Camp Hantesa

Staff Training is in Full Swing!

Camp Hantesa - Camp Fire USA — Tue, 22 May 2012 03:54:40 +0000

We are excited to have our summer staff back at camp!

The energy is building and our anticipation grows each day as we get closer to having camp full again with all of our campers!

Today, our staff worked on growing as a team on the low ropes course.

The Count Down

Camp Hantesa - Camp Fire USA — Sun, 20 May 2012 00:47:39 +0000

1 day until staff arrive
5 days until day camp begins
32 days until Resident Camp begins

95 days of summer camp ahead!!!
Come join us!

Fairies Abound at Camp Hantesa!

Camp Hantesa - Camp Fire USA — Mon, 14 May 2012 13:52:53 +0000

Come visit the Hantesa Good Fairy and others at camp this summer!

Check out the newest fairy garden at camp!

Check out Another Expert’s View on Overnight Camp

Camp Hantesa - Camp Fire USA — Tue, 08 May 2012 15:27:28 +0000

Miss Tex just began reading Homesick and Happy, a book published by Michael Thompson this month. Read below to learn more about this great piece of work and what it advises parents to do. We couldn’t agree more here at Camp Hantesa!

Homesick and Happy- How Time Away from Parents Can Help a Child Grow

By Michael Thompson, Ph.D.

An insightful and powerful look at the magic of summer camp—and why it is so important for children to be away from home . . . if only for a little while.

In an age when it’s the rare child who walks to school on his own, the thought of sending your “little ones” off to sleep-away camp can be overwhelming—for you and for them. But a parent’s first instinct—to shelter their offspring above all else—actually deprives children of the major developmental milestones that occur through letting them go—and watching them come back transformed.

In Homesick and Happy, Dr. Thompson shares a strong argument for, and a vital guide to, this brief loosening of ties. A great champion of summer camp, he explains how camp ushers your children into a thrilling environment—an electronics-free zone, a multigenerational community, meaningful daily rituals like group meals and cabin clean-up, and a place where time simply slows down. In the buggy woods, icy swims, campfire sing-alongs, and daring adventures, children have emotionally significant and character-building experiences. They often grow in ways that surprise even themselves.

They make lifelong memories and cherished friends. Dr. Thompson shows how children who are away from their parents can be both homesick and happy, scared and successful, anxious and exuberant. When children go to camp—for a week, a month, or the whole summer—they can experience some of the greatest maturation of their lives, and return more independent, strong, and healthy.

Click here for more information about Dr. Thompson, his books and research.

Snapshots of Spring at Camp Hantesa

Camp Hantesa - Camp Fire USA — Sun, 06 May 2012 20:40:45 +0000

The flowers are blooming, the days are warming up, and Camp Hantesa is eagerly awaiting the return of summer campers! See how things are looking here at camp!

A bird’s nest on the bridge near Pow Wow. The bird hatched a few hours after this photo!

A horse science lesson at the barn.

We’ve been rebuilding the Apprentice Lodge!

The ropes course passed our annual inspection and is in full operation, ready for summer.

More horse lessons at the barn.

Miss Sadie enjoys laying amongst the dandelions that have popped up.

We are in the process of completely renovating the shower house!

Check Out Our Newest Program Option for the Summer!

Camp Hantesa - Camp Fire USA — Thu, 03 May 2012 01:31:37 +0000

Click here for more information!

Dad and Me Weekend

Camp Hantesa - Camp Fire USA — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 14:44:51 +0000

The rain held off this weekend, and we had a great time at camp with our Dad and Me camp program. The seven families enjoyed a night hike with a frog hunt, archery, leather crafting, noodle hockey, bouldering, and of course a couple of camp fires! We look forward to seeing families at our family camp on May 11-12th and during our new family resident camp program July 5-7th!

What an expert has to say about resident camp

Camp Hantesa - Camp Fire USA — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 16:40:40 +0000

* Trying to justify the expense of camp? Trying to figure out if your little one is ready for a new experience? Trying to decide between day camp and resident camp? If so, read Dr. Wendy Mogel’s article about the blessing of camp in today’s world.

Dr. Wendy Mogel is an internationally acclaimed clinical psychologist, parenting expert and the author of the New York Times bestselling parenting book, The Blessing of a Skinned Knee.

Click here to read why she thinks Camp is important

Camp Fire Clubs Visit Hantesa for Annual Overnight

Camp Hantesa - Camp Fire USA — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 17:45:30 +0000

This past weekend, we held our annual Club Overnight at camp. We saw faces from Boone, Des Moines, and Ames all converge to celebrate the end of the club year and explore more of Camp Hantesa.Check out the pictures below to get a peek at our awesome adventure!

Click to view slideshow.

Interested in joining a club or receiving more information?

Contact Sarah at our Des Moines Office (515) 274-1501.

Just 12 days left!

Camp Hantesa - Camp Fire USA — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 21:43:38 +0000

Register for Hantesa Resident Camp before May 1st to receive your free limited edition Camp Hantesa hoodie!

Click here to sign up today!