Category: Activities at Camp

Camp is the place where girls can try new things, meet new friends, and do what we love. If you have never ridden a horse, shot a rifle, or even played tennis, camp is the perfect place to try it. When I first came to camp in 2009, I hadn’t tried half of the activities available to me. I was a little intimidated so I signed up for activities that I was familiar and comfortable with. Later, I decided to try something new: horseback riding and archery (even though horses terrified me). The cool thing about camp is that no matter what you do, there are people there to ensure that everything is fun and worthwhile. If I had the option or time to do every single activity everyday, I would do it in a heartbeat. Although I’m not the master of farm zoo or arts and crafts, the mere act of doing something new is what’s amazing about camp for me.

Elena’s cabin – first summer

Living in a cabin with strangers is also intimidating. My first year, I knew no one but my sister who was in a different cabin. Shying away from everyone was my first instinct. The idea of making new friends was scary, but eventually, I formed the strongest friendships I had ever made that are still strong today. After that first year of camp, I realized that it wasn’t different activities or strangers that was intimidating, but it was the endless opportunities to try new activities, meet new people and find a home away from home. “Dare to Explore” for this year’s theme simply means that once you take the leap to try new things and make friendships, you’ll find the heart of camp that makes girls like my sister and I come back year after year.

Elena’s cabin 2013

Author: Elena K
Camp Woodland Camper
Rising Freshman, New Trier High school

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!

We are surveying our camp counselors, staff, and alumni on their favorite places at Camp Woodland.  Camp Woodland is special to each and everyone of us for completely different reasons, which we love!  I have to admit my favorite place is the arts & Craft deck in the afternoon.  The breeze that comes off the lake gives me such wonderful memories.  It is something I will never forget!

Over the next few weeks we will be compiling everyone’s favorite places at camp and publish it as part of our official Camp Woodland Map!  We can’t wait to hear what everyone has to say…..

Our first entry comes all the way from Spain, where Natalia O, veteran counselor, is studying for a semester:

1. The Cabins. Or should I say Cottages? This  seemingly lifeless buildings become our homes and safe-places for six weeks. They are almost sacred, definitely not to be messed with. Each group of girls makes them so much their own every summer, they become a different place every time you walk in there, they are hard to recognize even if you have lived there before. Jungles and beauty parlors, castles and secret-keepers, cabins are the ultimate all- girls club.

2.  The Riflery Range. There is nothing like learning a fun sport in a safe and secure environment! The serenity of being the furthest  into the woods, far from the hype of the rest of the activities.. Surrounded by nothing but trees (maybe some bugs) and working hard to improve your skills in the company of friends. That’s what the northwoods is all about.

3. The field. No greener grass can be found in all of County D. Running up, or down, or all around this famous Woodland Field, the very home of the camp motto “Everybody plays, everybody wins”, is the best way to get from one activity to another! To breath the fresh summer air or just to  realize how great life at camp is every morning.

4. The beach. This is one of Woodland’s biggest perks! Few places up north can say they have a beach this spectacular, and have such an awesome view as well. Everything is going on at that marvelous beach, from chi gong to beach volleyball; some good tanning sessions as well as Olympic competitions, that beach never seizes to amaze.

5. The tables at the dining hall. We all love the Dining Hall because, you know, food. But my love goes out to the tables themselves. This is where the magic happens! Where manners are properly taught; where cabins bond more than any other time of the day, and where we sing glorious Woodland songs!

6. The Woodland sign. It is the best and only welcome home sign you want to be seeing every summer! Once you spot it, you can be sure it’s all fun from here. It’s a pretty sweet Kodak moment too!

7. Outside the Rec Hall. The Rec Hall itself is an all-time favorite too but, why outside? Well, first because of the amazing sound system we have and second, because all the Dance and Gymnastics shows take place here and boy, the Olympic Games have nothing on us Woodland girls! Unbelievable talent and charisma has been shown throughout the decades and there is nothing like having your friends cheering you on

8.  Office Entrance. This is a very special place at Camp. Here we meet and greet all arriving campers so there are a lot of emotions floating around usually! And packages/ mail arrives so happiness is always here. Something is always going on and it’s exciting.

9. Canteen. Because you know, CANDY ! Right on the beach, nothing like an ice cold drink with a lake view like no other, it just makes you happy to be alive!

10.  The Archery Range. Wether we want to feel like Katniss or just have some delicious picnic food, this area is ideal for many activities. Evening games with your cabin or the usual everyday Archery schedule, the Archery Range is one of the sunniest and happiest places to be at Woodland.

Date: Sunday, March 9, 2014
Time: 1:00-4pm CST
Where: Northfield, IL
Request More Information

Now that campers and staff are returning home (or going to their next adventure after camp) and the summer of 2013 is becoming a collection of well-cherished memories, I would like to help make the transition back into the “real world” a little easier if possible.  As I made my way down the Woodland Road on my final run before I headed back to Georgia, I happened to catch a glimpse of a message chalked on the backstop at the tennis courts.  This made me think of the MANY times I heard counselors and campers remind each other of the mantra that “there are no I cant’s at Camp Woodland”.  While there are people and things from camp that cannot physically be taken home with you, there are numerous lessons learned in the “Be All We Can Be in 1-3” summer that will keep you going throughout the upcoming school year until you drive down County D again to begin the exciting summer of “Dare to Explore in 1-4”.

1) The Health Center (can’t take this with you): Memories of the TLC you received there (what you CAN bring home!).

2) The Rec Hall: The fun of dressing up, trying a new character on for size, and a little (or a lot) of zaniness!

3) The Cabins: The bonds of friendships and your summer “family” (families stay close to one another, even when they are apart – we will be in touch often throughout the upcoming months to keep you connected to the Woodland Family!)

4) The Campfire: Fun songs, skits, and challenges – please share them with others you know!  (“Mmhhmm, and come September, Mmhhmm, I will remember, Mmhhmm my camping days and friendships true.”)

5) The Lodge:  The feeling of belonging to a larger group/community in which you are a special part.  Each person cares about the well-being of the other members of the community (“Good job everybody, good job!”).

6) The Office: The letters you received from your “other family” and reminders of home.

7) Vesper/Inspiration Hill: The lessons we learned there about friendship and other timely themes.

8) Arts and Crafts Room: All of the cool projects you made and an appreciation for the ideas and creativity of others.

9) The Bell: The special feeling you had when you were selected to be Camper of the Day for the specific reasons shared by the “Happy Hostess”.

10) Tennis Courts, Riflery Range, Archery Targets, and Gymnastics Equipment: Individual accomplishments made, the ability to compete with yourself, and the determination to be better than you were the time before.

11) Woodland Sunday’s: “Woodland wear” (don’t forget to take a picture for the “Where in the World” contest!) and cabin/camp spirit. (We all got spirit!)

12) Sailboats: A love for being on the water and being part of a team.

13) Horses: The ability to overcome fears, accept challenges, and work towards self-improvement.

14) Farm Zoo Animals: A love for taking care of and respecting animals and the fun of getting dirty and learning about nature and the beauty it has to offer.

15) Dan’s Cooking: Thoughts of warm blueberry muffins, lasagna, taco bar, and homemade cookies.

16) Counselors: Knowing that you have other people in the world (in addition to your parents!) who celebrate your achievements and understand your disappointments.

17) Cabin mates: Friends for life because of the common experiences you have shared with each other this summer.

18) Sun and Moon: Even though we have spread across the miles, we all see the same sun and moon.  Remember the goodnight song: “I see the moon, and the moon sees me.  The moon sees somebody I want to see.  So, God bless the moon and God bless me, and God bless the somebody I want to see.”

19) Trees: The strength and stability they represent.

20) Sand Lake: We remember the lake as a place to escape the heat, a place to play with friends, and a place to reflect.  Water has a certain sense of calmness and serenity.  May you find a place at home that offers you this same feeling when you need your own personal quiet time.

21) Eagles: The power and beauty they exhibit as they soar across the sky.  We all have the ability to be leaders in a positive way and to share our inner beauty and talents with others.

22) “I Can’t”: It is only “I can. I will. And I’m going to do it right away.”

23) Camp Woodland, the place:  Camp Woodland, the memories.  Camp Woodland, the smiles.  Camp Woodland, the many dreams you began to live here.

Continue living your dreams, practicing your “I Can’s”, and always keep a special place in your heart for the summer of 2013.  See you next year!

Kim Wenzl Aycock, revised from Closing Vespers in 1995

It’s that time of the summer again… the sixth week of camp. It is a bittersweet time to be sure; it’s jam-packed with fun, but at the end of it, we know we’ll have to say goodbye. But while we dread those final hugs after Sunday breakfast and we put off packing for as long as possible, the six days before we leave are some of the absolute best at camp. What are the things that make it so great? Where can we even begin?!

• We open the week with Woodland Fair, which is one of the most highly anticipated and enjoyed events of the summer.
• Tuesday it is Spoon Assassins, which is one of the most terrifying and exhilarating three days of camp.
• Wednesday  is closing campfire. In my opinion the best campfire of the summer!
• On Thursday the good times roll on when we head over to Towering Pines in the evening for co-ed show; the CITs get to show off their hard work, the campers get to watch an amazing show, and everyone gets to tear up during slide show.
• Friday – can it be?! – it’s time already for banquet! We get dolled up, we get awards… It’s a high point of the summer, and it’s right on the doorstep of parents’ weekend and all of our shows.

Even with all of the fun things packed into the sixth week, it’s tough to compete with the amazing feeling of Show Day on Saturday. We’ve worked all summer to prepare for it; we’ve stretched a million splits, practiced a million knots, poured a million piles of glitter, shot a million targets, groomed a million horses. We’ve put in so much effort in throughout the past six weeks, and the chance to show it off to our friends and family is one of the best moments of the summer. The sixth week might end with tears and farewells, but before we get there, you couldn’t imagine a happier or more excited group of campers.

Special thanks to Athena for writing this awesome blog!