The overnight experience helps campers who are used to city lights and sidewalks to become comfortable with a nighttime outdoor environment. Some campers may be nervous about sleeping outside or apprehensive about the possibility of encountering wildlife. We encourage every camper to depart on the overnight with their cabin group, experience cooking over the fire, and a night hike. Many times, these campers quickly become comfortable and throughly enjoy the experience with their peers. If a camper insists on not sleeping out, a staff member will escort the camper back to camp, and the camper will spend the night supervised in the Health Clinic.

Overnight Camping Progression

The overnight camping program follows a progression that fits the needs of younger campers and challenges older campers.

Pathfinders are introduced to overnight camping in a supportive environment that gives them a taste of outdoor living. They utilize our overnight sites that are closest to camp and often have permanent shelters. The permanent shelters resemble a cabin and fit an entire cabin group, allowing campers to feel more comfortable in the outdoors.

Main Campers progress to the next level of overnight camping by spending more time at more rustic overnight sites. 6th and 7th graders often sleep in tents and will cook a full dinner as well as s'mores over the fire. 8th graders utilize our overnight sites that are the farthest away and our "tree house" site. They have a number of choices for their cookout dinner and often eat breakfast at their overnight site.

Explorers go on an overnight expedition, hiking and camping around the perimeter of camp. The expedition gives Explorers a taste of hiking and camping that is similar to an Adventure Trip.

Voyagers go on a two-night overnight experience. During the that time, they participate in team-building activities, experience our high ropes challenge course, and cook four meals out.