One of the best things about Camp Woodmont is trying new summer camp activities. Campers choose a daily schedule of activities based on individual interests.
A Detailed Look at Camp:
From Check-In to Closing Ceremony
Arriving at camp on the first day bring many exciting and new feelings and emotions for campers. Campers are happy and excited as well as nervous and apprehensive especially on the first day at camp. We understand campers’ wide range of emotions and try to make every effort to help every camper fit in and feel at home when they arrive. Campers at Camp Woodmont are gradually acclimated to their small cabin groups as well as the larger camp-wide group.
After checking-in on Sunday afternoon, campers move their things into the cabin and then meet at the Beaver Lodge for the “safety talk.” During the safety talk, we review potential hazards, such as tripping over roots and rocks, and other rules for camper conduct and behavior (emphasizing that no pranks or bullying will be tolerated). We also stress the importance of inclusion of all campers, and taking care of and respecting personal belongings. Then, we take the ever-so-popular “group photo” before supper. The first evening meal is an outdoor supper with individual cabins. This gives the campers a chance to get to know their counselor and the other campers in their own cabin group and gives the counselor a chance to get to know each camper and to discuss cabin rules and procedures.
A Typical Day
at Camp
Sunday night is activity sign up. Each camper selects a schedule of 5 daily activities based on individual preferences. If your child is taking horseback, she/he will be assigned to a horseback class and will sign up for 4 other activities. Campers may or may not take the same activity as their cabin-mate/friend.
- 7:30 a.m.: Rise & Shine!
- 7:55 a.m.: Flag Rising/Pledge of Allegiance
- 8:00 – 9:00 a.m.: Breakfast, Devotional & Cabin Clean Up
- 9:00 – 10:00 a.m: First Activity
- 10:10– 11:10 a.m: Second Activity
- 11:10 - 12:20 pm: Third Activity
- 12:30 – 2:00 p.m.: Lunch & Rest time
- 2:10 – 3:10 p.m.: Fourth Activity
- 3:20 – 4:20 p.m.: Fifth Activity
- 4:30 – 5:00 p.m.: Snack time
- 5:15- 6:20 p.m: Cabin Activity Time/Free Swim
- 6:30 – 7:30 p.m: Dinner, Mail & Singing
- 7:30 – 9:00 p.m: Campwide Nighttime Programs
- 9:30 – 10:00 p.m: Ready for Bed
- 10:15 p.m.: Devotional
- 10:30 p.m.: Lights Out
After supper, campers and counselors enjoy an evening of large group games and get-to-know-you activities. Finally, activity sign up is the last thing we do on this first evening together. Campers choose from a list of activities for their main activities schedule. The list of activities generally includes: Drama, Archery, Arts & Crafts, Field Games, Sports (including Kickball, Softball, Soccer, Volleyball, Basketball,) Challenge Course, Cheerleading, Dance, Fishing, Hiking, Horseback Riding, Climbing Wall/High Ropes, Swimming, Hiking, etc.
Monday morning brings the start of activities with a 7:30AM wake-up bugle call followed by the flag-raising and breakfast. The daily morning devotional follows breakfast (the devotional consists of a short inspirational/motivational story or reading and is led on a rotating basis by the counselors and staff). After breakfast, campers return to their own cabins for clean-up and preparation for the day’s activities.
Camp Woodmont’s philosophy is that camp should combine both structured daily activities as well as providing time for small-group activities of a more relaxed and informal nature. We feel that children need the opportunity to master new skills in structured settings as well as the chance to learn to work and play together in harmony with one another while living in a community setting.
Activity periods last from 50-60 minutes with a 10-15 minute break between them. There are three morning activity periods before lunch and three activity periods in the afternoon. Lunch and rest time is from 12:30-2:00PM. Campers may rest quietly or write letters home during this time. Afternoon activities also include time for free swim and cabin activities where campers enjoy the company of their own cabin groups. Cabin time gives campers a chance to participate in special activities like: berry picking, building a camp-site (home in the woods), creek stomping, skit practice, singing songs, special games, scavenger hunts, special crafts, story-telling and much more.
After supper and mail call there is time for large camp-wide group activities which include: theme nights, skit nights, counselor hunt, carnival night, special night nature hike, sports night, capture-the-flag, international-folk-dance, camp-fire programs, and related types of activities. At the end of the night activities, we rotate the boys and girls between having a campfire or pool party. One night, the boys will have a campfire and roast marshmallows, while the girls go to the pool, and the next night we will switch.
After a day like this, most campers (and counselors too) are guaranteed an excellent night’s sleep in the cool mountain climate. Sleeping bags are recommended as the mountain temperature drops nicely at night; even during the day the temperatures average 5-10 degrees cooler than in Atlanta or other lower altitude areas.
Closing ceremony is on Friday morning at 11:00 a.m. Campers come together for one last time to sing camp songs for their parents and recall the highlights of the week. It also gives parents time to take photos and for campers to say their good byes and exchange phone numbers or addresses.
