06/13/2026
Summer Youth Programs
Camp 2: Springbrook State Park: Water Adventures
We love breaking records and this camp had a record-breaking attendance with 50 campers! Now, that's probably over the number that I had planned to bring but our leader, DNR Naturalist Anne Riordan, was game and decided that we'd just split into three groups instead of our usual two groups. Problem solved.
Well, then we had another problem to solve. As soon as we arrived at camp, around 9am, mother nature decided that we were all looking a little hot and needed to cool down with some rain. Now, a little rain isn't usually a problem, but this rain brought some lightning within a few miles. Thankfully, the shelter house has plenty of room and seating for everyone, so that problem was addressed. But now, what do we do with 50 kids stuck inside a shelter house? And that's when one of our chaperones, who also happens to be a WCV 4th grade teacher, Mrs. Nelson, saved the day with a couple games that all 50 could play. And, when they all started getting a little squirrely, I decided that we should just forget the scheduled afternoon treat and eat dessert first. So, dirt worm cups before lunch, it was.
Once the rain cleared, the sun come out and it was time to get all these activities started. We had fishing, kayaking and beach engineering to tackle. And, yes, beach engineering sounds really fancy but it's just playing in the sand and building things with buckets, scoops, shovels and whatever else they could find.
Our luck eventually had to run out, because we did lose our first fishing pole in the lake this year. But the kid told me that the fishing pole hit him and he ended up dropping the pole from being taken by surprise. Well, I really can't argue with that. Fishing poles hitting kids is just not acceptable. But the fishing pole's fate is now at the bottom of the lake, on the northside of the new dock. So, if you're feeling adventurous and want to fish for a fishing pole, you just might find one in the lake at Springbrook State Park.
Lots of fish were caught. Perhaps a pretty big bullfrog. Perhaps I had to tell a couple boys to stop poking a water snake with a fishing pole, mostly because when I asked them what their plan was if they caught it, all I got back for an answer was silence. Clearly, the plan had not been planned beyond that point.
Beach engineering really kept everyone happy for most of the afternoon. Castles were made and moats were dug. Giant holes that kind of resembled beach hot tubs were made and sat in. Critters were found, mostly frogs, and each was proudly brought over to show me or the boujee chaperones that were sitting in cushioned chairs, on the beach, under the shade.
All in all, it was a great day at the park. Next week, we'll be tackling the zoo. Nothing like bringing wild kids to visit the wild animals. Can't wait.