Author: Kim Aycock

Now that we are well into our 4th week of camp, it is a great time to take a brief pause and reflect on what Camp Woodland sets out to do each summer. What are our goals? What is our overall purpose? We’re certainly striving to “have fun” (a LOT of fun!), but it’s more than that. Beyond all the different activities, the great food, and our classic Northwoods camp environment, what is Woodland really providing? On a deeper level, what is camp doing for all the girls and staff members who spend their summer here?

A really good response to this question is summarized in the sign that greets you when you enter a new(ish) business in the North Carolina town in which I live. The “Haven” is located on the main street leading into the community of Southport. On any given day or night when I pass by as I am walking Gus and Gumbo, I see people of all ages hanging out; sometimes listening to live music in the back, playing corn hole or other “yard” game, enjoying a refreshing treat of Italian gelato or adult beverage, or grabbing a bite to eat from a food truck parked in the side driveway. This place in it’s short 15 month history is truly living up to its name.

If we go back to the question posed at the beginning of this blog, we might answer by saying, “What we’re doing here is creating a haven for girls.” That then leads to some follow-up questions, but what sort of haven, and why is that important?

The answer lies in the definition of the word “haven” itself as shown on the sign from the actual “Haven.” Haven means:

• a place of safety, shelter and refuge
• a port or harbor in a storm, a roadstead (I had to look this one up! A roadstead is a sheltered stretch of water near the shore in which ships can ride at anchor.)
• a place offering comfort and friendship
• an oasis or peaceful retreat
• community for good friends, new friends, old friends, and friends of friends

Without hesitation, our goal is to make Woodland a safe harbor for girls, a place of refuge from the “storms” of modern and everyday life. We are here to create an intentional community that’s different and separate from the all too many damaging forces impacting youth (especially girls!) today.

The good news is that girls flourish once these harmful forces are removed. We are really seeing the positive effects of being immersed into the camp experience for almost a month now. Campers are growing in astounding ways. They grow as individuals and together as a cabin group. These special “families” are a place of comfort and friendship in a “close to home” kind of way while the entire camp community offers comfort and friendship in a more “global” sense.

It is not a stretch to say that camp is an oasis/peaceful retreat. Campers tell us time and time again that they look forward to camp all year long. Our girls soak up and store every possible sight, sound, smell, taste, and feeling from their time in the Northwoods to draw upon later when they need a reprieve from the busyness and stresses often found during the rest of the year.

It goes without saying that we have a community of good friends at Woodland (it doesn’t take too long to figure that out when scanning the plethora of photos on SmugMug!). We welcome and embrace old and new friends and friends of friends. We even have several very special 4-legged friends. Chanel, Coco, and Juno are part of our community, too. I am always amazed at how people who are very different from each other cross paths at camp and become the closest of friends. Had they been in the familiar setting of home or school, they might not have even given each other a chance.

Each of the “haven” sub-definitions are big part of our WHY. Next, we will look a little more closely at HOW Camp Woodland is a haven.

1. Haven from Indoor Living: Life at Woodland is lived intimately with Nature; we are outdoors almost all the time. Many of us spend the greater part of 10 months inside, so it is refreshing to see campers (and staff) learning to embrace nature’s wonder and beauty in large doses. There’s a deep restorative power to this.

2. Haven from a Rushed Life: The pace of life at Woodland is deliberately slower and more mindful. Time is intentionally built into the day to allow campers to savor each moment and engage more deeply with everything and everyone around them. Eating 3 meals/day together and hanging out at rest hour and before bed as a cabin group gives campers multiple opportunities to nuture relationships in a way that is hard to replicate anywhere else.

3. Haven from Inactivity and Modern Convenience: In a world that often prioritizes convenience and sedentary lifestyles, Woodland encourages physical activity, adventure, and hands-on experiences. It’s a place where campers move and play, discovering the joys of doing.

4. Haven from Information Overload: In a world saturated with information, Woodland provides a break from the constant barrage of news and novelty. This allows campers to pay attention to their immediate experiences, fostering connections, creativity and presence.

5. Haven from Competition: Woodland is a non-competitive environment where girls can explore their interests and abilities without the pressure of outperforming others. Keeping score is the last thing on our minds (with the one exception of Olympics next week!). Instead the focus is on personal exploration, kind cooperation, and collective success.

6. Haven from Judgment: Woodland celebrates brave attempts, silly creativity, and an openness to try things. Here, girls explore for the fun of it and are unconcerned with what others will say about the outcome. The kindness of this community lifts everyone up.

7. Haven from Technology: This one is HUGE. Woodland is a tech-free environment that dispels the distraction inherent to digital media and its flickering screens. Camp returns us to real-world activities, the nuance of face-to-face interactions and the complexities of truly feeling things. This allows everyone here to be more human and explore what that means.

8. Haven from Exclusivity: Woodland is committed to creating a community of belonging. Our core value of respect encourages campers to spread kindness and show empathy to one another. We strive to be curious, not judgmental. Meeting so many people at camp helps us appreciate and celebrate diverse backgrounds and perspectives. We are a place where it is “cool to be you.”

9. Haven from Social Pressures: Woodland provides a break from the pressures to conform to certain social expectations. Here, girls can explore their interests freely, while being supported by an enthusiastic community that values them for who they really are.

10. Haven from “I Can’t”: At Woodland we strive to omit these words from our vocabulary for the 6 weeks we are at camp. We celebrate incremental progress and embrace success over time (vs instant gratification). Persistence and grit go a long way in the skills we are developing in activities and with building relationships. When the word “yet” is inserted after an “I Can’t” proclamation, the opportunity to grow is imminent.

When seen as a haven in all these ways, it is within reach to grasp that Woodland is a special experience, and how it’s so important for your girls. We all know that ordinary life is chock full of pressures and challenges. Just ask any teenager; they’ll tell you. Camp provides relief from all that. It’s a sanctuary of freedom where girls thrive. Yes, it’s also a lot of fun and girls love it, and it’s wonderful in this important way as well. We are so looking forward to being together in this much needed “haven” for a few more weeks!

Reference: RBC

One of my favorite kid’s books is the “True Story of the 3 Little Pigs” by Jon Scieszka. The cool part about this version is that it is told from the perspective of the big, bad wolf because according to him, he was “framed” in the original story. Instead of the wolf huffing and puffing to blow down the houses of the three pigs, he was really just after a cup of sugar for his granny’s birthday cake while suffering a terrible cold. The unfortunate timing of his sneezes is what really knocked down the houses belonging to each pig.

You may recall a few blogs ago, the “True Story of the Lake Gnomes” that was written by Peggy Forester in 1973. Her story gives the history of how Sand Lake really got its brownish color (the coffee factory behind Hilltop was actually moved to the bottom of the lake). So, just over 50 years later, campers had the chance to come up with their own version of how they think Sand Lake got its unique color for a “Dewey Day” activity. As always, Woodland girls do not disappoint with putting their creative heads together to come up with a new ending to a classic tale!

Silver Birch had one of the winning entries, and this is how they told their version of the story (using a French accent):

One day a very talented artist named Lizzy heard about a beautiful lake (Sand Lake) in the Northwoods of Wisconsin and came all the way from France to paint it. She was amazed by how clear and wonderful it was, so she got to work. She used red (Amelia), orange (Lu), yellow (Luci), green (Eleanor) and lots and lots of blue (Audrey). From all the painting, Lizzy got tired so she went to get a coffee. The wind came in (Liza) and all the paint fell into the water. The colors started mixing and the lake turned brown. When the talented painter Lizzy returned, she was shocked by the change of color but loved it even more. She got back to work painting and finished her masterpiece. When she brought it home to France, she won many, many awards. The painting became even more famous than the Mona Lisa!

Sunrise also tied for their rendition of Sand Lake’s color augmentation:

The Woodland counselors were so sleepy and needed a lot of coffee, especially the Sunrise counselors. When they would drink their coffee while teaching swimming lessons, sometimes it would fall into Sand Lake making it turn brown. This also explains why the Sunrise campers have so much energy – they swim in Sand Lake that has been filled with the counselors’ coffee! I’m not sure that is the REAL reason Sunrise has so much energy (just saying!).

A few more creative takes on how Sand Lake wound up with its brown color:

Sunnyside: tourists mistakenly sprayed tanning oil instead of sunscreen and turned the lake brown (short & sweet!)

Aquarius: a giant named Aquarius took on a project to paint Camp Woodland and while trying to fix all of the imperfections (slanted floors, bathroom door that wouldn’t close, shower missing it’s top, etc.), the lake turned brown from the mixing of the colors. The giant was very upset and was afraid the campers wouldn’t want to swim in Sand Lake because of its ugly color. It was decided that the new color of the lake was perfect just way it is, and as a result, campers enjoy the lake and leave after a swim with a little of the giant’s paint on them.

Tamarack: a long time ago before Camp Woodland was even around, hikers stumbled onto a lake that was separated into the various colors of the rainbow. When trying out each color, the red water ended up being too hot, the orange was way too deep, the yellow was too sandy, the green was much too shallow, the blue much too cold, and the purple was extremely rocky. The hikers then came up with a plan and the girls each got in a boat and started rowing around the lake. Slowly, the colors started to mix into a beautiful brown lake that was “just right” (symbolic of how our differences can combine into something that is much more than the individuals at the start).

*For a chance to rewrite a tiny piece of Camp Woodland’s history, send your explanation/version of how Sand Lake got its brownish color to kimdaycock@gmail.com.

Seeing all of the action at camp, all the happy kids here, it’s easy to forget that there are about 30-35 people on the Woodland staff at any one time. There are MANY people working to make camp possible. While July 12 has been officially named as #CampCounselor Day by the American Camp Association, we appreciate our staff EVERY day!

There are the cabin counselors: the college-age gals who live in the cabins with the campers, eat meals with the campers, and spend most of their day relating to them. These are the ones who most directly help set the tone at camp. They’re kind, silly, and enthusiastic. Many have been campers themselves when they were younger, and now have returned to Woodland to get their “camp fix” and have their turn at making an impact on the leaders of tomorrow. A few have recently come from abroad to spend their summer at camp. And others are friends of people somehow related to Woodland and its history. Regardless, they all work out their schedule and somehow manage to drop what they are doing during the school year to be in Northern Wisconsin for close to 8 weeks.

Cabin counselors are also activity instructors during the day. They are assigned to one or more activities where they guide, lead and instruct the campers as they do something. You can imagine this means the cabin counselors have a wide range of skills and talents. One might be certified to teach archery, and another to be a lifeguard. Some are landsports enthusiasts— tennis, gymnastics, riding or riflery, for example. Others have real talent directing drama or dance, developing cool art projects, or tying complex friendship bracelet patterns. Some teach the Zoo classes while others work with campers to learn to swim, sail or canoe. Every activity at camp has counselors directly involved at every turn.

Another area of staffing is our activity directors. These leaders have special knowledge or skills pertaining to an activity, and therefore can be in charge. Each instructional activity has at least one person in this role. The riding directors not only teach mounted riding lessons but also care for our 12 horses daily. Other directors include a Program Director who schedules all campers and staff for daily and evening activities, our CIT directors who run the leadership training program for the oldest campers, and a canoe trip director who takes each cabin group on an overnight experience. We also have adult leadership who are closely involved with the campers and staff of each age group.

The other areas of staffing are equally critical for camp to operate. These are the maintenance staff, van drivers, motor boat operators, photographers and videographers, and office staff (both on-site and remote). We should also recognize the fantastic team that can be found in our Health Center caring for and keeping us well physically and mentally, and perhaps most importantly, the kitchen crew that keeps us well fed with a-mazing meals and snacks.

Together, along with JoAnne and the Jordan family, all of these people help keep camp going. They help us stay healthy, active, and engaged with everything camp life presents. It’s a great group of dedicated people who love camp, enjoy being with kids and seeing them have fun. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again; it’s the people that make Camp Woodland!

p.s. It’s never too early to start talking to those folks in your network (family, friends, neighbors, church community, co-workers, etc.) with college-age connections about the exciting opportunities a summer at camp provides!

We often hear from campers during the school year that, “I always can’t wait to get back to camp.” “Camp is my Happy Place.” “I look forward to camp all year long.” These are common refrains.

It doesn’t seem right to explain these feelings of happiness at camp by pointing to the variety of activities (sailing, riding, archery, dance, to name a few), the great food (taco bar, chicken tenders, Saturday donuts, or Dan’s lasagne), the beautiful campus we enjoy (Climax Forest, Sand Lake, Vespers Hill) or any particular “perk” like that. If not these, then why do Woodland girls love camp so intensely and often with such loyalty? 

There is a phrase we often hear at the closing Inspiration Hour where campers and staff members talk about what camp means to them. The phrase is, “Camp is the place where I’ve learned the most about myself.” There is something special about Woodland that leads to self-awareness, to a better understanding of “who you really are.” What is it about camp that encourages this?” How is camp different from other places in ways that make it well suited for this kind of self-discovery? That may be the question of the century!

For one, the pace of camp life really helps. There’s simply more time for self-reflection, more opportunities to try new things and explore (and Open New Doors!), more opportunities to relax and connect with the people around them. We know how busy lives can be during the school year, “up at 7am and back home at 7pm.” Having stretches of free time at camp is a wonderful thing. That freedom makes a HUGE difference!

At camp there are also “fewer distractions” mostly because campers do not have their phones. This is a big deal! One reason campers love camp, ironically, is because they give up something they use everyday, all day, at home. If every spare moment is consumed by retreating from the real world into the algorithmically curated virtual world of social media and the internet, then what’s left? If a smartphone is always with us, ready to provide instant gratification (distraction), won’t we skip over important details around us and fail to pay attention to what we might discover? With no phones at camp, girls are relishing the expansion of awareness being tech-free provides them. And, part of what they’re noticing is their true selves.

When asking older campers why they keep coming back to camp, they often tell you, “It’s the people.” This translates to mean, “the people at camp are friendly, kind people who make me feel good. They accept me, include me, and don’t judge me.” This sense of belonging, being a part of a community that cares about you no matter what, is a powerful force. It inspires a sort of personal confidence to let the real you shine, to drop those ideas of who you “should” be. It’s very common, after all, for most of us to fall victim to pressures of conformity, to create versions of ourselves that align with assumed ideals of personality, ability and beauty. But if that’s all we do, how will we discover what’s unique about each of us? If we’re just posing most of the time, doing our best to hide any hint of “imperfection,” (thinking this will help people “like” us), who are we really?

We think campers understand this too at some level. Maybe not explicitly, but they know that at Woodland it is OK to discard these social facades and explore other, deeper aspects of who they are. The people here at camp, the whole supportive community, makes this possible. When you realize that people at camp don’t really care what you look like, you can let you hair down, literally and figuratively. That’s the gift that can lead to greater self-awareness, much greater self-confidence, and greater contentment in the long run.

Taken together, these three characteristics of camp life— time for reflection, ditching phone-based distractions, and a community of supportive people —help explain why girls feel they learn about themselves at camp. Since this kind of self-discovery is really difficult back at school, they yearn for these opportunities and so cherish their time at camp. They “can’t wait to get back,” and feel good like this again. Maybe we can say these girls love camp because it’s fun, but also because it helps them grow.

If you want to help your girls grow like this at home, help them by carving out some time when they can slow down, be fully disengaged from their smartphones, and be with people who truly care about them. That’s certainly not easy, but not impossible either. How about a phone-free sleepover with friends, spent playing games instead of watching a movie? Family time one Saturday morning, spent outside? Those are just a couple of ideas that are also not necessarily easy, but may give you some encouragement to try. Our kids really do want these sorts of experiences but are hampered by forces beyond their control. They need our help. Fortunately, there is camp, but can’t we do more? Yes, we can!

Reference: RBC

In case you didn’t know, it never rains at Camp Woodland! How is this possible you ask? We just get a little “dew” as was the case late last week (and a few days this week too). Woodland Girls do not let gray weather dampen our spirits…the “show must go on”! The ever popular Lip Sync Contest is hands down one of the most highly anticipated rainy day activities. I can remember dry summers when we actually got to the 4th or 5th week of camp, and the campers were wishing for a “dewey” day just so that they wouldn’t miss out on Lip Sync Contest.

Silver Birch wins 1st place with “Heigh-Ho” from Snow White 

The 7 dwarves from Silver Birch were named the “official” 2024 Lip Sync Contest winners with their rendition of “Heigh-Ho” from Snow White by the “official” judges (The Jordan Trio + Nurse Laura). Lip Sync takes place in the Rec Hall and is the perfect cabin bonding activity regardless of when it happens in the summer.

It is a great way to continue solidifying and strengthening the bonds that have been forming in cabin groups this first week. There is a different feel within groups now than on June 22nd. By the end of this week – LOOK OUT! Campers will really be hitting their stride with adjustment to and comfort with being at camp.

Sunnyside gets into the spirit with a Taylor Swift song

With the help of their counselors, campers negotiate which song will be chosen for the performance, and then they must come together to decide on costumes, props, and dance moves. It is not unusual to see hairbrushes used as microphones and other interesting items (such as a broom and dustpan) appear. Sunnyside went all out with “We are Never Ever Getting Back Together” by Taylor Swift. The coordinated hair ties add a nice touch for a 2nd place finish, ladies!

Hilltop wows the crowd with “Take a Hint”

Hilltop took 3rd place this summer with “Take a Hint” from Victorious. Always a winner to don Woodland/TP wear! If truth be told, some cabins actually decide on the song they will use prior to the announcement of Lip Sync Contest so they are ready when the event is called – what dedication. There is a good chance the Live-Ins fall into that category as they each did TWO Lip Sync songs – one with their cabin and one with the 3 of them together. Take a bow for your outstanding “Schuyler Sisters” performance from Hamilton. The hats “top off” your outfits!

Round of applause for the “Live-Ins”

As you can see from the vibrant faces in each photo, it’s really hard not to have a smile on your face when in lip sync mode. Let’s just say that courage and confidence show up in a big way even if being on stage is not your thing. The annual Lip Sync Contest fits right in with “Open New Doors in ‘2-4” because we are always up for an adventure (even when getting a little Woodland “dew”)!

Other popular “dewey” day activities include the “Human Treasure Hunt” (cabins with the most diversity rack up the most points – bonus points awarded for being a 1st year camper, speaking more than one language, having a unique pet, etc.), paper bag skits (cabins create a skit using the props given to them in a paper bag), and bingo (with prizes, of course!). Stay tuned for some more innovation with cabins taking on the challenge of coming up with a new version of the “lake gnome story“…I will be sharing those soon!