The final dinner at camp was a celebration banquet hosted by the Avail campers. The banquet was Harry Potter themed, and the eating lodge was decorated Great Hall-style with four long tables separated by quads. Campers and staff alike dressed up and gathered together the beginning of the last night.

Closing Circle celebrated campers’ accomplishments and gave them the chance to reminisce on their three weeks together. Miniwanca shared the final quad scores, and the Ridges took first place and the shield. Some of Miniwanca’s oldest campers received their Avail shirts, or their Voyager rugbies as a token of their accomplishments this summer. The senior then campers closed the circle by lining the path with candles singing “Follow the Gleam” as the rest of camp walked out.

The night finished with a slideshow where campers saw some of their favorite memories captured for the first time and the Voyager Evening Reflection. It was a night of community that brought smiles and tears as campers prepared to return home.

While the session has ended, the memories and stories will live on with the Founder Friends of summer 2022.

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The day began at a faster pace than usual, as campers participated in the Doc Wheels Fun Run 5K. Starting at Graceland and ending on the Green Acre, campers chose to walk, jog, or run for the race.

At the finish line, campers were greeted by cheering staff members and a breakfast buffet of doughnuts and fresh fruit. Spirits were high after campers finished their breakfast and transitioned into a Polar Bear and swim in Lake Michigan.

Boys Camp and Girls Camp enjoyed their time together as they awaited the arrival of their Voyaguer friends, who were kayaking on the Mississippi River for the last five weeks. 

This ride-in is called Nostos, which is Greek for ‘the return to light and life,’ and is often used when discussing epics in literature. Four Trails trips are epic journeys for their participants, and Miniwnaca celebrates their heroic accomplishments as one community.

Campers, family members, and staff charged into the water to greet the Voyagers with open arms and wide smiles. There was a palpable sense of community, as people shed tears of relief, shared moments of laughter, and exchanged stories from their time apart from loved ones.

Today continued to find more room for joy, as Boys Camp transitioned into Wish Day, which is an afternoon dedicated to granting as many of the campers’ wishes as possible. While many campers made good use of their wish by requesting Wancabread, chocolate milk, or pizza, other campers wished to use indoor showers at the Four Seasons building.

Staff worked hard to grant each camper’s wish – and for a few staff members this meant spending the day with a camper who wanted to be them. For example, the Media Specialist handed over their camera to a camper so he could be the camp photographer for the day.

A camper with the staff member that he wants to shadow for Wish Day.

Another camper who wished to become an employee for the day made an additional request to be fired from their position once Wish Day had ended. Anna Kay Vorsteg, the president of the American Youth Foundation, wanted to do her part in making wishes come true, and so she had to complete the difficult task of firing a 9-year-old.

The day was truly filled with joy as campers and staff learned about some of the other wishes that were made today. At dinner, campers transitioned from talking about their wishes to the Variety Show, where campers shared their talents, participated in skits, and sang campfire songs together. Celebrating each other’s talents was a wonderful way to round out the day.

Following Evening Reflection, where campers reflected on their moments of joy throughout the day, it was time for bed. The campers were excited to go to their cabins to get some much needed rest after their long day and to get ready for the remaining days of fun left this session.

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The return of the Voyagers, now called Nostos, is the last of the summer 2022 trip groups to rejoin Miniwanca. Nostos is a term from Homer’s Odyssey, and it is the word used to reference a long journey at sea and the return home from that journey.

Everyone, gathered on the green acre to watch the Voyagers come back to Miniwanca. As the Voyagers paddled in, those on the beach began clapping and chanting, “We are proud of you!” The Voyagers beached their kayaks and ran back into the water in front of the cheering crowd to sing Founder Hearts together.

When the time came for the reunion between those on the beach and the Voyagers, it was a magical moment. Absence truly had made the founder hearts grow fonder as the hugs and smiles reflected the joy of homecoming.

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Session B’s cup was one to remember. It was a hot day, so the first event was an all-quad competition where campers raced to passed a soaking wet sponge down a line. The other all-quad event required everyone in the quad to put on, take off, and pass a large t-shirt down the line.

The other events did not require whole quad participation in one place, but everyone helped their team along. Foxtail chases and water bucket musical chairs captured the center of attention, but the background acts of unfolding a frozen t-shirt, building the tallest freestanding Lego structure, and creating a human pyramid helped bring in points.

It was a tight competition, but the Ridges (Bridges when combined with their Boys Camp counterparts) came out victorious. Shortly after the winner was announced, everyone gathered together to welcome Adventurers back to Miniwanca.

The afternoon was one of competition, but the evening was one of camaraderie. Campers enjoyed an all camp cook-out at Boys Camp before they walked back to Girls Camp. Once back at West Camp, there were s’mores and late-night dips in Lake Michigan. Some campers even chose to camp out on the beach under the stars.

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During Something Sacred, campers challenged themselves and one another to define the word “growth.” Staff shared stories about moments of personal development in their own lives, and then explained why it is important to not wait for growth factors to come to you. 

Part of the magic of Miniwanca is the interactions between different age groups. Younger campers can look to the older ones as examples of balanced living in action.

After a great community conversation, it was time to focus on the social fold. Boys Camp traveled to the Well Site, a more remote part of Miniwanca with access to the Lake Michigan shoreline. 

The hike to the Well Site went quickly, but campers worked even faster to set up their activities for the afternoon upon arrival. Campers were given four hours of free time to choose activities that interested them.

Many campers chose to swim in Lake Michigan, and ride the huge waves that crashed on the shore. Other campers chose to play card games or yard games in the grassy meadow at the entrance of the site. 

Once campers arrived back to East Camp, it was time for the Night’s Doings of the evening: movie night in the Activity Center. East Camp cozied up with popcorn and enjoyed watching “The Mitchells vs. The Machines.”

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The day began with a regatta on Stony Lake. Campers could sign up to participate in several different races on canoes, paddle boards, kayaks, or sailboats.

During each boat race, campers on the waterfront cheered on their friends out on the water. Between each race, the campers played beach volleyball, flung themselves down a slip-and-slide, or played games in the boathouse. 

The next set of activities involved the adventure courses and the archery range. Campers from each quad rotated through stations where each individual camper participated in challenges that could earn points for their quad.

After a much needed rest hour from a busy morning of programming, it was time for and afternoon of sports on Bryant Field. Campers competed in a number of events, including gaga ball, football, soccer, spikeball, nine-square, and card games, or they sat back and enjoyed watching different activities with the staff.

Rounding out a fun-filled day of activities came Night’s Doings: No Egg Survives. For this challenge, campers worked in small groups to create an invention that would prevent an egg from breaking when dropped. It was a wonderful day as one community, and Boys Campers look forward to more special programming days ahead.

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Earlier this week, singing and cheers the Eating Lodge at breakfast as campers wished the Adventurers and Explorers farewell. Each group got their moment to shine as Miniwanca surrounded them with love. The Miniwanca community traditionally sings “Happy Trails” to the Four Trails campers before they depart for their adventure trips – adding a hummed rendition of the Indiana Jones theme at the end.

This tradition is the final send off before daring campers will begin their outcamping journeys. For the Explorers and Adventurers, the journey is about a week long. These campers will grow in many different ways as they experience life outside with daily hikes, canoe trips, and tent camping.

Before leaving for the actual trip, Four Trails groups spent some time at Miniwanca preparing. They practice packing all their gear, putting up their tents, and reviewing waterfront and paddling skills to feel equipped for the trail. Finally, the Explorers and Adventurers head out on a “shakedown,” an overnight camping experience to put it all together before they leave.

In the final week of Session B, campers who have adventured daringly on their trips will return. The Explorers will return on July 22, Adventurers will return July 24, and the Voyagers will return by July 26. The last week of camp will be full of emotions and memories as everyone gathers together one final time this summer.

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Campers were eager to begin spending their time exploring new activities or enhancing their skills during an activity they have participated in before. The staff were equally excited to offer new interest groups for the first time.

The Adventurers and Explorers have been hard at work practicing skills necessary for their time on trail. All that preparation will now be tested as campers head to the Manistee River for a five-day canoe trip or to Manitou Island for an eight-day hiking excursion. 

With many hellos and many goodbyes, time is passing quickly at Miniwanca. Campers won’t waste a moment of the remaining days of Session B as they discover more about their own best selves through fun and challenge.

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Darers, Seekers, and Avail campers – those who stay on site the whole session – began new interest groups this week. The Four Trails campers – those who will leave site for a multiday outcamping adventure –spent the day preparing for their upcoming trips. The Adventurers finished up last-minute packing, while Explorers headed  to the Well Site for a shakedown, which is a practice hike and overnight camp out in anticipation of their trip.

A sense of connection is also growing among campers as new friendships made and the old relationships rekindled. Cabinmates are bonding, and quads are working together to win points.

Competition reigned during Night’s Doings: Quad Games. Everyone got a chance to play Nuke ‘Em, an elimination-style volleyball game, and dodgeball. Quad cheers and laughter rang as the quads all played together.

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Clay Creation in the pottery barn put the finishing touches on their masterpieces. Make Your Mark spent the day outside with a beach clean-up project, and Dungeon & Dragons players completed their final quests. As the campers finished their projects or had a last dip in Lake Michigan, their minds began to stir with what the potential opportunities for the next round of interest groups would be.

Night’s Doings consisted of the Low Quad Circle, where quads gather together to perform skits and songs they’ve created. The performances were scored by the most esteemed judges: Sesame Street’s Elmo and two sisters from Denmark wearing Hawaiian shirts. It was an incredibly tight competition, but the Ridges pulled ahead to take the first place spot.

To round out a perfectly typical day, the Explorers led Evening Reflection as the discussed their thoughts on the idea of imagination. A beautiful sunset lined the beach for a mindful practice of reflecting on the day.

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This summer, the community at Miniwanca has worked to define what it means to trust others, and what it looks like to practice trusting your own self. During Something Sacred, a period of group reflection, campers discussed the importance of trust.

One of the standout points from this group think was that in order to trust someone, that person must make you feel accepted and respected. This lesson was quickly put into practice as campers joined together to sing campfire songs and share laughter. 

Following Something Sacred, campers were set to spend the day together at the historic Well Site on the outskirts of East Camp. Unfortunately, a rainy weather forecast required a change of plans.

The hike was postponed for a later date, and programming redirected toward the Activity Center. Here, campers challenged staff members to games of dodgeball, basketball and trivia. 

Campers who were more interested in participating in quieter activities moved into a breakout room in the Activity Center to play cards or read books. Some campers even learned how to strum a few guitar chords.

The day wrapped up with a game of Animal Crossing, where leaders dressed like animals and dispersed throughout camp for the campers to find. Upon finding their leaders, campers had to convince them to come back to Bryant Field in order to earn a point for their quad. 

The days ahead at Miniwanca are looking much brighter now that the rain has passed, and the community is together as one.

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This morning, the Avail campers from Girls Camp and Boys Camp gathered for team-building exercises. Activities like these begin relationship building with the campers they will work alongside throughout the summer. 

Another group of campers who are finding their groove together, are the Four Trails campers. In less than a week, Miniwanca will send these campers on their multiday adventure trips.

In order to prepare for the upcoming trips, Adventurers hiked to the Well Site in East Camp for a night of tent camping and practicing outdoor camping skills before their exploration commences. Meanwhile, the Explorers practiced canoe skills and canoe rescues on Stony Lake. 

The Darers and Seekers at Miniwanca have been hard at work trying to earn as many Quad Cup points as possible: ensuring their cabin is the cleanest in camp, searching for the lucrative golden paddle, and winning Quad Cup competitions during Night’s Doings.

On top of competing for the Quad Cup, campers have been challenging themselves during the second day of their interest group rotation. 

Each program Miniwanca offers is a unique opportunity for campers to challenge themselves, and as the days go by at Miniwanca this summer, the community will continue to grow in different ways. 

On Satruday, all Boys Camp will hike to the Well Site for one final  days of fun together before the Four Trails campers are depart for their adventure trips. Campers look forward to a fun day of swimming, yard games, card games, and fellowship.

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Today marked the first day of interest group rotations, staff-led programs designed to challenge and inspire each camper to learn and grow. Campers can choose to learn anything from sailing and pottery to Dungeons & Dragons and archery. 

Each week, campers participate in three interest group activities, each with their own four-day curriculum designed to challenge a variety of skill levels. Next week campers will have the opportunity to sign up for three different interest groups.

A typical day at Miniwanca also includes an all-camp assembly. These gatherings are a great time for community building, games and announcements. Campers were introduced to the Quad Cup at the assembly today.

While most of camp has been busy starting their first interest group rotations, Four Trails campers who will soon hit the trail began preparing for their trips in Graceland. Campers learned how to pack and cook food on trail and how to pitch tents.

On a normal day at Miniwanca, campers are given one hour of rest time following lunch, as well as one hour of personal time following the end of interest group rotations. During personal time, campers can unwind or play at the waterfront, the crafthouse or at any other staff-supervised activity. 

After dinner, all of camp congregates for Night’s Doings, which are typically competitions that yield Quad Cup points. During atypical days at Miniwanca, Night’s Doings may be a barbecue with West Camp or an ice cream social in the dining hall. 

On Tuesday, campers were assigned their quad and given their quad t-shirt. Once the campers were all proudly wearing their quad color, it was time for a battle for Middle Earth. During this game, campers were given roles on cards that would determine how they would fare during a battle with a different quad member.

The first quad cup competition came to a close, and campers went to bed excited for their interest groups to continue, and for the epic battles to come for the Quad Cup. 

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The morning interest groups (different activity groups campers can select for a period of time every week) kicked off with a strong start as campers explored different experiences such as the Wanca Spa or outdoor games. Whether it was relaxing with a book by Lake Michigan or working with community service, everyone found something to fill the block.

Though today’s routine was typical, there are always a few fun surprises in store. A Taco Tuesday lunch even included a song in honor of Taco Tuesday. The meal was only the start of the lunchtime funsies, a beloved tradition where campers can play while they eat by kicking off different activities, such as asking another cabin to sing a song or surfing atop their chairs.

Midway through the first week, campers are making progress in all their interest groups and finding their rhythm as they settle into camp life. They experienced their first Night’s Doings after dinner with the Amazing Race, a camp-ified version of the popular competitive reality show. This was  one of the first events during which the quads could start to win points toward the shield at the end of the summer.

All in all, it was a terrifically typical Tuesday at Girls Camp.

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With a fun, safe summer in mind, the first full day at Miniwanca was brimming with different activities, including morning rotations where cabin photos were taken and afternoon interest groups that whisked campers into new activities.

Night’s Doings consisted of the Opening Fire, the traditional first Night’s Doings, where everyone is formally welcomed into camp, cabin groups introduce themselves, and quads are formed. The event radiates community and connection mixed with fun songs and even funnier skits.

The Opening Fire was the perfect event to preclude Evening Reflection, which promotes quiet thought before campers and staff call it a night. Session B is off to a wonderful start as campers settle in to their home for the summer and grow closer to being their very best selves.

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Staff were happy to report another successful Opening Day for Session B. After a long day of introductions and touring Boys Camp, everyone was ready for a meal with their new cabin groups.

Cabin time continued through dinner and into the interest group showcase, where staff presented the activities everyone could sign up to try this week. Campers’ focused turned toward the fun to come this summer.

The next day, cabins rotated all over Boys Camp for orientation stations. Swim checks, presentations on maintaining physical well being, team building, and other informative safety protocol sessions took place during this rotations period. Campers were officially well-informed on how to have a fun, safe summer, which meant it was time to let the fun commence. 

Traditionally, the opening Fire Circle takes place at the end of the first full day of camp each session at Miniwanca. In preparation for this celebration, cabins also practice and perform silly skits.

After cabins delegated the roles for each skit, gathered necessary costumes, and spied on the progress of other cabins, it was time to head to the Fire Circle. 

Following the lighting of the torches and the introduction of the four folds (physical, social, spiritual, and mental) an unexpected rainstorm rolled over East Camp. Campers retreated to the Activity Center to showcase their prepared skits.

The surprise rainstorm ended up being a great way for the community to practice having a fun, safe summer, encouraging youth to look past the rainy clouds and find brighter moments of fun and community.

The campers will continue to learn about positive mindsets as interest groups start this week. During interest groups, campers are asked to choose how much they want to challenge themselves, and this creates great opportunities for goal-setting and celebrating each other’s successes.

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Boys Camp started the day with a carnival in Bryant Field. Campers began preparing for an afternoon of competition by applying face paint and donning their Quads’ colors. But before the all-camp event, Boys Campers played carnival games to win tickets to be exchanged for prizes. 

One of the most entertaining and most popular games was the dunk tank. The campers formed a line as fast as they could for a chance to dunk their favorite staff member by throwing a ball at the red target — though occasionally, fellow staff members couldn’t resist a guaranteed dunk. 

Spirits were high at the end of the carnival and the beginning of lunch. This was a time for refueling and locking in focus before a much needed hour of rest time. When campers woke up, Girls Camp was in route for Bryant Field to join with their Quad counterparts. 

The games began with team chants, sign making, and a few moments of time to size up the competition. For the next four hours, each Quad took turns sending representatives to compete in different games against the other Quads. 

Some highlights from the competition included musical chairs, where the chairs were swapped out for buckets of water, a game of capture the flag, and each Quad forming a long line with the goal of transferring a T-shirt from the beginning of the line to the end of the line the fastest. 

After the Quad Cup paused for the rest of the day, both camps celebrated their hard work with a barbecue in Bryant Field. 

Having a fun, safe summer has always been the goal at Miniwanca, and the carnival and Quad Cup were the perfect iteration of that goal. Campers went to bed happy and exhausted from the long day of celebration. 

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After breakfast, campers were given a period of free time before the long day ahead of them.

Before heading to the Wells Site, East Camp joined together in Orwig Chapel for Something Sacred, a time to reflect on the topic of trust. Cabin leaders presented personal stories, read poems, and led singalongs.

The hike to the Wells Site was longer than the typical hike to West Camp, but the views were well worth the extra distance.

Campers started playing card games, drawing, reading, hammocking, swimming at the beach and playing yard games. It was a great time to catch up with friends and relax together as a community. 

Signing up for interest groups was another exciting highlight of the day. Boys Camp was buzzing with anticipation for the week ahead. On the hike back to Bryant Field, campers and staff alike were talking about the interest groups they get to do this week.

Once the campers returned to Boys Camp, dinner was served, a satisfying meal after a long day of hiking and sunshine. To celebrate the day together, campers made s’mores before heading back to their cabins.

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Campers spent their first week of camp exploring new activities or old favorites during interest groups. Nearly every day, campers spend a block of time at these activities that cover everything from sailing and fishing to Dungeons and Dragons and learning how to build a fire. The curriculum for each interest group builds on itself, allowing campers to grow and learn more about their chosen challenge each day. Next week, campers will start a new slate of interest groups.

The program team carves out time for campers to develop each of the four folds (mental, physical, social, and spiritual) every day at Miniwanca. Morning stretch wakes up the body, and CORE wakes up the mind with a new philosophical discussion each morning. 

At the end of each day, campers discuss which activities were fun and which activities helped them learn something new at Evening Reflection. This nightly routine is an important part of the summer camp program at Miniwanca, giving campers time to contemplate the intention behind the fun. 

In other exciting news, the Summer 2022 Quad Cup is officially underway! Different cabins are united in one of four quads, working together all session to earn the most points and win the coveted Quad Cup trophy. 

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Campers are connecting with their fellow quad members as they meet to prepare skits and songs for the upcoming activities. The Avail (our oldest group) are showing leadership as they take charge to help prepare the skits and songs.

Interest Groups are in full swing as campers are practicing the skills they learned or working on the projects they started. Whether it’s creating a clay figurine, learning to play Dungeons and Dragons, or challenging themselves on the high ropes, campers are growing into their very best and learning how to be their best all the time.

The evening was full of fun, connections, and tasty treats. Night’s Doings was a surprise ice cream social in the Hollow. Cabins gathered together to converse and connect with cabin chats over custom sundaes. It was a sweet evening, and not just because of the ice cream.

The beautiful day concluded with the first beach Evening Reflection. Cabin 35 led with a few words on mindfulness. Campers and staff alike listened to the words of cabin 35 while watching the Lake Michigan sunset – a lovely ending to a wonderful Miniwanca day.

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