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Utilizing a progressive
boating curriculum, campers learn the skills of rowing, canoeing,
kayaking, and sailing. Our activity specialist who is certified
in Smallcraft Safety and skilled in all areas of boating, teaches
campers boating skills and water safety. Campers are grouped by
age and ability. A counselor always accompanies campers when they
travel to Mirror Lake. The counselor also assists at the
waterfront where rescue equipment as well as lifeguards are present at
all times.
Our Nature & Outdoor skills activity area serves
as an outlet for campers to better understand their environment and
to learn the tools to live in our environment with minimal impact.
Activities in this area may include the following: tree
identification and bird calling, animal education, camp
craft (tent site selection, leave no trace, fire building, etc.), nature
craft, recycling and science. Using an experiential model, campers
participate in all activities in a "hands on"
manner. Each day, campers at the MLDC have the
opportunity to swim during a free swim block, as well as take part in
our Red Cross swimming lessons. Campers are transported by bus to
Mirror Lake and are supervised by both a WSI certified aquatics director
and lifeguards. Campers progress through the standards set forth
by the Red Cross and receive a certificate or weekly development
report. During lessons, campers are divided into ability levels
based on the information provided on the Camper Information Sheet and
our own swim assessment test.
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Our program consists of eleven, primary
activity areas that jointly offer more than 100 different choices throughout the summer. All of
these options are rotated throughout the season and are not offered all at the same time, making each
week a unique experience from the previous one. Some of the individual activities are listed at the
bottom of this page. By clicking on the name, you can view a picture of the activity in action
or feel free to read about each activity area. If you would like
to see more of our Teen Electives and our calendar of special activities
that will be happening throughout summer, then
click here.
Our newest activity area was created to help campers tap into their creative side
as well as teach them the basics of engineering. Participants will be able to design Lego structures,
test the strength of their gumdrop creation, choose a paper airplane design and measure the distance it
will fly; the possibilities for this area are limitless and always challenging. Everything from building
an outdoor structure for survival to making a small engine and understanding what causes it to run are
covered in this environment.
For some campers, this will likely be the activity area that is made for them, however, regardless of a
camper's disposition, the variation of activities combined with the self-challenging nature of the tasks will
captivate virtually any mind.
Campers are often invited to the challenge of a
treasure hunt, canoe races around the buoys and taking a lesson learning
to roll the kayak. Boating is a very popular activity at The
Marcus Lewis Day Camp.
Mirror Lake is one of the best kept summer secrets of Central Massachusetts. More information
about this environment can be found at
www.magicmirrorlake.com.
Cast your line and bait your hook; Mirror Lake is
stocked with more fish than our campers can catch! The favorite of
many MLDC campers, lessons in digging for worms and getting those slimy
salmon eggs on the hook prove to be just one of the many attractions of
our fishing program. Campers also learn how to repair their
rods and store their equipment. Pulling out those row boats and
learning patience are additional skills that come with being a great
fisherperson.
Certified physical education teachers serve as
our instructors for sports and games. 
Campers learn the importance
of team and skill development. Campers may participate in soccer,
basketball, bocce, croquet, lacrosse, softball, baseball, lawn bowling,
disc golf, team building initiatives, human horseshoes and golf to name
just a few. We also encourage some friendly competition with all
camp tug-o-war, Alaskan baseball or maybe even lassoing. All
sports and games activities are age appropriate and based on camper
ability. Emphasis is put on the coopertive component of the
activities.
For campers that are looking to test their abilities to climb, balance and work with others
at challenging heights, our climbing tower is the answer.
This 50-foot structure is designed
to allow for the incorporation of both beginner and intermediate level tasks that will keep
campers intensely engaged during their use of the element. Campers develop self-confidence,
learn group cooperation, face/overcome fears and improve physical coordination when participating
in this activity area.
Built into this tower is a gigantic swing that campers have learned to call "The Atomic Drop." Anyone who enjoys
thrill rides and is not afraid of heights will find this piece of equipment immensely appealing. Campers are hoisted up to a
height of about 30 feet in the air before receiving a ride they won't forget!
In keeping with MLDC standards, only professionally trained instructors operate the tower or the swing
to ensure the highest level of safety possible.
Our crafts corner creates lessons to increase
a camper's creative mind and fine motor skills. Activity
specialists promote choice in projects that include candle making, pottery,
jewlery making, gimp, tie-dying, scratch board printing, dream
catchers, painting with acrylics, oils, sponges and watercolors,
collage, print making, drawing, papier maché and more. Because all
of our activity areas follow a weekly theme, campers do not repeat
lessons unless they choose to.
This allows returning campers to grow in their development and curiosity. This activity area has
indoor space but also utilizes the outdoors when appropriate. All
supplies are provided, however we may ask for assistance when using
recyclables.
Campers ages 7 and older are encouraged to
participate in our archery program. Our activity specialist is a
certified archery instructor and co-teaches with counselors assigned to
each group of campers. Instruction is provided using recurve bows
specific to the size and ability of the campers. 
Using
progressions in the lesson plan, campers are taught basic archery skills
and move on with greater measurable distances and varying targets.
Campers complete competency curriculum cards in advancing through the
levels.
Would you like to make a volcano? How about a tornado? A crystal tree? Our Mad
Science program is sure to pique the interest of any type of camper who loves to learn as well
as put that learning into motion.
The dynamic experiments and intriguing projects we have developed are both unique and exceptionally
captivating. Many of the projects are tiered in their complexity for varying ages and the hands-on
nature of the experiments are sure to spark the minds of all participants!
Dance, drama and music set the stage for this
activity area. The activity specialist is a seasoned performer
who teaches campers about the importance of space, projection
and improvisation. Camp songs are also introduced in this
specialty program. Campers may participate in subject areas based
on interest and talent. Additionally, all performances are themed
in conjunction with the all-camp special events. Other activities
include puppetry, mime, scenery making and musicals.
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