8:00 AM
It’s another hot one. "Good Morning, Ramapo Campers!" rings from far off through the woods, rousing some of Bunk 23’s six young campers. Some roll over, tucking into their sheets a little deeper. Some have been up for hours playing quietly, trying not to disrupt their bunkmates. Others have been recently awakened by their counselor, Sarah. Sarah, like most Ramapo counselors is a college student. She’s studying early childhood education and is gaining college credits for her work here. She and two other counselors sleep with the young campers - ages between four and six years - and consider themselves members of Bunk 23. They help each camper get dressed and prepared for the day, and to leave their bunk in good order.
8:30 AM
The group heads down the hill, past other brown bunks like theirs, joining campers of all ages, as they progress toward breakfast in the dining hall. The dining hall is a large, sun-filled structure with dozens of tables seating ten each. Each bunk eats with 2 or 3 camp counselors and slowly wakes up to the day, occasionally seeing friends from another table.
9:00AM
After breakfast, the children participate in cleaning the cabin. This activity, like all activities at the camp, is made to be fun. Each child is responsible for his or her own things; and the bunk as a whole is responsible for the common space. Each child is taught how to respect themselves, their things, and others living in this common space. Counselors help organize and motivate campers and make the whole activity fun. This is just one of the opportunities campers have to learn to live within a group and form productive relationships.
9:30 AM
Each morning consists of three hour-long activity periods, one of which is spent swimming at the pool, and one of which is spent in our Preschool Learning Center in which each child receives individual and small group instruction. Other activities include arts and crafts, athletics, cooking, playground time, ceramics, adventure (nature), and challenge (cooperative games and low ropes course experiences). Activities are designed to promote the growth and development of positive adaptive behavior in young children through a comprehensive program of skill instruction.
1:15 PM
Campers come back to the main hall for some well-earned nourishment. Campers are usually both exhilarated and exhausted at this point of the day. Lunch is always a lively affair in which the morning’s activities get replayed amidst giggles and laughter.
2:00 PM
Tired from the busy morning’s activities and a full lunch, campers and counselors return to the cabin to rest. Some campers nap. Those that don’t nap engage in quiet activities such as board games or reading with a counselor.
3:00 PM
The afternoon consists of three more planned group activity periods, one of which is a second hour in our Preschool Learning Center. Today the group is going out on a rowboat to do some net fishing on our beautiful lake with Sarah and three other counselors. After the boating adventure, they take a short hike through our trail system to the nature center where they will get to learn more about the life on the lake via aquariums and habitats with insects, animals and fish that are native to the area. The tired campers make their way back through the trail, gathering leaves, berries, twigs and other interesting items to use in a collage they’ll make tomorrow in arts & crafts.
5:00PM
It is time for the daily "talk time" where the group reflects on the day and what was fun, or hard or interesting. Counselors encourage children to express their needs and frustrations.
6:00PM
Dinner is a more subdued event. The young campers are tired from the day’s activities. However, after dinner, when Sarah asks if they’d like to have a marshmallow roast by the campfire before bed, the resounding cry is "Yeah!" Counselors tell stories around the fire for the sleepy campers.
7:30 PM
They return to their cabins for bath and bedtime. They are encouraged to do as many tasks as they can, such as brushing their teeth, or washing and dressing, but counselors are always there to lend a helping hand or offer words of encouragement. Many campers are already asleep by the time the lights go out at Bunk 23.
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