More than 20 years ago, we realized that we needed to create a process that would help our younger campers, and their parents, feel more comfortable about going to sleep-away camp for the first time.
We call our creation “Club Lokanda” and it has been a rousing success. Our mission is to gradually help campers make the transition from home to camp easier by offering a series of wintertime events that culminate in a “Weekend-in Camp” in early June. Campers who participate in the Club Lokanda activities begin making friends long before the first day of camp. They learn early on, that the Lokanda staff is caring and fun to be with.
Club Lokanda is open to both new and returning campers. Our “old timers” want to widen their circle of friends and also introduce new campers to “The Lokanda Way”. “The Lokanda Way” is a set of values that includes welcoming other campers and making them feel more comfortable. It encourages campers to be inclusive, respectful and caring.
As part of “Club Lokanda,” our weekend at camp in early June is particularly important.
Our new campers get to know where everything in camp is, get to sleep in bunks with other children in their age group, and get to learn about Lokanda traditions. They also meet many of our staff members and enjoy some terrific camp activities. This makes our new campers much more at ease on Departure Day and during their first days at camp.
Bob Ditter, a noted child psychologist who has spent many summers advising us at Lokanda, says it best: “As a result of Club Lokanda, campers feel that Lokanda is their camp long before the first day arrives.”
© 2001 - 2007 Camp Lokanda. All rights reserved.