Summer Camp Classes
Campers take three classes each morning for a week at a time. For campers enrolled in our 2-Week Camp, there are two weeks of classes: Monday-Saturday and Sunday-Friday.
The purpose of classes is to develop skills in a specific area of interest. Choosing their own classes and achieving their own goals in those classes helps campers develop confidence and character.
Camper Choice time each afternoon enables campers to explore all the other activities at camp.
Campers who haven’t tested out of swim lessons (Red Cross Level 4) are automatically assigned swim lessons as one of their classes. We require swim lessons because swimming is an essential life skill that might enable campers to save their own lives or help others someday.
Campers will choose their top class preferences, and we will guarantee six of those classes for them.
DO NOT CHOOSE CLASSES FOR YOUR CAMPER! We hate when people use all caps, but this point cannot be overstated. The ability for your child to direct their own camp experience (cultivating a sense of autonomy) is at the heart of what we do. Please let your child make their own choices.
That said, you can encourage your child to try new things. If you see that all their top choices are things they regularly do at home, you might encourage them to try something new. For example, if your child is really into sports, they’d probably also love high ropes, which is physically challenging too.
All classes are open to both Boys Camp and Girls Camp. Be sure that your child meets the age and skill level requirements, which are listed for each activity below. All classes count for one class period unless indicated otherwise (e.g. High Ropes – Double Class, which counts for two adjacent class periods). Note that there are a few differences in class offerings for North Camp and South Camp (also indicated in the classes below). Descriptions are only included to activities that we consider unclear.
Adventure Classes
Camps: Both
Ages: All
Prerequisites: None
Campers overcome obstacles on our low ropes course using trust, teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills. Elements are generally no more than one foot off the ground.
Camps: Both
Ages: 12+
Prerequisites: None
Campers learn rock climbing and belaying skills at camp and then practice on a field trip to a natural rock face.
Camps: Both
Ages: 12+
Prerequisites: None
Campers expand their comfort zones and build confidence on our high ropes course, which includes challenges 20+ feet in the air.
Camps: Both
Ages: 12+
Prerequisites: None
Campers expand their comfort zones and build confidence on our high ropes course, which includes challenges like the zipline. This double-period class gives campers more time to try more elements, develop stronger skills, and undertake challenges (e.g. climbing an element blind-folded).
Camps: Both
Ages: 12+
Prerequisites: Must have completed a High Ropes class at Takodah during a previous summer
Campers build on their skills from the first High Ropes class with additional elements and challenges.
Camps: Both
Ages: 12+
Prerequisites: Must have completed a High Ropes class at Takodah during a previous summer
Campers build on their skills from the first High Ropes class with additional elements and challenges. This double-period class gives campers more time to try more elements, develop stronger skills, and undertake challenges (e.g. climbing an element blind-folded).
Camps: Both
Ages: 12+
Prerequisites: Must have passed Swim Lesson Level 4
Campers undertake some of Takodah’s most challenging activities, which include climbing the vertical playpen, swimming across the lake, hiking Mount Monadnock, navigating our orienteering course, and riding our mountain bike trails. Note: this is a strenuous class that requires physical fitness.
Athletics Classes
Camps: Both
Ages: All
Prerequisites: None
Camps: Both
Ages: All
Prerequisites: None
Camps: Both
Ages: All
Prerequisites: None
Campers do a mix of endurance and strength-building exercises, which is especially valuable for campers who need to continue conditioning for school sports. Note: this is a strenuous class that requires physical fitness.
Camps: Both
Ages: All
Prerequisites: None
Camps: Both
Ages: All
Prerequisites: None
Campers practice skills and play on sports courts.
Camps: Both
Ages: All
Prerequisites: None
Camps: Both
Ages: 12+
Prerequisites: Must be competent riding a bike
Camps: Both
Ages: 12+
Prerequisites: None
Campers learn firearm safety and develop marksmanship skills with air rifles.
Camps: Both
Ages: All
Prerequisites: None
Camps: Both
Ages: All
Prerequisites: None
Camps: Both
Ages: All
Prerequisites: None
Camps: Both
Ages: All
Prerequisites: None
Arts and Crafts Classes
Camps: Both
Ages: All
Prerequisites: None
Camps: Both
Ages: All
Prerequisites: None
Camps: Both
Ages: 12+
Prerequisites: Must have completed a candling class at Takodah in a previous session
Camps: Both
Ages: All
Prerequisites: None
This is a two-week class (one period each week) due to the time required by the kiln to harden the clay and fire the glaze. This counts as two class periods (one each week).
Camps: Both
Ages: All
Prerequisites: None
Camps: Both
Ages: All
Prerequisites: None
Camps: Both
Ages: All
Prerequisites: None
Campers create art that brings together many materials, including paints, papers, glues, buttons, fabrics, found objects, photos, metal bits, fibers, things from nature, inks, pencils, crayons, markers, pastels, and more.
Camps: Both
Ages: All
Prerequisites: None
Camps: Both
Ages: 12+
Prerequisites: None
Campers build pin-hole cameras to take photos and then use a dark room to develop the film.
Camps: Both
Ages: All
Prerequisites: None
Campers paint a picture or pattern onto a screen of fine fabric, which they then use to produce a graphic t-shirt.
Camps: Both
Ages: 12+
Prerequisites: None
Camps: Both
Ages: All
Prerequisites: None
Campers create textiles by using looms to interlace fabric at right angles.
Nature Classes
Camps: Both
Ages: All
Prerequisites: None
Campers explore Takodah’s various ecosystems and catch/release small animals they encounter, such as frogs, turtles, and salamanders.
Camps: Both
Ages: All
Prerequisites: None
Campers make art from nature, such as creating an ecosystem in a jar and a bird-feeder.
Camps: Both
Ages: All
Prerequisites: None
Campers explore Takodah through orienteering and letterboxing.
Camps: Both
Ages: All
Prerequisites: None
Campers spend the week hiking in preparation to summit Mount Monadnock at the end of the week. Note: Mount Monadnock is a strenuous hike.
Camps: Both
Ages: All
Prerequisites: None
Campers make a variety of recipes using different methods of cooking over a campfire.
Camps: Both
Ages: All
Prerequisites: None
Campers explore the science behind rocketry with both water bottle rockets and model rockets.
Camps: Both
Ages: All
Prerequisites: None
Campers explore scientific concepts through surprising and hands-on experiments.
Camps: Both
Ages: All
Prerequisites: None
Campers develop survival skills, such as fire-building, fort-building, and orienteering.
Camps: Both
Ages: All
Prerequisites: None
Campers use wood-carving tools to whittle objects from blocks of wood.
Camps: Both
Ages: All
Prerequisites: None
Campers work in a team to build a piece of furniture, like a chair, using tools and natural materials around camp.
Performing Arts Classes
Camps: Both
Ages: All
Prerequisites: None
Camps: Both
Ages: All
Prerequisites: None
Campers learn clowning skills, such as costume, makeup, character development, big motion, improv, pratfall, unicycles, juggling, magic tricks, balloon animals, clean jokes, and skits.
Camps: Both
Ages: All
Prerequisites: None
Camps: Both
Ages: All
Prerequisites: None
Camps: Both
Ages: All
Prerequisites: None
Camps: Both
Ages: All
Prerequisites: None
Camps: Both
Ages: All
Prerequisites: None
Campers learn and perform music on instruments, such as guitars, bass, keyboard, and drums.
Camps: Both
Ages: All
Prerequisites: None
Camps: Both
Ages: All
Prerequisites: None
Campers learn stage combat skills and then choreograph stage fight scenes.
Camps: Both
Ages: All
Prerequisites: None
Campers learn to use theatrical makeup to create wounds and other special effects.
Waterfront Activities
Camps: Both
Ages: All
Prerequisites: None
Campers who haven’t tested out of swim lessons (Red Cross Level 4) are automatically assigned swim lessons as one of their classes. We require swim lessons because swimming is an essential life skill that might enable campers to save their own lives or help others someday.
Camps: Both
Ages: All
Prerequisites: Must have passed Level 4
After testing out of swim lessons (Red Cross Level 4), campers can opt to continue swim lessons to pass Levels 5 and 6. These swim lessons are optional.
Camps: Both
Ages: All
Prerequisites: Must have passed Level 6
After passing Level 6, campers can opt to be a Swim Aide, which gives them an opportunity to partner with a staff swim instructor to teach lessons to younger campers.
Camps: North Camp Only
Ages: All
Prerequisites: None
Campers develop skills in a different kind of boat each day, including canoeing, kayaking, rowing, paddleboarding, and our giant voyageur canoes.
Camps: South Camp Only (North Campers can opt for Boat Sampler)
Ages: All
Prerequisites: None
Camps: South Camp Only
Ages: All
Prerequisites: Must have passed Swim Level 4
Camps: South Camp Only (North Campers can opt for Boat Sampler)
Ages: All
Prerequisites: None
Camps: South Camp Only (North Campers can opt for Boat Sampler)
Ages: All
Prerequisites: None
Camps: Both
Ages: All
Prerequisites: None
Notes:
- Sailing is a double-period class at South Camp (two adjacent periods in the same week).
- Sailing is a two-week class at North Camp (one class period per week).
Camps: South Camp Only
Ages: All
Prerequisites: Must weigh at least 100 lbs. Must achieve Swim Level 4 and Blue Tag.