Connect a child to Nature through a Week of Camp!

While walking with Andrew one day during fall intersession camp, he suddenly exclaimed, "Winter camp is my favorite at Piedmont." When I asked why, he replied,"Because it is cold, and we get to play in the snow or with ice and other things you can't do in the summer or spring. There are not as many kids so we make close friends. It is just fun." Andrew's comments made me think about the perspectives our seasoned and new campers must have.  It made me smile thinking that thanks to your support and despite the challenges that present during winter camp, we are able to create a place that seems especially magical in surprising ways.

"We went swimming!" shouted Hugh and several of the campers in our first week of three winter camps. The unusually warm weather combined with a ton of rain led to some impromptu activities for December.  Ben said, "I love the feeling of the mud. I let the other kids spread it on me. It feels cool!" Then with a blink of an eye,  summer like temperatures turned to cold and rainy the next week, providing a great chance to test our survival skills. A few of our campers did not come very well dressed for the elements and needed to get warm quickly so getting a fire going was met with a sense of urgency. That challenge provided Ramzi, one of our Counselors in Training, an opportunity to push his edge by teaching a group of students how to make a friction fire using a bow drill. Bow drill fires are not easy, especially when you are also trying to teach the skill!

But the best obstacle that was conquered was for a camp newcomer, one of the youngest in the group for the week. This child had never been to Piedmont Wildlife Center before. His mom brought him out the week prior to camp to get him familiar with the surroundings and ease his transition. He was nervous around a bunch of students he didn't know making it incredibly difficult to get his words out. After a day or so, he was determined to push through his discomfort and express himself to the group! "This kid was struggling then basically put his foot down, and said 'no, I can do this', took a breath and started to talk to the group slowly but with ease. It was such a touching moment to witness his frustration then success. That was probably the best one-on-one camper experience I have been part of in a long time as a counselor," said Jarl.

Thank you for helping us create experiences that are so special, push edges, and allow us to help kids conquer their own challenges or fears. We look forward to spring camp, hoping to provide more magical moments, push edges, and make new friends. We could not do this without your support.

Take some time this winter to overcome an obstacle or push your boundaries. Feel your inner child's heart soar and a smile spread across your face as you experience what our campers do, and know you help provide that sense for children in need. You may be surprised at how good it makes you feel!

Links:

• Piedmont Wildlife Center camps

• Hugh, the water Buddha (PDF)
  
• Ben covered in "cool" mud (PDF)
  
• Ramzi teaching campers bow drill fire making (PDF)
  
• Umbra showing Matt hand drill friction fire (PDF)
  
• Winter camp wading (PDF)
  
• Mia toasty in the shelter (PDF)
  

Although it seems summer camp just ended, we just completed our month of fall intersession camp for those students who attend school year round!  The camp days started in cool, crisp air - and the first week a lot of rain!  Weather aside, the campers were elated to be out at Leigh Farm with us once again, enjoying the color and changes of autumnl; feeding off the energy it brings. Thanks to your support, students were able to become fast friends and part of our community with the smaller groups we have this time of year. Andrew, one of our long-time campers, said, " camps in fall and winter here are my favorite because the groups are small and we get to go to the waterfowl impoundment and play."

Camp themes ranged from Autumn Harvest to a few favorites: Way of the Cougar and Woodland Games.  Campers loved bringing in the fall with Autumn Harvest Camp where they got a chance to weave baskets from kudzu while listening to Cherokee tales told by Nancy Basket, one of our specialty counselors.  They made the most beautiful cornucopiea that we can use for celebrations and decorations during future camps, classes, and events.

Campers loved stalking our counselors through the woods, playing rainbow tag, six feathers, and Windigo during Woodland Games camp.  The scavenger hunts through the forest were a hit along with anything that involved hiding and running through woods.  Celeste said, "I like to climb the trees to hide. People forget to look up most of the time unless they hear a noise." Campers that participated in our Way of the Cougar camp, learned great techniques that could be used for success in any of the woodland games. Ex Umbra, our survival expert specialty counselor, led the kids in camoflauge techniques, stalking missions, and taught them how to move throught the woods quietly.  Campers tried to get into the mind of animals pretending to be prey or predators, and see the woods in a whole new light.  They learned how to sneak and work as a group on a hunt through scouting missions. Two teams each had a mission to go collect a bag of goodies marked on a map they were given and bring the bag back to base camp in a certain amount of time without being seen by anyone. 

Children new to our community are thankful to our supporters for making their camp week possible.  Several first time families thanked us at the end of the week, telling us how much their kids enjoyed it. Each camp day we share what we are grateful for.  You are included in our gratitude.  Thank you!

Links:

• Find out more about our intersession camps