History

In December 1986,  Dale and Howard Batterman of Bucks County purchased Sesame Day Camp and The WonderKey School.  Their pledge was to assure that not only would the fine reputation of the camp and school continue,  but also to strive for an even higher standard of quality and service within the community.  This would be achieved with an emphasis on professionalism with our full-time office staff,  teachers,  leadership team of directors,  counseling and specialty staff,  food service,  transportation and support personnel.  Throughout the past twenty-seven years,  new programs and activities have been introduced at SRC.  These programs include culinary arts,  dance,  computers,  robotics,  ceramics,  jewel craft,  fishing,  theatre,  digital photography,  archery,  an adventure ropes course and a host of “special events”.  The facility has been enhanced with the addition of four pools (now totaling five),  three tennis courts,  four hockey courts,  five soccer fields,  five softball fields and bunk buildings for changing and campers’ personal items.  Online newsletters are published during the camp off-season and throughout the summer season.  A “WinterFest” event is held each year along with a “Spring Fling”  and a “Meet the Counselor Day” prior to camp’s opening.  We are truly a year-round operation.

In 1989 Camp Rockwood was created.  Located on the same site as Sesame Day Camp,  Camp Rockwood has evolved as a unique and separate program for children, ages 8 through 14.  The program was designed to provide more challenging activities for our maturing campers.  A Counselor-In-Training (C.I.T.) /Intern Program for campers entering 8th and 9th grades was developed as a way to “grow” our future staff.

Rockwood Adventures was developed in 1991 as an alternative to both a traditional day camp and resident camp program.  Rockwood Adventures is a teen travel program for campers,  ages 11 through 14.  These adventuresome campers travel on 5 and 10 day trips to sites throughout the Eastern United States and Canada on luxury tour buses.

We continue to strive to offer the finest in youth development and recreational summer programs for children in the Philadelphia and surrounding county areas.

 
Meet Our Director

More than Owners and Directors … Dale and Howard Batterman are parents.  They are committed to the well-being of each and every child that has attended and will be attending Sesame/Rockwood Camps.

Dale and Howard grew up in Philadelphia and met in high school.  After attending Penn State University,  with a degree in Secondary Education,  Howard began teaching in Bucks County while attending Temple University at night and receiving a Masters in Education.  Dale, received her Elementary Education degree from Temple University and began teaching in Springfield Montgomery Township.  She attained a Masters in Elementary Education from Arcadia University (then Beaver College).

After almost 5 years of teaching,  Howard changed his career and became the Executive Director of Camp Akiba,  a well known and respected overnight camp in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania.  Dale joined Howard during the summers as the Intermediate Girls Camp Director and Program Director.

Upon the passing of Howard’s mentor and Akiba’s owner in 1986,  the Battermans purchased Sesame Day Camp and The WonderKey School campus and facility in Blue Bell from the founders (of 1953).

Howard devotes himself to positions of leadership within both the American Camp Association and the Association of Independent Camps.  Howard has served as President of the Eastern Pennsylvania Section of the American Camp Association,  as well as National Treasurer and National Finance Chair for the American Camp Association.  Howard served on the Executive Committee of the Tri-State Camp Conference,  the largest such gathering held anywhere in the country.  He also chaired the first-ever National Day Camp Conference.  Howard is a noted speaker at conferences around the country and currently serves on the board of Golden Slipper Camps.

Facility and Location

Acres of Beauty and Functionality

Sesame/Rockwood Camps’  beautifully trimmed and landscaped 22 acres is a source of pride for all campers and staff.  In addition to the various and extensive ball fields,  blacktop athletic surfaces and 5 crystal clear pools,  SRC boasts two 15,000 square foot air conditioned buildings for the Creative and Performing Arts Studios and our Rockwood Theater Arts Center,  which allow for additional space for those super hot and (few) rainy days.  There are additional pavilions and covered surfaces to also protect the staff and campers from weather elements.

Tradition Plays an Important Role at Sesame/Rockwood Camps

Every summer campers look forward to participating in Color War competitions, blue team vs. gold team and red team vs. white team,  Carnival Fun with rides, booths and challenging contests,  the 4th of July Picnic Extravaganza,  The RockRidge Cup Games with Diamond Ridge Camps, our sister camp in Jamison, Bucks County,  Camper Director Day,  The Staff Show,  Birthday Bash Celebrations,  Bunk Skits,  Multi-Media Video Flashback highlighting the summer’s events and more!

The Tradition Continues

Special events generic to specific age groups include Casino Nite,  Late Nite Dinner Club,  Pirate Adventure,  Super Scientist Exploration,  Safari Animal Hunt,  Grand Galas and the Rockwood Broadway Show performed by Camp Rockwood’s Theater Club.

Wednesday Dress-Up Days,  another tradition,  changes week to week and summer to summer.  Campers have celebrated Disney,  Hawaii,  Western,  Halloween dress-ups and lots more!

Every Camper is Unique

Every camper is acknowledged with yearly Sesame/Rockwood Plaques.  Trophies, Ribbons and Certificates are awarded to campers, as well, for various accomplishments having participated in Sport Leagues,  Tournaments,  Derby Car Racing and more.