Fun and Muggy

The girls did a wonderful job ignoring the heat and focusing on their camp activities.

Despite the cloudy, super hot, super sticky weather - the girls still had an exciting day. Once again they got to sleep in, but after they got up and moving there was no stopping. We started today facing the "Chocolate River" again - and today the girls conquered it; proving that they can work as an effective, communicative team. The girls then played a water game and relaxed during reading time before heading out for a serious game of kickball and a picnic. After rest hour the girls were back at it - planning a music video, swimming at the beach, making friendship bracelets, and going on a night hike with no flashlights! Over all, the girls had a fun weekend full of interesting activities.

Conquering the "Chocolate River" for team building-

Staying active with a serious game of kickball-

Painting the night sky-

Learning about night vision and getting ready for our night hike-

Tomorrow is going to be another fantastic day at camp!

The Weekend Begins ...

Here at camp we celebrate the weekend. The girls get to sleep in a bit and we have late-night Evening Program. We had an amazing Thanksgiving dinner with turkey, wild rice, cranberry sauce, and salad! Yummy! Our late-night Evening Program tonight is Movie Night! The girls are watching a modern day version of Snow White and eating popcorn. It is the perfect way to end the hottest day of the session (96*).




The girls began learning about the constellations today. Here they are creating their own legend and corresponding constellation. Tomorrow night we will be stargazing and applying everything they learned today.

Water relay races were the best way to stay cool today. This relay race is called "Watering Hole" - each member of each team is an animal and the objective is to empty the watering hole, one cup at a time.

Today, session 2 faced the dreaded Chocolate River - they didn't exactly make it, but they did a great job working hard as a team!

Everyone was almost too tired to go swimming ... almost...

Maddie, the program counselor, taught the girls a new rhythm game that involved cups - the girls almost gave the cook a heart attack;)



Presently, everyone is enjoying our Saturday Night Movie Night ... and looking forward to a cooler day tomorrow.


Rae, WEHGC Director



Freaky Friday

Yesterday was a hot day at camp and the girls handled it beautifully. We did sports in the morning while it was still a little cool and ended the day with scary camp stories - nothing too scary - in honor of Friday the 13th. The girls also go to spend extra time staying cool in the lake today after practicing their communication skills in a giant nature version of telephone. Check out the pics below:



Morning Team Building was all about figuring out the Human Knot.




Completing the hockey skill challenge course was fun - some of the girls really have knack for hockey.





The girls got a chance to show off their new skills in a 3 on 3 game.



Everyone rested at Rest Hour - the heat was exhausting.



In the afternoon the girls kept cool in the lake.





The water felt great!




As a get to know you activity, the girls created life time lines and shared them with each other.



We started "Scary Stories" while it was still light out ... just in case.

We're half way through session 2! Are you ready session 3?

W-E-H-G-C!

Instead of "H-O-R-S-E" at camp, we play "W-E-H-G-C". Today was a day of group games and togetherness. The girls had a hula hoop tournament, competing in a variety of hula hoop games. They also played 3 on 3 basketball and "W-E-H-G-C". The girls got to show off their acting skills in an improvisation game and their imaginations in a creative writing exercise. We ended the day with a group game that tested how well the girls know each other ... the results were hysterical!

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The girls were given the photo below and asked to write a story about what was going on in the photo. Check out what they wrote:

"Stop it Matt", said Olive. She, Matt, Dylan, Sophi, Josh, Jessica and Sheila were cramped in a 6 person van that has no air conditioning and 3 bags of chips scattered on the floor. Mat had jabbed  his elbow on Olive's rib for the 7th time. "Stop it Matt, you're getting on my last nerve", said Olive. "It's not my fault, Dylan needs a new car", said Matt. "Hey guys, we're here so stop arguing".
Sophi, Josh and Jessica got out of the van at the same time, and they tripped and fell on the concrete. "Oooooh", groaned Jessica and Josh in unison. "Come on guys, there's a cool beach waiting for us", said Olive. All seven teenagers rushed to the beach, not even caring that the sand was 109 degrees. For hours the teens played in the sand. Sheila got out of the water. She and Josh approached a railing. Sheila and Josh sat down at the railing. Matt, Dylan, Sophi and Jessica approached Josh and Sheila, "What are you guys looking at?" asked Jessica. "Just lookin' at the clouds. I wish I could stay here all day", said Josh. "Yeah", said all the others.
~Neila

Kids come back from the beach and walk along the highway because their car broke down. Something happens... they all hear yelling and check to see who needs help. They see that someone is stuck.
~Kelly

We were at the beach having a great time but we had to go. My friends and I were getting a ride back to my place. Apparently my dad told me to be waiting in the middle of a bridge. So we all went. When we saw it one of the guys was fascinated and wondered if we could jump down into the water safely. So we stood on the railing peering at the water.....
~Jackie

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And now they are getting ready for bed and writing to some of you ...

... good night everyone.

Rae, WEHGC Director

Healthy Planet & Healthy Bodies

Every day here at camp, we focus on one of our core WEHGC values. Today's value was "Healthy Planet/Healthy Body". The girls displayed this value throughout the day.

First, they had a "Mother Nature" fashion show where everyone wore something representing nature.
Then the girls visited a recycling plant. They could barely tolerate the smell, but they were amazed at the process of recycling and all of the things that can be recycled.

Later, the girls cleaned up a local beach and spent some time enjoying the water and the scenery.

Lastly, the girls had their first campfire meal: Hot dogs, potato salad, pretzels, and campfire crepes. Everyone is stuffed!

*Today, Jailyn and Oriana helped me with the blog by taking some of the pictures above and having me post their thoughts on the day below:

"Today we went to the beach. It was so much fun! At the beach we had to pick  up trash for healthy planet, healthy body day. Today's Pick & Stay choices were the camp blog, recycled magazine art, and games in the recreation center."
-Oriana

"At the recycling plant is was very smelly and dirty. Lunch today was very tasty. It was pizza. At rest hour we relaxed and got ready for the beach, When we were cleaning up to the beach all I basically found was cigarette butts. It was gross. Why don't people stop smoking?"

-Jailyn

BUGS!

B est
U nique
G irl S

Jailyn, Etinnah, Neila, and Valerie would like to share with you their highlights of the day:

1. Going to the beach
2. Rest hour
3. Cookies and milk
4. Painting in arts & crafts
5. Leaf identification
6. Capture the flag
7. Reading


Today was a fun-filled day at WEHGC. The girls were introduced to the daily schedule and the many activities that they will be participating in throughout the session. And ... as much as they hate them, the girls have decided that they are all ... BUGS! (see above)

Camp Kapers aka daily chores

Painting nails during rest hour. A WEHGC camper-made tradition and favorite rest hour activity.

Finding leaves for leaf identification.

Getting ready to go to the beach. Even middle schoolers can be cute;)

Evening Activity: Dutch Auction (this was an MJ impression)

The girls waving goodnight! Goodnight!

Time to get some rest .... we have an even bigger day tomorrow!

-Rae, WEHGC Director



"Who runs the world? Girls Camp!"

(Title = Beyonce' lyric)

This is Neila and Etinnah speaking. Maine, so far, is bright. There is lots of of ... what do you call it??? Nature. We will have to get used to it. The staff here are very understanding and open minded. Basically, they are awesome! There are a lot of places to explore and a lot of activities to do.

When we first came into the house, we all had to use our teamwork skills to get our luggage up to the cabin. We've already done a great job on teamwork. The first-time campers are still adjusting to the many differences between here and the city.

The swimming test was interesting and challenging because it was in a lake. The water was chilly, but we got used to it. Eventually, everyone got over the "different habitat" and we collectively decided it felt great to be in open water.

In conclusion, so far, WEHGC is like NO OTHER PLACE - it's better!

Etinnah and Neila

Learning the Water Front Rules

Taking the Swim Test

Arts & Crafts: Making our own stationary

Learning to build a campfire



Making S'mores (Mason came to visit our campfire!)



Camper Things to Know
By: Etinnah and Neila

1. Be Responsible
2. No Running in Rocky Areas
3. Take Care of ALL of Your Things
4. Remember to Have a Positive Attitude
5. Say "Please" and "Thank you"
6. Ask the Counselors if You Need Something
7. Put on Sunscreen
8. Take Care of Camp


*What a great first day for session 2! It's going to be an exciting session.