Summer Camp Testimonials
Athlete on a bike
Rob Hollinger - Athlete, Camper & CoachSKYHIGH Adventures was my first summer camp, my first job, and my first triathlon. Camp facilitated a safe, supportive environment in which I was free to push the boundaries of what I thought I could do.
John and his team of coaches guided me in becoming a deep water swimmer, gave me the confidence to ride my bike over obstacles and cover distances I would have thought impossible before, and showed me a new enjoyment for competitive sport. The foundation of a strong work ethic, treating others with respect, and making sport the most fun it could be was set from the early days as a camper and is something I have taken with me for many years. When I graduated from Camp, I came back for several summers, first as a Coach In Training, and then as a Coach. As a coach, I had the opportunity to share my experiences and love for the sport with a new set of campers every year. I was also able to take on greater responsibility and build myself up as a part of a team working to deliver the best experience to campers we could. Helping to lead a week-long bike ride across the state of New York and another along the length of Cape Cod have stayed with me not just for the journey, but for the relationships and connections I was able to make with campers and staff along the way. Since my days with SKYHIGH Adventures, I went on to run competitively throughout college and then returned to triathlon, where I have been racing competitively since. The Multi-Sport lifestyle that I learned as a camper has helped me make lifelong friends, travel in search of competition or training grounds, and buy a few more bikes than most would think one might need. |
My wife Meg and I three years ago heard about Sky High Adventure camp through good friends out in Averill Park. Our son Finn is special needs with a diagnosis of autism. At the time he could not ride a bike withoutf the use of training wheels, and found his socialization skills with other children limited. Coach John, his incredible wife Kathy, his daughters who all work at the camp, among all his other special, very patient and caring staff (CIT’s) were all so wonderful to Finn. Within the first couple of weeks of camp they had Finn riding his bike with all the other kids like a pro......and no training wheels. John & Kathy’s camp is the best thing I have ever done for my kids. Their huge swimming pool with certified life guards, gave the kids endless hours of fun, and strong swimming skills. In the barn is a rock wall, and a big warp wall that Finn loved to climb daily. Outside are endless bike tracks for all skill levels,teaching and challenging the kids going over bumps and tracks. Johns level of care and safety and trained staff never had me worry for a second in their time at camp. Johns heart is meant for the children in his care. His imagination for building more and more at the camp for the kids is amazing. Last season when Finns sister Rose joined him, John gave the kids paper and crayons on a rainy day in the barn and asked them to draw a obstacle or a set up they would like to see. Our Rose drew a bike suspended by ropes from a tree that could be rocked back and forth and petaled. John loved it and went to work on it. A few days later there it was perfectly made hung low in the tree out back with a line of kids waiting to take a turn. This year both my kids begged to go for the whole summer, which Meg and I were happy to oblige. John and Kathy make everyone feel like family if not old friends. Finn has made so many friends and has had the best summers of his childhood in the last three years. Befriending John, Kathy, and finding their camp has been the best activity ever for our kids. I tell you truthfully there is nothing like this out there for parents looking to have their kids have a adventure fun filled summer. There is so much more to tell to do the camp justice, from Johns encouragement in arranging iron man competitions for the kids,to his tireless energy always having something new to challenge the kids. From a Dad's point of view, everyday going to pick them up and seeing them happy, tired from play, and eating endless watermelon and frozen popsicles on the big porch at the camp made my heart explode inside that someone like John & Kathy have created this wonderful camp for all kids, all ages, all skill levels for our kids to have the best summers of their childhood. We love the Slyers and will forever be campers at Sky High!!!!!!
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Lynn and DJ Hansen - Parents
All three of my children have attended SKYHIGH Adventure Camp. When my oldest son attended for the first year, I was very nervous because he could not ride his bike very well and he was very cautious about trying new things. At the end of the first week, he was riding his bike around the pump track and climbing obstacles I never thought he would even attempt. John and Kathy build the kid’s confidence to try “really hard” things in a safe environment. From swimming in the pool to open water swimming in a lake. From biking around their yard to “Century Rides” (100 miles) to Massachusetts. From swinging on one of the ninja obstacles to climbing the warp wall - the experience has been amazing in every way. My children can’t wait to go to camp every summer and after starting with just a week or two each summer now attend every week and love the adventures, the experiences, and the lasting friendships they make.” |
