Day 1 of Day Camp 2023
The Daily Foreteller
Monday, July 17, 2023
Today we welcomed our campers to the Renton Hills Day Camp of Wands and Wizardry.
Professor Bubbles & Sorting Ceremony
At our morning flag ceremony, each camper was sorted into one of our six houses units: Pink Pixies, Orange Owls, Yellow Yetis, Light Blue Leprechauns, Dark Blue Dragons, and the Purple Pegasus. Our camp Prefects were sorted into their own group, the Lime Green Griffins.
The Wand Chooses its Wielder
Over the course of the day, each unit took a trip to Ollivander’s Wand Shop where they picked out a new wand then painted it in their favorite colors. Each unit was also required to spend time at each of the arcane classes available to campers this year.
Making Professor Sprout Proud
In Herbology, the campers learned about local plants that are edible and medicinal. They then made a pot out of newspaper and planted chamomile seeds (Please help your scout find a sunny spot for the pot and keep the soil moist; once they start to grow you can plant it in the ground or large pot, with no need to take it out of the newspaper. Just remove the tape and open up the bottom—the newspaper will decompose in the dirt).
In their Care of Magical Creatures class, the campers learned about animal tracks and then went looking for evidence of animals around camp. We were successful in finding some deer tracks along the water, as well as feathers and animal scat around camp.
In Defense Against the Dark Arts, campers worked on their archery skills, and had a refresher lesson on Archery Range safety. Three scouts hit a bullseye; two of them more than once! Our Pink Pixies did not use bows and arrows, but instead learned archery skills by practicing with slingshots.
The Daily Feast
At midday, the entire camp visited the Three Broomsticks and feasted on spaghetti and meatballs, Caesar salad, and rolls. It was a feast fit for the Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot.
At the Mystic River Walk
For certain, a highlight for many campers was their trip down to the river where they were able to dip their toes in and walk around in the cool (or, perhaps more aptly, frigid) water.
All throughout the camp today, our amazing PAs shared their unique magic with the campers, volunteers, and each other. Truly there is nothing better than the sound of camp songs early in the morning.
We hope your campers had as much fun as we did. Our PAs and volunteers are certainly exhausted following our first day, but excited for tomorrow’s events and crazy hair!
