Camp Woodland Blog

There are so many moments in the course of our 6-week summer that span the minutes, hours, days, and weeks from Opening Day to Closing Day. Eating Dan’s mac & cheese, playing parachute games, and looking for “aliens” are just a few things that kicked off the first weekend at Camp Woodland. Getting dressed up and having “Thanksgiving” dinner in the togetherness of the front of the lodge, giving applause for the many achievements earned in activities, demonstrating skills learned in the final shows, and making a candlelight wish in hopes of its return to the Woodland beach is how we wrapped up the summer of 2024.

Since we have been immersed in school and home life for the past few months, all of those moments become treasured memories that we pull out at random times to bring us back to those carefree days that make up a summer at Camp Woodland. If we happen to be able to gather with camp friends in the winter months, we recall those moments as if they happened just yesterday.

Our first official reunion for the season was held in the Chicago area this past weekend where campers and staff were together for part of the afternoon to catch up on the past few months, share memories and stories of summers past, and build excitement for “Enjoy the Ride in ’25” with new campers coming for the first time! It was just like being back at camp during Fair Day…snacks were served and games were played (with prizes). If smiling faces say anything, I think some campers in attendance are excited to be first in line for cookout or skip the line for another meal next summer!

One of the things I have learned over the years is that campers (and staff) return to camp because of the people. Sure, activities and traditions are part of the draw to come back to County D Road. However, these wouldn’t be the same without the individuals who are there to create the memories we rely on this time of year when summer is still over a half a year away.

Towards the end of the summer, we asked campers to reflect on their favorite memories from summer 2024, and here is what made the list for each cabin group!

Sunrise: “celos”, friends, campfire, Loli’s birthday party, cabin night on row boats, aqua tramp, ugly Counselor Contest, and Woodland Fair

Silver Birch: teaching Regi how to sail, learning how to sail in high winds, cabin slumber party, kneeboarding, my step brother, frizzy hair, the “block”, jokes, the Shrek clown for Woodland Fair, a frog in Georgia’s backpack, and winning most events

Starshine: my friends, my counselors, Juno, canoe trip, watching the animals grow in Farm Zoo, Willy Wonka, doing a forward roll out of my bed, do do do do do do, hanging out with friends during Gold Rush, and the warm fuzzy campfire story

Sunnyside: canoeing with MoJo, Olympics, learning how to ski, passing out of level 4 swimming, getting a 57/60 in archery, riding Seven, sailing, playing “touch the fence” in tennis, when a raccoon snuck onto the pontoon boat, flipping off the banana boat, canoe trip, swimming, 4th of July, sailing, TP/CW Fairs, “Marty”, “Thed”, marshmallow torch, playing tag in the water, Cathy’s, aqua tramp, tubing, cabin nights, and s’mores

Driftwood: winning Olympics, being with my cabin mates, sailing, having my Dad visit, being Casi’s bunk mate, meeting Emilia, seeing the tree on our canoe trip, tubing with Masyn, our mice friends, my friends, camp, passing out of swimming, trying riflery and really liking it, and arriving at camp and just being here in the Northwoods

Treetops: being hoppers, going to Cathy’s, teaching Spanish to cabin mates, decorating the cabin table, being in the cabin, passing to 30/40 yds in archery, watching how much I’ve grown in 4 years, meeting new friends, getting my first qualifier in riflery, drama plays, canoe trip, cabin nights, and being able to trot when riding

Hilltop: spending time with my friends, riding, having fun cabin nights, canoe trip, sailing, Song Contest, TP/CW Fairs, Gold Rush, first day of camp, and swimming the horses

Tamarack: cabin night Rec Swim, canoe trip (and peeing in the woods in the middle of the night), 1st hour riding group canters, sailing conversations, one for you/one for you, The Lorax/The Batman, canoe trip, banana boat with Andy, Olympics, using our hammock, parties at the spigot, cabin nights, going to Cathy’s, dance parties, my activities, laughing a lot, playing “speed” with Zoe, getting a 45 in riflery, and inside jokes

CIT’s: clown collage dinner, coed show practices, Uncle Fester, sail race, setting spinnakers, canoe trip, tie-dying, Ugly Counselor Contest, spending time with friends, going out on the pontoon boat, going to the ropes course, all of them!

As you can see, there are so many individual moments over the course of a summer that eventually become memories and stories to tell and retell. This is what makes up the MAGIC of camp. This is how we are better friends with the people at home or school. This is how we show patience and empathy to those we might not normally hang out with. This is how we are persistent when doing something challenging. This is how we appreciate nature’s beauty around us. This is how the spirit of camp is with us all year!

Camp Comes to YOU

The gathering in Chicago was the kickstart to camp reunions anywhere, anytime! It is EASY to host your own reunion for camp friends where you are (in-person or virtually). Let us know HERE that you are interested, and we will help get it organized!

ENROLL for SUMMER 2025

Now is a GREAT time to enroll your camper/s for 2025 and reserve your spot/s. Sign up HERE for making moments next summer: https://cwtp.campbrainregistration.com