Category: Enjoy the Ride in 2-5

Every year for as long as I can remember, Camps Woodland and Towering Pines ponder over the theme for the next summer before the current summer ends. This way cabin groups at both camps get involved and submit their ideas with the hopes of being able to hear their name called at assembly after the roar of a building drumroll. It is a big deal to be awarded the honor of being able to say they had a hand in choosing the words that will give shape to what the following summer holds for future campers and staff. Summer 2025 is no different!

The words “enjoy the ride” hold a lot of possibility – maybe a deviation from the norm of how we tend to rush from thing to thing or aren’t able to “stop and smell the roses” once in awhile. While the story I’m about to share starts out sad, the end message is worth it and ties into our summer theme. Not that long ago, we got the news that our next door neighbor, Don, had passed away unexpectedly at the age of 68. We didn’t know that he was sick or dealing with any sort of health issue, so it was a shock to say the least. My husband even called it a “gut-punch.”

Don was the sort of guy I called upon when my garage door wouldn’t open, the flag pole needed replacing, or there was a turtle in our yard that needed to be redirected to its desired destination, among numerous other “predicaments.” He was always good about letting me know when an outside light was burned out or there was a break in our irrigation system. He was all about helping people and did so at the drop of a hat.

Another trait that Don was known for is living life with a spirit of adventure and wonder. He was a pilot and a sailor. Don always approached people with a smile and had no shortage of jokes/puns to pass along. He lived every day and every minute to the fullest, something we can all learn from (myself included!). Just the other day my husband mentioned taking a boat cruise after eating lunch at one of the local restaurants, and while in my head I was thinking of all of the things on my to-do list, I said, “sure – it’s what Don would have done.” Cleaning and packing can wait.

In thinking about “enjoy the ride” as the theme for summer 2025, Don is a good example of how to live that every day; he definitely enjoyed the journey, savored each moment, and lived in the present moment.

Staff (who are arriving this week!) also embrace this sentiment as they reflect on what the theme means to them:

-To me enjoy the ride means that no matter how the summer goes, it is crucial to maintain a positive outlook.

-Enjoy summer and everything that comes with it.

-Enjoy trying new things.

-Having the best summer ever, enjoying every minute of it.

-To enjoy camp to the fullest and experience the ups and downs with friends and family.

-It means be excited and expect the unexpected.

-You don’t always need a plan, just see how your day unfolds.

-Having fun in the different stages at camp.

-To go with the flow of camp and enjoy every piece of summer.

-To live every moment of camp, always with a smile on your face :).

-Make the most of every moment big or small.

-To enjoy the journey camp provides every summer!

-Make the most of this experience (meet new people, travel as much as I can, improve my English and become a better camp counselor).

-To live in the moment and trust the process!

-Always take advantage of all the opportunities that life gives you and make the most of it, especially at camp, since time goes by very quickly, so it’s very important to always enjoy it a lot.

-It means don’t worry about the end and focus on the moment and enjoying camp while you can.

-Enjoy and live every moment, no matter if it’s perfect or not.

-Being present and having fun because we get to be at camp!

-Always being in the present moment and relishing my time at camp.

-It means going with the flow and enjoying each moment.

-Live new experiences.

-Enjoy the ride and not the destination.

Get Excited!

This staff member sums up the summer theme perfectly: For me, “Enjoy the Ride” for summer 2025, it’s about living in the moment, making unforgettable memories with campers and fellow counselors, and finding joy in the little things like campfire nights, team games, or just a good laugh after a long day. I know there will be challenges, but I’m excited to learn, grow, and make a positive impact while also having fun. This summer is about connection, adventure, and appreciating the whole journey, not just the highlights.

ENROLL for SUMMER 2025

We have a FEW remaining spots left to enroll your camper/s for 2025 so that your daughter/s can enjoy their own ride through the Camp Woodland experience! Sign up HERE: https://cwtp.campbrainregistration.com

As June quickly approaches (it’s now May!), you may be wondering how your kid/s will spend their summer this year. While part-time jobs, internships, or travel might come to mind, being part of the Woodland CIT (Counselor-in-Training) experience or working at camp should be at the top of your list of considerations! It’s more than just a summer opportunity/job—camp offers real-world experience in leadership, responsibility, and teamwork that will serve them in future careers (and life!).

Yet, some parents hesitate, wondering if working at camp is just goofing off and playing games. The reality? Here are 5 reasons why camp is serious business:

1. We Invest Heavily in Staff Training and Leadership Development

Unlike many traditional summer jobs, the ecosystem at Camp Woodland is intentionally designed to develop future leaders. We invest extensive time and resources into creating structured leadership programs for CIT’s and staff, ensuring they are prepared to take on decision-making, program development, and mentorship roles.

• CIT Leadership Program: focus on individual and team leadership
• Counselor Position: extensive pre-camp and ongoing training covers everything from child development to group dynamics and emergency preparedness (and more!)
• Certification Opportunities – CPR, first aid, and lifeguarding

We aren’t just hiring seasonal workers—we are shaping future professionals. The Woodland mission of youth development doesn’t stop with the campers. We view our CIT’s and staff—often up to people in their 20s—as part of that developmental mission, investing in their growth just as intentionally. Your young adults would be working in an environment that builds character development into its training. Through hands-on experience, mentorship, and leadership training, we foster kindness, resilience, integrity, and gratitude at camp —qualities that will serve them well in any career path. They will feel empowered to make smart choices, try new things, and truly thrive. We can’t think of any other summer job that does this with such intentionality!

2. Summer Camp Experience Stands Out to Future Employers

Camp isn’t just about supervising kids—it’s about managing schedules, leading activities, problem-solving on the fly, and developing emotional intelligence. Employers recognize camp experience as a mark of leadership, adaptability, and strong communication skills.

At camp, emerging leaders gain:

• Responsibility – Being in charge of campers, ensuring their safety and well-being.
• Organizational Skills – Managing activities, keeping schedules on track, and planning engaging programs.
• Creative Thinking – Designing new games, team challenges, and camp-wide initiatives.
• Decision-Making Under Pressure – Handling unexpected situations, from a homesick camper to a change in the day’s schedule.
• Teamwork & Leadership – Learning how to guide a group, resolve conflicts, and inspire others.

Many young people who work at camp go on to successful careers in education, business, healthcare, leadership, and more. The skills gained at camp—initiative, problem-solving, and adaptability—are among the most sought-after traits in today’s job market (and are the very things that robots can’t do!).

3. More Than Just a Job—Camp is a Community

If your child is looking for a meaningful summer experience/job that offers more than just the cost of tuition for CIT’s or a paycheck for staff, camp is a unique opportunity to build lasting friendships, create incredible memories, and be part of a supportive team.

Unlike retail or office jobs, where young workers may have limited opportunities to bond with co-workers, camp is all about community. CIT’s and Counselors work, lead, and laugh together, creating friendships that last a lifetime. They spend their days leading fun activities, developing leadership skills, and having an absolute blast in the process.

Camp is an opportunity to learn all of these essential life skills while playing games, going on an overnight canoe trip, riding horses, or engaging in a rousing game of “Queen of the Court”. Where else can you build leadership, teamwork, and decision-making skills while having so much fun?

4. Camp Experiences/Jobs for Various Age Groups

CIT Program: Rising 11th & 12th Graders (16-17 yrs of age)

• First “official” leadership role, guiding younger campers and assisting in activities.
• A stepping stone to becoming a counselor (and just being a really great leader!).
• Develop leadership, communication, and confidence while still enjoying camp activities and cabin life.
• Opportunity to earn community service hours.

Counselor/Support Staff Roles: Rising College Freshman (18+ yrs)

• A paid summer job that builds real leadership, organization, and team management skills.
• Leadership opportunities to run certain aspects of camp program.
• Room, board, and ongoing personal/professional development is provided.

5. Camp is a Summer Job that Prepares Kids for a Lifetime of Success

Unlike retail jobs or internships where young employees may be stuck running errands, camp puts emerging leaders in charge of real responsibilities. They make decisions, solve problems, mentor kids, and create memorable experiences—all while gaining valuable job skills that will set them up for future success.

At Camp Woodland, we’re dedicated to helping children discover their passions, explore endless possibilities, achieve meaningful goals, and navigate the ups & downs of any given day. Our programs are organized into 10 different studios that balance skill-building, character development, and unforgettable fun, with friendship and personal growth at the heart of every experience.

Guided by our experienced and caring counselors and leadership team, we nurture great qualities in our 5 core values of respect, community, growth, safety and responsibility. We empower young people to make smart choices, try new things, and thrive—all while having the time of their lives!

Apply to be a CIT in 2025  (even if your camper has skipped a few summers!)

Apply to be a Counselor in 2025 (limited positions left for this year, and we start hiring for 2026 in the fall!)

Questions? Email: eaglerivercamps@gmail.com

Reference: Thank you DAC for the inspiration found in this blog!

From our respective locations in the non-summer months, we are starting to see signs of spring. Trees are budding, flowers are blooming, birds are chirping more frequently, ducks and geese are having their little ones, turtles are laying their eggs, pollen is covering cars and outside spaces, and yes, interesting cloud formations are seen due to the change of seasons. These are quiet but certainly noticeable signals that summer is near.

**Here is where you may expect to hear seasoned summer camp professionals spout anecdotes focused exclusively on excitement for the camp season appearing on the horizon; however, that wouldn’t be honest, or at least the full picture.**

Alongside the excitement—the anticipation of laughter echoing through camp, of campfires crackling, silly songs, and best friends reuniting or meeting for the first time—there’s something else: nerves.

We hear it from parents every spring, their daughters feeling a mix of eagerness and uncertainty as they count down the days to the start of camp. We feel it, too. Even after many years (100+ if you add them all together) for the Woodland leadership team, we still get that flutter in our stomach as the camp season approaches.

Not because something is wrong, but because something meaningful is about to begin.

Just as we operate in our camp community—navigating homesickness, encouraging growth, and meeting campers right where they are—we lean in to these conversations. By doing so, nerves around new experiences, like camp, which can feel complex and even isolating, become something else: shared, understood, and even simple.

Good news!

If you are feeling a bit nervous about the camp season ahead, that is 100% normal.

First, nerves mean you care about the right things—being seen, heard, and valued. Feeling them is proof that the experience ahead matters to you.

Nerves aren’t a signal to back away; they’re a sign you’re stepping into something important. They’re proof that you’re engaged, you’re growing, and you’re about to do something worth doing.

You’re in Good Company

Nerves have a way of making us feel isolated, like we’re the only ones experiencing them. But the truth? They’re far more common than you might think. That flutter of uncertainty? Nearly everyone feels it—even the most seasoned campers, counselors, and, yes, camp directors and the leadership team.

What’s reassuring is that camp is designed for moments like these. It’s a place where challenges aren’t faced alone, where growth happens in a community setting. From the first handshake at check-in to the final wave good-bye at Parents Weekend, every camper is invited to discover that their nerves aren’t a barrier—they’re a bridge to something bigger.

Nerves are a Welcome to the Work We’re Doing.

Unlike school, clubs, sports teams, or even church, camp is different. There’s no grade to earn, no trophy to chase, no rigid agenda to follow. At Woodland, our focus isn’t on performance—it’s on people. The only metric of success is how well we show up for one another.

That’s why nerves belong here. They’re a signal that we’re stepping into something real—something that asks us to look beyond ourselves and lean into bits of life we may not be able to at home. At Woodland, our entire staff practice noticing who needs a hand, who needs encouragement, and who just needs someone to sit beside.

So if you or your daughter are feeling those pre-camp nerves, take heart—you’re in the right place. They’re not a sign to retreat; they’re a sign you’re stepping into something meaningful.

Step into something meaningful with us and reserve a spot at Camp Woodland for 2025!

Thank you to a WNC camp for the inspiration found in this blog!

Research indicates minor struggles now build confidence, resilience, and problem-solving skills later for kids. When we let children fail in developmentally appropriate ways, they don’t just learn how to handle failure — they learn how to recover from it.

Desirable Difficulties

Jessica Lahey, author of “The Gift of Failure,” points out that parents, logically, know failure is a learning opportunity. And, yet we still grapple with having our kids struggle. The intent is good – it comes from a place of love. It’s natural that we want to protect them. When we constantly step in, we also unintentionally teach kids learned helplessness. “We are telling them, ‘I don’t think you’re competent enough to do this yourself,'” Lahey says. Over time, kids internalize this belief, undermining their confidence and ability to handle challenges.

Kids need what Lahey calls “desirable difficulties” — challenges that feel hard but are within their ability to overcome. Guess where kids can experience these “desirable difficulties” in a supportive and caring environment? Camp is the PERFECT ecosystem to practice failure individually and as a group. Let me explain.

Individual Failure

It is rare for a camper to get up on skis, a kneeboard or wakeboard on the first try. First off, this activity requires that campers be at a certain skill level in swimming (to feel comfortable and adept at maneuvering in deep water). For some of the younger girls, this may take a year or longer to build up the skills of being a proficient swimmer in a lake setting.

Once campers have the swim skills necessary to give a more advanced water sport a go, it may take several days of multiple tries to get up only to face plant (and have a gallon of water go up your nose). It may take another round of Rec Swim periods to make a loop around the lake successfully (more face plants). For campers who want to challenge themselves even further, they may practice going in and out of the wake (with wipeouts being an imminent possibility) before they truly get the hang of it.

Group Failure
We gracefully fail together at camp every single day. Not every cabin earns a perfect “30” on inspection, gets chosen for “Best Dressed” on Sunday morning, or finds the “Mother Lode” during Gold Rush. Only one cabin receives the coveted 1st place award for “Lip Sync” or “Song Contest.” Paddling across Sand Lake for a cabin overnight canoe trip can be a feat in itself – not to mention getting a fire started quickly, putting up tents securely, and going to the bathroom in the woods.

Challenge by Choice

At Camp Woodland, failures and mistakes are not shamed or discouraged. Rather, it is quite the opposite. Missing the mark (by a little or a lot) is celebrated as an opportunity for growth. Sure we have levels in certain activities; however, at the end of the day, no “tests” are given or “grades” recorded. Campers have the choice to challenge themselves as little or as much as they want in any given activity. For campers who choose to work on passing levels in an activity, instructors are good at spotting when a skill has been mastered and can be done without hesitation vs when it is only demonstrated one time.

The idea of challenge-by-choice can be extremely rewarding and empowering. Campers typically make comparisons to earlier versions of themselves rather than measuring up to those who might be quite skilled in an area. Take archery, for example. There may be campers in the same class who are wishing they could simply hit the target and those who are shooting at 50 feet and trying for a given score or “qualifying” target.

One of my favorite things about having mixed ages and skill/experience levels in a class like archery is the mentoring that happens between campers. Being able to explain or demonstrate what you know to someone else helps with skill mastery. It is also really cool to see campers cheer each other on and recognize those small, yet important “wins” when they do something better today (have an arrow stick in the target) than they could yesterday (retrieve arrows from the grass).

Failing is the New Succeeding

Hearing the cheers when a camper is finally able to canter after the 12th try, return a ball using backhand on the 31st attempt, do a forward roll after struggling the 19 times prior, learn lines for a play after fumbling during the previous 17 rehearsals, coordinate a string of dance moves after 42 run-throughs, read the wind direction in sailing after 4.5 weeks, do a dive from the dock after the 21st bellyflop, paddle in the stern position in a canoe after spinning in circles for several classes in a row, and more is absolutely the B-E-S-T. You see, failure and mistakes are the stuff growth is made of at Camp Woodland!

We fail by ourselves and as a group. Difficulties become easier over time because we fail together in a supportive and caring community. If you would like your daughter to practice and get good at failing (the new succeeding), reserve a spot at Woodland for 2025!

Reference: https://www.popsugar.com/parenting/letting-kids-fail-49429258