Emily Bazelon considers the growing ranks of summer campers who are age 9 and under in a new piece on Slate today. She’s generally interested in whether or not it’s healthy to send a son or daughter off to camp at that age and also in the sort of parents who might do such a thing. Her conclusion, in part:

“Overnight camp isn’t for every 6-year-old, but for a hearty subset, a summer sleeping on the top bunk and making God’s eyes with fellow sprites can be heavenly. The reason more children this age don’t go is that the parents, not the kids, aren’t ready.”

Read it Here

While I agree with her assertion that there are probably a lot more six-year olds who are ready to go to an overnight summer camp than parents who are ready to send their six-year olds to an overnight summer camp I think you have to look at the length, activities, and supervision situation at each camp. They really do differ greatly. I can see a 6-year old having a great time at a 5-6 day overnight camp where he or she will be spending time with 2-3 counselors at all times. Woodcraft camp is six weeks long however. That’s a friggin’ long time for a kids that young (which is why they start ‘em a few years older right?).

That said, i think my dad probably started Woodcraft at age 8 (edit: 12 actually) and while I’ve certainly heard his memories of grousing about it all the time I don’t think he’s ever said anything that amounted to “I was homesick at Woodcraft” so perhaps I’m just giving out little guys too little credit.

Any of our Woodcraft camp staff or alumni have anything to say about the youngest kids at Culver? What’s the camper/staff ratio these days by the way? Discuss.

One of the challenges facing anyone with a Culver Summer Camp Counselor Position is to create an environment within the unit or cabin in which people feel comfortable getting to know one another and are able to come together as a team to take on a common goal. Whether that be the Culver Communications Relay, General Inspection, Pegasus Drill, or whatever the heck Woodcrafters do (anyone care to tell me what the comparable Woodcraft activity would be?) it’s important to havesomething that brings the unit together.

Every counselor has their own style and way to try and get this done. In Company Two last summer we had an all-unit dodgeball night with 1st classmen and 2nd classmen against plebes and the counselors. It was a lot of fun, the guys worked off some steam and got to experience working together for a bit. I know last summer there was some sort of water balloon battle to end all water balloon battles between Company 1 and the Naval Band. The ladies units do some of the same things and have their own approaches too, some of which are closely guarded trade secrets (!).

…Read the rest of this entry…

For today I bring you some truly interesting background on summer camps courtesy of the American Camp Association:

“The camp experience is a unique American tradition. With more than 140 years of history, camp as we know it today has its roots deeply planted in American soil. But while clothing, music, and pastimes have changed over the years, camp has always been a place where children could prepare to be productive and healthy adults in the context of fun and games.”

…Read the rest of this entry…

Mr. Sonny Atkins was announced last month as the new Director of Woodcraft Camp, replacing Janet Kline in the position. Recently, Woodcraft Counselor Lt. Joe Gee (D&B-NB) asked him a few questions on his outlook towards his new role.

Q: Where are you from?

A: I have lived all over the mid-west, MN, MI, PA, OH, IN. My birth state is Minnesota.

Q: How did you hear about Culver and specifically Woodcraft Camp?

A: I have been involved with Culver for the past 5 years. I have been the outside contractor that has trained the Challenge Course (leadership) staff. I also was part of the construction of the new ropes elements, and have done the inspection of the course for the past 5 years. I worked with Kim Kickert. I have known about Woodcraft ever since I have been involved in the camping industry.

Q: Where have you been working most recently?

A: My past job was with a Challenge Course company called ERi (Experiential Resources, Inc.) We were a full service company providing construction, training, consultation, inspections and equipment. I was the Director of Training. Traveled the country training camp staff how to safely operate their ropes courses. I also built them. I also am part owner of The Adventure Center in Bloomington, IN. …Read the rest of this entry…

Posted by Mr. Flora at 7:28 PM

I thought it might be fun to add a section to the Culverpedia with information on the various restaurants, hotels, and fun things to do in the Culver area. You’ll spot several links to it up in the camper, alumni, parent, and staff pages or you can just jump straight to the link for the three sections. Check it out and feel free to contribute your own thoughts on the items listed or perhaps even add your own. For instance, Renfro’s should be added to the restaurant guide, but I can’t find their info online.

Also, I started up a page in the Culverpedia called the “Counselor’s Guide to Maximizing Your Down Time” where staff and other visitors can compile together ideas for things to do during off moments or time during camp. If you know of any day trips or have anything you particularly enjoy/enjoyed doing during the summer, add ‘er on there.

DISCUSS