Iconic Statues Return To Greet Campers (VIDEO)

After 10 years in “hibernation” at the Champion Day Camp mini golf course, two polar bears returned to their rightful places at the entrance to the day camp.  The two eight-foot tall, upright bear polar statues recently resumed their station to keep a watchful eye on campers and visitors.

Greg Pinkham, who along with his wife, Jamie, helps his in-laws, Sasha and Judy Bunchuk, run the camp, said they moved the white polar bears back to their rightful place because they are strongly associated with the camp.  During the 10-year hiatus, many people asked what happened to them.  The bears were moved to the mini golf course farther back into the camp after one disappeared and then reappeared on the property.   The polar bears are now secured on a five-foot-high pedestal overlooking the front of the camp. 

Pinkham said the bears will have a new appearance soon to make them even more distinctive.

“We’ll put stars on one and stripes on one,” he said.

The polar bears originally came from a golf course and have been at the camp since the 1980s. The Bunchuks bought in 1978, which they originally named “Le Camp.”  The 10-acre property previously housed a bungalow colony.

Now, campers enjoy either an all-activities program or sports-oriented program during the eight weeks the camp opens during the summer. This year camp begins on June 25 and ends August 17.  During that time the property will be filled with up to 325 campers from three to 15 years old and about 80 staffers.

They will be playing pickle ball, soccer, trying their skills on the climbing tower, go cart track, mini zip line, and at archery, rehearsing for plays and swimming in the pools or making arts and crafts. 

Champion Day Camp is located at175 West Clarkstown Road in New City.