Rick Burris, Camp's Executive Director made a decision and with that a statement. Camp Classen's Summer Camp must be a place for you the camper to call home your second home. That decisions made are to be for the good of the campers that come here. That every one who attends camp can be proud to say - "Yeah - It's my camp." 
Come join us and you'll leave being able to say it too - "It's my camp!"
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Camp Traditions and Awards
Bass Rock Club
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: RANGLER
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.
Symbol Challenge Min. Age
Triangle Leather Growth in body, mind, and spirit 9
Square Leather Growth in body, mind, spirit and friendship 10
Circle Leather Becoming closer to God through appreciation, love
and concern for the earth He has created 11
Blue Rag Loyalty to God, country and once best self and
acceptance of the Ragger’s Creed 12
Silver Rag Acceptance of or a rededication to a Christian
way of life or spiritual growth 13
Brown Rag Christian service 14
Gold Rag Understanding, concern and acceptance of others 15
Red Rag Sacrifice of time, talent and personal will 16
Purple Rag A dedication toward excellence an noble living in
Christian Service Opportunities 18
White Rag Full time Christian service 21
The Rag/Leather program should not be seen as a progression to be accomplished in a certain time frame. Participants are encouraged to work on one level of challenges until they are ready to accept more.
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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