Tag: summer camp activities

What’s Cooking at Camp Weequahic…

June 30th, 2012

Summer Camp cooking programs like Camp Weequahic’s help campers learn their way around the kitchen by teaching them how to make fun snacks. Eating a warm chocolate chip cookie that one helped bake makes a second home feel even more like home, and it’s a special treat to which many campers look forward. In fact, some of the treats campers whip up in the cooking studio have become part of Camp Weequahic tradition.  Camp Weequahic cooking instructors also teach campers tips for making some of their favorite snacks more nutritious as part of an overall effort to help campers maintain a healthy lifestyle while at camp.  Here’s one of our favorite recipes from the Camp Weequahic cooking studio:

No Bake Choc Chip Truffles

1 cup soft butter

1 1/2 cups brown sugar, packed

2 tsp. vanilla extract

1/2 tsp. salt

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 Tbsp water

1 (6 ounce) package mini chocolate chips

·         Cream butter and sugar together.

·          Add remaining ingredients and mix well by hand.

·         Roll into bite-size balls.

·         Freeze until firm, about 30 minutes. Store in a plastic zip-type bag in the freezer.

·         Let stand at room temperature 5 minutes before eating. (Makes 4 dozen)

Arts & Crafts at Camp Weequahic

June 18th, 2012

It’s nearly time for camp to start, and we’re already hearing from our campers about the projects they hope to do in arts & crafts this year.  Arts & Crafts is always one of the most popular activities at Camp Weequahic.

Arts & Crafts is as synonymous with summer camp as sing-alongs, s’mores, and afternoons swimming in the lake. As Camp Weequahic’s program offerings have grown, so have the ambitions of the programs offered.  Weequahic campers get top notch instruction in jewelry making, drawing, painting, and candle making, among other things.  Of course, classic favorites like tie-dying and beading are still popular as well.

Camp Weequahic’s Arts & Crafts program is increasingly focused on providing campers with opportunities to truly explore creative outlets.  Additionally, we’re focusing more on environmentally friendly crafts featuring recycled supplies such as bottle caps, record albums, gift cards, game pieces, etc.

Camp Weequahic, an all option camp, also provides campers with the opportunity to focus as much of their summer camp experience on Arts & Crafts as they like.  Artistically inclined campers can make their Camp Weequahic session Arts & Crafts focused while those who also enjoy athletics can enhance their summer camping experience with the addition of the occasional Arts & Crafts option.  Camp Weequahic also features a day long opportunity for campers to receive special instruction during the exclusive Wee Excel camp.

Ladies and Gentlemen…

May 7th, 2012

Maybe your child regularly practices his or her acceptance speech for the Academy Awards–or maybe you have a child who just likes to occasionally brush up on his her acting skills–or maybe still you have a child who is merely curious about exploring the world of theater.  Whatever your child’s level of passion, summer camp is a place he or she will thrive.  Although there are many camps that specialize in the arts, even traditional summer camps often foster healthy theater programs that put on multiple shows throughout the summer.  It’s not difficult to understand why theater is such a beloved tradition at virtually every summer camp.  Camp itself is an environment that encourages children to shed the self-consciousness that may hold them back in other more formal settings and to try new things, act silly, explore interests.

But it’s not just the summer camp environment that makes camp theater programs ideal for aspiring young artists.  Many summer camp theater programs also offer outlets for exploration behind the stage in areas such as costumes or stage and set design.  By being able to be part of the process of piecing together a show from both in front of and behind the curtain, some children actually find that their real passion isn’t necessarily as part of the cast but part of the crew.  Children also learn to understand the importance of working together.  Putting on a theater production, whether it involves the entire camp or just a few people, is a cooperative effort.

The team spirit quality of this encourages participants to support each other makes summer camp theater ideal for anyone who might want to explore theater as a new hobby, or children who like the idea but aren’t quite sure how they feel about being on stage.  Summer camp theater programs tend to place the emphasis on the importance of being part of a production rather than being the star.   Although there are many elements that may seem separate from the outset, the final product is the sum total of all of those efforts added together.  Summer camp itself breeds a sense of togetherness, so perhaps it’s that sense that makes theater perennially a popular summer camp program.