Camp Tales - High Ropes

At one camp, part of staff training involved teamwork activities, one of which included a high ropes course that was a part of the offerings at camp. For those not sure what a high ropes course is, it is like an obstacle course build up high in tress or poles. Ours was located up in a bunch of trees that were reached by a high ladder and ended with a zip line across a field. Every person who went up on the course was required to wear a harness for safety and support that high up. (Part of our naturalist staff was trained and certified in this.)

The first year, I made it up the ladder to the platform, but my fear of heights was so severe that I didn't make it any further and ended up coming down. I helped catch people when they came off the zip line.

The second year, I got a little braver. Despite my nearly debilitating fear of heights I got up the ladder, hooked up to the harness, and through the course... somehow. My high ropes course partner was just about as afraid of heights as I was and we spent a large amount of the course with me wrapped around a tree and my partner wrapped around me and the tree. We made it through, taking the shortest route we could and even made it across the field on the zip line. Facing our fears is not always an easy thing to do, but it can be done and there can be great rewards as a result.

Painted Birdhouse

From a family reunion Craft Station. (Who would figure with my family... )

Camp Tales - Can You Hear Me Now?

Have you ever tried to make a phone call in the middle of nowhere? Have you ever wandered around with your phone out in front of you trying to find a spot where you can get a single bar as you watch your phone at "no service"? Live at camp in the middle of now where and you will understand.

At the Ohio camp I called home for more than one summer cell phone rage was a big hit or miss. We had a land line that rang into the staff quarters, but it also rang into the kitchen and the office. Some cell companies didn't get any service at all, many of the locals had a service that that was sketchy, but most of us had to climb a big hill and wander around until we found that lucky bar that allowed us to check messages and get calls out. I had a system of going to the large wooden cross at the top of the hill and then walking away from it in multiple directions until I found service. Once I got service I could move around more, sometimes adjusting as needed.

Most summer camp programs don't allow campers to have cell phones, but staff is a whole different story. Trips into town often involved cell phone message rings going off the closer into town we got. I found that you might wander a bit to get ell phone reception but you could get a great view in the process.

Birdhouse from Milk Jug

In honor of Earth Day, I wanted to share this project to turn an clean, empty milk/juice jug into an Earth-friendly home for local birds. I remember making them in Girl Scouts and growing up with birdhouses and bird feeders made this way in our trees.

Bleach Bottle Pig Planters

With thoughts of spring and planting...

I've making bleach bottle pig planters since my early days as a Girl Scout. We would make them in multiple sizes, depending on the available bleach bottles, then plant them with flowers to sit on porches or in flower beds.

The strip of pictures are from a Craft Day at the nursing home. (See references to 'The Ladies Who Craft.')The piigs were cut, painted, googly eyes attaches, and sprayed with an acrylic sealer. Once everything was dry the potting soil was added and ivy planted in each. Perfect for window sills.

The instructions below were written out to be used as an example for recycling projects out of everyday things that would otherwise be thrown away. They don't need any special supplies since pain and a a craft knife or scissors are both items most crafters have readily on hand and they are a nice size for most flowers, herbs, or other plants. Most important remember that the emptied bleach bottles must be thoroughly cleaned and rinsed to get rid of any lingering bleach as it WILL KILL ANY PLANTS in the planter otherwise. (Unfortunately, this was not something we were able to do at camp for lack of enough bleach bottles. It can take some time to save up enough for a group.)

You can cut the ears any way you want, just make sure they have the notched flap on the bottom to help keep them in place.

Check out on CutOutandKeep too!

Camp Crafts

Napkin Holder made for an adult helper.

Drying Tie Dye

Over the past years, I have spent a few summers working at camps as an Arts & Crafts Instructor or Craft Hall Supervisor. I picked up a few tricks along way, got some great chances to work with all sorts of kids, adults, volunteers, and families. I have had fabulous opportunities to be a positive influence and to encourage creativity in many people, to build on my skills and knowledge, and to let my own creativity grow (often times on a very, very limited and nearly non-existant budget). These are a few highlights from one of those summers.

(I loved camp life... most of it anyway and I loved some of the experiences and peoples who's lives I got to be a part as a result.)

Pet Rocks

Drying Table

Mosaics from Misc. Objects

Tile Coasters

 You can also find some of these crafts where I have posted them on www.cutoutandkeep.net (yes, this is a favorite site of mine):

Cement Garden Stones

Tie Dye
Napkin Holder
Mosaic Tiles
Concrete Stepping Stones