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)

BEGINNER EXPLORERS -- entering grades 2-4
The best way to see what camp is all about!  Choose a 2,3, 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 experience everything else our program has to offer.  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.

CREATION CAMP
entering grades 4-6
For a whole week, revel in God’s creation!  Spend time each day learning about the natural world around us. Meet our pet snakes and  our giant tortoise, and learn more about caring for our environment and the creatures around us, Special activities take place during the day and at night!   Explore creation from the adventure of the longhouses.

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.

JUNIOR NOMADS -- entering grades 4-6 (not offered 2009)
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!

CANOE DISCOVERY -- entering grades 5-6
If canoeing is your favorite, this is the camp for you!  Learn all the necessary skills, and build up to a day trip on our own reservoir!  Don't worry -- there's plenty of time for everything else MW has to offer!  All campers must be able to swim 100 meters without stopping.

TACK & TROT -- girls entering grades 5-7
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.

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.

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 campfires, cookouts... plus all the other fun we have to offer.  Sign up early -- Night Owl sessions fill up fast!

PUZZLE PIZAZZ -- entering grades 6-8 (not offered in 2009)
Whoever thought being puzzled could be so fun?  Exercise your brain putting together challenging jigsaw puzzles with your new friends, as well as solving some "puzzles of the mind." The jigsaw puzzles will be preserved and will be used to decorate the camp for all to enjoy.  Challenge your body and spirit on the ziplines and other great MW activities.

HANDDRUMMING ADVENTURE -- entering grades 6-8
You got rhythm?  If so (and even if not!), grab a drum and take the opportunity to learn percussion and handdrumming techniques.  Contribute to camp praise and worship, and spend plenty of time enjoying other MW activities.

PHOTOGRAPHY FUN -- entering grades 6-8
Choose this camp and see what develops!  Learn camera basics, lighting, composition, and some trick photography.  A CD of the sessions best pictures included in cost; campers must supply a digital camera.

GIRLS' DRAMA -- entering grades 6-7
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.

NOMADS -- 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.  You'll have all the fun of other camps with some added excitement each night sleeping out under the stars!

NATURE EXPEDITION -- entering grades 6-8
This adventure includes a two-night trip to the western part of Virginia.  Enjoy God's creation while tubing in a Virginia river (weather permitting), visiting a cave, touring the Natural Chimneys... then chill with friends at camp in true MW fun, fashion and fellowship.

ALTERNATE SPORTS EXPERIENCE -- boys entering grades 6-8
With so many “girls only” camps, we created a challenge for the guys!  And guys, this is it — 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 and a few other surprises we’ve got up our sleeves! 

GUITAR GENESIS -- entering grades 7-9
We know you love camp music--learn to play it.  Under the instruction of singer/songwriter Nicole Belanus, spend time each day learning basic chords, strumming, and technique for acoustic guitar.  There will be plenty of time for great camp fun, and time to practice your new art.  Participants should plan to bring an acoustic guitar, if you need help selecting one, contact the director Mike Burcher

PIONEER TRACKERS -- entering grades 7-9 (not offered in 2009)
Stay at camp for 10 days!  Spend the weekend at camp and find out what it's like to have Easter in the middle of summer!  Pioneers spend a night out under the stars, build leadership skills, and get some extra time at the archery range!

THE ULTIMATE SURVIVOR -- entering grades 7-9
You think the TV show is tough?  Learn how to survive with only a few "luxury" items -- you'll spend 1 or 2 nights in the wilderness with only your fellow campers, your instructor, and what you have learned!  We'll focus on cooperation, not competition, but still plan on stretching yourself farther than ever!

TACK & TRAIL -- girls entering grades 7-9
(not offered for this age group in 2009)
Our partner stable teaches English horseback riding for beginners.  This is so popular  we are offering two sessions this year!  Spend time each morning working with your selected horse, and then have plenty of time each day for MW fun.

CANOE ADVENTURE -- entering grades 7-9
The ultimate 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!  Sign up quickly -- these sessions fill up fast! 

NIGHT OWL SURVIVORS-- entering grades 8-10
(not offered 2009)
Combine two of our most popular camps and get one great adventure.  Stay up late, get up late, and test your cooperation and survival skills--at night!

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 a brand new original script and score--be part of the debut! Some of our FAME stars have gone on to college and community theatre--this is a great start.

SAILING ADVENTURE -- entering grades 9-12
Let the winds take you and your new friends to an exciting overnight sailing trip on the Albermarle Sound in NC.  Learn sailing skills in a variety of boats ranging from Sunfish and windsurfers to cabin cruisers.  Campers may also try knee-boarding or tubing behind a powerboat.  Campers must pass a swim test and are required to wear lifejackets when sailing the smaller boats.  Two days of fun at MW round out this adventure.

ROCK AND RAFT 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.

ADVENTURE BY CHOICE -- entering gr. 9-12
Want to walk a tightrope or jump to a flying trapeze?  Learn to trust others and build confidence in yourself with four days at the William and Mary ropes course, led by trained and tested facilitators.  Campers will not be forced into any obstacle they do not choose.  Round out your time with traditional MW fun, relaxing in the pool, at crafts, and exploring the Bible.

YES (Youth Encountering Servanthood) -- entering grades 11-12
For the first week, YES campers enjoy MW, complete service projects at camp and at nearby churches, and participate in group building, faith, and leadership development.  Then, in the second week, they'll see what's it's like to be a counselor, living and working with a younger camper group.  Come find out if working at MW is the job for you!  Separate application is required.  Contact the camp office or download here.

The MAGICAL MYSTERY TOUR -- entering grades 9-12
(not offered in 2009)
For the adventurous spirit!  Sign up for this camp knowing you will travel each day (Monday—Thursday) — to an unknown destination!  Some trips will be service oriented, some will be educational, and some will be just plain fun.  As always, there will be time for Bible study, swimming, and other fun at Makemie Woods.  We’d love to tell you more details about this camp, but we can’t … it is a mystery, after all!

SCUBA ADVENTURE -- boys entering grades 9-12
Take everything to the next level -- underwater.  Scuba campers will learn the basics at Makemie Woods with a seasoned instructor, then travel to a dive lake for open-water dives.  Campers who complete all components of the camp will earn NAUI National Open Water Diver Certification.  And of course there will be for MW fun and relaxation.  All campers must be able to swim 220 meters without stopping, float for 15 minutes, and swim underwater for 35 meter underwater swim, per scuba requirements.

The DOVE Program--Summer Camp Volunteers
For adult camp enthusiasts, or Senior Highs who have participated successfully in the DOVE program, we have revamped and re-energized our DOVE volunteer program.  DOVEs will receive valuable training with the directors and upper-level staff, and then use that training to serve campers and the greater camp community. 

The DOVE program is not for the faint of heart!  There will certainly be a bit of "behind the scenes" work and a lot of experience with our younger campers.  (DOVEs are never the sole supervisor of campers, however.)  Time with the directors will focus on leadership development and honing supervisory skills.  Time with campers and counselors is sure to give you a good taste of what it's like to be on staff! 

Potential DOVE candidates must fill out an application return two reference forms, submit to a background check, complete an interview, and attend a three day training.  DOVEs will coordinate with the program director which week they wish to serve.  Depending upon the number of volunteers and upon individual performance, a second week may be negotiable.  DOVEs receive, in addition to great training and experiences, a written evaluation at the end of their service and a shirt available ONLY to those who complete this program!  More Information.

The Path to Staff:  

So many of our campers decide at an early age that they would like to serve on staff when they are old enough.  For those planning to walk this path, we recommend that campers participate in the YES program before their 11th or 12th grade, and the following summer serve as a DOVE volunteer.  To serve as paid staff, applicants should be 18 and one year beyond high school.  An exception can be made if a camper has participated in both YES and DOVE, and has received an outstanding evaluation during their DOVE service.