As our campers have settled into the routines of camp, special activities and events have begun to pepper the daily schedule, adding extra excitement and fun to the second week of the session.
Clay creations took shape during Older Unit Specials!
On Wednesday, campers returned from their first overnight trips away from main camp: some units camped out at different spots on the camp property, while others traveled by canoes, boats, and ferries to other islands. Regardless of the site, all campers traded going back to their tipis for a night sleeping out under the stars with their fellow campers and unit staff.
One group of campers honed their technique throwing on the pottery wheel during Older Unit Specials.
One of the key tenets of the Nor’wester experience is our overnights program. During these weekly trips, campers learn vital camping and outdoor living skills that build on themselves as participants progress through their years at camp. From building a one-match campfire to constructing tarp shelters to cooking delicious meals over an open fire (or a camp stove), the hands-on lessons to be learned and practiced during overnights are numerous. Additionally, the conceptual lessons of environmental stewardship, low-impact (Leave No Trace) use of land and resources, and efficient and prepared packing, planning, traveling, and navigation are presented and emphasized so that they will stick with campers long after they leave camp.
The “Card Coliseum” activity included a variety of card games for campers to play.
Thursday evening brought another dash of spice to the week: Older Unit Specials! Offered twice a session (once for older units and once for younger units), “specials” give campers the chance to participate in unique activities not offered at any other time. Younger campers will have the opportunity to take part in specials while our older campers are out on their Big and Little Big Trips over the next two weeks.
One group of older campers got to learn how to pitch tipis with a Nor’wester expert!
For our older units, staff came up with several creative options for campers to choose from: There was the “Card Coliseum,” where every card game imaginable was set up for play. There were artistic expressions of watercolors, clay working, and slime making led by staff from our craft shop. There was the great opportunity to learn how to pitch a tipi with alum and board member Bill Horder. And there was even an option to attend “Nor’wester prom,” where campers got dressed up in their finest and made “promposals” – to themselves!
Measuring the tipi poles against the canvas is an important early step in tipi pitching.
It was a fun evening of laughter and creativity. We can’t wait to see what ideas our staff come up with for Younger Unit Specials! But first, we have Island Fair Day to look forward to – one of everyone’s favorite highlights of Second Session!