Monthly Archives:June 2014

A few days ago, one of my best friends from camp showed me a word that only camp friends would truly find meaning in: retrouvaille. Retrouvaille is a French word that describes the joy of meeting or finding someone again after a long separation. This feeling is very familiar to those of us who make the trip up to the Northwoods every summer. Year after year, I thought the joy I felt in seeing my best friends again after 9 long months of school was indescribable – until now. That joy is part of what makes going to camp every summer so special. There is no feeling quite the same as driving down County D where the trees grow a bit taller, the sun shines a bit brighter, and the anticipation of finally seeing the Woodland road becomes overwhelming.

Not only does this joy keep us coming back summer after summer, it provides us with a feeling of acceptance and confidence. Surrounded by our best friends in our favorite place, camp allows us to expand our comfort level and “dare” to try activities we’ve never tried before. Thus, it seems fitting that our theme this summer is “Dare to Explore in 1-4”. This summer’s theme epitomizes what every camper can accomplish if she makes the effort: developing new skills she wouldn’t get anywhere else, discovering new passions, setting and reaching new goals, and achieving a newfound sense of confidence and independence.

“Dare to Explore” encourages every camper to begin daring the first day they get to camp. Whether daring means making a new friend, trying a new activity, taking on a leadership role, or finding new passions, camp is the perfect place to start. This summer, head up to camp with an open mind and be determined to make it the best one yet.

Author: Alex K.
2nd Year Junior Counselor
2014 New Trier High School Graduate

****Thank you Alex K.  for putting into words what so many campers, staff, and alumni feel every summer! *****

ATTENTION ALL PARENTS, ALUMNI, COUNSELORS AND CAMPERS!

This summer we are daring to explore by trying some “greener” projects in arts & crafts, zoo, and during evening activity! Everyone has heard of recycling, but have you heard of up-cycling? It is the idea of reusing something that is already used or has lost its value and to create something new with greater quality and value!

Dare to Explore Craft

Now here is where you come in: in order to do all the projects and provide the materials for all of our campers, we need you to help by donating any of the items listed below! Some of the items may be things you frequently throw in the trash, and others may be sitting in your storage closet for some project you will do “one day” – any little bit helps!

• Colored (or clear!) glass bottles
• Old vases
• Newspapers
• Old magazines – from glamour magazines, to niche market floral or travel magazines, anything will do!
• Colorful old t-shirts – to make infinity scarves or t-shirt bags
• Retired scrapbooking equipment – like paper cutters, shape cutters (hearts or circles), stencils, and any extra scrapbook paper!
• Milk and juice twist tops – also from plastic water bottles and other beverages, any color and any size will do!
• Wine corks – to make super cool cork boards and jewelry hanging boards!
• Buttons – we can use any shape, size, or color.
• Old Atlases or Map books
• Ribbons
• Soda tabs
• Empty Shoe Boxes

Monogram Button Letter

If there are any other materials laying around your house that you haven’t used in a while, but can visualize it being useful for a project, then feel free to let us know and I’m sure we could create something with it – we are a very crafty bunch over here at  Camp Woodland! Open up a big bag now and put it in your kitchen, your garage, or even next to your front door and see how much you can fill it up before leaving for camp! Thanks in advance for all your donations and recycled materials!