Your Leadership, Your Camp, Your Time
Making the Best of Your Week of Confirmation Camp
First of all, thank you. Your time spent here at NeSoDak means you are committed to youth experiencing Christ’s love in community and creation. We could not do the ministry we do here without the strong support of people like you. For that we thank God for you and your ministry. That being said, we want to ensure that your time at camp is fulfilling for you. We understand that every adult is different in their wants and needs of a camping experience, but here’s a little overview of the basics:
Your Leadership
Confirmation camp is a special partnership between congregations and camp. We have set aside an hour and a half for you to spend with just your confirmation group. We will partner you with a NeSoDak staff member who can assist in whatever ways needed, but we do ask that you come prepared to lead your group for the time allotted. We would also ask that you make yourself available at other times in the day as a resource person for campers. Campers may be facing challenges or questions that could use the assistance of an adult faith leader from their own community. This is a special opportunity to connect with your youth, as you are a priceless bridge between camp and home.
Your Camp
We want your time at camp to be rewarding and meaningful for you. The camp experience is best lived as part of the community, and we would invite you to take ownership in your camp by simply being a part of it. Below you will find a tentative schedule for Confirmation Camp Summer 2011. Come sit with campers and staff at meals, show off your dancing and singing skills at karaoke, paddle around the bay in a kayak with your campers and join in the fun. We also invite you to join in on a skit, share a message, lead a staff and advisor devotion, assist in the kitchen, stack some wood, or do a service project. Please share your gifts with your camp community in whatever way you would like.
Your Time
We understand that time at camp can also be a great opportunity for adults to escape the busy rush of everyday life, spend some time reflecting upon God’s word or another good book, or catch up with that work that the phone won’t allow you to do. With this in mind, we invite you to take camp at whatever pace is comfortable for you. There are a number of comfy chairs and couches around the lodge to take advantage. Barring any technical difficulties that sometimes happen at camp, the lodge also has available wireless internet for you to catch up on email (One sidebar: with all technology use, including cell phones, we would ask that you use it out of sight and mind of campers. We have asked them to give up technology for the week). We invite you to be a part of all camp activities but know that since our program is designed for youth, you may want to spend time relaxing, enjoying the lake or taking a trip to an area attraction. There are a variety of local attractions readily available for an outing or meal with your peers (see below for more information on things to do outside of camp). Please let us know what you are interested in and how we can help make your time fulfilling.
Thank you for coming to camp, for bringing your youth to camp and for your partnership in ministry. We hope you have a great week at NeSoDak as you work, play, teach and grow in faith.
NeSoDak Confirmation Camp Schedule Summer 2011
(Subject to change)
Sunday
| 4:00pm | Registration - East Side of Chapel As campers arrive they will be greeted by NeSoDak staff who will help unload campers’ belongings before joining in a big group game. Staff will also help advisors find a room to stay in the lodge. After welcome and announcements campers will line up to be assigned to a cabin (with one or two friends), meet their counselor and check in with healthcare (must turn in health form). Once all campers have been registered, campers will move into cabins and get settled. |
| 5:00pm | Advisor Meeting - Fireside Room Pastors, Youth Leaders and other adult advisors meet in the lodge for introductions, overview of camp, questions and to discuss details of our week. |
| 5:15pm | Supper - Meet on the Ramp to the Dining Hall Everyone meets on the deck for introductions to the kitchen staff, NeSoDak food philosophy, grace and what is for supper. Then it is through the buffet line and out to eat at the picnic tables. |
| 6:30pm | Camp Tours - Around Camp Campers enjoy getting to know their camp, cabin mates and counselor while traveling around camp. Campers will be oriented to camp rules, safety regulations, activities and camp facilities and grounds. In addition, advisors are invited to meet in the Fireside room for a quick tour of camp. |
| 8:30pm | All Camp Activity - Usually on the Ballfield Everyone joins in this All Camp Activity (ACA) or large group game for some good camp fun before campfire. |
| 9:00pm | Campfire - Campfire Ring or Chapel Campfire is used to introduce campers, staff and advisors directly before worship which introduces the theme of the week. |
| 10:00pm | Covenant and Devotions - Usually in Cabins or Another Location Chosen by the Leader Cabin groups design a covenant to live by for the week in the camp community before ending their day in the Word through devotions and prayer. Advisors and NeSoDak staff will also share in devotions together before going to sleep. |
| 10:30pm or 11:00pm | Lights Out -Cabins or Lodge Time to go to sleep! Sweet Dreams! |
Monday- Thrusday
| 7:15am | Road Runner - Meet at the Bell Road runner is an optional .8 mile run up to the public access and back. Those who run all week will receive a certificate SUITABLE! FOR! FRAMING! |
| 7:30am | Polar Bear - Swim Beach You are invited to gather on the beach, join hands, chant together the special cubby call, and splash into the icy waters of Lake Enemy Swim. Just like Road Runner, receive a certificate on Friday if you Polar Bear every morning. |
| 8:15am | First Word - Location chosen by leader of First Word As each cabin starts the day together, they gather either in their cabin or at a location of the counselor’s choosing to dive into the Word, pray and introduce the theme for the day. A support staff person (a NeSoDak staff member who is not a counselor for the week) or an advisor will also lead a first word for other advisors and support staff. |
| 8:30am | Breakfast - Meet on the Ramp to the Dining Hall The first meal of the day. At breakfast, we typically announce where worship will be held. |
| 9:15am | KP and SWAS - Dining Hall/ Around Camp After each meal, an assigned cabin will do the dishes and clean up the meal during Kitchen Party (KP). Service With A Smile (SWAS) is a small service project each cabin will be assigned to keep camp clean and safe. |
| 9:45am | Clean Cabin - Individual Cabins This is an opportunity to do just what it says: clean the cabins. The coveted Clean Cabin Award will be presented at lunch to the tidiest cabin, as judged by healthcare staff. |
| 10:00am | Morning Worship - Location Changes Daily-Announced at Breakfast This (usually outdoor) worship service is led by support staff and revolves around the Bible theme of the day. |
| 10:45am | Confirmation Time - Assigned at the beginning of the week Each congregation will be assigned a place and a counselor to assist with their group if needed. Use this time to dive deep into confirmation studies and grow in faith as a small group. |
| 12:30pm | Lunch - Meet on the ramp to the dining hall At lunch we will announce Clean Cabin Award winners, afternoon All Camp Activity location and necessary clothing/footwear. |
| 1:30pm | KP and Quiet Time - Dining Hall/Around Camp or in Cabins One cabin will be assigned to KP while everyone else takes time to relax, nap or do a quiet low-energy activity. |
| 2:00pm | All Camp Activity - Location Changes- Announced at Lunch All Camp Activity (ACA) is a large group game, generally on the Green or Ballfield, although a water activity may be held on the waterfront. Support staff lead this activity while cabin counselors hold their daily staff meeting. |
| 2:30pm | Choice Time - Waterfront, Basketball Court, Green, Canteen and Ballfield During Choice Time, there are many options available including canoes, paddleboats, swimming, crafts, karaoke, basketball, fishing, soccer, and more. Kayak trips around the bay and bike trips to the Waubay Wildlife Refuge are also fun for a group. The canteen is open for purchasing snacks and clothing. |
| 4:15pm | Bible Study - With Cabin Group Around Camp Bible study is time for campers to grow in their faith by praying, doing activities, reading the Bible, asking questions and discussing application to daily life. Each day has a theme revolving around scripture that fits into the overall theme for the week. Advisors are invited to join in a cabin Bible study to share further in the faith formation of campers. |
| 5:45pm | Supper - Meet at Dining Hall Ramp At supper, proper attire and location for the evening All Camp Activity will be announced. |
| 6:45pm | KP and Cabin Time - Dinning Hall and Around Camp While one cabin does KP, the others use Cabin Time to do an activity of their choice to have fun and grow as a cabin community. |
| 7:45pm | Canteen - Canteen, Basketball Court, Waterfront Docks and Green Campers are given time to choose an activity (limited to a few recreational activities including basketball, fishing, crafts, karaoke, soccer, etc…) or get a treat in the canteen. |
| 8:30pm | Evening ACA - Around Camp Evening ACA is a last chance for a big group game to run off any remaining energy from the day, display the gifts of each cabin during a talent show, play creative carnival games or do another all camp activity. Wednesday Evening ACA is the Christ Hike where NeSoDak staff act out portions of Christ’s life in several scenes around camp. |
| 9:30pm | Campfire - Campfire Ring or Chapel This nightly worship service on the lake is led by campers (in two or three cabin groups) and focuses around the theme for the day. |
| 10:00pm | Devotions - Usually in Cabins or Another Location Chosen by the Leader As we started the day out in the Word, so we end in the Word. Each cabin will do nightly devotions before drifting into dreamland for the night. Advisors and NeSoDak staff will also share in devotions together before going to sleep. |
| 10:30pm or 11:00pm | Lights Out - Cabins or Lodge Time to go to sleep! Thanks for a great day at camp! |
Friday
| 7:15am | Road Runner - Meet at the Bell |
| 7:30am | Polar Bear - Swim Beach |
| 8:15am | First Word - Location chosen by leader of First Word |
| 8:30am | Apples and Morning Meds - Meet on the Ramp to the Dining Hall Everyone is invited to eat an apple to tide them over until brunch before packing up. |
| 8:45am | Cabin Cleaning and Closing - Cabins, Canteen, Lodge and Around Camp Each camper uses this time to pack-up their belongings, clean their cabin, fill out an evaluation, pick up their money at the canteen, spend time with their cabin mates and sometimes meet with their confirmation group. Advisors use this time to pack and clean their rooms, fill out evaluations and meet with your congregation’s campers (optional). |
| 10:00am | Brunch - Meet on the Ramp to the Dining Hall |
| 11:00am | Closing Worship - Chapel Gather together one last time as a camp community to sing, pray and worship the Lord. After worship, high fives and goodbyes are shared as everyone heads for home. Hope you had a great week! See you next year! |
Explore the Prairie Coteau of Northeastern South Dakota!
| Outdoor Recreation
Canyon Ranch Trail Rides
Fort Sisseton State Park
Pickerel State Recreation Area
Sica Hollow State Park
Waubay National Wildlife Refuge
Webster Golf |
Area Attractions
Blue Cloud Abbey
Blue Dog State Fish Hatchery
Goss Opera House
International Vinegar Museum
Mellete House
Museum of Wildlife, Science and Industry
Redlin Art Center
Stavig House Museum |
Local Restaurants
Bur Oak
Clausen’s Steakhouse
Pickerel Lake Lodge
Purple Cow Ice Cream Parlor |
