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 are always looking for new and exciting energizers to add to our morning flag line-up. I’m already thinking up a list of songs that would go in the camp version… any requests?

When our campers graduate from our regular program, those who are interested in taking their camp experience to the next level are encouraged to apply for the MKDC leadership program. First is the Leader-In-Training (LIT) position, which helps campers to gain experience as a role model for our younger campers while building valuable life skills. Fifteen year olds who have successfully completed the LIT program will be invited to become Counselors-In-Training. CITs perform many of the duties of a Jr. Counselor while continuing to receive guidance and training.

Besides having the opportunity to continue to grow and have fun at camp, there are many benefits to MKDC’s leadership program:

1. For a kid who has grown up at camp, becoming an LIT is an opportunity to discover the other side of camp life – to experience some of the planning that goes on behind the scenes to make camp magic happen. Taking part in the staff secrets behind such events as colour war is an exciting feeling for former campers.
2. Young teens (13-15) aren’t old enough for most jobs yet, but are feeling the pressure to begin building job experience. Camp leadership training provides them with valuable job experience and skills they can put on their resume. CITs who successfully complete the program also have a “foot in the door” to becoming a future full staff member at Maple Key.
3. LITs learn a variety of important life skills while they are at camp. Empathy, responsibility, confidence, and teamwork are all heavily emphasized at in the leadership program. Whether LITs plan to become camp counselors or not, these skills will serve them well in both their work and personal lives.
4. All Leaders-In-Training receive a formal evaluation at the end of the summer, in addition to regular check-in points throughout the camp session. This encourages real growth in a short period of time, as well as providing a written evaluation that can be kept in the LITs portfolio and used as a written letter of reference.
5. Being an LIT is fun! Leaders-In-Training get to continue to participate in the camp activities they love, plus take on special responsibilities such as refereeing the (very funny!) counselor hunt. Isn’t that better than sitting at home?

I just finished reading a very interesting article in the most recent issue of Camp Business Magazine called “Competition Conundrum”. It discusses the role of competition in today’s camps and schools.

Competition has received a lot of “bad press” in the last few years. We’ve all heard the horror stories of screaming coaches and parents, stressed out and overly aggressive kids, and a “winning at all costs” mentality. But is that what competition is really supposed to be about?

Dr. Chris Thurber, a clinical psychologist, camp training expert, and author of the article, doesn’t think so. He believes that the healthy kind of competition will:

• praise effort, not outcomes,
• focuses on strengths
• encourage fun, but not at the expense of others
• builds teamwork
• emphasize handshakes, not prizes

Children who experience healthy competition (or what Thurber calls “Cooperative Competition”) receive many benefits. They learn to recognize how their individual behavior contributes to the team effort, and share mutual respect with their competitors.

The main message of Thurber’s article is how we, as camp staff, can frame a game or activity to be competitive without hurting performance or self-esteem.

Our Colour War activities at the end of each week are an excellent example of this. Each colour war, we have a few staff members who play on each team, rather than leading activities. The main role of these staff is to model good sportsmanship. Trash-talking, and negative talk of any kind are NEVER allowed.

When points are awarded for each challenge, they are awarded individually – that way, each team is rewarded for what they, as a team, accomplished – without direct comparison.

Finally, our Colour Wars always conclude with a celebration of both teams accomplishments, and the winning team gives a big cheer for the others’ efforts. The rewards are shared equally among all participants.

“It’s not whether you win or lose – it’s how adults frame the game.” – Dr. Chris Thurber

Today Maple Key Day Camp held its first ever PA day camp. We had a small but enthusiastic group, including returning campers from the summer as well as a whole birthday party! It’s amazing to see how quickly new friendships develop, even over the course of just one day. So glad we get to do it all again in two weeks!

Is this sushi, or a yummy dessert? Look closely!

Spa Day!

We learned some yoga, and made a face mask, foot scrub, and bath salts. (It was messy and fun!)

Quote of the Day:

• “My feet feel so soft!” (funny because it came from a seven year old boy!)

A brother and sister team complete the babyfood “Roadblock” during the Amazing Race!

Slip N’ Slide!

Quote Of The Day:

• “I didn’t want to come to camp smelling like sleep”
• “Are you supposed to wear underwear with your pajamas?”