Category: Camp Announcements

Each summer provides us with opportunities to capture the real essence of camp via photographs. Having been in operation for 36 summers, we often peek back at some of our earlier photos to see what the camp and our campers looked like.  Many of these campers are now treasured staff members and it is fun to see how much they have grown and matured.  We are also now beginning to see the next generation of campers or children of our previous campers!

I was recently asked if I could find a photo of a staff member when she was a young camper. When I began looking back through the hundreds of digital photos I have on file by years, it was then I realized it has only been 10 years since we have relied so heavily on digital rather than film cameras.  That means most of our campers do not even know what 35mm“film” cameras were!

With film you seemed to be more selective in what you photographed because you only had 36 chances to get it right, unless you had another roll of film handy. Today you can shoot endlessly, and plan to keep only a few perfect shots.  Even then, there are photo editing capabilities right on your camera or phone that can make pretty much any picture worth saving.

With this advent in electronics we have made our photographs of your children readily available to view and purchase. Through our online service called Smugmug you can sort through your child’s session and choose that perfect photo that captured his/her summer experience.  Be it the cross-country jump trail or a cannonball off the diving board, we have tried to capture the essence of camp so you can see for yourself how much enjoyment the children experience here at Pompositticut.

See all the excitement at: https://pompositticutfarm.smugmug.com/

Any ideas who these two cuties grew up to be????

Hint:  Project Soar & Swimming!

We are officially into the fall season as of September 22. The date alone, coupled with the sudden change in temperatures both during the day and night, certainly reminds us of this.  I for one really love the fall and all it brings with it.  Living in New England you cannot help be rewarded with all that encompasses an autumn day:  apple picking, corn husk decorations, pumpkin everything, harvest fairs, colorful leaves. . . and even horseback riding.

Our camp equestrians were eager to start right up with their fall riding lessons soon after camp concluded. Parents were sending emails during camp so they would not miss enrolling their child in our sought after lessons. As a result September began with one of our largest group of equestrians ever!  So many were excited to get back in the saddle and continue with all the progress they had made during the summer and have committed themselves to riding right up until Thanksgiving.  Indeed, with the exception of just a few, the majority of these excited riders were part of our camp programs including the Day Camp as well as our specialty programs, Short Stirrup and Heels Down.  They also had been part of our Spring Riding Lesson Program so these participants have truly committed themselves to the sport and all it has to offer.  Some are as young as 5 years old and already have an interest in pursuing this technically challenging sport.

What a testament to our instructors who worked so diligently throughout the hot summer days to instill in these young people the love of everything equestrian. Both Allison and Nikki who headed up Short Stirrup this summer, are teaching these fall lessons along with a couple more recruits who assist in making sure everything runs smoothly and on schedule.  They should both be complimented on their own accomplishments of obtaining their MA riding instructors’ licenses!  Allison, who obtained hers a couple years ago and now Nikki who more recently passed her technical written exam with just one error.  This, along with Nikki’s degree in Animal Behavior and Welfare and Allison’s master’s degree which she utilizes as an elementary school teacher, make for a talented duo of instructors.

Did we comment on how we also have a few adults/parents who are back in the saddle? We won’t mention any names, but these brave riders have put their all into relearning past skills.  Although a couple have admitted to being sore after their first couple lessons, each are always smiling and seem to enjoy using this special time just for themselves.  It will be interesting to see if they all will be willing to participate in the Fall Fun Day on October 16^th where they can display their skills along with our other younger riding enrollees here at Pompositticut Farm. Who said fun is wasted on the young?!

February is that twixs and between month.  It’s the time of year when we are teased by the weather into thinking spring is just around the corner.  Certainly with the drastic temperature changes we just experienced from -15 degrees to 54 degrees proves this fact.  Despite these fluctuations, we are lured into hoping that it will be a short winter and summer also is not far away.  It is these reminders that should encourage you to begin thinking about applying for summer positions.

Those of you who will be needing summer employment, NOW is the time to start filling out applications.  Because Pompositticut operates under the guidelines of the local and state regulations, proper applications and affiliated forms are required to initiate the job process.  These forms are currently available on this website and should be filled out entirely before consideration can be given to an applicant.  You may include a resume, but the full job application and references must be included. 

In the past, the March college break has been the perfect time to arrange for a personal interview.  Both returning and new staff should take advantage of this time frame to communicate with the camp office about arranging appointments.  You don’t have to wait until March though, as we are available to speak with you as soon as you contact us. The whole process begins and ends with you. Decisions on summer staffing are often on a first-come, first-served basis, so time is of the essence in applying for a specific position.  You can never be too early to think about and plan for your future!

As you can see here, Gaby will be enjoying another summer with her fellow staff and campers at Pompositticut.  As one of our international staff she was required to return through a global recruitment agency. These applicants complete similar paperwork requirements and go through the process of a personal interview by the agency as well as by the hiring camp.  With the advent of Skype and FaceTime interviewing is more efficient than just a phone call. The camp’s preference is an in-person interview at the UK camp recruitment fairs which are arranged for this specific reason:  to meet applicants and see from both perspectives if it’s a good fit.

So whether you are from the US, the UK, or anywhere in the world the requirements for summer employment are the same:  mandatory paperwork and an interview.  From there, it’s up to you.  If you are that exceptional individual looking to share your summer with children, we want that smile and laughter here at POMPOSITTICUT!

PFDC is happy to announce we have two returning staff members from England as our Heels Down Program Coordinators. Check out their profiles and catch up on what they have been doing in the camp off season.