Our First Ceramics Master

One of our two ceramics instructors, Ali Mayer, is here today to share some exciting news about the Ceramics studio! Ali has a deep connection with the program, as she was an Assistant Counselor the summer we began Ceramics. She shares how the studio has not only shaped her story, but a glimpse into how it is impacting others.

"Hello! My name is Alison Mayer and I am one of the ceramics instructors this summer. 

Ceramics was added to the activity roster in 2010 in an effort to expand the arts at HoneyRock. When I was an Assistant Counselor, I had the opportunity to be in the studio. My experience working with the clay that summer shaped the path of my lif, giving me a vision for the direction that God was leading me. Creating art became passion which has continued to grow since that summer. In order to fulfill my calling, I am pursuing a degree of Fine Art at Emily Carr University of Art and Design. My desire is to become an art professor at a small college or art school.

I am very pleased to introduce the very first ceramics masters student at HoneyRock, Jacob Fisco! Jacob participated in Advance Camp this summer and has been coming to HoneyRock for several years. He has participated in the ceramics program since it’s beginning. As a Masters student, Jacob created a tea set including a teapot, saucers, and tea cups. He also created a series of five mugs, learned how to load and fire the kiln, made glazes and slips, plates, lidded jars, and the list goes on. Another important part of all Masters awards at HoneyRock is the service and assisting hours that the student completes, giving back to the activity area. Jacob served all areas of the studio for a total of six hours in order to receive his Masters. It was a great joy to work with Jacob and share in something we have both come to love so much at HoneyRock!"

The Ceramics studio serves more than our camper programs. During the spring, Professor Hooker runs a Woodfire class, where Wheaton students come to HoneyRock for two weeks to create pieces, firing them in our wood kiln. The studio will also play an incredible role in Vanguard year, coming September 2015.

Walk Around Camp

Sometimes, it's just fun to walk around and see what's going on in the different parts of camp. So many little events are all going on at the same time - a camper shooting his first arrow, Service Teamers and Ops working around the new Chapel, a few girls monkeying around before Camper Worship at the tent, a boy's cabin gathered at a fire, Passage leaders preparing gear to lead the Wilderness track...

And that's just a peak at what was going on for an hour this morning! We took some pictures to capture these little moments:

shooting arrows at Archery

landscaping around the Chapel

...and monkeying around!

saying hi!

preparing for the Wilderness Track

Hope your week started off well as it did here at HoneyRock! See you soon at Family Day this Thursday!

First Day of Camp

Today is the first full day of camp and the first day Activity Staff have campers in their area! Intro Camp takes a different approach to activities than Res Camp - instead of signing up for individual activities, the cabins visit the areas as a large group, making it to nearly all of the activities at camp. We love this change because it gives first time campers a chance to see all of the activities that HoneyRock has to offer. 

Olivia, Swim Instructor, invites a cabin into the Swim Area

Catching frogs in the Lagoon at Wilderness Skills! 

Yesterday we also welcomed incoming high school freshmen to Advance Camp, our three week program specifically designed to meet those entering 9th grade - answering the questions "Who am I? What is true? What is my purpose?" Advance Camp still shares similarities with Res Camp, including their time spent at activities. This morning, the guys packed up and headed out on their wilderness trips while the girls were able to choose an activity. 

Advance Camp men packing out.

Ali instructs an Advance camper on the wheel.

Tomorrow all of Res Camp has their big Olympic Fest, kicking off with a parade and moving into field games. We're pumped to start off the Northwoods Olympics!

Wood Kiln Fire Reveal

Today is an exiciting day for the WIN ceramics class! They have been patiently waiting for the wood kiln to cool enough to unstack the bricks and climb inside to unload their work. It has been a long process, one that began Sunday evening and went well into Monday.

We're excited to show some of the pieces that the students created during their time in the new ceramics studio!

Wood Kiln Fire

Remember this? Four years later and we're still firing the wood kiln as a part of the WIN ceramics class. Professor Hooker has led this WIN class each year since 2010. Every summer, students learn about Japanese ceramics, create work, fill the kiln, and take part in the 24-hour firing process.

Around 7am this morning, the kiln read 800*F, and has since risen to 1600*F. The stoking process continues until the kiln reaches about 2300*. It will then be unloaded sometime after lunch on Wednesday after a long cooling process. 

pieces waiting to be fired in the new Ceramics studio

tracking the temperature

stoking the fire

Stop back on Friday to see pictures of the kiln being unloaded and the reveal of the students' work!

HRC Loves Activities!

What do campers spend the most time doing in a day, besides sleeping?

Activities. From archery to mountain biking to ceramics and more, most  spend about 4 hours a day learning various skills in their time dedicated to activities.  

Campers are ready to ride! (2012)

The challenge of exploring a new activity and learning through the Basic, Intermediate, and Masters process provides an opportunity for a unique integration of faith and learning. We believe that the time dedicated to activities not only enables campers to learn a new skill, but that it also gives a sense of accomplishment and builds confidence – developing body, mind, and spirit.

Chentell, Ceramics Instructor ’12, teaches a cabin of boys about throwing technique

Our Activity Staff arrived just over a week ago. After team-building initiatives and introductory training, the staff has been handed keys and given full access to their areas. In this time, instructors learn the finer elements of their activity, from climbing difficult routes to perfecting barefooting technique to making a wet wood fire and more.

SLS Counselors shave down sticks to make a wet wood fire

This morning, while SLS and AMP are in class at HoneyRock, Activity Staff will finish up Lifeguard Training. Then, all SLS and Service Team counselors will join Activity Staff in the pool for Water Safety!