Summer 2024 - What Session Is Right For My Camper?
It feels like camp just ended, I can still smell the sunscreen, hear the sounds of finding the last key in the night game, and see the campers swirling around Downtown.
But it’s already time to think about next summer! Because…
Summer 2024 registration opens on Sunday October 15th at 9am EST!!!
Choosing the right session and program for your camper is key to giving them the best camp experience possible. Just as with everything at Stomping Ground, we want to give campers options that create the opportunity for them to thrive. Here is a closer look at what each program entails so your camper can choose what program is right for them.
Summer 2024 session dates
Session 1 (July 30th - July 12th) - Main Camp & BIG TIME & CIT
Mini Camp 1 (July 7th - July 12th)
Session 2 (July 14th - July 26th) - Main Camp & BIG TIME & CIT
Mini Camp 2 (July 21st - July 26th)
Session 3 ArtsFest (July 28th - August 9th) - ages 13-17
Session 4 (August 11th - August 23rd) - Main Camp & BIG TIME & CIT
Main Camp (ages 6-14)
This is Stomping Ground’s bread and butter. Our main camp program allows for kids to create their own schedule and explore anything and everything that interests them. At Stomping Ground almost everything is optional as long as you aren’t taking away from other people’s experience, keeping yourself and the community safe, and are supervised by a staff member. We offer optional activities for campers as well as create a space that fosters creativity and connection in Downtown Stomping Ground, a free-play, mixed-age hub where campers can play and learn in community. Campers in main camp spend their mornings trying out a multitude of options or exploring and connecting in Downtown, the afternoons are spent enjoying our beautiful lake or hanging out on the iconic pirate ship, and in the evenings we get to immerse our entire community in engaging and imaginative Night Games. Main camp provides the opportunity for your camper to explore all that Stomping Ground has to offer!
BIG TIME (ages 14-16)
BIG TIME: Belonging, Individuality, and Growth while creating a space for Teens Initiating Magical Experiences. BIG TIME is for teens who are ready to take on a leadership role and have the chance to design their entire experience at camp. At the beginning of each BIG TIME session, campers and staff meet together to design two weeks of experiences that meet the wants, needs, and imaginations of the community. BIG TIME is very community-oriented and focuses on collaborative decision making; no two BIG TIME sessions are ever the same. Campers take on more of a leadership role at camp, helping to take care of the space and design programs and experiences that create magic for younger campers.
CIT - Counselor in Training (ages 16-17)
The CIT program is an intensive and highly engaged two week session. Each CIT (Counselor in Training) will learn what it means to be a counselor at Stomping Ground. While they will without question bond with people in their session group, the primary objective is for CITs to give back to the campers. Instead of just participating, campers will be facilitating games, activities, debriefs, and helping care for the space. We want our CITs to learn how to initiate meaningful relationships with campers. The program will build on characteristics needed to do this such as creativity, connection, and leadership. CITs will spend the first week engaged in learning and observing all of the components that go into being a counselor. This includes an abbreviated Restorative Justice training, similar to the one staff undergo during Staff Orientation. The second week is much more hands-on; CITs will be leading activities daily as well as living in a cabin and learning directly from the counselors about how to create a thriving cabin community.
ArtsFest (ages 13-17)
ArtsFest is about creating, connecting, and collaborating. It's for teenagers looking for space to be themselves, make art, and forge new friendships. It's for beginners and experts practicing various art forms, trying new things, and honing their craft. From artist lectures to funky puppet shows, ArtsFest is both serious and whimsical. There are guitar classes, painting seminars, artist lectures, giant projects, cardboard creation, jewelry making, slam poetry sessions, and so much more, but the magic of ArtsFest is that it's all up to you. During ArtsFest, campers will have the opportunity to deep dive into the artistic pursuit of their choice, or try a new skill every day with our Artists In Residence. ArtsFest is a festival celebrating choice, connection, and creation, the day is what you make it.
Mini Camp (ages 6-10)
Mini camp is a week-long concurrent session offered for campers aged 6-10 who may just want to try camp out or would enjoy a shorter option (younger campers of course are still invited to come to 2 week sessions if they wish). We designed these sessions with new campers in mind, but anyone who would benefit from a shorter program is welcome. Mini camp will follow a very similar schedule to main camp while offering extra support for campers who have never been to camp before!
Maddy is a director at Camp Stomping Ground. They love helping kids be creative, being outdoors, and embracing chaos. This year they are helping with registration, staffing, and connecting with camper families.
