4-H Camp admin team recently sent out surveys to all camp families to gauge interest in starting an alumni association. We hope you've taken the survey, but if not, you can take it by clicking the link below:

CLICK HERE TO TAKE THE SURVEY

So far, the results are telling us that everyone is enthusiastic about starting an alumni association. The surveys are also telling us what types of activities alumni would like to join in together. Presently, the top 2 activities are community service and ice skating. This past Saturday, 14 Peconic Dunes alumni and a sister came out to camp for a day of camp service and beach fun. It was our 2nd camp service day this year, and the start to a new alumni program...

The day started off with some raking and leaf blowing. Here you can see Camp Ranger Roger Martin teaching a camper how to operate a leaf blower.

After cleaning up the leaves around the Roundup area, we moved the sailboats, canoes and kayaks into the dining hall to protect them from the winter weather. "Many hands make light work..."

After a pizza lunch, we all took a hike down to Goldsmith's Inlet. We stopped along the way to see the progress made on the Bitner House and bulkhead. Last year the county and town purchased the 60+ acres of beachfront to the west of Peconic Dunes to conserve the land. The house is gone now, and the bulkhead is supposed to be removed any day. Next summer we'll have a clear, mile long walk down the beach to the west of camp.

We're grateful for the over 45 hours of voluntary service our alumni contributed this past Saturday. Many thanks and Kudos to everyone who came out and helped:

Matthew Brady (1 year)
Lori Ciotoli (mom and alumna)
Nicole Ciotoli (2 years)
John Curylo (1 year)
Haley Dolecek (3 years)
Shannon Dolecek (1 year)
Patricia Herz (6 years)
Anthony Imbo (1 year)
Emma Jones (3 years)
Amanda McEnery (6 years)
Adriana Rubertone (2 years)
Danielle Russo (sister of alumnus)
Mike Russo (1 year)
Jake Walsh ( 6 years)
Maggie Walsh (3 years)

CLICK HERE FOR MORE PHOTOS

-chris

BEST OF THE BEST!!!

2009-10-27T10:19:00.010-04:00

THANK YOU...for making us the Best of the Best Summer Camp two summers in a row!!! Your feedback and support help to make Peconic Dunes programs better year after year. Thank you again for your support!!!

Click here to view all the winners

WEEK 8 SLIDESHOW & PHOTOS

2009-09-01T12:46:00.006-04:00

CHECK OUT WEEK 8 PHOTOS HERE

WEEK 7 SLIDESHOW & PHOTOS

2009-08-27T17:12:00.003-04:00

Week 7 from peconic dunes on Vimeo.

CHECK OUT WEEK 7 PHOTOS HERE

WEEK 6 SLIDESHOW & PHOTOS

2009-08-19T18:04:00.005-04:00

week 6 from peconic dunes on Vimeo.

CHECK OUT WEEK 6 PHOTOS HERE

WEEK 5 SLIDESHOW & PHOTOS

2009-08-10T09:00:00.005-04:00

Week 5 from peconic dunes on Vimeo.

CHECK OUT WEEK 5 PHOTOS HERE

WEEK 4 SLIDESHOW & PHOTOS

2009-07-31T21:00:00.007-04:00

week 4 from peconic dunes on Vimeo.

CHECK OUT WEEK 4 PHOTOS HERE

WEEK 3 SLIDESHOW & PHOTOS

2009-07-25T16:47:00.004-04:00

Peconic Dunes Camp - Week 3 from peconic dunes on Vimeo.

CHECK OUT WEEK 3 PHOTOS HERE

Bouldering Wall

2009-07-24T14:14:00.008-04:00

BOULDERING WALL COMPLETE!!!

A bouldering wall is a type of rock climbing wall designed specifically for the practice of bouldering. Bouldering is a branch of rock climbing which involves climbing low rocks and boulders. It is often designed to be highly technically challenging, so that while the climber may not go very high, he or she will have to be physically fit and very skilled.

For the past year CCE-Peconic Dunes Camp has been working with the Suffolk County Parks Dept on installing a bouldering wall at Peconic Dunes County Park. On July 14, 2009 the project was finally completed. Here are some before and after photos...

Before...not much to look at, huh?

Much better!!!

Hangin' out

Mark and Paul demonstrating how we climb

-chris

WEEK 2 SLIDESHOW & PHOTOS

2009-07-17T20:34:00.003-04:00

Peconic Dunes - Week 2 from peconic dunes on Vimeo.

CLICK HERE FOR WEEK 2 PHOTOS

WEEK 1 SLIDESHOW & PHOTOS...

2009-07-15T13:32:00.004-04:00

Peconic Dunes - Week 1 from peconic dunes on Vimeo.

CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE PHOTOS

Staff Orientation Wrap-up

2009-07-04T17:13:00.011-04:00

2009 Staff Orientation Completed!

From June 28 - July 4, Peconic Dunes Camp staff from across the globe gathered to prepare for the arrival of our campers. Now certified in CPR & 1st Aid, activity curriculum planned, and the campus set-up, we're all ready for the campers to arrive!

Counselors setting goals for themselves for the summer and beyond...

The schedule

Patrick and Chris giving 30 compressions, Steve administering 2 breaths

Some beach yoga with Eileen to finish up the week

Counselor Campfire: Sandcastles' Skit

Click here to see more Staff Orientation Photos

AND AS ALWAYS...

YOU CAN REGISTER FOR CAMP HERE

Reunion Wrap-up

2009-06-29T06:42:00.012-04:00

The 1st Annual "P" Dunes Reunion is in the record books! Thank you to everyone who came out! About 40 alumni and another 40 of their husbands, wives, kids and friends came for some beautiful weather. Most folks took a stroll down memory lane as soon as they arrived. Our 2009 Staff held down some activities...canoe, kayak, swimming, soccer, volleyball, basketball, frisbee, art and archery. Around noon Chef Jeremy offered us all a nice summer BBQ...burgers and dogs, watermelon, fruit salad and chips. After lunch it was more activities.

P Barton Erickson, Pinecrest Dunes Alum 1949 - 1957, has generously scanned his entire photo album and sent them to us on CD. Many of the photos were on display around the campus. We'd like to collect photos from every era of "P" Dunes. We're also embarking on a video story project, collecting camp memories from alums. About 10 people volunteered to sit in front of the camera and shared their stories. I hope for those to be available soon...

Some awards...

Most Way Back: Bill Scott, '63 - '65, Northport, NY

Camp Couple who got married: Justin & Janet Pagano, '89 - '90

Furthest Traveled: Janet Ray, '91 - '93, Orlando, FL

Biggest Summer to Turnout: 1990 had 7 folks...Sue (Cucci) Geary, Janet & Justin Pagano, William Cahill, Jennifer Sullivan, Paul Casey, Terry Numbers

Expect an announcement in the coming weeks for next year's reunion dates. Also...there were a few requests for a regularly scheduled winter gathering...I'm thinking the Cornell Club in Manhattan. More info coming soon...

Click here for more Reunion photos

And as always...

You can register here for camp!
(Still room for boys for all sessions and girls for week 8)

REUNION...June 27, 11am - 5pm

2009-06-21T15:06:00.021-04:00

Since W. Tom Ward (Derbo) founded Pinecrest Dunes Camp 78 years ago, and began a camping tradition...

...through the past 39 years of Peconic Dunes Camp, boys have become men, girls have become women, legends were made, and their stories were passed down...

...P Dunes has been home to tens of thousands of campers, staffers, and community volunteers from near and far...

...And as our community plans for the next 78 years, we hope that all members, past and present, will come back to camp this Saturday for a day of rekindled friendships, family activities, story telling, and strategic planning...

...Because if we don't take the time to celebrate, we won't appreciate what we have.

For more information click here

2nd ANNUAL ROOKIE CAMP & OPEN HOUSE...

2009-06-11T10:04:00.013-04:00

This past weekend, June 5-7, Peconic Dunes hosted its 2nd Annual Rookie Camp!

For the 2nd year in a row, 18 brave boys and girls tried overnight camp for the first time. For many, this was a first experience away from home, or the "Comfort Zone" as we like to call it. Preferring the "Challenge Zone", 12 Rookie campers joined the Polar Bear Club!

Everyone tried archery, fishing, soccer, basketball, canoeing, and building sand sculptures on the beach. My personal favorites were the jellyfish and the turtle (see right). For most campers, they were casting lines and paddling boats for the first time in their lives!

More importantly, all the Rookie Campers seemed to embrace the spirit of the P. Dunes Community and made new friends.

(Click here for more photos)

AND...

SUMMER CAMP
OPEN HOUSE!

WHERE: Peconic Dunes County Park

WHEN: THIS SUNDAY, JUNE 14
TIME: 10am - 2pm

Tour the Campus
Meet the Director
Hot Chocolate & Snacks

And as always, you can...

REGISTER HERE FOR CAMP

KUDOS #5...

2009-05-18T15:57:00.035-04:00

THANK YOU, PECONIC DUNES CAMP FAMILIES!!!

This past Saturday 35 campers, parents, uncles and friends came to Peconic Dunes to make sure camp is ready for opening day. We installed raised beds for a new garden project, moved boats, painted showers, prepped the baseball field, and setup the nature center. We shared some laughs, caught up on winter happenings, and got some exercise (those sailboats are heavy)! Thank you to the following people for coming out (and anyone I missed)...

Lauren Searight
Dianne Searight
Zoe Jerva (and her uncle)
Emma Curtin
Patricia Herz
Amanda McEnery
Brandon Melo
Maureen Walsh
Jake Walsh
Maggie Walsh
Haley Dolecek
Shannon Dolecek
Shannon Steck
James Reidy
Linda Reidy
Margaux Reidy
Ruby Ernst
Ernie Ernst
Debbie Giammaco
Cheyenne Koating
Andrew Greenwood
Sandy Gardner
Max Gardner
Nick Gardner
Jake Gardner

Click here for more photos of Volunteer Day.

AND...

THANK YOU to everyone who came out to our Open House this past Sunday in spite of the rain! AND BIG THANK YOU to the 2009 CIT candidates for giving some excellent camp tours!

Ladies and gentlemen...your 2009 Counselors In Training!
.
l-r: Kevin Crawford (CIT), Ryan Frazer (CIT Coordinator), Moriah Santiago (CIT), Carlie Garcia (CIT), Conor Johnston (CIT), Katerine Palma (CIT), Samantha Ruta (CIT), James Lindquist (Boys Unit Leader), Kerry Wichert (CIT)

And as always, you can...

REGISTER HERE FOR CAMP

-chris

Volunteer Day & Open House...

2009-05-14T10:29:00.016-04:00

Volunteer Day...

"Many hands make light work"

WHERE: Peconic Dunes County Park
WHEN: Saturday, May 16
TIME: 9am - 2pm

We humbly request the assistance of you and your child to help us prepare for the opening of camp. Please bring gloves, sturdy shoes, and a picnic lunch.

We'll be painting, gardening, hauling, and helping.

Afterwards, we'll organize some pick-up basketball or volleyball, take out the canoes and kayaks, and maybe some crazy folks will take a quick dip in the Sound.

AND...

SUMMER CAMP

OPEN HOUSE!

WHERE: Peconic Dunes County Park

WHEN: THIS SUNDAY, MAY 17
TIME: 10am - 2pm

Tour the Campus
Meet the Director
Hot Chocolate & Snacks

And as always, you can...

REGISTER HERE FOR CAMP

OPEN HOUSE KUDOS...

2009-04-23T13:27:00.005-04:00

Thank you to everyone who came out and helped with the Open House...

Eddie Curatollo, CIT candidate
Carlie Garcia, CIT candidate
Conor Johnston, CIT candidate
Jimmy Lindquist, Unit Leader/Fishing
Catherine Palma, CIT candidate
Samantha Ruta, CIT candidate

To the many families who came out, thanks for dropping by to learn more about us! I hope we were worth the trip! For those of you who couldn't make it, we'll be hosting 2 more Open Houses: May 17 and June 14, from 10am - 2pm.

In case you missed it, there was an article about us in Dan's Papers.

What!?! You haven't registered yet!?!
Well...that's easy...all you have to do is click where it says...

REGISTER HERE FOR ALL PROGRAMS

Early Bird Discount extended for 1 week after our brochures are mailed (May 1?)...save $25!
Family Referral Discount...refer a new camp family and save $50!

-chris (the camp director)

YOU'RE INVITED...

2009-04-14T22:21:00.001-04:00

SUMMER CAMP
OPEN HOUSE!

WHERE: Peconic Dunes County Park

WHEN: THIS SUNDAY, APRIL 19
TIME: 10am - 2pm

Tour the Campus
Meet the Director
Hot Chocolate & Snacks

And you can...

REGISTER HERE FOR CAMP

Early Bird Discount until April 19, 2009...save $25!
Family Referral Discount...refer a new camp family and save $50!

OPEN HOUSE KUDOS...

2009-03-15T17:51:00.013-04:00

Thank you to everyone who came out and helped with the Open House...

Eddie Curatollo, CIT candidate
Ryan Frazer, CIT Coordinator
Jimmy Lindquist, Unit Leader/Fishing
Missy Martin, Program Alumna & spouse
Craig Osmer, Sailing Director

To the many families who came out, thanks for dropping by to learn more about us! I hope we were worth the trip! Diane told me we'll be seeing quite a few of you again in a couple months...we can't wait! For those of you who couldn't make it, we'll be hosting 3 more Open Houses: April 19, May 17 and June 14, from 10am - 2pm.

Folks, I gotta say -
This is my third summer at Peconic Dunes and without equivocation it's shaping up to be the best one yet. We have a lot of campers and staff coming back for their 2nd, 3rd, 4th...up to 9th summers!...(I'm not sure if Jimmy or Ranger Roger has been around longer...Roger if you count back to when he was a counselor...you gotta ask him to tell you his stories). The new staff are also an amazingly talented bunch and I hope to get everyone's bio up on the blog soon!

The people have always been a main reason campers and staff come back to the Dunes year after year. This year our program options are pretty sick too (sic). We've got Rookie Camp again, ECO is available all 8 weeks, we're going somewhere every Extender Weekend, and 7:00am Polar Bear swims in the Sound are back on!

Sunrise and sunsets on the Sound, Lakota Friendship Circles, brother & sister cabins, Roundup!, Dance!, getting mail, compost, Campfire, Buddy, "sign my t-shirt?", grace, chores, friends, our summer family...that is Peconic Dunes Camp.

What!?! You haven't registered yet!?!
Well...that's easy...all you have to do is click where it says...

REGISTER HERE FOR ALL PROGRAMS

Early Bird Discount until April 19, 2009...save $25!
Family Referral Discount...refer a new camp family and save $50!

-chris (the camp director)

YOU'RE INVITED...

2009-03-11T19:14:00.021-04:00

SUMMER CAMP
OPEN HOUSE!

WHERE: Peconic Dunes County Park

WHEN: THIS SUNDAY, MARCH 15
TIME: 10am - 2pm

Tour the Campus
Meet the Director
Hot Chocolate & Snacks

And you can...

REGISTER HERE FOR CAMP

Early Bird Discount until April 19, 2009...save $25!
Family Referral Discount...refer a new camp family and save $50!

THE BLOG EXPLAINED...

2009-02-24T10:07:00.031-05:00

Welcome Campers, Parents & Alumni to the Peconic Dunes Camp Blog! This is not your typical blog...from this page, you can register for camp, navigate to related Dunes information and stay connected to the Peconic Dunes Community year round.

INFORMATION
To the right...under the Dunes photo slideshow you'll see, "ALL ABOUT PECONIC DUNES..." Underneath that there's a bunch of links you can click on to learn more about what's going on in our community.

REGISTRATION
If you'd like to register for camp click anywhere on this blog that says...

REGISTER HERE FOR CAMP

Early Bird Discount until April 19, 2009...save $25!
Family Referral Discount...refer a new camp family and save $50!

LOGO CONTEST

2009-02-10T09:38:00.029-05:00

COUNTDOWN....2 DAYS....

DESIGN & VOTE!

Peconic Dunes is growing. I mean look at this...we have a blog! We're on Facebook. We've presented a 10-year strategic plan to Commissioner John Pavacic from the Suffolk County Department of Parks, Recreation & Conservation. Don't you think we need a logo...an image that symbolizes who we are? We're having a logo contest and we'd like you to design it!

RULES: The new logo must incorporate our guiding principles. What are those? Well...

Peconic Dunes Camp, as a member of the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County and New York State 4-H Camp communities, and made up of members of many other diverse communities, is guided by the following principles:

1. Recreation, education and reflection are necessary for personal and communal health.

2. We respect social- and bio- diversity, locally and globally.

3. We are at the front of human and environmental research.

DESIGN: Enter as many logos as you'd like. Logos can be emailed: info@peconicdunes.com / faxed: (631) 727-7130, Subject: Peconic Dunes Logo / mailed: Peconic Dunes Camp, 423 Griffing Ave., Riverhead, NY 11901.

VOTE: February 24 through March 1, all the logos will be put on Survey Monkey and everyone will be afforded the right to vote.

ELIGIBILITY: This contest is an opportunity for anyone...we're an equal opportunity organization! All entries must be received by midnight, Monday, February 23, 2009.

PRIZE: The designer of the winning logo will receive a free Peconic Dunes Camp sweatshirt that will be available to everyone else at the new camp store! Yeah!!! That's right...we're converting the Old Art Barn into a camp store! It'll be open every Saturday and Sunday during camp drop off and pickup.

...AND REGISTER HERE FOR CAMP

Early Bird Discount until April 19, 2009...save $25!
Family Referral Discount...refer a new camp family and save $50!

Winter at the Dunes

2008-12-21T21:21:00.004-05:00

This past Friday a big storm front crossed the US. With temperatures dropping into the teens, most of the northeast was blanketed with snow. Eastern Long Island got dumped on all through Saturday too, but it already started disappearing Sunday when the temperatures rose to 40F and precipitation turned into rain. I left work early on Friday so I could get home before the roads got too bad, (and to do some sledding on the hill by my house before the sun went down). I made it my mission to get into camp to snap some snow photos before the rain washed away the snow. This is for all the P Doonzers stuck inside or far away. Enjoy...

...Winter At The Dunes

ROUNDUP

ARCHERY

GIRLS' FOREST

THE SOUND

Think warm, dream of summer...

Happy holidays!

-chris

Back from vacation...

2008-11-02T15:17:00.000-05:00

Greetings P Dunes Community! It has been a little over 2 months since camp ended and my last post to this blog. I'll do my best to get you caught up:

The biggest news is that long time P Dunes facilities manager, Roger Martin, married former Dunes administrative assistant Mellissa Modugno. They're presently enjoying some time off taking a honeymoon in the warmer climes of the Sunshine State. Congratulations Roger and Missy! Well wishers are encouraged to send messages to rnm2@cornell.edu.

Peconic Dunes Camp was selected as the "2008 Best of the Best" children's camp by Dan's Paper readers. Thanks Dan's Paper readers! And thank you to all the staff that make Peconic Dunes safe and fun.

The American Camp Association re-accredited Peconic Dunes for another 3 years. Thank you again staff!

I spent 2 weeks in Japan, visiting friends, surfing, hiking, and doing research for P Dunes agriculture projects. More on the agriculture projects to follow...

60 brand new Medline mattresses were donated to the camp by the Pilgrim's Landing nursing home up in Buffalo. Apparently, their maintenance director, Anthony Giambra is a 4-H camp alumnus and heard about our good work through the 4-H network. Thank you Anthony and Pilgrim's Landing!

A 40ft by 17ft hoophouse-style greenhouse was donated to Peconic Dunes by Peggy Falconer. Thank you Peggy!

Letters to 2008 camp staff have been sent out inviting their return for 2009. I'm looking forward to finding out who'll be returning so we can get to the work of planning for the coming summer.

I'll do my best to update on a weekly basis from now on. Be well Everyone!
-chris

THANK YOU!!!

2008-09-05T09:52:00.000-04:00

Before another second goes by, I wanted to take a moment and express a heap of gratitude on Everyone who helped make the 2008 Peconic Dunes Camp a resounding success...

Antoinette Clementson, NY State Sea Grant
Mark Fast, SUNY Professor
Diane Van Buren, North Fork Audubon (Damselfly / Dragonfly Foray)
John Seponoski, North Fork Audubon
John Brush, New York Audubon
Mark Cappelino, CCE-Marine
Lourne Brousseau, CCE-Marine
Larissa Graham, NY State Sea Grant
Steve Schott, CCE-Marine
Mrs. Watts, helped with Art
Peter Danforth, CCE-SOAR
Fred Rolfe, US Power Squadron
Donna Ryniker, Camp Nurse
KK
Sang Lee Farms
Rory McNish, CCE-Marine
Andy Senesac, CCE-Hort Lab
Chris Pickerell, CCE-Marine
Gary Enright, DEC
Fay A Fuerch, DEC
Go Solar!
Jimmy King, Long Island Traditions
Sharon Shine, Job Skills Coordinator @ Mattituck-Cutchogue Schools
Michael Romeo, Troop 6 Eagle Scout Project
Troop 6 & Eileen Mazzei, Troop 6 boy scout master
Troop 864 & Rose Anasagasti, Troop 864 girl scout master

Obviously, a big thanks to all the staff...counselors, cooks, facilities, health staff, CITs, and most especially, Roger and Diane!

Thank you Everyone for making my second summer at Peconic Dunes my best yet!

Stay tuned for updates throughout the year on improvements to our programs and facilities, as well as Staff Spotlights, photos of the Dunes through the seasons and interesting camper news.

See you in 10 moons...

-chris

Week 7- "Big Booty!"

2008-08-18T18:29:00.000-04:00

Our second week of E.C.O. was productive with all of our groups making further progress with their projects. We also had a Halloween themed dance complete with scary costumes worn by some of our counselors.

European handball + Counselors Khriss and Ryan= DANGER!

7:30 Din...I mean breakfast!

WELCOMEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE...

...EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

Watch out! Ryan's coming!

"Have you ever wrestled a grizzly bear?"

Ento/Herpo!

Who's scarier?

...Travis?

YOU DIDN'T CATCH THAT!

Land of Peconic Dunes!

Pajamas???!

Week 6- "Something Strange in the Neighborhood..."*

2008-08-11T18:48:00.000-04:00

Our first week of E.C.O. was extremely fun! The week also included a toga-themed dance which despite a thunderstorm ending turned out successful. The CITs created an evening program featuring Olympic style games.

Campers showing off their Environmental Art project.

Lots of toads could were found and caught throughout the week; sometimes for E.C.O. projects and sometimes just for fun!
Our toga-themed dance.

A sunset after a long day at camp.

*"...Who you gonna call?" -Ethan Comber

Week Five- ZINGER!

2008-08-04T21:34:00.000-04:00

Despite a very wet start to camp, week five was full of enthusiastic campers and counselors. We had a talent show featuring both campers and staff. Our CITs finished building benches for roundup and created a scavenger hunt as an evening activity. The counselors competed in an intense basketball game. We finished the week with a rave-themed dance, amazing water carnival, and a campfire complete with skits!

*"Zinger!" is a trademark phrase of Jackie Polden

Rookie Camp!!!

2008-06-02T17:54:00.001-04:00

It's Monday morning and I miss everybody already. It's WRONG starting camp for a weekend and then having to wait a full MONTH before we get things started again. I'm ready now! It's cruel to tease me so...

The problem is that we had too much fun. I blame the kids. And Jimmy, Danielle, Ryan and Sarah for being such excellent counselors. Everybody was awesome. And even though it was supposed to thunderstorm all day Saturday, it didn't and we spent almost the entire day outside. We Polar Bear-ed, camp fire-d, and bbq'd. We canoed, kayaked, and arched (sp?). We built sand sculptures, and played soccer, volleyball, basketball and capture the flag. We did as much as we could do in 46-hours.

Enjoy the photos gang...

Helene's first ever experience in a kayak...and handling it like a champ.

Connor getting some archery instruction from Ryan, and James taking aim.

Henry showing off some impressive athletic skills and his brother Teddy zigging and zagging somewhere in the background.

Jared showing off his catch.

(l-r) Yoav, Teddy, Eidan, and Henry...brothers from 2 families unite to build a sea turtle and co-hold the sand sculpture crown.

The Ladies showing off their fish that earned them co-holders of the sand sculpture crown.
(l-r) Helene, Natalia, Charlotte, Ariel, and Nicole

-chris

Registration Update

2008-05-09T15:09:00.000-04:00

Hello Everybody! Over the past two months I've reconnected with many of you through facebook (Peconic Dunes Camp) and met many new campers and families at our Open Houses. I can't tell you how excited I am for the approaching summer!

First off, we're launching several new programs. Coming up in only 3 weeks is Rookie Camp, a weekend camp experience for kids considering a full week of Peconic Dunes. This program is being offered May 30 - June 1. You can read more about on our main Web page and an earlier post. Or, you can always call the camp office (contact info at bottom right). There are still spaces available for Rookie Camp.

Next, we're kick starting sailing for all 8 weeks of camp. Currently, sailing sessions 2, 3 and 4 are completely full. Register for sailing now while there's still room! Space is necessarily limited to 24 campers per session to ensure safe supervision and adequate time on the boats.

Extender Weekends are another new option for campers who would prefer an uninterrupted stay at the Dunes. We provide laundry service and some special activities for a maximum of 60 campers. Extender Weekends are only being offered the first 4 weeks of summer and there are still spaces available.

General enrollment is also filling up, especially for the girls. General enrollment sessions 4 and 5 are full for girls. Other sessions are filling quickly, so if you haven't registered yet, do so online to quickly reserve a space. Check out our new E.C.O. program during weeks 6-8!

Finally, this summer we're offering Family Camp, about which all registered campers will receive information in the mail. Family camp will take place over Labor Day weekend and is exclusively for families of Peconic Dunes Camp alumni. If you'd like information before the brochures go out, please call or email our camp office.

Be well Everyone and see you soon!

-chris

E.C.O. (Ecology Camp Organon)

2008-05-05T09:31:00.000-04:00

What's E.C.O.? Ecology Camp Organon is the newest program to arrive at Peconic Dunes this summer. This program is offered in part by New York State Sea Grant and Cornell University Nanobiotechnology Center. But what's ecology? And what on earth is an organon?

Ecology = The scientific study of the distribution and abundance of life and the interactions between organisms and their environment.

Organon = An instrument of thought or knowledge.
The Organon is the name given by Aristotle’s followers, the Peripatetrics, to the standard collection of his six works of logic.

PHILOSOPHY
The E.C.O. philosophy is to connect children with their environment through authentic research and observation. Hands-on, field-oriented projects enrich our campers’ understanding of our local ecosystem and how its micro-systems are interconnected. We encourage the open discussion of many ecological issues, some controversial, so that campers reach a deeper understanding of the natural world and their role in preserving it.

PROGRAM
Campers choose from a variety of conservation projects dealing with our local environment and (wo)man’s relationship to it. Projects will include Long Island Sound, Great Pond Waterbody, Coastal Birds, and more! An integral part of the program includes using sampling instruments used by professional biologists, botanists, ornithologists, and other environmental scientists. Campers work on their project every morning, Monday to Thursday, then transition to the traditional 4-H program each afternoon. Campers develop public speaking skills as they prepare a presentation on their project and deliver it to an audience of their peers Friday morning. Presentations also initiate dialogue between project “specialists” and reveal the importance of developing solutions to problems in community.

STEWARDSHIP
During E.C.O., campers will practice stewardship in their projects and in their relationships. The projects will all be completed in groups, so for a presentation to be successful, cooperation and communication will be required. And of course, the data that each group collects will stand over time as an authentic contribution to the growing body of knowledge CCE is collecting on Peconic Dunes County Park and the ecosystem for which it serves as steward.

REGISTRATION
E.C.O. is being offered sessions 6-8 (August 3 - August 23) and will replace Sea Wolf. Children 8-15 are eligible. All projects will take place within walking distance of Peconic Dunes County Park.

-chris

Eagle Scout Project: Michael Romeo

2008-04-28T10:10:00.000-04:00

Southold resident, Michael Romeo, is on his was to becoming an Eagle Scout. To attain the Eagle Rank " a Life Scout [must] plan, develop, and give leadership to others in a service project helpful to any religious institution, and school, or your community." Michael choose Peconic Dunes County Park as the site to perform his service project, replacing the sad remnants of the retaining wall outside the Nature Center with a beautiful new wall that is sure to stand for decades to come. Michael coordinated his fellow scouts from Southold Troop #6 with assistance from his father, Richard Romeo, and Roger Martin, CCE Education Specialist. Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County, the Suffolk County Department of Parks & Recreation, and all the campers and community groups who benefit from Peconic Dunes wish to offer Michael and his team a big THANKS!

Now, for some photos documenting the destruction of the old and the construction of the new...

BEFORE

The materials for the new wall.

Demolishing the old "wall".

No more wall.

Getting rid of the debris.

Look what Roger found.

The boys planning their next step.

Perfect timing...the reinforcements!

Michael explaining to the troop how the wall's foundation will be laid.

The Troop #6 boys get right to work.

Michael and his dad laying the foundation of the wall.

The boys tamp down the foundation so the rest of the wall will be solid.

Michael driving in 1 of the over 400 12-inch nails needed to hold the wall together.

Michael taking a higher vantage point to inspect his team's progress.

The boys taking a well deserved lunch break. Oatmeal raisin cookies courtesy of Michael's mom. (They were pretty awesome.)

Roger and Michael planning how they'll work around the terrain and negotiate the necessary angles in the wall.

The pieces of wood turned into the dune help anchor the wall.

Finishing the trench on the other side of the wall.

The end of Day #1.

After everyone rested on Sunday from a full day of work on Saturday, the crew showed up ready to go Monday morning, quickly building upon where they had left off.

The black fabric is a semi-permeable membrane. It allows water to pass through, but not sand. Without it, small grains of sand would creep between the wall slabs and slowly pry open gaps that would eventually cause the wall to fall apart. Michael and his crew thought of everything!

The east side of the wall nearly complete.

Building a new wall made it necessary to build new steps up to the boardwalk entrance to the Nature Center.

Addressing some of the finishing touches.

Backfilling the area above the wall where one of our edible berry bushes lives.

The wall and stairs complete!

Thank you (l-r) Roger Martin, Richard Romeo, Buddy, Billy McDonald, Fido, and Steve Romeo for the excellent wall!

-chris

Donation Weekend II

2008-04-21T10:01:00.000-04:00

This past Saturday and Sunday was another busy weekend for Dunes Donations. On Saturday, Michael Romeo, his dad, and Southold Boy Scout Troop #6 worked tirelessly to tear down the old retaining wall outside the Nature Center and build a new one in its place. Expect a big photo post that'll show the whole rebuild process.

In the middle of the afternoon on Saturday the phone at camp rang. I answered to hear, "Hi. My name's Gregg Robinson from Sag Harbor. I have a sunfish sailboat and a drum set I'd like to donate to Peconic Dunes. Would you like them?" A brief pause..."YES!!!"

Sunday I drove from Sag Harbor to Scarsdale, picking up donations from folks all over New York. Here's a quick list of what folks donated:

sunfish sailboat
drum kit
pottery wheel (foot turn style)
pottery supplies
futon (for infirmary)
bed (for staff cabin)

There are other items Peconic Dunes could always use for programming. If you have any of the following stuffed in a closet, the basement or attic and you'd like a child to use it, please contact the camp office:

reference books (science, birds, botany, geography, etc.)
binoculars
telescope
microscope
snorkel gear
boats and boating equipment
art supplies
garden tools

The camp office can be contacted at info@peconicdunes.com or 631-727-7850 x328. Thanks!

Cornell Cooperative Extension is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit. All donors will receive a thank you letter for tax purposes (and to say thanks!).

-chris

Piping Plover Monitor Training

2008-04-16T22:06:00.000-04:00

Tuesday and Wednesday at Inlet Pond County Park, the North Fork Audubon Society sponsored a Piping Plover Monitor Training with The Nature Conservancy, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

I learned a lot of interesting things about plovers (and other coastal migratory birds) that I didn't know before. Piping plovers are monogamous while they're mating and produce 4 eggs per couple. Plover chicks are unlike people's common view of baby birds...they don't sit in the nest waiting for mom or dad to bring them food. Plovers are able to run at birth, a defense adaptation they require since their habitat is flat, wide open beaches. Plovers are also camouflaged, their feathers blending in with the sand. And their eggs look nearly identical to the small, ocean rounded rocks common to the shoreline. So campers...look before you leap!

Piping plovers are a threatened species in the northeast, but due to effective management strategies their population has been steadily increasing. Various concerned agencies estimate that at least 2000 plover pairs and a reproduction rate of 1.5 will be required to provide enough genetic variation for the plover to sustain itself. In 2007, 1886 plover pairs were counted by federal and state agents (and volunteers like me!). The reproduction rate in 2007 was approximately 1.1%. The plover's not there yet, but it's species' chances have improved every year since the management plan was implemented.

The last sentence leads to the logical question: "Are there really more plovers now or are people just seeing more of them now because they're looking?" It's a great question, and every scientist should question their data. It's commonly accepted that in the first three years of monitoring plovers their population numbers jumped and that jump is attributed to more people counting them and finding new places plovers nested. However, since those initial years few new sites have been discovered while annual plover counts steadily rise. So, it seems that there really are more plovers, and it's likely that's because the plover management plan is working.

Basically, the plover management plan is to protect plovers against their threats, both human and wild. People can be threats against plovers because we want to use the beach as much as they do. We drive our trucks, fly kites, take our dogs for walks, set off fireworks, build walls to protect our beach homes...all things that either take away plover habitat, attract other plover predators, or simply kill plovers. Other threats to plovers are birds, foxes, and beach erosion. Obviously, people aren't going to entirely give up the beach so that plovers can reproduce, but there has to be a compromise, right?

The management plan's response to plover threats are education, reasonable compromise and exclosures. Plover monitors won't freak out if you have your dog on the beach, but they may ask you to leash your dog, or walk it near the water away from any plover fencing. Various government agencies set up that symbolic fencing, (some stakes, a single string, and red flagging so people see the string), to make people aware that plovers are nesting inside the fence. Usually the fence is accompanied by a sign explaining plovers are nesting and asking people to please not disturb them (not even on your tiptoes). The problem isn't that people scare plovers...they're tiny little things that could be squashed by a mosquito and they're constantly on the hunt for food. They couldn't get more stressed out if they tried! The problem with people is that predators look for every advantage, and one way they look for food is by following people. If a bird sees a lot of people going somewhere it's going to investigate. Whether it's a half eaten hot dog or a plover chick, it's food for the predator. Which is why plover monitors setup exclosures as a last resort. An exclosure is a column of chicken wire covered in netting. The spaces in the wire are large enough for a plover to pass through, but not big enough for a fox. And the netting on top keeps the birds from attacking from above. The drawback is that when the exclosure goes up, all predators, human and animal, know something's happening and want to investigate.

Last summer one plover pair (a male and female) were seen on the sound beach at Peconic Dunes County Park. This summer your fearless camp director will be one of the people responsible for monitoring the beach for mating plovers, their anticipated nest, and hopefully their offspring.

This summer there will be lots of opportunity at The Dunes to learn about plovers and other coastal birds. I hope Everyone's getting excited! And please remember to respect the plover fencing at Dunes beach or anywhere you see it. Biodiversity depends on efforts like the Piping plover management plan to help preserve threatened and endangered species. Plus, plover chicks are really cute.

-chris

Donation Weekend

2008-04-15T08:11:00.000-04:00

This past weekend I went on a craigslist shopping spree using only the "free" section of the popular website. For those who don't know what craigslist is, basically it's a web-based community bulletin board. People can post a note that they have something to give away, sell, a sports team that needs another player, a job...almost anything you can think of. Relying solely on items people were giving away for free, I was able to acquire a lot of nice furniture for the previously empty director's and assistant director's cabin. Included are:

refrigerator/freezer
2 futons
2 wardrobes
coffee table
dresser
air conditioner
2 paintings
lamp
clay plant pot

Because Cornell Cooperative Extension is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit I assured all the donors I would send them a letter for tax purposes.

While I'm thrilled to have some great furniture this summer, there are other items Peconic Dunes could always use for programming. If you have any of the following and would like to make a tax-deductible contribution (to the fullest extent of the law), please contact the camp office:

reference books (science, birds, botany, geography, etc.)
binoculars
telescope
microscope
sports equipment
boats and boating equipment
art supplies
garden tools

Camp office can be contacted at info@peconicdunes.com or 631-727-7850 x328. Thanks!

-chris

Girl Scout Troop 864 (part 3)

2008-04-15T07:31:00.000-04:00

Bronze Award: Day 3.

Troop 864 returned to the Dunes again to complete some of the finishing touches on the bridge. Now that we had the appropriate size drill bit, Scout parent Michael Anasagasti was able to increase the size of the hole in the posts that the rope railing would pass through. After that, the girls were quickly (ahhh...more like enthusiastically) pass the rope through the holes and knot it on both sides of each post.

Interesting building fact: The reason for knotting the rope rail on both sides of each post and not just the two end posts is so that the tension on the posts will be equally distributed.

Since the bridge is a little over a foot above ground level, the girls are also building earth ramps up to the bridge. This required using the camp tractor to bring in bucket loads of earth from our compost pile. After the earth was dumped, the girls made use of rakes, shovels, and a wheelbarrow to spread the earth out and build up one ramp. Once that ramp was built up enough, the girls were able to use it to transport earth to the other side of the bridge to develop a ramp there as well.

Since the Peconic Dunes Team was so impressed with the girls' progress on the first bridge, we decided to recruit them to install an additional bridge! The section of the trail where the second bridge is located is much narrower than the first bridge. Consequently, we were unable to carry the bridge in with the tractor and had to carry it in as a team. The bridges are VERY heavy so carrying it required everyone's help. After a bit of instruction on proper lifting technique (use your legs, not your back) and some heaving and ho-ing, the bridge was where it needed to be...over the rain runoff trench the girls had dug the week before.

Next week the girls will be meeting at the Southold Library to finish up their research for the ethnobotany trail signs. I can't wait to see what they look like! Great job again girls!

-chris

Girl Scout Troop 864 (part 2)

2008-04-08T22:18:00.000-04:00

Monday the Southold #864 girls were at it again: shoveling, lugging, drilling, carrying...and having fun working on their Girl Scout Bronze Award. Grabbing rides from mom's and dad's straight from school, the entire troop worked feverishly on the Peconic Dunes County Park Nature Trail Improvement Project from 3:30pm until 6:30pm. When everyone finally packed it in the day's light was fading and we all retreated back to the Nature Center for some well deserved hot chocolate and tea.

The project goals for Monday were (1) to install a handrail on the footbridge they installed last week, (2) line the eastern section of the trail with logs, and (3) carve out some trenches to empty out standing water and direct rain runoff to avoid erosion. The girls almost completed everything, but we underestimated the size drill bit required to allow a 1/2" line to pass through for the handrail posts (answer: minimum 3/4").

The entire troop was in attendance and they should be recognized: Ria Anasagasti, Gina Anasagasti, Justina Babcock, Brittney Bellomo, Hayley Bolettieri, Melony Collins, Sydney Evans,Jamie O'Sullivan, Sabrina Panetta, Shannon Quinn, Jessica Rizzo, Abigail Scharadin, Shannon Smith, Colette Steele, Lauren Waters. Kudos, Girls, for your hard work and service learning.

Excellent job again girls! See you next week!

-chris

ACA Reaccreditation

2008-04-07T11:28:00.000-04:00

This summer Peconic Dunes Camp will be going through the American Camp Association (ACA) Reaccreditation process. Peconic Dunes became an ACA accredited camp 3 years ago and like all camps, must be reviewed regularly to maintain its accreditation. ACA accreditation means that a camp "meets industry-accepted and government-recognized standards, possesses needed policies, procedures, and practices, and camp directors are educated in key aspects of camp operation, program quality, and the health and safety of campers and staff."

Peconic Dunes considers the reaccreditation process as an opportunity to receive feedback from peers in the camping community. The process consists of an exhaustive review of our documented policies and procedures and an on-site visit while camp is in full operation. A team of reviewers will tour all areas of our facility, visiting each program area, and meet campers and staff.

If you'd like to learn more about ACA accreditation, please contact the camp office or explore the ACA website.

-chris

GPS & GIS

2008-04-03T11:19:00.000-04:00

WARNING: Many acronyms are contained in this post. If you're uncomfortable with abbreviated technical phrases, move on. Consider yourself warned.

If you ever used Google Earth, Google Maps, or a GPS (Global Positioning System) unit in your car, you've also used GIS (Geographic Information Systems). GPS tells you "where" you are in space using satellites to triangulate your position (which actually requires 4+ satellites). GIS is any system for capturing, storing, analyzing and managing data and associated attributes which are spatially referenced to Earth.

This summer Peconic Dunes Camp will be introducing GPS and GIS to campers through both Outdoor Skills and Nature. We'll use GPS for scavenger hunts and for mapping our campus. This information our campers collect will be valuable because it will allow us to observe our ecosystem over time.

Right now Peconic Dunes staff are getting warmed up for summer (no pun intended) by assisting SEQ (Students for Environmental Quality) at Bellport High School in their GPS and GIS work. SEQ is collaborating with the Post-Morrow Foundation and the South Shore Estuary Reserve Council to locate all the stormwater drains impacting the Beaver Dam Creek Watershed. For the past 2 months, SEQ has been taking "waypoints" (latitude and longitude) for all the stormwater drains in and around their school, which is located in the Beaver Dam Creek Watershed. Their efforts are part of a larger project to develop a Beaver Dam Creek Watershed Action Plan. We applaud the work of SEQ and hope that future projects at Peconic Dunes as just as successful in contributing geographic information to the public domain.

-chris

Peconic Dunes Community is Growing

2008-04-01T20:57:00.000-04:00

The Peconic Dunes Blog is now 2 months old. In its first 2 months, hundreds of people from Suffolk County, NY and over 400 people worldwide have logged on (check the counter at the bottom right of the page). This blog originally started as an experiment. By being here, reading this, you've proved that there's a demand for up-to-date information on Peconic Dunes. Thank you for your interest and for being part of the Dunes community!

There are other ways you can participate in the Peconic Dunes community when you can't actually be out at the Dunes. A group of Peconic Dunes campers and counselors started a group on Facebook. Currently there are over 100 members! Peconic Dunes Camp also has a Facebook profile so if you're already a member, register Peconic Dunes Camp as one of your friends!

-chris

Girl Scout Troop 864 (part 1)

2008-03-30T18:40:00.000-04:00

They do more than sell cookies.

Today, Sunday, March 30, 2008, marked the day Southold Girl Scout Troop 864 began work on their Bronze Award. "The Girl Scout Bronze Award, the highest honor a Junior Girl Scout can earn, requires her to learn the leadership and planning skills necessary to follow through on a project that makes a positive impact on her community." Troop 864, led by Southold parents Rose Anasagasti, Debbie Bellomo, and Kate Panetta, has 15 scouts working towards the Bronze Award.

Their project at Peconic Dunes County Park consists of 4 ways to improve our Nature Trail. First, they will improve the trail's definition by lining it with logs. Second, they will install a new footbridge over the bog. Third, they will build benches for the trail. Finally, they will create ethnobotany signs, explaining how various plants along the trail can be used by people. [ethnobotany (n): the scientific study of the traditions and customs of a people concerning plants and their medical, religious, and other uses.]

Today, the girls and their parents built 6 benches, lined over half the trail, installed the new footbridge, and began research for the signs. It was an amazingly successful day and I can't wait for next Monday when they continue their project.

-chris

Rookie Camp (preview)

2008-03-29T13:36:00.000-04:00

Peconic Dunes has always suggested parents prepare their children for camp by arranging sleepovers at family and friends' houses before camp. Now we offer a new alternative...Rookie Camp!

Rookie Camp is one weekend and offers all the same activities as our full week programs. Campers will have the opportunity to shoot a bow and arrow, build a sand castle, share stories around a campfire, canoe, kayak, go on nature hikes and more. The weekend will be necessarily small, 24 boys and 24 girls, to provide our rookie campers with a smaller community experience. Select summer staff will be on hand to provide the same 24-hour supervision and instruction offered during the summer.

And Rookie Camp is not limited to new campers. Veteran campers up to 12 years-old are welcomed to join us as we show the newest members of the Peconic Dunes community a transformative camping experience.

Dates: Friday, May 30 @ 4pm - Sunday, June 1 @ 1pm. Parents are invited to join us for a Sunday BBQ lunch.
Fees: $200/camper

-chris

Open House #1

2008-03-29T12:55:00.001-04:00

Peconic Dunes Camp held its first Open House of the the 2008 season on Sunday, March 10. We had a great turnout, with about 50 families coming out to learn more about what's in store for our campers this summer. If you came out, you braved a chilly day with our counselors and C.I.T. candidates who volunteered to provide guided tours.

Thank you Jimmy, Danielle, Chris, Steve and Mike. Also thank you to friends of Peconic Dunes, Nancy Martin and Kevin Martin for keeping a campfire going to help keep everybody warm.

Upcoming Open Houses will be held on Sunday, April 6 from 10am - 2pm and Sunday, May 4 from 10am - 2pm.

Hope to see you there!

-chris

Camp Brochure

2008-02-06T11:51:00.000-05:00

The 2008 summer camp brochure is ready and going to the printer!

If you don't think that you're on our mailing list, please call 631-727-7850 x328 or email info@peconicdunes.com to request that one be sent to you. Don't forget to include your mailing address!

Some of the new programs to look for in 2008...

ROOKIE CAMP (May 30-June 1): Our Rookie Camp is one weekend and designed to provide a comfortable transition from day camp to sleep-away camp for both children (and their parents).

SAILING (Sessions 1-5): Campers interested in learning how to sail can receive first class US Sailing instruction on the Long Island Sound.

EXTENDER WEEKENDS (Sessions 1-5): Now, we're offering campers the opportunity of an uninterrupted camp experience with the Extender Weekend. Campers choosing to stay will participate in a specialized weekend program not usually available during weekly sessions.

FAMILY CAMP (August 29-31): Family Camp provides an opportunity for a low-cost family vacation in a safe, comfortable setting with the recreational activities to interest all ages. Adults and children alike enjoy the same counselor-led camp activities we offer during the summer, such as archery, sailing, fishing, arts and crafts, campfires as well as yoga.

Kudos to all who contributed to the brochure! Thank you Joe Pallister, Judi Veeck, Tim Jahn, Lisa Alps, and Rusty Tyler!

-chris

Research Grant

2008-01-31T13:21:00.000-05:00

On Monday, January 28, 2008, the Town Board of Southold passed a resolution supporting Scott Russell's (the town Supervisor) application for a $75,ooo grant from the Environmental Protection Fund. If awarded, the money will be used to conduct a comprehensive ecological study of Great Pond ecosystem and the watershed around it (Great Pond is the 30 acre pond Peconic Dunes County Park shares with 30+ Southold homeowners). The money will also be used to hold free public education workshops about maintaining a healthy watershed (to be held at Peconic Dunes County Park and other locations in Southold). Peconic Dunes' wet lab will also be incorporated into the project by using our aquariums to show specific types of habitat in the pond. This project will also create opportunities for campers to learn about a local watershed and to work alongside Cornell Marine Program researchers as they collect data. Keep your fingers crossed that Southold gets the grant!

-chris

Camp Newsletter

2008-01-29T11:33:00.000-05:00

By now every 2007 camper should have received a 4-page copy of The Dunes Report, CCE's newest newsletter! If you didn't receive a copy of The Dunes Report, you can download a copy.

I hope the photos and stories have brought back some happy memories and you're thinking about your Peconic Dunes family. I've heard from some of you over the winter and by the sound of it, everyone's doing very well. I can't wait to see everybody in a couple of months...

Kudos to all the contributors to the first newsletter: Doug Mace, Roger Martin and Craig Osmer. Also, big thanks to Cornell's Print Production Team: Rusty Tyler, Joe Pallister and Lisa Alps.

If you're an alumni, current camper or parent and you'd like to contribute to the next newsletter due out fall 2008, contact Chris at cpc49@cornell.edu.

-chris

1ST KUDOS!!!

2008-01-23T23:01:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the Peconic Dunes Blog!

I've been with CCE for 10 months now and I have a few kudos to give out...(like we do at camp)...

THANK YOU FOR THE SAILING PROGRAM!!!
- to Stacy Meyers on behalf of the Suffolk County Marine Environmental Learning Center (SCMELC) for donating 2 Blue Jays.
- to Mary Morgan for her donation of a Blue Jay.
- to Tom and Ellen Williams for their donation of a Sunfish.

THANK YOU FOR THE LIBRARY!!!
- to Courtney Brown-LaForteza (Jonah's mom)
- to Cutchogue library
- to Riverhead library
- to Southold Town library
- to Roger Martin for constructing the bookcases.

THANK YOU!!!

In future posts I'll write about:

-upcoming events
-completed projects
-special announcements
-links to opportunities with other Cornell Cooperative Extension programs
-changes around the Dunes
-Anecdotes from Roger

- Christopher Colahan, BlogKeeper and Dunes Director