For Campers

CAMPERS SWIM ACROSS LAKE CLASSEN WEARING A PFD (STAFF FOLLOWS ALONG SIDE IN A BOAT OR LIFEGUARD BOARD), TOUCH BASS ROCK AND SWIM BACK. BASS ROCK CLUB MEMBERS SIGN THE BASS BOARD.

Horseshoe Club Year Awards

YEAR ONE: PHILLY/FOAL

YEAR TWO: COLT

YEAR THREE: STALLION

YEAR FOUR: WRANGLER

Traditional Camp Bandana (89er age group)

Trippin’ Bandana (89er age group who goes on a trip)

Frontier Adventure Bandana

Pathfinders/Trailblazer Bandana (Main Camp Only)

COUNSELOR WRITES SOMETHING MEANFUL ABOUT THE CAMPER ON THE BACK OF THE BANDANA AND ALSO LISTS THE CLUBS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS THE CAMPER HAS ACHIEVED WHILE AT CAMP (RAGGERS, MILERS CLUB, ETC)

Sunrise Club

THIS CLUB STARTED ON JULY 22, 2004 WITH LUKE WARD AND CODY STEWARD WHO WERE CROSS COUNTRY RUNNERS AND NEEDED TO RUN AT CAMP TO KEEP IN SHAPE. THEY MET AT THE BELL AT 89ER AT 6:30 AM TO RUN THE WARREN MT. TRAIL. SINCE THEN COUNSELORS/STAFF HAVE OFFERED SOME PRE-BREAKFAST ACTIVITY WHICH ALWAYS STARTS AT THE BELL AT 6:30 AM. THOSE WHO PARTICIPATE SIGN THEIR NAME ON THE SUNRISE BOARD IN THE DINING HALL.

I Kissed Sterns Club

THIS CLUB IS FOR THOSE WHO CAN CLIMB THE MOST DIFFICULT PART OF THE CLIMBING TOWER AND KISS THE FROG-SHAPED HOLD ON TOP. IF SUCCESSFUL THEY CLIMB THE MINI CLIMBING WALL IN THE DINING HALL AND SIGN THE STERNS HEAD.

Milers Swim Club

TO BE IN THE MILERS SWIM CLUB YOU MUST SWIM A TOTAL OF 41 LAPS (82 LENGTHS) IN THE SWIMMING LANES AT 89ER DURING YOUR STAY AT CAMP. WHEN YOU DO, YOU SIGN THE BOAT AT THE SWIMMING AREA.

Year Awards

Throughout the session during a Chapel or an evening devotion, campers will be recognized on how many years they have been a camper at Camp Classen. Each year award represents a different Character Value that the YMCA recognizes.

Here are the examples of each one:

FIRST YEAR (DOG TAGS AND CHIP): HAPPINESS

SECOND YEAR CHIP: CARING

THIRD YEAR CHIP: HONESTY

FOURTH YEAR CHIP: RESPECT

FIFTH YEAR CHIP: RESPONSIBILITY

SIXTH YEAR CHIP: SHARING

SEVENTH YEAR CHIP: TRUST

EIGHTH YEAR CHIP: SERVICE TO OTHERS

NINTH YEAR CHIP: LOYALTY

What is the YMCA Rag/Leather Program?

The YMCA Rag/Leather Program is designed to help campers grow in body, mind, and spirit. This is done through personal goal setting and commitment, discussion with a camp counselor, and action steps. This growth is further encouraged through meaningful symbolism and thoughtful ceremonies.

The Story of the Rag

The program was started in 1914 by Thomas Caldwell of the Oakland YMCA. Caldwell was looking for a way to deal with certain camp discipline problems in a positive rather than negative way.

One method used by many YMCA camps was the presentation of awards for participation in athletic and other activities. Caldwell considered this but the idea was discarded because a physically disabled boy was attending camp and would be unable to win an award under this system.

Instead, Caldwell conceived the idea of giving awards for character attributes such as good health habits, promptness, cheerfulness, morals, trust, and helpfulness. To symbolize these positive qualities, Caldwell bought some very simple blue bandanas he called rags. This was to signify that, in themselves, they had no value. Rather, they were just a symbol of positive qualities the person had demonstrated. During an evening campfire program, Caldwell called several boys forward, and as he tied the rag around each boys neck, he told the boy and the camp why the boy was receiving it. Thus, a tradition was started.

There have been many changes over the years. The concept of award has changed to a philosophy that rags are challenges; not to be given but rather accepted . These challenges were added and the Leathers were added for younger campers.

YMCA Mission: To put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all."

YMCA Camp Classen. www.itsmycamp.org. 10840 Main Camp Rd. 580-369-2272.580-369-2284fax