Sunshine, adventure, and a whole lot of seaside fun rolled in with the tide this week as Camp ROGA waded into our Beach Bash week. This week’s campers turned to surfers as they rode waves, built sandcastles, and scarfed down some beachside snacks, soaking up every minute of fun. So grab some shades and take a peek at some of the splash-tastic moments from this week’s camp by the sea.
No beach day is complete without building a few sandcastles, and Camp ROGA had it covered. With foam blocks standing in for sand, our campers crafted and shaped their own personal sandcastles, forming them into whatever shape their heart desired. However, much like their sandy counterparts, these castles had trouble staying upright for long, and campers had to build them up quickly before the tide would take them down. With materials in mind, making something that would last was not an easy task, and campers wanted designs that were beautiful, not just durable. Thankfully, half the fun of building something is taking it down, so campers got to experience the fun of creating their sand castle, and also the fun of being the tide that took them down.
After building their castles, campers headed to the water and into an underwater obstacle course. The gym was transformed into an underwater paradise, with seaweed streamers, palm trees, and little fishies that our campers could swim alongside through the ocean. Campers got to experience life as one of numerous sea critters this week. To start with, we had them experience the world through the eyes of the many creatures who dwell on the sea floor, like crabs and blobfish. To do this, they had to crawl down low beneath stones and shelves of coral reefs (mats and beams), hiding from the creatures above them (coaches and other students). They also had to remain very still when the bigger fish passed over them, or else the carnivorous fish would notice and swallow them whole! (send them back to the start).
Campers also explored what it would be like to swim through water (the air in this case). To do this, they would hold tight onto rings and ropes with their hands and feet and then swing out over the (heavily cushioned) floor, floating just above it. There, they would rocket through the air, swimming as fast as they could to their destination, while still taking care to wave at other fishies who were swimming along with them.
Coming out from under the waves and moving to the surf, campers grabbed their surfboards and fins and got to work coasting on some gnarly waves. With lifeguards right below, campers competed to see who could catch the biggest wave. Sprinting and leaping, they fought the imaginary swells as they scrambled up our version of a towering wave (the warp wall). Climbing the face of the giant breaker was no easy feat, though. The waves easily dwarfed the determined little campers, and even hard work and grit were not enough to stop many wipeouts (all safely cushioned by foam mats). Many stopped halfway, trying to ride the wave as long as they could before it puttered out against the beach. Others climbed higher, reaching just below the white foam lip of the thundering wave. And a couple even managed to create the wave itself, if only for a short time, staring out over the beach as they stood proud over the conquered wave. Regardless of how high they got, each camper showed remarkable determination and athleticism as they all reached for the summit together.
For those little campers having trouble, coaches made sure they were still able to catch some waves, thanks to some specialty surfboards (mats) which thrust into the roaring waves. On these surfboards, even little beachgoers caught a glimpse of the beach viewed from the sky.
Moving on, the campers and the gym got tropical as they climbed up the many palm trees (ropes and rings) within the gym and practiced their best Tarzan impression as they swung from palm tree to palm tree, avoiding the dangers of the blue lagoon below them (the foam). Up within the palm tree, campers also searched for coconuts to relieve their thirst, and twisted and turned while they dodged errant seagulls flying between the trees. After they tired of monkeying around across the branches, they made their daring dismounts onto the sand beaches below and stepped out of the way so the next camper could have their turn.
With all the hot work being done on the beach, campers had to find a way to keep the sun at bay as they played, and what better way to commandeer some on-the-go shade than a wide-brimmed hat?! These hats were the pinnacle of engineering, with their wide floppy brims promising ultra protection against the burning rays of the sun. These crafts were also an expression of the creativity and forward-thinking of the campers as they tie-dyed their designs on camp day 3. With a bevy of colors to choose from, campers had a variety of choices in how they wanted to make their hats. Some wanted simple designs, others wanted a splash of every color possible in every possible spot on their hats. Part of the fun, too, was rolling the dice on what they would look like in the end, as tie-dying is always sure to produce an unexpected result.
To go along with their hats, campers designed some fish friends to keep them company by the water. Equipped with paper scales and sometimes a toothy grin, their little fish friends were sure to keep the campers entertained all day long.
Finding some shade is well and dandy, but campers also needed fuel to keep on splashing around, and Camp ROGA had them covered. Starting off, we spent some time designing miniature parts of the beach in food form. For one snack, we had a section from the beach, the sandy seafloor (rice crackers), topped with ocean blue frosting and granola. Another snack displayed a comfortable beach towel, covering a Rice Krispies beach, held down by M&M stones, and an umbrella to remind the campers to relax now and then. And when they were done with their rest, campers could don their Jello flip-flops and be ready to go right back out onto the beach.
The sun was out all week, and energy was high; all that was missing was a splash! That is, until Water Day arrived. With beach towel islands and palm tree decorations shaking in the breeze, campers hit the shoreline for a day of seaside fun. After they practiced on the warped wall, campers were eager to show off their surfing skills as they slid across the slip and slide and the splash pads on mini surfboards for real this time (although still filled with air). The water slides were also sure to provide campers with an authentic beach spray every time a surfboard hit the water, or a water balloon whizzed past them. Water Day gave everyone the chance to relax and soak up the sunny spirit of our little gymnastics camp by the sea.
As the sun sets on Camp ROGA Beach Bash week, we’re left with salty hair (maybe just wet ponytails), sandy dreams, and memories that sparkle. We’re so proud of our campers for diving into every moment with joy, courage, and a whole lot of heart. Until the next adventure coming up with Camp ROGA Harry Potter week… stay sunny, stay strong, and keep riding the waves!