Counselors transform gymnasium into glow-in-the-dark, neon laster tag arena
Summer camp — a summertime staple that many people hold near and dear to their hearts — is coming to a close. The counselors at Camp Squankum, a day camp that is held from Monday to Friday at Williamstown Middle School, found a way to surprise campers in its final week.
In a growing tradition starting last year, the counselors set up a big surprise that the campers know nothing about until the final week of camp.
“Last year we did Candy Land. It was awesome. It was a really fun time and pleasing to the eye,” Assistant Director Shannon Grim said. “This year we wanted something more interactive. I was sleeping and I had this dream of our kids playing laser tag. I texted [fellow counselor] Ms. Lindsay in the middle of the night and I said this is what we’re doing, this is going to happen.”
Over the course of eight weeks Grim transformed the gymnasium into a glow-in-the-dark, neon-colored laser tag arena for campers.
“I liken it to Christmas morning,” Director of Parks and Recreation Jim Bonder said of the big reveal to the kids.
“It’s really exciting to see the kids running around. This is all they’ve wanted to do for the past two days. It’s awesome,” Grim added.
Bonder, one of the founders of the camp, recalled the humble beginnings of starting a summer camp 12 years ago.
“As Director of Parks and Rec, one of the things we recognized is there is a need for camp in town. The camp was made and brought with the vision I believe in, that is ‘yes sir, no sir, please, may I and thank you,’” Bonder said. “That has opened more doors for me than my college diploma.”
Twelve years later, Camp Squankum has more than 300 campers. Bonder gives all of the credit to the counselors.
“This is something you have to be passionate about to work here,” Grim said. “We come up with activities on our own. What makes us unique is the passion from counselors. This isn’t a job. We’re family.”
The culture and atmosphere brought together by Camp Squankum is that of a quintessential summer camp one would see in a movie or TV show. Bonder believes that the concept of a summer camp is alive and well.
“This camp is important because we see these people all the time at Shop-Rite, CVS, at school, at baseball games, at basketball games,” Bonder said. “Not only do we see them here but we’ll see them over the next 12 months. We don’t just work with the kids. We build memories. You’re going to talk about this 15 years from now — it doesn’t go away.”
At the end of the day, everything the counselors do at Camp Squankum is for the children.
Camp Director Anne Bracarello summed it up perfectly.
“The best part is seeing the joy on everybody’s face when we come together as a camp and do these activities,” she said. “It’s never a dull day here.”
