Our Perfect Overnight Schedule

Okay so we know perfection isn’t truly attainable, but with 60+ years of experience, we’ve fine-tuned our schedule for an AMAZING WEEK of camp. While it might not technically be 100% perfect, our counselors and campers will tell you otherwise.

So without further adieu here it is:

What a Beautiful Morning at Heartland Camps

Wake up Call

Did someone say WAKE UP CALL? Each camp family's pre-breakfast routine varies, but our counselor's dedication to make it fun does not. From when their alarm sounds, to their hike up to breakfast, our counselors engage with and encourage every camper.

Mealtime #1

Food makes each meal different, but our counselors make mealtime consistent. Counselors cultivate a present, intentional, and loving environment for all to take part in.
This makes sharing meals a light-hearted but powerful experience. Also how cool is it that our older campers get to make breakfast over a campfire?! Do you know what starts a good day? Bacon cooked over a campfire (and eggs for our vegetarian friends).

Morning Watch

Reading the Bible post-breakfast makes for a great way to start a day of discovering beautiful things about our Creator. Counselors lead a peaceful yet energetic and inquisitive time for campers to dive into God's Word. Counselors wrap up this time with some awesome activities to help incorporate the story they just read into their day.

Activity Block # 1

Next campers and their camp family will take part in an activity block. Activity blocks could be filled with any of the following activities: Activities.

Camp classic activities: archery, slingshots, the challenge course, and special swim time. We fine-tune these activities yearly to create the best experience for your camper. What we love about classic activities: Classic activities allow space for campers to try something new, and cheer one another on.
Group tailored activities. Our camp directors* often curate these activities after they take the temp. of the group and get a feel for what they enjoy most. These can range from splashing in the mud pit, building a cardboard set, discovering clues vital to a secret mission, or competing in the Water Olympics. These activities also align with the theme of your youth’s camp.

*Camp directors are volunteers who are passionate about camp and making your camper’s week rock. They spend lots of time prepping activities, their daily messages, and making everything run smoothly.
Creative play: Creative play resembles group tailored activities, but instead counselors lead these sessions. Creative play sessions may include activities from #2, or time to make friendship bracelets, go on creek walks, play cards, play the campers’ favorite games, and/or choose their adventure. No matter what they're doing, counselors fill this time with activities that best suit their group. From the first second your youth gets to camp, our counselors start forming relationships built on trust and encouragement. This foundation allows our counselors to tailor creative play experiences to your camper and their group. Campers often remark that these creative play sessions were their favorite times of their week. Why? These activities create a unique shared experience they all can call their own.

Mealtime #2 (held by our AMAZING kitchen staff) & rest time.

Campers take refuge from that midday heat and recharge for the afternoon by catching some zzzs or reading a book. With most of their day spent outside, this rest time is much needed and enjoyed.

Afternoon Blocks

We break the afternoon blocks into two parts.

Pool Time-Part #1

Pool time allows for creativity and time to cool off during the hottest part of the day. Pool basketball or underwater tea party anyone?

Craft & Activity Time-Part #2

We love craft and activity time, here’s why.

Crafts allow kids to do creative activities and make a tangible memory of their week.
They create crafts in the shade of our craft lodge giving them more time to talk with one another and rest. They also get a chance to play some new games and go down our foam slip n' slide after they finish their crafts.
Our activity staff lead this session, giving our counselors a break. During this break counselors get to plan for the rest of the day and recharge. Meanwhile campers get to build awesome relationships with our activity team. Time spent getting to know other staff helps them to recognize God's love and trust in more than just their counselors.

Meal Time #3 Dinner

This includes cooking over the fire for the lucky ones!

Evening Time

Activity Block #2

We fill this activity block with one of the three listed in activity block #1 as we soak up those last few rays of sunlight.

Vespers (Evening Worship)

We end the day as we started it, by worshiping God. Vespers includes songs and dance, a message that ties the whole day together, and prayer. The directors of this camp lead the message. Afterward, directors spend some more time getting to know their campers as they share a snack with them.

Bedtime

Soon after counselors gather their group and lead them back to their campsite. After everyone wraps up their evening routine, campers share their daily highlights and where they saw God. Lastly, counselors read a story while everyone drifts off to sleep. Even middle schoolers secretly love this.