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Children's Programs

General Information for Children’s Programs

We ask that parents volunteer for one session, on one day during the week, to assist the children’s counselors.

See Staff for information about Children’s Program staff members.

Elementary-Aged Campers

Elementary-aged campers will be divided into two age groups:

• lower elementary, ages 4-7 years
• upper elementary, ages 8-12 years

These two groups will travel and learn together occasionally, and at other times, break into separate groups for separate age-appropriate activities.

Pre-School

Infants to three year-old children will participate in multigenerational activities with the whole camp. A nursery space with manipulatives and simple art supplies will be available for use all day for children and parents, adjacent to where vespers will take place.

Daily Activities

Breakfast

7:30 to 8:30 AM

Children will eat with their families. More information about meals

Morning Celebration

8:45 to 9:00 AM

After breakfast each morning, the whole community will gather for an multigenerational worship service with music.

Children’s Program

9:00 to 11:45 AM

The Children’s Morning Program will take place during the Theme Presentation and Workshops for adults and youth.

After being sung out at Morning Celebration, the children will be engaged in hands-on nature explorations with naturalist Ginny Malcomson from Polk County (Iowa) Conservation. We will hike the woods, catch frogs in the pond, search for prairie life and stomp and splash in the creek. After exploring the kids will preserve their memories with camp arts and crafts. Adults are welcome to tag along too, the kids shouldn’t be the only ones having such fun!

Lunch

12:00 to 12:45 PM

Children will eat with their families. More information about meals

Salmagundi!

1:30 to 3:00 PM

Young campers will join all the other campers for multigenerational activities such as Challenge Courses, community art projects, canoeing, outdoor games, and crafting.

Challenge Courses
Ropes courses for almost everyone – the camp has three different ropes courses, at different heights and for people with different skill levels. The rope course activities will be facilitated by the host camp’s professional staff.

• The Monday and Thursday offerings are appropriate for elementary age children.
• There will be an additional charge for these.
• See the Challenge Course page for the descriptions, schedule, and fees.
• Participants must register and pay for Challenge Courses by July 11, 2011.

Afternoon Free Time

3:30 to 5:15 PM

Multigenerational activities for children with their families:

Water Activities
The camp has a swimming pool and a small lake with canoes.

Hiking and Trail Rides
The camp has hiking trails.

There are guided horseback trail rides at nearby Platte River State Park.

Field Trips
There are other opportunities within a few miles, including the Strategic Air and Space Museum, Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha, and Mahoney State Park with an Acquatic Center and an Activity Center with indoor playground.

Trail Head

5:30 to 6:00 PM

Activity for all ages gathering outside the dining hall. Jumping rope, face painting, bubble blowing, kite flying, and croquet are some of the activities that may be offered at this time of day.

Supper

6:00 to 6:45 PM

Children will eat with their families. More information about meals

Vespers

7:00 to 7:30 PM

After supper each evening, we will gather for 30 minutes of storytelling and song, meditation, reflection, or prayer. Led by Rev. Scott McNeill, this participatory, multigenerational worship service will be designed to connect us to our shared camp experiences of the day and to welcome our evening together.

Evening Program

7:30 to 8:30 PM

A variety of multigenerational activities including a campfire, a barn dance, a talent show and more.