Watchung Day Camp Programs

 Watchung Day Camp offers some exciting programs for all of our Scouts.  Below, you’ll find a schedule for a typical day at camp.  Click on the following for information on our Buckskin Program and our 2008 Theme

Also remember that each week our Scouts go to the Warrenbrook Swim Club.  All Wolves and Bears (Scouts going into second or third grade) go on Thursdays and all Webelos (Scouts going into fourth or fifth grade) go on Friday.  They leave at about 11:00AM and return about 3:30PM

A Typical Day at Camp:

8:45AM:  Opening Ceremony

        In this important activity, Scouts get to actually participate in raising the American Flag and the New Jersey State Flag on our camp’s flagpoles.  Scouts recite the Cub Scout Promise and YELL the Cub Scout Motto---DO YOUR BEST!!

8:55AM:  BB Gun Range

            The by-far favorite program of our Scouts, the BB Gun range teaches proper and safe gun use and safety.  After their safety lesson, Scouts take turns shooting against over thirty different targets.  They compete against other members of their den or as a den against other dens for prizes and awards.  All Scouts also earn the BB Beltloop, an award not normally available during the regular year program.

9:50AM:  Snack

            Scouts come back to their den table under our large wooden pavilion and rest for ten minutes.  They get a snack and a drink, provided by the camp.

10:00AM:  Boating and Fishing

            Watchung Day Camp sits on Surprise Lake, a 25 acre lake.  Each day, Scouts get to choose to either fish (pole and bait provided) or go out on the lake boating.  Each week we have a fishing derby and a other fun activities using this great lake!!!  Scouts learn about proper water safety, the buddy system, and proper rowing and paddling techniques.  NEW FOR 2008---CANOEING RETURNS TO WATCHUNG---two canoes will be available for Webelos Scouts to use on the Lake!!!

10:55AM:  Archery

            Archery is probably our second most popular activity, after the BB Range.  At the Archery Range, our nationally certified staff teaches proper archery safety and proper shooting technique.  Scouts shoot against both round and square targets and against targets in our “Action Archery” range.  This popular part of the archery program allows Scouts to shoot against targets that make noise and move!

 11:40AM:  Sports/Waterslide

            Sports is a very important part of the Cub Scouting Program.  It is also important at Watchung Day Camp.  For the first two days of the week, Scouts will be playing soccer, our 2008 sport.  Earning the soccer beltloop and having a great time doing it, the sports area is also another favorite!  For the rest of the week, Scouts get to use our HUGE inflatable waterslide.  It has two slides and two pools to get every Scout COOLED DOWN when it gets too hot outside.  We are excited about brining the slide back for a third year!!!

 12:20-1:20PM:  Lunch

            Scouts return to their den tables under our wooden pavilion and have a nationally mandated hour rest period to eat lunch together.  Following lunch, we set up a trading post that sells candy after Scouts are finished eating lunch.

 1:25PM:  Nature

            The Watchung Reservation allows Scouts to study nature and the world around them like no other place!  With almost two dozen miles of hiking trails, Scouts take nature hikes, explore rock formations, and erosion problems in the reservation.  Scouts also visit the newly renovated Trailside Nature Center, an interactive and fun learning experience that the Scouts love!

 2:05PM:  Scoutcraft

            A day at camp is not complete without a visit to the Scoutcraft area.  Here, Scouts make art projects, learn about proper knife safety, learn first aid skills, and learn about cooking in the outdoors.  NEW FOR 2008----SCOUTS WILL BE COOKING DIFFERENT INTERNATIONAL RECEIPES TO MIRROR WHAT COUNTRY CAMP IS VISITING THAT WEEK!!

 2:45PM:  Cubmobiles

          This is also another of the great programs at Day Camp.  Scouts race each other in go-karts on a wooden track.  Scouts love the feel of the breeze against their faces as they compete against each other to be named the fastest racer!

3:25PM:  Closing Ceremony

            Scouts retire the colors, learn to fold the American Flag properly, and get ready to go home to rest up for another great day at Camp!

2008 CAMP THEME:  CAMP WATCHUNG GOES AROUND THE WORLD!!!!

This summer at Watchung Day Camp, every week is going to be something new and different!!!  Come for one, two, three, four, five, or all six weeks!!!!

Below is our Travel Itinerary:

Week One (July 7 to July 11):  Norway:  You and your den will take on the role of ancient Norwegian Vikings.  You’ll explore new lands, learn Viking games, cook authentic Norwegian food, and compete against the other Viking bands to earn the coveted title of “Lord of all the Vikings.”

 

Week Two (July 14 to July 18):  Canada:  Join Camp Watchung and explore the Arctic reaches of the great North.  As a member of Camp Watchung’s Arctic Expedition, you’ll learn about polar bears, Eskimos, and more importantly, mine and pan for gold that you’ll be able to trade at the company store for food and other prizes.

Week Three (July 21 to July 26):  Mexico:  You and your Den will represent Aztec cities and compete against each other to be named “King of the Aztecs.”  Along the way you’ll prepare Mexican dishes, play Mexico’s favorite sport, soccer, build a piñata, and learn about Mexican culture.

Week Four (July 28 to August 1):  Egypt:  You and your Den will hunt for the tomb of King Tutoncubby, decipher hieroglyphics, cross the great Watchung River, build your own pyramid, and take a hike through ancient ruins to find the tomb’s secret location.

Week Five (August 4 to August 9):  Italy:  Join Camp Watchung as a member of one of twelve Italian city-states, where you’ll compete with the other cities to corner the market on trade goods from East Asia and the New World.

Week Six (August 11 to August 15):  China:  This week, you and your Den will help build the Great Wall to defend against the Mongol horde, trade your knowledge and resources with European traders for trade goods (food and prizes), play Chinese games, and cook Chinese Food.

2008 BUCKSKIN PROGRAM

In 2008, Watchung will bring back its successful Webelos II Buckskin Program.  Started in 2007, Buckskin is a specific program for the Webelos II Scout only. Your Webelos II Scout will be placed in this program automatically when you register for camp.

This program is designed to teach the Webelos II Scout skills needed for their future career as Boy Scouts.  It also provides a great capstone experience for their last year as Cub Scouts!  Below is an outline of the program:

Monday:  Webelos II Scouts get taken out of normal activities to learn basic map reading skills, compass skills, and advanced wilderness first aid skills that they would not normally receive as part of the Cub Scouting program.  Scouts earn the Map and Compass Belt Loop and Pin during this session.

Tuesday:  After taking a refresher course in whittling chip, campers will carve their own hiking stick at camp in preparation for the rest of the week’s activities. 

Wednesday:  Campers will leave camp at approximately 9:00AM for a half day hike into the Watchung Reservation.  The destination will be the Deserted Village of Feltville, about 1.5 miles away from our main camp.  The village has a one mile guided tour which campers will complete before returning to camp at approximately 1:15PM to resume the remainder of their regular camp schedule.  Scouts eat lunch on the trail and get to play in two different streams along the way.

Thursday and Friday:  Scouts participate in the regular Day Camp Program but they work on earning their BB, Archery, and Soccer Pins, awards no one else in camp can work on.

NEW FOR 2008!!!  ARE YOU A WEBELOS II AND ARE COMING FOR MORE THAN ONE WEEK?  WANT TO EXPLORE MORE THAN JUST THE DESERTED VILLAGE?  EACH WEEK, SCOUTS WHO RETURN FROM A PREVIOUS WEEK AT CAMP WILL HIKE A SIMILAR DISTANCE TO A PICNIC AREA IN THE RESERVATION AND WILL COOK LUNCH!!

 BUT WAIT----There’s MORE!!!

All Webelos II Scouts who attend Day Camp in 2008 are invited back to attend a special overnight outing with the Watchung Day Camp Staff!!  Scouts will get to tent with their friends and share a great evening of their favorite camp activities including:  BB Guns, Fishing, and Archery.  Scouts will learn how to foil cook and will bake cakes in their very own box ovens that they will make themselves!  The 2008 Webelos II Overnight will be held on Friday, August 8, 2008.