Monday 29 July 2019

Day Camp 3 - Monday


Welcome to Camp Amicus!

We spent much of the first day settling in, getting acquainted with one another, and learning the structure and expectations of camp. Right after being signed in, campers met their two counsellors and the other campers they would be spending much of their time with.

Our camp manager Kathleen began our day by going over some general rules and expectations, introducing our leadership and head counsellor teams, and explaining Choice programs.

 Each day that we don’t go on a field trip, there is a 2-hour block in the afternoon where campers choose 2 of out 4 activities. Choice programs are always varied, offering a mix of high- and low-energy activities, there’s always something for everyone!

Kathleen also touched on Clubs, which will run twice this week. Campers could choose from art, music, cooking or sports club.

At Camp Amicus, we work in a ratio of 2-3 counsellors to 6-7 campers. At both the beginning and end of the day, we meet in our groups for what we call 2:6 time. Today began with an extended 2:6 time.

Our groups each made a group contract, a set of rules and expectations for campers in that group to strive for. Campers made their braids, which hang over their shoulders, used both to identify them as one of our campers, as well as allowing them to collect ‘bling,’ which campers and counsellors can make for each other. Some of our returning campers were able to help out their new friends!

After 2:6 time, we played a camp-wide game. Each day, we play one game as a full group. This gives our campers an opportunity to bond with those outside their 2:6 groups. Today’s camp-wide game was called hostage, a variation of capture the flag where a member of the opposite team is hidden instead of a flag.

We had half an hour of free time after this, and then it was time for lunch. Choice came afterwards.

Today, campers could choose from gardening and making tie-dye shirts at the local community garden, glow in the dark capture the flag, making slime, or following along to Bob Ross painting videos.

After choice, we all gathered outside the Foothills Academy for Steps in the Right Direction. A Camp Amicus favourite activity, and one that we strive to do every day, Steps in the Right Direction allows campers and counsellors the opportunity to acknowledge their peers for doing something exceptional that day. Afterwards, we finished our day with a Zones of Regulation check. Campers who attend Foothills Academy are likely familiar with this system, but after today, we will do a Zones check at the beginning and end of every day.















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