The camp driveway was closed for over two weeks before we could clear the down trees. Professional loggers have been in camp and the entire area cutting up the downed tree and hauling them away.

I am happy to report that camp is almost back to normal. We still have a gorgeous forest although we definitely lost quite a few trees.

Skylake does experience some cancellations so if you haven’t signed up yet be sure to give us a call.
The Teenage Adventure Program still has 5 openings for Session A, 3 openings for B, and 1 opening for C.

Zach Armel, Jordan Balisy, Mitchell Beck, Evan Brutschy, Kyle Cannon, Sophia Chudacoff, Meghan Clair, Ross Corbett, Matty Erhlich, Jason Erhlich, Scott Ferrell, Carly Field, Bryce Freeman, Joe Gates, David Greenwald, Tara Griffith, Michael Harris, Meryle Holt, Alix Hydock, Evan Kass, Chris Kenefic, Jason Kole, Galen Kramer, Jesssica Liebert, John Meadows, Natalie Rose Minneboo, Erin Moriarity, Keir Myers, Emma Oberlander, Aaron Plocky, Aaron Raff, Alexander “Bunny” Rutherford, Adam Targan, David Updegrove, and second generation camper, Kelly Williams.

Welcome back campers. You continue to be the heart and soul of camp.

We definitely will also look to get both juice and bottled water into the coke machines this year. We have gotten a lot of requests for those items.

Jeremy Bradshaw is returning for his fifth year at Skylake, and second year as Head Boy’s counselor.

Jeremy is a young man of intriguing interests. His primary passion is wildlife art. His watercolor landscapes have appeared on the cover of our last two yearbooks. Jeremy also captures incredible details of hawks in flight, perched eagles, and other examples of the nature’s beauty we so often barely notice as we drive through the county. Jeremy is also an avid falconer. I had no previous experience with anyone with this particular hobby, when we first met, and didn’t think I would be interested in the topic. I was very wrong. The knowledge, expertise, patience, and many other essential qualities necessary to be a licensed falconer, show that Jeremy possesses qualities that have importance far beyond the specifics of taking care of his birds.

Jeremy also attended college in Alaska and has an incredible love and understanding for the wilderness. Be sure to find Jeremy if you visit camp this summer

The Head Girl’s counselor this summer will be a super star. Just because she is my daughter has nothing to do with this evaluation.

Jessica Portnoy first attended Skylake as a seven-year-old camper, in 1985. Skylake was then still owned and operated by the Howe family. In the 80’s almost all campers came for 4 weeks. Although Jessica’s older sister, Adrienne, then age 9 also attended the camp, the thought of 4 weeks seemed long and we worked it out with John Howe that Jessica could decide to stay for two or four weeks. She stayed for four weeks that first summer, and attended as a camper for the next 10 years. She was CILT graduate, Jr. Staff member, and served as a counselor for two years before taking a few years off from camp. She also completed the five mile length of lake swim, and as a camper received the Camper of the Week award on two occasions.

Jessica graduated from U.C. Santa Cruz in 1999 with a major in Anthropolgy. She spent a semester in Paris improving her French and finding a true love for art history. She is very excited to be returning to Skylake, but not as excited as I am to have her back in camp. She is already busy planning a few of the traditional events that occur at Skylake such as Girls initiation Closing campfire, and Little and Big Sisters festivities.

Jessica has been taking care of Jake, the former camp dog recently. Although Jake is definitely up there in years, the old yellow Lab should again be hanging out in the office this summer.

Next month I will run though our staff for 2001 which is now almost complete. I am very excited about the quality and enthusiasm of this year’s staff.