What our day is like….

As a family run camp we realize you need scheduling flexibility to keep your summer fun and productive.  We continue to try to run the camp as it has been in the past; with our focus on swimming, boating, nature, crafts, good sportsmanship, and fun! We want the campers to experience a traditional camp to prepare them for overnight camps as they get older.

Every day throughout the summer is different.  But the rhythm of the day is the same.  We may offer some activities more than once, but our focus on the learning will be different.  When our special guests come, it is either at 10:00 in the morning or 1:00 in the afternoon. 

We start our morning off slowly at 7:30 am.  It is summer vacation so the rest of the timing is approximate, except for pickup.

We will play games like Connect Four, Table Hockey, Soduko, drawing, we will swing on the tire swings, hang out in the climbing tree, and look for butterflies, frogs and insects.  As we get closer to 9:00 a game of Kickball or Nuke ‘em usually begins, campers can join in at anytime.

Between 9:15 am and 9:30, after all of the campers arrive, we have circle time.

Circle time is greeting time.  We introduce ourselves, answer the question of the day, go over the activities of the day, and learn about the camp ways.  Then we play a circle or field game like Capture the Flag.

At about 10:00 Activities begin.  The campers have swim lessons, weather permitting, and rotate between activities.  At least one activity will be related to the weekly theme, and there will be two other activities.  Activities usually include a craft, science discovery or experiment, and a team building project.  Archery and sailing will be offered to those who are 8 and older and request it. 

At about noon, or when everyone has had a swim lesson, we wash our hands and eat lunch.  After lunch we go to the main field and play a game or watch a skit that the campers created during the morning.  After about a half hour we sunscreen ourselves again and go to the waterfront for free-swim and boating.  Free-swim is usually camper’s favorite time.  During free-swim a counselor is available to guide the campers in kayaking, canoeing, or rowing.  Weather and time permitting, a camper may also go sailing with a counselor or counselor-in-training.

At 2:45, campers that are being picked up at 3:00 return to gather their items and get dressed. 

About 3:30, the rest of the campers come to the main field and have afternoon snack.  They usually rest and create gimp, knit, read a book or get read to for about a half hour.  Then they will play a net game or field game such as SPUD or Volleyball while waiting for parents to come.

NEWCOMERS:
Whenever your first day at camp is, whether it is the last week or the first week, Gophers will introduce themselves and give your child an orientation to camp.  They will be there to help your child with the first day jitters, introducing them to other campers, reminding them where everything is, and helping them get used to camp.  They will be around helping Counselors, Assistant Counselors and Junior Counselors with crafts and campers.