Category: Cool to Be You in ’22

An article about summer camp has been floating around social media the past few days from the Wall Street Journal. It’s an interesting memoir of sorts by Rich Cohen who spent his camp years at our Sand Lake neighbor, Camp Menominee. It is entitled, “The Life Lessons of Summer Camp: The Enduring Frontier.” The article is behind a paywall requiring a subscription to read it, but a couple of the points it makes are worth highlighting, mostly because they apply to Woodland as well. It is obvious the fondness the author has for his years at camp, and the long lasting impact those years have had on him as an adult. He claims, “Everything important I know, I learned at camp.”

He’s not talking about the things he learned in his activities, like how to shoot archery or make a mooring on a sailboat. He means more important things like being a stronger person, being independent enough to solve his own problems, and confident enough to “face new situations, read hierarchies, make my way among strangers, [and be] able to adapt.”

I’d say similar things for the girls at Camp Woodland. As an adult, they might not remember how (or be able) to canter or do a back handspring, but what’s important is their learning to be a good friend through kindness, to be more independent and confident when facing new things, and to be more comfortable being who they really are. There are many of these deeper lessons learned at camp.

Cohen’s article also summarizes the history of summer camps in America from its earliest example, the camp established in 1861 by Frederick Gunn, through the many camps established in the early 1900s (with many being referenced from Wisconsin) devoted to “character building” and time outdoors closer to nature. Camps have of course changed over the years— shorter sessions, better food, and way more photos being taken —but the core experience of camp remains the same.

“[Camp is] still not home. It’s still no parents. It’s still new people. It’s still the woods. It’s still the world. It’s still 15 (6-12) bodies in a bunk, stiff beds (mattresses are replaced when needed), wool blankets (for chilly nights in the Northwoods), no TV (100%), rank odor (our cabins are cleaned daily), fungus (that’s what weekly health checks are for), bugs (most definitely), pranks (not at Woodland), bed-wetters (counselors discreetly handle this when it happens), summer friends, dark nights and star-filled skies. It’s still your best chance of getting them away from the phones and screens. It’s still paradisiacal and green. And it’s still what we need— now more than ever.”

This past weekend marked the end of the first two weeks (sigh). It was fun to see the campers taking drama, dance and gymnastics perform their routines for the entire camp. As a Mom mentioned on last year’s parent survey (BTW we LOVE feedback and DO read each and every comment!),

“It seems like we take her to an activity once a week at home, and she stays at the same level for months and months until she gets sick of it and wants to quit. At camp, she was able to practice every day and achieve her goals for the summer. This really gave her so much confidence. Also the level of support from the other campers is amazing. I watched everyone encouraging each other and lifting each other up and don’t think that she has been in such a positive environment before!”

Campers DO get to do activities daily, which is the equivalent of about 10 hours spent every 2 weeks learning and practicing new skills. And, we are a very supportive community. The cheers and applause before, during, and after these end-of-session performances are genuine and heartfelt. Even if gymnastics, dance, and drama aren’t your thing, it is super cool to be able to watch and give words of encouragement while your cabinmate/s do a routine on the beam, wear a tutu as part of the costume for a catchy number, and/or to have a part in Robin Hood.

It is also fun to put aside instructional activities for a day and to do something totally different on Sundays. Sleeping in an extra 30 minutes, wearing jammies to breakfast then donning Woodland wear to show camp spirit, reflecting on a theme for Inspiration Hour, having chicken for lunch (and ice cream sundaes for dessert!), and then getting to participate in a special event planned by the oldest campers, the CIT’s (counselors-in-training). This Sunday’s theme was Harry Potter. No imagination or stretch necessary to see that everything important IS learned at summer camp!

Seeing all the action at camp, all the happy busy kids here, it’s easy to forget that there are about 30 people on the Woodland staff at any one time. There are many people working to make camp possible. There are the cabin counselors, the young women who live in the cabins with the campers, eat their meals with the campers, spend most of their day relating to them. These are the folks who most directly help set the tone at camp. They’re kind, silly, and enthusiastic. Most 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.

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. New to camp this year, we also have adult advisors 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 yummy 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!

The end of last week marked the start of regular activities, a time when camp settles into a routine and is a good kind of busy. Campers were presented with the different options after having the opportunity to try the various instructional offerings earlier in the week, and after much thought, individuals decide on their first set of six activities.

This practice of having the girls select their own activities has long been a part of Camp Woodland. We believe that getting to choose on their own, away from parents, is a really good experience for the girls. It’s empowering for them to make this decision, to make it based entirely on their own desires and interests. It might mean focusing on target sports and other land activities, or perhaps spending extra time at the waterfront sailing, skiing and canoeing. Or it might mean taking a break from tennis since that’s a regular thing at home.

Parents are sometimes surprised to learn what their child selects, and they may even wish their camper would branch out more, or be inspired to try something different. Some of that variety happens on its own as the various options are limited, and peers often encourage each other to do things together. But the girls really appreciate this independence. This coming weekend, all the girls will select a new set of activities (or some may remain the same), giving them a chance to switch things up if desired.

With the campers schedules set, they were off…. off to shoot arrows, to create in arts and crafts, and to spend time with the animals at Farm Zoo. They were stretching and tumbling in gymnastics class outside the Rec Hall and getting the “hang” of the parallel bars. They began learning lines in drama and 8-counts in dance. They were swimming in the lake and riding horses in the ring, smacking tetherballs, making moorings after a sail, and scoring targets in riflery. They were busy!

I should add that despite this busyness, our regular daily schedule also includes several periods of “free time” when girls can just hang out. They can do puzzles, write letters, or close their eyes at Rest Hour. They can also read on the deck on the way to the waterfront or cozy up to an inviting tree, build sand castles at the beach, or just sit and chat with a friend at a favorite spot in the shade at Rec Swim. Here too, campers decide for themselves how to spend this free time. Unable to default to technology or passive entertainment, it’s interesting to see them be more creative and active than they might be otherwise. They have plenty of friends to do things with, so their “free time” can seem busy as well.

Evenings are busy too, but it is a different kind of busy. We had a “ball” last week while playing all kinds of various games with balls (9-square for one) and the occasional hula hoop. I would venture to say that this is a “simple” kind of busy. While not too taxing or involved, it is a great way to interact and enjoy each other’s company without the pressure of serious competition or performance. It is a time to smile, laugh, and just enjoy the present moment.

Yes camp is busy, but it’s a good kind of busy. It’s self-directed and fun, filled with extraordinary opportunities to experience new things, and includes built-in companionship and support. It’s a “busy” that helps a girl grow.

adapted from a RBC blog

It has been so fun to watch the campers being refreshingly real over the past few days. They are truly open and genuinely themselves. I am convinced that they are possibly more so here at camp than in other situations. It’s not a stretch to think that these young kids are living a more authentic life when they are away from technology and other distractions. These camp girls are free to simply be kids, to not worry about things generally, and to romp through their day enthusiastically ready for anything.

For example, I witnessed our youngest campers stop to look at something they saw in the grass as they were walking to the lodge. I decided to join them because my curiosity was getting the better of me. They happened upon some bugs that had met their demise. So, what did they decide to do on the spot? Have a funeral for them. I’m not kidding. It was precious! They covered the bugs with grass, said a few words, and were on their way. This same group was seen riding their “horses” around the cabin the next day. Such impromptu and boundless imagination!

On Sunday afternoon, the CIT’s put on “Alien Invasion,” a camp wide hunt for “aliens” that just happened upon Camp Woodland in their space travels. Innovation and problem solving collided as the cabin groups went on a search for the oldest campers who were “hiding” and worth various points if found. Campers had to put their heads together and use their sleuthing skills to figure out where to look for the uniquely costumed “aliens”. While Sunnyside earned “winner” status for this event, to me it was more about seeing kids smiling and skipping as they went from place to place around camp. Such a welcome sight!

For the drama rotation this week, counselor Kate had the girls write a character (pilot, detective, cowboy, etc.) on a piece of paper. Each camper then selected a character and picked 2-3 props/costume accessories that gave identity to their adopted persona. Campers took turns in front of the group “acting” out their character while the rest were able to ask questions to gather clues and figure out the portrayed role. What a great opportunity for imaginations and unencumbered thinking to run wild.

So how do these campers do it? How do they live at this level? Do they have some kind of hidden strength? Or, do they lack a certain maturity, seasoned insight into life, or assumptions about what is “correct” that most others possess? Or, can we attribute it to the environment of camp, the social landscape and culture they enjoy here?

We can probably assume all of these play a role for these kids.

They certainly do have inner strengths— a sense of curiosity toward the natural world, a playful energetic attitude that seems easy to apply, an inherent trust shown to everyone around them. Kids have a special power to laugh at almost anything. They can be entertained by almost anything and be fascinated by the most “ordinary” things. Young children in particular are generally accepting and can make friends quickly and easily, happily able to join any group of other kids doing something together.

As we get older though, other tendencies take over. We begin to understand that praise and reward come from meeting certain standards and thus we feel some pressure to do that. We become aware of social expectations. We compare ourselves to others, making judgments about our self-worth. We learn what’s proper in various circumstances. We develop habits where convenience and comfort are the highest ideals. Each of these aspects of being an adult, it seems, work against the authenticity that is remarkable about our campers. Kids have the joy of being themselves and ignoring most of this… while they’re kids.

I think the camp environment plays a role too and helps even the older campers here tap back into their childhood spirit. Our camp culture provides a real sense of freedom to be your true self without too much social pressure, attention to “perfection,” or worry about being accepted. So much of the day at camp is self-directed, girls have more opportunities to follow their own interests and explore everything camp has to offer.

We encourage silliness, joyful experimentation, and giving things a try just for the fun of it. The girls can sense that Woodland is a place that applauds creativity, self-expression, and positive relationships. It is a place where it is “Cool to be YOU”. We’re not competing with each other or making comparisons to assign value. Instead, it’s a place that celebrates no matter what the outcome… no matter the winner or the weather.

Woodland is a place to put aside some of the assumptions, concerns and habits of being a “grownup,” and to experience the freedom to unearth more essential ways of being your true self… your sense of wonder and joy, your compassion, and your optimism. It’s place for kids to be kids.

Of course, the older we get, the more difficult that can be, and we might not be capable of fully embracing the openness of childhood. Worry has a way of wiggling in. But camp has a special ability to move us closer to that childhood truth. It can provide an enticing glimpse into living life more authentically.

Perhaps, that’s another reason why we love being at camp. I know it is for me.

Adapted from RBC blog.

Woodland Welcomes 2022 Campers!

You can’t open a summer camp without the people. The moment we have all been waiting for is FINALLY here…our favorite people have arrived! Dressed in their snazzy Woodland polos, the counselors were literally jumping up and down with excitement, clapping, and singing the welcome song as cars came into camp on Opening Day. Everything we’d been talking about during pre-camp training was coming to reality!

The mostly perfect weather added to the delight of the day— old camp friends reuniting, new campers being welcomed and suddenly finding themselves swept along as cabin groups began setting up their bunks. Soon groups of girls led by their counselors were exploring camp, warming up the tether balls, and getting to know each other. Lunch was a perennial favorite: mac & cheese, salad bar, and Rice Krispie treats. All hot and gooey, Dan’s homemade mac & cheese is a pasta dish (and comfort food) that always pleases the crowd. With pizza, another salad bar (the edamame was a big hit!) and salted caramel cookies loaded with white and milk chocolate chips for dinner, the girls got to enjoy several camp favorites on the 1st day! The organic beauty of Woodland was sparkling all day long and into the evening as the bus with our campers from Mexico pulled into the drive. It truly was an extraordinary day.