Camp Woodland Blog

Always love to see Mrs. J’s smile!

About 25 years ago (give or take), one of the songs featured in the annual end-of-summer Co-Ed Show was entitled, “On the Sunny Side of the Street.” Mrs. J sang in a choir through her church, and she would often share a song or two with us each summer from those performed during the year with her group. I vividly remember the CIT’s on stage in the TP Rec Hall singing and dancing to the Louis Armstrong number back in the early 90’s. Hats and canes were used as props to give the song some extra pizzazz along with Mrs. J’s brilliant piano playing (this was long before the iPod was invented!).

 Campin’ Fun in ’91 Co-Ed Show (see hats and canes)

With winter upon us, I find myself walking my dogs in varying kinds of weather. While out and about in our neighborhood, I often ponder the words to “On the Sunny Side of the Street” (see below). I tend to gravitate to the “sunny side of the street” this time of year because it is warmer and brighter compared to the chilly shade the “other side” offers just across the block. To me, the sunny side of the street represents looking at the positive side of things – even when it is cold and dreary and summer seems like an eternity away.

1991 Woodland CIT’s 

Whether or not the groundhog saw his shadow where you live and spring is just around the corner or winter hangs on a little longer, summer days at camp are getting a little closer every day. Summer is a great time to leave your worries on the doorstep as the song mentions. To me, that is one of the BEST things about camp. We leave the worries and stresses of school behind and enjoy the here and now. Life is really sweet at Camp Woodland where we are ALWAYS on the sunny side of the street!

1991 Co-Ed Show Staff

On the Sunny Side of the Street – Louis Armstrong

Grab your coat and grab your hat baby

Leave your worries on the doorstep

Just direct your feet

On the sunny side of the street

Can’t you hear that pitter-pat there?

That happy tune is yours now

Life can be so sweet

On the sunny side of the street

I used to walk in the shade

With those blues on parade

But I’m not afraid baby

My rover, crossed over

If I never have a cent

I’ll be rich as Rockefeller

With gold dust at my feet

On the sunny side of the street

Guess who?!  Summer of 1991

Our favorite time of year (during the winter) is almost here!!  February 1, 2016 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, 2016 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

Click the link to retrieve Camp Woodland Alumni photos:Alumni 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 Monday, Feburary 1!

* 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!

Happy New Year — We CAN’T WAIT for “Everything Clicks in 1-6”!  Thank you, Aquarius, for sharing your best moments with us!

I am really proud of:

Lilly: getting better at tennis and earning my Marksman 1st Class in riflery

Frida: passing my riflery levels

Elena: standing up on the “pamper pole” at the high ropes course

Sofia: passing levels in tennis and riflery

Aranxta: winning a sail race for the first time

Grace: I am happy while doing things for others

Carlota: helping the little girls in dance class because they were able to get better

Daphne: making the transition from being a camper to instructing a group of girls or class

Collette: getting a couple of qualifiers in riflery

Chelsea: gaining new abilities to instruct others in activities

First day of activities 2015

The thing I learned the most about myself this summer:

Lilly: I LOVE living in a cabin with a bunch of girls my age and doing fun activities

Frida: I always try to do my best

Elena: I am capable of so many great things if I put my mind to it

Sofia: how to take on responsibility and work with others of all ages

Aranxta: I laugh and talk a lot

Grace: I am not as bad as I think

Carlota: you are never alone – you have other people and also you have yourself

Daphne: I am an encourager more than a leader; if I try really hard, I can always get something done

Collette: that if I try hard enough, I can accomplish anything

Chelsea: how to collaborate and respect others while still being true to myself and I love to help

Final campfire 2015

The best thing that happened to me at camp:

Lilly: I tried sailing!

Frida: meeting my cabin

Elena: meeting my best friends

Sofia: making new friends and becoming closer with old friends

Aranxta: meeting my real cabin

Grace: I was accepted in my cabin group

Carlota: I thought it was going to be really hard to get along with my cabin after being away for a few years, but it was really easy, and we are closer now

Daphne: I met so many new people who are all my best friends

Collette: meeting all of my best friends

Chelsea: becoming closer with my cabin

Rockin’ CIT counselors!

I realize that I am a little late posting this, but as we all know, December is always a crazy month no matter how hard we try not to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the holidays!  Many of you are probably spending this time with family and friends, so I feel that it is appropriate to update you all on the friends who gathered in Northbrook for the annual camp reunion last month.  If we were not able to connect with you at this event, please feel free to share your news with us for a future post!

Each camper shared activities when not in school, fun trips this year, and a lesson learned at camp that has been used at home or school:

Grace B: volunteering at Therapy Barn, Europe, learned what cysts on animals look like

Sofia S: tennis/choir, California, no “I can’ts”

Elena K: dance team/food taxi (service group helping to get food to those in need), determination and perseverance in school every day

Colette V (via Cayley): dance, Mexico to stay with Arantxa and performed with dance team in Macy’s Day Parade

Gigi D: riding, Mexico, teamwork

Claire S: volleyball, camp 2016, making new friends

Susie E: draw/write, always be yourself

Jenna K: dance, Mexico, friendship

Molly A: gymnastics, Pennsylvania/Florida, how to be organized

Irene M: volleyball, Spain, staying in touch with people

Molly J: volleyball/riding, One Direction concert, making new friends

Kelly J: soccer, Mexico, making new friends

Cayley V: volleyball, New York City, enthusiasm

Amelia K: dance/singing/choir, Florida, how to treat other people

Sam M: soccer, Florida, open to meeting new people

Jae S: skating, Nevada, trying new things

Neomi S: Tennis, Wisconsin/Hilton Head Island, courage to raise my hand in class

Rachel P: dance/tennis, moving to a new house from Highland Park to Lake Forest, friendship

Libby B: tennis, Woodland 2016!, making new friends

Claire P: sail, Iowa, teamwork and trying new things

Lou D: guitar lessons/sewing class, Colorado/Mexico, friendship

Molly K: running/writing, Michigan/Florida, trying new things and making new friends

Lilah D: Welcome to Woodland 2016!

Jackie J: paddle tennis, Mexico, making new friends

Celebrate 200 days until camp with us by participating in our first annual International Camp Woodland T-shirt day! Camp Woodland campers, parents, and staff are encouraged to post a photo to Instagram using #woodlandtshirtday on  Decemeber 7, 2015.  Everyone who participates will be eligible to win new camp gear.   Don’t have instagram? Here are a few ideas to celebrate International Camp Woodland t-shirt day:

• Snap a photo or your camper wearing  their camp gear to school and email it to: campwoodlandtp@gmail.com! (still be eligible to win camp clothing)
• Post camp t-shirt photo as your Facebook Profile pictue
• Post it on your Pinterest Site

Click on our Photo gallery to look for great photos of your children from past summers: https://camp-wdtp.smugmug.com

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 Monday, December 7, 2015!

THANK YOU FOR CELEBRATING INTERNATIONAL CAMP WOODLAND T-SHIRT DAY WITH US!