anokijig

the kids are developing an interest in summer camp--like, one week of sleep away adventure based outdoor summer camp. the kind of camp i dreamed about going to but would have been way too shy and nervous to attend. the kind of camp that they've heard about through friends. camp anokijig is in plymuth, my hometown, and was the one place i had any familiarity with growing up in wisconsin. i babysit a few times for the camp director's kids, who live in the heart of the camp, and visiting that camp as a babysitter always left me feeling like there was some magic there.

so went to the fall session of weekend family camp this weekend to ease the kids into the idea of being there without parents this summer. no easing required: they were in love immediately. my only regret is that i can't go too. this camp is cozy and old and small and on a tiny lake and seems to me to fit the bill in every way possible.

behold the beautiful drive down the gravel road leading to camp

and the beach, boat house, slide, watercraft, and trees and leaves and colors

canvas platform tents dot the camp, in little clusters around fire rings

sail boats and hiking paths ring the shore line

and there is ping pong by the boat house

 
AND tether ball. these are ramona's sports of choice.

pumpkins for the taking,

with carving in the main lodge.

we canoed out to the little tiny island in the middle of the lake

where we took selfies with the leaves

and then climbed to the top of a very tall tree. look closely: you'll see both kids up there.

back at camp, we hit up the gaga ball court,

the archery range,

and the riflery range.

not pictured: we also peeked at the horses, did some crafts, hiked to a hilltop, played minigolf, and had some very high quality together time.
and then we wolfed down some hot dinner over a hilarious game of apples to apples.

ramona and i found the old piano on the big porch and played some tunes,

and then ramona's ghoul pumpkin won the contest for scariest pumpkin (and there were at least 50 pumpkins carved on saturday!)

then, after the songs and the fire and gathering games, we headed back to our bunk house with full bellies, happy hearts, and glowing pumpkins for the steps. we were all asleep well before camp's 10 pm light out curfew.

the next morning, we did it all again.
including tether ball.