Moonlights at HoneyRock

Wilderness Experiences for Our Youngest Campers

By HoneyRock Center for Leadership Development

October 19^th, 2021

Wilderness Experiences for Intro Campers?

"Every camper has a wilderness experience at HoneyRock," Ashley Kiley begins as we sit on the deck of Chrouser Center, the main hub of the HoneyRock Center for Leadership Development, "but it's always designed to fit their age."

Ashley is the Camp Programs Director at HoneyRock. She leads graduate students in the Outdoor and Adventure Leadership M.A. who, while they're studying at HoneyRock, coordinate and lead summer camp programs.

Keep reading to learn more, in Ashley's words, about HoneyRock Moonlights, the type of trips our youngest campers experience while they're at HoneyRock.

It's starts with a short hike or canoe.

After dinner, campers will hike or canoe out to one of our campfire sites. While we know the distance is only about a half-mile from their cabin, campers feel like they've just accomplished a massive trek or paddle" Ashley shares. These experiences, designed to provide age-appropriate challenge, help build a camper's confidence and sense of self.

We tell stories and sing songs.

On these excursions cabin leaders and campers will tell stories, sing songs, and just talk around the fire. The tone depends on the cabin. "Sometimes it's really high energy and they're standing on benches singing at the top of their lungs while other times it's more reflective."

Our cabin leaders are trained to see the needs of their group. Sometimes they need to run around and burn off energy while other times they're ready to share what's on their heart and mind.

Often there's imaginative play.

I love seeing campers activate their imaginations. These can be some of the sweetest--and highest energy--moments when we're out on our Moonlights. Campers will use the sticks, pine needles, and leaves around them to build structures or be props for plays. I've seen campers rehearse elaborate productions for their cabin leaders or create new motions for camper worship songs.

Of course, s'mores around the fire.

Their cabin leaders will have a small pack that includes a s'more or two for each camper. The treat is adapted for any campers with allergies or medical dietary restrictions so everyone can participate.

My favorite moment on a Moonlight is...

Ashely shares one of her favorite moments of a Moonlight, "Sometimes you'll catch campers quietly taking in the beauty around them. They stand at the edge of the lake or a few steps into the woods around us and pause. That's a powerful moment, when you witness an eight year old peacefully taking in God's creation."

Why do we do Moonlights?

The Moonlights help campers stretch beyond their comfort zone, spend quality time with their cabin, and fall in love with spending more time outside.

There's built-in challenge for many campers in Moonlights. It starts to get dark towards the end of their Moonlight and this can make some campers nervous. Our leaders use this as an opportunity to talk about our faith and bring God's word into the moment.