Session 4 Day 5
Today, we started our "Free-Choice activities." For the first four days, the youth campers all do the same activities. On Friday, they get to pick from some of the favorite activities for a second try, or pick an activity that they have never done before.
The Free-Choice activities for this week were as follows. They get to choose three options.
Zipline: This is one of our most popular activities, and almost everyone chooses it for a Free-Choice option. However, it is the only activity that has a height requirement, and it is a little too much for some campers. Therefore, we let them have the option of doing the zipline or something else.
Shrimping: There are lots of little pools and streams around camp that are teaming with tiny shrimp, crabs, fish, frogs, etc. Kids love to explore in these little pools and see what they can catch. It was especially popular this session because we didn't have our regular ecology period.
Crafts: This is one of the activities that they have already done, but it is a favorite for a lot of people. Today they made woven water bottle holders.
Archery: This is another popular option that they have already done. Campers who are interested in trying a second round get to test for a level one or two sticker.
Pond Play: We have a small cement lined pond here at camp. It is not big, but it is just enough to get in and play a series of water games. It is also a nice cool activity on a hot day. When they have done all they can do in the pond, they turn to the slip-n-slide.
For the Free-Choice activities, the campers are all mixed together. When you are looking for pictures of your child today, you will have to look through all the activity files to find them.
The teens don't join the youth campers for the Free Choice activities. They spent their morning doing outdoor cooking. The campers are divided into three groups. One group collects wood and learns to build a fire. Another group goes into the forest to chop down several pieces of bamboo, and cut it into sections. The final group prepares a mixture of rice, mushrooms, and seasoning to make bamboo rice. When all that is done, they get the chance to grill meat (or mochi for vegetarians) over the open fire.
Tonight we will have our closing campfire. We have a candlelight ceremony to help the campers reflect on their experience at camp. Then each team performs a skit, song, or dance. The best performance wins the coveted Oscar sticker.
Below is a link to today's photos. There are a couple of things to note for tomorrow.
Tomorrow, we will post a link for the photos for the entire week, so you can review and download any you missed. There will also be a slideshow and video of the week's highlights.
We will arrive at the Taipei Gymnasium around 3 pm for the camper drop-off. If you are driving, please park in one of the nearby parking garages and leave the yellow line clear for our buses. Also, please let the counselors get the campers and their luggage off to the side before taking your children. It is very important that the counselors see and document who is taking each child, so please don't take your child without checking out.
Have a good night, and we will see you tomorrow.
