A Note from Camp Wyandot

The 90th season of continuous operation at Camp Wyandot was a very successful six weeks. Over 562 campers attended overnight camp and all sessions were full…some were a bit overfull. As you know the first three weeks of the summer were very rainy and cool with lots of mud and mosquitos. Then it switched to extreme heat with pop-up storms and ended with a nice pleasant variety with a only little “dew”.

The staff was a Wyandot experienced group with mostly graduates from the 2017 CIT program and lots of returning staff. They were both creative and challenged with full cabins and units and a full dining hall. A record number of special 90th Polar Bear patches were earned, and the competition for the Golden Dustpan was extreme.  Two new levels were added to the Nature and Outdoor Living Skills progressions. The WATER level in the nature progression challenged them to learn more about our water shed, Lake Atagahi and the beavers. They sharpened their camping skills in the new PIONEER level in the Outdoor Living Skills progression. Special Theme nights, “Wyandot Live” or a Wolf Show highlighted the evening programs each week.

Nearly all of the teen programs in Sioux and Kiowa and the special trips were full. Two groups of Rovers went backpacking for two nights. Voyagers canoes the Hocking River and spent three nights camping and cooking out. In celebration of the 90th summer handmade pennants for each group decorate the dining hall and campers learned a little of Wyandot history that they were able to share at the closing Council Fires.

Otonwe Day Camp at the John Beltz Retreat Center ran it’s second summer under the leadership of Deb Zawacki. Although some campers were able to take a van from Overbrook Church in Clintonville there were only 41 campers in the five weeks. The program was very creative and we are still trying to look at ways to build attendance on this beautiful site.

The overall goal Camp Wyandot’s outdoor programs is to provide a quality experience that builds competencies and creates positive life-long memories in a safe and supportive environment.  More than ever such valuable outdoor experiences are needed for children today. As part of the Wyandot family you should be proud of 90 years of continuing to support and provide such experiences.