Light Foundation: Camp Vohokase 2016 Recap, Part II

Yesterday in Part I of my Camp Vohokase Recap, I gave a tour of our facility at Chenoweth Trails and introduced you to our amazing staff of counselors and cooks. Today I want to give you a look at a few of the activities our boys got to do while here in camp. Some we do every year, while others are new for everyone. Take a look…

The Art of Rock Balancing

A few months ago Matt’s mom, Marilyn, heard about a local artist named Sterling Gregory who had been getting a lot of attention for his love of rock balancing. She shared the information with us and we decided to invite Sterling to Chenoweth Trails this year to share his unique skill with our campers. We even cleared a designated area in camp as our new “rock garden” where the kids could try their hand at this out of the ordinary craft.

Sterling explains how he pulled off this “balancing act” to some of the boys.

It got a little tight in our rock garden. You do NOT want to be the guy who knocks down one of Serling’s creations.

The counselors were great students.

Of course Matt’s dad Bill was a natural!

2016 Camp Project: Timber Framing

Several times in past years the campers were able to work on a “camp project” as a way for them to leave their mark on Chenoweth Trails. As I highlighted yesterday in Part I of this post, some of our previous projects have been the floating dock, the turf field, and the gaga pit.

This year the boys learned about the ancient method of timber framing from master craftsman and miller, Terry Clark. Timber framing involves the use of fairly simple tools to carve hand hewn beams and wooden pegs which are then used to create pavilions, houses, and barns.

Timber framing is one of Matt’s 117 hobbies. He has always appreciated the beauty and craftsmanship of timber frames and wanted to share his passion with our campers.

Some of the tools used onsite.

Will, a junior from New Orleans, said his favorite part was hand crafting the wooden pegs used to secure the beams together.

These are some of the axes they used to hew the logs into beams.

This was the pavilion the boys started. By the time they come back next year it will be finished and they will take pride knowing they helped create this beautiful structure!

Camp Yale Challenge Course

It is tradition every year to head down the road into Indiana to visit Camp Yale and participate in their Leadership Challenge Course. The West Yurt and East Yurt face off to compete for a “flame” for their team at the end of the day.

Nick, our head counselor, says the activities on the course force the boys to cooperate with each other while they problem solve. He says watching them interact provides the counselors with information about how each kid communicates within the group.

After completing the challenge course and enjoying a fire cooked lunch the campers get a chance to go zip lining and rock wall climbing before heading back.

We always make foil packet meals (hobo dinners) for the boys to cook on the fire while at Camp Yale. It’s such a fun and easy way to feed a big group of people!

Clearly the East Yurt won this competition.

Dirt Biking

Brian Rehmert, our Facilities Manager, worked in the motorcycle industry for 20 years. Growing up his family traveled and raced all around the country and his father Paul owned his own Suzuki dealership.

We’re incredibly lucky that Brian and his family share their passion for riding with our campers every year! His relationships within the industry have afforded the camp the ability to provide the necessary gear and knowledge for the boys to safely learn to ride dirt bikes right here on the farm.

Brian started teaching my two sons to ride since they were 6 years old, so they especially love when they get a chance to race with the campers!