Greenwood Trails is so excited to have so many of our staff returning this summer! We’ll be devoting Monday to meeting our staff… Meet Sophie (if you don’t already know her)!
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New High Ropes Elements!
After their time at camp next season, campers will be able to say that they spent some quality time in the trees, just like this cute little baby Peruvian Spider Monkey!
Greenwood Trails is excited to announce a new Continuous Belay High Ropes Course that will lead campers through the trees to our existing zip line! We’ll have some awesome pictures in the Spring… of the ropes course… Not the spider monkey… Maybe the spider monkey… But mostly the ropes course.
Fall is Here!
Camp Was Awesome This Summer!
Greenwood Trails was jam-packed with awesomeness this summer. Computer coding was added to our line up of amazing activity areas, a magician visited us on carnival day, Camplified was back again, our musicals were blow your mind amazing, and our special event days were even bigger and better than last summer! If you weren’t able to join us this summer, please join us again next year… and take advantage of our early bird rates- an amazing deal expiring October 1!
Cabin Chats at Home!
Two summers ago, we began asking our staff to intentionally ask their campers questions about their feelings at the end of each day. At first, it was met with resistance because to some- especially this young generation- it’s not as socially acceptable to talk about feelings face to face. However, these cabin chats have proven to be invaluable within our cabins! Not only do staff get to know campers on a much richer and deeper level but campers learn about others’ lives, giving them a chance to learn tolerance and empathy for others.
Here are some sample questions that you can ask your children (and they can in turn ask you!):
What are your two roses and your thorn for the day? How did you overcome the thorn?
Who made you smile today?
If one of your teachers could survive the zombie apocalypse- who would it be and why?
What challenged you today?
Tell me something you learned about a friend today.
What’s one thing you wish you knew before today started?
Describe your perfect day at school.
What do you hope to learn by the end of the school year?
It’s so important that we keep up that face to face communication with our kids at home! Not only should they be expected to answer but you should, too! At first, it may seem difficult but once the culture is created, I promise that it will be a welcome and rewarding part of your day. I challenge all of you to go around your dining room table asking questions. It’s an amazing and enlightening experience to bring you closer to your kids.
Lessons from Greenwood Trails
I saw this image on Instagram this week:
It made me so happy to realize that I don’t have to be normal… ever! It also reminded me that we all need to work hard in the real world to be the people that we were at camp. Here are some other lessons that we learn year after year at camp:
1. Communicate.
Don’t shut down because talking isn’t as cool as it is during camp. I don’t mean communicating through emojis – I mean good ol’ face to face conversation!
2. Respect everyone.
No matter how different they may seem to you, treat everyone well. They deserve it, as do you!
3. Take risks.
Tolerance and love sometimes takes just as much courage as jumping off the leap of faith.
4. Go with it.
It’s not all going to go as planned. It might rain during opening campfire but we’ll still sing “Home” regardless! Figure out a plan and make the best of it.
5. Have some integrity.
Be honest with yourself, with your friends, with your family and with your teachers. It’s not always easy but it is always right.
6. It’s okay to be a little messy.
Who cares what people think about the way you look? You’re having fun and they’re over there like “ew” and you’re like “I don’t care- I’m laughing and creating a memorable experience” and then they’re like “can I play?”.
7. Make a friendship bracelet for a friend… or a teacher… or for that one kid over there.
Kindness goes a long way and everyone appreciates the fact that you thought of them as you were making a bracelet. Also, you could totally rock that duct taped leg look at school!
8. Go outside!
Invite some friends over or go to a park or go for a hike. Show your appreciation for the outdoors with your friends and family. Remember creek stompin’ or extreme nature hikes? That can happen outside of camp, too!
9. Just break out in to song.
Everything’s better with music… and Alberto.
10. Be weird.
Embrace it- you’re all different. You all love different things… Don’t pretend you don’t! Own who you are!
Have a good school year, everyone! See you at camp next summer!
With love,
Your Greenwood Trails Family
