What is Zacco?

Earlier this week, we mentioned a thing called "Zacco". It's a funny name, we'll admit, but is a well-loved HoneyRock meal-time tradition.

About twenty minutes before every meal, the big bell on Chrouser's front porch rings. That signals that campers have 10 minutes get to Zacco. After those ten minutes pass, a loud "SUPPPPPP" is heard all around camp. The Unit Leaders are yelling to start the time of song (and a little bit of dance!). Campers reply with the same word, "SUPPPPP!". 

The Unit Leaders lead the crowd in some rowdy songs like "Reece's Pieces", "Rigabamboo", and others. It's just a fun time to come together, sing some songs, and let off some energy before meals.

Other parts of camp are having fun too! Advance Camp men have spent the day rafting at the Wolf River while the Advance Camp women are enjoying their last day out on their wilderness trip. Res boys are all out on trip, which means tonight is Girls Night for the Res Camp girls.

Family Day is in a little less than one week! Have you registered? If not, click here!

2:22, Back in Camp

Wednesday afternoon all of our 2:22ers arrived back to camp safe and sound! They returned canoeing and hiking, ready to unpack and shower – ASAP. While we haven’t had a lot of time to hear stories yet, the next week will be spent in camp…plenty of time to hear about some of their wilderness experiences. We overheard one group saying that their time was “almost like a vacation” – good long hikes, sandy beaches, and sunny skies. While some trips might have experienced other elements, we’re excited with what we have heard so far!

Thank you for your patience as we start to upload pictures of your 2:22ers! They haven’t been in camp for that long, but we’re working hard to make up for lost time. Today the women are in town doing laundry while the men are rafting at the Wolf River. Here at the office, we're in the process of rounding up trip pictures and posting them to our photo site. 

Update: 2:22 Wilderness Trip Pictures are posted!
Click here to visit their photo gallery.

A Look Around Camp

Today we're just going to take a quick look around camp and see what everyone is up to. If you want to see more pictures, visit the Res Camp or the Advance Camp photo pages - Advance Camp was updated yesterday and Res Camp today!

Res Camp: The older Res Camp boys left yesterday on their two night wilderness trip, while the younger boys packed out this morning. They will all return tomorrow after lunch! The girls leave on their wilderness trip early next week, but tonight they celebrate "Women's Night", as all of the guys in Res Camp are out on trip. The girls will have a cake decorating contest as well as a time of fellowship in Chrouser. Pictures of this event to come Monday!

Advance Camp: Advance Camp women are still out on trip! We're excited to welcome them back into camp tomorrow. We just saw the Advance Camp men pull into camp after a long day rafting on the Wolf River. Tomorrow, they will make the much needed laundry run into Eagle River. This Monday and Tuesday Advance Camp groups will take turns at the High Ropes Course, working together to complete the elements.

2:22: We haven't heard much from 2:22, but that's a good thing! They have been doing well out on trip, working their way up and down trails and rivers. This was taken right before this group got in a van to get to their starting point. 

Service Team: Service Team spent last night in Three Lakes watching the fireworks. Today marks the last day of this week's job rotations, which vary from on camp to off camp kinds of work. We have seen them helping at out at the barn, putting on a new roof, chopping wood, starting kayak races at Olympic Fest...the list is endless! We're so thankful for how they serve camp.

Assistant Counselors: Week one of the first Res Camp session is almost done, and the Assistant Counselors are still going strong! The men are out on trip as the women prepare for "Women's Night" with their campers. They are all doing a great job leading their campers in Cabin Impacts, Camper Worship, Activities, and other aspects of HoneyRock. We're proud of the work and growth they are experiencing!

Visit the blog tomorrow to see a brand new addition to camp!

On the Wolf River

Over the weekend Charlie and Ben, Activity Staff Coordinator and Canoeing Instructor, led a trip for those in SLS who had been working on canoeing and kayaking throughout training.

Charlie (Activity Staff Coordinator) surfs a wave on the Wolf River

After warming up with the basics, we walked the river to check out the various elements and review safety procedures. The section of the Wolf River that HoneyRock uses for these trips has a slight U-shape, which enables people to run the section at their own pace. With water flowing at nearly twice the normal level, there were new places to avoid and more spots to play and surf. We spent about three hours on the river, working on strokes, rolls, surfs, and braces, and then packed up to head home.

 

Ben (Canoeing Instructor)

As a trip tradition, we debriefed the time we had on the river as we drove back to HoneyRock, talking about the highs and lows and how we saw God. The “lows” were primarily directed at the anxiety felt before getting on the river or the cloudy weather while the “highs” ranged from running the river without making a wet-exit to seeing confidence grow in the first-timers. 

Stephen (AC Unit Leader) takes a run down the river

While reflecting upon how we saw God, Charlie pointed out the community that this small group of 13 made for the day. In our time at the river, we were able to come together to support and encourage, learn and teach. Throughout the day it was common to see one come alongside another and give a high-five or share a tip to make the next roll or brace better. 

Charlie instructs Jeremy (SLS, left) and Cole (Archery Instructor, right)

In the coming weeks, all Advance campers will go rafting on the Wolf and several Res campers will have the opportunity to work on their canoeing and kayaking skills for their award requirements. There will be many highs and lows, requirements passed and failed, lessons taught and learned - all a part of challenge that is naturally and purposefully infused into canoeing and kayaking. All in all, we are thankful for a challenging, fun, and safe trip to the Wolf and can't wait for campers to share in the experience!

Check back today as we update the blog (around 6pm) after campers arrive at HoneyRock with the details of their first afternoon!