Camp Tannadoonah Activities

Campers have four activities each day during a week at Camp Tannadoonah.

Campers can sign up for up to 3 activities that are pre-scheduled, leaving at least one free period per day. Most of these pre-registered activies take up one period, but some of them are two periods. Campers may pre-register for the following activities (click on links for more information):

Specialty Camp Activities — New in 2010!

Classic Camp Activities

The following activities do not require pre-registration (campers can go to these activities during free periods):

 

Swimming Lessons

Red Cross Water Safety Instructors teach campers swimming and diving skills.  Swimming classes meet one period per day, at the same time each day. Parents can request that their child take swimming lessons, or leave it up to the camper to decide.  Campers who plan to take lessons are tested on Sunday evening to determine to which of the 6 Red Cross Swimming levels they will be assigned.  At the end of the week campers who took lessons will be tested to see if they have met all of the Red Cross Requirements, in order to move on to the next swimming level.  Campers can also take courses in Diving, Basic Water Rescue, Water Safety Instructor’s Assistant, and Junior Lifeguarding.

 

Boating

Boating courses are offered in canoeing, kayaking, and sailing.  Boating classes meet one period per day, at the same time each day.  Campers who wish to take boating classes must pass the boating test on Sunday evening. 

 

Swimming and Boating tests

To earn an “intermediate” band, campers will be asked to swim one length (25m) on their front and one length on their back. 

To earn an “advanced” band, which gives campers access to the diving board, campers must swim a third length on either front or back. 

For campers taking swimming lessons, we will test campers according to Red Cross standards to assign swimming level.  However, this stroke proficiency will have no bearing on swimming band assignment.

For boating, we ask campers to demonstrate some swimming proficiency for their own safety. To be eligible for boating, a camper must earn either an intermediate or advanced swimming band. If the camper does not earn a band, but wishes to take boating, he or she can qualify for boating by treading water for 10 minutes.  Please note: all campers taking boating will wear life jackets at all times.

 

Fishing

Campers can spend a lazy morning fishing in beautiful Birch Lake.  Learn how to bait a hook, cast a line, and reel in the catch of the day! A $5 activity fee covers bait, poles, and other supplies.

 

Lake Swim

On Saturday morning each week, a brave group of early-bird campers gets up at 6:00am to swim all the way across Birch Lake.  Campers who wish to do the lake swim must qualify for an intermediate or advanced swim band, and demonstrate their endurance by swimming 500 yards during a free swim prior to Saturday morning.

 

Polar Bear

Campers can opt to get up each morning 30 minutes before reveille to take a dip in the cool waters of Birch Lake.  Campers who attend Polar Bear every morning throughout the week receive a special prize at breakfast on Saturday morning, and are eligible to purchase a Camp Tannadoonah Polar Bear Club T-shirt at the camp store. 

 

Bejeweled!

Do you love to express yourself through arts and crafts?  Whether using beads, wood or cloth, campers will spend this session using their creativity making various jewelry projects.  Cost: $25 for materials and supplies.

 

Team Building Challenge Course

Learn how to work with other campers to build a strong community. Solve problems, figure out puzzles, and learn more about yourself and your fellow campers! Plus, you'll get to find out what "Yogurt Bridge," "Giant's Finger," "Giant's Skis," "Porthole," and many other strange things mean! Campers who sign up for this special program will be guided through the confidence- and team-building course for one hour per day.  Cost: $25.

 

Advanced Nature

This nature program gives campers an opportunity to spend more time exploring nature at Camp Tannadoonah. Activities will include compass navigation, hikes to Dr. Lawless Park, an overnight tent-camping experience, GPS Geo-Caching, and more! Meets two periods per day. Cost: $20.

 

Digital Photography

Explore digital photography during your week at camp.  Meets once per day to teach campers the basics of digital photography. Campers will learn how to frame images, determine appropriate lighting, edit and select their best images, and then cut out their own mat to show off their photos.  Each camper will take home a disk with all of their photos, and one printed and matted image.  We recommend that campers bring their own digital camera, but we do have cameras to borrow.  Cost: $20; additional $5 to rent a camera.

 

Tennis

Our tennis instructors will teach campers the fundamental rules and skills of the game of tennis.  Campers will have to opportunity to play singles and doubles matches against other campers and their instructors.  Campers are encouraged to bring their own racquets, but we do have racquets available to borrow if needed. Beginner and Advanced Instruction offered. Cost: $25, includes Camp Tannadoonah Tennis Camp T-shirt.

 

Archery

Campers will learn the basic of archery from a certified archery instructor. At the end of the week campers can participate in the Golden Arrow Tournament with their peers.

 

Sports and Games

Each day of the week the Sports and Games leaders schedule a different activity.  Friday is “Camper’s Choice,” and campers who attend sports and games get to vote to decide the game of the day.  Activities include basketball, softball, wiffleball, golf, relay races, dodgeball, Spud, Frisbee golf, kickball, and many others!

 

Bluebirds

Our youngest campers at Camp Tannadoonah get to take part in special “bluebird” activities.  The bluebirds leader will plan a schedule of activities to keep campers busy and entertained throughout the week. Bluebird campers are all campers going into the 3rd grade and younger.

 

Arts & Crafts

Learn how to build a birdhouse out of recycled materials, braid a keychain or lanyard, make a friendship bracelet for your best buddy, or make a popsicle stick box to store all of your camp treasures.  Those are just a few of the fun things the handcraft leader has planned for the summer!

 

Drama

Charades, Improv Games, “Freeze”, Pictionary, act out skits & scenes. Have a great time being creative and goofy playing drama games.

 

Nature

Learn nature lore in the forests surrounding Camp Tannadoonah, visit the Princess Tree, take a trust hike, learn how to build a camp fire with no matches, learn pocket knife safety, carve yourself the perfect marshmallow roasting stick, or take a water hike. Learn to identify different types of trees, flowers, and bugs.

 

Iron Chefs

Cook at least one meal outdoors over an open fire each day! Learn how to make California Egg Scramble, Foil Dinners, Pie Irons, Pizza Bread, and many more meals (all over a fire!). Rain or shine! Campers learn how to build their fire, prepare the meal, and cook it all over the fire. Campers also spend one period during the day preparing their food, and learning about food preparation and care. Cost: $20.

 

Dance

Throughout the week campers will develop and learn a dance to be performed at Council Fire on Friday night! Meets one period per day.

Specialty Programs

This year, we've added specialty programs for some weeks. Note: these activities each take two activity periods.

Football Camp

Pirate Week only (June 20-26). Hike! This non-contact (flag) introduction to football will give campers a chance to learn the rules and regulations of American Football. Coaches will be announced soon. This activity will take up 2 periods. Coaches provided by the Indiana Hitmen, a semi-professional football team. Cost $50.

Cheerleading / Dance Camp

Pirate Week only (June 20-26). Practice your cheering skills and learn some new cheers and dances! This 2-period activity will be coached by Jordan Perry, former dancer and cheerleader and previous Camp Tannadoonah dance instructor who now attends IU Bloomington. Cost $50.

Soccer Camp

Jungle Safari Week only (June 27-July 3). Spend a week working on your soccer technique! Coaches from Soccer Zone in Granger, Indiana will be coaching this 2-period program each day. Work on footwork, ball handling, goal-keeping and more! Cost $50.

Diving Camp

Hawaiian Week only (July 11-17). SPLASH! Do you know what a 103C is? How about a 5231D? Learn to decipher the code at diving camp! Dive off a 1-meter board into the clear blue waters of Birch Lake. Coached by a former Albion College diver, campers will learn basic techniques of diving in this 2-period activity. Cost $50.

Science Exploration

Hawaiian (July 11-17) and Christmas in July (July 25-31) Weeks only. Why did the mushroom go to the party? Because he's a fungi! This 2 period science program will allow campers to explore nature in new and exciting ways, using cool science tricks and tools. Taught by Kate Willms during Hawaiian Week and Patty Karban during Christmas in July Week. Miss Kate is a biochemistry student currently applying for graduate programs; Miss Patty is a science teacher at St. Joe Mishawaka grade school. Cost $50.

Basketball Camp

All Star Sports Week ONLY! (July 18-24). Work on your basketball skills during a week-long basketball camp program! Coached by Shannon Grzybowski from the University of Detroit Mercy and other UD Mercy students, this program will help campers work on their ball-handling and shooting skills. Plus it will be lots of fun! Cost $50.

Volleyball Camp

Survivor Week ONLY! (August 1-7). Take to the court and practice serving, bumping, and setting during this week-long volleyball camp. This 2-period activity will be coached by Sue Felix, former St. Joseph's College volleyball player, and current girls volleyball coach at St. Joe Mishawaka grade school. Plus she's our very own assistant camp director! Cost $50.

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