SUMMER CAMP COLOR WAR IDEAS HOW TO

When we work together for the greater good, we are capable of accomplishing anything. Some of the most important lessons we learn at summer camp are the power of resiliency, community, cooperation, and teamwork. Although we are experiencing more physical distancing from family or friends or coworkers right now, it doesn’t have to mean complete social distancing.

SUMMER CAMP COLOR WAR IDEAS HOW TO

We thank you for your continued support of our programs and our mission.While schools are closing and families are spending more time indoors and at home, we are thinking a lot about how to incorporate summer camp games and skills into everyday life. The songs and cheers that keep up the spirit of camp have been amazing, and we’re constantly inspired by the incredible creativity of our campers and staff. From the sound of the first canon, the excitement has been high and the competition has been fierce. The spirit of the Color War has never been stronger. We are proud of our leadership, staff, and campers who played a role to change the names and help our camp thrive for decades to come. We’ve had emails and messages of support from past directors and executive directors, other Y-camps, representatives from Y-USA and so many of our parents. The support for this change from our campers, staff, Board of Directors, and alumni have been tremendous. The goal of Color War is to provide a place for campers and staff to showcase their talents – athletic, musical and intellectual - and to celebrate the individual and team accomplishments that take place for two exciting days. The best parts of Color War have always been the teamwork, competition, fun, sportsmanship, joy, excitement, and camaraderie that our campers and staff experience.

While the names of the teams have changed, the tradition of Color War and what it represents has not. The team names embody our fundamental philosophy - that camp should be a place where all kids can be at their best and brightest. At Fairview Lake YMCA Camps, we encourage our campers to try their best at everything they do. We have chosen Ursa for the black team and Raptor for the red team.Ĭamp is about giving all children the opportunity to shine. In northwest NJ, two native species are the Black Bear and the Red-Tailed Hawk, natural mascots for teams. Aquila stands for eagle in Latin, which is where the team name Raptors comes from, and the Big Dipper is part of the Ursa Major constellation known as The Big Bear.

Looking up at the night sky, there are two constellations that are at their brightest and best in the summer: The Big Dipper and Aquila constellations. For many campers, experiencing the night sky and all of its magnificence is something that they might only get to do at camp. Here at Fairview Lake, we benefit from the pitch-black night sky, which provides the perfect backdrop for the stars to shine bright. We searched for names that would resonate with our current community, celebrate the spirit of camp, and reflect the world around us. A lot of thought went into choosing new team names that would symbolize the spirit of the Color War.

This year, we have changed the names of our Color War teams. For a number of years, the games were called Army vs Navy and then Mohawk vs Sioux, and, for many years, did not happen at all. This too has seen changes and modifications over the decades. Part of our summer history is centered around an annual event called Color War. As the needs in our community change, Fairview Lake adapts and changes with the community. These traditions changed when we became a racially integrated camp and when we opened our doors to women. In the beginning, Fairview Lake was racially segregated and was also only for boys.

As our communities moved to become more inclusive of other races, genders, and cultures, so did we. In our own history, traditions have come and gone. Throughout the last century, Fairview Lake YMCA Camps, and camps across the U.S., have grown and changed with their communities. The constellations Aquila on left and Ursa Major (The Big Dipper) on right.Īt Fairview Lake YMCA Camps, we strive every day to be a place where children and adults from all backgrounds, and from all over the world, can play and grow together.

Summer camp color war ideas