Camp Tecumseh YMCA is a wonderful experience for boys and girls 8 thru 15 years old. Our terrific counseling staff is why our return rate is so far above the national average, but the activities must be what campers are interested in and they must be taught by fun, well-trained instructors. Because we are a fairly large camp we can provide a really large array of activity choices.
We have skill development clinics in the mornings and fun cabin group activities in the afternoons. The list of clinics below are very popular and we sometimes offer others in addition to these. Our skill clinics are designed so campers can feel good about learning new skills and so they can feel a sense of success and accomplishment. Our clinics are planned so a youngster can start as a beginner and progress each day during the week. They choose their three primary clinics at the start of the week and take those three for 5 progressive lessons. If they get into a clinic and decide they would prefer something else, they just talk to their counselors to switch. Older campers’ clinics can progress faster and some special clinics are offered to them.
For campers wishing to have a western riding lesson each day, they can pre-register for Horsemanship Clinic. Specially trained instructors help campers master western riding skills during one of their morning clinics each day. There is a 4 to 1 ratio of campers to instructors in all classes. There is an additional fee of $65 for this clinic. This is the only clinic where pre-registration is needed and an additional fee is charged.
One of the campers’ favorite parts of each day is ‘cabin time’. These afternoon or early evening periods are when campers do fun stuff together, learning to discuss options and make choices as a group. Camp Tecumseh has a wide array of choices, from going on a trail ride to playing ultimate Frisbee. A cabin could have their own time at the lake to play on the trampolines or they might hike to the Three-house Treehouse or to Ghost Cabin. Many like to do the various ‘group problem solving’ challenges we have all around camp. Actually there are way too many choices to list them all here. Each is a special adventure to help youngsters have fun, be active, and do things they seldom or never could do at home. Cabin time is one of the best ways to help youngsters feel a real sense of adventure and belonging!
Of course the fun doesn’t stop after dinner! Depending on the day of the week, campers will enjoy campfire ceremonies, carnival, special swim times or perhaps an overnight cookout and campout at one of our special spots in the woods. Teens especially enjoy the teen discussion sessions. They love their afternoon canoe trips down the river, Amazing Camp Race and Survivor Tecumseh games, and of course the ziplines over the lake!
Friday Theme Dinners are another of the great activities campers look forward to. Most dress up in simple costumes, often creatively coordinated by counselors so it makes the cabin group feel special. Then closing campfire on Friday night caps off a week or two of great fun and memories.
2012 Theme Nights |
