​One big part of camp, is something we call camp craft. It involves a number of activities that are typically done at camp such as cooking out meals, completing overnights, and lashing. Each unit does camp craft every session. Each group cooks out at least two meals a week, with Pioneer cooking out every day! The campers collect firewood and build up the fire. They also prepare the food and cook it over the fire. Pathfinder groups cook out several meals a week as well. Adventure Pathfinders, often cook more than one meal a day and prepare more difficult dishes.
 
On Wednesday night all of camp cooks out. Pioneer has a potluck – each unit cooks a dish and brings it to the pavilion located in Pioneer. Potluck allows for a large menu. Groups can either make a main dish, a side dish or a dessert. This week’s potluck theme was Backyard BBQ which included dishes such as decked out corn on the cob, pulled chicken, and puppy chow. This week, both Pathfinder groups participated in the pioneer potluck. In the past Pathfinders have held their own potlucks in their sites, at the Waterfront, and even in Outpost. Homestead groups travel to Outpost to hold their Wednesday night cookouts. Outpost has 12 sites that each have a firepit. This week cabins cooked burgers, which is the typical Wednesday meal of choice. Outpost gives Homestead groups a taste of what life in Pioneer will be like, as each camper participates in collecting firewood and cooking the burgers.
 
            On Tuesday night, the Adventure Pathfinders (APF) held an overnight in Outpost. As their adopted specialist – the non-counseling staff member who gets to hang out with their group – I attended their overnight. Carson, a pioneer unit leader, who is in charge of APF this session, also joined the group in Outpost. The campers cooked “sandy” pasta, which included noodles, sausage, vegetables, bread crumbs and parmesan. It was delicious. We then played Frisbee and card games until sunset, which meant it was time for bed. In the morning we packed up our tents and the campers toasted bagels over a fire. APF was back on main camp by chapel.
 
            This session H12 completed an “overday”. To quote H12: “On Wednesday H12 did an overday at Outpost, making chicken, bacon and veggie wraps for lunch cookout and burgers with bacon for dinner. Between meals H12 lashed sticks to form a square frame and then made a dream catcher inside of the frame. They crafted so much that the day was deemed “Craft a Palooza”! Wow, way to go H12, showing us how camp craft is done!
 
            That’s all for the Session One post on camp craft. Thanks for reading.
 
With Joy from Homestead Way,
Maddie S.  (The Manager of the Office)

​Hello friends and family! First Session 2017 is off to a great start. Yesterday, Monday, we were lucky to have great weather. The sun was shining and the temperature felt just right. Each group completed the Low Ropes course with the Adventure Staff, tackling challenges together and getting to know each other in the process. Everyone also attended a morning or early afternoon Swim Block and an afternoon Free Swim in the pool. Following dinner, all of camp had Free Time – where campers have an hour to complete activities around camp of their own choosing. It is also their opportunity to head to the Camp Store for snacks and Arrowhead merchandise.
 
Here are a few highlights from each of the cabins’ days.
 
P7 went on a nature walk to learn about the animals and plants that live with us at camp. In the afternoon, P3 met the chickens. When pioneer groups cook out meals they often use the chickens’ eggs. P1 spent their night making tea and playing with Mocha the Chinchilla in the Environmental Center.
 
P4 challenged themselves at compound archery to begin their morning.
 
Both H3 and H4 tackled the new and improved disc golf course.
 
P2 began their day with icebreakers in the bay, playing fun games in the water to get to know one another. H1 also started their day at the waterfront, with a tubing adventure. H6 went canoeing and enjoyed a nice swim around the bay. P6 spent the afternoon at the waterfront seining and sailing before heading to Free Swim with the rest of pioneer.
 
SPF kicked off their sailing adventure. In the morning they learned to tie knots, and in the afternoon they put their knot skills to use, sailing Sunfish on the bay.
 
H3 walked around the labyrinth to finish off their afternoon activities.
 
Meanwhile, Day Camp 1, H7 and H2 painted tiles in the Craft Shop before dinner. Tile designs included renderings of cabins and ninjas, and the classic multicolor pattern pieces.        
 
Following free time, P5 completed their day by creating torches. APF finished their night with a sun set boat ride on the bay.
 
We had a fun and busy first day at camp and can’t wait for what the rest of the week will bring. Thank you for reading. We’ll be back later this week.
 
With joy from Homestead Way,
Maddie S. (the Office Manager)