Discover Camp Stories

“I started Discover Camp in its first year, when I was 8 years old. I had the opportunity to explore so many fun and exciting classes, from racing academy to skateboarding to rocketry. No matter who you are, Discover Camp has something to offer. Over the next 7 years as a camper and subsequently as a counselor, I’ve had the pleasure of seeing the camp grow and flourish, expanding into new disciplines and increasing its reach, but never losing its core spirit. I largely attribute this spirit to the leadership team, whose compassion and dedication pervade every aspect of the camp experience. The things I learned at Discover Camp helped shape my career, the people I met made me wiser, and the memories I made are simply priceless. I cannot recommend Discover Camp enough.”

“Discover Camp has been a meaningful part of my growth, both personally and professionally. It provided a supportive environment where I gained confidence, stepped outside my comfort zone, and developed strong collaboration and leadership skills. Through hands-on projects, I built technical skills that I still use in my career today, including early exposure to 3D printing, something that became both a personal passion and a daily tool in my work as a mechanical engineer. What truly sets Discover Camp apart is the sense of family and community it creates. From the start, you feel supported by peers and instructors who encourage curiosity, teamwork, and growth. The friendships formed at camp are lasting and feel more like family, built through shared challenges, creativity, and collaboration. The wide range of hands-on classes—like Racing Academy, Rocketry, and Aeronautics—played a major role in shaping my problem-solving, technical, and creative thinking. These experiences went far beyond the classroom and continue to influence how I approach my work today. Discover Camp offers more than just learning; it builds confidence, real-world skills, and a community that feels like home.

One of my favorite memories from camp was designing and attaching wings, a tail, and a rudder to a Racing Academy RC car and driving it off the roof in an attempt to create a flying car. Working alongside counselors to design, build, and test something so ambitious captured everything Discover Camp stands for: creativity, experimentation, and learning through doing.”

“I started going to Discover Camp in the summer of 2011. I knew I wanted to be a scientist at a young age, but I didn’t exactly know what field. I remember that summer I took Build Your Own Computer and the Electronic Camp Construction classes. I’ve never taken classes like these before. I remember after building my first PC at the camp, I immediately fell in love with computers. I’ve been interested in technology ever since. The camp gave me an opportunity to explore my interests at a young age, and I was able to find what I was passionate about very quickly. After going to DC, I knew I wanted to be an engineer. Discovering this at a young age put me in an excellent position for the rest of my career. Each year I would go back to DC to discover new technologies further and find new things I was interested. The eclectic range of classes helped me decide with confidence exactly what I wanted to study and major in in college. Thank you DC! :)”

“I’ve been with Discover Camp for 11 years, and it has truly shaped who I am as both a teacher and a creator. I first joined as a counselor in 2015 after my mom encouraged me to apply. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but DC quickly became a place that challenged me, supported me, and opened doors I never imagined. A few years in, I began helping with classes like Scratch, 3D printing, and eventually filmmaking, my true passion. I studied Digital Film & Production at BOCES and always wanted to be a cinematographer, so getting the chance to teach film to younger students was something special. When Mike Williams joined our class, his acting background brought a whole new perspective, and together we’ve built a program that blends both sides of the film world. Our collaboration is one of my favorite parts of working at DC. Last summer, I also launched our photography class. As a professional photographer, it’s been amazing sharing that world with students and watching them light up when they capture a photo they’re proud of. Creating an end-of-summer gallery with them is something I look forward to every year. Discover Camp has been more than a summer job, it’s given me the confidence, experience, and skills that I now bring to my role as a Digital Film teacher at BOCES. I’m grateful for the trust, the encouragement, and the community I’ve found here. The friendships, the creativity, the students growing year after year, this place feels like home, and I’m proud to return each summer. DC is a one-of-a-kind camp where students get to explore interests that may become lifelong passions. The classes are exciting, but the experiences and connections are what truly set it apart. I’m always proud to recommend Discover Camp because I’ve seen firsthand how meaningful it can be.”

“Discover Camp has always been more than a workplace for me, it’s a place filled with joy, fun, and real connection. What makes DC so special is the incredible variety of experiences it offers. There’s truly something for every interest, and no other camp creates opportunities quite like this. I’ve been part of Discover Camp for over 10 years, from my early days as a camper to now as an employee, and I still love every day I’m here.”

“I have been part of the Discover Camp family for the past 15 years, as a camper, CIT, and counselor, and I always looked forward to summer at Discover. DC means so much to me because I truly grew up here, and I’m grateful to call it my second home. What makes Discover Camp special is the people and the sense of community that welcome everyone with open arms. Although this past summer was my last working at camp, Discover will always be part of my life. Professionally, Discover Camp is where everything began for me. During internship interviews, I often spoke about my time at DC and how it taught me to work with others, solve problems, and be someone people can rely on. One interviewer even mentioned how my passion showed when I talked about Discover Camp. The responsibility, leadership, and confidence I developed there are the same skills that helped me earn my investment banking internship, and they’re lessons I’ll carry with me forever. Discover Camp is also special for how enriching it is and the wide range of opportunities it offers, from flying drones and racing cars to creative classes, strategy games, and off-site adventures like rock climbing and ice skating. There truly is something for everyone. Discover is a place where you’re encouraged to try new things, grow, and feel supported every step of the way. Discover Camp has been my home for 15 years, and it’s the people who make it so meaningful. It’s a place filled with kindness, community, and memories that will stay with me forever.”

“I started working at Discover Camp after my first year of college, and it quickly confirmed that I wanted to build a career in teaching. The care, passion, and commitment shown by every staff member is genuinely inspiring. I’ve learned from some of the best educators here, and I wouldn’t be the teacher I am today without the summers I’ve spent at DC. What makes Discover Camp truly special is the community, teachers, counselors, and campers who welcome everyone with open arms. It’s a place where people feel supported, valued, and part of a family. No matter who you are, you’ll find where you belong at Discover Camp. I joined in 2022 as a Juniors counselor and eventually stepped into the role of Juniors teacher. My cousin also started as a CIT in 2023 and is now a counselor, and spending summers together has made the experience even more meaningful. I hope to be part of Discover Camp for many more summers to come.”

“Discover Camp has been such a meaningful place to work. I started 8 years ago, and it’s been incredible to see how much the camp has grown year after year. The sense of community here is unmatched: staff and campers genuinely support one another, creating an environment that truly feels like home. The relationships I’ve built over the years have been nothing short of amazing, and watching people grow has been one of the best parts of being here. I always encourage others to work here or become campers themselves, because the summers spent at Discover Camp are truly unforgettable.”

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to teach at Discover Camp and proud to be part of something so special. The wide variety of classes allows teachers to share their interests in fun and engaging ways, which is one of the reasons I’ve loved being here since 2011. Being part of this community has been incredibly rewarding, and now having both of my kids at camp makes it even more meaningful. Discover Camp is something I’m truly proud to be a part of.”

“Discover Camp has always been my home away from home. It’s where I met my closest friends and learned some of the most valuable life skills I still use today. DC is a place where everyone feels included. Whether you’re into technology, video games, sports, art, or something completely different, there’s a space for you here. The counselors are incredibly supportive and make sure every camper feels welcomed, seen, and part of the community.”

“Discover Camp meant a great deal to me because it was one of the first places where I truly felt comfortable being myself. It gave me the space to try new things, meet people who shared the same excitement and energy, and step outside my comfort zone. Through those experiences, I built confidence, formed meaningful friendships, and learned how to work with others, communicate effectively, and stay patient—skills I’ve continued to use in school, group settings, and my professional life. What makes Discover Camp special is the sense of inclusion it creates. It’s a place where everyone is encouraged to explore their interests, try something new, and feel supported along the way. It never felt like just a summer activity; it felt like a true community. I would encourage others to join because Discover Camp allows you to learn, have fun, and often surprise yourself with what you’re capable of. You leave with lasting memories, friendships, and lessons that stay with you long after summer ends.

Some of my favorite memories came from the hands-on activities—especially building rockets, working with RC cars, and experimenting with different projects. Those experiences played a major role in sparking my interest in engineering. They showed me how much I enjoyed problem-solving, building with my hands, and turning ideas into something real. Looking back, I didn’t realize how much those moments were shaping my future, but they helped guide my curiosity and ultimately influenced my path as an engineer. Discover Camp didn’t just give me great memories; it helped guide the direction of my life.”

“My first year at Discover camp was in 2017. I absolutely loved it, and I could not wait to come back the next year. I spent four years as a camper and took many classes, including Minecraft, Drone Racing, 3D Printing, Rocketry, Mini-Z Racing, and more. I became a CIT in 2021 and realized that I really enjoyed working in the drone racing program. The following summer, I started as a counselor, and I have worked in the FPV program ever since, repairing drones and teaching kids to fly. Somewhere during that time, I realized I wanted to be a teacher, and I am so grateful that DC helped me realize it. This upcoming summer will be my tenth year at camp, and I cannot wait to come back!”

“Discover Camp made technology and engineering exciting for me, and that spark ultimately led me into an amazing career. Along the way, I built friendships that are still some of my closest today. As a former camper and counselor, I saw firsthand how special Discover Camp is. It’s a place where kids can explore new, stimulating hobbies, discover what they love, and connect with others who share the same interests. DC creates an environment where learning is fun, creativity thrives, and friendships last long after summer ends.”

“Discover Camp was my first job, and it quickly became foundational to my professional growth. I worked primarily in sports classes, where I developed many of the core skills I still rely on today. There was a strong sense of responsibility when it came to camper safety, which taught me to be mindful of each child’s abilities. I learned how to design activities that challenged campers athletically while minimizing the risk of overexertion or injury. Through this role, I also strengthened my communication and leadership skills. Leading groups through activities, giving clear direction, and coordinating with fellow counselors were essential to keeping classes organized, safe, and fun. Learning how to balance structure with enjoyment was a critical part of ensuring each class ran smoothly. My greatest takeaway from Discover Camp was the relationships I built. I worked alongside incredible people who made coming to camp feel like anything but work. It truly reinforced the idea that people make the place, and that was absolutely the case at Discover. Every day, I was surrounded by passionate individuals who genuinely cared about creating a fun, engaging environment for campers. Those shared experiences led to friendships that I still value today.”

“Discover Camp was my first job, and it’s where I met many of the friends I still spend time with today. Some of my best memories come from working alongside and hanging out with the people I met at camp. Whether you’re a camper or a staff member, you’re treated like family and genuinely taken care of. You meet so many incredible campers, counselors, and staff members during your time at DC. The skills campers develop stay with them for a lifetime, and as an employee, there truly is no better place to work.

At camp, I worked as a custodian. Even though I didn’t work directly with the kids, I somehow became famous across the entire camp. During lunch, my job was to clean up any drinks that were “accidentally” spilled. I’m not sure how it started, but every time I walked over with a mop, hundreds of kids would erupt into chants of “BIG JOE! BIG JOE!” Before long, the spills became more frequent—clearly just an excuse to get the chant going. It didn’t stop at lunch either. Anytime I walked into a classroom, lessons had to pause as the entire class broke into chanting my name. As a 17-year-old, it was surreal to have an entire camp cheering for you like a rock star. On “Dress Like a Counselor Day,” some campers even dressed up as me. It’s hard to dislike work when every single day feels like a standing ovation!”

“Discover Camp made technology and engineering exciting for me, and that passion ultimately helped guide me toward an amazing career, along with friendships that are still some of my closest today. It’s a place where kids discover new, stimulating interests and connect with others who share those same passions.”

“When I look back on my childhood, Discover Camp is what truly defines my summers. It’s what made each one unforgettable. From six years as a camper to five years as a counselor, Discover Camp was my home every summer. Discover Camp is truly one-of-a-kind. There is something for everyone—even if you don’t realize it at first. It’s a place where learning something new is guaranteed, and where trying something unfamiliar feels exciting rather than intimidating. The dedication of the teachers and counselors is what makes these experiences fun, engaging, and memorable for every camper. As a kid, I dreaded attending my local town camp each summer. I would go to great lengths to avoid it—pretending to be sick in the mornings or faking sleep in the car at drop-off—just to escape sitting in the sun all day with nothing to do. In 2010, my parents decided to enroll me in a new camp called Discover Camp. I was skeptical, unsure if it would really be any different from the camps I already knew. For my first summer, I signed up for a half-day schedule with classes in rocketry and Mini 4WD. I had so much fun that when pickup time came, I told my mom I didn’t want to leave. By the end of that day, I had switched to a full schedule. I didn’t realize it then, but Discover Camp would become where I spent my summers for the next eleven years. Beyond the skills and experiences I gained, I also formed friendships that have lasted long after many of us moved on to pursue our education and careers. Those relationships remain some of the most meaningful in my life and will likely last a lifetime. I am incredibly grateful for my Discover Camp family and for all the memories made there. I wouldn’t have wanted to spend my summers any other way.”