Teams
There are two teams at Camp Monterey, the Nolichuckies and
the Wataugas. Names are drawn to determine which team a new
camper will be on so everyone belongs to a team. It doesn't matter which one
a girl is on: her best friend may be on the other team. What matters is that,
as a member, she will stretch herself to do things that she might not otherwise
do. Teams provide many opportunities for girls to work together for a common
goal and to take on leadership roles. The teams are guided by the older members
who shoulder the responsibilities of teaching the team traditions to the younger
campers.
A
Day At Camp
The day begins with the wake-up bell. Everyone gets up and dresses and does
her job cleaning up the cabin for cabin inspection. One Unit of girls will
take a turn aiding tables in the Dining Hall. Everyone else gathers at the
flagpole to raise the flag and say the Pledge of Allegiance. Afterwards, campers
and staff go to the Dining Hall for breakfast and announcements.
Then morning
activities begin when they learn new skills and/or work
to improve the ones they have. Formal instruction is offered in:
Canoeing, Sailing, Swimming, Tennis, Badminton, Volleyball, Archery,
Woodworking, Pottery, Crafts, Guitar and Horseback Riding.
After the morning activities, the campers have lunch, followed by mail
call and a rest hour, a good time to read or write
letters or rest from the morning's activities. When the bell rings for rest
hour to be over, the girls may go to any of the activities open in the morning.
Free swim is always offered in the afternoons.
Special activities take place on certain days. One day a
week, the campers go on outings; Tuesdays for the older girls and Thursday
afternoons for the rest of camp. They may go to the Mennonite Community nearby
and sleep over at the D&M Ranch, or camp out at one of several clearings
near the Obey River. Cooking breakfast over an open fire often includes the
girl's favorites--dough boys on a stick and "scrambled pancakes".
Another treat is going blackberry picking and making a cobbler with the berries
in an iron pot on the coals of the campfire.
Once a week, campers and staff gather around the Campfire Circle for
a time of recognition for those who made progress in activities during the
week. Twice a week, the two teams play each other in volleyball for team points.
These games are exciting, and everyone comes out to cheer for her team.
On Sundays,
the girls have a chance to sleep a little later and have a special breakfast--sometimes,
home made cinnamon rolls. Campers and staff dress in their Sunday whites
for the church service by the lake in the morning. In the evening, the
Units may have separate vespers or all of camp may come together for a
vesper service down on the dock.
The Fourth of July is very special at camp and
we celebrate the whole day. We elect a "Miss Columbia" and
an "Uncle Sam" from the tallest girls in camp to preside
over the festivities. There is a marathon in the morning and a
swimming contest in the afternoon with watermelon served afterwards.
After dark we have a torch lit canoe formation and fireworks.
Camp Birthday is another day of celebration.
We dress in bright clothes and parade in the Dining Hall. It
is also called "Smile Day."
The Rodeo is
in the afternoon of the second Sunday of First Session. Campers ride
horses in different events, bobbing for apples, riding in costumes, balancing
a potato on a spoon.
At the end of First Session, the campers put on a Pageant for
the visiting parents. This is a story in which all the campers take part, acting,
dancing or singing. Staff make costumes and props and paint scenery.
Both
teams give a Party during the summer. The party has
a theme, and everyone goes in costume. The girls paint murals which transform
the Lodge and Dining Hall. Campers make up the dances, songs and skits
for the party. They are giving the party for the other team and
make it a special evening full of laughing and singing.
The Meets come the very last week of camp and take place in
every athletic area. This is the time when the campers demonstrate the skills
they have acquired in the activities taught at camp throughout the summer. It
is exciting for the girls to represent their team. Everyone appreciates a good
effort and cheers for both teams.
