Wake

Our Primitive Projectiles campers took a trip back through time this week and explored the history of projectiles. We began with atlatls and slings and worked our way up to archery, tomahawk throwing, and even got to use a blow dart gun! Not only did we throw, swing, and toss all kinds of projectiles, but we also constructed our very own practice course to hone our aiming skills. Our campers built Japanese stilt grass monsters to help the park prep for its annual event, Haunting at Harris! We even had time to create some amazing earth art and find cool critters like box turtles, green treefrogs, and millipedes. Check out our photos to see more about this exciting week at Harris Lake!

The hunt was indeed on for our campers this week as they worked together to solve puzzles, follow clues, and complete team-building activities. In addition to Schoolhouse classics like playing forest and field games and exploring the creeks, these campers enjoyed some unique activities, like working together to build an obstacle course. They learned the differences between lizards and salamanders, and enjoyed a unique craft time related to those critters. The week was full of challenges and adventures that culminated in an epic clue-filled scavenger hunt to find a treasure on Friday. Campers and staff alike had an excellent week! 

If it flies, crawls, slithers, hops, or swims, we looked for it at Harris Lake! Our campers fully embraced the theme this week and had a great time learning, exploring, and playing in the fresh autumn air. In addition to Schoolhouse classics like whittling and forest & field games, they managed to squeeze in tons of animal-themed activities. They built bird’s nests, sculpted animals out of clay, embarked on an insect safari, invented their own animals and used face paint to bring them to life, and even got to go fishing with the park staff. Their efforts to engage with as many critters as possible was well-rewarded and they saw snakes, turtles, birds, bugs, frogs, salamanders, fish, and much more. Check out our photo gallery to see how we ended each day dirty, tired, and happy! 

Our Backcountry Adventures campers had an exciting week learning the basics of camping and backpacking.  They worked on their map-reading, plant identification, and knot-tying skills.  They assembled three different types of shelter.  They even had the opportunity to practice filtering water using several types of filters and tried Frank’s famous ramen bombs, which was only possible after “saving” him using their basic wilderness first aid skills! The group capped off the week with some Schoolhouse classics like Six Feathers and (survival themed) Scout Mission and of course a little whittling.  It was definitely a week filled with Backcountry Adventures! 

Our Wild Games campers stole feathers, found hearts, ran, hid, and jumped through the fall woods with friends this week.  We got to play a ton of games including some Schoolhouse favorites like Bakweli, 6 Feathers, and Windigo. We also found some time to enjoy the leaves by making all kinds of Earth Art and building our own mini village. Exploring the creek was a lot of fun because we found all kinds of critters like crayfish, frogs, and salamanders. We even spotted a box turtle and a garter snake this week.  We also squeezed in time for whittling and finding our own sit spots in the forest.  What an exciting week!