Camp Woodland Blog
Happy Belated Llama Day from Sunnyside!
Happy Belated Llama Day from Sunnyside! Llamas aren’t just adorable, majestic creatures. They’re also a big help to people all over the world. National Llama Day is the perfect day to appreciate one of the fuzziest farm animals around. Did you know they’re also smart, social and produce very soft wool? Some live as long as 30 years! Whether you were cuddling up with your favorite llama or Sunnyside camper, December 9 was your day to celebrate!
If you notice in the photo above, Sunnyside cabin wore matching “No Drama Llama” t-shirts for the annual Woodland Song Contest this past summer. If you are up on your llama facts, you may notice a peculiar similarity between the bouncy teenagers of this cabin and these furry friends.
1. They make great guard animals
Llamas charge at dogs or coyotes and have been known to make high-pitched screams when intruders approach.
Sunnyside campers charge at the lodge every Saturday morning and have been known to make high-pitched screams on the race for Donut Day!
2. They are loyal and cuddly
Llamas will come running to the sound of their owner’s voice, and they’ll gladly cozy up for a nice hug.
Sunnyside campers will come running to the sound of their counselor’s voice, and they have been known to give the BEST hugs! Some campers in this age group have been loyal campers for 5 or more years, and many of them will be first-year CIT’s in 2019 and develop their leadership skills!
3. They come in a variety of patterns
Similar to dogs, llamas can have a variety of special markings; however, their close relatives, alpacas, are usually solid in color.
Similar to llamas, Sunnyside campers can have a variety of special attributes; they like to play tetherball, shave at the spigot, and are really into all-camp activities!
4. They’re more common in the U.S. than you might think
There are currently over 150,000 llamas in the country.
There were 11 total campers in Sunnyside, one of the largest Woodland cabin groups in 2018!
Reference: https://nationaltoday.com/national-llama-day/
Here is more about the adventures had by the girls in Sunnyside:
Lily C: thought the canoe trip was fun and a chance to get closer with the cabin, she now likes lasagna, and became less ‘shyish.’
Lauren: passed intermediate water-skiing and was in a TP exchange for archery (and won!), she likes archery A LOT and made new friendships
Rachel: enjoyed going to the ropes course and having bonding time with the cabin while doing teambuilding skills, tried a new activity (drama) and had a great time even though she was scared to do it, and became closer with the cabin than in any other year – it is great to live with all of my best friends!
Amelia: stepped out of her comfort zone and had fun on the ropes course and canoe trip, learned how to water-ski, and is more aware of how her actions affect others
Ximena: liked the cabin canoe trip, got to know herself better, and noticed being more positive and less stressed
Bunny: was a fan of the night swim on the canoe trip, realized that she was not horrible at archery, and is better working in groups than before
Libby: gave drama a try this summer, realized there are a lot more people that are supportive of her than she originally thought, and learned how to work as a team with her cabin mates
Isabella: enjoyed meeting so many awesome new people, playing CIT games, trying tennis and everything about camp!; she knows herself better and how positive she can be in a place with such positive attitudes; a change she recognized was not depending on her phone
Lilli M: loved taking a cabin canoe trip, learned that her attitude could affect her outlook on life, and decided to be more positive in swimming class and passed her level the next week
Valentina: learned that it is important to enjoy the little things because nothing is forever; she became more loving and most important, a better person
Dani: came to camp for the first time this summer and was ALL IN for 6 weeks; she learned to be more positive and is now part of the Woodland family!
