Dan's Papers - April 10, 2009 - Summer Camp On The North Fork At Peconic Dunes

If I were younger, much younger, I'd sign up in a minute. Summer camp on the North Fork? Could anything be better?

Now that warming days are here, ads for North Fork camps are popping up all over the place - in newspapers, on radio, taped to store windows. They suggest horseback riding on shady trails, sailing on Long Island Sound, bonfires on starry summer nights. Who could resist?

I never went to summer camp. Although occasionally I did ride a horse named Molly and I splashed in Sound waters lots of times. But that was with my brother Robert. He was great as a four-years-younger pal. But in truth, he was no substitute for 50 or more screaming-crazy camp companions.

That's why, days back, I visited Peconic Dunes Summer Camp on Sound Avenue in Peconic. Sponsored by Cornell Cooperative Extension, the camp held an Open House. Maybe they'd accept mature campers. There are wine camps on the North Fork and just a year ago I read about a cauliflower camp. Honest. I read it right here in Dan's Papers.

I wore jeans to Open House and a cotton shirt I bought in Arizona. It looks outdoorsy, I think. I did not carry a pocketbook. Instead, I hooked a little pouch to my belt. I was ready. Oh, and I hung a whistle around my neck. Generally I use it only to summon my husband when he's in the garage working on some absolutely non-essential project and I've just put his lunch on the back porch.

Even before I parked my car at Peconic Dunes, I met a real nice guy. Young (SUNY sophomore in Syracuse), Paul Stoutenburgh was walking along the dirt road leading to the camp. I stopped and said I'd come for Open House. Paul gave me directions and told me how excited he was about the upcoming summer. This environmental science and forestry major had just landed a counselor's position at Peconic Dunes. Good luck, Paul.

Then on to the camp office where I met Diane Lessard, administrative assistant. Diane told me so much about the eight one-week sessions for 150 young boys and girls each session. Sadly, I discovered young means eight-years old to 15. I'm a few years over.

But I decided to join a dozen visitors for a camp tour anyway. Now this was really fun because the two tour leaders, counselors at P.D. for several summers, were lively and full of humor. Ryan Frazer (nicknamed The Great) attends college in Syracuse and James Lindquest (The Big Spoon) goes to Suffolk County Community College.

The first thing most prospective campers asked about was the food. "Pretty good," said Ryan, whose favorite is the pancakes and sausage breakfast. James opts for the baked ziti and chocolate pudding. Not to worry. There's always a salad bar and vegetarian meals are available.

As we trooped through the woods, the guys pointed out the ROUNDUP area where campers meet early each morning and the day's activities are announced. Swimming and sailing on the Sound, kayaking and fishing in freshwater Great Pond right there on camp grounds, pretty as can be. And arts and crafts in the Art Barn, of course.

Of interest to some campers was the OSA area. An outdoor skills area, campers learn here how to construct a shelter, build a fire, and eat off the land. Berries, mostly, I guess. One mom asked about poison ivy. Not much around said James. But if a case occurs, a camper can head to the infirmary for some anti-itch attention from the RN on staff.

Parents of campers seemed pleased when they heard "lights out" was no later than 10 p.m. and cell phones were not in use at P.D. Back-to-nature is what camp is all about.

Did I tell you I met Buddy, the camp dog? This golden retriever welcomed us, followed us. I wonder if he goes to P.D. Water Carnival. One game the campers play there is "Slippery Watermelon." Take a watermelon, grease it up with Crisco, and then try to swim with it in Great Pond. Great fun!

And isn't that just what North Fork summer camp should be? Great fun.