What's Going on at Camp in 2015? Questions and Answers, Part 2

Last week we answered a bunch of questions about some great new things we have happening at camp this summer. That post is right here! Now we're adding some more Q & As.

Can a Pioneer camper come to camp on Monday and Tuesday but not spend the night at camp?

Yes! This is totally up to the camper and parents.

What about Quest campers?

Quest is a residential camp that runs from Tuesday through Friday the second full week of August. It’s shorter than most of our other camps, but campers do spend the night at camp.

 What is a typical day at camp like?

Most of the time, it looks something like this:

8:00 – Breakfast

8:30 – Morning Watch / Short Bible Study

9:00-12:30 – Sailing, ropes course, field games, crafts, hiking, cooking, leading, boating, swimming, tie-dye, ice cream, and more!

12:30 -  Lunch!

1:00-2:00 Rest Hour

2:00-5:30 – Sailing, ropes course, field games, crafts, hiking, cooking, leading, boating, swimming, tie-dye, ice cream, and more AGAIN!

5:30 – Dinner

6:00 - Any of the fun activities you couldn’t fit in during the day, or maybe a banana boat ride!

7:00 – All camp events: talent show, dance, worship, Minute to Win It, Olympics, etc.

9:00-10:00 – Campfire, vespers, and finally, SLEEP!  Tomorrow’s another day!

There is never a dull moment.

What if I want to stay for more than just a week?

Yes. That’s possible this year. Bridge weekend information is here, registration information is here. 

What's Going on at Camp in 2015? Questions and Answers, Part 1

It's hard to believe with all this snow and cold, but we are gearing up for another fun-filled summer on Seneca Lake! Our 2015 schedule is here. Here are the answers to some of our most frequently asked questions about the 2015 season:

What’s new for 2015?

We are very excited about some favorite camp traditions as well as some new graded programs in 2015. Our programs for people with disabilities will look very similar to what it has been in past years. We do have 2 new graded programs that we’re looking forward to… Anything Goes  (grades 6-8, July 26 - 31) and a Bridge Weekend for campers in grades 6 – 12 (July 31 - August 2).

What is Anything Goes all about?

At our new Anything Goes camp, anything goes! Your counselors will lead you through activities that you normally wouldn’t get to do at camp, like possibly raiding the kitchen or participating in a late-night secret mission. You’ll also work as a group to come up with some of your activities for the week, and there will be some surprises along the way as well!

Banana boat? Most definitely! 

What about the Bridge Weekend?

The Bridge Weekend (July 31 – August 2) gives campers who register for both the July 26 AND August 2 sessions the opportunity to stay at camp for two full weeks, instead of having to go home between weeks of camp. We’ll have a ton of fun, and we’ll also make sure everyone is rested and re-charged for the upcoming week. We will need 10 campers registered by June 1 in order to run this program.

What are the options for younger campers?

In 2015, elementary age campers have the following options:

We had tons of fun last summer...

Pioneer Camp (grades k-5)
July 6-7
July 27-28
This is a chance to learn what camp is all about in a great 2-day experience. Pioneer campers can either come from 8:00 – 5:00 on the days of the program, or opt to stay overnight for one night.

...can't wait to do it again!

Camp Quest (grades 3-4)
August 11 – 14
This is a short week for newer campers…we’ll do a little bit of everything in this 4 day, 3 night experience

Adventures Camp (grades 4-5)
July 5 – 10
July 26 – 31
August 9 – 14
This is the real deal! A full week of swimming, crafts, games, ropes course, canoeing, s’mores, sleep outs, talent show, dance, and anything else we can fit in a week!

What other questions do you have about 2015? Just ask! We will post Part 2 soon!

Meet the Camp Staff: Jess is Here! A Returning Lifeguard's Camp Whitman Experience.

At the waterfront in 2012. 

Jess is back for her 3rd year on our aquatics team this summer! Here's what she has to say about her experiences at Camp Whitman.

What is your favorite part of camp and why?

My favorite part of camp is the waterfront, because I think it's really beautiful, and I love going out on the lake and taking groups kayaking.

Do you have a least favorite part of camp?

My least favorite part of camp is training week because I am always so eager for the regular camp season to start, so we can spend time with all of the campers!

Describe a typical day at camp for you. 

During my typical day at camp, I will go to breakfast. After that, I usually teach swim lessons and lifeguard for a group at the pool. After lunch, I spend my whole afternoon lifeguarding at the pool or taking groups out on the kayaks or canoes. After dinner, I will either help with groups going banana boating or attend the various events throughout the week at camp.

Jess helping out at the camp store at our Anniversary Gala. 

What do you do during the non-camp months of the year? 

During non-camp months of the year, I attend Messiah College as a Biochemistry major. There, I work a lot with organizing volunteers for various school events. I also like to travel and spend time with my friends.

What advice do you have for first time campers? 

As a first time camper, you should be open to new experiences. You should always give every activity a chance!


If you could be any animal, what would you be and why?

If I could be any animal, I would be a fish. I think that this would be fun because I could go swimming really deep in the ocean and see all the cool plants and animals down there.

You Know You're Ready For Camp To Start If...

1. You spend the first warm day of the year outside in a hammock, Wilderness Survival Camp style.

2. You realize every story you tell has to do with camp, and you're friends are starting to get annoyed.

3. You've already broken out your camp sandals, and the tan lines are not far behind.

4. Calling on people to sing at meals is not working quite as well in your school cafeteria or workplace break room as it does at camp.

We call upon Chris to sing us a song...

5. You haven't had a rubber chicken accompanying you on your adventures for quite some time.

6.  Your chicken has not been door-slammin' lately

7. You actually miss your counselors singing (ok...shouting) the birdie song to wake you up in the morning. 

Not to mention waking up to this...

8. It's been too long since this has happened:

Group camp hug!

9. Windy spring days are making you think of sailing on Seneca lake.

10. You're not sure how much longer you can last without having this kind of fun with awesome friends at your favorite place on Earth!

Meet the Camp Staff: Interview with Former Camper and Current Counselor, Michaela!

How many years were you a camper at CW?
I was a camper between 5-7 years. 

What was your favorite camp activity?
My favorite activity as a camper was banana boating. 

What's your favorite activity as a counselor?
My favorite activity as a counselor is campfire time and sailing.

Why do you keep coming back?
I keep coming back because it's easy to see that everyone bonds really quickly. 

If you could be any animal, what would you be and why?
If I could be any animal I would be a butterfly or a dragonfly.... It's always warm when you see them, they can fly, and I always feel relaxed when I see them because of family stories about them growing up.

Michaela thoroughly enjoying campfire time at the end of camp in 2013. 

You Know You're at Camp Whitman When...

• You live in this cabin. And you love it. 

(Each cabin has room for 3 campers and 1 counselor)

• Tie dye....tie dye everywhere...

• You're on the banana boat...

• ...and then you're not!

They don't seem to mind!

• Your table is table #1!

• There are a bunch of counselors doing improv show during the talent show. 

Whose Camp is it Anyway?

• Worship might look like this

All-camp worship on Sunday evening

• Or this:

Campers sometimes use the labyrinth for worship and meditation. 

• All the staff members are having their mug shots taken because there are some missing s'mores and the whole situation is veeeery suspicious...

•  4-square is very serious business.

• You've made lots of new friends, and the week has gone by way too fast!

For more information about how to register for banana boating, tie-dying, labyrinthing, and finding out what "table #1" is all about, visit www.campwhitman.org