The
activities offered at YMCA Camp Greenville have evolved over many years. Our
goal is to use the natural setting of camp to provide an emotionally safe
environment in which participants feel accepted and safe. Our objectives are to:
To promote self-esteem
Encourage a sense of personal responsibility
To create an emotionally safe environment
To provide caring, consistent and competent support
Core Activities
Activity
Activity Overview
Activity Goals
ARCHERY
(1.5 - 2 hours)
Learn the
basics of Archery. This is a recreational class that challenges
participants to shoot at targets ranging in distance.
Learn basic archery skills
Increase self-esteem by trying new things.
Set and reach for a personal goal.
BAFA BAFA
(1.5 - 2 hours)
Two family groups work together to form
communities with peculiar cultures. Participants are given roles and are
asked to reach certain goals while trying to learn about the other
community.
Promote teamwork through involvement and sharing.
Learn to understand and communicate with other cultures.
Learning friendship through interaction.
THE BEAST
(1.5 hours)
A communication activity in which teams
attempt to replicate an assembled Lego "Beast". Only one member from
each team is allowed to observe the beast; that member must relay the
information to two other team members. The final member then acts as the
builder of the "Beast" using the information received from his/her
teammates.
To build a "Beast" that has some similarity to the original.
To encourage communication through explicit instruction.
To understand how different people understand things.
To understand and appreciate that people communicate differently.
BOULDERING
(1.5 hours)
Participants will have the opportunity to
experience the indoor bouldering wall. Bouldering is unroped climbing at
low heights (less than 12 feet) that focuses on movement and strength.
Participants can try their hands (and feet!) at the wall before
experimenting with some challenging activities as a group.
To learn new skills in a safe environment.
To challenge oneself.
To trust oneself and others.
To promote encouragement and support in the group.
CANOEING
(1.5 hours) There is an additional fee per student for this activity
Students canoe in pairs on our largest
lake, Lake Sudie. Canoeing is a great activity for demonstrating the
need for teamwork. Lifeguards are in attendance and all participants
wear life jackets. This activity is offered in April, May and September
and is dependent on the weather and water temperature. There is an
additional fee per student for this activity.
Learn to follow the basics of water safety.
Learn to work together.
Learn and practice strokes.
CLIMBING EXPERIENCE
(1.5-2 hours) There is an additional fee per student
for this activity.
With the support of our trained staff,
participants have the opportunity to learn the basics of climbing in our
indoor climbing room. Climbs range from beginner to advanced levels.
Participants must be in 5th grade or higher to take part in Climbing
Experience.
To take risks in a safe but challenging environment.
To confront fears at one's own level and to gain self-confidence
and a sense of accomplishment.
To trust oneself and others.
To be a part of the group support system.
CONFLICT RESOLUTION
(1.5 hours)
Through role-play, activities and discussion,this class will address the issues of conflicts
both in and out of the classroom.The
aim is to have students recognize their options when dealing with conflict and
how to make better decisions for action when a conflict arises.
Recognize
and appreciate different personalities and opinions.
Make
students aware of their choices when faced with a conflict.
Simulate
relevant situations involving conflict through role play and have students
try to resolve them.
Knowing
the importance of mediation in situations which may be out of our control.
COOPERATIVE CHALLENGES
(1.5 hours)
Participants will work in small groups on
activities such as the Egg Drop where they are asked to build a
structure capable of surviving a fall from various heights and then to
promote their product. Groups are encouraged to make sure each member
participates in both the promotion and construction.
Promote teamwork by working together in small groups of 3-5.
Learn to listen to other's ideas.
Be creative.
DISCOVERING DIFFERENCES
(1.5 hours)
This activity analyzes perceived
stereotypes by providing an opportunity for each participant (in a
controlled and safe environment) to both stereotype someone and be
stereotyped. A discussion on the impact of stereotyping follows.
To gain a better appreciation of how we perceive others.
Learn how to get past first impressions.
To learn about others in your group.
GEO DOME -
(1 - 1.5 hours)
Working as individuals and members of a
group, students learn certain knots and lashings, while creating their
own self-supporting climbing frame.
Learn and practice basic knots and lashings.
Promote teamwork through involvement.
Promote communication and participation.
Enhance self and group esteem by building a solid structure for
play.
GROUP DYNAMICS I
(1.5 - 2 hours)
Team building activities requiring group
communication and cooperation. Challenges include various mobile
initiatives.
To promote teamwork by working together.
To understand different types of leadership roles.
To develop trust among the group members.
GROUP DYNAMICS II
(1.5 - 2 hours)
This session builds onto the team building
activities started in Group Dynamics I. These activities require the
group to go to the next level in communication and cooperation.
To promote teamwork by working together.
To understand different types of leadership roles.
To develop trust among the group members.
HIGH ROPES
(2 hours) There is an additional fee per student for
this activity.
Camp Greenville has a unique challenge
course that enables the individual and team challenges at various levels
off the ground. Run by trained staff members, this course fosters
self-confidence and teamwork by attempting to overcome fears and
enabling students to trust one another. Participants must be in sixth
grade or older in order to take part in High Ropes.
To take a risk in a safe but challenging environment.
To confront fear at one's own level and to gain self-confidence
and a sense of a accomplishment.
To trust oneself and others.
To be part of the group support system.
LARGE GROUP CLOSING
(30-45 minutes)
Allow time for your entire group to come
together before you return to school for some large group closing
activities. These activities remind the students of what they have
learned while fostering a sense of community within the whole group by
allowing the students to share experiences and stories.
Foster a sense of community within the entire group.
Provide closure for the experiences had at camp by allowing the
students to share what they have learned.
LARGE GROUP GAMES
(30 minutes - 1 hour)
Fast action tag or "Simon Says" games where
everybody wins while still challenging their comfort zones. It's a great
way to stretch after a long van/bus ride and have some fun.
To be non-competitive and all inclusive
To have fun
MOUNTAIN FEUD
(1.5 hours)
In this debate class, students are given
different roles to play while they discuss issues that affect them in
their everyday life, a current event, or a simulated event. Topics are
usually determined with input from trip leaders and Camp Greenville
staff before the group's arrival.
Being able to take a position in a situation and communicate
effectively.
Being able to debate a position that is not necessarily their own.
Reach a decision or be able to compromise.
Learn that it is acceptable to agree to disagree.
NATURE CENTER
(30 minutes)
Visit with our snakes, turtles, birds,
and other creatures in our Nature Center. Students will have the
opportunity to learn about animals found in our area and do some hands
on learning. This is a great activity to combine with Tree Stories or the Showerbath Falls hike.
To learn about the animals of this region.
To handle some of the animals in the Center.
OPTION PERIOD
(1 - 2 hours)
Allow your students to choose their
activity from a variety of selections offered by the staff
(i.e. - Basketball, Ultimate Frisbee, Arts and Crafts, Hiking, Slapball,
Volleyball, etc.)
Promote teamwork and encouragement.
Provide opportunities for decision-making.
Allow the students to participate in something that interests
them.
ORIENTEERING ADVENTURE
(1.5 hours)
Map and compass skills are the focus of our
advanced orienteering class. Students determine bearings and distances while
completing an orienteering course through the middle of camp.
Review or learn the parts of a compass and how to use one
Promote math/geometry skills
RAINBOW FALLS HIKE
(1.5 - 2 hours)
It is not only a great hike to one of the
most beautiful waterfalls in South Carolina, it is a great team builder.
The highlight of this activity is the challenge and the teamwork.
Students maneuver through steep terrain, using one another for support.
People's impact on the environment is sharply contrasted against the
wild beauty of the forest. This is a challenging hike for those in good
physical condition.
To be challenged both physically and mentally.
A sense of accomplishment.
ROCK CLIMBING
(2 hours) There is an additional fee per student for
this activity.
Students participate in a climbing and
rapelling activity at one of our many cliffs around the camp. This
activity is dependent upon weather and the availability of qualified
staff.
Learn the basics of rock climbing.
Improve self-esteem by trying something new.
Promote teamwork by encouraging other participants.
SECRETS OF THE MOUNTAIN
(1.5 hours)
Students learn basic compass skills and use
them to guide the group on a hike through the woods.
Learn the parts of a compass.
Learn to be a good leader and follower.
Learn to solve questions as a small group.
SERVICE PROJECT
(2 - 4 hours)
At camp we always have meaningful projects
to be completed. This includes such things as trail maintenance,
painting, minor building, and mulching. This is an opportunity for a
group to work towards a common goal with all members having a key part
in its completion.
Teamwork towards a common goal.
Service through participation.
SHOWERBATH FALLS HIKE
(30 minutes)
During this session, participants will take
a short hike to one of the waterfalls on Camp. This walk through the
woods is a great way to experience nature in action - and possibly even
get wet standing behind the waterfall! This is a great activity to
combine with Tree Stories or
the Nature Center.
Learn a little more about nature.
Have fun and potentially get wet!
TREE STORIES
(45 minutes)
In this class, participants will learn
briefly about trees in the area and their life cycles. Students will
then create their "life as a tree", mapping their own "rings" and
sharing events that have contributed to their growth and development.
This is a great class to take with Rainbow Falls, Wilderness Trek,
Showerbath Falls, or Nature Center.
Learn how to read tree rings and talk about factors that have
affected the tree's growth.
Sharing significant events that have affected the participant's
personal growth and development.
WHICH WAY?
(1.5 hours)
Map
and compass skills are the focus of this orienteering class. Students determine
bearings and distances through a variety of activities.The culmination of the class will lead the
students on an orienteering course that runs through camp.
Learn
map and compass orienteering.
Observe
surroundings and relate reality to map representations.
Understand
map scale.
Work
together to achieve a goal.
WILDERNESS SKILLS
(1.5 hours)
Team work, communication, and planning
skills are promoted as participants learn outdoor skills as well as
Leave No Trace and minimal impact camping techniques.
Learn to build a shelter from local natural materials.
Learn to build a fire.
Learn how to camp in the outdoors while leaving little or no
trace.
WILDERNESS TREK
(3-5 hours)
This class gives participants the opportunity to
explore some of Camp’s 1600 acres.Over
a three to five hour time span, students will hike a few miles on a variety of
trails.Leave No Trace ethics, eating a
meal on the trail, learning wilderness skills, and participating in group
activities are all possibilities for a Wilderness Trek.
To be challenged both physically and mentally.
To have a sense of accomplishment.
To be a part of the group support system.
ZIPLINE
(1.5 hours)There is an additional fee per students for this activity.
Take a fun and exhilarating ride across Lake Rotary on our 200 foot long zipline. Well trained and knowledgeable staff will be on hand to assist participants with harnesses and other safety equipment.
To take a risk in a safe but challenging environment.
To confront fear at one's own level and to gain self-confidence
and a sense of a accomplishment.
Evening Activities
Our Evening Programs are designed to be educational, as well as a fun way
to end the day. These activities are designed to involve everyone: students,
chaperones and staff.
Activity
Description
CAMPFIRE
(1-2 hours)
Enjoy an entertaining evening
of songs, skits, stories, and games with students, chaperones, teachers,
and Camp staff working together to entertain the group. Groups may
request our inside or outside fire sites. Marshmallows available upon request too.
DUTCH AUCTION
(1 - 2 hours)
This is a fast-paced
extravaganza in which family groups build team camaraderie and spirit by
working through various tasks. Students are encouraged to use their
imagination through activities such as Sculptionary and Song Wars. Games
such as Chaos and Chocolate Mayhem are a couple other possibilities for
this exciting and high energy evening.
FAMILY NIGHT
(1.5 hours)
Family groups are a key
component of the community building that occurs during the Project Worth
program. Students work in their families (activity groups) to come up
with a family name, cheer, handshake, and sculpture. After these are
created they are shared.
GAME NIGHT
(1 - 1.5 hours)
Fast paced and action-packed
games make up this program. Check out one of the largest Twister boards
on earth, or play glow in the dark soccer or football, or engage in
another game of your choice.
NIGHT HIKE
(1.5 hours)
During a walk through the night
without a flashlight, students learn to use their senses in a nocturnal
setting. Topics like comfort with the darkness, trust, and other night
related issues are discussed. This hike does not go to the Chapel unless
requested.
OPEN NIGHT
This is your night! If you
would like to plan an evening program for your group or just do some
relaxing, sign up for an Open Night. A camp staff person will bring your
snack, but all programming is up to you.
SIGHTS AND SOUNDS
(1.5 hours)
This outdoor activity takes a
leisurely stroll to Symmes Chapel (Pretty Place) located on the edge of
Cleveland Cliff. Students will have a chance to look at the sights, sing
songs, and listen to a story while enjoying the breathtaking view.
SQUARE DANCE
(1.5 hours)
Students and chaperones learn
basic dance patterns and calls while listening to live guitar music.
Occasionally the activity takes a turn and puts those dance patterns to
music of a somewhat more contemporary feel. There is fun for all during
this very popular activity.
TWISTER
(45 minutes)
Take a turn on our giant
Twister board. The game board spans the entire room, getting everyone
involved! This recreational evening program may also include several
other games to get you warmed up. This activity can be combined with
Dutch Auction, Family Night, Game Night, or a stroll to the chapel.
