Double the Fun at Day Camp

When you think about camp, what’s the first thing that comes to your mind?  Sleeping in cabins, campfire, s’mores, playing with grizzly bears?  For most kids, they think overnight when they hear the word camp.  But at Jameson, there is another program that packs as much punch into a single day…five days to be exact!

Jameson's Day Camp program was created in the summer of 2014 as an option for younger children or those who weren’t ready to attend an overnight camp.  It provides all the benefits of Jameson Camp in five fun-filled days.  One camper mom said, "Pretty cool to see it all happen there for your kid.  Makes me proud to be a part of Jameson Camp's Women's Auxiliary even more!"

While at camp, children are immersed in a fun, active, supportive, and safe environment where they can learn and grow. Our campers have the chance to choose from a wide variety of exciting, fun activities that enable them to explore new interests and discover new strengths while making new friends. 

Among the first batch of campers to attend in 2014 were two brothers, Nate and Drew.  Their dad, Erik, found Jameson Camp through Google.  A quick search for ‘Day Camps Indianapolis’ places Jameson 5th on the list, with the Zoo coming in first.  (There is no shame in losing out to Kopi, the baby White-Handed Gibbon at the Zoo.)

For 3 years the boys have attended Day Camp, and 10-year-old Nate plans to continue his summers at Jameson.  “I want to be a counselor,” he said, his eyes lighting up like a lightning bug.

Nate (left) & Drew proudly wearing their camp medals; Drew proudly wearing 2 different socks

Mixed in with all the fun and excitement of summer camp, our programs teach children to engage in peaceful conflict resolution and acceptance of others’ differences. Other focus areas include gaining fitness and health activities; and learning greater respect for themselves, others and the environment.

So Nater Bug, how has Jameson Camp helped you?  “Usually without the summer camp we would go to a daycare all day.”  That means that without Jameson, two young boys would have been cooped up in a room, playing with blocks and eating Gerber baby food.

For 8-year-old Drew, Jameson Camp provided three new friends in the form of Chase, Trevor, and Elliot.  And it also provides a unique game that has every kid talking: the Gaga Pit.  “You’re inside an octagon and if the ball hits your waist or below, you’re out,” Drew says.  “They make up really funny rules.  Like no hands, just feet.”  Among the other events offered at Day Camp include Culinary Arts, Archery, Journalism, Artistic Expressions, and Nater Gator’s favorite activity, the Rock Wall.  Drew and Nater Tot (he has many nicknames) were also excited about another popular Jameson program, the character beads.

Campers are given beads based upon positive characteristics they display throughout the camp day, eventually creating enough to make a bracelet.  Some of the positive character traits we teach at camp include: support, empowerment, social competencies (making friends), boundaries & expectations, positive identity, positive values, educational commitment, and time use.  The boys most connected with orange (social competencies) and brown (boundaries & expectations).

While there are many benefits for their children, the boys’ parents Megan and Erik see a few that stand out the most.  “The leadership skills, being able to take charge of a group activity, I think it’s helped a lot with their confidence,” Erik said.  “We love Jameson because it gives the boys an opportunity to meet kids from all over the city,” Megan said.  “They’ve made some friends that they get excited to see year after year, camp after camp.”

  

Erik also reminds us of perhaps the greatest impact camp can have on today’s youth:  “Being disconnected and finding there’s so much more to do without having some form of electronic stimulation.  They go there for a week and don’t have access to any of it, but it’s never boring.” Drew’s response? “It’s never boring because we’re doing something every minute.”  Indirect praise for Jameson’s hard-working staff and a sure sign the boys will be back next summer.

Bear & Kirby posing for the camera

If your child is under the age of 7 or isn’t yet ready to attend an overnight camp, consider Jameson’s Day Camp program.  For more information, please click here.

Kevin Johnson

kevin@jamesoncamp.org