Live From TQ

Tell us what you thought!

2008-07-09T18:47:00.000-07:00

When you get home, please take a couple of minutes to fill out our online camp evaluation with your child. The things your camper liked best need to be repeated. We also know that there are areas where we could improve, and want your advice on where to put our energies.

Please don't assume we already know something that you've noticed!

To fill out our evaluation, visit

http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/?p=WEB227U9HBFHHM

or visit

www.camptq.org

view our blog, “live from TQ” for a clickable link.

You're advice and feedback, both good and bad, will have an impact on how we finish this year and prepare for the next.

Volunteer opening weekend a huge sucess!

2008-05-05T18:19:00.000-07:00

This weekend we held our annual volunteer opening work weekend at Camp Tulequoia. Not only was the weather amazing, but the turn out and amount of love and energy that was put into the facility was tremendous. More than 65 volunteers turned out to open cabins, clean bathrooms, rake pine needles and begin this year’s facility projects. The facility projects that were started include the women’s Central Restroom face lift, men’s Dinning Hall restroom face lift and multiple others. We will be back at camp next weekend to continue working on the facility projects we started last weekend and start a few others. Thank you everyone who came out to help! Thanks to everyone’s efforts, camp is running and ready to go.

The fish are here

2008-04-22T18:34:00.000-07:00

Did you know that Sequoia Lake is stocked with trout every year? Did you also know that the fish come from a hatchery and are shot into the lake out of a shoot similar to the shoot on a cement truck? If you have never seen the fish stocking process, it is a sight to see. Check out the following pictures of our fish stocking experience:

American Camp Association Conference

2008-04-10T09:10:00.000-07:00

From April 2-5 the ten directors from YMCA Camp Tulequoia and Element YMCA Skate Camp headed to Las Vegas for the annual ACA Camp West Conference. This year’s theme was “Building Connections,” and connecting they did. At the conference our directors were able to explore a variety of critical camp issues throughout general and interest sessions, experience a community committed to the value of the camp experience, and meet veteran camp leaders. By making these connections our directors were able to create plans and goals for the future of our amazing camps, and now can’t wait to connect with this summer. Viva Camp Vegas.

The Best Counselor's in the World Work at Camp TQ

2008-03-21T14:33:00.000-07:00

We have phenomenal news. The summer staff of 2008 is coming from ALL over the world! This year, we have counselors from Scotland, Kenya, Hungary and throughout the United States who will be joining us for a fantastic summer of fun on Sequoia Lake.

Throughout March and April, Nicholas Benitez (the Assistant Camp Tulequoia Director) and Barbra Westfall (the Camp Tulequoia Director) will be touring Central Valley college campuses to recruit and interview additional camp counselor candidates.

If you know of any amazing leaders you'd like to see sharing their skills as mentors and teachers at camp, let them know there are a few counseling positions left for this summer. Once they are interested, they can apply online by clicking the summer jobs link on our website.

Thank you for helping us find the best staff in the world. See you soon in the sun!

Picnic tables for every cabin!

2008-03-14T15:45:00.001-07:00

This summer, Camp Royal (Central California's Rotary Leadership Camp - hosted at Camp Tulequoia) will be building a picnic table for every cabin in Camp Tulequoia! This will be a great asset for our campers to enjoy and a natural friend making facility addition to camp. The picnic tables will be funded by various Rotary clubs throughout Central California and will be assembled on site, during Camp Royal this summer. Each table will be “branded” with the sponsoring Rotary clubs seal. Thanks Rotary!

Sequoia Lake Award Recipients

2008-03-11T22:41:00.000-07:00

At tonights Sequoia Lake Annual Dinner, two of our long time volunteers received well deserved awards.

Larry Benevento was named the Visalia YMCA’s Camp Volunteer of the year. Larry has been a long time supporter of our camping programs and has worked tirelessly, raising funds for our Campership program, so that no child is turned away from camp for an inability to pay for it. Larry, a former Camp Director himself has also help direct camps strategic vision and raise funds for a variety of facility projects. Congratulations Larry!

Also at the celebration dinner, Ross Irving received the Don Shantz Legacy award. This award is not given on an annual basis, but only when the Sequoia Lake Conference of YMCA board sees fit to recognize someone for lifelong service to Sequoia Lake. Ross has been involved at Sequoia Lake for nearly 60 years and has dedicated his life to Sequoia Lake, its mission and to the young people come to camp. Congratulations Ross!

Camp Director Retreat

2008-03-09T20:18:00.000-07:00

For several years, the Camp Tulequoia Leaders and the Skate Camp Leaders have met separately in the spring to discuss their programs and roles at camp. This process has always been important to the growth of our camp program and its leaders. However, with the expansion of our programs and transitions in leadership, we realized that our Camp Directors were not receiving training and development. As a result, to make sure that we are prepared to implement change and that we remember and are aware of the nitty gritty details, we decided to hold our first annual Directors Retreat at Lake Nacimento. During our time together, we focused on teaching, reminding and defining the logistical duties of Camp Leaders. We also reviewed changes that will affect our programs, and strategically planed for our camps future.

Camp TQ's New Closing Day Routine

2008-02-20T17:20:00.000-08:00

As you may have noticed, Camp Tulequoia’s new closing day is Friday.

For years, our camper parents have wanted to spend time at camp with their child. In addition, we have wanted our camper parents to be able to see the power of the camp experience themselves. As a result, on our new closing day, parents can arrive as early as 11:00 am to join us for our beach party and lake side cookout. After the beach party has ended, our closing ceremony will begin. Closing ceremony will end at 3:00 pm, at which time parents can check their child out of camp. For your convenience, we have set the arrival window between 11:00 am and 3:00 pm. Feel free to arrive at camp anytime during this window. While at Camp, we hope you will be able to meet your child’s new friends, and revisit their camp adventures with them.

We understand that some parents might not be able to make it to Camp on Friday. So, if you can’t make it to camp on Friday, you are welcome to sign up for our shuttle service (which will arrive at the Visalia YMCA between 4:30 and 5 pm). There, you will receive a packet of information that will help you engage your child in conversation about camp, so you can glimpse your child's camp experience, through your child's eyes.

Land Survey

2008-02-12T13:35:00.000-08:00

In the year 2000, the YMCA Board, Camp Committee and other interested parties joined together to plan the future of YMCA Camp Tulequoia. As a result of that planning session strategic objectives and goals were made for the Visalia YMCA’s Camping Service Department. One of the primary objectives the planning group committed to was to create and implement a Master Site Plan for YMCA Camp Tulequoia and Camp Millwood.

The Master Site Plan is a graphic representation that indicates the future functional arrangement of operation, housing, and program facilities, and their relationship with the natural characteristics and resources of the camp grounds.

To begin this process, much needs to be accomplished, including the completion of a land survey
detailed at 1 foot contours. The planners use this survey as a base map to prepare all of their
drawings and plans.

The land survey is done in four parts:

Once an engineering firm has been selected, the firm will evaluate the property and set up their survey.
The second step is to create an aerial map of the property.
The third step requires the engineering firm to digitize the aerial map.
The fourth step requires the engineering firm to “fill in” areas that could not be view from aerial flight.

As a result of monies raised through our 2007 tiered pricing plan, we will be moving forward with the survey project this year. WOW, that is soooooo exciting!

So if you see a plane flying overhead while you are at camp this summer, or see engineers with their tripods at camp on the weekend...don't worry, everything is OK...it's just progress!

GoodSearch.com - make it your home page!

2008-02-06T08:49:00.000-08:00

What if Camp TQ earned a penny every time you searched the Internet?

Or how about if a percentage of every purchase you made online went to support our cause? Well, now it can!

GoodSearch.com is a new Yahoo-powered search engine that donates half its advertising revenue, about a penny per search, to the charities its users designate. Use it just as you would any search engine, get quality search results from Yahoo, and watch the donations add up!

GoodShop.com is a new online shopping mall which donates up to 37 percent of each purchase to your favorite cause! Hundreds of great stores including Target, Gap, Best Buy, ebay, Macy's and Barnes & Noble have teamed up with GoodShop and every time you place an order, you’ll be supporting your favorite cause.

Just go to www.goodsearch.com and be sure to enter YMCA Camp Tulequoia as the charity you want to support. Make it your home page and be sure to spread the word!

Support TQ Updated

2008-02-05T16:52:00.000-08:00

Have you had a chance to look at the "Support TQ" section of our website?

It takes a lot make TQ run smoothly and even more for it to flourish! We count on volunteer support and donations of cash and materials to make facility and other improvements to camp.

Check out the "Support TQ" page of this site, by clicking on the appropriate link on the home page. We update this list monthly with progress and new projects. It was just updated for 2008.

Check out the volunteer opportunities and find out what TQ needs your help with.

Do you know anyone who would make a good Camp Counsleor? Mention TQ to them today!

2008-01-29T10:05:00.000-08:00

Along with camp registration, we are hard at work recruiting and hiring the best staff available to work at Camp TQ this summer.

One of the best things about Camp TQ is the staff. Like with campers, we turn to our best veteran staff to carry the "TQ torch" through the ages. We thouroglhy consider past staff members job performance and current place in life before re-hiring them for a second season.

TQ must be a good place to work though, because most of our staff do return for at least 1 additional season.

After we have considered our returnee's we look to hire new college age staff members form around the country. We look for and hire the best.

However, many times, "the best" are in our own backyard. We have found that past campers make great staff members.

If you are, or have a child that is at least one year out of high-school, that also loves TQ - why not be a counsleor at old TQ? You can read more info about working at camp on this website...click on "summer jobs" for a direct link. You can even apply online.

Family Camp Registration Opens Feb 5

2008-01-26T21:50:00.000-08:00

It's almost time to turn in your Family Camp registration. Remember, there is a fairly strict registration policy for family camp.

Why? (you ask)

Well, it started when Family Camp became quite popular in the mid to late 1990's. At that time, registration for Family Camp opened the same day registration for Youth and Skate Camp opened.

Everyone (just like today) wanted a spot at camp for Memorial Day or Labor Day weekend. We had families driving 4 to 5 hours each way to drop of their registration at the front desk of the YMCA. We even had some folks who would arrive early in the morning, before the YMCA was open to form a line to turn in their families registration for camp. WOW, it was a mess.

So despite the fun atmosphere lines create (not really), our current registration process began.

Family Camp is still very popular and usually sells out within the first couple of day's (sometime the first day) registration opens.

Following, as a reminder, are the registration guidelines for Family Camp:

How to register:

Family Camp registrations are accepted by U.S. mail only beginning February 5, 2008.
Envelopes must be postmarked no earlier than February 5th. This means your envelope needs to be postmarked by the post office on or after February 5th. Metered mail date stamps do not qualify as a postmark.
Be sure to use a regular stamp.
Faxes, hand deliveries, express mail services, return-receipts, or other special mail services are not accepted.
Use a regular business-sized envelope (no. 10).
One registration form per envelope, up to eight (8) people per registration.
After February 12th, if space is still available, registrations can be made by fax, mail or hand delivery.
Mail to YMCA Camp Tulequoia attention Family Camp, 211 W. Tulare Avenue, Visalia, CA 93277.
8. Confirmation of registration or waiting list status will be mailed by February 26th

Want to spice it up?

Feel free to decorate your envelope with stickers and fun things. It will get you, and your family excited about camp.

Priority Registration - Post #2

2008-01-16T07:58:00.000-08:00

Camp is filling up fast, with campers returning from last year and brand new faces. If you have attended camp in the past, you are eligible for priority registration until January 19th.

That's right around the corner. Turn in your summer 2008 registration today. Or, register online!

Which sessions have the most campers enrolled so far? Youth Camp 3 and Youth Camp 4.

Register soon! See you this summer.

Camp Director University

2008-01-12T20:04:00.000-08:00

Your favorite Camp Directors just got back from the lone star state. Barbra and Mike attended the National YMCA Camping Conference just north of Dallas Texas. While there, they also attended a certification course, provided by the YMCA of the USA, the Resident Camp Director University (CDU).

The Visalia YMCA, believes that it's people (staff and participants) are it's greatest asset. The CDU is one example of that. Through training opportunities, our staff are constantly learning new things, many of which improve Camp TQ, year after year.

Campership Campaign

2008-01-10T10:02:00.000-08:00

Did you know that we will raise more than $50,000 this year to send children to camp, who otherwise would not be able to afford it?

Yes indeed!

Each year, beginning in January and ending in March, our YMCA undertakes the very important goal of raising these funds. In total, our YMCA will raise more than $150,000 to help children and their families participate in YMCA programs, who without the YMCA's help would not be able to participate in Camp, Sports, After-school care, and the many other remarkable programs the YMCA offers.

The YMCA raises this money by organizing and motivating people who love the YMCA to give of themselves and ask their friends and acquaintances to give.

Simple, isn't it.

People of all walks and abilities give. Rich, poor, tall, short, etc. Everyone gives what they can. For some people, it's money, for some it's their time and energy, while for others it's goods and services.

If you receive a phone call, or a friend asks you to give, please consider it.

If you would like to be involved with the Campaign process (asking), or if you would like to give to the Campaign, call Mike McFadden at the Visalia YMCA.

With your help, we will change the lives of countless children in Tulare and Kings County.

Sleigh Rides at Sequoia Lake

2008-01-04T11:22:00.000-08:00

The Sequoia Lake Conference of YMCA’s is proud to have:

Horse Corral Pack Station
Charley & Judy Mills,

And their fine crew on the property,

To introduce you to a…

“Winter in the Mountains
Experience & Sleigh Ride”

For those who have and those of you who haven’t had the pleasure, the California Sierra Nevada Mountains are beautiful year round in all four seasons. Sequoia Lake is an enchanted place that has something for everyone.

They have a 4-passenger and an 8-passenger sleigh up at Sequoia Lake to take folks along the lake roads back into the camps.

It is beautiful in the summer, but absolutely breathtaking in the snowy winter!

We truly hope you enjoy your visit and will want to return. Charley, Judy & Crew are committed, making every attempt to show you a great time and an experience you’ll remember! For more information contact Horse Corral Pack Station at: 559-564-6429 or at their website http://www.horsecorralpackers.com/ .

Happy Holidays

2007-12-24T10:21:00.000-08:00

Happy Holidays from your friends at Camp Tulequoia. We hope that your family has a wonderful holiday season, full of joy and memories.

See you this summer!

Priority Registration

2007-12-20T10:19:00.000-08:00

Priority registration has been mailed to all of last year’s campers. If your child attended camp last year, and you have not received your priority registration packet, let us know. To request a new packet, or additional information, contact the Camp Administrator, Mary Barr 559.627.0700 ext.121.

We will accept previous campers priority registration through January 19th.

Remember, every session sold out last year! Don’t get stuck on the wait list, be sure to reserve your child's bunk by registering today!

Hello World

2007-07-17T11:19:00.001-07:00

Hi, everyone, and welcome to the Live From TQ blog. This brand new feature will allow you to check out what's happening at camp, as it's happening. Throughout the week, our staff will post pictures and stories of things that are happening at TQ. Now, parents will be able to share in the fun, and campers will be able to reflect on their memories at Old TQ.