Camp Winding Gap Program Information
General
Program Overview
With the exception of Opening and Closing Day and the Session Breaks,
there
are four to five program periods each day Monday through Saturday. Each
camper will sign up for their daily programs at least twice
weekly, for three days at a time, selecting from a list of daily
activities. Sunday afternoons are reserved for longer activity
time and preparing for special events. By signing up twice weekly,
campers
have the opportunity to select more of the activities they enjoy
without
being limited to only a few for the whole week. The wide selection of
daily
activities, twice-weekly sign-up, and flexible program, allows campers
to enjoy a wide variety of activities. While campers are encouraged to
try everything once, activities are not forced on them. In addition to
the daily activities there are also many trips offered throughout the
sessions. These go by foot, canoe,
and
horse, as well as at various levels to accommodate the age groups.
Daily
Activities
During sign ups, campers may select from a variety of activities
offered
each program period.
All are included in the base tuition fee. Some examples:
| Canoeing |
Hiking |
Fishing |
Arts
& Crafts |
Computer
Gaming |
Swimming |
| Woodworking |
Archery |
Riflery |
Cooking |
Games |
Aerobics |
| Sewing |
Free
Swim |
Library |
Photography |
Guitar |
Climbing |
| Mountain Biking |
Creek
Stomps |
Special
Crafts |
Martial Arts |
Soccer |
Animal
Care Program |
Optional Programs
Additonal-fee activites, all optional, none necessary for a
complete camp
experience. Click HERE
for more information about these offerings.
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Daily Activity Descriptions
Waterfront
Program
Our Waterfront leaders certified and experienced in their field of
expertise by
recognized
and highly regarded affiliations such as: American Red Cross, American
Canoeing Association, Royal Lifeguard Association, and other American
and
International associations and experiences.
Swimming lessons are available to those who would like to participate
on
a daily basis Monday through Saturday. There is at least one Free Swim
daily for those who would like to swim, but not take lessons. Campers
are
not required to take swimming lessons, but for safety reasons everyone
must be evaluated on Opening Day.
There is normally at least one period daily of canoeing instruction
that include
instruction in canoes and funyaks. Canoers begin their instruction in
the
camp lake and then move out onto nearby larger lakes and rivers.
Several
day and overnight trips are offered in this program and included in the
tuition. All age and experience level campers may participate in the
out-of-camp
canoe trips as long as they have been evaluated for swimming ability.
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Animals
and Farm Chore Program
Camp Winding Gap is loaded with animals! The Animal Care Program offers
the opportunity to feed and pet them all. Full Farm Program
offers
hands-on experience with a wide range of farm animals including Golden
Retrievers, Bassett Hounds, puppies, kittens, cats, horses, mules,
goats,
bunnies, chickens, roosters, and cows. Bottle feed baby animals and
gather
eggs from the chickens! Older dogs go on campouts, canoe trips, and
horse
trips with the campers (sometimes the goat goes too!).
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Animal
Care Program Photos & Information
Archery and
Riflery
Programs feature multilevel certifications with badges, awards, and
pins.
There is a low staff to camper ratio during instruction. There are
often
Sunday afternoon matches in both programs. Campers in both programs
learn
safety procedures. Both programs are safe, fun, and educational for all
ages. Our program leaders in these areas are either NRA and CAA
certified.
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Hiking
Program/OLS
(Outdoor Living Skills)
Campers learn minimum-impact camping skills, firebuilding, outdoor
cooking,
lashing, map reading, and much more. During this class there are
several
short hikes incorporating skill practice.
General Overview: The daily Hiking Program is available for sign up by
campers. The activity or activities are noted on the sign up sheets for
the campers. The program is generally structured, some activities (fire
building) require lower staff:camper ratios and adjustments are made on
the sign up sheets as necessary. The Hiking Program is designed to
introduce
campers to the necessary skills needed for hiking trips and overnight
camping.
Type of Activities: The Hiking Program has a wide range of activities
including
tarp & tent set up, fire building, tree & plant identification,
map reading, equipment use, food preparation, health & sanitation,
campsite management, low impact camping, etc. Many activities are added
to the program during orientation (new staff bring new ideas) and
throughout
the summer (campers also bring new ideas). The Hiking Program is
generally
quiet/small group activities but occasionally will conduct active/large
group programs (such as Creek Stomping, etc). Occasionally the Hiking
Program
will incorporate Arts & Crafts activities such as nature craft
(leaf
rubbing of identified plants/trees, etc.).
Eligibility: Campers do not need any prior experience to participate.
Equipment
is matched to participants size (back packs, etc.)
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Arts & Crafts
General Overview: The daily Arts & Crafts Program is available for
sign up by campers. The program is generally structured with one to two
activities going on during one program period. Some activities (candle
making) require lower staff:camper ratios and adjustments are made on
the
sign up sheets as necessary. Occasionally the Arts & Craft Program
will be utilized for Special Activities such as decorations for the
Dances,
Carnival, etc.
Type of Activities: The Arts & Crafts Program has a wide range of
activities
including drawing, clay working, candle making, beading, tie-dying,
etc.
Many activities are added to the program during orientation (new staff
bring new ideas) and throughout the summer (campers also bring new
ideas).The
Arts & Crafts Program is generally quiet/small group activities but
occasionally will conduct active/large group programs (such as
preparing
for Special Activities).
Eligibility: Campers do not need any prior experience to participate.
Staff Leadership: Staff are hired with experience in the Arts &
Crafts
area and are trained during orientation to apply their knowledge to the
camp program.
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Computers/Video
Games
General Overview: The daily Computer Program is available for sign up
by
campers. This activity is designed to allow campers time during the day
to play games on computers and game stations. Campers are not permitted
to sign up for this activity more than once per day.
Eligibility: Campers do not need any prior experience to participate.
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Woodworking
This has become very popular! Campers learn basic woodworking skills
and
create such things as: stilts, bug-catchers, doll tables and chairs,
shelving,
bird houses, model cars, boats, tie racks, candy dispensers, stools,
and
more!
General Overview: The daily Woodworking Program is available for sign
up
by campers. The program is generally structured with lower staff:camper
ratios due to high risk nature of the program. The Woodworking Program
is designed to introduce campers to the necessary skills needed for
woodworking
and allow campers the opportunity for several projects.
Type of Activities: The Woodworking Program has a wide range of
activities
including safety with and proper use of power and hand tools, etc. Some
projects include: bubble gum machines, stilts, bird houses, bug boxes
as
well as many other projects that are added to the program during
orientation
(new staff bring new ideas) and throughout the summer (campers also
bring
new ideas). The Woodworking Program is always a quiet/small group
activity.
Eligibility: Campers do not need any prior experience to participate.
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Cooking
Everybody's favorite!
General Overview: The daily Cooking Program is available for sign up by
campers. This activity is designed to allow campers the opportunity to
develop basic cooking skills in the camp Dining Hall. Campers are not
permitted
to use the camp stove or ovens; they will be properly dressed
(aprons/hats)
while inside the camp kitchen for any reason.
Type of Activities: The Cooking Program is a quiet/active/small group
activity.
Campers have the opportunity to assist preparing meals and desserts for
the camp, as well as try new recipes for their class (cookies, etc.)
Campers
generally receive a snack during this program period.
Eligibility: Campers do not need any prior experience to participate.
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Games
This program is used for "small" games or "outside" games. Small games
are generally indoors and range from board games to puzzles to
foozeball.
Outside games can be tetherball, softball, volleyball or any other
large
group game.
General Overview: The daily Games Program is available for sign up by
campers.
This is an unstructured program designed to allow time for play by
campers.
While the type of game is generally noted on the sign up sheet, there
is
room for flexibility in the program- if campers prefer to do something
different and it falls within the guidelines of the program, then it
can
usually be changed.
Type of Activities: Indoor/outdoor games such as large games:
volleyball,
softball, soccer, kickball, basketball; and small games:fooseball, ping
pong, board games, keys, etc. Games range from individual activities to
small & large group games. Games can also range from quiet to
active.
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Aerobics
Time to get fit! This program is led by skilled staff for an hour of
low-impact,
high-energy musical fitness!
General Overview: The daily Dance & Aerobics Program is available
for
sign up by campers. This activity is designed to allow campers active
exercise
time during the day in the camp Lodge. This is structured only in that
it is required that staff keep campers active and inside the Lodge
during
the program period.
Type of Activities: The Dance & Aerobics Program is an active/large
or small group activity.
Eligibility: Campers do not need any prior experience to participate.
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Sewing
Another very popular program! This program teaches
campers
sewing skills through a variety of craft projects.
General Overview: The daily Sewing Program is available for sign up by
campers. The daily program is generally structured and focuses on
learning
skills and sewing projects.
Type of Activities: The daily Sewing Program is for campers to learn
skills
in sewing with individualized attention and instruction.. The ratio is
generally kept smaller for these classes. Skills range from hand sewing
to use of a machine and include a wide variety of projects including
doll
making, pillows, puppets, decorating baskets, sachets, etc. This
program
is a small group/quiet activity.
Eligibility/Awards: Campers do not need any prior experience to
participate.
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Library
An hour of peace and quiet spent reading, playing quiet games, or
working on jigsaw puzzles
in
the library located in the Camp Lodge.
General Overview: The daily Library Program is available for sign up by
campers. This activity is designed to allow campers some quiet time
during
the day to read, play quiet games, or puzzles in the camp Lodge.
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Soccer
General Overview: The daily program is generally structured and focuses
on learning skills; the large games are not structured and generally
provide
time for campers to simply play the game.
Type of Activities: The daily skills activity periods are for campers
to
learn more specialized skills within the game. The ratio is generally
kept
smaller for these classes. Often during the day there are periods of
Soccer
that are merely for campers to actively participate in playing the
game.
(We generally do not keep scores in our games.) Skills classes are
active/small
groups; games are active/large groups.
Eligibility/Awards: Campers do not need any prior experience to
participate.
Campers participating in the skills classes can progress to achieve
awards
and/or certificates at several levels.
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Photography
Digital photography classes teach campers basics in picture taking and
creativity. Small animals and horses are the favorites for
photos!
Pictures taken during these classes are put on the internet at the end
of the summer and available for campers to save from the page.
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Guitar/Music
General Overview: The daily Guitar/Music is available for sign up by
campers.
This is a structured program designed to introduce campers to beginning
guitar and basic music theory.
Type of Activities: Guitar lessons are designed for beginning players,
guitar sizes are matched to campers. This program period is also
flexible
to allow practice time for more advanced players. Music theory is
taught
by experienced staff to campers who are interested. All
lessons/practice
take place inside the Lodge room and are quiet/small group activities.
Eligibility: Campers do not need any prior experience to participate.
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Fishing
General Overview: The Fishing Program is available for sign up by
campers. This activity is designed to allow campers experience in
fishing.
Type of Activities: The Fishing Program is an active/small group
activity
and is designed to give campers an introduction to fishing and cleaning
the fish (as well as learning to eat what they catch!).
Eligibility: Campers do not need any prior experience to participate.
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Special
Crafts
This program is reserved for lower ratio crafts projects such as
beading
and bracelet weaving. Many campers enjoy being able to work on a
specific
project with fewer distractions. Sometimes this program period is used
to decorate and set up for special events like Dinner Dances, etc.
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Creek Stomps
There is nothing like pulling on old sneakers and stomping through the
local creeks on a hot summer day! Campers enjoy these romps down creeks
that run near or through the camp property. Occasionally the group will
take rope along to create a swing, or stop along the way to build a dam
for a swimming hole!
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Out-of-camp
Trips
In addition to our regular daily activities, we also offer a variety
of out-of-camp trips that are included in the camp tuition and selected
by the campers while at camp. One, two, and three-day trips are offered
in the hiking and canoeing programs. The hiking program offers campers
of all ages the opportunity to explore our beautiful mountains. In our
canoeing
program, campers may choose from an all-day canoeing trip to a
three
day excursion!
Sample
Daily Schedules
Five Daily Class Periods
7:30
Wake
up/Clean Up
7:50
Flag Ceremony (Knoll)
8:00
Farm Chores
8:15
Breakfast
9:30-10:20 1st Period
10:30-11:20 2nd Period
11:30-12:20 3rd Period
12:30
Farm Chores
12:45
Lunch
1:30-2:30 Rest Hour
2:30-3:30 4th Period
3:30-4:15 CANTEEN
4:30-6:00 5th Period
6:15
Farm Chores
6:30
Dinner
7:30-9:00 Evening Program
9:00-9:30 Cabin Time/Clean up
9:30
Taps Bell- All Camp Quiet
Lights Out- Younger Cabins
10:00
Flashlights Out- Younger Cabins
Lights Out- Older Cabins
10:30
Flashlights Out- Older Cabins
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Four Daily Class Periods
7:30
Wakeup/Clean Up
7:50
Flag Ceremony
8:00
Farm Chores
8:15
Breakfast
9:30-10:45 1st period
11:00-12:15 2nd period
12:30
Farm Chores
12:45
Lunch
1:30-2:30 Rest Hour
2:30-3:45 3rd Period
3:45-4:15 Canteen
4:30-5:45 4th Period
6:00
Farm Chores
6:15
Dinner
7:30-9:00 Evening Program
9:00-9:30 Cabin Time/Clean up
9:30
Taps Bell- All Camp Quiet
Lights Out- Younger Cabins
10:00
Flashlights Out- Younger Cabins cabins
Lights Out-
Older Cabins
10:30
Flashlights Out- Older Cabins
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Evening
Programs
Evenings are tons of fun at Camp Winding Gap! Each night has a
planned
activity ranging from Bingo to Walkin' Taco Night to Mystery Flashlight
Hikes. Other Evening Programs may include Dinner Dance, 60's Dance, Bag
Skits, Relays, All-camp Free Swim, Soccer, Volleyball, Creek Stomps,
Talent
Night, Movie Night, Kickball, and many more. Each summer
brings new ideas and new activities! For more information see Special
Events Page.