Session 6 Day 5
Party night was a lot of fun. The campers were really into the games, and the counselors really played it up in their silly outfits. Later we broke into the dance party and some of the kids turned out to be surprisingly good dancers.
Today was Free-Choice Day for our youth campers. During the first four days of camp, everyone follows the regular activity rotation and gets a chance to try the same core activities. On Friday, we change things up and let campers choose what they would like to do. They can return to a favorite activity for another round or try something that was not part of their regular schedule this week.
This week, campers chose three activities from the following options:
Zipline: The zipline is always one of the most requested choices. For many campers, it is one of the highlights of the week and they are eager for another chance to do it. However, the zipline does have a height requirement, and some campers decide that it is a little beyond their comfort level, so there are always plenty of other choices available.
Shrimping: Camp is surrounded by small streams and pools that are full of tiny shrimp, crabs, fish, frogs, and other creatures. Campers get to explore these areas and see what they can find. Shrimping was especially popular this week because we did not have our usual ecology activity in the regular rotation.
Crafts: Crafts had already appeared earlier in the week, but it remains a favorite for many campers. Today, they worked on woven water bottle holders that they could use around camp and take home with them.
Archery: Campers who wanted another chance at the archery range could choose a second session. This time, they had the opportunity to work on their skills and test for a Level 1 or Level 2 archery sticker.
Pond Play: We have a small cement-lined pond at camp that is just the right size for a variety of water games. It is a great way to cool off, especially on a warm afternoon. Once they have had enough time in the pond, the fun usually continues on the slip-n-slide.
One thing that makes Free-Choice Day a little different is that campers are no longer grouped by their regular color teams. Everyone is mixed together according to the activities they selected. So when you are looking through today’s photos, be sure to check all of the different activity folders to find pictures of your child.
Tonight, we will finish the week with our closing campfire. We begin with a candlelight ceremony that gives campers a chance to slow down and reflect on their experiences and memories from the week. After that, each team will perform a skit, song, or dance for the rest of camp. There is always plenty of creativity and laughter, and the winning group will earn the highly sought-after 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 suggest you watch it with your child so that they can tell you about their favorite parts of camp.
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.
