Camper Levels and Activities

Download an example Regular Camper camp schedule! (Microsoft Excel format)

This beginning level is for youth ages 12-15. These campers attend instruction at four Natural Resource Sites over a two day period, along with all the other activities in which the entire group of campers are involved.

The four Natural Resource Sites are:

Aquatics - Campers hike to the Cispus River, wetland area, and side stream channel to participate in various activities including identifying macroinvertabrates (aquatic insects), studying and discussing the riparian area and health of the stream for salmon habitat. They also perform a "mock" wetland delineation.

Soils - Campers experience hands-on learning about soil life, structure and stewardship. Field exercises include soil classification, ID of organisms and troubleshooting disturbed sites. These activities teach the campers the importance and limitations of different soil types, and leave them with the comprehension that soil is alive!

Forestry - While hiking in the forest, campers experience some of the most fascinating moments of the natural resource site endeavors. Here, they learn how to identify trees and plants, the age and height of trees, and how to manage a stand of trees for harvesting. They also examine the requirements of planning and decision-making needed in order to maintain biodiversity within the forest.

Fish & Wildlife - Campers hike a trail to learn about the habitat types important to fish and wildlife. They learn how the food chain alters species populations, and the human impact on fish and wildlife, both negative and positive. The campers discover and identify animal tracks and skeletons, and then match the tracks with the skeletons.

Download an example Backcountry Adventure camp schedule! (Microsoft Excel format)

Notice: Backcountry Adventure Camp for 2008 has been cancelled due to snow pack conditions.

This level is offered to youth ages 15-17 who have had previous Natural Resources Youth Camp experience. This group goes on a 4-day, 3-night backcountry hike with a team of experienced personnel. During the hike, they learn firebuilding, survival tactics, and primitive first aid. They also study wildlife and learn more about edible plants.

Download an example CIT camp schedule! (Microsoft Excel format)

The CIT program provides an opportunity for youth ages 16-18 to participate in a series of activities which focus on developing leadership skills. CITs play a major role in leading camp program activities, including the team competition, recreation games, and the Treetops to Laptops presentations. They also run the camp "Snack Shack" and assist Counselors.

Ropes Challenge Course
All campers participate in this activity on Monday. It is a full ropes course, designed to challenge each camper and encourage teamwork. The campers develop solutions while building trust and unity. There are several different obstacles including a cargo net, maze, and "the wall." The Ropes Course is often voted as a favorite activity at camp, and the most challenging.

LBDs
LBDs (Learning-by-Doing) are one-hour sessions that allow campers to explore and experience various aspects of the natural and technological world through a variety of topics and methods. The special interests and skills of staff are shared with campers. Examples of activities include: Dutch Cookin', Nature Journals, Recycled Art, Cispus Scavenging, Interpretive Nature Hike, Getting the Dirt on Soils, Card Tricks, Creating Stationary, Planetarium, Dream Catchers, Volleyball, Compass Treasure Hunt, Ethnobotanic Hike.

Recreation & Jamboree
Recreation time is included in the daily schedule to offer campers a break from the routine. Such activities include basketball, soccer, volleyball, Frisbee toss, etc. The Jamboree is held on Thursday, following the Treetops to Laptops presentations.

Campfire
Each night campfire is held in the pavilion at Cispus. Each color group and the Backcountry Adventure Camp group take a turn being in charge of campfire. They must build the fire and put on a skit. Announcements and mail call happen during this time as well. Campers much sing a song or tell a joke when they receive mail. The "Magic Broom" is awarded to the group with the cleanest cabin of the day. The winning group gets to stay later at campfire.

Explorations
On Friday, campers experience the opportunity to spend the day getting an even closer look at our natural resources. Examples include: Silver Falls Hike, Archery, Orienteering, Fly-tying and Fly-fishing, and Trail Maintenance.

Treetops to Laptops
This activity is a culminating activity that the campers use to express what they have learned. Each color group is split into smaller groups - making teams of 4-5. Each team is then given a scenario and method of presentation. Teams are offered three methods of presentation: Oral, Skit, or Power Point. Each group then prepares their presentation before a judge and their fellow campers. Presentations are judged for accuracy of information, detail of information, organization, and participation.

Here are some things campers have told us about NRYC over the past few years!

About Cabin Life:

"Perfect, it couldn't have been better!"

"It was pretty good - the cabin leaders were nice and I made a lot of new friends."

"It was awesome, great, a blast!"

"It was fun even though I got little sleep."

"It was wonderful, I made a lot of new friends."

About Ropes Challenge Course:

"Doing the gerbil wheel challenge was my favorite activity because I overcame my fears!"

"I enjoyed falling backwards off the log. It built trust between myself and the members of my group."

"I enjoyed the Barrier the most. It helped me to trust my fellow campers to help me go over it. Also it was fun getting up there to the top. All my teammates worked together on a plan on how to get up there, how to help and how to follow the plan so everyone was safe."

About Explorations:

Angel Falls Hike:
"It was fun to hike in the fresh air."
"It was really tiring but when we got there it was well worth it."


Blind Trail:
"It gave me a small taste of what the blind have to go through everyday of their life and that is why I'm thankful for my senses, especially sight!"
"I learned that you have more senses then your eyes. When you are blind you have to use all of them."
"It was interesting to experience being blind by wearing a blindfold and trying to follow the trail."

St Helens Tour:
"It was interesting to see the destruction of the mountain."
"It was one of the most education and coolest experiences ever!"
"I enjoyed learning that it doesn't destroy, it re-creates."
"It was fun hiking through the old growth forest."

About Treetops to Laptops:

"No matter how right you think you are, there is always another answer."

"I learned that it is not so hard to present in front of a big crowd."

"I learned how to make decisions responsibly for when I'm older."

"I learned that most of the time a compromise is better than one person getting what he/she wants."

Other Comments:

"My favorite activity was the Ropes (Challenge) Course."

"I can't wait until next year's camp."

"My least favorite day was the last day because we had to leave."