Regular Camp Program

THE REGULAR CAMP: Our main, all-inclusive program provides a full range of traditional camp activities, including on-site swimming, riding or ponies, sports, nature, arts and crafts, dance or movement, music, creative dramatics and canoeing. Campers in Middle Camp and Upper Camp (see divisions) are also offered archery, ceramics, karate, cooperative games, flagpole, and either on-campus overnights (Middle Camp) or off-campus overnights (Upper Camp). Campers in Upper Camp are scheduled for day-long field trips about once every two weeks. Some of our other less traditional, programs scheduled for Middle and Upper campers include Indoor Cooperative Games - an interpersonal skills program; American Sign Language; Magic; World Games and Explorers - games and hands-on activities from around the world. In addition, we always like to surprise campers with a few programs that are just for the current season.

THE SPECIALTY CAMPS: In these programs, our campers have half of the day to focus on one favorite activity and the other half of the day to enjoy the activities offered in the Regular Camp program. Specialty Camps are four-week, progressive programs, often culminating in a show, performance or special demonstration. As such, Specialty Camps, must be taken in their entirety for the four weeks of the Specialty Session. The Specialty Camps information sheet provides descriptions of each Specialty Camp program and eligibility requirements. [Please note: 1) additional weeks of camp can be added a la carte from the Regular Camp program; and 2) Specialty campers participate in all Regular Camp programs, but are only offered Riding and Swim Instruction if the schedule permits.]

GROUPING: Parents can request on the Camper Application that we try to place their camper with up to two friends of the same age. Both sets of parents must agree to this and make the request. We are unable to honor requests to place campers in separate groups.

WEEKLY SCHEDULES: Camp groups are provided a weekly schedule of activities and each group gets a representative sampling of the overall program. Schedules vary randomly from day to day and from week to week. The only activities that occur at the same time daily are Flagpole and Swim periods. There is plenty of free time allowed for campers to organize an activity of their own, to work on a fun project, to prepare for a special event day, to socialize with friends, or to just relax. Activity periods are 35 minutes long. Schedules for the upcoming week are usually available on Fridays and are sent home via campers.

INSIDE TIME vs. OUTSIDE TIME: Although we consider our program to be an outdoor program, we have plenty of indoor, air conditioned space for campers on rainy days and extremely hot days. The amount of time indoors or outdoors depends on the schedule and weather from day to day. On average, a quarter to a third of the day is spent inside. Daily schedules are modified as needed to respond to weather conditions. Our youngest campers in Lower Camp usually spend closer to half the day inside.

HORSEBACK RIDING: Our riding program runs year long for both the camp and the school. Our instructors work with riders of all ages, from beginner to expert. Our horses are carefully chosen for gentleness and self-control, with consideration given to their ability to carry children safely. Pre-K through Second grade campers ride ponies and learn riding readiness skills. Campers Third grade and above learn advanced techniques, grooming and tacking skills, in addition to riding on their own.

SWIMMING: Our first and primary focus at the pool is safety. Our certified instructors begin each session by carefully testing campers, grouping them instructionally and setting pool limits according to a specific set of swimming skills. The pool ranges in depth from 2.5 feet to 5 feet. Campers entering First Grade and above are in the pool twice a day. Lower Campers and those in Specialty camps swim once a day. Group instruction is provided at swim time twice a week. Instructors give special attention to non-swimmers and beginning swimmers. Please refer to page two of the Camper Profile for an overview of our swim levels.

SPORTS AND COOPERATIVE GAMES: Using both competitive and non-competitive approaches, our athletic programs emphasize teamwork, good sportsmanship and a camper's "personal best," while developing skills and stamina. Campers enjoy traditional field sports like soccer, lacrosse, and basketball, and less-traditional field sports such as Ultimate Frisbee, Capture the Flag, and Medic.

CANOEING: The main pond is full of life and it is a perfect place for our certified instructors to teach campers how to canoe safely and to keep them under close and constant supervision. Although it is fairly shallow, the pond is large enough for practicing strokes, maneuvering, and exploring. Campers wear life jackets at all times while on the water.

 OUTDOOR LIVING SKILLS AND OVERNIGHTS: Camp wouldn’t be camp unless campers have an opportunity to pitch a tent, cook over a fire, toast s’mores, and snuggle into a sleeping bag. Our Outdoor Living Skills program begins on campus by teaching traditional camp craft like shelter preparation, outdoor cooking, orienteering, knots and lashing, weather, trip planning, and basic wilderness first-aid and safety skills. We extend the program by offering campers entering First grade and above a chance to camp out overnight twice per session. First through Third graders camp in platform tents located on the camp grounds. Older campers travel to local state and national parks for one or two-nights. Campouts are optional and an extra fee is required for participation.

NATURE: It’s no surpr ise, given our natural setting, that the nature program is one of our most valued and relevant camp programs. The program nurtures a camper’s respect for all living things, awareness of the beauty of the Earth, and a desire to personally assume guardianship of our natural resources. Campers love to explore Barrie’s grounds and adjacent parkland, collecting living and non-living things to bring back to the Nature Center for all to observe and enjoy. Campers are thrilled to watch their plantings grow in the camp vegetable garden or to watch a chick break free of its shell.

ARCHERY AND MARTIAL ARTS: Archery and Martial Arts are popular sports offered to campers age six and above. Safety rules and skills are taught under extremely close supervision by experienced and certified instructors.

ARTS AND CRAFTS - CERAMICS: The camp offers three art studios - two for traditional, "campy" arts and crafts and one for ceramics. Campers always love making lanyards with gimp, tie-dyeing, and knotting threads to make bracelets and anklets for one another. Older campers enjoy getting their hands into clay, glazing a ceramic piece, and seeing it transformed in our kilns.

DRAMA, DANCE AND MUSIC: How often do you hear, “Want to hear a song I learned at camp?” When is there a better time to share a fun song, to work on a dance routine with friends, or to practice a skit for Flagpole? Specialists in the Arts bring life to our program by helping campers explore their own inner world and find ways to express what they feel.

FIELD TRIPS: Upper Campers are scheduled for day-long field trips approximately once every two weeks. They leave after morning Flagpole and return by the end of the regular camp day. No extra fee is required.

OVERNIGHTS:  Optional overnight campouts are scheduled for Middle and Upper Campers about once every two weeks for an additional fee. Middle Campers sleep overnight on campus in platform tents. Upper Campers sleep overnight in 3-person tents at Ft. Frederick, Patapsco, and Little Bennett State Parks. Upper Campers are also offered a special, two-night overnight to Rocky Gap State Park at the end of each session. On-campus overnights are $35 per night and off-campus overnights are $50 per night. Registration forms for Overnights are sent home shortly before camp opens.

SPECIAL EVENT DAYS: Special event days are a huge Barrie Camp tradition and, as a whole, have become one of our most unique and exciting features. Returning campers often decide when they want to attend camp based on the special event days that will occur while they are here. In anticipation of each event, special Flagpole activities occur in the days prior to the event. Lower Campers enjoy a modified, age-appropriate version of each special event day.

SPECIAL EVENT DAYS: Special event days are a huge Barrie Camp tradition and, as a whole, have become one of our most unique and exciting features. Returning campers often decide when they want to attend camp based on the special event days that will occur while they are here. In anticipation of each event, special Flagpole activities occur in the days prior to the event. Lower Campers enjoy a modified, age-appropriate version of

	Olympic Day: Athenians vs. Spartans Summer Games, some serious and some not so serious, with white, red, and blue ribbons for all.
	Klondike Day: Trappers vs. Sourdoughs Which team can gather the biggest pile of gold during our Wild West version of the Klondike Gold Rush?
	Neptune Day: King Neptune vs. The Slime Slugger Do lifeguards keep our swimmers safe? No, it’s King Neptune, of course! Watch him stand up to his arch enemy, the Slime Slugger, during the Big Show
	Kahua Luau!: From the North Shore to Waikiki Beach, Barrie becomes the " Big Island." Put on your puka beads, sandals, leis and pig out! Okolemaluna! (Bottoms Up!)