Camp Woodland Blog

If this photo doesn’t scream “strong women,” I don’t know what does! We like to think that the ‘W’ of Woodland always represents the girls who leave camp a little (or a lot!) stronger than they were before. As we honor the women in history who have blazed a trail before us, I can’t help but think of all of our strong, independent Woodland girls flourishing and blossoming into even stronger versions of themselves throughout the summer.

No one can outshine the girls of Starshine when it comes to being true to yourself and giving every experience your all. These ladies really know how to take charge, tackling new goals and accomplishments every step of the way. They have really been working on honing their skills in activities and developing as leaders to the younger campers by demonstrating their focus, drive, and determination everyday.

In what ways did the sun shine for you this summer?

Sydney: I love all the people at camp and I love pushing myself to do stuff. I love all of the activities and Sunday games too.

Mariana: I have been having one of my best summers! Everything has been amazing until now and I’m pretty sure it will stay like that until the end of the summer.

Delia: Being able to try new things, but also do activities I have always loved.

Lizzy: This year my favorite things were Riflery and all the new experiences and conversations I’ve had with people I’ve known in the past and people I just met this year.

Lou: I loved getting to know people more. I also loved learning lots in my activities.

Carlota: Trying new activities, getting along with everyone, and having a great time with my cabin.

Caroline: Hanging out with all of the girls and getting to do all of the 6 week activities like Olympics and Woodland Fair.

Ivana: My favorite things were Archery, the people at camp, and knee boarding in the lake.

What was something that took you by surprise and was better than you imagined?

Sydney: Something that took me by surprise was the sailing program. It has been amazing this year and I learned so much.

Mariana: Going to the bog/moss garden. I thought it was going to be boring, but it was super fun! You jump, talk, play… I loved it and I’m so happy that I did try it. I don’t regret it.

Delia: Doing the first week with just my cabin. I thought would be confusing and hard, but it helped us bond.

Lizzy: Before camp I was worried about not getting along with my cabin mates, but I haven’t fought with anyone in my cabin and everyone was kind to me and others.

Lou: I won my first race I skippered and I had so much fun!

Carlota: The rotation week because I tried new things that I ended up loving and learning a lot.

Caroline: I wasn’t sure how confident I would be on a horse because I didn’t ride for 2 years, but I’ve been doing really well!

Ivana: That the food is really good and the lake is really cold.

What was something you were able to do that you have not been able to do over the past year?

Sydney: I haven’t been able to sail or swim everyday in a lake, which are both things that I love to do.

Mariana: Wakeboarding! I have never tried it except for here at camp. I tried it for a couple days and I have been advancing very well. My record so far is going halfway around the lake.

Delia: I was able to do sail race and just regular sailing. I don’t get to sail at home so that’s why I love it so much at camp.

Lizzy: This year I was able to pass levels that I’ve been trying to pass for a long time like, level 5 and kneeling in Riflery.

Lou: I was able to reconnect with people I hadn’t talked to in a while. I was able to reconnect with my favorite activities as well.

Carlota: I was able to do a lot of things like sail and shoot in Archery and Riflery.

Caroline: I haven’t gotten the chance to go sailing with my grandpa, so I’m soo glad I was able to here!

Ivana: Probably all of the activities and having to take care of yourself for almost everything.

What did you learn most about yourself?

Sydney: That I love trying new things and I love learning about things that I don’t know much about.

Mariana: That it’s ok if something doesn’t go how you expected it to the first time. If you keep doing it and trying to get better at it you will get better and you will be able to do it how you wanted to.

Delia: To not get frustrated with myself when things don’t go how I planned.

Lizzy: This year I learned that I am good at keeping my emotions under control even when I feel super down.

Lou: I learned that I have the most fun when I am not stressing about things.

Carlota: I learned to believe in myself, keep trying, and not give up.

Caroline: I learned not to rush things, but also not to procrastinate. If I rush myself or procrastinate I feel really overwhelmed and anxious, so I have to take my time on school work and everything else.

Ivana: That I can be really responsible, enthusiastic, and mostly positive every day.

February 28th was “National Set a Good Example Day,” which inspires us reflect on all of the extraordinary ways our girls learn this at camp.  From the time they wake up in the  morning to the sound of the Woodland bell, to the moment they fall asleep in their bunks at night after a busy day of activities, they are surrounded by staff and other campers leading by positive example.

There are role models surrounding and guiding them each step of the way as they stay in their summer home at Camp Woodland. There are a plethora of opportunities to learn healthy, productive and favorable habits by observing, listening, interacting and practicing what they see.  These girls are encouraged to live by their “good examples” and to be a positive force in all aspects of not only what they do at camp, but also what they do at home, in school and for their communities.

The young leaders from Driftwood are no exception to these principles. They have grown into some of the best role models for our younger campers and embody all things Camp Woodland. They jumped right in to their activities with passion and enthusiasm and are always willing to lend a helping hand. This fun loving, tight knit group of girls had a lot of memories to share from their most recent summer at Camp Woodland, and we can’t wait to see what they have in store for us next summer when they officially join the CIT program!

In what ways did the sun shine for you this summer?

Bri: Getting to meet the girls in my cabin, make new friends, meet all of the amazing counselors, try new activities, gain new skills, pass levels, play amazing CIT games, host camper council, go to a TP exchange, and have an amazing social!

Megan: I liked that we got to try new things and that we got to be creative.

Maya: Meeting all the new people, shooting riflery and learning a lot about the rifles and how to maintain them, seeing friends I have not seen in forever, and learning that I love playing tennis!

Lindsey: My favorite things were getting to do my activities, meeting new people, and trying new things. I also loved the food. I loved getting to try things I can’t normally do at home.

Isabella: I loved all of my activities this year, and I had far more opportunities this year than last year.

Tess: Every one of my activities brought me so much joy this summer. I also absolutely loved getting to see all my friends who sow me everyday that they care about me as much as I care about them.

What was something that took you by surprise and was better than you imagined?

Bri: All of the people here being so nice and caring, as well as the incredible food! I was also surprised how I actually got to be a Pre-CIT and help out the actual CITs and counselors with the games and activities!

Megan: Riding. I thought that I was going to be really bad at it, but I was better than I thought.

Maya: Having a smaller cabin. I was sad a lot of my close friends were not coming back, but it gave me time to meet all of the new campers and get closer with the people in my cabin.

Lindsey: Actually going out and approaching people. I was nervous about whether I should talk to people and once I did I met some really nice people.

Isabella: I’ve improved a lot in tennis and riflery, and the P-CIT surprise was fun too.

Tess: I never imagined that I would get so much better at skiing or riding. I also didn’t expect Driftwood being such a small cabin to be as fun as it was.

What was something you were able to do that you have not been able to do over the past year?

Bri: I was FINALLY able to not wear a mask! Also, it was so cool to be able to go to a summer camp again!

Megan: Riding. Where I live there are not many barns so it was nice to ride again.

Maya: Shoot a gun! I love how I can set personal goals for myself in riflery and have fun at the same time. Shooting is something I can’t do at home, which makes coming back to camp 100 times better because you can do new or fun things that you can’t elsewhere.

Lindsey: Socialize, I tried swimming again.

Isabella: Of course, riding horses and sailing boats is something I don’t get to do at home. I’ve also been doing more physical activity every day, which is good.

Tess: Literally every single one of my activities are things I cannot do at home. I also got to hug all my friends which I missed last year.

What did you learn most about yourself?

Bri: That I really like teaching all the girls and helping when needed! It’s helped me know that I wouldn’t mind being a music teacher one day!

Megan: That when I am around supportive people I try new things that I am normally scared to do.

Maya: Saying “no” to people, younger or older, can be difficult, but super important in many situations. So pretty much to put myself as first priority instead of being last priority.

Lindsey: I do better in archery than I first expected. I learned that I might have acid reflux. I learned how to be a role model to other girls.

Isabella: I’m now 95% certain that I am in fact an introvert.

Tess: I worry too much If I live in the moment more then I have a good time and don’t freak myself out as much. I need to trust that things will work out.

Our favorite time of year (during the winter) is almost here!!  February 1st (this Tuesday) is National I Heart Camp Day! Help us spread the word on the importance of summer camp. Remember all those funny pictures we took of you with the “I heart Camp ” Poster over the past summers? Well, this Tuesday Camp Woodland campers, parents, staff, and alumni are encouraged to post their favorite “I heart Camp” photo as their Facebook Profile.

Don’t have Facebook? Here are a few ideas to show the world (or just your friends) how much camp means to you!

• Instagram your photo! #Woodland4Girls #Iheartcamp
• Print it out and hang your favorite photo on your fridge
• Make it a screen saver on your computer
• Use one of our virtual backgrounds for zoom meetings

Click the link to retrieve your daughter’s photos: I heart Camp Woodland Photos Link

Need your son’s photo too? Click the link to your son’s (Towering Pines) photos: I heart TP Photos link

All you have to do is: 1- find your picture, 2- download it by clicking the download tab on the bottom right of the photo, 3-Post it this Tuesday, February 1!

Check out our archives of I Heart Camp Day. It is fun to see how we have grown!:

• 2020 – I Heart Camp Day 
• 2019 – I Heart Camp Day
• 2018 – I Heart Camp Day 
• 2017 – I Heart Camp Day 
• 2016 – I Heart Camp Day
• 2015 – I Heart Camp Day
• 2014 – I Heart Camp Day

New year, new you! Hey, did you know It’s Cool to be YOU in 2022? Camp is all about growth and becoming your best self through new  experiences and relationships that can’t be found anywhere else. No one experiences a summer of firsts like our littlest campers, so we thought it would be fitting to share some of their thoughts on summer 2021 this month.

In what ways did the sun shine for you this summer?

Maggie: Getting camper of the day made me feel GREAT! But Lip Sync was so fun!

Lia: Lip Sync Contest because we won 3rd place and we made up a dance. The bog because it was bouncy.

Morgan: Going to the aqua trampoline, Olympics, gymnastics, Chaos and Destruction (the goats).

Roberta: Going on the aqua trampoline and heeling on the sailboat.

Clara: I learned a lot of new things and made new friends I had lots of fun and loved my counselors.

Masyn: Riding is so fun and I love swimming too.

Allyson: Arts and Crafts and Farm Zoo.

Olivia: Canoe trip and aqua trampoline.

Aria: When I first sailed, went around the lake on the knee board for the first time, meeting my cabin mates, and going to the aqua trampoline.

Amelia (CIT): Sail Race, my campers, teaching campers how to water ski, Coed Show.

What was something that took you by surprise and was better than you imagined?

Maggie: I thought I was going to be stuck in level 3, but I passed to level 4.

Lia: Fish Friday!

Morgan: My friend Maggie, Coco and Chanel (the dogs), sailing, and passing out of levels 3 and 4 in swimming.

Roberta: The aqua trampoline!

Clara: I did a handstand and a cartwheel and tried trotting.

Masyn: Drama is fun too because you get to do plays and do lights and make the background.

Allyson: The cabins

Olivia: The Aqua Tramp had a blob and the Canoe Trip because I haven’t camped in a while.

Aria: Olympics, aqua trampoline, Camp Birthday, clothesline.

Amelia (CIT): Something that took me by surprise was how close I became with my cabin group (2nd years).

What was something you were able to do that you have not been able to do over the past year?

Maggie: Archery, a round off, and trying new foods.

Lia: A cartwheel.

Morgan: Tennis, canoe, soccer, and Olympics.

Roberta: A front limber in gymnastics.

Clara: Archery and horseback riding.

Masyn: Tennis, dance, gymnastics, and riflery.

Allyson: Archery

Olivia: Front limber with the roller at gymnastics.

Aria: Sleeping in a cabin with friends.

Amelia (CIT): See my friends, forget about COVID, sail, etc…

What did you learn most about yourself?

Maggie: I can swim better than I thought I could.

Lia: That my ear hurts easily.

Morgan: Surviving in a cabin and don’t leave your buddy tag up.

Roberta: That I am a good sister.

Clara: I learned I liked stuff that I never thought I would have.

Masyn: In riding we learned how to begin to trot and go around the poles.

Allyson: That I am brave and strong!

Olivia: Never keep your buddy tag up unless you are swimming.

Aria: I can be very patient.

Amelia (CIT): I am resilient and a great leader.

I am writing this just a few days after the biggest gift-exchanging holiday in the world. I had no less than 3 people in 2 hours tell me that it was too much. One person shared that they didn’t even finish opening their gifts that day. They started. Got hungry. Ate breakfast. Opened some more presents. Needed a break. Walked on the beach. Kids were tired. Took naps. Went back at it. By the end of the day, they still had unwrapping to do. In fact, I don’t think they ever reached completion!

Another person offered that they moved the day they actually celebrated the holiday so that it was less hustle and bustle of various family members trying to make the rounds. A third person told me that his Mom brought way too much stuff. It was over the top. His kids didn’t even know what to do with it all. It was overwhelming. I think this is all well intentioned, and like many things when there is too much, appreciation goes out the window. It gets lost or even forgotten in all the excess.

When I look back at my own childhood, I remember one particular Christmas when I scored the trifecta. I got the Barbie camper, tent, and airplane. I thought I had won the lottery! The interesting thing, though, is that my younger sister also received the same three popular Mattel items. It never really occurred to me until recently that buying duplicate sets was most likely a huge sacrifice for my parents. I wonder why they didn’t just get them for us to share? Maybe because they knew I was a bit selfish as the older sister. Having 2 sets of identical Barbie accessories would eliminate World War III from breaking out in our basement playroom. 

As an adult, I can appreciate the idea of less is more. In fact, I use that principle when building slides for a PowerPoint presentation. Less words, more images. It can be found in other situations as well. Fewer unhealthy foods, more energy. Less time scrolling gives more opportunities to read, nap, or walk the dogs. A decrease in frivolous spending is more money in the bank.

I also see how it plays out at camp each and every summer. For the 80 campers and 35 staff who make their way to County D Road come June, less truly adds up to more:

• We have less distractions and more time to spend enjoying the present moment. 
• There is an absence of technology which allows for real face-time conversations and interactions. 
• We are indoors for a minimal amount of time (eating and sleeping) and that opens up the opportunity to be immersed in nature. 
• We can only bring so much “stuff” in our trunks and duffles; therefore, we make do with what we have (and don’t waste time deciding what to wear!). 
• We live in rustic, yet homey accommodations, where the people we are with (and an occasional spider or two) are way more important than the decor on the walls or things we own.
• The drama closet with its vintage donations and an art room stocked with basic supplies gives us license to be creative and innovative with costumes and props for themed events. 
• Less instantaneous (mail, for one!) means learning to delay gratification. 
• Being conscientious of unkind words and actions reminds us to be more inclusive. 
• The absence of fast food is replaced with more sit-down meals and sharing about your day with your cabin family.
• Being away from caregivers and friends encourages self-sufficiency and independence.  

The list goes on and on. At camp we trade over the top for simple. Even though I am not in the Northwoods at the moment, today was a good reminder of that. Simple is good. It grounds you. We return home from camp being grateful for the little things. 

I wonder what lesson I would have learned sooner had my parents made the decision for me and my sister to share Barbie’s camper, tent, and airplane? Maybe we would have avoided having tape down the middle of our shared room at one point. Maybe I would have been more appreciative for what I did have. Maybe I would have understood at an earlier age that less is more.