Session 1B: Take a Peek at our Week!

Monday June 29th

Session 1B is in full swing! On Monday we welcomed a new session of campers to the farm. Festivities kicked off with a patio lunch seated in units to chat with new friends. Once lunch was wrapped up, units set off to take tours of the farm where campers got the lay of the land, met Loretta the Cow, puppies Gus and River, and all other new neighbors, visited Tony’s Tree, and learned about the many special spaces and stories camp has to offer. 

After tours came lunch and afternoon activities. At lunch, campers were presented with a selection of various activities to choose to participate in later that day. It’s always a tough choice when CTF (capture the flag), friendship bracelets, the lake, tree climb, pasture horse rides, and others are all in the running. 

Activities, as always, were followed by Tea Time on the front lawn to refuel with a snack and listen to announcements, which were highly anticipated since it was when the campers found out their assigned chores for the week. And then they were off! The campers scattered all across camp to pick strawberries in the garden, feed the kittens, set the patio for dinner, collect eggs, or say hello to the farm’s newest resident, Perry the calf, who was born just earlier that morning! 

Dinner is well deserved at the end of each long and eventful day, and we are so lucky to have a kitchen team whose meals never disappoint. Just before dinner, campers received their assigned table where they will eat for breakfasts and dinners for the week. Campers and counselors are dispersed throughout different tables rather than sitting with their units to meet new people and foster new friendships. Once bellies are full and dishes are washed, every dinner is followed by some fun on the lawn with some games like knock out, volleyball, ping pong, and more. 

Monday evening came to an end with unit campfires where they reflected on their first bits of camp and what is to be expected and excited for the rest of the session. 

Tuesday June 30th

Tuesday was an exciting first full day. The wake up bell cued campers to get dressed and ready for their first morning of chores. Once the puppies were walked, wood was chopped, Loretta was milked, animal pens were cleaned, and all else was completed throughout the farm, a delicious breakfast and an enthusiastic session of morning singing was not far behind.

Before retreating to unit chores to clean up their spaces, the morning activity selection is announced. It was a hot and sunny Tuesday which called for a mandatory lake day. Creating the Tuesday Night Drama is always popular, various arts and crafts as well as field games are always a go-to option and the Flying Squirrel up at ropes remains a hot commodity. 

Next came lunch, which was followed by Siresta; An hour of down time in units post lunch to read mail and write letters, nap, read a book, work on a friendship bracelet, and just relax. By the time Siresta was over, campers were eager to get their afternoon activity underway. 

The remainder of the sunny day was enjoyed by many at the pool, others in the shade making tie dye, a big group playing capture the flag, and more. Then came the usual Tea Time, chores, showers, and dinner before the Tuesday Drama was performed that night. The campers witnessed an Oscar-worthy Drama performance and then went to sleep excited for the next day ahead! 

Wednesday July 1st

Wednesday we were lucky to see another beautiful sunny day. After morning chores and breakfast, many campers chose to conquer the Salt Point hike which is an all day endeavor that loops through the forest and prairie, down to the beach and bluffs, and back up to camp just in time for Tea Time. Other campers enjoyed their Wednesday on a pasture horse ride, tackling the 100ft tree climb at ropes, playing ultimate frisbee, and more. 

Instead of dining on the patio per usual after evening chores and showers, they prepared and cooked dinner in their units! Unit cookout nights are always a special night for campers and counselors. Everyone participates via cooking, serving, and cleaning. A well deserved s’more is earned by everyone to close out the cookout. The units spend the time getting closer with one another and talking about the big day they have ahead of them tomorrow for Unit Day. 

Thursday July 2nd

Finally, that brings us to today! Thursdays are always an exciting day. Unit Day looks a little different than a typical day at camp. After morning chores, campers head back to their unit to cook and devour breakfast around the fire just like they did for dinner the night prior. They fueled up for a big adventure day with their unit groups—either on a hike to Stumps Beach and the moon rocks, maybe a day at the lake, or to the forest to build forts and play games. Our typical camp recommences as units make their way back for Tea Time. Unit Day highlights and stories are always a hit at dinner among table chats, and memories shared by unit mates lay the foundation for camp friendships to flourish. 

Tonight, our eventful day will come to a close with our first All Camp Campfire of the session! The CILTS (Campers in Leadership Training) are in charge of running the campfire show. They have been hard at work planning and rehearsing the structure of the show to make it a special and entertaining night for everyone. There is already a set list filled with names to sing songs, perform skits, and more! 

It is hard to believe that the first week of Session 1B is already wrapping up. So many new experiences, friendships, and memories have been packed into these last few days. We are looking forward to keeping the positive momentum going throughout the remainder of the session!