Camp Woodland Blog

Happy Independence Day!  I remember my very first year as a counselor at Woodland and waking up to the sound of HORSES by my cabin instead of the usual wake-up bell.  I was a little startled to say the least, but I decided to roll with it and get into the spirit of the riders who were telling us that the “British were coming” and got my ten 13 and 14 year-old campers out of bed!

The lodge was decked out in “red-white-and-blue” decorations that I’m sure the CIT on duty the day before had put up to make our dining experience festive.  Campers and counselors alike wore various patriotic clothing combinations of their own to contribute to the holiday celebration.  Activities continued as normal throughout the day; however, the hype for the evening’s “Red, White, and BOOM” campfire at Towering Pines built as campers negotiated the shower schedule to be sure everyone was squeaky clean and had time for proper primping before donning their Woodland Wear to get on the van to drive to the boys camp.

It is comforting to know that the 4th of July and all of the traditions that have become part of camp history are still in tact.  I am also reminded of the tie-in to the true reason we celebrate this July holiday in the first place.  We can be grateful to the many men and women who fought for the freedom we enjoy today, and you can sleep even better tonight knowing that your camper has an incredible opportunity this summer to exercise this right and explore her independence during her camp experience at Woodland.

Here are just a FEW of freedoms that come to mind when I think of a summer at Woodland:

• the choice to select activities according to interests and talents
• the ability to try something new if desired (2nd activity sign-up is this weekend!)
• the opportunity to get to know girls from a variety of  geographic locations, backgrounds, and age levels that may be different from their own
• the encouragement to be “real” and not some “fake” version of yourself
• the gift of being in an outdoor environment where the sky, lake, trees, animals, and flowers make up your living room
• the support of counselors and other caring adults
• the chance to be independent during this opportunity for growth away from family and friends from home
• the luxury of being away from the stresses and worries of school and have more FUN than you ever imagine!

You can be thankful that your daughter has this AMAZING opportunity to experience Independence Day EVERY day…just by being at camp!

Woodland Welcomes 2019 Campers!

The moment we have all been waiting for is FINALLY here!  Camp Woodland’s 50th season is officially underway, and we couldn’t be more excited!  We also know that there are a lot of mixed emotions from campers and parents alike on Opening Weekend.  Shedding tears and feeling your heartstrings pull tight after giving one last hug is NORMAL.  We know that you love your daughters very much and that you will miss them while they are with us!  Thank you for giving them the gift of camp!

If this photo doesn’t scream “strong women,” I don’t know what does! Last year McDonald’s flipped the infamous golden arches on International Women’s Day; however, 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 the Woodland CIT’s and their counselors who do the same each and every day at camp.

We saw these girls take on numerous leadership roles as they are a HUGE part of the equation for making camp “magical” for the younger campers as did the CIT’s before them.  CIT’s are involved in the day-to-day operations of camp and take turns ringing the wake-up bell, sorting the outgoing and incoming mail, doing cabin inspection with the nurse, assisting with activities, giving ski help and taking canteen orders during Rec Swim,…just to name a FEW!  As a group they take part in a daily leadership training hour with their counselors during the first few weeks of the summer and plan all-camp Sunday events such as Gold Rush or other fun themes. These gals make it happen!

CIT’s who are in their second year of leadership development live in a cabin of younger girls and see first hand what it is like to be in charge from sunrise to sunset! “Live Ins” can be found assisting counselors with cabin clean-up, sparking conversation during meals, planning skits for campfire or other special cabin activities, initiating a group game, or reading a bedtime story. These gals are integral to cabin life and develop important leadership skills as a result because they practice them over and over. EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. We can’t wait for many of them to be counselors in 2019!

Find out more about a growth moment for some the 2018 CIT’s (the end of camp craziness took priority over filling out the ‘best moments’ sheet for the others in case you are wondering why your camper isn’t listed!):

Irene: I have learned how to really bond with the younger girls and have become more responsible and aware of my actions.

Amelia: I am now more aware that a small gesture of kindness can make someone’s whole day!

Cayley: I am more in tune with how my actions affect others.

Barbie: I’m more open to the people I trust and feel at home with. I now that I can be a good leader with kids and show them new things.

Jae: I really tried focusing on the positive side in many situations and making sure that everyone felt included/welcome.

Sofia: I learned that every year is completely different and to make each one awesome!

Vale: I know now that the best memories are made when you least expect it!

Kelly: I became more confident and outgoing this summer. I also learned empathy as I became aware of the hardships each person goes through.

Our favorite time of year (during the winter) is almost here!!  February 1st 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. Well, on February 1 Camp Woodland campers, parents, staff, and alumni are encouraged to post their ” 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 paste on your favorite school tablet
• Post it on your Pinterest Site
• Make it a screen saver on your computer

Click the link to retrieve your daughter’s photos (we included brother-sister 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 Thursday, Feburary 1!

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

• 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

* We took these photos at the end of the summer. We apologize if your daughter could not be part of this project and hope to do the photos throughout the entire next summer! Make your own photo and post it!  We love to see your child’s creativity!

The World famous trivia game, Trivial Pursuit, is thought to have sparked people’s fascination with trivia and competing to see who knows more odd facts about geography, history, art, science, sports and entertainment. Trivia day is the perfect day to share all of those silly little facts that almost nobody knows.

Reference: https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/trivia-day/

The king of trivia at Camp Woodland is our very own, Chet Riehle! Chet can tell you the most amazing pieces of information as he has been with us going on 35 years this coming summer. Chet knows (almost) every inch of the Woodland property and has a lot of knowledge about the history that goes back to the first summer the Jordan’s opened camp in 1970.  If you do the math, that means that Woodland is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2019! You won’t want to miss out on the festivities of this important milestone which will be officially celebrated the weekend of July 12-14.

Here are a few trivia questions to test your knowledge about Woodland history (answers at the end of post):

1. Which cook has been here the longest since the Jordan’s owned Woodland and is known for the yummy lasagne we all love?
2. What was the original purpose of the ACC room (on the spigot side of the office)?
3. What is the oldest functioning appliance and what is its color?
4. What was the original use of the Woodland bell?
5. Where was the riding ring when the Jordan’s first bought Woodland?

Find out more about the many adventures of the 2018 Hilltop girls:

Catherine: my favorites were going to the aqua tramp and the Clue game, I learned that ropes are called sheets in sailing, and a change I made was becoming a nicer person.

Lauren: the horse that almost kicked me off became my favorite horse, and I didn’t know how to take a halter off a horse, let alone ride one!  A change I made this summer was becoming more confident.

Brooke: I enjoyed our canoe trip across the lake, and I learned how to do a front handspring and back walkover in gymnastics.

Isabella: I loved learning how to drop a ski and go around the entire lake and how to make a fishtale bracelet.  A favorite adventure was our cabin’s canoe trip. I became nicer, more easy-going, and “chill” this summer.

Sofia: Our canoe trip was extremely fun; I had never done anything like that before. I know now that if you stay for 6 weeks, you have a lot more fun and you make strong bonds with everyone. I started trying more things and believing in myself more.

Maya: I liked the archery exchange at TP! I learned that if you give someone the tiniest bit of support, it can give them the biggest push.  I also found that when I am struggling, I can look at the situation in a better way.

Tess: I learned that there is no harm in trying new things, and I can do anything I want if I’m positive. I also tried to be more relaxed about passing levels and to be conscious of what I say so that I don’t hurt anyone’s feelings.

Ava: I love to sail, and I tried sail race this year. I had so much fun and learned a lot. I now know that perseverance and passion can help you improve and reach your goals. I made a change by taking chances and striving to take (good) risks (like trying and getting my arial in gymnastics!).

Answers to Trivia questions:

1. Dan
2. a laundry room
3. refrigerator in canteen; it is brown/bronze in color
4. a train bell
5. current tennis courts