Miniwanca Boys Camp 2018 Archives - American Youth Foundation https://ayf.com/tag/boys-camp-2018/ Fri, 03 Aug 2018 03:37:55 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9 https://ayf.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/cropped-AYF-FAV-ICON-32x32.png Miniwanca Boys Camp 2018 Archives - American Youth Foundation https://ayf.com/tag/boys-camp-2018/ 32 32 Ride In! https://ayf.com/ride-in/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=ride-in Fri, 03 Aug 2018 03:37:55 +0000 https://ayf.com/?p=7396 On the lovely Wednesday morning everyone woke up in extreme anticipation of the excitement coming. Both Boys and Girls campers woke up a little bit early so that they could be ready for the Doc Wheels Fun Run. Both camps met at Graceland for some warm up stretches (including the liver twists of course.) And just like that they were ...

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On the lovely Wednesday morning everyone woke up in extreme anticipation of the excitement coming. Both Boys and Girls campers woke up a little bit early so that they could be ready for the Doc Wheels Fun Run. Both camps met at Graceland for some warm up stretches (including the liver twists of course.) And just like that they were off!! There were three different options for the campers to take. The first was the group for the fast runner, this path took them all through Girls and Boys Camp spitting them out on the beach to run back to the sandy shore of Girls Camp. The Second group is what we liked to call the ‘sloggers’ or the slog joggers. This route took the campers through Boys and Girls camp, but cut it just a little bit slower. Finally we had our walking group that took a leisurely walk through Girls Camp, down the road to no where and over a dune to the beach where they finished their walk on sandy Lake Michigan.

After the campers all completed their variations of the Doc Wheels Fun Run, we all congregated on the Green Acre where we had donuts, fruit and string cheese for breakfast! But the excitement was far from over…Campers grabbed their ‘welcome back’ signs and changed into their t-shirts they made especially for ride in because it was just about time. We lined the Green Acre as Odyssey rode their bikes down to meet the Voyagers in the water. All that could be heard was the cheers from loved ones screaming “we are proud of you” over and over and over again. As Odyssey and Voyager former a circle in the beautiful Lake Michigan, campers, leaders, and family lined the shore and watched as these incredible individuals sang their well deserved Founder Hearts. After they finished, campers were reunited with past leaders, siblings, and everyone in between. Tears of happiness, accomplishment, and proudness were flowing freely. We are so incredibly proud of what these campers just accomplished.

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Coed Four Trails Update!! https://ayf.com/coed-four-trails-update/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=coed-four-trails-update Wed, 01 Aug 2018 01:55:50 +0000 https://ayf.com/?p=7378 In the spirit of One Miniwanca here’s a coed blog post for Four Trails. Woohoo! It’s the final week of camp and the Four Trails groups are all converging on Miniwanca. We can feel their excitement growing, even from here. Most of our Trailblazers have been back in camp for several days now, where they’ve been enjoying the comforts of ...

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In the spirit of One Miniwanca here’s a coed blog post for Four Trails. Woohoo!

It’s the final week of camp and the Four Trails groups are all converging on Miniwanca. We can feel their excitement growing, even from here.

Most of our Trailblazers have been back in camp for several days now, where they’ve been enjoying the comforts of cabin-living and access to the BIFFs (Bathroom in the Friendly Forest). Yesterday, some of our Trailblazers came to help create a new garden at Graceland. In honor of their hard work, we’re naming it Trailblazer Garden and today they are planning on returning to put on the finishing touches. Some of the other activities Trailblazers have participated in: tribal cup, safari, leader hunt, a talent show, and Wanca Chariot.  Tonight, Trailblazers (and the rest of camp) are buzzing with excitement  as we prepare to welcome our Odyssey and Voyageur campers back.

 Explorers from Boys Camp are returning today from their canoeing excursion down the Manistee River. They’ve had beautiful, sunny days out on the water, and through several fast-moving sections of the river they’ve had the chance to practice their paddling skills. Before they left, we had some incredible discussions about how to create inclusive and supportive communities, and they’ve spent much of their trip learning how to work well as a team. Explorers from Girls Camp have all returned from their biking adventures around the coast of West Michigan. They were able to gain so much knowledge about proper cycling procedures and the rules of the road, but along the way they were able to grow closer as a community. Today when they welcomed the Adventurer campers back into camp, there were tears of excitement and an overwhelming sense of support for their older Four Trails friends. There was also an air of incredible accomplishment from our Adventurer campers as they rode into the Hollow to be greeted by all of camp. Once they placed all of their bikes on the ground, they led us in singing “Founder Hearts” before we all moved toward the dining hall for lunch.

 Adventurers from East Camp also made their triumphant return to camp today after two weeks cycling all around West Michigan. They’re excited to share their tales of Polar Bear plunges in Lake Michigan and climbing the dunes of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. We welcomed them back at dinner tonight with a sprint across Bryant Field and a run into the dining hall to the cheers of the rest of camp. Tomorrow they’ll join the rest of camp in welcoming back Odyssey and Voyageur.

The Voyageur campers are resting comfortable at the Well Site, preparing themselves for their paddle into camp tomorrow. In celebrating their return to camp tonight, they had pizza for dinner and are spending the evening doing a powerful Evening Reflection where they are remembering some of the best and most meaningful moments of their trip.

 Odyssey campers are spending the night, camping at Cassidy’s house—Cassidy is our registrar and she lives on a beautiful farm not far from camp. We visited them this evening for a cookout dinner and to begin helping them prepare for ride-in tomorrow morning. They’re incredibly excited to be  greeted by all of camp tomorrow, and we can’t wait to stand on the shores of Lake Michigan when they join the Voyageur campers and sing “Founder Hearts.”

It’s been an incredible summer for the Four Trails, and knowing that everyone will be in cabins and on site tomorrow night is a powerful feeling. So much learning has happened this summer—in  all of the Four Folds, and the Four Trails team is incredibly proud of the accomplishments of these incredible young people. Be on the lookout for a blog post later this month that will provide some more information and details on just how much the Four Trails campers accomplished this summer!

 

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Atypical Days are Loads of Fun!! https://ayf.com/atypical-days-are-loads-of-fun/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=atypical-days-are-loads-of-fun Tue, 31 Jul 2018 02:30:50 +0000 https://ayf.com/?p=7368 Three days ago Boys Camp had an atypical day! We started off the morning per usual with polar bear, flag raising, breakfast of yummy home fries, scrambled eggs, and fruit. Following breakfast we had and interest group 1 where some boys were down at the waterfront, while some played sports on Bryant Field. On the field half of our campers ...

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Three days ago Boys Camp had an atypical day! We started off the morning per usual with polar bear, flag raising, breakfast of yummy home fries, scrambled eggs, and fruit. Following breakfast we had and interest group 1 where some boys were down at the waterfront, while some played sports on Bryant Field. On the field half of our campers hopped on their brooms in a magical game of Quidditch, while others formed ranks in Captain Ball.  The light rain did not stop the campers as they ran around, tossing dodgeballs through hoops and chasing the prized Golden Snitch.

Next came lunch, a glorious meal of grilled cheeses and tomato soup… a total camp fave. All that yummy food put us all right to sleep for an extended rest hour (well some of us.)  After we all woke up from our lovely sleep we headed to the far reaches of Miniwanca property, the beautiful Well Site. When we arrived the boys played in the field, and used their survival skills to start a fire. Some campers summoned mystical beasts in games of Magic the Gathering and enjoyed the view on Lake Michigan’s shores as they splashed in the gentle waves.

For dinner we had a cookout with hamburgers and hotdogs. What a fun day we had! After our delicious dinner we made our way to the beach for an amazing Evening Reflection followed by an even more breath taking sunset.

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Tribal Cup and Thunder Dome https://ayf.com/tribal-cup-and-thunder-dome/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=tribal-cup-and-thunder-dome Mon, 30 Jul 2018 01:30:45 +0000 https://ayf.com/?p=7352 Today on the sand dunes of Miniwanca we had a little bit of an abnormal day. Boys and Girls Camp both woke up a little bit later because there was no polar bear and had breakfast. We had yummy Wancabread, which is a camp favorite. After breakfast we had some meditation time where campers found a quiet place and were ...

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Today on the sand dunes of Miniwanca we had a little bit of an abnormal day. Boys and Girls Camp both woke up a little bit later because there was no polar bear and had breakfast. We had yummy Wancabread, which is a camp favorite. After breakfast we had some meditation time where campers found a quiet place and were able to reflect or read, basically any quiet activity. When the bell rang to end meditation time, it signaled it time for Something Sacred. The Girls Camp campers made their way up to Church of the Dunes, while Boys Camp went to Orwig Chapel. They listened to different campers from every age group talk about what a spiritual practice is to them. The campers discussed how freedom, transformation, kindness, and presence are all spiritual practices to them and why that is so.

Following Something Sacred both camps went to eat lunch at their respective Eating Lodges. Lunch today was chicken tenders, macaroni and cheese, and veggies! We could not have asked for a better lunch if we tried. After lunch we all got to have an extended rest hour in preparation for our exciting next half of the day!

After rest hour Boys and Girls Camp all met up in the Girls Camp’s Council Circle for the Tribal Cup. Everyone was decked out in their Tribal shirts and glitter!! During Tribal Cup the different Tribes at Boys and Girls Camp come together to form Super-Tribes if you will. The Sands and the Trails combine to be the Sails. The Creeks and the Dunes form to make the Crunes. The Draws and the Breakers join to make the Dreakers. Lastly, the Ridges and the Beaches form the Reaches. The campers joined their new Tribes and spent the day completing different tasks around camp. We all ended up in East Camp on Bryant Field for the ultimate set of games during the Thunder Dome. We played games such as the 3-legged race, dragon tag, and costume relays. It was a wonderful way to have our whole Miniwanca community come together for a day of fun and games.

Following the festivities on Bryant Field we all had a lovely cookout with burgers, pasta salad, and delicious watermelon. All the campers got to eat and talk with each other, making new friends as they went along. After a jam packed day Girls Camp said goodbye to the boys as they made the trek home. Girls Camp came back home to have a lovely movie night, as they watched ‘The Greatest Showman’, while Boys Camp split up into cabins for their Night’s Doings. A lovely sunset made for a perfect end to everyone’s night.

 

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Michigan to New Hampshire, and Soon to be Back!! https://ayf.com/michigan-to-new-hampshire-and-soon-to-be-back/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=michigan-to-new-hampshire-and-soon-to-be-back Thu, 26 Jul 2018 00:05:14 +0000 https://ayf.com/?p=7312 It’s a beautiful morning at Miniwanca and at Graceland. Blue-bird skies and all the sunshine you could ever want. Stony Creek is rushing after the rain this week, and the wild raspberries just finished ripening. The campers and leaders are running back and forth, grabbing their gear and checking out bikes. As we move into the last week and a ...

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It’s a beautiful morning at Miniwanca and at Graceland. Blue-bird skies and all the sunshine you could ever want. Stony Creek is rushing after the rain this week, and the wild raspberries just finished ripening.

The campers and leaders are running back and forth, grabbing their gear and checking out bikes. As we move into the last week and a half of camp, our final trips are departing and there’s a nostalgic feeling all around Graceland.

 Trailblazers departed moments ago for their 3-day hike in the Manistee National Forest. They’ll hike nearly 20 miles on the North Country National Scenic Trail experiencing some of the most beautiful forested land Michigan has to offer.

Our Explorers are back in camp after 4 days of cycling around the coast of West Michigan. Yesterday they participated in the many different Founders Day activities, and today they’ll begin preparing for their 6-day canoe trip down the Manistee River. This morning they packed up all their gear and food into dry bags. They’ll spend the afternoon canoeing on Stony Lake and Stony Creek to start practicing paddling and boating skills they’ll need for their excursion.

 Adventurer campers have completed half of their cycling trip up the coast of West Michigan. For the next two days they’ll be on the Leelanau Peninsula, enjoying afternoon ice cream and sunsets on the beach. They’re excited for the second half of the trip where they’ll bike through central Michigan and the Manistee National Forest on their way back to camp. It’s possible that they’ll cross paths with our Explorers who are canoeing close to where the Adventurers will be biking!

 Voyageurs are enjoying a gorgeous silver (cloudy) day in the Georgian Bay. They are crossing channels to wild, uninhabited islands and are becoming much more confident in their paddling skills. They’re learning to read currents and the weather, and more than that they are settling into a wonderful sense of family that has developed within their group as the weeks have passed. We’ll be picking them up in just five short days, so we hope they’re enjoying their final days on the water!

Our Odyssey campers will experience a culminating point in their cross-country Odyssey today as they ride into Merrowvista. They’ll be greeted with cheers from Merrowvista campers and staff as they ride in past the Farmhouse, drop their bikes, then run down and dive into Dan Hole Pond. They’re having to work around some cloudy and rainy weather today as they plan their ride in, but they’re excited nevertheless.

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Boys Camp 4 Trails Update https://ayf.com/boys-camp-4-trails-update/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=boys-camp-4-trails-update Mon, 23 Jul 2018 01:55:02 +0000 https://ayf.com/?p=7230 Graceland has been quiet these past couple of days as most of our Four Trails campers are out experiencing some of the most beautiful parts of the American landscape. It’s been a week of exciting adventure and significant learning in the Four Trails program, so here’s an update for you! Trailblazers are gearing up for their big week of adventures. ...

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Graceland has been quiet these past couple of days as most of our Four Trails campers are out experiencing some of the most beautiful parts of the American landscape. It’s been a week of exciting adventure and significant learning in the Four Trails program, so here’s an update for you!

Trailblazers are gearing up for their big week of adventures. They spent yesterday morning packing gear and food for their hiking and canoe trips that depart today and tomorrow. It was a bit rainy out on Graceland field, but they made the most of the moment by dancing, laughing, and singing in the rain.

 Explorers are nearing the end of their 4-day cycling trip around the coast of West Michigan. They spent last night in Ludington and are headed to Pentwater tonight. David Cunningham, our Boys Camp Four Trails coordinator will join them for an evening reflection on trail (and will bring them dessert as a treat from the in-camp community!). Tomorrow they’ll  ride to camp and begin preparing for the canoeing adventure!

 Adventurers are making their way up the coast of West Michigan. They spent last night at a rustic campground on a lake in Central Michigan and are headed to Manistee today. They’re grateful for some sunshine today after two rainy days, and we’re hoping they get the chance to dry out their tents and cycling clothes when they get into camp today.

 Voyageurs are continuing their journey after a wonderful couple of days at re-ration. At re-ration, they received mail, food, and the warm company of the other Voyageur groups. Our driver brought them some well-earned pizza for the first night of re-ration and then on the second night together they had a cookout. For the final week and a half of their trip, they will be taking it slow and enjoying the sights and sounds of the wilderness once more.

 Odyssey is nearing the end of their cross-country journey. Yesterday they ferried across Lake Champlain, ending their time in New York and beginning their ride across Vermont. They are scheduled to arrive at Merrowvista on Wednesday where they’ll be greeted with a classic Merrowvista ride-in and a dip in Dan Hole Pond. They’ll have a full Merrowvista experience while they’re there for four days of well-earned rest. They’ll hike Mount Flagg, canoe around Dan Hole pond, and lead a powerful evening reflection where they’ll talk about the learning they experienced while on their Odyssey.

 

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Techno Taco Tuesday- A Boy’s Camp Tradition https://ayf.com/techno-taco-tuesday-a-boys-camp-tradition/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=techno-taco-tuesday-a-boys-camp-tradition Wed, 18 Jul 2018 23:43:18 +0000 https://ayf.com/?p=7171 Yesterday in Boy’s Camp, we had our first full typical day; full of Interest Groups like Woodshop, Archery, Fishing, Paddle Sports, Soccer, and even a little bit of Dragon Slaying! The highlight, however, was our lunch time activity. A long-standing tradition at camp: Techno Taco Tuesday!!!! It all started peacefully enough, with the illusion that in the time since last ...

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Yesterday in Boy’s Camp, we had our first full typical day; full of Interest Groups like Woodshop, Archery, Fishing, Paddle Sports, Soccer, and even a little bit of Dragon Slaying! The highlight, however, was our lunch time activity. A long-standing tradition at camp: Techno Taco Tuesday!!!!

It all started peacefully enough, with the illusion that in the time since last summer, camp had decided to ditch Techno Taco Tuesday, and instead replace it with Tuba Taco Tuesday. And so we opened our meal with a beautiful tuba solo by Øystein Baadsvik, playing Vittorio Monti’s Czardas (here’s a link to what can only be described as totally tubular: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYOsNp4O7AU) .

But Techno is the heartbeat of Boy’s Camp, and the madness could go on no longer! A revolt was staged by a group of cabin leaders, and Øystein was Øusted, to be replaced by such timeless classics as Darude’s Sandstorm, along with its accompanying conga line and the exuberant chants of “MILK! MILK! MILK!” escaping through the open windows of the Dining Hall.

Suffice it to say that Techno Taco Tuesday is a weird place and time, but here at camp, we embrace the weird in all of us!  Be sure to ask your boys all about all of the wacky funzies we get up to during lunch at Boy’s Camp, because it’s one of our favorite parts of the day, especially on Tuesdays!

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Boys Camp Four Trails Update https://ayf.com/boys-camp-4trails-update/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=boys-camp-4trails-update Tue, 17 Jul 2018 23:59:31 +0000 https://ayf.com/?p=7153 Camp has begun and we couldn’t be more excited to welcome so many Four Trails campers into the sacred sand dunes of Miniwanca. We’ll be posting here several times throughout the session to update you on all the wonderful things happening in the world of Four Trails.  Trailblazers are settling in nicely in their second night of camp. They had ...

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Camp has begun and we couldn’t be more excited to welcome so many Four Trails campers into the sacred sand dunes of Miniwanca. We’ll be posting here several times throughout the session to update you on all the wonderful things happening in the world of Four Trails.

 Trailblazers are settling in nicely in their second night of camp. They had an exciting opening council tonight, and though it’s been a hot day here at Miniwanca, they enjoyed some swimming in Stony Lake this morning.

Explorers spent their morning doing swim checks and then this afternoon they participated in First Aid Rotations with the Explorer campers from Girls Camp. They learned about the many ways they can support each other and their leaders in a situation where first aid is needed—they even did some yoga with one of the Explorer leaders, Nicole, to talk about healthy breathing and how it keeps you calm and feeling better.

Our Adventurer campers spent the afternoon alongside the Explorers on the Graceland field, but they spent their time with the Adventurers from Girls Camp learning the anatomy of a bike and some basic bike maintenance that will be useful for their time on trail. The Adventurers set out tomorrow morning for a day-ride to Whippi Dip and back—maybe they’ll get ice cream!

 Voyageurs are readying themselves for their re-ration, coming up this Thursday. They’ll be meeting up with a driver in Britt, Ontario to restock their food, medical supplies, group gear, and mail for their next several weeks on trail. It’s always a happy time. There’s usually good food and some car-camping after a couple weeks of kayaking through the wilderness. They’ve had some rainy and foggy weather these past few days of kayaking through French River Provincial Park, so we know they’re looking forward to some comfort soon.

Our Odyssey cyclists are powering through New York and have officially made it into the mountains. These past 3 weeks of cycling have prepared their bodies and minds for this tougher terrain and they’re ready to support their group-mates as the cycling becomes more difficult—all the way to New Hampshire! They’ll also be receiving some encouragement tomorrow from their friends and family in the form of mail. They’re really settling into the groove of trail life and I’m so excited for them to experience the beauty of the Appalachian Mountains.

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4Trails Boys Camp Update! https://ayf.com/4trails-boys-camp-update/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=4trails-boys-camp-update Wed, 11 Jul 2018 00:16:21 +0000 https://ayf.com/?p=7081 The world of Four Trails is coming to a close for our Session A campers, but we wanted to reach out to offer one final update! Trailblazers are finishing up their time in camp in impressive ways—they’ve received the cleanest cabin award several times now! They’re still reminiscing about their days hiking and canoeing in the Manistee National forest, but ...

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The world of Four Trails is coming to a close for our Session A campers, but we wanted to reach out to offer one final update!

Trailblazers are finishing up their time in camp in impressive ways—they’ve received the cleanest cabin award several times now! They’re still reminiscing about their days hiking and canoeing in the Manistee National forest, but their thoughts have mostly been focused on tribal cup, interest groups, and the occasional pool party down at the waterfront.

 Explorers rejoined our community this afternoon after their hiking trip to Tahquamenon Falls State Park. They were able to see both the Lower and Upper Falls and even took some well-deserved showers at their campground last night. They’re excited to spend their next couple of days in the luxury of their cabins and meals that are already prepared for them!

The Adventurer campers are enjoying their penultimate day of cycling in nearby Ludington and Pentwater. They’ll rejoin camp tomorrow after two weeks of cycling up the incredible coast of West Michigan—seeing Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, the Leelanau Peninsula, and no shortage of inland lakes that were perfect for afternoon swimming.

Our Voyageurs recently embarked on the adventure of a lifetime. After many days of trip preparation and travel time, the Voyageurs begin kayaking today. They’ve already sent back some pictures so be sure to check out the 4T Trail Photos to see some of their adventures.

 Odyssey riders are making their way back into the US tomorrow after spending a full rest day at Niagara Falls today. They’ve been looking forward to this for a while and it’s always a highlight of the trip. Some photos of their adventures have been uploaded to SmugMug so be sure to check them out!

Check back in tomorrow to see what our in camp campers are up to!

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Tribal Cup https://ayf.com/tribal-cup/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=tribal-cup Mon, 09 Jul 2018 01:36:32 +0000 https://ayf.com/?p=7062 Today on the sand dunes of Miniwanca we had a little bit of an abnormal day. Boys and Girls Camp both woke up a little bit later and had breakfast. We had yummy Wancabread, which is a camp favorite. After breakfast we had some meditation time where campers found a quiet place and were able to reflect or read, basically ...

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Today on the sand dunes of Miniwanca we had a little bit of an abnormal day. Boys and Girls Camp both woke up a little bit later and had breakfast. We had yummy Wancabread, which is a camp favorite. After breakfast we had some meditation time where campers found a quiet place and were able to reflect or read, basically any quiet activity. When the bell rang to end meditation time, it signaled it time for Something Sacred. The Girls Camp campers made their way up to Church of the Dunes where they would listen to different campers from every age group talk about what a spiritual practice is to them. The campers discussed how love, joy, transformation, and presence are all spiritual practices to them and why that is so.

Following Something Sacred both camps went to eat lunch at their respective Eating Lodges. Lunch today was chicken tenders, macaroni and cheese, and veggies! We could not have asked for a better lunch if we tried. After lunch we all got to have an extended rest hour in preparation for our exciting next half of the day!

After rest hour Boys and Girls Camp all met up in the Girls Camp’s Council Circle for the Tribal Cup. Everyone was decked out in their Tribal shirts and face paint. During Tribal Cup the different Tribes at Boys and Girls Camp come together to form Super-Tribes if you will. The Sands and the Trails combine to be the Sails. The Creeks and the Dunes form to make the Crunes. The Draws and the Breakers join to make the Dreakers. Lastly, the Ridges and the Beaches form the Reaches. The campers joined their new Tribes and spent the day completing different tasks around camp. We all ended up in East Camp on Bryant Field for the ultimate set of games during the Thunder Dome. We played games such as the 3-legged race, dragon tag, and costume relays. It was a wonderful way to have our whole Miniwanca community come together for a day of fun and games.

Following the festivities on Bryant Field we all had a lovely cookout with burgers, pasta salad, and delicious watermelon. All the campers got to eat and talk with each other, making new friends as they went along. After a jam packed day Girls Camp said goodbye to the boys as they made the trek home. A lovely sunset made for a perfect end to our night.

Keep checkin back for more updates!

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Well Site Day! https://ayf.com/well-site-day/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=well-site-day Sat, 07 Jul 2018 02:56:56 +0000 https://ayf.com/?p=7042 It’s been a truly perfect day in Boys Camp today! We enjoyed the break in the early week heat and it provided the perfect chance for us to have an exciting adventure. After some tasty sausages, french toast, and oranges for breakfast, camp was well underway. Campers had their final morning interest group for this round of IGs and then ...

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It’s been a truly perfect day in Boys Camp today! We enjoyed the break in the early week heat and it provided the perfect chance for us to have an exciting adventure.

After some tasty sausages, french toast, and oranges for breakfast, camp was well underway. Campers had their final morning interest group for this round of IGs and then headed straight out to the Well Site after rest hour! The Well Site is on the far south end of our property, about a half mile or so hike from Boys Camp. Hanging out there provides campers a chance to chill, hammock, play around, and have time in Lake Michigan! After a fun and relaxing afternoon we all headed back to Boys Camp for dinner on Bryant Field.

We rounded out the night with a few fun adventures for all. The Darers and Challengers took on the staff in a wildly competitive game of Camper vs. Staff Soccer. The Avail campers also had a ton of fun, and engaged in a co-ed Boys and Girls Camp Avail 4 way capture the flag bonanza! It was an incredible night full of lots of adventure for everyone.

Now, as the sun sets over Miniwanca, campers are snuggling down in their sleeping bags and readying themselves for another grand adventure tomorrow.

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On The Sand Dunes of Boys Camp https://ayf.com/on-the-sand-dunes-of-boys-camp/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=on-the-sand-dunes-of-boys-camp Wed, 04 Jul 2018 00:24:10 +0000 https://ayf.com/?p=7007 Today, while on the highest point on Boys Camp, Mount Baldy, the Darer community had an excellent conversation about their surroundings: the sand dunes, the plants, the trees, and the wildlife.  This gave them a chance to connect with nature and gain respect for their environment. At the same time, the Challenger community had an hour to relax and float ...

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Today, while on the highest point on Boys Camp, Mount Baldy, the Darer community had an excellent conversation about their surroundings: the sand dunes, the plants, the trees, and the wildlife.  This gave them a chance to connect with nature and gain respect for their environment.

At the same time, the Challenger community had an hour to relax and float down Stony Creek as a group. This has always been a fun activity that campers get to do. We are so lucky to have the opportunity to interact with the environment in the ways we do here at Miniwanca.

Additionally, the Boys Avail community had an opportunity to play games and start conversations with the Girls Avail community. These Avail campers are the role models of our camps. They discussed how to lead, and that sometimes being a leader means taking a step back and giving someone else the opportunity to voice their opinions.

Each day throughout the week, each camper chooses 3 different interest groups. This week those Interest Groups include: sailing, fishing, football, archery, woodshop, basketball, crafthouse, etc.  This gives campers an opportunity to learn a new skill or to improve upon a previous interest.

Stay tune for more updates about our Fourth of July carnival and festivities tomorrow!

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In Camp and on Trail Updates!! https://ayf.com/in-camp-and-on-trail-updates/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=in-camp-and-on-trail-updates Tue, 03 Jul 2018 01:07:07 +0000 https://ayf.com/?p=6979 After several hot days out on trail, campers woke to a cooler morning thanks to a rain storm that moved through Michigan last night. Here’s a 4T update as we move into our second week of summer camp at Miniwanca:  Trailblazers depart today for their canoe trip. They’ll spend the next two days canoeing several miles down the Manistee River. Over ...

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After several hot days out on trail, campers woke to a cooler morning thanks to a rain storm that moved through Michigan last night. Here’s a 4T update as we move into our second week of summer camp at Miniwanca:

 Trailblazers depart today for their canoe trip. They’ll spend the next two days canoeing several miles down the Manistee River. Over the past couple of days they’ve been practicing their paddling and camping skills and after packing their group gear and personal items into dry bags this morning, they’re incredibly excited to get out on the water—and they couldn’t ask for better weather!

 Explorers arrived back to camp yesterday after battling a headwind for most of their 35 mile bike ride. After much needed showers and down time, they joined the rest of the in-camp community for a celebration of their accomplishment and a warm welcome back into camp. I spoke with them this morning and their main comment was how happy they were to sleep in their cabins instead of their tents!

The Adventurer campers are making incredible progress as they cycle their way through Michigan up to the Leelanau Peninsula. After a long day of cycling today, they’ll have a shorter day tomorrow as they near Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. They plan on spending some time in the dunes before moving on to their next stop!

 Voyageurs arrived yesterday and will spend the next week in camp preparing for the epic kayaking adventure in the Georgian Bay of Canada. They’ll have several day-paddling excursions before going on an overnight kayaking trip at our nearby Well Site camping area that’s right on the shore of Lake Michigan. We’re happy to be able to spend some one-on-one time with the group this week before they head out on their trip!

Odyssey campers are only one day way from their first couple of rest days in Algonac. After resting up, they’ll be headed into Canada on Thursday! It’s been quite warm in Michigan, so several groups have been taking it a bit slower and biking more in the morning to avoid the hottest hours of the day. Crossing into Canada is a huge milestone for the trip, so we’re super excited to check in with them as they continue on their adventure!

In camp campers had a wonderful start to the day with a breakfast of bagels, hard boiled eggs, and fruit. Following breakfast the boys went through a rotation of swim checks, and cabin photos! The pictures were so creative this year!!

After a delicious lunch of grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup the campers headed off to rest hour. Rest hour was followed by interest groups where the campers got to play dodge ball, go swimming and just about everything in between. We had a fun cookout on Bryant Field for dinner. Dinner was barbecue chicken, mashed potatoes and peas. We had Opening Council tonight where campers were (re)introduced to many of our Miniwanca traditions. We also got to sing a lot of fun camp songs! Evening Reflection was held in beautiful Orwig Chapel and led us right into bedtime.

Keep checking back for more updates!

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Opening Day for 2 Weekers! https://ayf.com/opening-day-for-2-weekers-2/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=opening-day-for-2-weekers-2 Mon, 02 Jul 2018 02:01:13 +0000 https://ayf.com/?p=6966 Today we welcomed our two week campers into our Boys Camp community!  Energy and excitement eveloped Boys Camp today with the second wave of Miniwanca Magic this summer. Our new campers will be staying in our Miniwanca community for two and five weeks. The five weekers are our Voyager campers who journey to the Georgian Bay in Canada for a ...

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Today we welcomed our two week campers into our Boys Camp community!  Energy and excitement eveloped Boys Camp today with the second wave of Miniwanca Magic this summer. Our new campers will be staying in our Miniwanca community for two and five weeks. The five weekers are our Voyager campers who journey to the Georgian Bay in Canada for a grand kayaking adventure.

After a delicious dinner of pasta, bread sticks and roasted broccoli, the youngest members of Boys Camp rushed to sign up for the Interest Groups classes that they’ll be participating in over this upcoming week. From Football to Stony Lake Pool Party to Yoga to Paddle Sports on Stony Lake, the options are endless. Campers then ventured down to Council Circle where they learned their Tribal affiliation and performed creative cabin introduction cheers. After Council Circle, we all made our way to the cabins for sweet dreams of what tomorrow has in store.

Our second opening day of the summer was a grand success! We cannot wait for all the memories that will be made this summer!

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One Week Closing Day https://ayf.com/one-week-closing-day/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=one-week-closing-day Sun, 01 Jul 2018 00:00:00 +0000 https://ayf.com/?p=6957 We had to say goodbye to our one weekers today, which was very sad. We are so happy to have had the opportunity to have them in our Boys Camp community and cannot wait to see them back next summer. After a breakfast of eggs and hash browns the one week campers and leaders made their way all the way ...

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We had to say goodbye to our one weekers today, which was very sad. We are so happy to have had the opportunity to have them in our Boys Camp community and cannot wait to see them back next summer. After a breakfast of eggs and hash browns the one week campers and leaders made their way all the way to Girls Camp Council Circle for closing council. All the one weekers were gifted Founder Medals, which is a tradition started from one of Miniwanca’s founders, William H. Danforth. We wear them to remind us to live by the AYF motto and be our best selves all the time.

The three weekers went to Miniwanca’s Wells site for some fun Lake Michigan beach time after a delicious lunch of sandwiches. We also had the opportunity to learn how to build a fire at the Wells site. After a great afternoon of swimming and games we wandered back to the Stony Lake waterfront where we had our very own cookout! We had hotdogs and hamburgers, and you cannot forget the watermelon. We also had nice cold ice cream to cool us off on this warm Miniwanca day. After our tummies were full we settled down for a movie inside the boat house (Boys Camp Tradition.) It calmed us down just the right amount before heading to our cabin for some good shut eye before two weeker opening day tomorrow!

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Four Trails Adventures https://ayf.com/4-trails-adventures/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=4-trails-adventures Fri, 29 Jun 2018 23:40:41 +0000 https://ayf.com/?p=6947 It’s been a busy week for Four Trails—campers have been busy preparing for their adventures. Here’s the breakdown of what the trip groups have been up to since their arrival at camp on Sunday:  Trailblazers have spent their days in camp experiencing Interest Groups, Community Time, Nights Doings, and Evening Reflections. They’re a large cabin with so much presence at camp and ...

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It’s been a busy week for Four Trails—campers have been busy preparing for their adventures. Here’s the breakdown of what the trip groups have been up to since their arrival at camp on Sunday:

 Trailblazers have spent their days in camp experiencing Interest Groups, Community Time, Nights Doings, and Evening Reflections. They’re a large cabin with so much presence at camp and it’s been wonderful seeing them interact with the younger cabins during meal times. Last night, they spent some time out on the water learning basic paddling strokes and getting more comfortable in canoes as they begin to think about their canoeing and hiking trips next week.

The Explorers departed yesterday for their 4 day bike trip to Ludington—they stayed in Hart last night after a short bike ride along the Hart-Montague Bicycle Trail. This past week they’ve spent their days at the bike shop learning basic bike maintenance, correct riding procedure, and the rules of the road. They’ve made plenty of time for fun, joking around, and playing games with the rest of the East Camp community.

 Adventurers packed up last night for the beginning of their 13-day journey up the coast of Lake Michigan to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and the Leelanau Peninsula. It’s been nice to see them offering bike maintenance and camping advice to the Explorers as they’ve prepared for their adventures together.

The Odyssey campers returned from their overnight shakedown two days ago and spent yesterday packing and making final preparations for their epic journey to New Hampshire. They were all smiles as their fellow campers sang “Happy Trails” to them yesterday morning at breakfast—after which they biked out of camp headed east for much of the day.  They’re stayed in the Huron-Manistee National Forest before continuing their journey this morning.

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Happy Trails Ody! https://ayf.com/happy-trails-ody/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=happy-trails-ody Fri, 29 Jun 2018 00:21:00 +0000 https://ayf.com/?p=6930 Thursday began just like any other with our beloved polar bear call sending our campers jumping out of their bunks to Stony Lake. We had a fantastic assorted breakfast breads (cinnamon, poppy seed, blueberry, and chocolate chip.) I bet you can guess which one was the biggest hit! The Boys’ Camp community had to say goodbye to our Four Trails ...

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Thursday began just like any other with our beloved polar bear call sending our campers jumping out of their bunks to Stony Lake. We had a fantastic assorted breakfast breads (cinnamon, poppy seed, blueberry, and chocolate chip.) I bet you can guess which one was the biggest hit!

The Boys’ Camp community had to say goodbye to our Four Trails friends this morning.  The boys’ Odyssey and boys’ Explorer trips left on their respective biking and hiking journeys.  Odyssey will be cycling 1,400 miles to our AYF sister camp, Merrowvista in New Hampshire over the next 6 weeks.  Explorer will be hiking in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore as well as cycling in coastal Michigan over the next two weeks.  They were an active part of our community throughout the last five days, acting as role models for our younger campers.  The Four Trails participants and trip leaders will be missed, but will return to Miniwanca with determination, endurance, knowledge, and perseverance.

Today has been especially warm so we have been reminding our campers to put on lots of sunscreen and drink even more water. It has been an exceptional day for our waterfront IGs because of the heat. Everyone has been coolin’ on down in Stony Lake.

Lunch was amazing as always. We had some quesadillas, veggie chili, and of course the trusty salad bar. Rest hour was a hit because the sun had somewhat zapped our energy. After a much needed rest, we went to our Council Circle for Assembly. Assembly is where we sing song, and put on skits for the campers!

Dinner was great, we had some herb chicken, potatoes Au gratin, and carrots! And we cannot forget about dessert!! Dessert tonight was amazing and delicious chocolate chip cookie ice cream sandwiches. Dinner led right into some of our campers’s favorite time of the day, night’s doings.  Today was a big day for night’s doings, where the four tribes compete in a friendly, competitive activity.  One of those activities was WancaKart, comparable to the classic Nintendo 64 video game, Mario Kart, with cardboard, rope, and duct tape.  WancaKart gives each tribe an opportunity to build a cardboard cart and race them around a track, Flintstones style.  This race will include power-ups and obstacles such as Blue Shells, Gold Stars, Banana Peels, etc., just like in Mario Kart.  The campers will have fun and be safe while building their carts and racing around the track.

After a settling Evening Reflection we all scurried to our bunks for a great night sleep. See you all tomorrow!

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Halfway Through the First Week! https://ayf.com/halfway-through-the-first-week/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=halfway-through-the-first-week Wed, 27 Jun 2018 23:59:04 +0000 https://ayf.com/?p=6921 This morning started off a little dewy, but that did not stop those polar bears from jumping on into Stony Lake! After everyone was dried off, we headed on down to the Eating Lodge for some egg sandwich fixings for breakfast. Huge thank you to the amazing food program that keeps our bellies happy everyday at camp. In Boys Camp, ...

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This morning started off a little dewy, but that did not stop those polar bears from jumping on into Stony Lake! After everyone was dried off, we headed on down to the Eating Lodge for some egg sandwich fixings for breakfast. Huge thank you to the amazing food program that keeps our bellies happy everyday at camp.

In Boys Camp, the Darers, Challengers, Avails, and Four Trails were recently broken up into 4 tribes (the Breakers, the Beaches, the Sands, and the Creeks) that compete in friendly activities and games, for the chance to have their tribal name forever engraved on the wall of Stony Lodge as the 2018 tribal cup champion. This afternoon, the tribes competed in Capture the Flag and Smash Ball (a combination of ultimate frisbee and handball).

Today after lunch, rest hour was especially quiet due to the full bellies the campers had from pizza at lunch. Rest hour gives them an opportunity to re-energize for a full afternoon and evening of fun activities. Camp Miniwanca values the benefits of a rest hour for campers to always feel energized, alert, stress free, and more creative.

After an afternoon jam packed with IGs of fishing, football, and frisbee the campers had some free time to hang with buddies. Some even hiked our huge sand dune called Mt. Baldy. Dinner was amazing meatloaf, green beans, and baked potatoes. Oh, and you can’t forget rice crispies for dessert!!

Stay tune for more Boys’ Camp updates each day!

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First Typical Day at Boys Camp https://ayf.com/first-typical-day-at-boys-camp/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=first-typical-day-at-boys-camp Wed, 27 Jun 2018 01:22:19 +0000 https://ayf.com/?p=6910 Today was an exciting day at Boys Camp! Some of us began our day with a dip in Stony Lake for Polar Bear while others chose to get just a few more minutes of sleep. After Flag raising Explorer campers shared some reflections and dared us to think about how we contribute to maintaining a Positive Community at camp. It ...

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Today was an exciting day at Boys Camp! Some of us began our day with a dip in Stony Lake for Polar Bear while others chose to get just a few more minutes of sleep. After Flag raising Explorer campers shared some reflections and dared us to think about how we contribute to maintaining a Positive Community at camp. It was clear by some of the “shout outs” given by campers to other campers who they noticed doing good, that Boys Camp is a happy place to be.

We enjoyed pancakes and bacon for breakfast, and since today is “Techno Taco Tuesday” we had taco’s and nacho’s for lunch while the Eating Lodge was filled with some pretty fun techno music and dance moves.

Some of us also had a chance to go big foot hunting, do some creative writing, go fishing, do some work in the woodshop, play spike ball and participate in all kinds of other interest groups. All in all, I’d say it’s been a pretty great day on Boys Camp!

Dinner was delicious Kung Pao chicken, rice, and veggie spring rolls, can’t get much better than that. After cleaning the Eating Lodge we got into an intense night’s doings of Wizards and Lizards. This is where campers get better acquainted to different areas around camp, while playing goofy games at each site. The night was finished off by a beautiful evening reflection setting campers in a reflective, quieter mood just in time for bed.

We can’t wait to see what tomorrow has in store!

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First Full Miniwanca Day https://ayf.com/first-full-miniwanca-day/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=first-full-miniwanca-day Mon, 25 Jun 2018 23:26:51 +0000 https://ayf.com/?p=6895 Campers woke up this morning with as much excitement as they have on Christmas morning! After a yummy breakfast both Girls and Boys Camps went through the ‘Fun, Safe, Summer’ rotations where they (re)learned the ins and outs of this place we love so much. During these rotations we all went down to Stony Lake for swim checks at the ...

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Campers woke up this morning with as much excitement as they have on Christmas morning! After a yummy breakfast both Girls and Boys Camps went through the ‘Fun, Safe, Summer’ rotations where they (re)learned the ins and outs of this place we love so much. During these rotations we all went down to Stony Lake for swim checks at the waterfront. And how could we forget cabin photos! Everyone was so creative this year.

Cabin Photos

After such a packed morning we scarfed down a delicious lunch, followed by a much needed rest hour. The LITs woke everybody up with a hilarious Assembly filled with skits and songs to get us movin’ and groovin’.

Then interest group time was upon us. Stony Lake paddle sports, t-shirt time, and yoga, oh my! All the campers were able to stretch their four folds with the wide variety of options available. Free time followed interest groups, allowing the campers to hang out with both new and old camp friends.

After dinner Girls Camp participated in the famous Miniwanca version of The Amazing Race game for Night’s Doings. While across campus the Boys Camp had an awesome game of Wizard’s and Lizards! Both camps proceeded to move into some R fold activities with Evening Reflection. Girls Camp focused on today’s theme, which is Preparation. We all  scurried off to our bays where we brushed out teeth and got into our pajamas, ready for bed after our first full day at Miniwanca!

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