Overview

A prized team tradition in both Intermediate and Senior Camps, Nakanawa’s wooden war canoes seat a crew of ten selected paddlers and an elected coxswain, much like competitive rowing. The calls and decisions of the “cox” guide the crew’s teamwork and speed as they train in endurance for victory on the momentous race day. A war canoe drill competition, held on the last day of camp, explores a creative side of canoeing with a seated, timed paddle routine performed to music by each team. Drill judges review form, precision, content and originality in the unique moving “paddle dances.”

Quick Info

  • Difficulty Level Difficult
  • Age(s) Intermediate, Senior
  • Session(s) 4 Week
  • Category Team
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More activities

Tone Chimes

Durable and simpler to learn than hand bells, tone chimes provide Junior campers a hand-held percussion instrument to learn in a group and play for church and special programs. Part of Glee Club, tone chimes introduce campers to musical timing, note recognition and ensemble experience. At bedtime, the soft notes of Taps played on the tone chimes ring out in the peaceful night air over Junior Camp.

  • Easy
  • Junior
  • 2 Week, 4 Week

Ceramics / Pottery

Get your hands messy in Senior Camp where we teach both hand-building and wheel-thrown ceramics. From concept to glaze to kiln-firing, pieces are ready to take home at each session’s end. Many Nakanawa campers develop a life-long ability in pottery from their early enjoyment here.
  • All Levels
  • All
  • 4 Week

Nature

Rabbits and turtles and snakes - oh my! In Junior Camp, the Margaret Matens Nature Hut is home to fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, insects and woodland creatures from whom campers learn identification, responsible care-taking and respect for the natural world. Certified Wildlife Rehabilitators guide campers in safe understanding of all facets of the Nakanawa ecosystem. Exploration of private trails, so rare today, ignites an early sense of adventure and love for the outdoors. We also teach beginning camping skills such as fire building, safety and pathfinding.
  • Easy
  • Junior
  • 2 Week, 4 Week

Musical Production

In Two-Week Junior and Intermediate Camps, final activities include brief, clever thirty-minute musicals involving every camper. Teaching groups, arranged by age,  each have a singing role and simple costume for these cooperative productions.

  • All Levels
  • Junior, Intermediate
  • 2 Week