Camp Woodland Blog

Like your daughter/s, we are still thinking about our favorite memories from the six weeks at Woodland and Towering Pines. While you may hear about the fun they had with their cabinmates and counselors, going to archery, sailing on the lake, or making a project in arts and crafts, you might only see these activities for what they are. It may just sound like shooting arrows, hanging out with friends on the water, or gluing yarn to a popsicle stick.

The memories we hold onto at the end every summer are the ones that pull the curtain back a little farther, and perhaps go deeper below the surface than what meets the eye. When we think of archery, patience, persistence, and confidence come to mind. Leadership, teamwork, and adaptability are the anchors in sailing. Arts & Crafts brings out creativity, imagination, and self-expression. We could go through each activity, one by one, and come up with quite an impressive list!

We encourage campers to reflect on their experiences by including thoughtful prompts in the letters they write home. These prompts might ask about moments when they showed bravery, qualities they value in a friend, or something they noticed and appreciated in nature. This approach helps campers develop self-awareness and recognize personal growth during their time at camp.

We are sending out one last letter to give you a chance to talk with your camper(s) about their summer experience, now that they’ve had some time to think about it. The responses they gave were collected during the final week of camp, a busy and emotional time, so their answers may reflect the whirlwind of those last days rather than the full scope of their summer. This is a great time to put on your curiosity hat and ask follow-up questions!

When you hear a story from your camper about something that was really, really fun, we hope that you, like us, know that it is much more than that. Over time, they will start to connect the dots and be able to see beyond the activity or event described. It’s part of their development process! The guide below may help you “decode” the fun into what else was happening.

• • Cabin living = independence, interpersonal and conflict resolution skills
  • Activity choices = decision-making, self-exploration, trying again (and again)
  • Evening programs/Special events = social confidence, community building
  • Overnight canoe trips = problem solving, teamwork, and negotiation
  • Camp traditions = leadership development and belonging

While camp is packed with fun and adventure, it’s also a place where your child builds a crazy amount of lifelong skills. Everything we do intentionally helps campers grow in ways that go far beyond what you see and hear in their stories. We hope that you continue to hear snippets of the “enjoy the ride” summer of 2025 in the months ahead!

We are already enrolling campers for 2026 and spots fill up fast! To be part of the FUN (and MORE!) register HERE!