Giveaway! 5 Benefits of Overnight Camp – YMCA Camp Takodah

This post is part of a partnership with YMCA Camp Takodah. All opinions are my own.

Summer is a time for children to play and have fun. For others, it’s an opportunity for kids to learn new skills, make new friends, and create lifelong memories.

There’s a single destination that covers it all. Summer camp!

I have very fond memories of my time at overnight camp as a child. Meeting new friends from all over the world, crafts, campfires, canoeing, hikes, swimming, and of course the camp songs (some still pop into my mind from time-to-time), archery, sleeping in a cabin, and the excitement of receiving a care package from home!

Camp Takodah

Camp Takodah has been awarded the Best Overnight Camp in New Hampshire, and known for its wonderful staff, Takodah combines a rustic charm with a stunning waterfront and impressive activity choices, in a community marked by rich traditions and a “Friendly to All” way of life. With an emphasis on fostering lifelong friendships, developing enduring character and skills, and creating memories that last a lifetime, Takodah gives children some of the best days of their lives.

Takodah specializes in separate Boys and Girls programs, where children ages 7-17 can visit for 2-8 weeks.

Takodah also features a special 1-Week Camp for children ages 7-12 that is perfect for campers who are not ready or able to attend a longer session.

The summer ends with Family Camp, where families gather for a week of spending quality time together, while enjoying a fun and relaxing experience of Takodah.

The benefits of a child’s camp experience are numerous; they will be taught and practice foundational principles that they will rely on as adults. When your child attends summer camp, they learn how to work with others, build meaningful relationships, accept guidance and develop decision-making skills. All of these life skills nurture independence and confidence, creating a foundation that will serve them and grow with them for the rest of their lives.

How can your child benefit from summer camp?

Build Confidence and Self-Esteem

Separation from parents gives a child the ability to think independently, which builds self-esteem. Participating in a wide variety of activities, children become a community as they learn both how to be more independent and how to contribute to a group.

Takodah teaches self-reliance, a love for nature and the outdoors, and the development of attitudes and practices that build character and leadership.

Unplug from technology

A stay at Camp Takodah is the perfect opportunity for your child to “unplug”. Your child’s typical day at Camp Takodah will follow a schedule carefully designed to balance individual, cabin-based, and camp-wide programs.

The programs are about helping campers experience connection, autonomy, and mastery (critical psychological and developmental needs for youth), and the schedule maximizes camper exposure to those areas.

Here’s a look at the daily schedule:

7:00   Rise & Shine

7:25   Flag Raising Ceremony

7:30   Breakfast

8:30   Kapers (Camp Cleanup)

9:00   Skill Area Class 1

10:00  Skill Area Class 2

11:00  Skill Area Class 3

12:15  Cabin Inspection

12:30  Lunch

1:30   Siesta (Rest Hour)

2:30   Camper Choice (Supervised Free Time)

4:00   Cabin Activity Time

5:25   Flag Lowering Ceremony

5:30   Dinner

6:30   After-Dinner Free Choice Time

7:00   Evening Program

8:45   Prepare for Bed

9:00   Reflections

Camp promotes friendship and independence

When children go to camp, they are given the opportunity to grow more independent. Whether for a day or an entire summer, separation from one’s parents means a camper has to learn to rely on himself and other trusted adults and peers.

It can be difficult for kids to go away to overnight camp when they don’t know anyone else there. Camp Takodah will make it easy for kids to find friends fast. A camp friendship can last a lifetime, or only a summer, but either way camp offers children the opportunity to branch out from their regular circle of friends and learn to connect with other peers in positive ways.

Learning through play and exploration

Summer camp offers lots of opportunities to try new things and explore. Living in a cabin, learning to kayak, nature & outdoor living skills, performing arts, arts & crafts, climbing ropes, and overcoming obstacles are accomplishments young people can develop that build strength of character, courage, and determination.

Through new experiences, your child is pushed into positions to grow in life.

Establish new traditions

“Traditions are the glue that hold families together.” That’s so true at Takodah. Many of Camp Takodah’s traditions stretch back 100 years, and they bind the generations of campers together.

Takodah has countless traditions for nearly every part of the day. Here are the most timeless and beloved traditions at camp:

–CT and Jacket Ceremonies:

Every year, campers receive a CT (Camp Takodah), a 6″ felt triangular patch representing the numbers of years they’ve attended camp. They pin them together in a chain. See the photo: Ian. After 10 years at camp, they receive a special 10-Year Jacket. Astonishingly, most of our campers and staff make it to 10 years at camp. The CT and Jacket Ceremonies essentially recognize that after 10 years, Takodah has had a profound impact on their lives, and they’ve had a profound impact on our entire camp family too. Both the CT chains and jackets are cherished by Takodah, and you’ll see them in prominent places in their homes.

–Candlelight Ceremonies:

At the end of every session, everyone joins in a special Candlelight Ceremony, filled with songs, poems, and stories, where campers reflect on what the camp has meant to them. Every camper receives a lit candle and joins in an impressive outdoor Circle of Friendship. Campers then take their candles home, and they light them on Christmas Eve, in a worldwide circle of friendship.

–Singing at Meals:

Singing is arguably the best way of bringing people together. At the end of each meal, while clearing the tables, everyone joins in camp songs. Some of them are old folk songs, others are twists on popular songs, and some are just wacky camp songs. Aside from being a lot of fun, singing together makes campers feel like part of something much bigger than themselves.

Parent testimonials:

“I really love that Takodah is steeped in tradition. Both my boys love it there. Takodah is a safe place where kids have the opportunity to choose their classes. It is a safe place for kids to spread their wings. Kids need those opportunities; it helps them gain confidence in themselves!” – Maria, Mom of Boys Campers

“Takodah is a safe, nurturing, supportive environment that encourages exploration and imagination. Our children are making memories and lifelong friendships, while learning independence and fostering self-esteem.” – Jean, Mom of Girls and Boys Campers

 

*Camp registration is now open for Camp Takodah! Head over now to Register Online, campers enrolled no later than February 14 are recognized with a special limited edition tee-shirt awarded during their summer camp sessions.

If you would like assistance, please contact Sarah at 603-352-0447 or email: sarah@cheshireymca.org.

Contact Camp Takdodah:

June-August
Camp Takodah
55 Fitzwilliam Road
Richmond, NH 03470
Voice: (603) 239-4781
Fax: (603) 239-6772

September-May
Camp Takodah
32 Lake Street
North Swanzey, NH 03431
Voice: (603) 352-0447
Fax: (603) 352-0516

Email: info@camptakodah.org

Address:

YMCA Camp Takodah
55 Fitzwilliam Rd
Richmond, New Hampshire

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