Category Archives: Tradition
The Bluebird of Happiness
Have you ever wondered where the Bluebird story came from?
We found a copy of the original story in the office! Copyright 1913!
Come experience Magic Hill on Sunday nights at Resident Camp to hear this wonderful story!
The Good Fairy Eagerly Awaits Your Return to Magic Hill!
On warm summer nights, resident campers hike up Magic Hill at dusk. We may read stories, sing songs, and take a deep breath as we look out over Hantesa, our second home. At Magic Hill, we also meet the Good Fairy, the ever-present fairy who watches over all of us here at Hantesa and works to make wishes come true.
As we each sit with a candle in front of us, and the sun sets, we make a wish to the Good Fairy and celebrate the beginning of a new week at camp.
- The Good Fairy stands in front of a fire sprinkled with fairy dust.
The Good Fairy is waiting, with her arms outstretched and her skirt billowing in the wind, to welcome you back to Camp Hantesa this summer. Register soon for the best summer yet!
Message of the Good Fairy
I spring from the spray on the tip of the crest
Of the billows from out of the blue,
I am bringing a message that says you are blest
By the love that your friends bear for you.
If my arms were as long as the wings of the wind
And I’d stretch them wide away,
I never could hold all the blessings I’m told
Your friends are wishing today.
As long as I stand with this smile on my face
And my arms outstretched so high,
If you’ll think of the friend that sent me to you,
You can never be blue if you try.
-L. Robinson
For more interesting facts about the Good Fairy, check out this article!
Who needs Times Square? Camp Hantesa has all the fun on NYE!
74 campers spent their New Year’s Eve with us at camp. We had a great night filled with pizza, games, crafts, movies, board-game tournaments, and, of course, lots of dancing! Check out a few of the pictures below!
We started the night with some zany games
We celebrated victories
The girls showed off their festive spirit
At midnight, campers made a wish to the Hantesa Good Fairy. They were also the first group to ever sing "2-0-1-2 at Hantesa"
Canoe Outpost Trip Resulted in New Gypsies and Voyagers
Last week we ran an outpost trip on the Upper Iowa River. Our campers had a great experience and learned a lot about camp craft and living outdoors. Everyone on the trip did so well that he/she each earned a camp craft honor tie! We celebrated these accomplishments at a small council fire held in Pow Wow due to stormy weather.
Lighting our Council Fire
Receiving Honors
Gypsy Ties
Voyager Tie
Mr. Berry ties a Voyager tie
One great canoe trip group!
New Vagabonds
Congratulations to our newest Vagabonds!
Ms. Gus
Mr. Berry
Mr. Sarge
Your hard work has benefited camp, and we are all proud of your accomplishments!
HowHow!!
Wednesday Night Fun
Wednesday night is traditionally packout night. Each cabin or unit practiced their camp craft skills and cooked over a fire. Entrees included everything from pie iron pizzas, to cheeseburgers, and breakfast for dinner. Mmmm!
LCs play a game of "Ha" after supper
Vagabond candidates stop for a picture on their search for an invitation to inquisition tomorrow.
July 16th Council Fire
Council Fire is a special tradition for each Hantesa camper. While here, we celebrate the past week we have shared together. Each cabin shares a song and tells us about its week. Many campers received honors tonight. Make sure to ask them all about how they received these honors!
Council Fire begins with the Village bringing in the fire.
It's not every day that you spy a rainbow during Council Fire!
Our newest Gypsy receives her red gypsy tie. How How!
June 26 – July 2nd pictures
Wednesday night packout. The boys roasted some dogs and made cinnamon apples. Yum!
Hanging at the pool!
TA packout night.
Volleyball at the pool
New Gypsies sing their song and prepare to receive their red ties at Council Fire!
Council Fire on Friday night.
Council Fire Week 1!
We ended the week with our traditional council fire. Each unit told us what they did during the week and campers received honors. We sang songs and enjoyed the unity of the entire camp sharing its last night together.
LCs Lighted the fire.
