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Teepee Village
Every great Native American Tribe needs a home...and for ESF campers, that home is Teepee Village. In conjunction with our Native American theme, campers become members of a Day Camp Tribe. Each morning campers eagerly gather in Teepee Village for roll call and morning assembly. Each tribe is represented with a Teepee of its own that was handcrafted in Montana by a Native American Tribe.
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Morning Assembly
Morning Assembly is the perfect time for campers to get energized for a fun-filled, action-packed day of camp activities. Camp spirit echoes as campers sing camp songs, participate in tribe challenges, and daily announcements are read.
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The Spirit Stick
The most sacred of all objects, the Spirit Stick is awarded each morning at Morning Assembly! Each day, Tribes compete to win the honor of possessing and guarding the Spirit Stick. The Tribe who wins is decorated with a badge of honor, the Spirit Stick badge!
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The Camp Scout
Every Monday morning, new campers are assigned to a "Camp Scout" who has been chosen by his/her group specialist or counselor to help greet new campers and to make them feel like a welcomed member of their tribe. This is a special privilege, and an excellent way to promote leadership development. Camp Scouts must arrive at camp by 8:45 AM to meet their counselors and prepare to welcome new campers. Camp Scouts must wear their Day Camp T-shirts on Monday Mornings. They are also given an official "Camp Scout" leader band to signify that they are the Scout for their tribe. This leader band is worn during the week, and may be taken home as a keepsake.
The Gratitude Rock
The newest ESF tradition, the ESF Gratitude Rock is given each day to someone who has performed a random act of kindness. Each tribe, group or team passes their Rock along to someone each day at Morning Assembly. While the Rock always stays at camp, whomever is chosen receives a "you rock" card from the presenter, which then can be taken home as a reminder of their random act of kindness.
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The Golden Teepee Award
Considered one of Day Camp's highest honors, the Golden Teepee award is presented at the Day Camp "Movin' Up" Ceremony, which honors our oldest Day Campers who are now ready to transition into Senior or Sports Camp next summer. This award is in recognition of the camper's accomplishments and participation in Day Camp.
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Village Pow Wow
Each week, Day Camp ends with a Village Pow Wow where individual camper and tribe accomplishments are recognized, and last day campers are honored and awarded the Day Camp Pennant to take home and treasure forever. The week ultimately ends much the way it began...with the singing of the ESF Camp Song. Each week, all campers take home with them happy memories, fun experiences, and lasting friendships.
Day Camp Graduation Ceremony
As the sun begins to set on our summer fun, we take time to honor those special campers who will be moving on from the Day Camp family. We have shared so many incredible moments and our campers deserve a grand celebration to send them off! Every Friday we hold a mini-ceremony to acknowledge the special campers who have meant so much to us over the years, building up to the grand finale held during the last week of camp. These amazing campers have carried the Spirit Stick with pride, and this ceremony allows each child to re-live that thrill one last time before moving on to excel in our Sports and Senior Camps. This special ceremony guarantees that no matter where these campers go, they will always have Day Camp in their hearts!
The Pennant
The Pennant is considered the "yearbook" of camp and is signed by all the campers and counselors in a tribe. The Pennant serves as a symbol that will recall many memories that a child will treasure forever.
The Clapping Cheer
The Clapping Cheer is a traditional way of starting Village Pow Wows. It is a great way for a Director to get the attention of campers in a non-verbal way before each event begins. The Director simply stands up in front of the camp and starts a clapping rhythm. The campers pick-up on the rhythm and mimic it. The more creative the Director is with his/her rhythm, the more fun it is for the campers (i.e. faster, slower, louder, softer). The Director can also create a clapping rhythm with a drum, snapping of the fingers, stomping of the feet, etc.
Family Fling
Team Members, campers, and their families come together for an incredible evening of fun and farewells, as ESF hosts the "Family Fling" held one night during the last two weeks of camp. Highlights include a DJ blasting music through the airwaves, campers and their families dancing with Team Members, refreshments galore, and an unforgettable recap of the summer with the traditional "Memories Slide Show"...an ESF favorite.
The Honors Banner
The Honors Banner is the place where campers display the awards that they have earned throughout the years. It is a way of gathering camp memories so they will last for a lifetime.
The Bulls Eye Award
For the camper who hits a Bulls Eye in Archery, they will receive a certificate commemerating the special event.
