Each camp day follows the same basic schedule, though daily activities vary depending on age group and camp theme. Our STEM2035 middle school camps will follow a different daily schedule.
8:30 Camper Sign In and Morning Stations
Parents and guardians sign campers in at their assigned camp building each day. While we are waiting for everyone to arrive, campers will choose from several different activities like art making, exploring specimens, or playing with blocks, Legos, and other manipulative toys.
9:00 House Meeting
To start off our day, campers will gather to hear the day's schedule, play some name games, sing songs, and do cheers. On Mondays, all camp groups review the camp rules and talk about camper’s hopes and expectations for the week.
9:15-11:30 Morning Activities
We'll go outdoors to hike, explore, play games, and enjoy the sunshine. Campers will visit the Critter House at least once during their camp week. Morning snack will be provided. On Mondays, Morning Activities end early for All Camp when all camp groups come together for games and songs. During this activity block, campers in our Tykes camps for 4 and 5 year olds will enjoy more open-ended activities and stations for age-appropriate exploration and play rather than the structured activities and games typical of our older camp groups.
11:30-12:45 Lunch and Free Time
Lunch is held with all camps together, eating picnic style outside. To make sure they have enough energy for the day, campers, staff, and volunteers stay seated and focused on eating and drinking water for 20 minutes. Campers are encouraged to recycle and compost. After lunch, we head down to the big field for free play.
12:45-1:30 Chillaxation
Chillaxation is held by each camp group individually. Campers are given a time to relax and reflect on the day's adventures. Stories, reading, drawing, resting, cloud watching, and other quiet activities are included. Campers in our Tykes camps for 4 and 5 year olds will have a quiet rest period and be encouraged to lay down on a blanket or towel, listen to music or a story, and take significant rest during Chillaxation.
1:30-1:45 All Camp
All Camp provides all camp groups with the opportunity to play games, do house cheers, and share with other camp groups about what they have learned at camp. On the last day of camp we have Friday Finale in lieu of regular All Camp, from 2:45-3:15pm. Campers, staff and volunteers perform skits, sing songs, and enjoy popsicles before the weekend.
1:45-2:45 Choice Time
During choice time, Camp Educators and volunteers offer 3 activities from which each camper is able to choose. Each day there is an active choice, and artsy choice, and an environmental education choice (though these categories sometimes overlap). Thursday is Choice Day, with 3 choice times spaced throughout the day, ending with Choice Carnival in the afternoon, where campers are able to go to each of several stations, including a sweet snack, silly games, and tie dye.
2:45-3:30 Afternoon Snack, Clean-up, and Circle Games
After choice time, campers return to their houses to tidy up for the day, usually taking their belongings outside for pick-up. After the building is tidy and everyone is ready to go, camp groups will eat a healthy snack and work together to brainstorm a list for their “Ask Me About” board which includes a list of topics or questions that are meant to spark conversations about camp experiences between campers and their families. Camp groups will play silly circle games, sing songs, or practice brain teasers until families arrive.
3:30 Camper Sign Out
Our camp day ends promptly at 3:30pm. All campers must be picked up and signed out by someone on their Emergency & Release Form. Campers who are registered for Camp Cool Down are signed into the Camp Cool Down session by a staff member and must be signed out by someone listed on their Emergency & Release Form by 5:30pm.