After spending the first two days at camp learning how to have a fun, safe summer, it was time for the first typical day at Miniwanca. Some campers started their day with the optional Polar Bear, a tradition in which campers can choose start their morning with a jump into a chilly Stony Lake. Flag raising, morning stretch, and breakfast followed the first Polar Bear call of the summer.

Today marked the first day of interest group rotations, staff-led programs designed to challenge and inspire each camper to learn and grow. Campers can choose to learn anything from sailing and pottery to Dungeons & Dragons and archery. 

Each week, campers participate in three interest group activities, each with their own four-day curriculum designed to challenge a variety of skill levels. Next week campers will have the opportunity to sign up for three different interest groups.

A typical day at Miniwanca also includes an all-camp assembly. These gatherings are a great time for community building, games and announcements. Campers were introduced to the Quad Cup at the assembly today.

While most of camp has been busy starting their first interest group rotations, Four Trails campers who will soon hit the trail began preparing for their trips in Graceland. Campers learned how to pack and cook food on trail and how to pitch tents.

On a normal day at Miniwanca, campers are given one hour of rest time following lunch, as well as one hour of personal time following the end of interest group rotations. During personal time, campers can unwind or play at the waterfront, the crafthouse or at any other staff-supervised activity. 

After dinner, all of camp congregates for Night’s Doings, which are typically competitions that yield Quad Cup points. During atypical days at Miniwanca, Night’s Doings may be a barbecue with West Camp or an ice cream social in the dining hall. 

On Tuesday, campers were assigned their quad and given their quad t-shirt. Once the campers were all proudly wearing their quad color, it was time for a battle for Middle Earth. During this game, campers were given roles on cards that would determine how they would fare during a battle with a different quad member.

The first quad cup competition came to a close, and campers went to bed excited for their interest groups to continue, and for the epic battles to come for the Quad Cup.