Monthly Archives:January 2014

Have you ever known a kid (or adult for that matter) who was not excited about the possibility of a snow day?!  To go to bed the night before knowing that you had the whole day ahead to play in the snow and do things that you don’t normally get to do?  I have lived in Georgia for the past 5 years, and it is a rare occasion that we even get teased with the thought of a snow day.  This week was a dream come true for many Southerners as schools and places of work were closed for a day (or more) thanks to Winter Storm Leon.  Even though I lived in the “North” once upon a time, I couldn’t help but get caught up in the excitement of having 2 snow days to break up the hum-drum of the last week in January.

While walking my dogs around the neighborhood over the past few days, I loved seeing fewer cars on the roads (since not many people down here know how to drive with white stuff on the ground!) and hearing the bursts of laughter coming from kids playing outside while making snow angels, throwing snowballs, and sledding down our hilly landscape.  I even saw some “grown-ups” (or maybe just several students?) running around a local college campus with very large water guns and having a ball.  One of my neighbors invited me over for dinner and said that it felt like a “holiday” in the middle of the week.

So, what if every day was a snow day?  In my mind, it absolutely can be at camp!  Having played hard all day with the anticipation of waking up to something fun and exciting puts campers to sleep every night.  The bursts of laughter heard while campers are hanging out in the cabin, walking to and from activities, eating meals together, huddling around the campfire, are just a few of things that make each and every day at camp extraordinary and more like a snow day than a regular day.

Will Summer Ever Get Here?! As the US has experienced a polar vortex twice this season, numerous “clippers”, subzero windchills, and below average temperatures, it seems as though summer will NEVER get here!  It is hard to imagine wearing shorts and a t-shirt, let alone a bathing suit for Rec Swim when many of us are donning layers of long underwear, hats, gloves, scarves, and boots, just to try to stay warm.

But, if you are like me, you may have started to notice that the days are starting to get just a little longer (we are already over a month out from the Winter Solstice!).  As you see from the pictures taken on my recent snow day, spring is actually trying to push its way through despite the frigid temps (at least it is in Augusta, GA!).  I have begun to notice little spikes of green line the paths on walks with my dogs every morning, and I even saw some pink buds peeking out through the snow.  On one of the coldest mornings we’ve had all winter, robins were chirping and fluttering about.

For those of you counting down the days until camp, it won’t be too long before summer days in the Northwoods will become a reality.  We are anxiously awaiting your arrival and have been turning up the heat on plans for the “Dare to Explore Summer of 1-4”!  Until then, have yourself a great snow day!

February 1, 2014 is National I Heart Camp Day!  Help us spread the word on the importance of summer camp. Remember all those funny pictures we took of you with the “I heart Camp ” Poster.  Well, on February 1, 2014 Camp Woodland campers, parents, and staff are encouraged to post their ” I heart Camp” photo as their Facebook Profile.  Don’t have Facebook?

Here are a few ideas to show the world (or just your friends) how much camp means to you!

• Instagram your photo!  #Woodland4Girls #Iheartcamp
• Print it out and paste on your favorite school tablet
• Post it on your Pinterest Site
• Make it a screen saver on your computer

Click the link to retrieve your daughter’s photos: I heart Camp Woodland Photos Link

Need your son’s photo too? Click the link to your son’s (Towering Pines) photos: I heart TP Photos link

All you have to do is:  1– find your picture,  2– download it by clicking the download tab on the bottom right of the photo, 3-Post it this Saturday, Feburary 1!

* We took these photos at the end of the summer.  We apologize if your daughter could not be part of this project and hope to do the photos throughout the entire next summer!

Eat Healthy: Instead of serving processed food, we provide meals made from “scratch”.  No powdered eggs here!  We even “cook” in Arts and Crafts!

Get Moving:  Video games and TV are put aside for 6 weeks – campers are active and get plenty of exercise in the great outdoors. We use our feet to take us everywhere we need to go!

 

Reduce Stress: Camp is a great way to “unplug” from the constant flow of text messages, emails, and other social media.  It is also a time to put the pressures of school and grades aside and just enjoy living in the moment.  Above all, camp is FUN!!

Try Something New: With a variety of physical, recreational, and creative activities to choose from, campers have the opportunity to explore a wide range of interests.

Spend More Time With Friends:  Imagine spending 24 hours a day for 6 weeks with a group of your closest friends…how AWESOME is that?!