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The Wilderness Camp schedule is active and full, leaving many campers tired but very satisfied at the week's end! The schedule varies a good deal with camper ages. For example, younger campers will tend to get up and go to bed earlier, while older campers will do the opposite. In addition, younger campers spend more time with their tent unit, while older campers are given much more choice and opportunity to mix with the camp population. Sample schedules are available for Discoverers, Discoverers Parent-Child, Trekkers, Adventurers, and Navigators on the website, but please do not confuse them for this summer’s exact schedule.
A typical day begins with tent time in the early morning. This consists of cooking breakfast over the fire, getting showers, and engaging in the morning Life Searches. Life Search is an intentional time of discussion, teaching, and exploring scripture that is lead by the counselor and done as a tent unit. The topics are based on the summer theme and are adapted for the ages attending.
Later morning is spent doing tent-group activities for younger campers and participating in U-Pick-Its, or Specialty Tracks for the older campers. In U-Pick-Its, campers are given a list of electives that fall into one of four categories: outdoor skills, the arts, sports, and adventure programming. They choose the activities they desire and are then scheduled with other campers and staff to form morning U-pick-It sessions. U-pick-its are also the time in which the Specialty Tracks occur for Adventurer campers.
After lunch, tent units start with a quiet time so that campers have time to rest, read, write, etc. One afternoon during the week is for scheduled activities like the 300-ft. waterslide, adventure elements, and kayaking. The other afternoons they have plenty of choices as a tent unit with options like swimming, playing miniature golf, visiting the snack shop, enjoying paddleboats, hiking, or just hanging out together.
After dinner, the entire camp population comes together for the evening, beginning with free time. Campers then head to the ball field for what we call Rec Hour (recreation hour) where campers participate in active large-group games. After playing hard, campers generally find the Trading Post open and have a bit of time before evening Fireside begins. Fireside is a time of high energy, joyous worship followed by solid Christian teaching from our Fireside speaker for the week.
For younger campers, the evening generally ends by heading back to the tents or a sleepout site for a counselor-led time, followed by lights out. Older campers occasionally stay out after Fireside for spiritual invitations by the speaker or and the "Mission Impossible" night game. |
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