August 12, 2008
As the summer of 2008 comes to a close, I find myself reminiscing about a very successful season. Read on to learn Heidi's Highlights of 2008:
1. Horse Camp was back. Campers not only rode horses, but they learned about horse safety and care through wonderful hands-on training.
2. Camper Choice was introduced. I loved seeing the staff offer activities where they could truly shine. Sports tourneys, origami, mask-making, dance... our campers truly reaped the benefits of the staff's many talents.
3. The Assistant Counselor program began. Selected 16 and 17 year olds made a huge contribution to camp while they also gained a wealth of experience working with children.
4. The arts found their way into Camp Wabansi through the new (and popular) Young Artists program. Camp is now proud to display three outdoor sculpures that represent some of the core character values of the YMCA.
5. The Survivor legacy began. After cooking their own meals on their own campfires (let's not forget the newly formed One-Match Club!), they built their own shelters off of the nature trail and slept in them on Thursday night. No city lights - just the glow of the stars and the coals of their fire. What a unique experience for kids to truly appreciate the natural outdoors.
6. The staff was as dedicated as they come. Staff members gave of themselves (and often on their own time) to improve the facility and programs to bring an even better experience to our campers.
I couldn't ask for more, but I will. More summers like this one, please! As we continue to cherish Camp Wabansi's traditions in the future, we also look forward to more innovative opportunities for our campers in 2009.
July 19, 2008
What a week! In honor of the second session of Horse Camp, Wabansi celebrated "On the Farm" week. Thursday's themed events, planned and carried out by our excellent Assistant Counselors, were as creative as they come. This is the only blog entry that I will ever get away with saying that the Camp Wabansi counselors make great farm animals! See for yourself!
View the Session 6 Photo Gallery.
July 7, 2008
A week away from Wabansi makes the heart grow fonder! The excited hugs of the staff this morning after a week off for the holiday was an impressive reunion. Camp Wabansi is truly blessed to have such enthusiastic and dedicated staff members!
June 24, 2008
Today I went to see some of our campers at the stables. I spoke with one camper in particular who had never ridden until her experience at Camp Wabansi. Her confidence level bloomed in front of my eyes as she explained all that she had learned, how apprehensive she had been before, and how if she could handle herself on a horse, she felt like she could try many new things! That's what camp is all about, isn't it?
Learn more about Horse Camp.
June 20th, 2008
What a reward to see your dreams become a reality. I am so excited to see the arts become a part of the Camp Wabansi culture. As our "Young Artist" campers hopped off the bus from the Hands-On Art Studio in Fish Creek, WI, I was in complete awe as they proudly displayed their amazing projects. Ceramic plates, glass-fused windchimes, and the most astounding artwork of all: the collaborative efforts of an outdoor metal sculpture that will remain at Camp Wabansi for years to come! Each Young Artist is represented in the piece that was fittingly named, "Respect." Clearly, by our campers practicing that important core value, creative genious knows no bounds as nine different creative minds can come together to make a single piece of greatness. See for yourself!
Learn more about the Young Artists program.
June 17th, 2008
Camp just started and I already have so much success to report! Today at the beach, I did some informal surveying of our campers. I decided to ask why they liked their counselors. I expected to hear "because she's funny" or "because he's really cool," but I was surprised to hear answers like these:
- "My counselor is cool because she makes sure everyone is having fun, not just a couple of us."
- "I like my counselor because he's an Eagle Scout and he taught us about how to be safe around a campfire!"
- But the biggest shocker was this one: "I love my counselor because he makes us follow the rules."
Stop the presses! What an insightful statement. When I asked him why it was important that we follow the rules at camp, he responded, "Because if someone gets hurt, no one has fun!" I'm glad to hear that we are helping to raise up such responsible young people!
