| Named after the Native American tribe which lived in the Yosemite Mountains, Miwok is an adventure camp created for third graders. Miwok campers will experience and learn about the story of God through the majesty of the surrounding creation, daily Bible stories, outdoor games and rustic Native American crafts, and the loving relationships they form with the Miwok counselors. Throughout the week, campers sleep in teepees, paint their faces with natural clay, and explore creeks and trails with their counselors. A week at Miwok will be an adventure they will never forget! How is the program geared toward the age group? Kids love stories. At Miwok, the kids will learn the stories of the Bible through creative story telling and engaging skits, activities and games. Basically, we have created the program so that the kids are allowed to be kids. They are given the opportunity to be creative and imaginative, to be curious and explore all that God has gifted them in creation and in life. And because Miwok is such a small and intimate setting, the campers are able to make friendships with the others quite easily. The staff and counselors at Miwok are always beside them, caring for and guiding them as they journey through the adventure. Who is the Staff? The Miwok staff is made up of a Coordinator, Activities Director, one female Lead Counselor, one male Lead Counselor, and a Cook. The Coordinator is responsible for overseeing the week's activities and program, keeping things running smoothly, and leading the Miwok staff and counselors through their week of ministry with the campers. The Activities Director is a co-leader with the Coordinator. His/her job involves creating the crafts, games and activities for the week. On a typical day, the AD may lead various hikes; create crafts with the campers, and help lead worship time at campfire. They are also the certified First Aider. The Male and Female Lead Counselors lead the campers on daily hikes during which they will tell Bible stories, and will help lead worship times at the nightly campfire. Their main purpose is to show the love of God by investing in the volunteer counselors and campers throughout the week. The Cook is our most prized and honored position! He/she cooks three square meals a day over open fires and in the authentic brick oven. They also help lead worship time at campfire and are involved with the rest of the staff in the various adventures throughout the week. Who are the Counselors? The volunteer counselors are perhaps the most important position we have at Miwok. They give up a week of their summer to spend all their time with the Miwok campers. Throughout each day they build relationships with the kids as they lead morning devotions, go on all the hikes, and play all the exciting games. Miwok could not happen without the volunteer counselors. In most cases, Miwok counselors are parents or volunteers who have come up with a church. But in some cases, Calvin Crest relies on outside volunteers to fill these positions for the week. Learn more about Volunteer Counseling. What happens on a typical day? A typical day in the life of a Miwok camper starts with crawling out of the authentic teepee they slept in and walking up the hill to a warm breakfast, fresh off the grill, with the other campers, staff and counselors. With full bellies, they head off to "skit-time" with their counselors and fellow Miwoks where they get to learn a Bible verse and show their understanding by preparing a skit. Then they embark on an exciting adventure with their Lead Counselor to a nearby pond, or the Giant Redwood Trail, or a little place called "lady-bug" land and learn about the exciting stories of God. After lunch, the Miwoks finally get a chance to rest in their teepees (and write that letter to mom and dad!). The rest of the afternoon is free-time filled with crafts, archery, games and just playing around! The adventurous day ends with a yummy dinner and a time of worship and Bible stories at the beautiful campfire spot underneath the starry sky. Then it's back to the teepees with all their new friends! What is the purpose/mission of Miwok? The purpose of the Miwok program is to provide a safe and exciting place for God's children to explore, experience, and learn about the story of God through creation, Biblical stories, and the relationships they make with each other and their counselors. The hope for Miwok campers is that they will come away with some of the beginning foundations of knowing who God is and who God has created them to be, and that they will leave wanting to know more about God. |