Towering Pines Blog

Each week at camp a cabin is selected to help lead vespers.  This cabin gets to choose the theme for the week.  After a cabin discussion the campers and counselors write about what this theme means to them.  On Sunday at vespers they get to share these thoughts with the rest of camp.  This past summer Cabin 8 chose Environment as their theme.

After reading these reflections again, I started thinking about the different meanings of environment.  Environment is defined as the surroundings or conditions in which a person, animal, or plant lives or operates.  The camper and counselor reflections focused on the physical surroundings of the environment we live in at camp.  They were purposeful in reflecting on the beauty of the Northwoods and the many ways the surrounding nature influences every part of life at camp.  The northwoods paints for us a beautiful backdrop of trees, foliage, lakes and creatures.  This environment also furnishes the areas where the activities and special events take place in order for the growth (one of our camp values) to happen over each summer.

Often we hear the term nature vs. nurture which brought me to think about this from a camp perspective.  The nature we’re surrounded by is greatly impactful; however, the nurturing of each camper every day is the integral key. Summer camp nurtures children through intentional programming, mentorship, and safe, structured environments. This profoundly impacts youth development by fostering independence, resilience and social-emotional skills. The activities within our programming cultivate teamwork and leadership, as well as promoting physical activity away from screen time. It also fosters emotional well-being and a sense of belonging where campers feel valued.

Cabin 8 Vespers Environment

Through all of this nurturing, our specific values encourage our entire camp community to respect and take responsibility for the environment we have the opportunity to live within each summer at Towering Pines.

Cabin 8 Winnebago

Without the environment camp wouldn’t have existed because there would be no resources to build for campers to sleep, eat, etc. So if there was no camp, no one would come and have fun.  Without campers and counselors no one would come back.  — Reid J.

Environment is a really important part of camp.  Camp is surrrounded by nature and an environment that makes it enjoyable and fun for everybody to come back each year.  Activities like horseback riding and biking wouldn’t function without horses or trails to ride on.  It’s in our hearts to keep a safe environment for everyone to enjoy at camp. — Bosco F.

The environment is a crucial part of camp which holds things together and allows activities to function.  For examples, without the environment there would be no lake to do activities like skiing or sailing.  In zoo without nature, the activities just wouldn’t be fun, and  people wouldn’t be interested in it.  The environment makes camp what it is, and without it, people wouldn’t want to come back eat year.  Without nature, camp wouldn’t be the same.  — Andres A.

Without the environment camp wouldn’t be the same.  The activities like soccer wouldn’t work because there would be no grass to play on.  Without the environment there would be no lake to swim in or skin dive in.  Without the environment at camp everything would be ruined. — Ro. G.

Environment is a really important piece at camp because it completes a big part of almost every activity at camp.  If environment wasn’t a thing, we wouldn’t enjoy any activity.  Imagine if you were walking to archery stepping on ground with no grass, seeing land with no trees and having to step on trash all day long.  Camp wouldn’t be fun if it was a world like that.

At camp the environment is what keeps people coming back each year.  It keeps all of the activities fun and interesting. Like how in sailing without the environment there will be no and no lake to sail on. Also, in fishing it would be very boring without the environment because there would be no fish to catch.  Without the environment these and many activities would be boring and camp would not function.  — Jacob J.

Nature is an essential part of camp.  It allows everyone here to learn and grow in ways that are not possible at home or school.  Whether it’s biking on a new trail, learning to ski, or sail, the environment gives us an opportunity to try new and challenging things.  It’s one of the main reasons I come year after year.  We’re lucky to have such an amazing place to spend our summers.  I think we could all do a better job keeping camp clean; use a water bottle, pick up trash and don’t litter.  Keep this place beautiful for the next generation.  — Thomas K.

 

Angie Wenzl

• “Building in our hearts fond memories, Towering Pines for you.”