2012 Session Descriptions

For young people who want to have a great time making new friends and developing basic camp skills. All sessions include elements of traditional overnight camping: Bible study and devotions led by mature Christian young adults, campfires, swimming, boating, crafts, recreation, making new friends and trying new things.  The program becomes more challenging as the campers mature and gain experience. Sessions listed in order of eligible ages.    

TEST YOUR WINGS -- entering grade 1-2

Try camp for two days and see what you think -- a quick sampling of many fun camp activities! Especially great for those who have been waiting and waiting to be old enough to come! (Not intended as a first time away-from-home experience) One counselor for every four campers.

BEGINNER EXPLORERS -- entering grades 2-4

The best way to see what camp is all about!  Choose a 2 or 4 night stay to try out all of our activities, including boating, campfires, cookouts, Bible study, and more!  Our beginner camps are packed with action and have a 1:5 staff to camper ratio -- ensuring lots of supervision and attention. (Not intended as a first time away-from-home experience)

YOUNG EXPLORERS -- entering grades 3-5

The fun just keeps coming!  Stay for a full week at camp and learn about teamwork and build confidence.  Young Explorers go canoeing, learn to live outdoors, study the Bible, and enjoy crafts, swimming, cooking outdoors.  Staff to camper ratio is 1:5

FISH (First in the Swimming Hole) - entering grades 3-5
Tons of time in the pool!  If summer camp isn't enough for you, add swim lessons to the mix!  Swim lessons are led by certified instructors.  When you're done at the pool, there's plenty of time for more MW fun.  FISH is intended only for those unable to swim 100 meters without stopping.

ELEMENTARY EXPLORERS -- entering grades 4-6 

Whether you're a MW veteran by now, or coming for the first time, Elementary Explorers will be the highlight of your summer.  A whole week of laughs and traditional camp activities, with the added bonus of living out in the longhouses AND getting to try out our archery program.  Staff to camper ratio is 1:7.

CREATION CAMP -- entering grades 4-6

Dig into Nature! Learn more about our awesome planet and the critters that live on it.  Scavenger hunts, owl pellets, and, weather permitting, a peek though the telescope in the Brinton Observatory. Enjoy all the fun of an explorer camp too!

JUNIOR NOMADS -- entering grades 4-6

Where do you get to spend the night?  Wherever your group decides!  Nomads live in tents and venture all over the camp property.  You'll have all the fun of other explorer camps with some added excitement each night sleeping out under the stars!

TACK & TROT* --  entering grades 5-7 & 6-8  - now for boys!

This camp fills fast every summer!  Our partner stable teaches English horseback riding for beginners.  Spend time each morning working with your selected horse, and then have plenty of time each day for MW fun.  New session added for rising 6-8 grader girls and boys! for the week beginning July 1!

ARCHERY ADVENTURE --entering grades 5-7 

If you can't get enough archery, this is the camp for you.  Start with basic shooting skills and move up to various games to try out your accuracy - new challenges every day!  Spend the rest of your time enjoying traditional MW excitement.

PHOTOGRAPHY FUN -- entering grades 5-7

Choose this camp and see what develops!  Learn camera basics, lighting, composition, and some trick photography.  A CD of the session's best pictures is included in cost; campers must supply a digital camera.

GIRLS' DRAMA -- entering grades 6-8

Not old enough for FAME yet?  No problem!  Work with the FAME director learning drama skills through improv and theater games.  Get ready for future drama endeavors, while enjoying other traditional MW activities.

JUNIOR NIGHT OWLS -- entering grades 6-8

Stay up late, get up late, and use the wee hours of the morning for night hikes, night paddles, astronomy and stargazing, glow-in-the-dark zip-line flights, campfires, cookouts... plus all the other fun we have to offer.  Weather permitting, peer through the big telescope in the Brinton Observatory.  Sign up early -- Night Owl sessions fill up fast!

NATURE EXPEDITION* -- entering grades 6-8 

This adventure includes a two-night trip to Virginia's Eastern shore, exploring Kiptopeke State Park andChincoteague/Assateague National Park and Wildlife Refuge. Seakayak through the marshlands to find periwinkle snails and a pelican rookery! All gear and kayak guides are supplied by Southeast Expeditions. Round out your time with traditional MW worship and fun!

NOMADS PLUS-- entering grades 6-8 

Where do you spend the night?  Wherever your group decides!  Nomads live in tents and venture all over the camp property. PLUS you will learn basic outdoor living skills such as fire building and canoe skills. You'll have all the fun of other camps with some added excitement each night sleeping out under the stars!

ALTERNATE SPORTS EXPERIENCE* --entering grades 6-8 

Enjoy regular MW fun and test out some of the craziest and most fun sports out there that aren’t always played in schools or community leagues.  You’ll play lacrosse, ultimate fox tail, Frisbee golf, fly on the advanced zip lines, play slip'n'slide kickball and a few other surprises we’ve got up our sleeves!  Separate sessions for girls and boys. 

PIONEER TRACKERS -- entering grades 7-9 

A great camp for older campers who love traditional camping! Fly the ziplines, arch, observe the night sky, and sleep under the stars (all activities weather permitting). Swimming and canoeing will be sure to put this camp at the top of your list!

THE ULTIMATE SURVIVOR* -- entering grades 7-9

Learn valuable survival skills during this 9 day camp, like how to build a fire without matches and wilderness safety preparation. Then test them out on an overnight hiking trip in the Blue Ridge Mountains.  Round out this camp adventure with ziplines, and possible viewing at the observatory.

CANOE ADVENTURE* -- entering grades 7-9 

An extreme whitewater canoe experience!  Work with experienced counselors and instructors learning skills and teamwork -- then take your skills to the James River for an overnight trip (weather and water levels permitting).  All campers must be able to swim 100 meters without stopping.

NIGHT OWLS -- entering grades 8-10 

Stay up late, get up late, and use the wee hours of the morning for night hikes, night paddles, glow-in-the-dark zip-line flights, campfires, cookouts... plus all the other fun we have to offer!  Weather permitting, peer through the big telescope in the Brinton Observatory.   Sign up quickly -- these sessions fill up REALLY fast!
* Note: new session added just for girls, for the week beginning June 24.  It's called Night Owls 1.5  Both Night Owls sessions 1 and 2 are full for girls.

CAVE and CLIMB* -- entering grades 8-11

This adventure includes a two-night trip to western Virginia for rock-climbing, rappelling and caving!  Not only will this camp take you to new heights, it will take you to a whole new level. 

Explore the undergrounds at Glade Cave outside of Harrisonburg. Perfect for beginner level and beyond, your adventures will be led by a certified guide and will truly be an expedition! All gear and equipment are supplied by the outfitter. Round out your time with traditional MW worship and fun!

FAME (Fine Arts Mission Experience) -- entering grades 8-12

Two weeks to learn and perform a musical?  No problem!  Under the guidance of trained instructors, you'll sharpen skills, work hard, and perform a musical at nearby churches.  This year's musical is totally new, with original script and score--be part of the debut! Known to build confidence and skill, emphasis will be placed on acting, singing, and movement through rehearsals and performances. FAME can be an ideal setting for a first stage appearance.  Some of our FAME stars have gone on to college and community theatre--this is a great start.

RAFT and ZIP!* --entering grades 9 -12

For the truly adventurous spirit!  Push yourself to the edge with two full days of whitewater rafting--and the night in-between is spent camping along side the river with a feast of a meal prepared by the rafting company. Followed that up with a day of rock climbing and rappeling!  Finish up this session back at Makemie Woods for Friday’s last-day fun. Campers must travel with current photo ID and have a notarized release form.  This camp travels to West Virginia to the New River Gorge area.  Rafting contracted with River Expeditions. Zips with TreeTops.

YES (Youth Encountering Servanthood)* -- entering grades 11-12

For the first 10 days, YES campers enjoy MW fun and participate in group building, faith, and leadership development.  We will also partner with First Presbyterian Church of Hampton, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, and Housing Partnerships of Williamsburg for service projects.  Over the weekend, YES will travel to Cape Charles for a weekend of relaxing and fun on the beach.  In the last week, they'll see what's it's like to be a counselor, living and working with a younger camper group. 

Separate application is required.  Contact the camp office or download here.
* These camps require a physical exam dated less than 12 months before the start of the camp session.