On the Wolf River

Over the weekend Charlie and Ben, Activity Staff Coordinator and Canoeing Instructor, led a trip for those in SLS who had been working on canoeing and kayaking throughout training.

Charlie (Activity Staff Coordinator) surfs a wave on the Wolf River

After warming up with the basics, we walked the river to check out the various elements and review safety procedures. The section of the Wolf River that HoneyRock uses for these trips has a slight U-shape, which enables people to run the section at their own pace. With water flowing at nearly twice the normal level, there were new places to avoid and more spots to play and surf. We spent about three hours on the river, working on strokes, rolls, surfs, and braces, and then packed up to head home.

 

Ben (Canoeing Instructor)

As a trip tradition, we debriefed the time we had on the river as we drove back to HoneyRock, talking about the highs and lows and how we saw God. The “lows” were primarily directed at the anxiety felt before getting on the river or the cloudy weather while the “highs” ranged from running the river without making a wet-exit to seeing confidence grow in the first-timers. 

Stephen (AC Unit Leader) takes a run down the river

While reflecting upon how we saw God, Charlie pointed out the community that this small group of 13 made for the day. In our time at the river, we were able to come together to support and encourage, learn and teach. Throughout the day it was common to see one come alongside another and give a high-five or share a tip to make the next roll or brace better. 

Charlie instructs Jeremy (SLS, left) and Cole (Archery Instructor, right)

In the coming weeks, all Advance campers will go rafting on the Wolf and several Res campers will have the opportunity to work on their canoeing and kayaking skills for their award requirements. There will be many highs and lows, requirements passed and failed, lessons taught and learned - all a part of challenge that is naturally and purposefully infused into canoeing and kayaking. All in all, we are thankful for a challenging, fun, and safe trip to the Wolf and can't wait for campers to share in the experience!

Check back today as we update the blog (around 6pm) after campers arrive at HoneyRock with the details of their first afternoon!

Make your way to Family Day!

Already planning on coming to Family Day? Register here!

One week from today HoneyRock will celebrate the first Family Day of 2013. Families of many Intro campers will visit to see everything their children have explored and learned. This day is a “hands on” way to catch a glimpse of what your camper experienced in their time at HoneyRock – meet cabin-mates and counselors, visit activity areas, watch the Rodeo and Ski Show, and sit down to a good cook-out.

More importantly, it’s an opportunity to learn how to help your child bring what they learned in this transitional community (camp) to their permanent community (home). We realize it’s a big investment to send your child to camp, and we want to maximize that valuable investment. Friday, June 28, we ask parents (and especially younger siblings!) of Intro campers to join us at 2pm to begin the afternoon!

Katie (Swim Instructor '12) presents a camper with her Swimming Masters award.

We have a couple requests to keep the day fun for everyone:

• Please do not bring your dog - we do not allow dogs at HoneyRock, and we thank you for helping us uphold that policy.
• HoneyRock is a place apart and we ask that people not use cell phones in the main areas of camp. While we understand that your work may require you to be accessible by cell phone, please take advantage of this opportunity to unplug and fully engage in the HoneyRock experience! You will miss out if you spend the day on your phone!
• Leaving with parents at the end of Family Day is strongly discouraged. We cannot stress enough the value of the camper's last night with his/her cabin. Therefore, it is our expectation that your child remain at camp until the morning after Family Day.

Again, if you are planning to come to Family Day, please register online!

 To see a schedule of the afternoon and learn more details of Family Day, visit our website.

Throwback Thursday: 1955 - 2010

Here we are again with a few throwback pictures from our Heritage Center archives! This week we have group shots of SLS, from 1955 to 2010. 

(1955)

(1968) 

Check out those hats! (1970's)

(1980's)

SLS Aunts & Uncles! (2010)

Work & Play

We're so pumped to finally have our Assistant Counselors at camp! They arrived Monday and quickly left on their 24-hour Wilderness Trip. They returned today, packed in at the Trip Locker, and moved right to their swim test.

Talking about tests - today was a big day for our SLS, Service Team, & AMP leaders. They had class and activities in the morning while the Water Safety test, knot test and canoeing test filled the afternoon.

working on knots and canoeing strokes on the front lawn

Ben (Canoeing) helps facilitate the Water Safety Test

Except, it's not all work...

Taking a big jump off the dock

Shalom, Ceramics Instructor, paints her mug

Anna (Crafts), Amy (Drama), & Olivia (Swimming)

Packing Up!

Yesterday we talked a lot about preparing your child for the transition to camp - setting goals and expectations, what to talk about, watching a video or two of camp, etc...Today we wanted to set aside some time to review the ins and outs of packing for HoneyRock.

It can be tricky trying to pack for Northwoods weather, but our packing lists cover everything your camper will need. Here are a few points we would like to highlight:

Don't Forget: 

• Sunscreen / Bug Repellant
• One piece swim suit (girls) / Trunks (boys)
• Bandana(s)
• Bible & Journal
• Clothes to be layered

Don’t Pack:

• Gum or junk food
• Electronics (games, MP3's, iAnythings...)
• Magazines
• Fireworks / Firearms
• Knives
• Drugs, Alchol, Cigarettes

Make sure to label everything with your camper’s full name!

For more information, take a look at the links below:
Pre Summer Camp Preparations
Getting to and from Camp

Information Packets
(includes a full packing list)
 Intro Camp
12-Day Residential Camp
Advance Camp
2:22
Service Team   

Are You Ready?

Our Assistant Counselors got to camp this afternoon and Intro and Advance campers will arrive one week from today! We're so excited to finally welcome campers to HoneyRock for the summer.

Preparing for camp can be a stressful time for parents and campers - sometimes what should be a time of excitement is overshadowed by a cloud by anxiety. However, it doesn't have to be that way! Here are 5 simple things parents can do to better prepare their children for camp and lower the stress level of the transition.

 1. Set some goals and expectations:

Talk to your child about camp and what it's all about. Watch the videos on the website.  Talk to other families who have been to HoneyRock before. While you can't prepare your children for everything, you can give them some idea of what to expect. It will also give you a good opportunity to set some goals for camp.

Some sample goals:

• I want to do Solid Rock Club.
• I want to get an Intermediate in Sailing.
• I want to become friends with 3 new people - kids not from my school or church.

2. Practice being away from home:

We highly recommend this for new campers who are going away to camp for the first time. Have your child do an overnight at Grandma and Grandpa's house or another close friend's house without you. This will give them some experience in being away from home before they head off to camp.

3. Begin praying about camp:

Set aside some time at meals or before bed to pray about camp. Pray for your child's cabin mates, their counselors, the bus ride up to camp, the Bible studies they will participate in, the activities they will do, and for safety while they are at camp.

4. Don't make promises you can't or don't intend to keep.

As parents we often make little promises to our children in order to alleviate their fears before they leave for camp. It can be devastating to a camper if those promises aren't met. Some examples:

• Don't promise you'll be at Family Day if you aren't planning on it.
• Don't tell your child they have $100 in their Beehive account.
• Don't promise they will know everyone in their cabin.
• Don't tell you child that you come and pick them up if they don't like camp.
• Don't tell them it won't rain and that there are no bugs.

5. Read through the Information Packet.

The Information Packet contains packing lists, transportation information, as well as forms to have ready before you arrive for bus check-in. Download the PDF Information Packet for your child's session.