Highlanders, Mountaineers, Voyagers and Pathfinders Senior Camp groups are where the oldest ESF campers thrive. Some joined Senior Camp after years of jumping from tribe to tribe in Day Camp, while others started their ESF journey as a Senior camper. Regardless of how they found ESF, they all have one thing in common: they’re eager to branch out.

While Day Camp is a place for campers to spend the day exploring new subjects, playing games and making friends, Senior Camp offers something more. Counselors take the curiosity and sense of adventure they curated over the years to venture into unique ESF experiences.

The apprenticeship program gives campers the opportunity to spend their afternoons learning from professionals in fields they may like to join in the future. Campers with interests in science may join the Robotics Tech Camp for a couple hours, while future teachers jump into Mini Camp to play parachute games. It is a way for campers to give back to their camp while being able to explore their interests.

“Apprenticeship is fun because we get to get to know the younger campers,” a camper in the Highlanders group said. This week Highlanders is helping teach art classes to Day Camp Tribe Cree.

These campers make a point to go out of their comfort zone every day, and sometimes that means leaving Senior Camp altogether! Senior campers at ESF Haverford are the most likely to take a week or two away from their group to join Tech, Major or even Tennis Camp.

“Senior Camp is fun,” another camper said, “but sometimes it’s nice to take a break for a week. I like having the chance to switch it up and meet new people.” She switched to Digital Photography Tech Camp for the week for a chance to see the camp from a different perspective.

These campers are between the ages of 9 and 15, which is the perfect time for them to push themselves and learn skills. By branching out of their comfort zones, campers show the confidence they have in themselves to push themselves to try—and conquer—new challenges.