What does a typical day at actually look like? From morning reveille to singing Green Trees around the campfire to end the day, every day at camp is filled with adventure, friendship, laughter, and memories that last long after summer ends. No two days are exactly alike, but here’s a glimpse into a typical day in the life of a camper at Camp T!
7:00am — Polar Bear
Campers who choose to participate in the early morning Polar Bear swim wake up before the rest of camp to take a refreshing morning swim in Birch Lake. While the idea of jumping into the lake and playing silly games first thing in the morning might sound crazy, Polar Bear Club quickly becomes a favorite memory for many campers. There’s something unforgettable about laughing with friends, watching the mist rise off the lake, and starting the day with a little adventure before breakfast.
7:30am — Reveille (Wake Up)
The day begins with reveille echoing across camp as counselors help campers wake up and get ready for the day ahead. Cabins quickly come alive with sleepy smiles, brushing teeth, making beds, and plenty of chatter about what activities everyone has planned. Before they head to breakfast, campers gather together for morning flag raising. It’s a moment for the entire camp community to come together and start the day as one group. Campers also have the opportunity to learn flag raising procedures, and public speaking as they share a Thought of the Day with the rest of camp.
8:00am — Breakfast
After flag raising, everyone heads to breakfast. At breakfast each day (and Sunday night for dinner) campers and staff sit together with their cabin groups. Whether it’s pancakes, eggs, cereal, or fruit, breakfast helps campers get ready for a busy morning. We offer a cereal / yogurt / fruit bar each day, as well as a hot breakfast option (pancakes, egg sandwiches, breakfast burritos, french toast, bagels, etc.). Meals at camp are full of conversation, laughter, and energy as campers fuel up for the day ahead.
9:30am & 10:30am — Morning Activities
Campers spend the morning participating in their first two activity periods of the day.
Depending on what they signed up for, campers might be:
- Sailing across Birch Lake
- Learning archery skills
- Creating art projects
- Cooking something delicious
- Exploring nature trails
- Building STEAM projects
- Playing team sports
- Performing drama games
- Fishing from the waterfront
- Waterskiing or wakeboarding
One of the best parts of camp is that campers get to try new things in a supportive environment. Many campers discover brand-new interests or talents they never knew they had. You can read more about our activity selections and schedule here.
11:30am — Free Swim & Trading Post
By late morning, it’s time for one of many campers’ favorite parts of the day: free swim! Many campers head to the waterfront to cool off, swim with friends, jump off the dock, or simply enjoy time by the lake. Lifeguards supervise the swimmers, and campers can swim in different areas of the waterfront according to their swim-test level to ensure everyone stays safe while having fun.
During Free Swim time, campers can also visit the Phair Trading Post to shop for camp gear and souvenirs, or play cards on the store porch with friends. They can also choose to stay in their cabin and rest, read, or write letters home, or go to the Shower House for a shower. Gaga Ball is also open at Free Swim.
12:30pm — Lunch
After a busy morning, everyone gathers again for lunch. The dining hall is always full of energy, cheers, and conversation. During Lunch campers can sit at a table of their choice, with counselors and friends from other cabins if they choose. Lunch always includes a salad bar option, alongside the main lunch offering (for example, chicken tenders, pretzel bun sandwiches, grilled cheese, sub sandwiches or wraps), and there is always a vegetable side with the meal.
1:15pm — Rest Hour
After lunch comes rest hour, giving campers a chance to recharge before the afternoon begins. Some campers write letters home, read books, play quiet games with cabinmates, or simply relax on their bunk. Rest hour gives campers (and counselors!) valuable time to slow down and reset.
2:15pm — Snack Time
A quick snack gives everyone a little extra energy for the afternoon ahead. Campers come to the Trading Post and can choose one sweet treat (candy, ice cream, soda) and one not-sweet treat (pretzels, popcorn, chex mix, bottled water, cheez-its, veggie straws, etc.). The afternoon store snacks are included in the price of camp, so campers are not spending the Trading Post money on candy and snacks.
2:45pm & 3:45pm — Afternoon Activities
The afternoon brings two more activity periods packed with adventure and creativity. At camp, growth happens naturally. Campers practice independence, teamwork, resilience, communication, and problem-solving without even realizing it. They’re encouraging friends during activities, learning new skills, building confidence, and creating memories they’ll talk about all year long.
4:45pm — Free Swim
Before dinner, campers get another chance to enjoy the waterfront during free swim. The Trading Post is not open at afternoon Free Swim, but they can relax in their cabin, play cards on the store porch, or take a shower at the shower house.
5:50pm — Flag Lowering
As the day begins winding down, campers gather again for flag lowering. This evening tradition gives everyone a chance to reflect on the day and prepare for the evening ahead. At the end of flag, staff often make announcements about the upcoming evening program, or share other information with campers and staff.
6:00pm — Dinner
Campers come together after a full afternoon of activities, hungry and excited to share stories from the day. Like at lunch, campers can sit at a table of their choice, with counselors and friends from other cabins. There is always a salad bar option, alongside the main dinner offering (pasta, hamburgers, fried rice, pizza, etc.), and a vegetable side. We always make sure to have vegetarian protein alternatives at every meal.
7:15pm — Evening Program
Every evening at Camp T features a special evening program. These programs vary throughout the week and may include:
- Monday night cookout and cabin night
- All-camp games
- Team competitions
- Talent shows
- Dances
- Carnival nights
- Group challenges
- Closing Campfire
The entire camp community comes together for fun, laughter, and unforgettable shared experiences.
8:30pm — Song Circle
As the sun begins to set over Birch Lake, campers gather for one of Camp T’s most treasured traditions: Song Circle. We sing traditional camp songs that have been passed down for generations, rousing silly songs, and staff introduce new songs as well. For many campers, Song Circle becomes one of their favorite memories of camp — a peaceful moment surrounded by friends, music, and the beauty of the outdoors. We end song circle each night by joining hands in a circle and singing Green Trees to end the day.
9:00pm — Cabin Time
After Song Circle, cabins return to their living areas for cabin time. Counselors help campers wind down, get ready for bed, and spend time reflecting on the day. Campers build strong relationships with their counselors and cabinmates through conversations, laughter, and shared experiences.
10:00pm — Taps
As taps plays across camp, campers settle into their bunks after a full day of adventure. By the end of the day, campers are usually tired in the very best way — exhausted from swimming, running, laughing, learning, and making memories from sunrise to sunset.
And then, the next morning, they get to do it all over again.
At Camp T, every day is filled with opportunities to grow, connect, unplug from technology, and experience the simple joy of being a kid at summer camp. The schedule may guide the day, but it’s the friendships, traditions, and moments in between that truly make camp unforgettable.
