At Birch Rock, every day brings an opportunity to try something new – learn a craft, jump into a team sport, build a shelter in the woods. Activities here are nature-oriented and low-tech, most dating back to 1926 when the camp started. This is how we guide boys on the path to teamwork, self-confidence and pride.

As campers throw themselves into learning new skills, activity badges are earned and notable successes are shared with the whole camp on a daily basis. Badges are awarded to boys at the end of camp in a solemn ceremony, and campers proudly fill their Birch Rock banners with beginner, intermediate, and advanced badges.

At morning sign-up each camper chooses three activities for his day. He’s encouraged to sample all of our offerings, develop a level of comfort trying new things, and think of life as having limitless possibilities.

Waterfront:

Chief and Onie established their camp on the shores of McWain Pond so campers would be able to enjoy fresh-water swimming and boating. This lake is our ultimate source of learning and fun---boys flock here to cool off on a sultry summer’s day, to build confidence and endurance, and to simply take in the natural grandeur.

• Swimming: All campers are required each day to participate in Red Cross instructional swim, and a recreational swim. McWain Pond is pristine, and boys sometimes are delighted to find themselves swimming with curious ducks and loons.
• Long Distance Swimming: This program challenges boys to complete the Duck (across the lake), Loon (across the lake and back), Seal (from one end of the lake to the other), and Whale (the perimeter of the lake---about 5 miles) swims. Boys are carefully prepared before the start of any swim challenge, and are accompanied by staff members in a row boat at all times. It is a great accomplishment for campers to achieve these swim honors.
• Boating includes sailing, canoeing and preparation for canoeing expeditions, kayaking, windsurfing, and rowing. Boys are required to wear personal flotation devices at all times, and are always under the supervision of a lifeguard.
• Fishing is available for enthusiasts.

Field:

Up the hill from the Lodge, boys have the choice of team sports and traditional camp activities.

• Team sports include baseball, soccer, lacrosse, volleyball, and basketball. Birch Rock teams occasionally compete with other camps in the area.
• Traditional activities include archery, tennis and riflery (offered off-site for upper campers). Mountain biking is adventurous and demanding.

Camp Craft/Art/ Nature:

• Camp craft is one of the most popular activities at Birch Rock. All new campers are required to learn basic safety in handling knives and fire. Boys are captivated by these new tests of their mettle. Over time, they learn vital survival skills like building impromptu shelters, starting fires with flint and steel, determining which wild foods are safe to eat, and learning how to read a map and use a compass.
• Woodshop goes all the way back to 1926 . This venerable cabin is a treasure trove for modern boys. Inside they find a rare chance to delve into an art form basic to old-fashioned camping. Learning to use tools safely is a vital life skill, and the workshop is constantly abuzz with woodworking projects. Campers quickly master the skills and take pride in producing planters, Adirondack chairs and treasure chests.
• Art flourishes at Birch Rock. Boys are eager to express themselves with art materials in our creative, well-equipped studio. A professional educator encourages campers to use materials from nature in their projects.
• Nature study is pivotal for camp life in the woods. Boys learn to identify the exciting varieties of flora and fauna at camp. Every summer a terrarium is constructed so boys can closely observe reptiles and insects.

• In a downpour campers head for the Lodge for board games, cards, bowling, wee blocks, role playing games, learning camp songs, ping pong, shuffle board, astronomy, and cooking.

Evening Activity

The dinner hour is perfect for relaxing, refueling---and then getting pumped up for the final full-throttle activity of the day. As boys are finishing up and clearing their tables, the head counselor invites all counselors to stand and share the notable successes of the day. Then the field director announces the evening activity to thunderous applause. The hands-down favorite is Cross Camp Capture the Flag----a high-energy chase around the campus involving every Birch Rocker. Other evenings will bring campers dashing across the upper fields playing Ultimate Frisbee or Quorum, a running variation on Sharks and Minnows that most parents gave up trying to understand long ago. These games wear the boys out, and nobody protests when it’s fifteen minutes to Lights Out.

Every Saturday night one of our greatest traditions comes to life: Campfire - the presenting of skits that have delighted generation after generation at Birch Rock. The Lodge is transformed into a theater, with an impromptu stage and rows of seats for the audience. Each cabin takes a turn creating and performing a skit to a very appreciative audience. From the youngest boys to the senior staff, everyone performs. Creativity revs into high gear - outrageous costumes, face paint, goofy props, outlandish plot lines. Every cast goes for big laughs, and because performances are team efforts, younger boys feel comfortable and join right in. Campfire is the highlight of each week at camp, and all the finest aspirations of a Birch Rocker are clear to see: cooperation, community spirit, self-confidence and soaring imagination.