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Ages 7-10
Ages 11-13
Ages 13-16
THE BEGINNING OF WAUKEELA LIFE
SPRITES, LEPS, ELVES
MINI ALLEY
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Mini alley kids spend their summer having fun with everything they do. To them the world is a game and they want to play it.
IMAGINATION AT PLAY
We make sure we give them the time, the ideas, the props, and the support for any crazy game they might think of. In mini alley it’s not weird to see stuffed animal weddings, bug funerals, secret trading systems, and our counselors & staff charged with the task of helping make the veil out of toilet paper. These games involve as many people as possible and become some of camp’s most treasured moments.
SUPPORT TO GO OUTSIDE THEIR COMFORT ZONES
It is also a time for kids to try new and challenging things, to push themselves out of their comfort zone in an environment that will support them completely. With 1 cabin counselor for every 2-3 campers, kids are looked after in a professional way, while giving them the space to do things on their own.
BUILDING CONNECTIONS
Our minis are encouraged to treat others with the same kindness and respect that they are being treated by the community and because of their age, encounter real connection with others for one of the first times in their lives. They form friendships, have conflict and experience interacting with others away from their safety nets and learn to live with others in community.
A parent once said to us “My kid loves it here because older kids actually want to listen to what she has to say in a way that no older kid outside of camp wants to.”
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THE MAGIC BEGINS
SPRITES
Sprites, 7 and 8 year olds, going into first and second grade are the youngest campers at Waukeela. They come to enjoy a carefree and enchanted, magical summer where they are welcomed, appreciated, loved, and happy. These cherished campers hold the future of Waukeela in their hands, as their experiences lay the foundation for lifelong memories.
FUN, FRIENDSHIPS, AND FIRSTS
Throughout their stay, Sprites are cared for by experienced counselors, handpicked for their dedication to working with children and their ability to handle homesickness. The friendships formed here often last a lifetime, as older campers look after the Sprites, thriving on the responsibility and fostering a supportive community. Sprites experience real independence for the first time, venturing out of their comfort zones and trying new activities such as hikes, berry picking, and participating in the scenic railroad and scavenger hunts. Traditional camp activities like singing, making s’mores, and the enchanted forest session, where they sign the summer’s mini alley heart, make their time at Waukeela truly special.
EXPERIENCES
Experienced counselors and older campers
Independence
Foundation for lifelong friendships
Loved and cared for
ACTIVITIES
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Enchanted Forest
Introduction to Traditions
Scenic Railroad
Berry Picking
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DEEPENING THEIR ROOTS
LEPS
Leps, 9 year olds going into 3rd grade, are relatively new to Waukeela, though some may have one or two years of experience. They are entrusted with holding the magic and spirit of Mini Alley, being the youngest to truly know and cherish Waukeela. Throughout their magical summer, filled with traditions, happiness, and kindness, they experience a newfound independence.
CREATING AN ENCHANTED FUTURE
By the end of their two-week or full session, Leps write a paragraph and share it in the enchanted forest, expressing why they want to return as an Elf next summer. Handpicked counselors, passionate about working with children, ensure Leps are well cared for, while older campers also look out for them. Their days are filled with activities like berry picking, exploring the Polar Caves, and hiking Mini Alley, all contributing to a summer they will hold in their hearts forever.
EXPERIENCES
Experienced counselors and older campers
Independence
Foundation for lifelong friendships
Loved and cared for
ACTIVITIES
Enchanted Forest
Polar Caves Exploration
Local Hikes
Berry Picking
LEADERS OF MINI ALLEY
ELVES
Elves, 10 year olds going into 4th grade, the oldest members of Mini Alley at Waukeela, should feel a deep sense of pride in their leadership and the magical experiences they have cherished. They serve as role models, creating a safe and enjoyable environment for Sprites and Leps to look up to. During their time at camp, Elves have the opportunity to lead the Alley and plan a special Elf Night, fostering teamwork and responsibility as they organize an event for the entire Mini Alley.
FROM COMFORT TO CONFIDENCE
By the end of their two-week or full session, Leps write a paragraph and share it in the enchanted forest, expressing why they want to return as an Elf next summer. Handpicked counselors, passionate about working with children, ensure Leps are well cared for, while older campers also look out for them. Their days are filled with activities like berry picking, exploring the Polar Caves, and hiking Mini Alley, all contributing to a summer they will hold in their hearts forever.
EXPERIENCES
Experienced counselors and older campers
Conflict Resolution
Leadership Skills
Regulating Emotions
ACTIVITIES
Team Building
Planning Elf Night
Polar Caves Exploration
Enchanted Forest
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THE SPIRIT OF CAMP
Junior alley campers are heroes to our minis, while looking up to their Senior Alley role models.
SPACE TO DISCOVER THEMSELVES
Junior alley comes at a critical stage of a young camper’s life with so many tricky transitions to overcome. Young people are making the switch from elementary school to middle school, their bodies are starting to change, and this can be a hard and lonely time in school for so many children. Waukeela and Junior alley is the perfect solution to the trials and tribulations by providing the antidote to some of these challenges.
AN INTUITIVE EXPERIENCE
Each day in Junior Alley, the campers are given choices about which activities they wish to pursue and are encouraged to get out of their comfort zone and try new things to grow in confidence & belief in themselves. If they are feeling energetic, gregarious and upbeat they can choose tennis, swimming, ropes or performing arts. If they are in a quieter, more reflective mood they can chill out in arts and crafts or in our special quiet area, ‘Magicalley’. All these choices help the campers better understand themselves, their moods, likes and dislikes. These daily choices contribute to each camper becoming a more rounded and balanced person as they grow into a new version of themselves.
EMBRACING INDIVIDUALITY
Junior alley campers are encouraged to be different, unique, goofy and individual without being judged for doing so. At this age campers make new friends and develop lifelong bonds which change the way they see themselves when they go back to the real world and school. Our campers have a stronger sense of self worth, they are proud of who they are becoming at a time when self perception is normally so fragile.
The social pressures of school and social media are just not present at Waukeela. Young campers at these vulnerable and impressionable ages are free to discover a version of themselves that they are really comfortable with.
EXPLORING NEW ADVENTURES
GNOMES
Gnomes, 11 year olds going into 5th grade, are the youngest of the juniors and have just aged out of Mini Alley. They go from being leaders to learners. Gnomes are generally high energy and are willing to try new activities since they’re still figuring out what they like and their personality. Since minis are very mixed among the age groups, this is their first year as a defined “age group” which helps them solidify their friendships as a group.
UNLEASHING CREATIVITY & CONFIDENCE
Gnomes have fun; they have the creativity and the imagination to come up with goofy games and the ability to see them through. Gnome counselors are people who know how to help kids enjoy themselves and have fun while supporting them in the things they need. Our gnomes take a special trip to Story Land, our local amusement park, as well as go on their Gnome hike which is a little bit more challenging than the hikes the minis take.
EXPERIENCES
Learning from older campers
Self Exploration
Strengthened Friendships
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Reflection Time
ACTIVITIES
Outdoor Skills
Amusement Park
Gnome Hike