15 Things to Expect on Your First Day of Camp

It's Sunday at 2:00. You've packed (and repacked) your suitcase, backpack, and shower bag... but what's next? Here's what to expect on your first day of camp at Camp Whitman.

1.  You arrive at the main lodge...

2. ...where these people are SO EXCITED to greet you.

seriously...why are they so excited? And why won't they stop singing?

3. You check in with the camp director and camp nurse...

4. ..and then meet your counselors out on the porch.

5. When everyone arrives, you play some name games / icebreakers.

These games may or may not involve a rubber chicken...

6. Then it's time for the safety hike so that you can get to know camp a little more. 

7. The safety hike ends back at your campsite, and you move into your cabin. 

Perfect for sleeping, friendship bracelet making, and letter writing.

8. If you're in a camp that does a lot of boating, you might have time to squeeze in a swim test before dinner. 

Lifeguards! Assemble!

9.  It's finally time to go back to the lodge for dinner!

I can't believe I'm so hungry already! And why won't they stop singing?

10. After dinner, everyone goes to Sam's Point for all-camp vespers. 

11. After vespers, your counselors might perform some skits about the camp rules.

12. You might have time for a main field game...

This particular main field game appears to have involved a pterodactyl.

13. ...or some team building exercises. 

14. You finish out your night with a fire back at your camp site...

15. and you start to think that this week might be pretty awesome!

Check back soon for more about what you can expect in 2014 (really...the snow just means we're a step closer to summer!). 

Pine & D.R.I.V.E. staff get competitive...and a little bit messy!

This summer, Camp Whitman has been lucky enough to have two programs for people with disabilities working together onsite. Our overnight camps for people with developmental disabilities (known as "Pine" for the area of camp where the live) have consisted of several weeks of Explorations camps, in which campers are able to explore camp and try a little of everything, as well as some themed camps such as Water Fun and Born for the Wild.

We also have the D.R.I.V.E. program from Keuka College on site with us during the day. The group that comes to us from D.R.I.V.E. is able to experience some of the best parts of camp, such as canoeing and field games, combined with the opportunity to volunteer at camp and learn a lot while doing so.

The two groups have had a great time doing all kinds of activities together every morning. Two weeks ago, camp and D.R.I.V.E. staff members teamed up to provide some rainy day entertainment for the campers in the form of a pie scavenger hunt. Kier, Ben, and Ileya had to search through their whipped cream pies to find as many pieces of fruit as possible without using their hands. Their campers (and their co-counselors!) had a great time watching and cheering at this event, which is sure to become a favorite rainy-day tradition.

On your marks, get set...

Go!

Ileya appears to be winning!

Explorations July 15-20

Hey Everyone!  This is Amber and this week I was a counselor in Explorations.  This camp is designed for some of our older adult campers and we have done so many great activities in the last five days.  Some of the most successful activities that our campers really seemed to enjoy included line dancing, where campers learned the steps to several of the songs that we play at the dance on Thursday night.  It was awesome to see our campers enjoying themselves so much!

Some of our campers and staff dancing

One other activity that was really succesful this week was the baking session that our campers had the opportunity to sign up for.  On Wednesday, some of the campers and I made a yellow sheet cake that had brownie mix and raspberry pie filling baked in.  The campers had a great time decorating the cake with swirls, and getting creative.

On Thursday, the campers then decorated the cake before giving it to the kitchen staff so that they could serve our cake up for dessert for lunch.  The cake was a huge hit among the other family groups and it looked fantastic!!

The Final Product :)