Overnight Camp 3

August 21

Today was our last full day at Camp Amicus, but we packed the day full of fun nevertheless.

Our final groups went horseback riding, with our morning group leaving shortly after breakfast. For the rest of our campers, our after-breakfast camp-wide game was dress the beast! Another capture the flag style game, both teams have a 'beast' at each side of the field, decked out in props from our prop bins. If a member of the opposing team reaches the beast, they get to take one prop off. Dress the beast makes for some great photos!

Our social skill today was bullying. Campers worked to define bullying, discussed the ways it can occur, and determined how best to stop bullying through group discussion and role-playing skits. Many children are affected in some way by bullying, so having a solid idea of what constitutes bullying and how to deal with it is an important life skill.

After social skill, we had free time before lunch, after which we had our skill block. Each camper group has now had the opportunity to try each skill! After skill block, we had two choice blocks today instead of rest hour! Rest hour was offered as a choice, instead. Campers could also pick from making dream catchers, photography, and rock climbing!

We had dinner afterwards, and then it was time for our final campfire of the summer! We had 9 fantastic performances, all campers received their awards, and we all roasted marshmallows before we travelled back to prepare for bed.

Overnight Camp 3 - Tuesday

August 20

We have reached the midpoint in our short week! Nonetheless, we stayed as busy as ever. Our after-breakfast camp-wide game today was human tracker, in which 5 'trackers' set out into the woods to find everyone else, the humans. If one is found, one has the option to run away, but if caught, one must join the trackers! The woods around Kamp Kiwanis are perfect for a game like this.

Afterwards, it was time for social skill. Today we focused on blowing off steam. Campers brainstormed their favourite calming activities and when partaking in them would be appropriate, took part in a number of calming activity stations, and some played a small game of dodgeball! Having a toolbox of outlets for blowing off steam serves everyone well!

After social skill, we had some free time, lunch, and then skill block. As usual, there was a laid-back swim, some campers off-site for horseback riding, and some learning to canoe! It is always impressive how skilled our campers get after only two hours in a canoe.

We then had rest hour, and afterwards was choice. Photography was offered today, as well as Gagaball and paint tag! This was by far the messiest choice I have ever witnessed, but everyone was clean by dinnertime.

After dinner, we had our second camp-wide game, hydro pyro. Another of our camp classic capture the flag style games, there is a fire on each side of the field, and campers who reach it get to pour a small amount of water onto it. The aim of the game is to extinguish the fire! After hydro pyro, we returned to our bunks and got ready for bed.