The Sprouts girls read books with Mikayla during siesta

Sonia, our Sports Sr Counselor & favorite climbing tree!

Quotes of the day:

“I’m not very authoratistic.” – LIT Liam

“That was a great wardrobe choice.” – Cait

It was pretty impossible to choose just one pic of the day… today was very busy!

The girls dressed up for their Princess Tea Party

Bubble-blowing contests during Bubblepalooza

Cait gets drenched by LIT Liam

Quotes of the day:

“I’m still sore from that intense game of leapfrog.” – Sonia

“I’m a sweet princess!” – LIT Liam

“Rory, I need my dress back!” – Court

We love celebrating birthdays at camp! We surprised Jr Counselor Mikayla today with a card, cupcakes, flowers, and a very loud rendition of Happy Birthday. What fun!

Quotes of the day:

“She smells like bare noodles!” – a Heartwood camper, describing her sister (??)

“I will NOT leak it!” – LIT Rory

The Sprouts play dress up!

Quotes of the Day:

“Colourful and appropriate – my two favorite things!” – Cait

“Duck, duck, duck… rainbow!” – a Sprouts camper

Cait & Court prepare the camper packages

Cait is also a new staff member at MKDC. As our Arts Sr Counselor, she will be working with Heartwood and Shoots campers on a variety of exciting projects involving visual arts, drama, music, and dance. Cait is currently studying theatre and English at the University of Ottawa, and is hoping to attend teacher’s college. With a wonderful positive energy, lots of performing arts experience, and a passion for teaching, she will be a great addition to our staff this year. Welcome to MKDC, Cait!

Sonia

Sonia comes to us with many years of camp experience, as both a camper and counselor at Camp Adonai, as well as a counselor at an equestrian center. As Sr Counselor for our Sports division of the Heartwood program, she will be able to draw on her prior experience as sports coordinator, in addition to a variety of other skills. Sonia is currently pursuing a bachelor of education at Trent University. Welcome to MKDC, Sonia!

A Colour War Dress-Up Challenge

Colour War is a special event that occurs at many summer day and residential camps. The entire camp is sorted into teams, each assigned to a colour, and the teams compete in various challenges to earn points. Exactly how, when, and under what conditions colour war happens varies greatly from camp to camp.

At MKDC, our colour war dates are preset on our calendar, but the themes are kept top-secret. On the Thursday prior to each colour war, the staff surprise our campers with a skit that reveals the next day’s theme. Campers are then assigned to their colour for the following day. Part of the fun is that the campers can dress in their team colour, or dress up according to the theme and try to win Best Dressed and earn extra points for their team.

Teams earn points in a variety of team and individual events, all based around the theme. Teams also earn points by creating a team logo/flag and cheer. We keep the emphasis on team building and fun by awarding additional points for good sportsmanship and spirit.

Colour War days are not only an exciting way to end the week, they are also an excellent opportunity for campers of different ages to play together, and for older campers to gain leadership experience.

We understand that it can be nerve-wracking for kids to come to camp on the first day. A new place, new faces, and fear of the unknown can make first-time campers (and parents!) feel nervous and unsure. It’s natural!

For summer 2010, we are introducing two new camp features that we hope will help to make the camp transition easier for everyone.

First, all registered camp families will receive a phone call from their child’s senior counselor in the weeks leading up to the start of camp. This phone call will provide an opportunity to ask any questions that may come up, as well as provide you with additional information, such as the first names of your child’s counselors.

Secondly, MKDC will be hosting an open house during pre-camp (the week before the camp season begins). Families who attend the open house can tour the facilities, meet their child’s counselors, and take a look at their group schedule.

By creating more opportunities for communication between camp and our camper families, we hope to decrease anxiety and help our campers to feel excited, not nervous, about camp!

Hanna, Counselor-In-Training

It is so exciting to have young, promising role models who are slowly making their way up the staff ladder! Hanna worked very hard last summer as a volunteer LIT and we are very pleased to have her back for Summer 2010 as a Counselor-In-Training. In addition to being very talented with arts and crafts, Hanna is a very calm and fun-loving person to have around, and she will be a wonderful addition to our Sprouts/Shoots staff. Welcome back, Hanna!