Category: Why Camp Woodland?!

Now that our calendar reminds us that it is November (not sure how THAT happened!), we find ourselves continuing to reflect on the recent summer. It’s always good to put some time and space between the emotional high the end of the camp season brings and the new routine of getting back to our “normal” lives during the other months of the year. In this transition, I am enjoying taking yoga classes and have zoomed into one of the phrases I hear repeatedly during each session, regardless of the instructor.

As we move through various poses that stretch one side of the body, the words, “back to center” often follow before beginning to move and stretch the opposite side. That subtle “pause” allows the body to regroup, refocus and get grounded again before starting the next thing. For many of our campers and staff, being at camp is a way to come “back to center.” Those 6 weeks in the Northwoods are often needed to regroup, refocus and get grounded again after a busy school year. It is a time to take a well deserved “pause” before the next school year begins.

Just like the dock where I take yoga during the year gives me a break from the busyness I can get caught up in from September to May, I love the hour of being in a beautiful setting looking over the Cape Fear River, hearing the sounds of the waves finding their way to shore, and just enjoying the presence of the others who are in that same space. It is a beautiful opportunity to clear my mind for a short period of time before going back to whatever is on my “to do” list.

Camp is also beautiful, beautiful to see children laughing and playing. Beautiful to witness girls relaxing into the rhythms of camp life, being free to explore, play, create, and discover. It is beautiful to see kindness, budding confidence, and willing enthusiasm color whatever we are doing. It is beautiful to hear organic silliness and laughter everywhere at camp. It is beautiful to feel so close to so many people.

I find that taking yoga classes in the outdoors to be nothing short of magical. Being in the open air without being confined to the space inside four walls provides treasured moments to be in nature and witness unexpected surprises. I never know when a massive ship will quietly make its way through the channel a few feet in front of my mat, dolphins will chase fish in search of their next meal, a pelican will perch on a nearby post, or the rays of sunshine will glisten and shine on the water’s surface while bringing warmth to a breezy day.

Camp is magical in its own way, too. It is full of delightful surprises, moments when we embrace the wonders of nature and each other. It is magical how the simplest things are fun, often hilarious, and end up being a source of deep comfort. It is magical how everyday is both exciting and worry free, filled with new experiences.

It was in the lower 60’s this morning when I found a spot for my pink mat on the dock. I was wearing two long-sleeve layers, leggings, and a puffy vest. The brisk north wind blowing was refreshing. We had another bout of summer weather last week, so I was reveling in the cooler air on my bare face and feet. I challenge myself during each yoga class to have my phone off and out of sight. I am also not allowed to look at my watch until the class peacefully ends with, “namaste.” It is 60 minutes of uninterrupted time to go “back to center.”

Camp is also refreshing. Our Northwoods weather is refreshing (as well as Sand Lake first thing in the morning!), and so is the feeling of being a part of the Woodland community. It is refreshing to connect with the people so easily, to make almost instant friends with everyone, and to be embraced for our authentic selves. For many, it is refreshing to simply be away from the allure of electronic devices.

A few weeks ago, one of my favorite dock instructors came back after being away for almost a year. Erica told the story of why we were seeing garland and white ribbons wrapped around the two main posts as we set foot into our yoga space. She strummed the ukulele and sang a tune in memory of the founder of the yoga dock who fought hard to battle brain cancer. I could feel the strength and courage of this person whom I had never met. I felt a few tears roll down my face during this emotional moment in time.

Camp, too, is emotional, packed with experiences that we feel deeply. We cheer for each other almost everyday. We are thrilled by all the novelty and adventure of the activities, exchanges and trips (even if just across the lake for a night under the stars). There are so many hugs, smiles, and sweet moments of affection. Sharing this much, being this open and genuine, makes even the challenges we face both manageable and meaningful.

Yes, camp is beautiful, magical, refreshing and emotional —altogether miraculous. It is for everyone, campers, staff and directors alike, an experience that’s hard to describe, but one that we cherish each and every year. We remember each summer fondly, seek its spirit throughout our days at home or school, and yearn for its return sometime soon. Camp is a place and time to “come back to center.”

We thank you for helping make this special experience possible, for your support, and for sending your girls. We miss our camp family so much. We look forward to seeing you next summer when we can come together at Woodland and rekindle the camp spirit we love.

In the meantime, until we can all be together again, we are excited for “reunion season” and will kickoff opportunities to come together on Saturday, November 23rd, in the Chicago area. Let us know HERE if you would like camp to come to a location near you!

Now that we are well into our 4th week of camp, it is a great time to take a brief pause and reflect on what Camp Woodland sets out to do each summer. What are our goals? What is our overall purpose? We’re certainly striving to “have fun” (a LOT of fun!), but it’s more than that. Beyond all the different activities, the great food, and our classic Northwoods camp environment, what is Woodland really providing? On a deeper level, what is camp doing for all the girls and staff members who spend their summer here?

A really good response to this question is summarized in the sign that greets you when you enter a new(ish) business in the North Carolina town in which I live. The “Haven” is located on the main street leading into the community of Southport. On any given day or night when I pass by as I am walking Gus and Gumbo, I see people of all ages hanging out; sometimes listening to live music in the back, playing corn hole or other “yard” game, enjoying a refreshing treat of Italian gelato or adult beverage, or grabbing a bite to eat from a food truck parked in the side driveway. This place in it’s short 15 month history is truly living up to its name.

If we go back to the question posed at the beginning of this blog, we might answer by saying, “What we’re doing here is creating a haven for girls.” That then leads to some follow-up questions, but what sort of haven, and why is that important?

The answer lies in the definition of the word “haven” itself as shown on the sign from the actual “Haven.” Haven means:

• a place of safety, shelter and refuge
• a port or harbor in a storm, a roadstead (I had to look this one up! A roadstead is a sheltered stretch of water near the shore in which ships can ride at anchor.)
• a place offering comfort and friendship
• an oasis or peaceful retreat
• community for good friends, new friends, old friends, and friends of friends

Without hesitation, our goal is to make Woodland a safe harbor for girls, a place of refuge from the “storms” of modern and everyday life. We are here to create an intentional community that’s different and separate from the all too many damaging forces impacting youth (especially girls!) today.

The good news is that girls flourish once these harmful forces are removed. We are really seeing the positive effects of being immersed into the camp experience for almost a month now. Campers are growing in astounding ways. They grow as individuals and together as a cabin group. These special “families” are a place of comfort and friendship in a “close to home” kind of way while the entire camp community offers comfort and friendship in a more “global” sense.

It is not a stretch to say that camp is an oasis/peaceful retreat. Campers tell us time and time again that they look forward to camp all year long. Our girls soak up and store every possible sight, sound, smell, taste, and feeling from their time in the Northwoods to draw upon later when they need a reprieve from the busyness and stresses often found during the rest of the year.

It goes without saying that we have a community of good friends at Woodland (it doesn’t take too long to figure that out when scanning the plethora of photos on SmugMug!). We welcome and embrace old and new friends and friends of friends. We even have several very special 4-legged friends. Chanel, Coco, and Juno are part of our community, too. I am always amazed at how people who are very different from each other cross paths at camp and become the closest of friends. Had they been in the familiar setting of home or school, they might not have even given each other a chance.

Each of the “haven” sub-definitions are big part of our WHY. Next, we will look a little more closely at HOW Camp Woodland is a haven.

1. Haven from Indoor Living: Life at Woodland is lived intimately with Nature; we are outdoors almost all the time. Many of us spend the greater part of 10 months inside, so it is refreshing to see campers (and staff) learning to embrace nature’s wonder and beauty in large doses. There’s a deep restorative power to this.

2. Haven from a Rushed Life: The pace of life at Woodland is deliberately slower and more mindful. Time is intentionally built into the day to allow campers to savor each moment and engage more deeply with everything and everyone around them. Eating 3 meals/day together and hanging out at rest hour and before bed as a cabin group gives campers multiple opportunities to nuture relationships in a way that is hard to replicate anywhere else.

3. Haven from Inactivity and Modern Convenience: In a world that often prioritizes convenience and sedentary lifestyles, Woodland encourages physical activity, adventure, and hands-on experiences. It’s a place where campers move and play, discovering the joys of doing.

4. Haven from Information Overload: In a world saturated with information, Woodland provides a break from the constant barrage of news and novelty. This allows campers to pay attention to their immediate experiences, fostering connections, creativity and presence.

5. Haven from Competition: Woodland is a non-competitive environment where girls can explore their interests and abilities without the pressure of outperforming others. Keeping score is the last thing on our minds (with the one exception of Olympics next week!). Instead the focus is on personal exploration, kind cooperation, and collective success.

6. Haven from Judgment: Woodland celebrates brave attempts, silly creativity, and an openness to try things. Here, girls explore for the fun of it and are unconcerned with what others will say about the outcome. The kindness of this community lifts everyone up.

7. Haven from Technology: This one is HUGE. Woodland is a tech-free environment that dispels the distraction inherent to digital media and its flickering screens. Camp returns us to real-world activities, the nuance of face-to-face interactions and the complexities of truly feeling things. This allows everyone here to be more human and explore what that means.

8. Haven from Exclusivity: Woodland is committed to creating a community of belonging. Our core value of respect encourages campers to spread kindness and show empathy to one another. We strive to be curious, not judgmental. Meeting so many people at camp helps us appreciate and celebrate diverse backgrounds and perspectives. We are a place where it is “cool to be you.”

9. Haven from Social Pressures: Woodland provides a break from the pressures to conform to certain social expectations. Here, girls can explore their interests freely, while being supported by an enthusiastic community that values them for who they really are.

10. Haven from “I Can’t”: At Woodland we strive to omit these words from our vocabulary for the 6 weeks we are at camp. We celebrate incremental progress and embrace success over time (vs instant gratification). Persistence and grit go a long way in the skills we are developing in activities and with building relationships. When the word “yet” is inserted after an “I Can’t” proclamation, the opportunity to grow is imminent.

When seen as a haven in all these ways, it is within reach to grasp that Woodland is a special experience, and how it’s so important for your girls. We all know that ordinary life is chock full of pressures and challenges. Just ask any teenager; they’ll tell you. Camp provides relief from all that. It’s a sanctuary of freedom where girls thrive. Yes, it’s also a lot of fun and girls love it, and it’s wonderful in this important way as well. We are so looking forward to being together in this much needed “haven” for a few more weeks!

Reference: RBC

We often hear from campers during the school year that, “I always can’t wait to get back to camp.” “Camp is my Happy Place.” “I look forward to camp all year long.” These are common refrains.

It doesn’t seem right to explain these feelings of happiness at camp by pointing to the variety of activities (sailing, riding, archery, dance, to name a few), the great food (taco bar, chicken tenders, Saturday donuts, or Dan’s lasagne), the beautiful campus we enjoy (Climax Forest, Sand Lake, Vespers Hill) or any particular “perk” like that. If not these, then why do Woodland girls love camp so intensely and often with such loyalty? 

There is a phrase we often hear at the closing Inspiration Hour where campers and staff members talk about what camp means to them. The phrase is, “Camp is the place where I’ve learned the most about myself.” There is something special about Woodland that leads to self-awareness, to a better understanding of “who you really are.” What is it about camp that encourages this?” How is camp different from other places in ways that make it well suited for this kind of self-discovery? That may be the question of the century!

For one, the pace of camp life really helps. There’s simply more time for self-reflection, more opportunities to try new things and explore (and Open New Doors!), more opportunities to relax and connect with the people around them. We know how busy lives can be during the school year, “up at 7am and back home at 7pm.” Having stretches of free time at camp is a wonderful thing. That freedom makes a HUGE difference!

At camp there are also “fewer distractions” mostly because campers do not have their phones. This is a big deal! One reason campers love camp, ironically, is because they give up something they use everyday, all day, at home. If every spare moment is consumed by retreating from the real world into the algorithmically curated virtual world of social media and the internet, then what’s left? If a smartphone is always with us, ready to provide instant gratification (distraction), won’t we skip over important details around us and fail to pay attention to what we might discover? With no phones at camp, girls are relishing the expansion of awareness being tech-free provides them. And, part of what they’re noticing is their true selves.

When asking older campers why they keep coming back to camp, they often tell you, “It’s the people.” This translates to mean, “the people at camp are friendly, kind people who make me feel good. They accept me, include me, and don’t judge me.” This sense of belonging, being a part of a community that cares about you no matter what, is a powerful force. It inspires a sort of personal confidence to let the real you shine, to drop those ideas of who you “should” be. It’s very common, after all, for most of us to fall victim to pressures of conformity, to create versions of ourselves that align with assumed ideals of personality, ability and beauty. But if that’s all we do, how will we discover what’s unique about each of us? If we’re just posing most of the time, doing our best to hide any hint of “imperfection,” (thinking this will help people “like” us), who are we really?

We think campers understand this too at some level. Maybe not explicitly, but they know that at Woodland it is OK to discard these social facades and explore other, deeper aspects of who they are. The people here at camp, the whole supportive community, makes this possible. When you realize that people at camp don’t really care what you look like, you can let you hair down, literally and figuratively. That’s the gift that can lead to greater self-awareness, much greater self-confidence, and greater contentment in the long run.

Taken together, these three characteristics of camp life— time for reflection, ditching phone-based distractions, and a community of supportive people —help explain why girls feel they learn about themselves at camp. Since this kind of self-discovery is really difficult back at school, they yearn for these opportunities and so cherish their time at camp. They “can’t wait to get back,” and feel good like this again. Maybe we can say these girls love camp because it’s fun, but also because it helps them grow.

If you want to help your girls grow like this at home, help them by carving out some time when they can slow down, be fully disengaged from their smartphones, and be with people who truly care about them. That’s certainly not easy, but not impossible either. How about a phone-free sleepover with friends, spent playing games instead of watching a movie? Family time one Saturday morning, spent outside? Those are just a couple of ideas that are also not necessarily easy, but may give you some encouragement to try. Our kids really do want these sorts of experiences but are hampered by forces beyond their control. They need our help. Fortunately, there is camp, but can’t we do more? Yes, we can!

Reference: RBC

Dear Camp Woodland Parent,

You are about to do something brave, and terrifying, and important. In a few days, you are about to send your child/ren to summer camp in the Northwoods of Wisconsin. This child that you’ve spent every waking moment thinking about, caring for, motivating every decision you make around since before she was born. This child you know like the inside of your own mind. This child that drives you totally nuts and you love more than literally anything in the entire world. And you’re giving them to me – a young adult who you’ve never met in your entire life, to care for.

I can’t imagine how scary that might be. I can’t imagine what it’s going to feel like dropping them off at the airport or driving home without them. I can’t imagine what it will feel like to wonder how they’re doing. Are they making friends? Are they growing? Are they learning? Are they happy?

I can’t imagine what that feels like, so what I can do is tell you what I will strive to do this summer.

I will strive to never take for granted that this child is someone’s most important human being in the world.

I will strive to do everything in my power to keep her safe – emotionally and physically.

I will strive to ensure her growth and happiness are my personal goals for the summer.

I will strive to find the things that make your child special, and celebrate them, cultivate them, let her know how cool they are.

I will strive to give you a warm welcome when I meet you and to discuss any concerns you have about your child this summer.

I will strive to be a role model for her that you’d be proud of.

When she is sad or has a bad day, I will do my best to be a shoulder to cry on and a listening ear and a comforting voice.

When she has challenges to overcome, I will strive to support her as she learns how to navigate the situation productively.

I will strive to make sure she has some of the best experiences of her life here.

I will strive to help her succeed and to build her up to see her missteps and failures as opportunities, to be a strong girl who can move on from the losses and dust herself off.

When she’s homesick, I will strive to listen and seek out help from other campers and staff members. If she’s the type of kid who’s the star of the show and the center of the room, I’ll encourage her to become the best leader she can be. If she’s the type of kid who hangs back, who needs a little time, who doesn’t quite know how she shines yet – I’ll help her figure it out, and celebrate her for being who she is.

Whether this is your first time dropping her off at camp or the seventh, I will strive to be committed to her growth and happiness. I can’t wait to see her eyes light up when it’s Donut Day (Saturday morning). I can’t wait to see her be proud of herself for performing in a play. I can’t wait to see all of her work at archery pay off when she gets her first bulls-eye (or hits the target for the first time). I can’t wait to see her feel strong.

She’s going to ride a horse, or sail in a race, or make a friendship bracelet, or dive off the raft, or write a totally ridiculous song and sing it in front of the entire camp. She might not be on the winning team, argue with a friend, or be homesick. And, I will be there for all of it, and I will strive to make it my job to know exactly what the best and worst part of her day was, every day.

You’re not going to know me until you drive down the camp road – so who am I?

I’m someone who gave up other job opportunities or potential college application boosters to be here – because I care about camp and taking care of kids more, and because I think being a camp counselor gives you skills that may be even more valuable than an internship or a different job.

I want to be here.

I care about the well-being of your child more than anything else.

I think hanging out with your kid is the best job in the world.

Camp has given or will give me more amazing friends, joys, memories and lessons than any other experience in life. I come back because I want to give that back to children, like my counselors gave it to me. I’m coming for the first time because I want to make a difference this summer.

I am silly, and serious, and imperfect – I play guitar and do yoga and balance spoons on my nose, or I play a sport in college and can sing my favorite camp song backwards, or I’m an aspiring doctor who sunburns really easily. Whoever I am, I’m a complex, strong person who knows what it feels like to have lots of different interests and hobbies. I want to help your child find her own, or teach her mine.

I want your child to feel loved. I want your child to succeed in doing something she never thought she’d do. I want her to push herself. I want her to feel like she belongs. I want her to try something new. I want her to make friends. I want her to learn. I want her to figure out what connects her to her friends, and also what makes her stand out from them.

I want her to read a book, listen to a loon call, eat a s’more, hit a back handspring, tie a figure-8 knot, make up a dance routine, paddle a canoe solo. I want her to have the best summer of her entire life. I want her to love this place as much as I do or will come to love.

But mostly, I want you to know that she’ll be in good hands, and that when you see her at the end of the summer, you’ll know it was all worth it.

Love, Her Woodland Counselor

Every year for as long as I can remember, Camps Woodland and Towering Pines ponder over the theme for the next summer before the current summer ends. This way cabin groups at both camps get involved and submit their ideas with the hopes of being able to hear their name called at assembly after the roar of a building drumroll. It is a big deal to be awarded the honor of being able to say they had a hand in choosing the words that will give shape to what the following summer holds for future campers and staff. Summer 2024 is no different!

The words “open new doors” hold a lot of possibility – the possibility of the unknown, of new memories, of high excitement. After five or ten summers coming up to camp, you wouldn’t naturally think that camp could hold anything you haven’t done or tried before – you’ve lived in most of the cabins, participated in just about every activity, and know which meals you look forward to the most. Yet something has us coming back year after year, and it’s exactly what this summer’s theme encapsulates – the opening of new doors and the possibility of more.

Whether you’re a Woodland girl who is just arriving for her first summer or a Woodland girl who has lived in every cabin, tried every activity, and has the meal calendar memorized, opening doors to new possibilities lives outside of camp’s routine just as much as your comfort lives within it.

For a first-year camper, new doors are in abundance; the new friends that you make, the new food you try, and the new challenges you take on. A new adventure is waiting for you at Woodland just as sure as you are waiting for your first summer at camp to start. Make sure to try every activity you can, from the ones you know all about to the things you may have never tried before. Your ability to slowly step outside of your comfort zone will only make the new doors that open at camp that much more exciting!

For a returning camper, each year is a new slate as no two summers ever are or can be the same. The unknown lies within the components of camp you feel you know so well; you know you’ll have cabin mates and counselors, but who will they be? What fun games, tasks, and challenges will your counselors have in store for you at your favorite activities? Will you win Gold Rush or make it to the end of your Spoon Tag circle? Everything from your daily routine to the biggest special events is bursting with a possibility that can’t be replicated from years before — new doors open wide around every corner!

Here are reflections on what some of our new staff (not all new to camp!) think the “Open New Doors in ‘2-4” theme means:

-Never settle for what seems the “easy path.” Let yourself be surprised with new opportunities and new horizons. Let yourself step out of your comfort zone and enjoy the ride!!

-Get out of your comfort zone and have fun!!

-To be open to try new activities, meet new people, and open a new chapter in life.

-That is going to be a summer with a lot of new opportunities and trying new things that you were afraid to try.

-That everyone is welcome and no one is left out, even if it’s your first summer at camp!

-Try something new in order to grow and see different perspectives.

-New opportunities for getting to know interesting people and new adventures and experiences.

-Learn and try things you haven’t tried before.

Get Excited!

Regardless of whether you’re arriving at Woodland for the first time or the tenth, the doors you will open at camp eagerly await you. Don’t be afraid of stepping a little further out of your comfort zone because Woodland has new opportunities to challenge you from the first day to the last and every day in between. We are so excited to see what kind of challenges, exploration, and inspiration Summer 2024 has in store for you!

ENROLL for SUMMER 2024

We have a FEW remaining spots left to enroll your camper/s for 2024 so that your daughter/s can open new doors through the Camp Woodland experience! Sign up HERE: https://cwtp.campbrainregistration.com

-Originally authored by Natalie (Woodland alum extraordinaire!) in 2018 and tweaks/additions made in 2024 by Kim (making my way to camp today for #25!)