A Glimpse of Summer Camp, Part 2: Classes & Activities

You wake up in your Summer Camp cabin after an anxious first night of sleep: a little too excited in anticipation of tomorrow's activities to doze off right away. Now it's time to get up and get ready for your day. There were a variety of classes and activities you could sign up for, and you've got to dress for the occasion. What did you pick? Well, the best of the options for your personality! But let's take a look at what all of those options were...

Archery

You get the chance to learn about bows and arrows, the different types, the ways they are used, etc. Try your hand as a marksman, and come away a little more prepared for life on the land. This one's true to the original purpose of the Summer Camp movement: teaching city kids the skills they would need to survive in the wilderness.

Mountain Biking

Maybe mountain biking isn't about survival, but it sure is a great way to get exercise, while experiencing the forested trails of Camp Wakonda. Some of the prettiest places of our 240 acres of land are off the beaten path, and mountain biking not only teaches a new skill and provides quality equipment, but it gives the most serene experience that the camp has to offer.

Horsemanship

Similar to mountain biking, Horsemanship is the key to seeing the most beautiful and serene parts of the camp. However, it's also a chance to learn all about these majestic creatures, how to take care of them, how to ride them, and how to have lots of fun with a member of God's animal kingdom. Campers come back every summer wanting to reconnect with their favorite horses and horsebarn staff.

Tie Dye

Every year, we have a revolving door of various crafts that we teach at the camp. This year, it's been the Tie Dye Honor. The chance to come away from camp, not only with the knowledge of a new skill, but also with a shirt or bandana to remember your week by, is a special treat.

Ceramics

Camp Wakonda has one of the most sophisticated ceramics departments of any Summer Camp. With a catalogue of hundreds of ceramic molds, a knowledgable team that can help with any project style, and tons of colors and methods to choose from: you'll never be disappointed. Pam, our Ceramics Director, is the longest-serving staff on campus, and she will guarantee that you'll have an enjoyable time in her class.

Nature Center

Looking to learn lots about animals, but also play with those animals, and see various collections of shells, pine cones, and other cool artifacts from nature? Then look no further! The Nature Center offers a rotation of classes every year that focus on different types of plants or animals. This year, campers are earning the Birds Honor, as they learn about our various feathered friends. Hands on learning too: as they have a chance to interact with parakeets, chickens, and an African Gray Parrot who encourages kids to "read your Bible."

Swimming

Wisconsin may be far north, however it can still get hot and humid in the summer. Swimming class is a great way to learn a skill and to cool down on a scorching summer day. Our team of lifeguards are trained to keep kids safe, as well as help them have fun learning how to become stronger swimmers.

Canoeing

Canoeing is another way to enjoy the summer heat. While the point of canoeing is typically to stay out of the water, the Canoeing Honor encourages campers to learn multiple aspects of the sport, which includes getting into the water, flooding the canoe, and learning how to flip it when necessary. Campers have fun learning how to navigate water the way explorers did in the old world.

Banana Boat

For campers who want the thrills of high velocity, as well as a chance to cool down on a hot day: the Banana Boat (or, more accurately, the Red Shark) is just right. Enjoy hanging on tight, as Captain James "Sparky" Hopkins IV pulls you along scenic Jordan Lake. If you're lucky, you'll hit the wake just right and go flying into the cool water.

Camp Game

Camp game takes place once per day, as an after-dinner activity. Sometimes it's capture the flag, sometimes it's dodgeball, sometimes it's broom ball, sometimes it's steal the bacon, but always it's fun. It's a great way for all campers to come together, digest dinner, and have one more exciting game before evening worship.

Beach Party

Beach party takes place on Friday, after the final worship service. Also, Beach Party can refer to the every-afternoon activity time where Teen Campers hang out at the beach and get to choose going to various activities around the camp. Either way: it's a chance for all campers to come together and swim, use the Rock It, as well as explore with various boats and canoes.

Fireworks

While this only happens once per summer (usually during Tween Camp), the Camp Wakonda Fourth of July Fireworks Show is one to remember. We like to thank Pioneer Fireworks in Westfield for having a great selection, and always being supportive of our program. It's great to operate in a community of wonderful people who help us make camp a memorable experince for our campers.

Flag Raising/Lowering

While it's tempting not to think of this as a class or activity, flag raising and lowering is a great opportunity to learn new things, like how to fold the flag, the Pledge of Allegiance, and various memory verses that are assigned each day. Sometimes it's with a song, sometimes it's with a skit, and sometimes it's done sollemnly; but rest assured the memory verses are being memorized and recited. It's a twice-daily event that can't be missed.

Awards Ceremony

At the end of the week, after all of the classes and activities are over, we end things with a special ceremony to celebrate the efforts our campers and class leaders put in. Each camper is called up to receive the awards and honors they earned, and they get a picture with their class teachers and department leaders. Very much like a Pathfinder or Adventurer Investiture Ceremony, everyone is applauded for their efforts and sent home knowing that they learned and accomplished something meaningful during their time at camp. As a special touch, the contact information for their local Pathfinder or Adventurer club is on the back of their awards ribbon, just in case those who aren't already part of a Club would like to join one.

So now the world is your oyster: you've chosen your favorite classes. Your cabin will rotate through the afternoon activities. You step out of your cabin and into the beautiful summer air. The pine fragrance is strong. What lessons does God have for you to learn this week? What skills will you develop in order to improve yourself as a person?

Tune in to next week's installment to learn more about Summer Camp's morning and evening programming!