2008-05-16T09:47:38Z Buck's Rock Creative & Performing Arts Camp Copyright 2008, Buck's Rock Creative & Performing Arts Camp SPHPBLOG
2008 marks an exciting moment in Buck’s Rock history, a moment many of us have talked about for many years. We are thrilled to announce that Sunday, December 7 will mark the opening day of the first (of hopefully many) Buck’s Rock Camp Gallery Exhibition in Manhattan.

The show will be held in New York City at the spacious Art Directors Club Gallery (www.adcglobal.org) at 106 West 29th St. The Gallery opening on December 7th will serve as our annual reunion, and the show will remain open to the public until Saturday 13th, so we encourage everyone to invite friends and family to come view the work.

The exhibition will showcase the artwork and performances of campers and staff from summer 2008, as well as the creations of staff and alumni stretching as far back in our 66 years as possible. This show will open the world of Buck’s Rock to everyone, providing a glimpse of the unique experience Buck’s Rock has provided all of us, and the effect our summers there have continued to have, even as we’ve grown older.

The opportunity for the sale of work will be an option for all, but not the focus of the show. Any interested buyers will be provided with contact information for the artist.

This summer we will be encouraging everyone to create work for the show. We will also be looking for staff and campers who might be available in the fall to volunteer and help us make this show a great success.

We are so very excited to be bringing you this news, and can’t wait to see the amazing collection of work that will make up the show. For more information, please contact Rick Price at rick@bucksrockcamp.com, or just come to camp this summer and create work for this exciting and historical event!

]]> http://www.bucksrockcamp.com/news/index.php?entry=entry080510-180854 2008-05-11T00:00:00Z 2008-05-11T00:00:00Z
The Actors Studio
The Dining Hall
Glass Studio
Studio 59
Computer Studio

We also are adding solar collectors to our hot water system in the Kitchen and Dining Room.

Our dedication to reducing our waste and use of styrofoam will again continue this summer with biodegradable plates and trays. These products are still extremely costly, yet we feel very strongly about using as little styrofoam as possible. As in 2007, we will continue to use metal cutlery instead of plastic in the Dining Room.

We are committed to continuing to implement these eco-friendly systems to areas in camp where we can.


]]> http://www.bucksrockcamp.com/news/index.php?entry=entry080402-082410 2008-04-02T00:00:00Z 2008-04-02T00:00:00Z
In addition, we are now on Facebook , under the name Mickey Morris. This will be a great place to share stories, music, videos, and stay in touch throughout the year. We would love to have you as a friend.

Our new YouTube channel: BucksRockCamp, also is getting a lot of traffic. We invite you to subscribe and submit for approval any videos you want us to put on our channel.

Our photo blog is also on line and once camp starts we will be uploading daily images from performances, events, projects etc.]]> http://www.bucksrockcamp.com/news/index.php?entry=entry080402-080631 2008-04-02T00:00:00Z 2008-04-02T00:00:00Z

Don Pudell / Accounting/Bookkeeper
Josh Isaacs / Animal Farm
Marie Sylvester / Batik
Ben Hellerstestein / Batik JC
Jen Verbit / Book Arts
Eva Rivlin / Book Arts
Phil Clooney / Boys Guidance Counselor
Josh Huffaker / Boys Guidance Counselor / canteen
Carson Pinch / Boys Guidance Counselor / clown
Taylor Davis / Boys Guidance Counselor
Nicole Singer / Ceramics
Hannah Cohen / Ceramics JC
Malcolm Welford / Ceramics
Kasey Freer / CIT Guidance Counselor
Sean McDermott / CIT Guidance Counselor
Alejandro Kolleeny / Clown/Improv JC
Patrick May / Clown/Improv JC
Louis Pearlman / Clown/Improv
Sam Rogal / Clown/Improv
Sara Rubin / Clown/Improv JC
Jeremy Berke / Computer JC
Andrew Marathas / Computer
Lauren Schneider / Computer
Sonya Kuropatwa / Dance
Alex Stone / Dance JC
Beverley Canepari / Directors Assistant
David Murray / Driver
Nora Weiss / Evening Activities
Cameron Nadler / Evening Activities JC
Abbie Bristow / Girls Guidance Counselor
Angela Buckerfield/ Girls Guidance Counselor
Nicky Proffit / Girls Guidance Counselor
Emma Knight / Girls Guidance Counselor
Kayla Krasnor / Girls Guidance Counselor /Music
Chadd Lacy / Glass
Aimee Skinner / Glass
Nigel Hedges / Gardener
Przemyslaw Oryszczak / Housekeeping
Lisa Alcott / Infirmary
Julie Bermant / Infirmary
Jennifer Long / Infirmary
Fel Onatah / Infirmary
Ben Yomtov / Kitchen - Food Service Manager
Brendan Lloyd / Kitchen - Chef
Keith Somerford / Kitchen - Chef
Jerome Mini / Kitchen - Steward
Jakub Kruk / Kitchen - Steward
Beata Kubalska / Kitchen - Dining Room
Sonia Tay / Leather
Troy Lucca / Lifeguard
Rhian Wheeler / Lifeguard
Jeff Greenberg / LSD - Lighting
Amy Larrowe / LSD - Lighting JC
Kaleigh Boshart / LSD - Lighting JC
Daniel Carlyon / LSD - Sound JC
Forrest Canepari / Maintenance - Operations Manager
Tom Cave / Maintenance
Jacob Berger / Metals JC
Sophie Fader / Metals JC
Sara Glaberson / Metals
Melody Rabe / Metals JC
Kelsie Smagler / Metals JC
Alex Whyte / Music - Low Brass - Head
Josh Archer / Music - Percussion
Ben Silverman / Music - Guitar JC
Max Mellman / Music - Low Brass JC
Johnny Rabe / Music - Tribute Show
David Pollack / Music - Tribute Show - JC
Hannah Fein / Nanny - Julian - JC
Rita Pudell / Office
Hariet Yomtov / Office
Meg Fein / Office
Alex Anastas / Painting
Chris Forby / Painting
Rick Price / Painting
Caroline Torres / Painting JC
Emma Gabriner / PASS JC
Jen Hillman / PASS
Sam Kusnetz / Perf. Arts. Production Manager
Jolene Guth / Photo - Digital
Sebastien Hue / Photo - Digital JC
Emma Kirwan / Publications - Prod. Mng
Bob Dicke / Publications - Production
Ian Jackson / Publications - Production
John Rippy / Publications - Writing
Heather Berlin / Sculpture
Bryan Ramey / Sculpture
Jeremy Klemundt / Sculpture JC
Tobias Pret / Set Design
Pam Dicke / Sewing
Fiona Donaghey / Sewing
Annika Feyen / Sewing
Kate Fulop / Sewing JC
Scott Kraiterman / Sports
Rob Kuropatwa / Staff Coordinator
Max Fishkin / Studio 59 JC
Doug Rosenberg / Studio 59
Alex Nahoum / Studio 59
Kerry Ryan / Taste of BR Program Director
Ernie Johns / Theater Director
Jason Zimbler / Theater Director
Christina Vaccaro / Theater Director
Erik Kaiko / Theater Director
Isabel Atkinson / Theater Assist Director JC
Mimi Bain / Theater Assist Director JC
Phoebe Brooks / Theater Assist Director JC
Katherine Harwood/ Theater Assist Director JC
Susanna Kavee / Theater Assist Director JC
Mimi Stotsky / Theater Choreographer JC
Cryssie Cordwell / Video
Emma Blecker / Video JC
Zaq Miller / Video JC
Malorie Savran / Weaving
Sierra Zuber / Weaving JC
James (Jimmy) Taylor / Wood
]]> http://www.bucksrockcamp.com/news/index.php?entry=entry080402-064523 2008-04-02T00:00:00Z 2008-04-02T00:00:00Z
Nichola Proffitt and Phil Clooney got engaged after camp and will be married in the UK this May. They will be returning to Buck’s Rock this summer as Guidance Counselors.

Brian Kaplan and Christina Ames will also be married in Hawaii this upcoming May.

Richard Simms (LSD) and Bridget Kennedy (Lifeguard) have been together for now 10 years since they met at Buck’s Rock in 1997. They are engaged and will be married on December 1, 2008.

Many Buck's Rockers (including Phil Feldman, Hannah Kass, Cameron Nadler, Max Scholick, Maya Sharma and James Thurm) took part in the March 23rd performance of "The Kids are Alright" at the Magnet Theater in Manhattan. "The Kids are Alright" was a comedy variety show featuring improv, music, stand-up and sketch comedy staring an entire cast of teenage comics. Buck's Rock stand up comic Ale Kolleeny hosted the night and it was produced by head of the Clown Shop, Louie Pearlman. The show was a big success and Louie hopes to produce more variety shows for young performers in the future. Louie also teaches regular weekly improv classes for teenagers through the Magnet Theater. You can check out www.magnettheater.com for more information.

Buck's Rock veterans Sam Kusnetz and Jason Zimbler have recently begun collaborating during the rest of the year on their new theatre company, The Re-Theatre Instrument. RTI is a company dedicated to creating new work built around adaptations of classic texts. Their goal is to reconnect our audiences to these timeless stories by illuminating in them current social, moral, ethical, and political issues. Their unique playwrighting process, which is centered around actor-driven improvisation, was developed at Buck's Rock starting in 2003 with a Wall Street adaptation of Shakespeare's "The Tempest". More information can be found at http://www.retheatre.org


]]> http://www.bucksrockcamp.com/news/index.php?entry=entry080402-061625 2008-04-02T00:00:00Z 2008-04-02T00:00:00Z Spring Open House

Our Spring Open House will be held on Saturday, May 17th at 1 PM to 4 PM (Rain date May 18). On that day, we will be offering tours of the camp and facilities and would be pleased to discuss our performing and creative arts program with any newly enrolled or prospective families. Please call us at 800-636-5218 to advise us if you plan to attend. Driving directions to camp can be obtained from our website at www.bucksrockcamp.com

2008 CIT Meeting

The CIT Meeting will be held in New York City at the School of Ethical Culture, 2 West 64th Street and Central Park West, on Saturday, May 10th from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. We will discuss the CIT program, paying special attention to our expectations of this year’s CITs as Big Brothers and Sisters, followed by a pizza lunch.

Here and There: A Tribute to Musicians Everywhere

This summer, in our second session, Johnny Rabe and David Pollack are spearheading our annual multi-media tribute show, founded by Ivan Rubenstein-Gillis. Prepare to rock out around the globe because on August 5th, Buck's Rock is taking music for a spin! Here and There: A Tribute to Musicians Everywhere is a show that features songs, instruments, artists, artwork, and dances from around the globe. From Salsa to Latin-Pop, tribal drumming to the African influence on Jazz and Blues, Canadian independent rock to the British Invasion and many more, Here and There will take you through music's travels. Join us in celebrating artists such as Bob Marley, AC/DC, Gloria Estefan, The Beatles, Daft Punk, Bjork, Moxy Fruvous, Ladysmith Black Mambazo and many more. All full, 2nd session and extending campers are welcome and encouraged to get involved in this multi-media music tribute show.

Reunion 2008 / NYC Art Gallery Exhibit

We are currently planning a first ever Buck’s Rock NYC Art Exhibit in coordination with our Annual Reunion. The event will take place at the Art Directors Club on 106 West 29th Street on Sunday, December 7, 2008. We will invite current campers, staff and alumni to include their artwork in this show and very much look forward to continuing to share the developments of this exciting event with the Buck’s Rock community, present, past and future! Coming soon more info on how campers, staff and Alum can be part of this incredible Buck's Rock Showcase.


]]> http://www.bucksrockcamp.com/news/index.php?entry=entry080331-114149 2008-03-31T00:00:00Z 2008-03-31T00:00:00Z
Digital photography has been added to the Publications Shop in a new space of its own and will allow campers to explore digital photography and learn how to print, manipulate and enhance their images using Adobe Photoshop. In addition, the shop will have a light studio where campers will be able to photograph their projects for portfolios and print photography images.

The Computer Shop has doubled in size to include the space Leather had previously occupied. The interior of the shop has been completely renovated and the design will prove to be extremely user-friendly and accommodate more campers.

The Leather shop has in turn been relocated across from Computer and now is housed in it’s own building. The same variety of great leather projects can be made in this new and more spacious studio.

We are very excited about all these additions and know that they will enhance our program and our campers' experience.]]> http://www.bucksrockcamp.com/news/index.php?entry=entry080331-112541 2008-03-31T00:00:00Z 2008-03-31T00:00:00Z
Festival 2007
Festival 2007 was a great finish to another incredible summer! The scheduled events and art exhibits highlighted our campers’ achievements and new and honed skills. The Festival Day show “A Wolf in Thief’s Clothing” was wonderful, as were the dance, clown/improv and musical presentations. The evening musical production of “Cabaret” was exceptional in every way! Congratulations to all our campers and staff for their participation in our Festival activities. We also want to thank our staff for their outstanding dedication and contribution on that day and throughout the entire summer, as it was truly a memorable one!

Camp Reunion
Reunion this year will again be held at the New York Society for Ethical Culture School, at 2 West 64th Street in New York City on Saturday, December 1st from 2:00 to 4:30 PM. As in the past, we anticipate over 300 campers and counselors to attend. There will be refreshments and a showing of the 2007 Memories DVD, as well as the chance to visit with friends. As requested by the School of Ethical Culture, please socialize only in the Social Hall and do not congregate inside or outside the building on the sidewalk. Those of you who have come to previous reunions know how enjoyable the afternoon can be. We hope to see you there and have the chance to speak with everyone! The 2007 Summer Compilation CD and 2007 Memories DVD will be available for purchase.

2007 Financial Aid
As in past years, we are so pleased to have been able to financially assist over fifty eligible families this past summer. Also, in partnership with “Street Squash,” an urban youth enrichment program in NYC, and S.T.E.P. “I have a Dream Foundation from Washington DC, we provided scholarships for several childre n who equally contributed and appreciated the new opportunities Buck’s Rock offered the m. We also sponsored a camper with Friends of Buck’s Rock who had a great summer with us. We would also like to thank those families who made donations as well as those who donated the remainder of their child’s camper account to the Buck’s Rock Scholarship Fund which will help us sponsor other campers in the summer of 2007.

Memories 2007
Our 2007 Video Shoppe Staff and CITs produced another exceptional Buck’s Rock Memories DVD. Featuring most every camper and staff member, the DVD should not be missed! See it again at Reunion.

2007 Compilation CD
Buck’s Rock’s 2007 Compilation CD is a wonderful collection of camper music, professionally recorded, mastered and engineered in our Recording Studio by Studio 59's 2007 engineering staff and CITs. Sample tracks can be heard on Buck’s Rock’s website.

Projects and Plans for 2008
We have exciting projects planned for this upcoming summer. All of which we believe will significantly enhance the program and our campers’ experiences at Buck’s Rock.

• The old Photography Studio will be renovated into a new Culinary Arts Studio. The program will be hands-on and we hope to feature a variety of chefs throughout the summer. Please feel free to email us with ideas and recipes that you would be interested in preparing.

• We are switching from 35mm photography to digital photography and the medium will be incorporated in the Publications Shop where an additional space is currently under design. Campers will be able to work on personal projects in addition to making submissions for our various publications and our website.

• The Computer Shop will be expanded to include the space previously used by the Leather Studio. The additional room will allow the shop to be more user friendly an d will also accommodate the growing interest among our campers in animation and game programmi ng.

• The Leather Shop will be relocated across from Computers and will have its own new building.


New Buck’s Rock Website & Face Book Profile Coming Soon
The Buck’s Rock website is currently under new design and construction. Please look out for an email regarding its debut shortly. We are also asking any campers or parents who will like to submit testimonials about their experiences at Buck’s Rock or images of their Buck’s Rock created artwork, to please email them to us at bucksrock@bucksrockcamp.com.
We are also very excited about our soon to be presence on Face Book with an official Buck’s Rock page. We look forward to as many campers, parents and alumni joining as our “friends.” You will receive a Face Book invitation very soon.

Animal Farm Update
Our two camp tortoises, Speedy and Tiny Turtle, have produced potential offspring and we are currently incubating 3 eggs that Speedy laid in October. If we are lucky, the eggs will hatch and we will have baby tortoises to share next summer!

Buck’s Rock’s 65th Anniversary Reunion
The summer of 2007 marked Buck’s Rock’s 65th season! In collaboration Lew Frish & Friends of Buck’s Rock, our Alumni Organization, we so enjoyed hosting alumni back to Buck’s Rock on July 28. We hope that many of our campers and staff were able to meet some of our alumni and participate in various events that were scheduled that day. Lew did an amazing job coordinating the events of that day and we are grateful to him for his marvelous efforts.

2008 Enrollment
We are pleased to see so many campers returning and welcome the many new campers who will be joining us this summer. It is also clear that many staff had wonde rful experiences with us, as many are already committed for the summer of 2008! We would like t o remind those campers interested in the First Session in particular to send in your enrollment forms soon, as typically there is a wait-list for girls for the First Session by January. Please be reminded that the Early Enrollment Discount is applicable up until December 15, 2007 and the first 100 campers to enroll will receive a limited edition Buck’s Rock black, hooded sweatshirt.


Six-Week Enrollment Still an Option
Like this past summer, we will again be offering a Six-Week Session enrollment option on our camper contract, which will allow campers and their families to schedule their summer vacations and make plans without the wait. Six weeks at Buck’s Rock has become increasingly popular among our campers, as it seems to offer a nice balance between camp and family activities. Similar to last summer, campers enrolled for six weeks can enjoy participating in our annual music tribute, which has been coordinated by Ivan Rubenstein-Gillis these past many summers. First Session Campers and their parents should also be reminded that two or four week extensions are still an option once at Buck’s Rock. Since space is limited, however, we encourage campers to have their parents contact Beverley in the Office as soon as a decision has been made.


“A Taste of Buck’s Rock” The Buck’s Rock Experience for Younger Campers
For the summer of 2008, we are thrilled to offer a 2 week introductory program for 9 and 10 year old boys and girls at Buck’s Rock Performing and Creative Arts Camp.
This exciting, new program will offer younger children the opportunity to experience all that Buck’s Rock is best known for, in a more supervised and structured format. Supported by our team of Guidance Counselors and professional instructors, campers will choose and pursue the acti vities, throughout the day, that most interest them.
Campers will be grouped by gender and housed separately from our older campers. In addition to their Guidance Counselors, campers will also have a C.I.T. (Counselor in Training) Big Sibling host who will serve as their mentor while at camp. The session dates are Sunday, August 3 to Saturday, August 16, 2008. The program is limited to 36 campers and the tuition cost is $2,490. Please contact us for further details or enrollment information soon as we expect this program to be popular.



C.I.T. and J.C. Applications
We are accepting applications for our Counselor-in-Training Program from all campers who are 15 before January 1. We remind anyone who is eligible, that applications are due by December 15. Please contact us should you have any questions regarding the program. For those C.I.Ts who wish to be considered for a Junior Counselor position and JCs who wish to return next summer, please write to us at 59 Buck’s Rock Road, New Milford, CT 06776 or email us. There is no formal application for Junior Counselor positions; letters are due by December 15. We will confirm all CITs of their placement and studio assignment and advise JCs of our decisions by the end of January.


Good News from Buck’s Rockers
Richard Simms (lighting and sound) spent the summer of ‘97 working at camp wrote: “I not only learnt many things that summer but made some wonderful friends. As the camp played such an important time in my life I thought I would let you in on some news. Whilst at camp I met a fantastic girl, Bridget Kennedy, who was working as a lifeguard for the summer of 1997. We fell in love and continued our relationship when we both returned home. Well 10 years on, I'm very happy and proud to inform you that we are engaged and due to marry on December 1st this year!!”


On a Personal Note
Emily, Dylan and J ulian have all made a relatively easy transition back to home life and the routine of school. Th ey each had their own wonderful summers. Julian, in particular, thrived and grew so much right before our eyes. Thank you to all of you who interacted with our children, offering them friendship and support in their endeavors. Like so many of us, Emily and Dylan relish their summers at Buck’s Rock. They are all looking forward to Reunion, as are we! We hope to see many of you there or next summer at camp. Enjoy the school year!

Warm Regards,

Mickey and Laura
Directors
]]> http://www.bucksrockcamp.com/news/index.php?entry=entry071121-105317 2007-11-21T00:00:00Z 2007-11-21T00:00:00Z Saturday, August 18th, 2007


11.00am to 5.00pm

View a diverse collection of this summer’s camper art projects at the Actors Studio. Additional camper projects will be on display at the Wood and Ceramic Studios. There will be glass blowing demonstrations throughout the day and a literary and design display at the Publications Shop. An exhibit of staff artwork will be on display at the Painting Studio.

11.00am to 3.00pm

Our Radio Station, WBBC 89.3 FM, will broadcast live. Selections will include camper recordings produced at Buck’s Rock’s very own digital recording studio, Studio 59.

11:00am

Pub Shop campers will read highlights of this summer’s writings on the Sewing Shop porch.

11:30am

Again on the Sewing Shop porch, there will be a camper fashion show, highlighting projects designed and sewn in our Sewing Shop.

Noon

A picnic lunch will be served to all our guests. Circus Arts will take place at Boys House.

12:30pm

Campers and counselors who have taken part in the daily Guitar Snack will jam one more time at the Bulova Memorial.

1.00pm

The Festival Day Show will be performed in the Summer Theatre: A Wolf in Thief’s Clothing, directed by Jason Zimbler.

2.00pm

Buck’s Rock dancers will perform highlights from the summer’s earlier performances at the Dance Studio.

3.00pm

The Clown/Improv Shop will perform improvised comedy in the Dance Studio.

4.00pm

There will be a screening of Jeckles, the 2007 Buck’s Rock movie, in the Dance Studio.

5:00pm to 6:30pm

Hear anything from Jazz to Classical to Rock to Swing and vocal performances at this Music extravaganza at Boys House.

6.00pm

A picnic dinner will be served to all our guests.

8.15pm

At the Summer Theatre, Buck’s Rock presents the 2007 Festival Musical Production of Cabaret, directed by Ernie Johns.




]]> http://www.bucksrockcamp.com/news/index.php?entry=entry070810-065607 2007-08-10T00:00:00Z 2007-08-10T00:00:00Z 08/02/2007
Buck's Rock Offers Taste of the Arts
By: Scott Robson

What do we, as a culture, value? In our workplaces, our homes, our schools and even in our vacation spots, Americans tend increasingly to focus on productivity and competitiveness, constantly searching for an edge or an advantage that will distinguish them from the rest of the crowd.

For better or for worse, the pace of life has accelerated and expectations have risen accordingly. Colleges are inundated with valedictorians and perfect test scoresl; BlackBerries and iPhones keep people perpetually connected to the workplace, and impressive résumés have never been more essential.
Even the youngest members of our society have felt the effects of this cultural demand for practical perfection. School curricula must cover more subject matter than ever before, and children's lives have by necessity become more structured by expectations and demands.
One time-tested institution serving to counterbalance this trend is the Buck's Rock Performing and Creative Arts Camp, an educational summer camp in New Milford. Visitors to Buck's Rock will find something unexpected nestled in the camp's forested 125 acres. Far more than a typical summer camp, Buck's Rock is a haven for the arts that offers campers 11 to 16 a unique education in the spirit of the Montessori method developed in the 19th century.
The camp's vision and raison d'être, according to current directors Mickey and Laura Morris, is to provide young people "with a freedom rarely present in everyday life-the freedom of choice and the opportunity and guidance necessary to exercise those choices .... Through effort, trial, error and success, our campers gain self-confidence and develop a sense of the direction their lives can take, becoming even more of what they are ultimately capable."
Dr. Ernst Bulova and his wife Ilse, German émigrés who had fled Europe in the midst of World War II, founded Buck's Rock as a work camp for teenagers in 1942. The camp aided the American initiative to mobilize teenagers for the war effort by helping New Milford farmers.
At the war's end, the camp had proven just how independently productive teenagers could be in a cooperative and noncompetitive atmosphere. The focus shifted toward the creative and performing arts over the years, but its spirit and energy remained true to Dr. Bulova's original beliefs and philosophies.
Before the war, Dr. Bulova was a child psychologist and educator working in Berlin with his wife, who was also an educator. A student of the famous educator Maria Montessori, Dr. Bulova's commitment to education manifested itself throughout his long career; he ran an educational radio program in Berlin, and later opened a Montessori school in London after he fled Germany.
The culmination of his knowledge and experience resulted in the foundation of Buck's Rock. Now, 65 years later, the camp remains a truly unique setting in which character, self-confidence, independent motivation and creativity all flourish.
During the summer, Buck's Rock is a thriving teenage community of more than 300 campers and nearly 200 staff members. While many of the campers come from the tri-state area, others come from all over the country, and indeed from all over the world. The same rich diversity characterizes the camp's staff, a full 45 percent of whom come from countries as distant as New Zealand and South Africa.
The staff, which includes counselors, instructors and a support crew, represents an impressive range of skills and disciplines. "We really have a fantastic staff," said Mr. Morris. "They're all 21 and older, professionals in their respective industries, right on the cutting edge."
Mrs. Morris highlighted the remarkable loyalty demonstrated by the staff at Buck's Rock. "More than 55 or 60 percent of our staff is actually returning staff, which gives us a fantastic continuity of program. And every year, we find new staff who will stay on for four or five or even ten to fifteen years."
The expert artisans, craftsmen and performers who work as instructors at Buck's Rock are all handpicked to serve the many roles needed to fulfill the camp's mission. "In each discipline, we have our sources," Mr. Morris said with a smile. "We have different schools that we look at for different arts. ... There are also clubs and organizations that we can contact when we're searching for new staff."
"Our most important source of new staff members is definitely through word of mouth recommendations-somebody will work here, then tell their friends and colleagues about the experience they had here," added Mrs. Morris. The directors also actively recruit new staff members personally, often taking trips out of the country to do so.
Once they arrive, the instructors assist campers as they explore more than 30 different disciplines. These disciplines, which include arts as diverse as metalsmithing, photography, costume design, dance and improvisational theater, are all offered to campers by professionals in facilities that often rival or surpass those of most colleges.
The camp's impressive facilities are in a continual state of renewal and improvement. "Just for instance, we recently updated our glassblowing studio. It's a state-of-the-art facility that was designed and made for us in Holland," Mr. Morris commented, adding, "The kids are really getting a pretty amazing experience."
The experience at Buck's Rock is distinguished not only by its facilities and instructors, but also by its underlying philosophy, which shapes life at the camp. In the spirit of the Montessori Method, campers at Buck's Rock are given tremendous freedom of choice to determine their own schedules and activities at the camp. "We operate on the principle of inter-cooperation," Mrs. Morris said. "Everything is teaching-based, and the kids can totally immerse themselves in the discipline of their choice. That way, they can find the one place they feel most accepted, most belonging."
This freedom is balanced with personal responsibility in a cooperative, noncompetitive environment to produce an independence and self-realization in the campers that "must be seen to be believed," according to Mrs. Morris. "On a daily basis, kids are making their own choices. It produces enormous personal growth of empowerment, success, confidence-eight weeks [at Buck's Rock] leaves a child forever changed."
A particularly illustrative testament to the camp's effectiveness is the success of the Counselor In Training (CIT) program, which has proven to be the most popular of the various programs offered at Buck's Rock. CITs are older campers with some experience in a specific area who work as apprentices for half of each day, serving as role models for the younger campers in the process.
"Campers who become CITs really get Buck's Rock," Mrs. Morris said. "And they're totally hooked because they're giving back to a community that's so warm and unique."
The camp's unique atmosphere has persisted for 65 years due to a conscious and continuous process of renewal. As technology, ideas and interests evolve, so too does Buck's Rock. "We're constantly developing and changing programs," Mr. Morris said. "We make a conscious effort to keep extremely current with technology and interests. We're constantly reinventing ourselves."
In many cases, this reinvention works to refine or improve existing programs, such as the recently improved glassblowing and metalworking studios, or the media center that the directors are planning, which will provide campers with state-of-the-art computers and equipment for a variety of purposes.
In other cases, the camp shifts its focus to remain with the times. "We're planning on making the shift from [film-based photography] to digital," Mr. Morris said. "Part of that is what we feel is an environmental responsibility, to get away from all the chemicals and materials involved with traditional photography. But another component of that is that the interest, and the industry itself, is shifting towards digital imagery."
A final manifestation of the camp's continual reinvention is the addition of entirely new programs and facilities. For instance, next year will mark the institution of a totally new discipline at Buck's Rock: the culinary arts, which has been a longtime request among campers and visitors.
Much of the success behind Buck's Rock lies in its total commitment to self-improvement and evolution, which ensures that it remains fresh and applicable to teenagers, who are perhaps the most mutable and dynamic members of our society.
Besides having a keen eye for its environment and its target audience, Buck's Rock owes its success to the unparalleled commitment of its staff and directors. In addition to serving as the camp's directors, Mr. and Mrs. Morris are actively involved in daily life at the camp, interacting with campers and eagerly attending camp functions. "We really get a personal sense of pride and joy at watching these kids succeed," Mrs. Morris said.
When asked what drew her to the camp, Mrs. Morris did not hesitate before responding with an energetic smile: "An absolute love and passion for this place. I grew up here. This place is in my blood."
Information on the camp's schedule and prices is available on the Web site, www.bucksrockcamp. com.


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