Building the Foundation for a Fun, Safe Summer

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The second session of camp is officially underway, and campers have been busy building the foundation for another fun, safe summer at Miniwanca.

Staff were happy to report another successful Opening Day for Session B. After a long day of introductions and touring Boys Camp, everyone was ready for a meal with their new cabin groups.

Cabin time continued through dinner and into the interest group showcase, where staff presented the activities everyone could sign up to try this week. Campers’ focused turned toward the fun to come this summer.

The next day, cabins rotated all over Boys Camp for orientation stations. Swim checks, presentations on maintaining physical well being, team building, and other informative safety protocol sessions took place during this rotations period. Campers were officially well-informed on how to have a fun, safe summer, which meant it was time to let the fun commence. 

Traditionally, the opening Fire Circle takes place at the end of the first full day of camp each session at Miniwanca. In preparation for this celebration, cabins also practice and perform silly skits.

After cabins delegated the roles for each skit, gathered necessary costumes, and spied on the progress of other cabins, it was time to head to the Fire Circle. 

Following the lighting of the torches and the introduction of the four folds (physical, social, spiritual, and mental) an unexpected rainstorm rolled over East Camp. Campers retreated to the Activity Center to showcase their prepared skits.

The surprise rainstorm ended up being a great way for the community to practice having a fun, safe summer, encouraging youth to look past the rainy clouds and find brighter moments of fun and community.

The campers will continue to learn about positive mindsets as interest groups start this week. During interest groups, campers are asked to choose how much they want to challenge themselves, and this creates great opportunities for goal-setting and celebrating each other’s successes.