There are 24 different programs that Camp Rotary offers as structured programs. Here are brief descriptions:
Archery: Taught by NAA certified archery instructors, the campers are taught the basics in target shooting and in accompanying NAA games.
Arts & Crafts: Small hand made products are created using paper, wood, glue, etc. and made beautiful with paints and decorations, through the creativity of our campers and staff.
BMX Bicycle Racing: A thrilling bike race track that provides high jumps and steep turns is the setting of this program. Campers wearing protective helmets, gloves, and pads, race each other around the course. Campers can use the camp’s bicycles or may bring their own. Campers can bring their own bike or equipment, but a waiver form must be completed. (see form). Please expect to wear long pants, a long sleeve shirt and sneakers for this activity. Bandanas are worn under the helmet.
Baseball: This program has begun to bounce back in popularity… whether you are a Red Sox fan or not, come try out your skills on the Camp Rotary A-Field. Feel free to bring your own glove, or use our equipment!
Basketball: The counselor varies this program depending on the skills of the campers involved for that particular week. Beginners to those with lots of experience are encouraged to select this program.
Boating and Kayaking: With both rowboats and kayaks in our fleet, and lots of fun as well as instruction included in the program, this has become one of the more popular programs in camp!
Canoeing: An exciting choice at camp, this program teaches the campers how to paddle & control canoes either alone or with others. They even get taught to “swamp” as they are doing in this picture!
Dance: The hip hop dance program combines many different dance styles to lead the group to a campwide performance on Friday.
Drama: The basics of performing arts are covered in this program. From fun charade games to serious skits.
Fishing: Feel free to bring your own rods or use our equipment. The fish are very cooperative at Camp Rotary! There is a rumor that it is the same sunfish that keeps getting caught over and over as he snacks on the bait each time. But only a few people catch the 1 foot bass each summer!
Hockey: Our fast paced street hockey program has been a hit for the past several summers! Goalies are equipped with full protective gear!
Instructional Swim: A great program selection for kids who would like to either learn to swim or improve their swimming abilities.
Lacrosse: This program is one of our newest and allows campers to try out one of the fastest growing team sports in the region.
Nature: One of our top programs from last summer! Our counselor has lots of strong camping and nature skills and we now have two trails that have been built in conjunction with Mass Audobon and Essex Aggie. This program is destined to be one of our best again for the summer of 2013!
Photography: This program was very popular last summer with the campers. During the week the campers use digital cameras to take shots of kids and nature. The better ones are used for our Bunk-1 photos. Come play a new game invented here called, Photo Tag!
Riflery: Target shooting is taught by an experienced counselor, under the supervision of an NRA certified instructor. The campers are taught safety pertaining to shooting and the basics of target sport shooting through use of air powered pellet rifles.
Ropes/Challenge: This thrilling program offers both a low element and a high element section of activities. The program may only be chosen by campers 12 and above, although the younger campers are offered access to the lower elements occasionally, but only when accompanied by their unit staff. In this program the campers walk on cables, climb walls, swing on a rope, and ride the 200’ zip line, harnessed to a cable high above the ground. Please expect to wear sneakers for this activity.
Sailing: Campers are taught in small groups the basics of sailing. Sunfish style sailboats that are relatively small and easy to control, are used to teach the campers sailing techniques. Sailing is a lifelong skill that many of our campers learned in the time that they were with us here at Rotary.
Snorkeling: Who needs the Florida Keys? The basics of snorkeling are taught and then the group will get the chance to explore the underside of Stiles Pond. A highlight is finding the hidden sunken boat of Felice… a character from one of our famous camp ghost stories!
Soccer: A great way to improve your soccer skills! This program offers small group instruction and daily competitions, both individual and team!
Tennis: Our tennis program is one of the hidden jewels of Camp Rotary. Taught by an experienced tennis instructor, this program works on improving and upgrading everyone’s skills from beginner to pro.
Ultimate Games: This incredibly “ultimate” program combines challenging sports games with a twist. A survivor – style mentality leads to just one person being named “THE Ultimate G” for the week!
Volleyball: One of the newest programs added to camp, this one was very popular last summer. The shaded sand court led to some great battles last summer!
X-Treme Stiles: Originally begun as a morning “free swim”, the program has evolved to this more structured program. Every day is a new game. Marco Polo, water volleyball, water polo, greased watermelon… you just can never tell. All swimming levels are welcome. With their life vests in place, there are some days when even pool 1 swimmers can jump off of the tower, the slide or the aqua jump! Its named after, you guessed it, our very own Stiles Pond!
