Camp Woodland Blog

Natalie teaching Sailing!

It’s that time of year again—when school is spiraling to its end, and it becomes that much harder to pay attention in class as a hint of summer drifts with the breeze through the open windows.It’s also a time of year when contact with our camp family tends to spike:

• Camp friends rise to the top of your messaging inboxes
• They become your most frequented contacts on Skype (if they weren’t already),
• and get tagged the most on your Instagram photos (#60days!).

For me personally—and, I’m sure, for a lot of others as well—it means taking little moments for myself to reflect on past and future summers. Not only does doing this help keep my sanity in tact for final exams, but it helps ease my restless eagerness to get back to the north woods. As always, my mind naturally wanders to the theme for this summer — “Where I Thrive in 1-5” — and what it means to me.

What strikes me most about “Where I Thrive in 1-5” is that it isn’t a theme that only applies to this upcoming summer. Rather, it’s relevant to the Camp Woodland experience as a whole.

There have been endless conversations — both within summer camp communities and outside of them — about how school, while a fundamental factor in the growth of one’s character, can certainly be supplemented by other learning environments. Undeniably, a more traditional education offers foundational knowledge necessary to understand the world around us; however, there are other settings that teach us helpful rudimentary skills and simply don’t get the same recognition. Camp manifests this idea in the most perfect way — that a child or teenager can thrive not only within school, but also outside of it in environments that are equally conducive to his or her individual and intellectual development.

Education is a valuable and cherished privilege, and — as an aspiring educator — I will be the first to admit and endorse that idea. At school I’ve learned a multitude of things: from reading and writing in kindergarten to calculus and European history in high school. We are told, time and time again, that the world holds these things to the highest esteem.

However, within the same span of years as my formal education, I have also learned how to not only respect adversity, but to treasure it. I have learned how to succeed creatively as well as scholastically, and that weaknesses can become our greatest strengths if they are guided with care and passion. I have learned how leadership can shine through in hundreds of unconventional ways, and that it is possible to have two homes and sisters that were borne not of blood, but of the deepest friendships. And I have learned all of this not through school, but through camp.

Camp is where people of all ages can go to learn that thriving and succeeding can be measured by so much more than academic standards. You can explore dozens of different activities and hone hundreds of different skills, but it all boils down to one thing: you will discover that you have more potential than you ever thought possible.

Camp is not only the place where you will thrive in the summer of 2015, it is the place you will return to time and time again to find how you have grown and evolved into the person Camp Woodland shaped you to be — someone who flourishes with the help of skills and experiences that you gain in the summer and carry with you into the fall, winter, spring and years to come.

For me, “Where I Thrive in 1-5” isn’t limited to this summer because — like so many things at camp — the memories I make and the abilities I gain during those six weeks are unlimited; this idea was just as relevant during my first summer as it is for me today, thirteen years later.

So as you’re Skyping, texting and Instagramming your little heart away, be sure to take a moment out of your day to think about how you can thrive this summer, whether it be trying a new activity or stepping up as Team Captain during Olympics. Because camp is right around the corner, and the opportunities you seize this summer are sure to last a lifetime.

Author: Natalie B. ~13 year at Camp! Sophomore At UW-Madison

by Jenny de la Fuente

There is something very mystical that I still don’t quite understand about my summers at Camp Woodland for Girls. Even though every summer appears to be very similar to previous summers, every year I learn something completely new about myself.

Jenny Celebrates 10 yrs

I have been going to Camp Woodland for ten consecutive summers since I was 13 years old. Woodland keeps old traditions alive from year to year; we sing Princess Pat after dinner and go on nature walks in the Climax Forest. We get excited about Song Contest and hope that our song will get picked for Co-ed Show. We work hard to get that flip right for the gymnastics shows or to play in the TP/Woodland Tennis exchange. It seems like summers blend together making separate memories become a single journey. How can a place where campers return summer after summer allow you to learn so much about yourself?

Cousins

Camp is a place that permits you to learn about yourself in so many different ways. My first summer I learned that it is okay not to be fluent in English because at camp everyone understood that it is not my first language, and they encouraged me to keep practicing. Camp is place where you challenge yourself everyday by going outside of your comfort zone. It is actually very gratifying to know you have the courage to explore new things. Camp Woodland is the place where I have met the most amazing people and where I’ve made friendships that will last my entire life.

Final Banquet Tennis Awards

Camp Woodland is the place where you let go of the stress and pressures of daily life. The only things that you actually have to worry about are having fun, being yourself, and doing cabin clean up every morning. At camp you get the chance to connect with nature and leave technology behind. It is a great feeling to be with the people you are supposed to be with and do the things you are supposed to be doing at any given moment. Something that I personally find so hard to do these days!

My days at camp have been the happiest of my life so far, and I can’t wait to go back and create some new memories for myself and live new experiences that will allow me to grow as a person.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day from Hilltop 2014!

During the month of March, I often think of Kermit the Frog and the song, “It’s Not Easy Being Green”.  While Kermit is referring to the color green in his song, I am reminded of a state of being.  When you are “green” at something, it often means that you are new.  There are many times in life that we are put in a new situation, whether it be changing schools, joining a sports team or club, moving to a different location, starting a new job, switching careers, etc.

Coming to camp for the first time may bring about feelings of being green.  Being new can seem scary or challenging at first.   You may be wondering if you will fit in, if the other campers will like you, if the food tastes like what you eat at home, if your bed will be comfortable, and a long list of other thoughts that may be crossing your mind in the days and months leading up to your first sleep-away camp experience.

First of all, you should know that at Camp Woodland, we LOVE having new campers join us each summer!  It is fun to welcome girls from new places that will contribute to the diverse culture of geographic locations that are represented each year.  This will add to a growing list of connections that you will make by having friends from all around the world.  New campers bring a fresh perspective and energy that is important to the life of camp – we THRIVE because you are a VITAL part of our camp family!

To help you feel comfortable in your new summer home, we have several things in place to make it easy for you to get in the groove of camp.  First off, your counselors will greet you with a BIG smile and lend a hand with moving in and settling into your cabin.  They will explain the routines of a typical day and will be ready to answer any questions you may have.  After that, you will get to play a ton of FUN games that will assist you with learning the names of the other girls in your cabin and around camp.  Because we are a smaller camp, it is truly a place “Where Everybody Knows Your Name” in a very short amount of time!

Before selecting your activities for the first session, you will have the opportunity to take a tour and see where each takes place, meet the staff, and find out all of the cool stuff you will get to do.  Evenings will offer an opportunity to do a cabin activity, be part of our weekly campfire, or choose a different activity based on a weekly theme.  You will be a pro in no time!  Dan will serve some awesome meals that will provide comfort as you spend your first few days at camp.  Don’t be surprised if you ask your Mom when you return home to cook a recipe that is something new you tried at camp!

New can also be exciting!  You will be embarking on an adventure that may be different from what your friends may choose to do this summer.  Even veteran campers experience a taste of “being green” each summer.  They may be in a different cabin with a new mix of campers from the year before or they may decide to try a new activity or challenge themselves in an old one.  The great thing is that we are there to support each camper every step of the way.  So, maybe it really IS easy being green after all at Camp Woodland!  Come see for yourself and join us for summer 2015…we can’t wait to meet you!

We would like to invite you to learn more about the Camp Woodland Advantage at our Spring Sing Around the “Campfire” Night:

When?

Sunday, March 22, 2015

Drop in anytime from 4-7 pm

Where?

The Buzz Café

905 S. Lombard Ave

Oak Park, IL

Please RSVP to: jstarcamp@aol.com

 (cookout style dinner: burgers, hot dogs, fruit, chips, and a yummy s’mores dessert!)

Woodland (and Towering Pines) is in the midst of designing a new camp brochure  – let’s just say that it was time to update the old one!  I have to admit that this process hasn’t been as easy as I thought it would be back in the fall when we embarked on this project.  I guess I thought that we would select some of our best photos from recent summers and then provide the details of the what, when, and where, and how of camp.  BAM – new brochure off to press!

When we began working with Chuck (brochure guy) to create an stand-out printed piece, we were asked to think about what sets Camp Woodland/Towering Pines apart from other summer camps.  So, we started putting our heads together to answer that question.  Does it have something to do with the location?  We decided that many traditional residential camps are situated in a beautiful, natural setting with trees and a body of water.  Maybe it is the activities we offer?   It is no secret that horseback riding, arts and crafts, and tennis are a routine part of the program at many different camps.   Could it be the songs we sing or the skits we do at campfire?  Perhaps it has something to do with Dan’s homemade pizza or taco bar?!  (A DEFINITE possibility!)  What about the people at Woodland?  It goes without saying that Woodland has the BEST staff and campers around!

So, what is it that sets Woodland apart?  We finally realized that the question then became, WHY?  WHY do we do what we do at Camp Woodland?   This became a much more interesting (and challenging) question to ponder!  We felt pulled in the direction of looking more closely at the intentionality of the 6 themes for each week of camp as a place to start.  BINGO!  This is what Chuck said would make Camp Woodland stand out from other summer camps.  He was extremely intrigued by how everything we do is purposeful by design.  (Which means that we take the business of youth development seriously!)  From the moment each camper arrives to the time she packs her bags to head for home, the Woodland experience is precisely what is needed at any given point in a child’s growth process.

How in the world do we communicate this in a brochure?!  GREAT question!  We decided to condense our 6 weekly themes (cabin unity, communication, problem solving, trust, sportsmanship/teamwork, and achievement) to align with the overarching goal of each 2-week period.  There is a definite beginning, middle, and end to the Woodland experience in order for the entire program sequence to come together.

The initial 2 weeks is a time for each camper to ACCLIMATE and adjust to her new summer home.   There is “comfort in the familiar” during this period; a lot of time is devoted to helping campers learn the routine and bond with the cabin group.  Campers may select activities at first that have been tried at home or school.  The framework for the rest of the summer starts here!

The middle 2 weeks is a camper’s time to ACCELERATE because now that she feels comfortable, she is ready to explore and expand her world.  This may mean trying something new or striving for mastery in a favorite activity.   This is the period when the real work of camp happens.  Campers are challenged to come together and work towards achieving a common goal whether it be going on a cabin overnight or preparing for the annual Song Contest.

And, finally, the pinnacle 2 weeks of camp is a time to CELEBRATE the personal growth that has occurred through numerous achievements and accomplishments. Camp is a BLAST during the last two weeks because of the effort that was put in the weeks leading up to this point.  Campers stand a little taller, friendships are stronger, confidence is higher, and memories are stamped as unforgettable.  Woodland spirit is at an all-time high during the final days of camp!

While we aren’t quite ready to send our brochure to press just yet, we are excited for you to see it!  Until then, please join us at a location near you as we travel to meet new members of the Woodland family for the summer 2015!  See you SOON!

Happy Valentine’s Day from Treetops!

Treetops Favorite Things

Isa: sailing, riflery, pancakes, chicken, brownies, cookies-n-cream ice cream, picnic, Reese’s, Love Bench at TP and Woodland Fair, One Tin Soldier, campfire skits, dogs, and horses

Makayla: archery, tennis, riflery, donuts, stir-fry, mac & cheese, Charleston Chew, bean bag toss at Woodland Fair, Ship Titanic, Bonnie, campfire

Aubrie: I love campfire with Fuzzi and Gnome; it is so fun because of the stories JoAnne tells and the hysterical jokes!  My favorite activities are Farm Zoo because I love animals and taking care of them, canoeing because I love learning about the outdoors, and riding because horses are so cute and fun to ride.  My favorite booth at the Woodland Fair is fishing because they ran out of toys and gave out weird things.  I love chicken patties and my favorite camp song is Circle Game.

Five little hearts in a row, the first one said, “I love you so.”

The second one said, “Will you be my valentine?”

The third one said, “I will if you will be mine.”

The fourth one said, “I will always be your friend.”

The fifth one said, “Until the very end.”

(www.wishes-greetings.com)

Camp Woodland friends are friends FOREVER!

Be our Valentine and join the Woodland Family this summer!