Trailblazers
(Ages 12–14)
Take summer to the next level. The best part of the great outdoors is discovering that you belong. Awesome counselors, one overnight tent adventure and bigger and better camp activities make Trailblazers a unique experience for outdoor enthusiasts!
We are now Full!Trailblazers
Ages 12–14 (must be 12 by August 31, 2023)
- 8:1 child to staff ratio
- $1050 per 2–week session
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Camp Programs (2–week sessions):
Session 1: June 17 - June 28
Session 2: July 1 - July 13
Session 3: July 15 - July 26
Session 4: July 29 - August 9
Hodge Podge: August 12 - August 16
Your camp gives my daughter so many great experiences that she can't get anywhere else. The zipline, tubing, the flying squirrel. She comes home everyday with so much to say. My daughter, who attends alone (without friends) has been a camper for 4 summers, and always wants to return. I think that speaks volumes for what you do.
~Tonya D., 2020 Camp Parent
Trailblazers
(Ages 12–14)
“Challenge by choice” is a fundamental tenet of our Trailblazers program. Our well-trained, certified counselors offer our teen/pre-teen campers both instruction and encouragement as they tackle a wide variety of land and water activities. Campers develop the ability to safely and successfully acquire new skills and confidence, while having fun with a different activity on campus each day of the week
Campers develop the ability to safely and successfully acquire new skills and confidence, while having fun with a different activity on campus each day of the week. Activities may include our ropes and challenge course, team-building games, mountain biking, hiking, swimming at the creek, fishing, and wilderness skills training.
This program also includes a hike, tubing along the Seneca Red Trail, and a camp out on the second Thursday of each two-week session with an off-site field trip.
Sample Day at Camp
9:15–12:00 Adventure Activity
12:00–12:30 LUNCH
12:30–1:45 Pool
2:30–3:00 group games
Rain Plan: Butler Camp views rain as “liquid sunshine!" All activities will continue as planned except in cases of severe weather (i.e., thunder, lightning, or heavy downpour). In this case, we have indoor and undercover space where activities will continue.
What Your Child Needs
Daily:
- Backpack
- Water bottle – refillable
- Swimsuit
- Towel
- Snack
- Lunch
- Extra change of clothes
Start of Camp: (These items stay at camp for the session)
- Sunblock
- Bug spray
- Creek shoes/boots
Counselors will advise the campers when particular clothing is required. Be sure that your camper arrives in the morning with sunscreen/bug repellent already applied.
Basic overnight needs for all activities: Sleeping pad, sleeping bag, change of clothes, flashlight/headlamp, water bottle, toiletries, warm jacket, and rain gear. Counselors will confirm the necessary items by Friday of Week 1.
Mosquito Tips – suggested for water activities: Pack lightweight pants, long-sleeved shirt, socks, and a hat that can be sprayed with bug spray.
Skills Gained
- Increased fitness, strength, agility, self-confidence, and fearlessness
- Knowledge and experience with climbing, canoeing, tubing, hiking, mountain-biking, knot-tying, fishing, tent and camp set-up, outdoor cooking, wilderness skills, and outdoor/water safety
- Environmental education, including Leave No Trace camping ethic and practices and respect for nature and others (and an appreciation for life beyond “screen time”)
- Lifelong memories of singing and roasting marshmallows by a campfire, sleeping in the wilderness in a tent, and the confidence in wilderness skills to safely move about, cook, and create shelter.
- Problem-solving, leadership, teamwork, decision-making, risk assessment, communication skills and, in many cases, new friends!
Trailblazers Sample Weeks
WK1
Monday – Opening Ceremony, Introduction Games, Snack, Hike, Lunch, Pool, Survival Skills Shelter Building
Tuesday – Group game, Snack, Pool, Lunch, Archery, Survival Skills Wood forage
Wednesday – Low Ropes Course, Lunch, Survival Skills water filtration
Thursday – Pool, Snack, High Ropes, Lunch, Survival Skills Knife Safety and fire prep
Friday – Pool, Survival Skills, Lunch, Hike to the water hole, swim and hike back.
WK2
Monday – Tree climbing with ropes, Snack, Geocaching, Lunch, Pool, Mt Bike Skills
Tuesday – High Wall Climb, Lunch, High Ropes,
Wednesday – Tubing, Overnight camp out, (late pool)
Thursday – Mountain Biking, Fishing. Go over plans for the next day's overnight.
Friday – Breakfast, Clean up, tents put away, pool, lunch, and big games!
