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Who is writing all those great blog posts????

Posted by on January 7, 2013

Our very own Kim Wenzl Aycock has been writing all those fun and creative blog posts over the past few weeks.  Check out more about all the fantastic things Kim does for camp during the year in her own words:

I had the fortune of spending 12 consecutive summers at Camp Woodland from 1986-1997 as a staff member (hard to believe that I was never a camper!).  During the summer of 2011, I found myself once again in the Northwoods of Wisconsin following a fourteen-year hiatus. This time I chose to return to Woodland to lend a hand and give back to a place that gave so much to me in my formative years as an educator.  After finally having the opportunity to have a classroom of my own, I found that I was always trying to make school more like camp and NEVER trying to make camp more like school. 

As it turns out, spending that first summer at Woodland over 25 years ago changed the course of my life, and I am fortunate now to be able to work professionally as a consultant to summer camps around the country. I especially enjoy working with camp staff for orientation or mid-summer training and developing innovative camp program ideas.  In the fall and winter months, I speak at various national and regional camp conferences on topics pertaining to staff recruiting/hiring/training, program planning and development, and youth development.  I also serve on the Local Council of Leaders for the American Camp Association’s Southeast Region and help plan educational events for camp directors and staff in Florida, Georgia, and North and South Carolina.

Since my return to camp in 2011, I have been able to use the knowledge and expertise I have learned from working with a variety of camps to help with various camp projects for both Woodland and Towering Pines.  It has been fun to be in a “behind the scenes” role and volunteer my time in ways that will ultimately benefit the experience of future campers.  One such project was creating and managing on-line evaluations for both parents and staff following the recent summer in order to gather valuable feedback that will then be used as preparations are made for the summer of 2013.  Developing Pinterest sites for both camps is another endeavor I offered to help with so that we can connect with current and future campers, staff, and alumni in as many ways as possible.  I am also in contact with someone from Trout Unlimited in hopes of adding fly-fishing to the program offerings at both camps this summer!

In closing, I would like to challenge you to join me in this effort to give back to such an amazing place that has had a huge impact on my life and the person I am today.  Thanks in advance for finding ways to utilize your connections and resources or contribute your time and talents to further enrich the Camp Woodland/Towering Pines experience for others!
Kim (Wenzl) Aycock

Augusta, GA

One Stop Shopping for New Year’s Resolutions!

Posted by on January 1, 2013

One Stop Shopping for New Year’s Resolutions!
by Kim Wenzl Aycock

Among the top resolutions that are made at the start of each New Year, some of the most common goals can be met while spending an AMAZING summer at Camp Woodland/Towering Pines:

Eat Healthy: Instead of serving processed food, we provide meals made from “scratch”. No powdered eggs here!



Get Moving:  Video games and TV are put aside for 6 weeks – campers are active and get plenty of exercise in the great outdoors. We use our feet to take us everywhere we need to go! 




Reduce Stress: Camp is a great way to “unplug” from the constant flow of text messages, emails, and other social media.  It is also a time to put the pressures of school and grades aside and just enjoy living in the moment.  Above all, camp is FUN!! 



Try Something New: With a variety of physical, recreational, and creative activities to choose from, campers have the opportunity to explore a wide range of interests.




Spend More Time With Friends:  Imagine spending 24 hours a day for 6 weeks with a group of your closest friends…how AWESOME is that?!

New Year’s Resolution: 
Join us at Camp Woodland/Towering Pines in 2013…
we are VERY EXCITED about the upcoming summer!  
WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?

ONLY 170 MORE DAYS UNTIL CAMP STARTS…
LET’S GET READY!


WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A “BLAST” 
AT CAMP WOODLAND/TOWERING PINES
 THIS SUMMER!


 SEE YOU THERE!

p.s. It’s not too late to send in your application for 2013!

Don’t forget to send in your 
“Where in the World” Contest Entry!
Woodland Contest
Towering Pines Contest

Give the gift that keeps on giving…Camp (posted by Lee Biear)

Posted by on December 20, 2012

Happy Holidays!  

 When I was a little girl, my parents always knew what I wanted every year – a week at residential camp to spread my wings and try new things.  The problem was a week just was not enough.  I craved one more week to master my dive, be the star of campfire, and spend time with my new friends.  Luckily, we found Camp Woodland and I was able to do all of these things and much, much more.  Today, my parents and I look back and wonder where I would be today if it was not for camp.
  • Would I have been adventurous enough to travel to Costa Rica and improve the lives of local farmers?
Lee Building water pumps for farmers
Lee teaching about Water Sanitation

 

    • Would I have been ambitious enough to meet the President of a developing country?
Lee and President
  • Would I have been confident enough to get Masters Degree and consult for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency?
 
I know I would have many regrets, if it was not for my extended experience at Camp Woodland.  The Jordan Family provided an environment which allowed me to dream big…and fulfill this dream as an adult.
As your celebrating the holiday with your family and close friends,  we hope you can keep giving the gift of camp to your family this summer, and keep dreaming big!  
 
 
Camp Woodland Love,
 
Lee Biear
 

Holiday tune to "The Ship Titantic"

Posted by on December 14, 2012

Tune: THE SHIP TITANIC (please sing along!)
Oh, the holidays are here, there’s no need to be blue;
The blog is back, Lee will update you it’s true.
Maddie’s no longer in the sand, but a new sister will be grand.
We’ll be glad for camp next year!
Chorus: 
We’ll be glad,…We’ll be glad…We’ll be glad for camp next year.
We really want to see our friends, and the fun will never end. 
We’ll be glad for camp next year!
Oh, the winds are so high, and winter is so cold.
We want summer to come before we all turn old.
Kim will put math aside, and to Wisconsin she will fly.
We’ll be glad for camp next year! (Chorus)
JoAnne turned around as she watched her dogs drop down;
Zoe and Jake made the strangest sound.
Jack put up a stink because in school he has to think.
We’ll be glad for camp next year!  (Chorus)
Oh, the moral of the story as you can plainly see,
Is to plan ahead for summer – where else would you rather be?
Oh, this song is through, and we do miss you!
We’ll be glad for camp next year!
Early Enrollment has been extended to JANUARY 1st, 2013.
Send in your application form TODAY!!

Camp Woodland Camper Reunion

Posted by on December 11, 2012

The Jordan Family held their annual camper reunion right before Thanksgiving in Illinois.   JoAnne’s brother Jeff (operates Towering Pines) hosted both the Woodland and Towering Pines camper reunions at his house.  In all we had over 22 Woodland Girls stop by and share what they are up to these days.  They also enjoyed looking at the 2012 Scrapbook and reminiscing about past summers.

We also had a few surprises…..We showed the new featured  Camp Woodland Promotional Video.  The girls had a great time watching themselves doing all their favorite activities and cheesing it up in front of the camera!

Check out what your daughter’s friends are up to these days.  

·      Emily G brought her ukulele to the reunion and is going to be interviewed by NBC for the movie she made

·      Sofia S is going on a tour with her choir to San Francisco

·      Jessica S is on a travel volleyball team now that the school season is over. She is also excited for being in her school’s variety show with her Dad (Jon Sorkin)

·      


    Caroline L is enjoying her first year of high school




·      Georgana D started shareboarding a quarterhorse named Ariel is working on jumping a course

·      Amelia D is playing soccer, taking horseback riding, and  moving into jumping

Thank you CITs for getting a few of these great narratives on each of these wonderful campers!

Pinterest Site: Do want to see who else stopped by??? We have the full Camper Reunion photo album posted on our Pinterest Site to share with your daughter!

Early Enrollment Reminder: It is not too late to get a early enrollment discount.  We have extended our early enrollment deadline to January 1, 2013.  Email JoAnne today for more details at info@campwoodland.com.  We can’t wait to see your daughter this summer!

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