August 21 Today was our last full day at Camp Amicus, but we packed the day full of fun nevertheless. Our final groups went horseback riding, with our morning group leaving shortly after breakfast. For the rest of our campers, our after-breakfast camp-wide game was dress the beast! Another capture the flag style game, both teams have a 'beast' at each side of the field, decked out in props from our prop bins. If a member of the opposing team reaches the beast, they get to take one prop off. Dress the beast makes for some great photos! Our social skill today was bullying. Campers worked to d ..read more

August 20 We have reached the midpoint in our short week! Nonetheless, we stayed as busy as ever. Our after-breakfast camp-wide game today was human tracker, in which 5 'trackers' set out into the woods to find everyone else, the humans. If one is found, one has the option to run away, but if caught, one must join the trackers! The woods around Kamp Kiwanis are perfect for a game like this. Afterwards, it was time for social skill. Today we focused on blowing off steam. Campers brainstormed their favourite calming activities and when partaking in them would be appropriate, took part in a num ..read more

Today marked our first full day here at Camp Amicus, and it was quite busy one indeed! For most of our campers and staff, today began officially with breakfast. However, those bold enough participated in polar bear dip, a quick swim in the pool beforehand. After we'd all eaten it was off to camp-wide game! Twice each day, our entire team plays a large-scale game, after breakfast and before bed. Today's morning camp-wide game was gold rush. One of the many capture the flag style games in our repertoire, two teams have a pile of beanbags at the far end of their side of the field, and the object ..read more

August 18 We have landed safely at Kamp Kiwanis! After loading off the bus around 3, we moved quickly to 2:6 time. At Camp Amicus, we work in a 1:3 ratio of counsellors to campers, so 2:6 time is time for a pair of counsellors to get to know the six campers that they will be spending the rest of the week with. In today’s 2:6 time, campers set up their bunks, made their braids if they don’t already have one (braids are made of fabric and hang off one’s shoulder, firstly to identify them as a member of Camp Amicus, secondly to hold ‘bling’ that campers and staff can make for each other) and ..read more

August 15 Today was our last full day at Camp Amicus! Despite this, it was the busiest day of our week! Our day began with breakfast, followed by our camp-wide game, Dress the Beast. It is a capture the flag style game that has two counsellors dressed head to toe in props from our prop bins on either side of the field. If a camper makes it to the counsellor without being tagged, they can take one prop for their own 'beast,' and the winning team is the one with the most props on. Our social skill today was digital communication. In our increasingly digital world, knowing what to post online ..read more

August 14 It is the middle of our week at Camp Amicus, and we’re not slowing down! We began our day as always, with breakfast, before transitioning to camp-wide game. Today, we played Temple of Doom. With our entire team divided into four, one of the three teams collects as much loot as possible from the opposite side of the field, while the other three teams lob dodgeballs at them. It is, in my opinion, far and away the most photogenic camp-wide game. We moved after to social skill, which today was teasing and embarrassing feedback. Giving feedback is an integral part of one’s life ..read more

August 13 Hello from Camp Amicus! For some, our day began with Polar Bear Dip, for others, today began with breakfast. Those of us who went horseback riding left immediately after breakfast was done. We moved as a group to camp-wide game though, which today was Human Tracker. This large-scale game involves 5 'trackers' let loose into the woods (with clearly established, monitored boundaries, safety first) to find the rest of our team, the humans. If one is found, they have the option to run, but if one is tagged, they too must join the trackers. We then moved to social skill. Today's skill w ..read more

August 12 It was our first full day here at Camp Amicus, and it was a busy one! First thing in the morning, those bold enough participate in what we call Polar Bear Dip, a short swim in the pool and a chilly walk back before breakfast. We had a hearty breakfast afterwards, and then it was off to camp-wide game! Twice each day, our entire team play a large-scale game, after breakfast and before bed. Today's morning camp-wide game was gold rush. One of the many capture the flag style games in our repertoire, two teams have a pile of beanbags at the far end of their side of the field, and the o ..read more

August 11 We have arrived safely at Kamp Kiwanis! After loading off the bus around 3, we had 2:6 time. At Camp Amicus, we work in a 1:3 ratio of counsellors to campers, so 2:6 time is time for a pair of counsellors to get to know the six campers that they will be spending the rest of the week with. In today’s 2:6 time, campers set up their bunks, made their braids if they don’t already have one (braids are made of fabric and hang off one’s shoulder, firstly to identify them as a member of Camp Amicus, secondly to hold ‘bling’ that campers and staff can make for each other) and made Group ..read more

August 8 Today was our last full day of overnight camp! It has been a busy week, full of laughter and sunshine, and we are all quite tired. Our day began with Polar Bear dip for those who chose to partake, and it began for all of us with breakfast, followed by camp-wide game. Our last group went horseback riding today as well. Our camp-wide game was dress the beast, a capture the flag style game that has one counsellor covered head to toe in props from our dress-up bin. If a member of the opposite team gets to the beast, they take one piece of clothing for their team's beast. Social skill fo ..read more