Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Sunrise on Crabapple Lake

We were treated to a beautiful sunrise this morning. The outdoor education campers were bringing their luggage down to the lodge, so we stopped to watch the orange glow on the lake. This photo doesn't even match how vibrant the color was, but you get the idea. A good start to the day!

Thanks, Fluke! (Goodbye, old Trading Post!)

During the September 18 United Way Day of Caring, employees from Fluke Corp. "deconstructed" the Trading Post - usually stocked with camp T-shirts and other Camp K goodies. Don't worry, though! It was taken down to make room for a NEW Trading Post next spring. The new building will look much like the original, but be a little more modern.

As always, the Fluke crew did a great job with their projects around camp. This year, they also split wood and restocked wood boxes, washed windows, painted the floating dock, cleared out underbrush in the horse pasture and took apart the Tyee unit. Tyee is being rebuilt as part of the council's Capital Campaign, so the tent platforms were cut into smaller pieces and moved to the 100 Acres to be set up at the overnight sites in the spring. Lots of good changes at camp!

Here's the end of the Trading Post ...





Come visit camp next year to see the new Trading Post and Tyee unit!!

But do his feet reach the pedals?

We may have discovered a new driver for the camp bus, Cecil the Diesel. Cassie's dog, Wyatt, looks ready to work for kibble!

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Summer Days Are Happy Days

Summer camp was a blast! There were lots of warm days, and even some really hot days, but through it all we had great adventures.
Session 1 kicked off day camp and also resident camp with Camp Willie, a grief camp program. Now in operation for 10 years, Camp Willie was featured on the front page of the Everett Herald that week. Check out the article here!
Day camp and resident camp ran throughout the season. During their training week, the Day Camp Assistants made this new unit sign, which was hung on the trail to the pavilion.
We enjoyed all kinds of camp activities, including swimming, boating, crafts, archery, cook outs over the fire and camp outs, biking, games and of course songs. We're sure every parent is now familiar with at least a few songs their kids came home singing!
We had one really hot week - remember that? - but stayed cool with lots of swimming, time in the sprinklers, Otter Pops, and some meals eaten out in the meadow to keep the temps down.
Specialty camps included a culinary week - here they are working on a delicious brunch the morning of sleep-in breakfast.
Other specialties included Venture Crew (with an emphasis on outdoor skills and activities), Dance Camp (swing dance), Archery Camp (with daily time at the range) Iron-Teen (physical actvities), Babysitting Basics and Horse Camp. Wadikima, the teen trips unit, went rafting on the Wenatchee and biking in the San Juans.
And of course there were also weekly themes. From Western to Superheroes to Adventures In Flight and many more, they inspired some creative activities and costumes. Even the visiting therapy dogs got in on the costumes! (They're pirates.)We hope that every camper went home with new skills, new confidence and lots of happy memories from their time at camp.
And a big "Thank you!" to the summer 2009 Camp Killoqua staff! They're the ones who make camp so special for our campers, and we wish them well in their new adventures this fall.

See you next summer at camp!