Welcome to our Couch to Camp series as we help you prepare for summer camp! We're taking a look at a day in the life at YMCA Camp Lakewood. Whether you're a first-time mini-camper or a seasoned Leader-In-Training, we've got exciting things to offer each day. Check out what a typical day of camp looks like below. Note that Rangers, Equestrian, CIT, and LIT campers will have a different daily schedule.
☀️ A DAY IN THE LIFE ☀️
7:00 am - RISE AND SHINE
Get dressed, brush your teeth, and prepare for the day. Ask your counselor for advice about what to pack in your daypack, such as: a water bottle, close-toed shoes, or a swimsuit. Your counselors can help you understand your schedule and what you might need to have a successful day.
7:45 am - FLAG
Raise the flag on the shore of Lake Sunnen alongside your fellow campers.
8:00 am - BREAKFAST IN THE DINING HALL
We always have a new hot entree, as well as fruit, a sunbutter and jelly sandwich (or toast!) station, and cereal. Our food service team does a great job accommodating dietary restrictions. Be sure to include that information on your registration form!
9:00 am - CLINIC 1
This is your first activity block. You will have 4 clinic activity blocks per day. Depending on your age, you may do this activity with your cabin or in a mix of other cabins. Adventurers spend three clinics with their cabin and one clinic that you get to request on Sunday night. We do our best to get every camper in a choice clinic they requested, but depending on weather and other factors, you may be placed in another activity group. Explorers will get to choose two of their clinics and spend the other two clinics with their cabin. Pathfinders will get to choose three clinics, spending one with their cabin.
10:30 am - CLINIC 2
12:00 pm - LUNCH
Similar to breakfast, lunch will include a main entree along with access to the sunbutter and jelly station, fruit, and the salad bar.
1:00 pm - SIESTA
Head back to your cabin and rest. Write a letter home or prepare for your afternoon activities.
2:00 pm - CLINIC 3
3:30 pm - GRAB N' GO SNACK TIME
4:00 pm - SMORGASBOARD & CABIN ACTIVITIES
This is a time when you can choose an entirely different activity from your clinics! Smorgasboard offerings will change daily and campers will be able to choose which Smorgasboard activity they want to try that day. Cabin Activities offer a chance to do something special with your cabin group each day!
5:45 pm - FLAG
Lower the flag and reflect on your day.
6:00 pm - DINNER
Campers will have another meal with a main entree and salad bar, fruit, and sandwich station. (Watch out for Sunday night spaghetti and your fellow campers who eat it without utensils!)
7:00 pm - EVENING PROGRAM
This changes every day. It might be an all-camp game of Capture the Flag, a campfire full of silly songs and skits, or a campout under the stars. Return to your cabin: Shower, brush your teeth, and wind down from your exciting day. Lights out is at 9 for main camp and 10 for East Camp. Get your rest for another exciting day!
Each day at camp is full of fun (and sometimes tiring) activity. Campers stay busy the majority of the day, soaking up as much fun and knowledge as possible. We want to make the most of their time at Camp Lakewood. However, we know rest is important and encourage campers to relax during siesta and at night. You can help your camper have a successful time by talking about how they might relax in their bunk, or how to ask their counselor for help if they’re not feeling well during activities. Consider packing stamped postcards and pencils, a soft blanket, or beloved stuffed animal to help your camper feel comfortable enough to rest. If family and friends feel concerned about whether their camper is enjoying their day, you can reach out to our leadership team. We can discreetly check on your camper and follow up with a status update to you. This minimizes disruption in their day and keeps them focused on all the fun things available to them at camp. Before you know it, check-out will be upon us and we’ll wave goodbye until next summer, so we’ll make the most of our time together now. Camp friendships are some of the strongest friendships, and we're excited to learn, grow, and gain independence alongside you each and every day!
Until next time!
Rose, Camp Lakewood Director