Camp Woodland Blog

This blog is dedicated to the faces of those who we could not do without at camp, yet who often go without mention. The Woodland Support Staff are “behind the scenes” magicians. They support EVERYTHING we do. From lighting a fire in the lodge every morning, to cracking enough eggs to feed 100 people, to caring for our youngest “campers”, we would like to introduce our maintenance team, kitchen staff, and nanny!

Chet (maintenance and facilities)

Hometown: Athens, WI (summer)

What have you been doing this past year? spending time with my daughters on the east coast (NJ), buying and selling antiques, and coming up with new ideas for camp

Topic/s you could talk about for hours: history and antiques

Most valuable piece of advice you’ve ever received: Better to be quiet than open your mouth to prove you’re a fool!

Looking forward to this summer? Every summer brings new challenges and opportunities to grow. 

Where will you most likely be spotted at camp? Everywhere! I spend time doing maintenance projects at both camps, running errands in town (including weekly laundry drop-off and pick-up), taking care of any cabin needs, filling up boats with gas, getting grill for cookout and campfires set, and cutting wishboats for the final banquet (for starters!)

Summers at camp: 41!!! (started in 1982 and only missed one summer)

Dan (chef)

Hometown: Champagne, IL

What have you been doing this past year? spending time with my grandkids 

Topic/s could you talk about for hours: historical homes

Most valuable piece of advice you’ve ever received: My strength did not come from lifting weights. My strength came from lifting myself up every time I was knocked down. 

Looking forward to this summer? getting to know everyone

Where will you most likely be spotted at camp? Kitchen making everyone’s favorite homemade lasagne and blueberry muffins

Fun Fact: Dan lost 60 lbs over the winter!

Summers at camp: 23

*If you would like to know more about Dan’s story and how he came to be with us at camp see this tribute posted last fall!

Fani (kitchen) – from left to right in above photo

Hometown: Puebla, MX

What have you been doing this past year? being a practitioner of my career as an English teacher 

Topic/s you could talk about for hours: desserts, arts, and history

Most valuable piece of advice you’ve ever received: Choose the people who choose you.

Looking forward to this summer? Have more interaction with all of the counselors this year. 

Where will you most likely be spotted at camp? Kitchen and Art room

Summers at camp: 4

Angel (kitchen)

Hometown: Puebla, MX

What have you been doing this past year? I continued my studies, took a physiotherapy course and worked part time 

Topic/s you could talk about for hours: video games and behavioral psychology

Most valuable piece of advice you’ve ever received: It is impossible not to make mistakes, and it is important to try to make as few as possible.

Looking forward to this summer? I hope this year will be very rewarding and that I will enjoy the summer in my favorite place.  

Where will you most likely be spotted at camp? Kitchen, Woodland Road, and Waterfront (great place to relax!) 

Fun fact: Angel makes incredible drawings on the menu board to showcase what is being served at the meal. 

Summers at camp: 3

Karla (kitchen)

Hometown: Puebla, MX

What have you been doing this past year? studying international business and learning French

Topic/s you could talk about for hours: makeup and music from my favorite band

Most valuable piece of advice you’ve ever received: Time goes by, take advantage while you are young.

Looking forward to this summer? I’m excited to meet new people and be in a new place.  

Where will you most likely be spotted at camp? Kitchen and walking around camp

Summers at camp: 1

Astrid (kitchen)

Hometown: Puebla, MX

What have you been doing this past year? studying visual arts and taking mountaineering courses

Topic/s you could talk about for hours: art, museums and movies 

Most valuable piece of advice you’ve ever received: If something is easy for you, accept it.

Looking forward to this summer? Meet people and get out of my comfort zone!

Where will you most likely be spotted at camp? Kitchen and trying out any physical activity

Fun fact: Karla and Astrid are sisters!

Summers at camp: 1

Bryce – Super Star Caretaker

Hometown: Madison, WI

What have you been doing this past year? studying early Childhood Education & Special Education at the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire 

Topic/s could you talk about for hours: plants

Most valuable piece of advice you’ve ever received: Keep your chin up!

Looking forward to this summer? getting to know everyone

Where will you most likely be spotted at camp? by the water and anywhere Calla’s two little ones want to go!

Fun fact: Bryce’s Grandmother lives in Eagle River

Summers at camp: 1

If you would like to write a word of encouragement to any of our SUPER STAR Support Staff, please send to: Camp Woodland, 8080 Camp RD, Eagle River, WI, 54521 or email kimdaycock@gmail.com. 

Campfires, Camper Council, Inspiration Hour, and Sunday special events are a key part of the fabric of the weekly programming we have at camp. At surface level, these activities could have the appearance of nothing more than the opportunity to wear crazy costumes and play a bunch of games or sit in a circle singing songs and sharing thoughts around a particular theme. Some might even say their purpose on the camp calendar is to keep campers entertained and busy after dinner several days a week and on Sunday when we take a break from the usual daily program of activity choices. 

I would argue that the importance of these events is far greater than what meets the eye at first glance. The six weeks of camp is based on intentionality and purpose, and these evening and Sunday events are no exception. Why? I’m glad you asked! 

The reasons you send your camper/s to us are numerous, one of them being the development of young people into leaders. The mentioned evening and Sunday programs are the perfect ecosystem for that to happen because they are for the most part planned and executed by campers. What?! Yes, these very programs are amazingly designed and carried out by your kid/s. The staff, of course, guide, facilitate and support the campers ranging from 7-16 to be able to do this. They recognize the importance of empowering campers from the youngest to the oldest to have a voice in designing and contributing to their summer experience. 

At each weekly campfire (Wednesday nights), cabins switch between the role of leading a song or performing a skit in front of the entire camp. The collaboration it takes to decide as a group what that will be is a great lesson in compromise and negotiation. Overcoming or managing the jitters of standing in front of a group (as a group) is a great segway into confidently responding to a question asked by a teacher in school, volunteering to read out loud, or getting on stage for choir, band, theater or other performances. 

Friday nights are typically designated for Camper Council themed events that are assigned weekly to a different cabin. The cabin is responsible for coming up with a theme, selecting costumes and games that fit with the theme, making the announcement to stir up excitement for the evening’s activities, setting-up and cleaning-up, and leading the chosen activities. The cool part is the CAMPERS are part of the entire process from start to finish which means they run the activities! As a result campers learn about giving clear instructions to their peers and facilitating various aspects of a game as each group rotates through. This is the stuff future leaders are made of!

Last week, Sunnyside cabin chose a “holiday theme” and had each cabin represent a different holiday to portray with their costume choice (Halloween, Valentine’s Day, Earth Day, etc). Campers led “love song” musical chairs, “candy cane” limbo, and other fun party games along with a hunt for a missing item special to each holiday that was also incorporated into the mix. Campers leading campers…SO awesome! 

Each Sunday morning we venture to a peaceful spot behind Hilltop for “Inspiration Hour”. This is another chance to practice leadership skills as cabins take turns planning this time that is spent together as an entire camp around a chosen character trait or value (friendship, kindness, integrity, etc). Campers choose their theme and how they will share this message that is often through songs, skits, and/or stories. Driftwood was the first cabin to lead Inspiration Hour and chose “community” as their theme (one of our 5 core values). This process also aids campers in their journey to being able to speak in front of others. 

Sunday afternoons are run solely by the oldest campers each week, the CIT’s (counselors-in-training). In a similar fashion to Camper Council nights, this group plans multiple all-camp themed events throughout the summer that are longer in length, lasting from 1-2 hours. As part of the planning, considerations are given to a wide range of camper ages, choosing engaging and fun activities, the weather conditions (having a back-up plan is always a good idea!), utilizing different aspects of the camp property and facilities, and finding new twists to a camp “tradition”…just to name a few! The project management skills repeatedly practiced over the course of 6 weeks to plan these events on top of other CIT duties paves the way for leadership participation in student government, clubs and organizations throughout middle/high school and beyond.

So far the CIT’s have pulled off Alien Invasion and the 4th of July Games in grand fashion. The campers LOVE a good hunt for the CIT’s dressed up as aliens and scattered all around camp. Competition for the most points is a true motivator – congrats to Sunnyside for being the overall champion! This recent Sunday was our traditional 4th of July Games that included a re-enactment of the Boston Tea Party at the waterfront along with a variety of games including the orange pass, water transfer (see photo), 3-legged race, (very carefully) shaving a balloon covered in an abundance of shaving cream, and more! 

So, next time you see pictures of crazy costumes and fun games or campers around a campfire or similar setting, be sure to look behind the scenes for examples of collaboration, negotiation, project management, communication, and other life/career skills!

A blog I recently read by Growing Leaders really grabbed me because “simple” vs “easy” is something that I think so many people struggle with (myself included). Author Dr Tim Elmore points out that “it’s important to recognize the psychological difference between simplifying life and making life easier. Nearly every student (and adult, for that matter) should work to simplify their busy and complicated lives today. But nobody becomes the best version of themselves when life is easy. We don’t grow. We don’t learn. We don’t improve.”

He further clarifies that: 

1. Simplifying life is about removing unnecessary complexities that cause undue stress. 
2. Making life easier is about removing challenges that youth actually need to grow. 

Tim Elmore believes “the need of the hour is for caring adults (teachers, coaches, employers, and parents, caregivers) to enable students to cut back and simplify their complicated lives, but not remove the challenges they must face. Simplifying life means removing the clutter. We should do that. Making life easier means removing the very hardships that enable them to mature and prepare for what’s ahead.” 

I would add that camp leaders and staff have joined the caring adults team that is looking after and impacting young people (YOUR child/ren). At Woodland, we do one (simplify) but the exact opposite of the other (remove challenges). Simplifying life and removing “clutter” is part of the DNA of summer camp. This is especially true at Camp Woodland. Each camper has a limited amount of “stuff” that came with them (enough clothes to get through 8 days or so until laundry is sent out). There is a modest, shared indoor space for sleeping and hanging out that becomes “home” for six weeks. Did I mention that campers share a bathroom (hello quick showers!)?! Once a day the cabin is “inspected” by the nurse and OD (CIT who is officer of the day) for physical clutter and awarded points for cleanliness and tidiness (spoiler alert: this will carry over into home life for a period of time!). 

We also simplify other kinds of clutter. Three meals a day (and various snack opportunities) provide nourishment for active days. Trips to Starbucks, Chick Fil-A, or other establishments are not necessary. Campers are able to choose six daily activities for two weeks at a time without any carpools, public transportation, or caregiver chauffeuring required. A break from school, homework, tests, grades, sports and other activities provides a much needed reprieve from the “busyness” of family life. 

Rest hour (my personal favorite) is incorporated into the everyday schedule. We pause mid-day to catch a breather, slow down, and find a place of calm before the next round of camp fun. Last, but certainly not least, technology is completely removed from the equation (that alone simplifies and declutters life tremendously!). Snail mail, Bunk Notes, photos on SmugMug, the occasional post on FaceBook or Instagram, weekly newsletters and blogs seem to do just fine for any news that needs to be shared with the outside world (YOU!). 

It is evident that camp life in general at Woodland certainly simplifies things. What I would really like to dive into (and most likely why you sent your camper/s to us); however, is how we embrace challenges as opportunities to grow instead of avoiding or eliminating them. This is where things may not be easy. Things may even get a little hard and messy. And, that’s perfectly OK. Dr. Elmore reminds us that, “Nobody becomes the best version of themselves when life is easy. We don’t grow. We don’t learn. We don’t improve.”

In some ways, the really hard part is behind us. The act of physically getting to camp (anticipating the experience, packing for 6 weeks of extreme weather conditions, saying goodbye to family and friends, leaving the comfort of a private room/bathroom, making the journey to the Northwoods by planes, trains, and automobiles, etc) can test even the toughest of tough. Homesickness often makes an appearance for new campers during the initial adjustment phase, and it can sneak up on even the most experienced veterans. Easy?! I don’t think so! 

Campers typically resort to what is familiar and comfortable at the beginning of the season – activities (what they already know how to do), foods (anything that resembles Mom’s cooking), and friends (people from home or cabin group if a first time camper). Being almost a week into the summer, the “newness” of camp is starting to wear off a little. Campers are getting into the flow of the routines of camp, navigating the lay of the land, learning the cadence of their daily schedule of activities, acclimating to the habits of cabinmates and group living, and putting trust in the counselors at the helm of their care. 

This is where the opportunities for growth really challenge what could be seen as “easy”. This is where we see campers start to put a baby toe out of their “comfort zone”. This could look like trying a new food, meeting a camper from a different cabin, or setting goals for activities (cantering in riding, nailing a back walkover in gymnastics, getting a lead part in a play, hitting the target in archery, mastering a killer serve in tennis, trying sailing for the first time, kneeling in riflery, and much, much more!).  

As a rule and part of the “magic” of camp, is that we don’t remove all difficulties or push them out of the way on purpose. Let me say that again. We don’t remove all difficulties or push them out of the way ON PURPOSE. Will campers be successful on the first try? (Probably not.) Make mistakes? (Heck, yea.) Get frustrated? (Absolutely.) Experience disappointments? (For sure.) Come out as better people in the end? (Just wait till August!)

Do we as camp leaders and staff leave the scene and hope for the best? (Not a chance!) Do we guide, encourage and support? (Most definitely!) Are we looking for signs of progress or success? (In both small and big ways!) In a way, the leaders and staff are like training wheels and are there if needed and able to be removed when the time is right.

In conclusion, Tim Elmore reminds us, “To simple, say ‘yes.’ To easy, say ‘no.’ Don’t reduce the difficulty. Reduce the volume.” Camp reduces life’s “clutter” and “noise”, AND our job is to foster growth in every possible way (embracing challenges is part of that). We WANT kids to grow, learn, and improve on their journey to becoming the best version of themselves while they are with us!

We are super excited for our 54th season – thanks for sharing your camper/s with us!

p.s . I HIGHLY recommend that anyone who is in/directly part of the village it takes to raise young people today subscribes to Tim Elmore’s Growing Leaders blog!

SO YOU’VE NEVER WORKED AT CAMP BEFORE….

Maybe this is your first ever camp experience and all of your expectations are based on scenes from the Parent Trap. Making the exciting decision to come to camp might give you butterflies of the unknown whether you’re a seven year old who has never spent a night away from home or a student looking for a summer job. Whatever encouraged you to join our camp family for the summer, the adventure you’re about to embark on at Camp Woodland has the potential to be transformative! What that growth and personal development will look like is up to you.

The truth of the matter is, every camp experience is unique. Although we can’t promise exactly what that will look like for you, we can promise you this: you will be challenged in ways you’ve never been challenged before; you will meet people from diverse backgrounds with perspectives different from your own; you will have the chance to practice skills that you’ll use for the rest of your life whether you’re applying to med school or backpacking through Europe, and you will build lifelong relationships along the way.

Regardless of how you’re feeling as we approach orientation, here are some things to think about as you consider the kind of summer you want to have. At the end of the day–all challenges and setbacks aside–there’s only one person who can make or break your summer, and that person is you.

COME TO CAMP WITH GOALS

It’s so important to enter any new situation with purpose. As much as camp is about having fun and creating an amazing opportunity for the kids, it’s also about growing as a leader and becoming a better version of yourself. Take advantage of this time to focus on your personal goals! Think about the kind of person you want to be and what it takes to get there so that by the time you leave, you feel like you have improved in one way or another. Some days, you may experience conflict that could make you question your decision to come to camp. It’s in those moments that I encourage you to remind yourself of your purpose for being here, and how this experience fits into your life.

KEEP AN OPEN MIND

Get ready to step out of your comfort zone and buy-in. One thing all of us can agree on is the importance of leaving your ‘cool’ at the gate. Camp is a place where you can be yourself. It’s also a place where people come together from all over the world. Embrace that opportunity and come ready to do new things and learn! Introduce us to things you’re passionate about and pick up some new interests along the way.

NURTURE GRATITUDE

Very few people have the chance to be a part of a community as special as the one we have built each summer at Woodland over the years. Through all the ups and downs the summer is bound to bring, remind yourself to appreciate the opportunity we have to be together in such a beautiful place. As emerging leaders, cultivating a habit of gratitude can help us and those in our community to appreciate the good in their lives and focus on the positive aspects of challenging circumstances.

ENJOY THE MOMENT

If you ask any returning staff members why they choose to come back, they’ll smile and tell you there’s just something about the place–something they can’t quite express in words– that you have to experience for yourself. Camp is a special chance to bring together a group of people that will form a unique bond. When all is said and done and you pack up your bags to head home, something will strike you deep down as you realize that this exact group of individuals who you have laughed with, made memories with, and worked with tirelessly will never exist together in the same place again. Camp is a unique and fleeting experience, and it is easy to get caught up in planning for what is next in your life. Don’t forget to slow down and be where your feet are.

Coming to camp with goals and a vision for what you want to get out of your time at Camp Woodland will help you leave with memories that will last a lifetime. My hope for you is that by the time you leave, you’ll look back on the experience and be proud of the effort you put into bettering yourself. I hope that you feel confident that you made the most of the opportunity we have to come together and build a unique community, and feel that you made a positive impact in your own way. I hope that you feel like there’s nothing more you could have done to make the most of your time at Woodland, because I guarantee, come January, you’ll be dreaming of days on Sand Lake.

Originally Posted by Ronan Corley (Camp Winaukee)

There are so many extraordinary ways our girls learn to set good examples for their younger counterparts 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 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 and Starshine 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 jump right in to their activities with passion and enthusiasm and are always willing to lend a helping hand. These fun loving, enthusiastic campers 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 (and CIT in training) program!

What is something new that you learned about yourself at camp in 2022?

“Something new I learned about myself is that I am able to live and be happy in an environment that is so different from the one I’m usually in at home.” – Sydney H. (Starshine)

“I enjoy not having my phone and being present.” – Lilah D. (Starshine)

“I learned that I’m really capable of doing whatever I want and reaching my goals if I set my mind to it. Everything you dream is possible if you set your mind to it!” – Mariana M. (Starshine)

In what ways did you GROW this summer?

“This summer I grew by never giving up when I couldn’t do something on the first try. I grew emotionally in the way I respond to others.” – Andrea G. (Starshine)

“I took risks, tried new things, and learned more. I also learned how to work better as a team.” – Kaitlyn G. (Starshine)

“When I joined sail race and skippered my first race, when I rode different horses, and when I jumped for the first time.” – Sydney L. (Driftwood)

In what ways did you feel part of your cabin and the camp COMMUNITY?

“When we all accepted each other. Also, in ropes course we learned that what matters is teamwork and kindness in every conflict so that we can solve it together.” – Ivana R. (Starshine)

“I felt that I was a part of a community when my cabin lifted me up whenever I was feeling down, and when I lifted them up.” – Delia C. (Driftwood)

In what ways did you see RESPECT this summer?

“I had some hard times with my friends and my cabin helped me through them. When I am struggling my friends always help me.” – Lizzy E. (Starshine)

“My counselors were very empathetic and patient for each and every one of us.” – Lou D. (Driftwood)

“Accepting differences, listening to others’ needs and my own, tolerance, and appreciation… especially seeing it from a CIT/counselor point of view.” – Ana V. (Driftwood Live-In)