Bittersweet Saturdays

It is hard to believe it is the second day of August already! It seems like just yesterday we were finishing school and starting to get camp ready. This week certainly turned out to be another amazing week! With plenty of sunshine and some warmer weather, our campers sure had a blast on the water and in the land (and some in the air!). Wednesday night was a bit of a surprise for campers, and certainly something that would only happen at Camp Daggett. While introducing “Slug Fest 2014” (a celebration of all things slug related), our assistant program director Nathan was kidnapped by none other than the Joker and Loki, and thus began superhero night! After some superhero training, all of our campers went around and honed their skills. Everything ended well as Nathan was rescued by some of the avengers at the conclusion of the night.
Thursday was another fantastic day with some more great weather. Campers certainly loved going out to the raft, and yak boarding is always a hit. But it was Thursday night that took the stage as Medieval Night came to town. Campers always love it when dinner is a little special, and Medieval Night is certainly one not to be missed. Our night cook Dennis prepared some amazing roast beef, and then sliced it up right in front of campers. Of course, this was all under the direction of our King and Queen (Brandon and Sara). After dinner, campers got a chance to practice their archery, get a fortune told, and even practice their jousting skills. The biggest hit may have been the stockades, where campers got a chance to soak our staff with some wet sponges.

As always, Fridays never see a dull moment. Rest hour is certainly appreciated after a long morning of parties and games in every area. Friday evening is also when we hold our weekly Initiation ceremony. This night starts with some awards, recognizing campers who have helped to make the week extra special. The night ends with our special ceremony, which is truly something unique. Almost every camper can recall their veryfirst initiation, and everyone helps to contribute to the magic that is Friday night. If you haven’t already, please take a moment to complete our Parent/Camper evaluation survey by clicking here.

Campers enjoy some face paint during Medieval night

Scotty, the Chippewa cabin counselor, is buried while playing Nuke ‘Em on Friday,

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We’re going to say goodbye…

As another week winds to a close, it is always wonderful to look back and see some of the growth and maturation that has occurred in many of our campers. Whether it was their first time away from home or if someone is a lifetime camper, everyone who attends Camp Daggett walks away with lots of new experiences, memories, and most importantly, friends. There is nothing quite like seeing the hugs at check out and the many calls of “see you next summer” to both campers and staff at check-out. It is truly fantastic to see how campers connect to each other and to our staff during their short time here. It is always our goal here to make sure that campers have the best week of their whole summer during their stay with us.

If you have not already, please take a minute to talk with your camper about their week and fill our our “Parent/Camper Evaluation” by clicking here or by going to the address on the form you received at check out. The comments and feedback are very helpful and help us to shape our programming at Camp Daggett. Don’t forget, one lucky respondent will be drawn at random to receive a week’s tuition at Camp for next year!

What a way to end a week!

Well Week 3 certainly ended with a bang!To help celebrate our independence day, campers skipped free land and free water, and instead got to enjoy a festive atmosphere at our carnival. From hay rides to pie eating contests and much more, no detail was spared in making sure campers got to really celebrate the 4th away from home. After the carnival, our campers got a chance to have a little picnic complete with hamburgers, hot dogs, watermelon, and all of the “fixins.” After awards and our initiation ceremony, we of course had some amazing fireworks. And not to fear, our adventure trip made it back safe and sound. They had an amazing time in the Porcupine Mountains, and have plenty of stories to share. They even put on a little skit this morning at breakfast!

If you haven’t already, please be sure to complete the Parent/Camper evaluation survey described on the sheet you received at check-out, or click here. If you complete the survey, you will be entered into a drawing for a free “campership” for the summer of 2015!

Campers march in our own 4th of July parade

Some of the activities we had at our carnival

We even had our very own fortune teller!

Week 5 is all done :(

Week five was certainly an eventful one! A huge kudos goes out to the staff for being super flexible in dealing with the weather. Friday morning definitely was hectic, with a chance of thunderstorms all morning. Campers still got to have fun, whether it was inside or out. Thursday night was also a favorite for campers- “Survivor Night.” In addition to earning points throughout the day, cabins competed in many challenges at night to earn points. Campers ate dirt cups, surfed, shot free throws, and tried their hardest at many more challenges. In the end, the Potawatomi cabin was victorious.

Friday was a blast! Even though there was some touchy weather, our area directors kept the parties going wherever they were. Campers certainly enjoyed all of the music and dancing, and certainly loved out traditional Friday night cookout. This was all capped off with our classic initiation ceremony.

On a special note, today is our Adventure Center’s annual “Kayak for a Cause.” This fundraiser sees kayaks raising money and kayaking all along the shoreline of Walloon. If you happen to be on the lake, be sure to give them a smile and a wave!

Finally, please take a moment to complete out Parent/Camper evaluation. This brief survey will only take ~10 minutes for you to complete, but the feedback and comments we receive help us immensely.

Campers play dodgeball to avoid the rain

Campers play nature bingo during a storm

The Potawatomi cabin were the winners of Survivor Day

Campers sink a canoe for “Survivor Night”

 

Day is done…

It’s hard to believe that our summer is already halfway done here at Camp Daggett. We had a great week this week. Even though it started off a little bit rainy, the sun definitely came out towards the end of the week. This was perfect for all of the parties that we had on Friday. Many of the areas had music and dancing. Campers were certainly experienced dancers, since Thursday night was our classic Daggettstock. Of course Friday ended with our initiation, complete with a cookout, awards, a slideshow, and our ceremony.

Today is a bittersweet day, because while it was a great week, we have to say goodbye to some wonderful staff members. Our second session of program aides and service aides will be leaving today. These fifteen year old volunteers spend two weeks here and help to make camp run smoothly. From cleaning the bathrooms to packing for campouts, camp wouldn’t be the same without them.

Today, we also say goodbye to our first group of Counselors in training. These 16 and 17 year old volunteers come for four weeks and are an invaluable part of our Daggett family. While not full counselors, our CITs work with all of our staff in areas, during meals, and at night activities. Counselors appreciate what CITs do so much, and all of their hard work and dedication really shows what Camp Daggett is all about.

Parents, when you get home with your camper, we would love your feedback! Please take a few minutes to sit with your camper and fill out our Parent/Camper Evaluation. Your comments and feedback is greatly appreciated.

Campers try to get as many tennis balls as possible during tennis ball frenzy in canoeing

The A-Jit-A-Ma cabin performs their “Daggettstock”

The Iroquois cabin performing during “Daggettstock”

Counselors pose during “Counselor Appreciation Day”

Saturday Morning

Parents, it has truly been an amazing week. However, we still need your help to make camp better. Please take a minute or two to sit with your camper and fill out our online parent/camper evaluation. The responses and feedback that we get are very appreciated and help to shape camp and its programming. The survey can be found by clicking Here

Week One is all Done

What a week this was! All of the staff couldn’t have asked for a better way to start the summer! Whether it was team-building on the adventure course or learning about all of the animals in our nature center, our campers certainly had a great time this week. Last night we finished of the week with some great Friday activities. In canoeing, “Tennis Ball Frenzy” is always a hit. Every Friday, Brandon and the rest of the canoeing staff hit some tennis balls into Walloon and have a little friendly competition to see who can collect the most tennis balls in yaks and canoes. Many campers got over 50 tennis balls! Of course, you can’t end the week in the swimming area without a beach party, complete with music, dancing, beach toys, and of course some swimming. While the water has certainly been a bit chilly, it is great to see many campers brave the cold and have a blast in swimming.

Always a big hit is our weekly initiation at the end of the day on Friday. This special time sees some awards given out, some silly things done, and lots of memories made. Counselors and campers reflect on many of the events of the week, and it is always a treat to hear stories of how cabins have come together and bonded through the many activities that we have. This carries over to Saturday mornings, which are filled with hugs, address exchanges, and good-byes (although “See you next summer” is heard even more).

While for some a week at Camp Daggett has just finished, we hope you hold with you the Spirit of Daggett with you as you finish the summer and begin a new year of school. Most importantly, we hope you spread our motto of  “The Other Fellow First,”  and diaplay it everyday.

What a Week!

Well, week 6 has come and gone. While the weather wasn’t always the best this session, everyone sure did make the best of it. Our staff can be so amazing at making the best out of bad situations. Luckily, the weather was great for our version of the Olympic games on Thursday. After rest hour, campers did not have their afternoon classes or free water and land; instead they had Olympics. After some flag making and cheer creating, the teams of Ireland, Australia, Germany and…Chad had an opening parade up to the rec field to watch Leroy carry the Olympic torch to our very own Olympic flame. The water events would be first, with campers racing canoes and sailboats, carrying wet towels, and even sinking canoes! After the water events, the team sports began first with some water polo, Nuke ‘Em, Dodgeball and Ultimate frisbee. After these sports, the teams all got together for some Tug Of War! Going into dinner, it was a close contest with the teams only separated by 4 points! Dinner was special, as all teams sat together under their own flags. The second round of games began after dinner, with Volleyball, Hockey, Soccer, and a water balloon toss. The evening concluded with our super relay which saw some campers running, arching, swimming, canoeing and even a potato sack race. In the end, Char won the gold for the day, although it was close and all our Olympians had a blast.

Friday once again saw some easy going activities, as parties were held in many of the areas. With lots of music, dancing, and even some grass skirts, campers had a blast as they celebrated their final day at camp. In the evening we held our weekly initiation. After a short award ceremony, cabins got a chance to act out the skits they had been practicing all week! Topics covered by the skits ranged all the way from “Where’d John Guirey’s hair go?” to “How did all the animals get in mac hall?” The staff also found out that many of our campers are great actors and actresses! At the end of the evening, our initiation ceremony was special and memorable for all the new campers, as well as the old.

As campers leave on Saturday, it is always good to hear them telling many stories about the week that they were here. However, as it is week 6, it is important to recognize a group of individuals that will also be leaving us. This group is our 15 year old Program aides and Service aides. During their two-week stay at camp, these former campers helped out so much- from cleaning bathrooms and packing for campouts, to walking around with cabins and participating in night activities. Camp would not run as smoothly as it does without the dedication and services provided by this valuable group of people. They will surely be missed.

With that, it is time to prepare for the final two weeks of camp. Feel free to follow along as we begin this final stretch of camp to read about many more of the things that will be happening. Also feel free to post comments and share memories about camp on these blog posts. Today, we will also try something new! Use the poll below to cast your vote with your camper (s) as to which night activity was liked the best, or which sounded the most fun!

Week Five is in the Books

Fridays at camp are always bittersweet. While the days are full of smiles, parties, and laughing, there is also the lingering fact that Saturday all must go home. However, that doesn’t mean we can’t have fun on Friday! Whether it was making sand castles and swimming during a beach party, catching tennis balls in yak boards, or going out to the frog pond, almost everyone had a smile on their face as they celebrated their last day at camp. Our area directors played lots of music so campers could sing and dance while participating in our many activities. Campers from the oldest cabins, Chippewa and Blackfeet, were even singing on their canoe trip back from the pines.

Campers also got a treat Friday night when dinner was a cookout. Our maintenance director Leroy, along with the kitchen staff, helped to grill up some hot dogs and hamburgers for the meal. Once they got their food, everyone ate outside and had a big picnic! Of course, Friday night saw our initiation ceremony. While not much can be divulged (your campers will surely fill you in), everyone had a blast as we welcomed our new campers into the spirit of Daggett. After a meaningful and fun ceremony, their were lots of hugs and goodbyes before bed. In the morning, we had breakfast and sang our “Top Three” songs of the week, as well as recognized our campers who have been here for 5, 6, 7, or 8 years. We also had a special treat, as campers took a photo sending off our adventure director on the “Kayak for a Cause” tour of Walloon Lake. Click here to learn more about it!

We hope you have enjoyed some of the updates we have made with this blog. Again, it is new to us so we appreciate feedback, as well as the sharing of your and your camper’s memories and experiences at camp.  Even though your camper may have left us, feel free to continue to follow along to see some of the many things that are going on this summer at camp. Thank You!

What a great week!

Week 3 has ended, and all of the campers have left. Spirits were high during checkout, and it seemed that campers had a blast this week. Campers got a special treat when they got to sleep in on Thursday morning after staying up late for out Fourth of July night. On Independence Day, campers were treated to a picnic, eating hotdogs and hamburgers grilled by our summer director, John Guirey. Then, there was a small parade which campers made banners representing their cabins. Following the parade, we had a big “fair” up on our rec field, complete with a dunk tank, popcorn, a fortune teller, tug-of-war, and much, much more. Later, we played a little trick on our campers, enjoying some sparklers and small fountain fireworks. Then, much to their surprise, fireworks started shooting from a raft we put out at the end of our swimming area! Everyone “oohed and ahhed” as our display continued for about 20 minutes.

Thursday saw campers again learning many new things. In canoeing, campers got to take out the yak boards! Swimmers were also happy to see some of their favorite land games played in the water, like “Where’s my Tugboat” and Nuke ‘Em. Due to extreme heat, younger cabins had a blast playing with the slip n’ slide, squirt guns, and other water games up on the rec field. The day conclucded with our version of Woodstock- Daggettstock! Cabins practiced all week to put together a little dance to some popular music. Some of our staff even performed!

Friday is always a great dat at camp. Music was playing in lots of areas, and campers got a chance to relax and enjoy some beautiful weather. Whether on water or land, campers were full of laughs and smiles. With dock parties, beach parties, finishing up arts and crafts, a snake feeding, and much more, Friday’s are always busy here. They are also full of new memories, as new campers were initiated into the spirit of Daggett in our special ceremony. Campers left this morning having gained new friends, new memories, new experiances, and hopefully many new life skills that they can take back and use all year round.

Brandon awaits his fate in the dunk tank

A banner made for the parade

One of the many awesome banners created for the parade

Lindsey and Claire Making Popcorn