Category: Campers say the darndest things!

I think it is safe to say that our campers have made their “back to school” debut for the 2024-25 year. Backpacks filled with a beach towel, sweatshirt, tennis raquet and riding boots from the summer have been traded in for one that carries lunch, completed homework, a calculator, and a binder or two. It is exciting to dive into the topics that each grade will explore for the new school year. Let the learning begin! Or, should I say, let the learning continue?!

So often, we hear about the learning loss that occurs during the summer from having too much time away from school. As a teacher who has spent 35+ summers at camp, I would like to propose that children who go to summer camp, actually experience just the opposite. Kids who spend their summer at camp have a learning surplus. While I do not have any scientific data to back this claim, I can share with you what your campers reported learning during the recent summer.

STRAIGHT FROM THE MOUTHS of our CAMPERS: 

Towards the end of camp, each girl had the opportunity to share her thoughts on the activity “they learned the most” (all campers whose form we received are included here). Based on the wording of the question that was asked, their responses are (mostly) activity based; however, there are a few campers who recognized other kinds of learning that occurred in the Open New Doors in ’24 summer. Campers also shared the camp activities they wish they could do at home – it is interesting to see the differences in the “favorites” from cabin to cabin.

Sunrise

Jacinta: swimming (front/back crawl and elementary backstroke); Milly: gymnastics (lots of skills on floor, beam, and bars); Sloane: sailing (parts of the boat); Reggie: swimming (sidestroke); Fiona: tutoring (becoming a stronger reader and writer); Mara: swimming (elementary backstroke)

Activity I wish I could do at home: arts & crafts (2), sailing (2), tennis (1)

Silver Birch

Liza: riflery (how to safely shoot a gun); Georgia: riding (you can steer a horse with your legs and without using reins); Audrey: tennis (game of touch-the-fence); Amelia: swimming lessons (sidestroke); Lucia: tennis (queen-of-the-court game); Luci: swimming/arts & crafts (Jackie taught me strokes during swimming lessons); Eleanor: tennis (game of touch-the-fence); Lizzy (CIT): drama (patience and teaching when stressed!).

Activity I wish I could do at home: riflery (2), sailing (1), fishing (1), drama (1), arts & crafts (2), archery (1)

Starshine

Maria: riding (put your heels down); Evie: sailing (parts of the boat); Dani: archery (learning how to shoot to get qualifying targets); JoJo: riding (always post while trotting, otherwise, the horse thinks you want to canter); Jaclyn: archery (how to shoot to hit the target consistently).

Activity I wish I could do at home: gymnastics (2), riding (2), archery (2), rec swim (1), riflery (1)

Sunnyside

Lia: arts & crafts/sailing (how to make a pillow and make a mooring); Clara: sailing/riding (I now know the race rules in sailing); Emilia: riding/sailing/tennis (all kinds of cool stuff!); Elyse: swimming/riding (how to do a stride jump and trot better); Indira: sailing/arts & crafts (parts of a boat); Alice: archery (how to hold the string in the first crevice of your fingers; Julia: sailing (parts of a boat); Masyn: gymnastics/swimming (I can now do a front limber/walkover); Mojo: riding/sailing (what to do when you run aground).

Activities (this cabin listed multiple!) I wish I could do at home: rec swim/swim (2), riding (3), sailing (4), water-skiing (1), archery (3), riflery (2), fishing (1), tennis (1)

Driftwood

Ana Roberta: tennis (grab the raquet or follow the ball); Casi: sailing (rules of the road and how much fun it is); Ren: swimming/tennis/sailing (parts of a boat); Olivia: fishing (how to fish); Maggie: gymnastics/riflery (front walkover and how to shoot a gun); Delia (CIT): sailing (learned how to teach sailing to others)

Activities I wish I could do at home: sailing (2), rec swim (2), riflery (1), archery (1), gymnastics (1)

Treetops

Maria: swimming (different ways to swim/strokes); Amelia: riflery (how to shoot); Maddie H: arts & crafts/swimming (how to make flowers); Hannah: sailing (what a gunnel/gunwale is on a boat); Olive: riding (how to do a sitting trot); Maddie B: drama (finding your mark or where you stand on stage and how you should say your lines)  Lou (CIT): sailing (mentality and attitude)

Activities I wish I could do at home: archery (1), arts & crafts (1), archery (3), drama (1), riding (2)

Hilltop

Norah: sailing (how to rig a boat); Julia: sail race (terminology and how a sail race works); Sydney: swimming/sailing (parts of a boat); Karen: tennis (how to hit the ball correctly); Clara: riding (improving my previous skills); Taylor: tennis/sail race (US Olympic sailing rules); Regi: drama (practiced stage presence); Phoebe: riding (how to be more efficient and do things in the barn)

Activities I wish I could do at home: sailing (3), sail race (2), archery (2), riflery (2)

Tamarack

Mariana: sailing (hard to pick just one thing!); Ana Lau: tennis (how to play the game); Katherine: sail race/riding (how to use the wind to my advantage); Izzy: riding (how to jump while on a horse); Elizabeth: sail (better racing tactics); Ivana: sailing (advanced knowledge); Amalia: sailing (rules of sailing); Stella: tennis (how to properly serve a tennis ball); Vale: sailing (terminology and how to go faster)

Activities I wish I could do at home: sail race (1), sailing (4), water-skiing (4), riding (2), archery (1), riflery (1)

Aquarius (these girls are BUSY at the end of camp, so we didn’t get everyone’s form!)

Ivana: dance (how to dance to harder songs and choreographing); Robs: archery (how to shoot properly); Lilah: riding/tennis (learning how to make the switch from the horse fearing you and not you fearing the horse)

Activities I wish I could do at home: riflery (1), archery (1), tennis (1)

As you can see, there is no such thing as learning loss while spending an amazing summer at camp! The typical day at camp is packed with learning experiences that are EVEN BETTER than a typical day at school (and without homework or grades!). And that is coming straight from the keyboard of a math teacher!!!

ENROLL for SUMMER 2025

To continue the learning curve during the summer months, now is a GREAT time to enroll your camper/s for 2025 and reserve your spot/s. Sign up HERE: https://cwtp.campbrainregistration.com

One of my favorite kid’s books is the “True Story of the 3 Little Pigs” by Jon Scieszka. The cool part about this version is that it is told from the perspective of the big, bad wolf because according to him, he was “framed” in the original story. Instead of the wolf huffing and puffing to blow down the houses of the three pigs, he was really just after a cup of sugar for his granny’s birthday cake while suffering a terrible cold. The unfortunate timing of his sneezes is what really knocked down the houses belonging to each pig.

You may recall a few blogs ago, the “True Story of the Lake Gnomes” that was written by Peggy Forester in 1973. Her story gives the history of how Sand Lake really got its brownish color (the coffee factory behind Hilltop was actually moved to the bottom of the lake). So, just over 50 years later, campers had the chance to come up with their own version of how they think Sand Lake got its unique color for a “Dewey Day” activity. As always, Woodland girls do not disappoint with putting their creative heads together to come up with a new ending to a classic tale!

Silver Birch had one of the winning entries, and this is how they told their version of the story (using a French accent):

One day a very talented artist named Lizzy heard about a beautiful lake (Sand Lake) in the Northwoods of Wisconsin and came all the way from France to paint it. She was amazed by how clear and wonderful it was, so she got to work. She used red (Amelia), orange (Lu), yellow (Luci), green (Eleanor) and lots and lots of blue (Audrey). From all the painting, Lizzy got tired so she went to get a coffee. The wind came in (Liza) and all the paint fell into the water. The colors started mixing and the lake turned brown. When the talented painter Lizzy returned, she was shocked by the change of color but loved it even more. She got back to work painting and finished her masterpiece. When she brought it home to France, she won many, many awards. The painting became even more famous than the Mona Lisa!

Sunrise also tied for their rendition of Sand Lake’s color augmentation:

The Woodland counselors were so sleepy and needed a lot of coffee, especially the Sunrise counselors. When they would drink their coffee while teaching swimming lessons, sometimes it would fall into Sand Lake making it turn brown. This also explains why the Sunrise campers have so much energy – they swim in Sand Lake that has been filled with the counselors’ coffee! I’m not sure that is the REAL reason Sunrise has so much energy (just saying!).

A few more creative takes on how Sand Lake wound up with its brown color:

Sunnyside: tourists mistakenly sprayed tanning oil instead of sunscreen and turned the lake brown (short & sweet!)

Aquarius: a giant named Aquarius took on a project to paint Camp Woodland and while trying to fix all of the imperfections (slanted floors, bathroom door that wouldn’t close, shower missing it’s top, etc.), the lake turned brown from the mixing of the colors. The giant was very upset and was afraid the campers wouldn’t want to swim in Sand Lake because of its ugly color. It was decided that the new color of the lake was perfect just way it is, and as a result, campers enjoy the lake and leave after a swim with a little of the giant’s paint on them.

Tamarack: a long time ago before Camp Woodland was even around, hikers stumbled onto a lake that was separated into the various colors of the rainbow. When trying out each color, the red water ended up being too hot, the orange was way too deep, the yellow was too sandy, the green was much too shallow, the blue much too cold, and the purple was extremely rocky. The hikers then came up with a plan and the girls each got in a boat and started rowing around the lake. Slowly, the colors started to mix into a beautiful brown lake that was “just right” (symbolic of how our differences can combine into something that is much more than the individuals at the start).

*For a chance to rewrite a tiny piece of Camp Woodland’s history, send your explanation/version of how Sand Lake got its brownish color to kimdaycock@gmail.com.

We have a guest blogger this week because I figured it might be nice to hear from someone other than me for a change. You can’t beat a “straight from the pen of a camper” perspective!

Written by Maya S, Driftwood cabin 2021

Friday (July 30th) during evening assembly, I could not stop smiling. My cabin spends a lot of time talking about our days at dinner, and I had one of the best days ever. I loved hearing my friends talk about their good days because it made me happy for them. Because of this, dinner is definitely my favorite meal at camp. After assembly, we walked to our table in the back of the lodge and sang grace before we all dove into conversation.

I asked everyone at my table how their day was, and everyone seemed to have a a really fun day too. Maybe the Northwoods air was magic today. After everyone had shared, one of my cabin mates turned to me and said, “How was your day?” I honestly didn’t know where to start at first, but I decided just to go in the order of my activities.

“Well, actually, today was my favorite one so far!” I began. “During 1st period we sailed in a race for the first time, and it was so much fun! I learned a ton from the skipper and CIT in my boat. Then during tennis I worked very hard and checked off 3 more items on my advanced beginner sheet. This meant I was now more than halfway done,” I paused and had a huge smile. “In third hour, I shot a 40 and 41 kneeling, which meant I only needed one more qualifier until I was standing! And then during rest hour, I finally wrote home to my Mom for the first time in a week. She was definitely happy to hear from me, I assume.”

On to the afternoon…

“After rest hour, I had drama, where they announced we were having a drama exchange with TP. I was very excited because the TP Players are very funny and nice. During Rec Swim I talked with some of my closest friends from other cabins. It was a lot of fun to talk with them and catch up because I had not sat down and talked with them in a very long time. Lastly, my 6th hour riflery class was the highlight of my day! I shot my final 40 and kneeled for the last time. Thankfully! (That position is so uncomfortable!) And then, I shot a 31 standing for the first time! But I also loved this part of my day where I got to hear about all of your days.”

My cabin all exchanged big smiles and continued with conversations of many topics: horses, Phineas, and Ferb, Harry Potter, etc. I’m very lucky to say the conversations, laughs, and smiles we share is an everyday, Camp Woodland thing. Even though passing a level or trying something new can make your day better, the best part about camp is the shared moments with friends. They make every day AMAZING!

It is now pay-off time for all of the hard work the girls have put in during the first five weeks.  This last week is really FUN because the girls have been doing their activities daily for over a month now, and they can see the results of the skill progression that occurs when you work at something for an extended period of time.  That feeling of SUCCESS is what makes camp EXTRA SPECIAL in the days we have left.  Campers are fully aware of the short amount of time that remains for this summer, and they want to make the most of EVERY MINUTE they have together! Can’t say I blame them…

Thank you, Maya!

At the closing of another year, we had the opportunity to ask campers and staff what gets them excited for Summer 2021 and to share some goals they have set for themselves to make it the best summer yet! Among the top resolutions that are made at the start of each New Year, some of the most common goals can be met while having an AMAZING experience at Camp Woodland:

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

Amelia D. – Aquarius (age 17): be hostess of the year

 

Get Moving: Being a fixture on the couch is not an option during a Woodland summer. All of us are active at camp and get plenty of exercise in the great outdoors. We use our feet to take us just about everywhere we need to go!

Aria – Sunrise (age 7): pass out of swimming
Caroline C. – Treetops (age 13): My goal is to pass out of swimming too!!
Maddie -Sunrise (age 9): to pass my pony club

Reduce Stress: Camp is a great way to “unplug” from the constant “noise” 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!!

Izzi C. – Driftwood (age 18 ): stay in the present and take it all in
Claire and Caroline P. – Aquarius & Treetops (counselors): To appreciate every second
Molly J. – Tamarack (counselor): Make it the best summer yet 🙂
Sam M. – 1st yr (counselor): Have an amazing summer with new and old friends!

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. Who knows what spark will ignite and become a lifelong career or hobby?!

Sydney H. – Starshine (age 10): Learn how to do a backflip
Masyn– 1st year camper (age 7): Ride a horse
Sydney L. – Treetops (age 13): Try something new
Isabella S. – Tamarack (age 15): to try any activities I haven’t done and have the most fun I could possibly have

Spend More Time With Friends: Imagine spending 24 hours a day each week with a group of your closest friends…how AWESOME is that?! We believe in true “face time” versus “screen time”!

Tess W. – Tamarack (age 14): make a new friend
Maya S. – Tamarack (age 15): become closer with many people
Daphne B. – Sunrise (counselor): make someone smile everyday

Get Along With Siblings: Towering Pines and Woodland is the summer home for many brothers and sisters. The older campers typically take responsibility and look out for the younger ones and the “fighting” often seen at home vanishes for a few weeks. Siblings actually look forward to seeing one another on occasion when sharing a common camp experience!

New Year’s Resolution:
Enroll your child at Camp Woodland for 2021…we are VERY EXCITED about the upcoming summer!

Irene M. – Driftwood (18): Give my campers the best summer ever
Aubrie B. – Sunnyside (age 15): to be an amazing CIT
Tori N. – Sunnyside (age 15): be a good CIT
Abbey S. – Driftwood (18): To be an amazing counselor/ Sailing staff
Mera M. – Aquarius (counselor): Do my best to give my cabin their best summer ever

Enroll Now!

Now that the holiday season is upon us (as indicated by the long lines at the post office and popular shopping spots!), many of us have plans to spend time with family and friends in the upcoming weeks. For some, this may be the one of the few times when an entire family (or close to it) is able to get together, a family reunion of sorts.  We do the same thing ourselves when Woodland/TP campers and staff come together on a Saturday in November for an afternoon with camp friends in the Chicago area.

Just like the excitement for the holidays has been building up for several weeks now in anticipation of being with family and friends, the excitement for meeting at Jeff and Jenny’s house also ramped up as campers and staff made plans to spend a few hours together at the annual reunion the weekend before Thanksgiving.  We even have a few die-hard camp friends among us who make the trip to Chicago from the surrounding states.  It is also fun to see alumni come back who weren’t at camp during the most recent summer!

The video from the summer of 2019 was shown, scrapbooks containing numerous camp photos were passed around, stories from the past summer were retold, school year events were shared, and plans for next year were made to DO WHAT WE LOVE AT CAMP (and of course, all of this is accompanied by an assortment of yummy snacks!).  And, yes, this annual event was one giant family reunion!

As always, it was fun to catch up with everyone, and in case you missed it, here are the highlights!  Campers shared 1) their brightest moment since camp, 2) what they like to do when not in school, and 3) an adventure for this year:

Elizabeth: 1) relaxing, 2) swim or play video games, 3) maybe going to Disneyland for the first time

Audrey: 1) getting to go back to camp, 2) swimming, 3) swimming

Sophie: 1) seeing my friend that moved; I am looking forward to riding and water-skiing next summer

Izzi: 1) seeing my camp friends, 2) field hockey & lacrosse, 3) college visits

Kaitlyn: 1) I got another Ariana Grande shirt, 2) gymnastics, dance, and running, 3) gymnastics and dance

Libby E: 1) camp things, 2) drama & swimming, 3) Olympics

Sydney: 1) dancing at Chicago Bulls game, 2) gymnastics, 3) horseback riding

Lilah: 1) I got on the “all A’s” honor roll, 2) horseback riding, 3) trying something new

Delia: 1) getting braces, 2) playing tennis and hanging with friends, 3) Big Sur and possibly Mexico

Lou: 1) adversity, 2) volleyball, 3) going to Mexico

Sofia B: 1) I got braces, 2) volleyball, 3) trying something new

Brooke: 1) seeing my friends, 2) gymnastics and tennis, 3) everything

Heidi: 1) getting my back half on a trampoline, 2) gymnastics, 3) going to state for cheerleading

Tori: 1) winning a sail race, 2) violin, 3) Christmas

Lucy: 1) I gained a lot of friends and self-confidence, 2) studying, hang with friends, draw, and video games, 3) I’m going to be a CIT

Molly: 1) meeting new friends in HS, 2) cross country, drawing, hanging out with friends, 3) sports, HS, traveling

Dani: 1) becoming a better person, 2) I work, 3) going to London

Amelia D: 1) running a state time in cross country, 2) XC, track, and horseback riding, 3) hopefully going to state track

Libby B: 1) learning new Tik Tok dances, 2) tennis and riding, 3) being a 2^nd year CIT

Irene: 1) making the tennis team, 2) tennis and homework, 3) teaching classes

Counselors:

Gigi: 1) starting college, 2) think about camp, 3) having a great summer

Cayley/Kelly: 1) camp reunion, 2) swim, volleyball, and horseback riding, 3) college and vacation

Jackie/Colette: 1) camp reunion, 2) hang out with friends and play just dance, 3) visiting each other

Elena/Amelia: 1) reunion, 2) be at camp, 3) HS graduation (Amelia)

Chelsea: 1) working weddings, 2) dance, cook, read, and Netflix, 3) internship

p.s. Don’t worry if you weren’t able to join us for the Chicago reunion, starting in January, we will be visiting camp families around the U.S. and bringing the reunion to YOU!