Category: Camp News
It Never Rains at Camp Woodland!
Aquarius performs “Get’cha Head in the Game”
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 earlier in the week. Woodland Girls do not let gray weather dampen our spirits…the “show must go on”! The ever popular Lip Sync Contest is one of the most highly anticipated rainy day activities hands down. 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.
Sunnyside wows the crowd with “Drivers License”
Lip Sync is the perfect cabin bonding activity regardless of when it happens in the summer. However, this year in particular, it was 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 26th. By the end of week #2 – LOOK OUT! Campers will really be hitting their stride with adjustment to and comfort with being at camp,
Driftwood gets into the spirit with hairbrush microphones
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. Driftwood went all out with “This is Me” from Camp Rock. The oldest group of campers (behind the CIT’s) really let loose and were “all in”. It was almost like I sometimes sing in the shower (as if no one else is listening)!
Treetops takes the stage with “Levitating”
Aquarius brought back a High School Musical tune, “Get’cha Head in the Game” while Sunnyside chose “Drivers License” by Olivia Rodrigo. Treetops brought us “Levitating” by Dua Lipa featuring DaBaby. Silver Birch’s award winning performance was a Lion King favorite, “Circle of Life”. This group of campers went all out with colorful costumes, wigs, face make-up and teased hair. 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!
Silver Birch takes 1st place for Lip Sync Contest 2021
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 “Here Comes the Sun in ‘2-1” because we make our own sunshine (even when getting a little Woodland “dew”)!
Camp…More Than Ever
Hello from Camp Woodland! We are SO EXCITED to be open for the summer 2021 season! You might say that we have been a little busy (hence the delay on getting our first blog out this week!). After months of planning, and really two years of thinking about how camp would be this summer, opening day arrived. Finally, we were able to welcome girls to camp, introduce them to all the other amazing campers and staff members that make up this community, and begin to experience all the special aspects of camp life. “More than ever” seems to be an appropriate phrase. Given the feelings of loss, and many struggles imposed upon everyone by the pandemic, we all need camp more than ever.
The time outside, the laughter and smiling faces, the closeness of friendship, the hilarious silliness, the opportunity for fresh, real-world (tech-free) experience— yep, more than ever. You can already see it on the girls’ faces and hear it in their voices. They’re so happy to be here, so ready to play, to be carefree kids, and to enjoy the fun of camp. For the staff too, they missed this place and the simpler, more genuine life camp provides. This has always been true at Woodland, summer after summer, but this year, it’s even more so.
Thank you parents for helping make opening day go as smoothly as possible! Your attention to the details of our pre-camp protocols and instructions (so many forms! emails! messages!) really helped. We especially appreciate all the effort you put into keeping your camper/s healthy before arriving. We know some things were added burdens, but we think it was well worth the benefit it provides the whole camp community. So, THANK YOU!
One worry about this new procedure was that the campers would not have their parents to help settle them into their cabin. From the camper’s point of view, this turned out to be unjustified. This allowed everyone to set up their bunks together. A fun new group project was born, with the counselors and bunkmates helping make the whole cabin more comfortable. It’s amazing what colorful blankets, stuffed animals and a few personal items can do to make the cabin feel like “home”. And, we were able the launch the whole cabin group into action right away. A great thing!
As campers arrived, cabin groups enjoyed playing various games and exploring the main areas of camp. Having Dan’s famous mac-n-cheese for lunch was a much anticipated treat. Over the years this has become a favorite opening day meal because it is a true crowd pleaser. I think the secret is that mac-and-cheese is “comfort” food and makes campers feel like they are in a familiar place. And, because it was Saturday, there was pizza for dinner (double YUM)!
Over these first several days, time as a cabin has been important for creating a supportive group dynamic. General rules and good habits for getting along in such close living quarters are discussed and camper input is requested (better buy-in when you are able to help make the “rules”!). They have been working on “cabin contracts” that can help address disagreements and guide their interactions positively. For example, a cabin may agree that you should ask permission before sitting on another person’s bed as part of showing respect.
The lake was a popular spot on Opening Weekend! The lifeguards and cabin counselors of course took time to explain the safety procedures of the waterfront area and answer everyone’s questions about how to make the most of the swimming opportunities at camp— the raft, diving board, “floating” mats, log roll, tubing, Big Banana and other fun free swim activities. Is the water cold?! We always choose to say that it is “refreshing!”
At its core, camp is about connection. It’s about taking a break from our screens, and discovering the beauty of nature that’s been there all along. It’s about the joy of friendship found in simple shared experience. In these ways and others, camp is such a relief. And yes, this summer, that’s true more than ever!
Reference: RBC
Mixed Emotions are Perfectly Normal
If I had to guess, there is a myriad of emotions you are seeing in your camper/s as we can now count the days until the start of camp on two hands. Excited and nervous. Happy and anxious. Hopeful and apprehensive. Assured and concerned. While these emotions seem contradictory and hard to navigate, they are NORMAL and to be expected. Yes, you heard that right! Mixed emotions are common and part of embarking on an unchartered (or even familiar) journey.
First time jitters for new campers is not something unusual for 2021! There are so many unknowns about what camp life is like at this time EVERY year. What will I see when I pull into the driveway? How will I know where to go? Where is my cabin? Who are my counselors? Who are the other campers in my cabin group? Will I make friends? Where will I put my stuff? Where is the bathroom? What is the food like? What activities will I do? What is the schedule? Did I pack everything I may need? The list goes on…
Believe it or not, returning campers have jitters too. They may not surface as readily as in the inaugural summer; however, they are there, just the same. Each girl brings with her the successes and challenges of the previous year. Changes in a friend group, academic struggles, a move to a new location or school, extracurricular activity demands, and family dynamics are just a few that come to mind. Wondering about their counselors and new cabin group are unknowns every year to a known experience.
This summer is unique in that for veteran campers, it has been almost 2 whole years since camp has been in operation. A lot can and did happen in 22 months. The elephant in the room is whether or not camp will be the “same” as in previous summers. The answer to that is what it would be in other years. Camp can never be exactly the same as it was the last time we were together (pandemic or not). The beauty of each year is that there are always new campers, new counselors, new cabin groups, new songs, new twists to old activities, and new adventures.
Yes, there are some new protocols in place, especially at the beginning, that will be different as we work to form our camp “bubble”. The magic is that these new shared experiences will become the foundation for our community to form. We can’t wait to see what new ideas this year will turn into new traditions next year. We may stumble onto something that is even BETTER than it was before!
We also recognize that new and returning campers have justified concerns this year in particular that feed into having mixed emotions as camp approaches. I’m excited to see my friends and/or make new friends, and how will I adapt to being face-to-face with people again? I’m comfortable living at home and what will it be like to live in a group that is not my immediate family? I’ve been attending hybrid or virtual school and so how will I manage a more active lifestyle? My parents take care of me when I don’t feel well. What if I get sick this summer? I’m used to having the security of my family 24-7. How will I move in without the help of the people who send me off or bring me to camp? (By the way, counselors and staff will be ready to help campers feel comfortable and acclimate to being at camp. They have been taking part in pre-camp training for the past week and have another week to go!)
I think it is safe to say that in 2021, ALL of us are experiencing emotions and feelings that are on opposite ends of the spectrum about the start of camp on Saturday, June 26th. If we fast forward to the end of the summer, we will see a range of emotions there too. Campers will look forward to seeing their parents & siblings and sad at the same time to leave the camp community of friends who have now become like a 2nd family. They will be excited to share about their experience and yet may have trepidations about going home and reuniting with friends and getting ready for another school year.
The difference on the return trip home is the confidence and independence that will be accompanying each camper following several weeks at Camp Woodland. It is a sharpened set of tools in our toolkit for what lies ahead until we can be together again.
See you soon! We can’t wait to greet your camper/s and for summer to get started!
Summer 2021: A Time to Dip Your Toes in the Socialization Pool
After more than a year of quarantines, restrictions, isolation, reduced/weird social interactions, etc., we know that kids desperately need socialization with their peers. We are also aware there is a concern out there from students heading to any school that will be in-person next year (including college) that they will face almost full/constant socialization (classes, cafeterias, sports and other activities, buses, dorm rooms) and need to be “on” all the time after this past year of having almost zero socialization and being “off” all the time.
Those who are fortunate enough to go to camp in general and this summer specifically, will be able to dip their toes in the socialization pool. They will get to practice interacting more regularly with peers before facing their next school year. This will be especially beneficial for those kids who have had an especially isolating year at home and/or are facing a big transition next year. This could be going to a new school, whether because of regular advancement (middle to high school, for example), moving, or other life change.
The good news is that this practice of interacting with peers will be a gradual process at Camp Woodland this summer. Campers will not be thrown into the deep end of the socialization pool without adjusting to shallow water first. Because the first few days of camp will have us sticking to our cabin pods, this will allow a unique opportunity for campers to test the waters of a small group before diving in with the great camp community after our “bubble” has been established.
IT ALWAYS STARTS WITH THE CABIN GROUP (THEN AND NOW)
The cabin group at Woodland has always been one of thoughtful intention and purpose (even pre-pandemic). There are 2-3 counselors who will be carefully selected as a team to work with each age group. Together they establish the culture within the cabin so that campers feel welcome, comfortable and cared for. They will choose a cabin theme that represents their group and will clean and decorate the cabin to make it feel “homey” and inviting. Each camper will have “space” to make their own on a top or bottom bunk and designated places store their “stuff”. The counselors will be ready to help campers navigate unpacking and settling in which is an important step for acclimating to their summer home.
The counselors will be trained during their 2-week pre-camp orientation on group dynamics and will have a back pocket full of fun games and activities to start the process of evolving their cabin group (6-10 girls of similar age) into a community (a unified body of friends). This does not happen overnight, of course, but these intentional activities over time will help campers in the same cabin make introductions and connections, establish a code for group living, create a framework for communication, and provide opportunities for teamwork and trust.
COMING TOGETHER IS A BEGINNING (TOES INTO THE WATER FIRST)
The initial few days for all cabin groups are a time for campers to get to know one another and adjust to their new environment. Both returning and new campers are eager to see what camp is about, to make friends, and to belong. Counselors will help campers make introductions and find connections with others in a nonthreatening way. Name games, ice-melters, and other get-to-know-you activities assist campers in discovering commonalities with each other at a surface level until the group is ready to share at a deeper level.
We find that campers often stick with what is comfortable and familiar at the beginning when getting involved in the camp program (moving close to the water but not getting wet). This is perfectly OK. They will have the opportunity to branch out more as the summer unfolds and their comfort and confidence levels increase. The start of the camp season is the golden opportunity for counselors to set expectations and establish routines for cabin group meetings and discussions that will be the building blocks for future work and play together.
The fun of camp is just beginning – toes are being dipped into the socialization pool!
KEEPING TOGETHER IS PROGRESS (WADE IN A LITTLE FURTHER AND GET SPLASHED)
Once toes are wet and a foundation is in place, campers are ready to wade further into the water. Here we will gradually introduce mingling with others outside the cabin group for activities and other camp events. Campers will be eager to explore and try new things. Activities will be designed that allow them to do this in an age-appropriate way.
Campers may be ready to go beyond the surface and share on a more meaningful level after spending quality time and having frequent interaction with their cabin group. Guidelines will be established by the counselors so that each person has a chance to participate equally and fairly. The important work of practicing communication skills will take place, especially sharing and listening, so the group is able to have a peaceful discussion when things aren’t going so well and to work through issues as they arise.
Camp is even more fun after wading in further and getting splashed a bit!
STAYING TOGETHER IS SUCCESS (DIVE IN DEEP)
Once a group has experienced the success of moving past challenging times and is working well together, they will enjoy their cohesiveness and move into deeper water. Being in the “deep end” typically means that groups have the ability communicate well, work as a team, and trust each other. Campers will exhibit confidence and independence and stand taller than they did at the beginning of their camp experience. (If you don’t believe me, look at camper photos at the beginning and end of a session — the change can be remarkable!)
The best of each camper will combine to form a strong team, and it can be difficult for them to go their separate ways after taking this journey together. It is amazing how strong those bonds can be, especially when campers stay for a longer period of time, because of the growth that is made after reaching the other side of struggles and conflicts. This intentionality fosters the evolution of a group of campers into a unified community. Counselors will help campers put closure on their camp experience and transition to what comes next (returning to home and school).
Camp is the most fun at the end because of taking a deep dive with the friends who are now family. Campers will have had lots of practice interacting with their peers over the course of the camp season and will leave with confidence to face the next school year!
Thank you to Liz Kunkle for suggesting this topic and giving examples of what kids will be facing in the months ahead (see first two paragraphs)!
Reference: acacamps.org/resource-library/camping-magazine/slinky-smurf-evolving-groups-communities
The Blessing of the Least Favorite Activity
Wendy Mogel’s best selling book, The Blessing of a Skinned Knee, resonates with parents and camp leaders alike. Dr. Mogel has spoken at camp conferences over the years, and she continues to be active in the camp community. If you haven’t had a chance to read The Blessing of a Skinned Knee, we highly recommend it. In addition to sharing about the importance of letting our kids take healthy risks, and not always rescuing them from failure, Mogel gives many other valuable insights. She has recognized the value of camp experiences in the development of emotionally healthy kids, as you can read in the article “Camp Blessings” on her website.
A question we often get asked, especially by kids who haven’t yet been to Woodland, is “What if I don’t want to do an activity?” Sometimes it starts with a statement, “I don’t like horses or I’m not good at tennis. Do I have to do that activity?”
Our answer to that question is that you don’t HAVE to take a particular activity, and this year we will also say that you GET to go with your cabin group and will be encouraged to TRY most activities. Because the first few days of camp will have us sticking to our cabin pods, this will allow a unique opportunity for campers to really see firsthand what each activity is about (instead of relying on their own preconceived notions or parent influence) before committing to a schedule of 6 activities for a 2-week period.
There are several reasons kids are reluctant to do a particular activity, and they are the same reasons why adults often choose to forgo some recreational options:
1. A previous negative experience with the activity, usually not at camp and not with experienced instructors.
Falling off a horse, not getting up on water skis after several tries, or getting rained out on a camping trip are all examples of negative experiences that make a person naturally inclined not to want to try again.
2. Fear!
Fear of being humiliated. Fear of failure. Fear of heights. Fear of lake water. Fear of animals. Fear of going to the bathroom in the woods. Fear of getting hurt. The list goes on and on.
3. Based on their perception of themselves or their past successes/failures, they think they won’t like it.
No point in giving an activity another go if it is not in their normal repertoire of things youth like and/or are good at. It is also our experience that kids often think they should be proficient at something on the first try. If an activity was attempted at one time with minimal success, then the activity is often taken off the list completely for future consideration.
There are other reasons for kids to not want to do an activity, but these are three that readily come to mind from what campers have told us over the years. Interestingly, the reasons kids don’t want to do an activity are the very reason for trying the activity and may be the best thing that happens at camp for that camper.
If a child doesn’t want to do an activity because of a previous negative activity, trying it at camp could lead to either a changed mind (and a new activity they like) or, at the very least, a not-as-negative experience to remember. We believe that “it takes a lot of slow to grow” and that it may take time (and failure) before experiencing success. Woodland staff are good at breaking down various skills and recognizing incremental progress – no matter how small the “win”. They also measure success by the ruler of the individual and not someone else’s ruler.
If a camper doesn’t want to do an activity because of fear, then trying the activity could be the most life-changing event that occurs for that camper during their camp stay. Overcoming fears and challenging oneself to attempt something that seems impossible can lead to great feelings of accomplishment and improved confidence. With the support and encouragement from cabin mates and counselors, campers feel on top of the world after successfully trying something they feared.
For the camper with a fear of maneuvering a sailboat on a windy day, getting in a boat day after day with a qualified instructor and learning the necessary skills in more manageable conditions will go a long way towards building self-assurance. Small steps lead to bigger steps over time for trusting one’s own abilities to handle a boat in less desirable weather. This is an example of working up to do something hard that leads to something good, a theme Dr. Mogel stresses. The camp environment offers a supportive place for kids to learn how to overcome fears and accomplish things they didn’t think were possible (and develop a newfound enjoyment for an activity that initially caused worry or anxiety!).
If a camper doesn’t want to do an activity because they don’t think they’ll like it based on their preferences or perception of themselves, trying something different offers an opportunity for expanded confidence. Campers who see themselves as non-athletic and more adept at target sports may shy away from the more physical activities. Yet trying and accomplishing them could change self-perception in a positive way. Campers who don’t perceive themselves as “outdoorsy” may dread going on a canoe trip. It is quite possible that the experience of cooking and sleeping outdoors could lead to an expanded view of oneself and an appreciation for the many different facets of a personality.
Sometimes, the activity a camper thought would be their least favorite becomes a favorite!
So, when a camper tells us all the reasons why they “don’t want to” or “can’t” do an activity this summer, we will continue to encourage them to “give it a try,” because we know the hidden blessings in the least favorite activity.
Reference: https://goldarrowcamp.com/the-blessing-of-the-least-favorite-activity/