When entering Snowy Owl Camp, one is struck by the girls laying on the lawn. They have lemons in their hair, and are sunbathing. This is a summer camp for girls, but one unlike any that you have ever seen.

On campus, there are girls waterskiing, the main sport of camp. But there are also girls swimming and jumping on the water trampoline. There are girls swimming to the raft, kayaking, and paddling surfboards out to the rock.

 

Girls are relaxed, there are only between 10-20 at a time. There are no lines for skiing or wakeboarding. There is no competition, girls are cheering each other on as they arrive at the dock on their skis. Even when they fall.

This is Snowy Owl. Unusual, yes. Fun, you bet! 

Run by two medical professionals, Snowy Owl is a girl’s summer vacation running from late June to mid August. The directors are Dr. and Mrs. Jordan, who take summers off to teach girls water skiing. During the year, they treat children with dental needs. But when summer comes, they are off to…camp? Ski camp?

Strange as it seems, Dr. Jordan’s passion for skiing has developed into a water ski camp. An avid skier back in Cypress Gardens’ hey day, he skied and also taught water skiing to girls in a camp in New Hampshire for about 20 years. So why summer camp?

“I loved teaching skiing at summer camp. I have taught thousands to ski. Celebrities’ kids, kids from overseas, kids from nearby regions. Some have gone on to be professionals in other sports, actors, moms, business owners - I still hear from campers I taught to ski. And the one thing they all say is that I gave them confidence and self esteem, not just in skiing, but in life. It makes me feel like I have really made a contribution to their lives. They still tell me how great it was to have me pick them up with the boat over and over, never harsh about the repetitive falling of the lesser experienced ones.”

His wife just loves teaching skiing and being around the girls. “I am a summer mom, friend, listener, I’ve even been called a comedian. We ski and swim and even travel. I guess they keep me young.”

The Jordan's run their camp very differently. It is more of a club, a close group, a family. “We don’t take more than 30 girls. We are not looking for crowds. The only requirement is that they love the water, and want to learn to ski. There is absolutely no experience necessary…you can be a seasonal skier, or someone who has never even seen a ski.

Girls live in cozy cabins, with a bath/shower, with a max of 4 to a cabin. A counselor lives with them. Sometimes the counselor is Mrs. Jordan herself. Late in the evening, laughing might be heard from the senior cabin. Moms appreciate the fact that the girls can live it up a bit, relax from the stresses of the rest of the year, and be safe and comfortable too. 

"I still hear from campers I taught to ski. And the one thing they all say is that I gave them confidence and self esteem, not just in skiing, but in life." - Dr. Jordan

The girls do go to tournaments during the summer, to test out their skills. Girls can work as hard as they want. They build confidence, and feel comfortable. The directors are out on the water all day. They know each girl personally.

There are no regimented schedules and wake ups to trumpets. Lights out vary, there are spur of the moment activities and trips. Everyone is relaxed, in fact many girls return for the entire summer. 

Snowy Owl is a wonderful place, available for the girl who wants to ski, or loves the water, the different girl, the girl who just wants to be herself and relax. There are girls from all over the globe. Whatever it is, it is unusual, relaxed and uncrowded, non rigid and comfortable. Just get in quick, interviews are suggested, and space is extremely limited. 

The Jordan's can be reached at (305) 632-4718, or (305) 793-3708. Rates are posted under enrollment. All information is available at www.snowyowlcamp.com

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