New Year, New Opportunities for Personal GrowthPosted by Beigette Gill on January 10, 2017
As we gear up for the coming year, many of us consider new goals and new growth to help us in future achievements. This is the perfect time to take a fresh look at where we’d like to go, and how we’re going to get there. This is true for each of us as individuals, and it’s true for Fernwood Cove. Here’s to an extraordinary 2017- new year, new opportunities.
Each year the Fernwood Cove directors choose a Fernwood Cove value to guide us as we plan for the coming summer. This year’s value is “Personal Growth”, something that encompasses all aspects of the camp experience. Camp must continue to grow and evolve so that each camper, CIT, and staff member has the opportunity to do the same. As we enter 2017 and focus on “Personal Growth,” we are excited to announce new additions and updates to our current programs and facilities.
New Opportunities for Growth
The development of the Ropes Course continues! This year we are focusing on low ropes elements that will provide new challenges and new opportunities for growth for campers of all ages. Campers will develop communication and collaboration skills, as well as self-awareness. They will build connections that solidify their team while working together to solve puzzles and overcome physical and mental challenges. We are excited for this development as it will provide significant hands-on learning opportunities for our youngest campers who participate in Little Leaders. Older campers and CITs will be able to further develop leadership and communication skills through advanced programming options as well.
Ropes Course activities help develop individual skills which benefit campers in a variety of areas. A closely related activity is Rock Climbing. We are excited to announce the addition of a new climbing face on the climbing tower. This new face will include multiple 3-D features that will provide opportunities for skill development while also increasing self-confidence, trust, and safety awareness. Returning campers will also enjoy the return of the High-5! This thrilling climbing challenge helps develop climbing skills, as well as core strength and balance.
Structural Growth
One of the founding values of Fernwood Cove is the respect for the outdoors. We are highly aware of the environmental impact we have through our activities and everyday practices. We also understand Fernwood Cove families have high expectations in the quality of our facilities, equipment, and activity materials. Incorporating our camp values, while meeting the expectations of our families creates unique opportunities for creative problem solving. This led us to transition our in-camp water skiing and wake boarding activities to jet-ski based programs. This year we are investing in an additional jet-ski to ensure campers experience quality activities, while also ensuring our environmental impact is kept to a minimum.
We are also very conscientious in maintaining the beauty of our facilities as we continue to grow and evolve. We are beginning a multi-year project that will mark significant structural growth along the bunkline. Many of the bunks that house our 2nd – 6th grade campers are among the oldest buildings in camp. Some of these bunks age back to the early years of Camp Chickawah. These bunks have weathered many summers (and winters) and now receiving some much-deserved TLC. This project focuses on ensuring the structural integrity of these bunks and includes a cool addition. Each bunk will receive a face lift that includes new metal roofing and the addition of a front porch! We look forward to bringing this feature back to the bunkline and seeing campers of all ages enjoying these new communal spaces.
Continued Growth Ensures Dynamic Programs
With each year that passes Fernwood Cove becomes further steeped in its traditions. Each summer Fernwood Cove girls create new memories that build upon the foundation of the girls who enjoyed summers past. We continually seek the balance of honoring traditions, while also seeking new opportunities for growth for ourselves and for the camp community. This continued growth ensures dynamic programs that evolve alongside our camp community, while staying true to the founding values that create Fernwood Cove. We look forward to seeing Fernwood Cove girls enjoying these new additions this summer, and for many summers to come.