Camp Life

At our Sleep Away Camp, children live in family-like groups of nine children and three group leaders at each campsite. Campsites include four canvas-covered shelters, a covered table for rainy day projects, a latrine that is cleaned daily, and a campfire circle. Rustic living conditions present new challenges and opportunities. Campers develop pride in their accomplishments and close bonds with group members and leaders. In a short time, camp feels more like home and the group more like a family.

Adventure Based Programming

All campers participate in a wide variety of activities - ultimately each group will prepare for a final adventure - groups choose between a Mountain bike Adventure, Survival Hiking Adventure, Rock Climbing Adventure or Canoeing Adventure.

With our Summer Outdoor Experiential Education Program, education of all kinds is emphasized daily. Part of building values for life includes filling in the gap in learning that often occurs over the summer. All of our campers are expected to read at least two books during the session, and many activities have a written component built in. Hikes end with poetry, craft projects are accompanied by creative stories, and new nature discoveries are recorded and reported to the camp community.

Throughout the day, most activities are experienced as a group and group members often cooperatively design the activities. Group activities include poetry, nature discovery, candle-making, and boating.  Groups dedicate time each week to developing outdoor living skills through environmental education, outdoor cooking, backpacking, and nature craft.  Almost every day, children receive swim instruction and free swim time at our 55-acre lake. They also participate in boating, canoeing, and fishing, all supervised by certified lifeguards.

Community Project

Children choose one Community Project to work on throughout the session and give a final presentation to the rest of the camp community. Past projects have included a theater production, musical expression, history of sports, and raft building. In all activities, the emphasis is on team-building and cooperation, not competition.

Full Three-Week Session

This session is available during the month of July and during the month of August. It is available to new children (ages 9 to 14) and returning children (ages 9 to 17).

Pioneer Session

This 10-day session is offered to new and returning children (ages 7 to 11). It offers many of the same experiences as the three-week session, including a one-night backpacking trip for children (ages 9 to 11). The session is a great opportunity for children who have never been away from home overnight to experience the benefits of sleepaway camp.

Meals

Meals at Trail Blazers are healthy and delicious and served family style. They are as integral to the program as our many other exciting activities.  All members of the community are expected to try everything that is served. Through camp songs and other traditions, meal time also serves as an opportunity for building group identity and a sense of community.

Vagabond

Two weeks into the session, each group participates in an overnight trip, called “Vagabond.” The Vagabond is a trip by foot, bike or canoe and a  chance for campers to use the skills they have developed, test the bonds they have formed with their group members, and achieve a sense of pride and accomplishment. These trips vary in length depending on the age of the campers, and are frequently the highlight of the Trail Blazers experience.

Our Staff

All groups are supervised by seasoned administrators with at least 5 years experience working with children.  Trail Blazers employs a live-in Registered Nurse, and many staff are trained  in first aid and CPR.

All Trail Blazers staff are college age or older and posses a love for children and a desire to make a difference.  They also know how to have fun!

 

Each staff member undergoes an intensive interview and reference check.  Before children arrive, staff complete a thorough training, covering all aspects of the Trail Blazers program, to prepare for the important job of looking after your child’s physical and emotional safety.