Category: Alumni News
Why I Choose Woodland!
Waterfront Director 1987-1997
Because I moved on from Woodland/Towering Pines after a 12-year stint as counselor, program director, waterfront director, and eventually assistant director, and then returned after a 14 year hiatus, I am often asked by fellow alumni why I chose to come back. In the time I was away, I was the associate director at a much larger all-girls camp in the mountains of Western North Carolina full-time for 8 years. There are 60+ camps in three neighboring counties in that part of the US alone!
Tamarack Cabin Counselor 1986-1991
A little over 10 years ago, I started my own camp consulting business and present at multiple camp and youth development conferences every year and work with camps to provide top-notch staff training and programming experiences. I have been back at Woodland/Towering Pines every summer since 2011 spending a month sleeping on a top bunk and being truly immersed in camp life. I can’t imagine being anywhere else!
Lena’s Helper with 1989 Birthday Cake
I have worked with and been to many different camps (100+) since my career path took me in another direction in 1997. This includes single sex, co-ed, for-profit, not-for-profit, agency, religiously affiliated, specialty, traditional, all sizes, various geographic locations and a few other qualifiers that I’m sure I am leaving off the list. Coming back to Woodland/Towering Pines was choice I made because of how strongly I believe the the experience both camps have to offer kids today who need camp now more than ever! While there are many great camps out there, I would have no hesitation choosing Woodland and Towering Pines for the following reasons:
Fair Day sign still in tact 30 years later!
Size: Small & personalized. Every staff member (including the directors) knows every camper! Campers know each other (younger and older) and that truly makes us a camp FAMILY.
Purposeful Play/Creativity: We are technology free! We focus on what really matters – growth as individuals and as a group. Through purposeful and “unplugged” play, kids use their imagination and creativity to make their own fun.
Program Philosophy: Our 2-week themes of ACCLIMATE – ACCELERATE – CELEBRATE provide a framework for campers to thrive and grow. Mr. Jordan (founder & 5th grade teacher for 30 years) knew what he was doing when he created the mix of activities and the flow of the summer.
Staff: The owners/directors really know the staff because the majority have been campers themselves and have come up through our Counselor-In-Training leadership program. Staff training is on-going and includes a week prior to camper arrival. We take our work seriously!
Length: Kids need the opportunity to work through their differences and face challenges! The real value of camp plays out AFTER the first two weeks of experience. The 6 Week Advantage and time spent “all in” is the reason the end is so fun and impactful.
Diversity: Campers experience a variety of cultures and make new friends from all around the US and world. Camp is a great equalizer!
Level of Competition: There is healthy competition at appropriate times in the summer with a focus on sportsmanship and teamwork. Everybody plays!
Consistency: This is a hard one to explain, but I feel that it is important to “walk the talk” by being true to what is portrayed in marketing efforts and then staying congruent with that message throughout the entire camp experience. What you see is what you get at Woodland/TP!
Food: Meals are mostly made from scratch (very little processed food) with healthy options available during snack times. Plus, the time spent eating 3-meals together contributes greatly to the feeling of being family!
Price: “All-inclusive” (no extra fees) and competitive with other camps our size and duration. It’s hard to put a price tag on a quality experience!
So, there you have it…some of the reasons why I truly believe the camp experience that Woodland and Towering Pines provides to kids is exactly what they need for each unique stage of development. And, that is coming from someone who lives, sleeps, eats, breathes, and LOVES camp every single day! I look forward to seeing you and your camper this summer!
You Are Not Alone! There are MILLIONS of camp parents…
A Priceless Gift To Give My Daughter
It happened again. You know the look. You know the comments. And this time it was from another mom who I respect, has a great attitude, and is raising wonderful children. My daughter, Maya, and I were talking with a friend and her daughter about Maya’s summer camp experience at Woodland.
Maya: “…And next summer I want to go back for six weeks.”
Other mom gasps loudly: “I would never let you go for that long, Sweetie!” (hugging her daughter tightly)
Other mom’s daughter: “I would never want to go for that long, Mom.” (hugging back and smiling)
Okay, I know the drill. I went to Woodland for eight weeks when I was nine. I went for ten summers after that for eight weeks. There was never a two week or four week session when I attended. There was a reason for the long session. The same magic in terms of growth, confidence, and perseverance just can’t happen in two weeks. I remember Anne Jordan explaining it to me when I was a counselor during pre-camp. The same way she explained to me when I was a camper that if she let me call my mom during camp not only would I not feel better, I would feel worse. She was right on both accounts.
Now, as a mother who has experienced the loss of a child, I don’t think I would have sent my daughter if Woodland did not have a two week session. I am grateful for the shortened option because now both Maya and I will be better prepared for the separation next summer.
So, what to do about these parents who would “never” let their daughters go to camp for so long? The ones who tell me they love their daughters too much to let them go. Do they understand they are implying I do not love my child? Some seem to think we are somehow damaging our children by sending them away from us for several weeks.
I know the best response to this is to dismiss it and not care what anyone else thinks. Most of the time I can remember what camp did for me, and let go. Every once in a while, though, I start to question my choice. I am “losing” all this time I could have with my daughter. How can I send her away and let other people take care of her for so long? Will she be okay? Will she get hurt? Will she feel alone when I am not there for her?
All these questions bring me back to three things: my own practical life experience at camp, inner strength, and faith.
I know the gifts camp gave me: confidence in myself in areas other than sports, meaningful and deep lifetime friendships, LOTS of time in nature, and exposure to activities I would not have had at home. Why wouldn’t I want to give this to my daughter?
Knowing how it enriched my life, how could I not let her go? When I am clear about this, I know it truly is a priceless gift to give my daughter. But our society and culture seem so different now than when I was a child. The parenting is different, the activity level is different, and what our children are exposed to is different. It seems to me that it takes more than the knowledge that extended overnight camp is a valuable experience in order to take the plunge. It takes inner strength and faith.
It takes the strength to dismiss the other parents’ reactions – respecting what they need to do in their own families -while calling upon the gifts I received from attending camp. It takes the faith that my daughter will be taken care of well. It will be different from how she is taken care of at home, and this is okay, even good. She will have camp sisters to help her through the hard times. It takes faith (still working on this one) to know if I don’t get a call home from JoAnne, everything is fine. It might not be perfect, but it is fine.
Let’s face it: Six weeks can be a long time to be separated from our children. I am relatively certain Maya did better in the two weeks we were away from each other than I did. Seeing her again, and having her home again is wonderful. Even in the short time of two weeks I noticed subtle changes; growth that I’m pretty sure would not have occurred for her if she was at home attending a day camp.
If you’re reading this, you already understand the gift of extended overnight camp for your daughter. But for anyone who still has insecurity or doubts when other parents’ comments come your way, just know you are not alone. We are in this together. And that is just one more gift Camp Woodland gives us all.
by Susan Austin Short, Woodland Alum and Parent
Internship or Camp Counselor?
At a skit during a recent staff meeting, 2 “applicants” interviewed for a marketing position at Jordan, Inc. The first applicant had work experience as an intern at a prestigious law firm in DC, while the second applicant spent 3 summers as a counselor at Camp Woodland.
Here are the responses to the questions in the following categories the applicants gave when asked to comment on their experience and ability to take on this position.
COMMUNICATION:
Law firm intern: went around taking coffee orders from each partner in the law firm.
Woodland counselor:
- Articulated effectively with children, parents, coworkers, and leadership team.
- Demonstrated confidence to parents in a short period of time the capability to take care of their children.
- Corresponded in written form to parents regarding a camper’s adjustment, strengths, progress, and growth.
- Reported regularly to camp leadership camper observations/concerns and program plans for various activities/events.
PROBLEM SOLVING:
Law firm intern: was able to fix a jam in the copy machine while making copies of all briefs and proposals for a 100 person firm; took initiative to change the ink cartridge.
Woodland counselor:
- Managed normal conflicts between campers and help them work towards resolution.
- Developed creative alternate plans due to unexpected change in weather, scheduling, or equipment performance.
LEADERSHIP:
Law firm intern: led a group of interns who started a week later to show them the location of the nearest restroom.
Woodland counselor:
- Became a role model and “go-to person” for a community of campers.
- Anticipated the next step in various areas of camp life before it happened and became insightful about planning ahead.
TEAMWORK:
Law firm intern: arrived with a team of interns to the office at 8:00 am Monday-Friday.
Woodland counselor:
- Established camper expectations and maintained a partnership with co-counselor(s).
- Assisted campers to negotiate and compromise in order to accomplish a common goal in various cabin events.
CREATIVITY:
Law firm intern: made the decision to use milk from the vending machine when there was a shortage of creamer in the break room.
Woodland counselor:
- Able to come up with a game or activity at a moment’s notice for a group of 5 or 70 campers when original plans are disrupted.
- Changed words to a song and made up dance moves for an all-camp Song Contest performance.
Who would you want to hire – the intern or the camp counselor? The choice seems pretty obvious to me! If you are in a position to hire employees, don’t forget to inquire about a candidate’s camp experience – it is the best job training you could ever ask for!
I Can’t Remember The Last Time I Belly-Laughed!
Lee and Kim Are Ready at the Registration Table
“I can’t remember the last time I belly-laughed!”, said Woodland Alumna, Amy Long after taking a tour of Sand Lake on the “Lazy Boy Recliner” (a.k.a. tube) that is pulled behind the ski boat.
“Jazz Hands”
This past weekend, Woodland enjoyed the company of a large group of alumni who came to celebrate Towering Pines 70th summer. There was an abundance of laughter (and tears) as alums from the US and Mexico reunited. The weekend started by reconnecting with friends, a tour of camp, and a walk down Co-Ed Show Lane at Towering Pines. Alumni were able to see themselves in former Co-Ed Show videos and were then treated to a “live” version of the highly anticipated end-of-the-summer performance. The current Woodland and TP staff put together “Back to the Future” for the Friday night entertainment. “I’m Divin’ In” and “Handy Man” were among the selection of songs from various decades that were showcased.
Trail Ride
Alumni were able to be campers for a day and sign up for activities. Our guests enjoyed archery, riflery, arts & crafts, Farm Zoo, and tennis. CIT’s were on hand to take alumni on a cabin tour so that they could reminisce and share memories. We enjoyed a picnic lunch on the volleyball court and Grace and Sam took a group on a trail ride during rest hour. Because it was such a beautiful day, the waterfront was a popular spot to hangout and catch up in the afternoon. Sailing, swimming, tubing, and canoeing were offered in addition to the opportunity to kick back and relax on the deck or sailing benches. At the end of Rec Swim, it is no surprise that the Alumni headed straight to the Canteen Shack for a frozen candy bar or soft drink.
“We Haven’t Changed A Bit!”
Next on the agenda was a special “Moment of Remembrance” for John Jordan and Win Abney. Alumni gathered in the Rec Hall at Towering Pines and had the opportunity to share memories of these two great men who are the foundation of the camp we know today. Following the service, alums gathered outside to enjoy a cookout on the lawn or on the benches overlooking Lake Nokomis. The gals were invited to attend and judge the annual Song Contest at Woodland, while a traditional TP campfire was on the program for the guys.
A Journey Back in Time
Sunday was a day of “good-byes” and promises to keep in touch. Plans are already being made for Woodland’s 50th anniversary celebration in 2019. Camila Villegas, a Woodland alum, shared this note with us expressing her thanks for such a wonderful weekend:
There is a place in my memory where the pine trees surround me, where I feel the cool water of the lake on my skin, and sounds of whispers sing in my head.
That is the place where the warm wind runs through my thoughts, the place where I can find my strength, my peace, my happiness, because there is where my friends find me.
Woodland is that place in my memory and today, I share camp with you. You, too, are now my friends.
Mother-Daughter Woodland Connection