Camp Woodland Blog

I am just now catching some rumblings that sleepovers may not be the rite of passage they once were for various reasons. I can remember begging my parents on a regular basis to have a friend or two come to our house to spend the night. In fact, several of my birthday parties when I was in late elementary and jr high school consisted of going out for pizza with my “best” friends, taking in movie or a session at the local skating rink, and then coming to my house to sprawl out on the downstairs living room floor (love me some shag carpet!) in sleeping bags, and doing what girls do…stay up late talking and giggling about all kinds of things (boys!). Fun times!

I can also remember getting invited to spend the night a one of my classmate’s home where the entire group of 5th grade girls was included. We played games like “light as a feather” to see if we could get someone to levitate, dressed up in this gal’s mom’s clothes and paraded around, ate more junk food than anyone should consume in a month, and had dreams of staying up all night, but never quite seemed to make it to the wee hours of the morning.

When someone is interested in signing up for overnight summer camp, a question that often gets asked is whether or not the potential camper has been to any sleepovers. While this in theory could make the transition from home to sleepaway camp an easier one, I’m not so sure that is entirely so. Sleepovers can be uncomfortable due to the sleeping arrangements, loud for someone who may prefer to “chill”, and not ideal for getting good rest in order to function the next day.

In my humble opinion, spending the summer at sleepaway camp with us at Woodland for Girls is WAY better than a sleepover for these reasons:

• You get to sleep in your own bed every night (with the exception of your cabin’s overnight canoe trip when you sleep in a tent).
• You can make the bottom or top bunk feel like “home” by bringing your favorite blanket, pillow, stuffed animal, pics of family and friends, and other “decorations” that make it “yours”.
• Did I mention that there is an evening snack every night around 8:15 pm? You have your choice of fruit or some variety of frozen treat to keep your stomach from growling in your sleep.
• Every cabin has a set bedtime that is part of the daily routine. Your counselors ensure that you get into your jammies, brush your teeth, take a shower (this could happen earlier in the day, too), and get cozy under the covers so that you are primed for a good night’s sleep after a fun-filled day of activities.
• One of my FAVORITE things is that your counselors will read a bedtime story (even to the older girls) that will help you settle down and even drift off before she stops for the night. Breakfast is a great time for everyone to catch up on any missed details and make predictions about what will happen next!
• One counselor stays in the cabin after lights are out and is right there if you need anything. She may even visit each bunk to find out your favorite thing from the day or hear what you are looking forward to tomorrow.
• Bathrooms are in the cabins, so you don’t have to go far in the middle of the night if needed.
• It is possible to get 10 good hours of sleep every night for most campers! Sleeping in screened cabins allows for the breeze and sounds of loons calling across the lake to lull you into sweet dreams.

So, what about all of the laughing, giggling and cutting up that happens when you are at a sleepover? Great question! Because of the extended time at a sleepaway camp like Woodland, you will find yourself with a group of girls that you can have fun with all day long! The counselors are really good at coming up with conversation starters, things to do that include the entire cabin group, or making sure that you have a costume to wear for an all-camp event. They also know when it is time to get some rest, whether sleeping or just doing something less active like writing letters, making friendship bracelets, reading a book, doing a puzzle, or some other activity you brought from home. Sleepaway camp is the sleepover you dream about, only better!

If spending the summer with us for a sleepaway camp experience is sounding good right about now, you can reserve a spot for your daughter/s at camp for 2025!