Monthly Archives:January 2026

Both of our dogs were rescued. The younger of the two, Gumbo, came to us when he was about seven months old. When my husband went to the shelter to find a buddy for Gus, he couldn’t help but notice the little dog with a big personality. His name was quickly changed from Tyler to Gumbo to better match the incredible amount of energy and compassion bundled into this 45-pound canine. He is one of the snuggliest, most loving (and yes, occasionally mischievous) four-legged friends I know.

Because we didn’t know Gumbo’s exact birthday, we worked backward from his “gotcha day,” which put his arrival into the world sometime in mid-February. It took me about two seconds to land on Valentine’s Day as the date I’d use on all his official paperwork from that point forward. February 14 felt right—not because it was precise, but because it fit. Valentine’s Day isn’t about perfection or grand gestures; it’s about naming the things that already have our hearts.

Even though February is the shortest month, it’s the time of year we pause to recognize the people, places, and experiences we love most. This idea stretches beyond cards and candy—and even beyond one very lovable dog. One of the things that shows up with a heart attached, every single time, is camp. Camps across the country recognize how they are loved by campers, staff, families, and alumni with “I Heart Camp” Day, a moment to reflect on what makes camp special. Not with chocolate or flowers, but with photos. LOTS of them. You will be sent information about this very soon so you are ready for February 1st!

I heart camp.

There are many things I love about Camp Woodland. The CIT singers who come around every night to send us into sweet dreams is one of my favorites. I also love taco bar, being at the waterfront, fires in the lodge on a chilly morning, hearing the loons call to one another, chocolate peanut butter ice cream at Cathy’s, and so much more. Just writing this list makes me super excited for the upcoming summer!

I also keep coming back to three pretty simple words when I think about this place.

Kids heart camp.

I could write (and have written) blogs about youth development. Social-emotional stuff. Why screen-free summers rock. Camp being a much needed haven. A third place for many. The importance of autonomy, competence, and belonging. All part of why we do what we do.

But underneath every framework and philosophy is this basic fact that you probably already know:

Kids love camp.

Not “kids benefit from camp” or “camp is good for kids.” Like talk-about-it-all-year LOVE it.

Where else does this happen?

Think about all the places kids spend time. School. Sports practice. Tutoring. The dentist. Nana’s house. Birthday parties. The back seat of your car going to all of the above. Some of those are great. Some of those are fine. Some are tolerated. Some are endured because someone says so. How many of them does a kid actually love?

Like, genuinely love. Ask-about-it-months-later love. Count-down-the-days love.

Kids love home. Obviously. But where else? And yes, I definitely have a bias here. 100%. The evidence is everywhere. The Coed Show song list that is sung in the car/bus on the long drive home. Stories that surface at dinner in October. Countdowns that start in January (camp is THIS year!). The way campers put their phones down when they visit each other around the globe.

Confession: I spend a lot of time thinking about camp and how to explain camp to people who have never been to camp.

We heart camp.

And the CWTP team also spends tons and tons of hours thinking about every little detail of camp. Don’t believe me? Ask Calla about the programming activities and special events for “Imagine This in ‘2-6”, or Jackie about hiring the absolute best staff, or Lee’s leveled-up parent communication this summer, or JoAnne getting the many pieces in place for 6 weeks of fun in the Northwoods of Wisconsin.

Those hours matter. The thought, time, and care matter. But sometimes in trying to explain camp, it sounds more complicated than it is. It’s actually super simple. Camp has the just-right mix of stuff (this is a technical camp term) that makes kids (and staff) want to come back year after year.

Friendships, activities, attention, time, care, sports, arts, laughter, nature, songs, mentors. And underneath all of that is the simplest thing of all.

Kids especially heart camp.

Staff heart camp.

We all heart camp.

Happy “I Heart Camp” Day (week, month, and YEAR)!

Inspiration: KE newsletter/blog

Many of you may be familiar with Atomic Habits by James Clear. Its core idea is simple and powerful: lasting change comes from small, consistent actions that shape who we become—not just what we accomplish.

I subscribe to Clear’s weekly newsletter, and a recent January 1 excerpt felt especially fitting as we plunge into a new year:

“Improvements are only temporary until they become part of who you are.

• The goal is not to read a book, the goal is to become a reader.
• The goal is not to run a marathon, the goal is to become a runner.
• The goal is not to learn an instrument, the goal is to become a musician.

Every action you take is a vote for the type of person you wish to become. No single instance will transform your beliefs, but as the votes build up, so does the evidence of your new identity.

This year, focus on the identity you want to build.”

Clear’s message is a powerful reminder that habits aren’t just something we do—they’re something we become. And it’s a lens that feels especially meaningful when we think about camp.

Camper Resolutions (August ’25)
As the recent summer came to a close, we asked each camper: “What is a new habit you started at camp that you’d like to continue at home or at school?” In most cases, your daughter had more than 40 days to practice thoughtful, positive habits—whether that meant trying something new, showing up for others, staying active, or caring for herself with confidence.

Now is a perfect moment to check in with her. A simple conversation can help celebrate what’s sticking, offer encouragement where things feel harder, and gently reset any habits she hopes to carry forward. After all, success isn’t built in a single moment—it grows through the small, daily choices that shape who we are becoming.

“Success is the product of daily habits, not once-in-a-lifetime transformations.”

*Campers whose form we received are included here:

**SILVER BIRCH**

Sienna: archery, riding, and swimming; Molly: clean up the table at meals; Lucia: read everyday; Maggie B: fishing, archery and make my bed every day; Grace: riding and have dessert after lunch & dinner; Mara: try to eat at least a little food I don’t like; Amelia: keep shooting archery; Sloane & Fiona: clean my space and make my bed every day .

**STARSHINE**

Jacinta: drink lots of water; Eleanor: keep my space organized; Amelia: play tennis and drink lots of water; Georgia: try new things; Liza: be the hopper.

**SUNRISE**

Luci: swimming lessons; Sara: be active all day; Grace: kneeboard every day; Audrey: stay organized and clean; Ryann: be outside more; Claire: horseback riding, Della: make my bed.

**DRIFTWOOD**

Evie: be more organized; Elina: be on time; Lucia: my levels; Jaclyn: wash my hair every day; Maria: make my bed.

**SUNNYSIDE**

Lia, Alice & Elyse: make my bed; Clara: dance and sailrace; Emilia: wake up early and be organized with my things; Indira: eat healthy; Julie: sailing and fishing; Masyn: be myself and try new foods; Mojo: read more.

**TAMARACK**

Alaina: make bracelets; Paige: have fun and enjoy everything that happens; Ana Roberta: never give up; Evelyn: do arts & crafts; Marina: not look at my phone a lot;  Cas: not watch my phone as much; Ren: wake up with music; Olivia: read; Maggie: wakeup with a song; Avery & Maggie: make my bed (as soon as I get up)

**TREETOPS**

Montz: always have fun; Amelia: read, make bracelets and NO PHONE; Maddie H: sleep more and get good sleep; Hannah: brush my teeth a lot; Olive: make my bed every day; Maddie B: try new things and foods; Orla: be more social.

**HILLTOP**

Norah: eat a good breakfast and making my bed every morning; Julia: do my curly routine and let my hair down; Sydney: be more independent; Karen: meet my goals; Clara: stay positive; Taylor: make my bed every morning; Regi: go to bed earlier; Phoebe: have one song to wake up to and another to make my bed; Natalia: wear less to no makeup and read more often.

**AQUARIUS**

Vale: write down things I’m grateful for; Ana Lau: sleep at least 8 hrs; Ivana: be more aware of others; Amalia: get good sleep and be outside; Izzy: be more positive; Katharine: have a positive attitude; Elizabeth: make my bed every morning.

MAKING YOUR BED

It looks like “make my bed” is the clear *winner* for responses across the age groups for habits to be continued upon return from camp. There is something to be said about beginning each day with a task that you know you can complete. Something as simple as making your bed can lead to other “wins” throughout the day. It might just be something small that turns into something BIG that can change how things go in life AND in the world.

CAMP = ONE STOP SHOPPING FOR NEW YEAR’s RESOLUTIONS

Among the top resolutions that are made at the start of each New Year worldwide, some of the most common goals can be met while having an AMAZING summer experience at Camp Woodland:

• Eat Healthy: Instead of serving processed food, we provide meals made from “scratch” using the freshest ingredients.  No powdered eggs here! Add drinking water and getting good sleep to boost the power of the fuel our bodies need!
• Get Moving: Being a fixture on the couch is not an option if you live on County D Road. All of us are active at camp and get plenty of exercise in the great outdoors. We use our feet to take us just about everywhere we need to go!
• Reduce Stress: Camp is a great way to “unplug” from the constant flow of social media distractions & messages and mindless scrolling (your camper/s went without a device for 4-6 weeks!). 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. Who knows what spark will ignite and become a lifelong career or hobby?!
• Spend More Time With Friends:  Imagine spending 24 hours a day each week with a group of your closest friends…how AWESOME is that?!  We believe in true “face time” versus “screen time”!

A BONUS RESOLUTION

Get Along With Siblings: Towering Pines and Woodland is the summer home for many brothers and sisters. The older campers typically take responsibility and look out for the younger ones and the “fighting” you might see at home vanishes for a few weeks.  Siblings actually look forward to seeing one another on occasion when sharing a common camp experience!

New Year’s Resolution: ENROLL for SUMMER 2026

Now is a GREAT time to enroll your camper/s for 2026 and reserve your spot/s: https://cwtp.campbrainregistration.com

We are VERY EXCITED about the upcoming summer where we will “Imagine This in ‘2-6!”