Returning Campers, Unite!

We’re so glad you’re going to be joining us for the summer again! Now that you are an expert on how camp works, we can get into the nitty-gritty.

Part of what makes Falcon so great to come back to summer after summer is building the new things on the old. You may think that you want this summer to be exactly like last summer–I can’t blame you. I thought that many times. That isn’t possible. But it’s because of wonderful reasons. Each summer, really each session, you’ll have some of your same counselors and some of your same friends, but you’ll also have new counselors and make new friends, who will add a new dynamic to camp that will make it even better than last summer. You’ll go to canoeing, just like last summer, but instead of working on your Master, you’ll work on your Expert. Maybe you’ll try a new activity. Maybe you’ll bring a friend from home, or invite your little sister. No matter what, every summer builds on the summer before, in a bigger, better way.

As you get older, not only do you get to build on the knowledge and awards you have in different activity areas, you also get to try some new ones for which you aren’t eligible when you are younger. Those include:

Leaders-In-Training Program (LITs)

Falcon is very proud of our Leadership training programs, which work with our young staff and older campers to prepare them to be leaders, either at camp or in other jobs. Our Leaders In Training (LIT) program is specifically designed for our oldest (14 and 15 year old) four week campers, and will give them the opportunity to work on leadership skills through weekly meetings, counselor assistant positions in activity areas, and self-designed programs for younger campers. LITs can be found hanging out in younger units during rest hour, or giving a tour to a visitor. Are you interested in learning more? Please contact Nici at nici@falconcamp.com.

American Red Cross Babysitting Certification Course

Are you looking for a way to make some extra money during the school year? Your neighbors will never lose your resume and business cards (which we help you create!) when they see you’ve taken our American Red Cross Babysitting Course! This program is open to all interested 12-15 four weekers.

American Red Cross Lifeguard Certification Course

CITs and 15 year old four weekers have the opportunity to be certified as a lifeguard during their stay at camp. While this does take some time away from other activities, it is a great opportunity to earn a resume-building skill. In order to participate, eligible campers and CITs must pass the standard prerequisites, which include a distance swim.

Mountain Biking

Some activities, although we’d like for them to be available to all our campers, have to be limited due to age and size restrictions. Mountain Biking is one of those. The bikes we have are designed for campers over age 12, and because of that, we’ve limited our mountain biking program to senior campers. Once you are a Hawk or Eagle, you’ll have the opportunity to go biking during Camper Choice or Half Day Activities. Sometimes we stick to the road and our forest trails; other times we head off to explore the farm or even Jay’s side.

We also count on our returning campers to help introduce new campers to Falcon. This means showing them around camp, explaining how the schedule works, teaching them about activities, and telling them about Hopper and Squeegee. It also means making sure everyone knows that at Falcon, we value kindness and tolerance, respect and acceptance. It means inviting a new person to sit with you at a picnic table; it means asking what someone’s favorite food is. It might also mean helping them if they feel a little homesick, and letting a counselor know they need some help. We’re so glad you’ll be back with us again this summer, and excited to help make your next summer at camp as great as it can be!