The Belugas (3) and Sea Robins (4) are our two youngest groups. They are curious about everything, and we use that curiosity as the driving force of our Mini Guy programming. Unlike every other schedule in camp, the Mini Guys' schedule works in 25 minute blocks. Belugas and Sea Robins spend the first part of the day building in the gigantic front sandbox with hoses and shovels, playing with trucks, blocks, and play dough in the classroom all while becoming comfortable with their counselors, peers, and their surroundings. Gathering Time follows... this is a time for coming together, learning about one another and setting the stage for the day.
The Belugas and Sea Robins explore our campus. They go swimming in the pool, they visit the garden and the chickens, and learn about bugs and seeds. They go to gymnastics and play physical games to learn about the way their bodies work. They make art, build with blocks, and experiment with science and cooking projects to bolster their tactile understanding. As the Belugas and Sea Robins visit different environments of their campus, they see big kids digging into the activities and begin to gain a sense of direction. They learn to socialize, to share, to help, and to care about one another. Every morning ends with a coming together for lunch and storytime.
These first two years of camp are the building blocks for the future of Hayground's culture, one of inclusivity, collaboration and giving. The staff members that make up our Beluga and Sea Robin teams are our most nurturing counselors. With a 2:1 ratio of campers to counselors, we are able to provide for the individual needs of our 3- and 4-year-olds, some of whom are ready to take on the world and some of whom are just starting to figure out their environment.
Biking, Ga ga, Four square, Kitchen and, as Sea Lions, Woodshop all open up to our campers as they turn five and enter Lower Camp. The periods go from 25 minutes to 50 minutes, allowing these young explorers to experience the activities more deeply. As Dolphins (5), Otters (5/6), and Sea Lions (6) expand their reach, they interact more and more with other groups and learn how to navigate mixed-age experiences. They begin to learn from their elders and guide their younger peers.
The cornerstone of the Hayground schedule is that of choice. Starting from the age of five, all campers are presented with 3-5 choices every period of every day. That means that they get to decide whether to go to Cooking, Gymnastics or Biking, Garden, Pool or Yoga. We believe that putting the power of choice into the hands of young people is a critical ingredient for them to learn about autonomy, personal responsibility and prioritization.
Staff in our Lower Camp groups are trained in helping campers with balance. There are challenges associated with making one's own choices and designing one's own experience. Should I do my favorite activity all the time? Should I go where my friend is going even though I don't have much experience with that activity? Should I try new things? Counselors are there to ask those questions and to help campers to push themselves outside of their comfort zones but also to dig deeply into their passions, manage old friendships and cultivate new ones.
Our Middle Campers have access to everything that we offer on campus. They have become accustomed to making choices and defining their experiences. They know how to work with older kids and younger kids. They have found their niche, know what they love, have developed deep relationships with staff, and walk into camp with a clear vision of what they want. Middle Camp is the beating heart of Hayground. These campers are capable of doing everything that camp has to offer, and will enthusiastically take advantage of all programs.
Family Time is a time where Middle Camp comes together as a division. Once a week the Manatees (7) and Seals 1 and 2 (8) plan a group activity and have a special experience outside of the schedule. For many campers, the middle years also represent their first foray into a small group act for the Follies, an original design for the Fashion Show, or a sustained effort to build and race a go-kart at the Hayground 500.
Big kids rule Hayground. Period. Most of them have spent 6-10 years at Hayground and know the place like the back of their hands. They have made the decision to either not go to sleepaway camp at all or to return to Hayground for part of the summer because it feels like home. Big kids have the run of the place. They have choices on the schedule, but they are also empowered to run their own activities like their weekly Big Kids Only baseball game. With their seniority comes the first taste of responsibility. Orcas (11-12) and Gators (13) especially are tasked with being role models for the younger campers who look up to them.
As Sharks and then Orcas and Gators, Upper Campers have a beach trip on their schedule twice a week. The beach provides opportunities to challenge themselves against the elements, manage their friendships, and feel their independence. As Orcas (11-12) and Gators (13), they also get to go on field trips occasionally. Field trips are different from year to year. Past trips have included a kayaking trip, a fishing trip, a sailing trip or a trip to Splish Splash. On all of these adventures, campers are expected to represent Hayground in a positive way as brand ambassadors. They always rise to the occasion.
What big kids want and need more than anything else is to just be with one another and navigate the excitement and challenges of what it is to be a young adult. We have set up the campus in such a way that the big kids have their own area where they can hang out and play games or ping pong, toss a ball around, and make memories. Big kids are aware of the fact that they are coming to the end of their time as Hayground Campers and approaching their time as Hayground Counselors. There are a lot of emotions and one-last-times associated with that knowledge.
