A day at Treetops unfolds in a rhythm. Campers are awakened not by the blare of an alarm, but by the quiet words of a counselor telling them the day has begun.
Morning Chores, Breakfast & Tent Cleanup
Children assigned to morning barn chores and garden harvest get up a bit earlier than other campers. They make their way to the barn and garden to care for our animals and harvest food for the day’s meals.
As they return, the rest of Camp stirs. Everyone gathers in the dining room for a delicious, healthy breakfast — of eggs, oatmeal, fruit, or pancakes with our own maple syrup, for instance.
After breakfast, campers return to their tents and cabins to tidy up their living space. They work together to take out the trash, sweep the floor, and make their beds.
Council & Morning Activities
Following breakfast and tent cleanup, campers and counselors gather for morning council, where music is played, songs are sung, and information about daily activities is shared. Council, for which we gather three times a day, builds our community and provides structure and choice. It is during council that campers select activities for their mornings, afternoons, and evenings. Daytime offerings might include activities exploring nature and wilderness, in the arts, at the waterfront, on the farm, or participating in whimsical play.
Lunch, Council & Rest Hour
Morning activities are followed by a wholesome lunch, afternoon council, and rest hour. Rest hour is a time for children to relax in their tent or cabin for quiet activities such as reading, writing, drawing, or a nap. Mail is also delivered at this time, so campers are able to enjoy news from home in relative privacy.
Afternoon Activities & Work Jobs
After rest hour, campers participate in the activities that they selected during lunch council. Between the afternoon activity periods, everyone gathers for a snack of juice and crackers. Campers look forward to this as a time when the whole camp comes together.
Following afternoon activities, all campers and staff participate in daily chores — meaningful work that not only helps to keep Camp running smoothly, but teaches children the value of their contribution to the community. In gaining real responsibility, campers develop confidence and pride in a job well done.
Dinner & Evening Activities
After a full day, campers enjoy a delicious, hearty meal. Dinners are held outdoors two evenings a week when our community gathers for a cookout.
Most days culminate with a variety of after-dinner activities. Some campers may opt for quiet games or reading by the fire, while others work on craft projects or join a short sunset hike. Pickup games of soccer and capture-the-flag are favorites, and on particularly hot evenings, many campers head to the waterfront for a dip in the lake.
On certain evenings, the entire camp gathers for a special event — a musical or dramatic performance, square dance, or bonfire on the Lake Hill.
Bedtime
After brushing their teeth and changing into pajamas, campers return to their tents to enjoy a bedtime story read by their counselor. A softly ringing bell signals quiet time, and each child is tucked into their bed. Counselors sit outside on the tent step until all children have drifted off to sleep. Throughout the night, counselors ensure that all children are safely asleep in their beds. Bedtimes range from 8:30 – 9:30 based on the age of the camper.
A Review of Our Daily Schedule
6:30 Children on barn chores and garden harvest wake up
7:00 Barn chores and garden harvest
7:15 All campers get up
8:00 Breakfast, followed by tent clean up
9:00 Morning council
10:00 First activity period
11:00 Second activity period
12:15 Lunch, followed by afternoon council
1:45 Rest hour
2:45 Third activity period
3:45 Juice and crackers
4:00 Fourth activity period
5:00 Work jobs and barn chores
6:00 Dinner, followed by evening council
7:15 Evening activities
8:30 Junior camper bedtime
9:00 Senior camper bedtime
9:30 Oldest senior camper bedtime