Session 5 at Matolly has begun! For those in the know, Session 5 is one of our most exciting sessions, as it is #ColorWars! After the #BlackTeam scored a decisive win in 2016, the #RedTeam will look to rebound in 2017. This is also a great time to check-in on some of the changes we made at Camp Matollionequay for the 2017 Summer in response to our camper feedback efforts from the fall of 2016. This is the third in a series of blog posts in which I highlight some of our changes for this summer. Check back next week for an Ocky-specific blog post.
What’s new at Matollionequay?
Programming, choice, teen leadership programs, and more! Matolly campers and families noted in the 2016 feedback that the staff impacted their lives in a positive way, and parents/guardians noted that campers were more independent, confident, and self-reliant at the end of a session. However, campers told us that they wanted more choice opportunities, and our teens noted that they wanted more service opportunities.
In the offseason, we decided to add some programming options for our campers. We constructed a new play area which included 2 gaga courts and a playground – perfect for our littlest campers (Cherokees and Senecas), but still engaging for our older campers as well (Algonquins, Oneidas, and Apaches). This new play area is shaded and tucked away in the woods by the land sports field, and has been a hit with campers this summer!
Being mindful of the natural experience that campers and their families so enjoy, we also began community gardens behind the dining hall in “retired” canoes! The gardens are off to a fast start, and we expect that they will be an impactful, education, and fun project for campers to grow, nurture, and harvest over the coming weeks, and summers.
In addition to some programming changes, we also modified the schedule to include more choice opportunities for campers. During Session 4, a 2-week session (Ocky vs. Matolly), campers had the opportunity to spend the entire second Thursday of the session choosing what they want to do! By this time in the session, the campers have had the opportunity to experience all aspects of the programming we offer, and discover what interests/intrigues them. We then paired younger and older villages, and gave the campers the opportunity to choose different activities in each period of the course of the entire day! The following Friday morning, the campers had the opportunity to again choose their activities in the morning activity periods, so they could have another chance to finish up projects, master a skill, or simply have fun with friends. It has been a great end to the program-portion of a session before an afternoon and evening of ceremonies, skits, songs, and relationship time!
Finally, with respect to our teen leadership and adventure programs, we added service components to both to give teens the opportunity to give back, and also to learn what type of service motivates/compels them to give their time. Our first ever Ranger service trip, Groundbreakers, went exceptionally well and the reviews from the campers were very positive. In fact, one camper in a survey noted being inspired to volunteer during the school year!
As for our LIT (Leader in Training) program, for teens who completed 9th grade, the group left camp for a day of service in a local food bank. Read more about their experience here. Check back in the coming weeks to read about the exciting adventure the CITs went on – as we sent all of our Ocky/Matolly CITs off camp on an exciting adventure!
