No Computers, No Video Games
No I-Pods, No Cell Phones
No Radios, No TVs

Just The Woods & The Lake

Camp Choconut For Boys 9-15
Building Confidence and Self-Reliance
Through Woodland Activities Since 1896

Camp Choconut is a residential boy's camp. It was founded in 1896. Our program is designed to grow the whole boy, establish a sense of self-awareness with one's surroundings, and develop character in a safe, secure environment - all while having fun.

This summer we will have no more than 55 boys attend Camp Choconut. This small number is conducive to allow for individual attention; while at the same time allows the boys to feel a sense of camaraderie between all. The boys are split-up by age group and the cabin sizes range anywhere from 4 – 12 boys in each cabin. The counselor to camper ratio is 5:1 or 6:1.

Our camp philosophy is to “grow the whole boy.”

We try to find creative and entertaining ways to educate and challenge each boy, every day. We accomplish this through our Leadership Development program intertwined with our daily program. Its aim is to instill in each boy a sense of who he is in relationship to others; how his actions effect himself and others; to find the inner strength and desire to better himself; to develop a sense of empathy; to become a unique individual while becoming a better social citizen.

The daily schedule is very structured, yet provides enough free time where the boys do not feel overwhelmed with always "having to do something". The boys get up at 7:30 and we keep them busy with scheduled activities throughout the day and evening. We get to bed at 8:30 and the boys either read to themselves or the counselor appointed to the cabin for the evening reads to them. Interjected within our daily routine are "Big Games". These are camp wide games that take up about a 4-hour block either in the morning or afternoon. The boys love these games. And, of course, there is the infamous "Villa Hunt" - a three-day game of hide-and-seek within the 800+ acres available to us. The boys get 3 meals a day - they never leave hungry - and Noon time milk shakes to tide them over until our main meal, lunch. Fruit is available throughout the day for those boys that require frequent snacks.

The boys partake in morning "details" or "periods" where, as a cabin, they attend scheduled activities. These scheduled activities include some sort of teaching. Our teaching is cumulative and the boys build upon the skills they previously were taught. This program even works well with returning boys as they get to improve upon their previously learned skills and incorporate them into even more complex activities.

The afternoon provides a 2+ hour block of “free-time.” At lunch, each counselor stands up and says what activity they have planned for the afternoon. The boys are encouraged to select one of these activities. There is always something scheduled the boy will enjoy doing – fishing, boating, hiking, wood-shop, a sport activity, etc… The older boys sometime choose to do something on their own. This is not encouraged; however, it is permitted and a counselor goes along.

Our counseling staff goes through a complete week and a half of training prior to the start of camp. In addition, each counselor is required to complete an extensive online training course developed by Dr. Chris Thurber, a board-certified clinical psychologist and father. (You can read more about Dr. Thurber and Expert online Training at its Web site www.expertonlinetraining.com)

Please feel free to call me direct at 651-338-3042. And, visit our web site at http://www.campchoconut.com

Invent it!
June 18th-22nd, AM Sessions.
You get to be the inventor! We will play the roles of different inventors in history who are famous for making our lives easier today. From the wheel to the iPod, we'll turn genius ideas into fun experiments and projects! In our grand finale, we'll come up with our own inventions!
Instructed by Erin Hanna

Phun Physics Domination!
June 18th- 22nd, PM Sessions.
Who will 'topple' the rest of the competition? With these exciting structure-building challenges, you will build towers, cars, roller coasters and more. We will work with unusual materials to find out who can build the strongest, tallest, safest, fastest...
Instructed by Jamie Golden

Unstoppable, Unpredictable?
June 25th- 29th, AM Sessions.
The wild elements surrounding us are hard to control but we can begin to understand them! Whether it's maelstroms, tornados, lightning, storms, or severe rain/wind, we'll construct many take-home tools you need to interpret the raw power of weather. Join us for an interactive journey through this real life example of Chaos Theory.
Instructed by Ray Costello

They Did it First!
June 25th- 29th, PM Sessions.
Find out how famous scientists made history by trying different experiments and projects! Did they make mistakes? Were they right? Could it have been done any other way? From Copernicus to Carl Sagan, we'll journey through the greatest (and most fun) history adventure ever!
Instructed by Charity Drewes, Knowledge is Power Tutoring, Inc.

Blast Off! Air Propulsion
July 2nd-6th (no camp held on July 4th), AM Sessions.
Do you think you can send a rocket shooting over the roof of the Lancaster Science Factory? Join our rocket boot camp and find out! You won't believe all the ways we can use air to send paper rockets of different styles flying high into the air or at a distant target. Construct and launch your dream rocket and find out what kind you like the most. You'll even get to make your own rocket launcher to take home!!
Instructed by Lauren Schaller

Freeze! Science Crime-Stoppers
July 2nd-6th (no camp held on July 4th), PM Sessions.
Get caught up in the frenzy of forensics and solve who-done-its at the Factory! This is the perfect chance to work on your crime-solving skills with the experts. Be the first to spot the fake and you will never look at fingerprints, fibers, breakages and other traces the same way again!
Instructed by Jennifer Stewart, with guest star and D.A.R.E. Instructor Dan Jerchau

You're in Charge (Girls Only!)
July 9th-13th, AM Sessions.
Sorry boys but last year only 30% of our summer campers were girls. So this one is for girls only! Girls, you will work as a team to complete fun and exciting projects in different areas of science and math. Solve crimes, investigate natural resources, try sizzling chemical reactions, puzzle through cities, and more! *As part of our partnership with SciGirls (an organization focused on gender equity in STEM), we're offering these exclusive camps for the first time ever!
Instructed by several female instructors

Move it! (Girls Only!)
July 9th-13th, PM Sessions.
Sorry boys but this one is just for girls too! In this afternoon version of our SciGirls camp week, we're focusing on flying, soaring, gliding, rolling, and more! We'll build crazy contraptions, try out our own theories, experiment, and compete. In this camp, you'll have the chance to master motion with projects based on paper airplanes, rockets, sailboats, windmills, pulleys...
Instructed by Jennifer Stewart

True of False?
July 16th-20th, AM Sessions.
Ready to bust some myths with science? Not only will you become better at finding out what is real and what isn't, you'll make the process look easy and fun! It's time to play with eggs, magnets, cars, statistics, weight, flight, vacuums and more.
Instructed by Jenna Moyer

No Limits
July 16th-20th, PM Sessions.
Ages 8-13
There is no limit to how many fun and exciting ways you can apply math! Expect the unexpected because what you think of as playtime is actually a smart way to become a master of math (and we'll make it look easy). Puzzles, mysteries, codes, logic, music? That's just the beginning! **Campers should be familiar with multiplication and division.
Instructed by Charity Drewes, Knowledge is Power Tutoring, Inc.

The Creative Scientist: Secrets of Color
July 23rd-27th, AM Sessions.
Ages 8-13
The truth is that without science, art would be very difficult or impossible! How does paint stick to a page? How is the page itself made? Learn how colors mix to create new colors, how chemicals and pigments create invisible images, how to create paintings that actually move, and much more.
Instructed by Geena Teodecki

The Creative Scientist: Secrets of Sculpture
July 23rd-27th, PM Sessions.
Ages 8-13
Sculptures aren't just for museums and parks! Get ready to make three-dimensional artworks using different materials: from paper to glue and clay to bubbles. Investigate the art and science behind the making of kites, wind chimes and even candy! We will use physics and chemistry to create beautiful, noisy, and even delicious sculptures!
Instructed by Geena Teodecki

Ooey Gooey
July 30th- August 3rd, AM Sessions.
In this camp, it's ok to get a little dirty, soapy, sticky and syrupy! You won't believe how many gross and surprising things we can turn into experiments! Join us to play with plastics, fungus, oils and more. We'll even make a sweet treat!
Instructed by Jamie Golden

Mad Scientist
July 30th- August 3rd, PM Sessions.
Everybody knows the stereotype but how does it feel to actually play the role of a 'mad scientist'? Together we'll push the limits of reality by experimenting with the ideas of mad scientists from literature and real life. Prepare to be sneaky, mysterious, magical, and to discover the gross and unexpected!
Instructed by Erin Hanna

Survivor
August 6th-10th, AM Sessions.
Are you trapped on a deserted island, in a cave, or abandoned building? In this camp, find out how you can use science to save yourself! We will become resourceful and make tools out of basic materials, learn useful tricks, and use natural energy.
Instructed by Ray Costello

Out of the Shadows
August 6th-10th, PM Sessions.
Be in the dark no more! Join us as we discover how light impacts the world around us. Playfully explore how light bends, bounces and moves through every day and not-so-everyday objects. We'll finally answer that age-old question: why is the grass green? See the world in a new and unusual light by capturing rainbows, making periscopes, dazzling mirror mazes, and more.
Instructed by Elizabeth Yocom

Blast Off! Bottles and Models
August 13th-17th, AM Sessions.
Thirsty for more rockets? This time, we're kicking off by making and launching our own soda bottle rockets! You'll get caught up in the competition but stand clear or you'll get drenched! Finally, you'll assemble and launch your own model electric-ignition rockets! Just make sure that you don't lose sight of them in the clouds...
Instructed by Lauren Schaller

Mystery of the Music
August 13th-17th, PM Sessions.
You won't believe your ears because we'll be making some noise! With sonic experiments and electrifying sound technology, we'll find out why sound is the rock star of energy. Hopefully you don't like to sit still because we will be buzzing, tuning, breezing, strumming, banging, blasting, croaking, chiming and more! Jam with the band as we make instruments out of ordinary objects.
Instructed by Elizabeth Yocom

Our youngest age group is Tadpoles (3-5). Camp weeks will concentrate on introducing children to the outside world. Your child will enjoy weeks full of games, crafts and outdoor discoveries. A PEEC instructor plans the activities and oversees a maximum of 12 children with the help of camp counselors and volunteers.

The next age group is Wet & Slimies (1st - 4th). Campers will experience weeks full of fun craft projects, games, hikes, and nature discovery sessions. Campers will be encouraged to explore the natural world around them while being closely supervised by our experienced camp staff. Every week will also include a trip to Camp Akenac for swimming.

The middle school age group is the Jr. Naturalist (5th - 7th). Junior Naturalist campers will participate in creative activities that nurture their natural curiosity of the environment, including interpretive hikes, educational games, fun projects and much more! Each week will include Wednesday afternoons swimming at Camp Akenac and PEEC late nights on Thursdays. Weeks four and nine will also include an overnight stay in our tent sites!

Last but not least are the Senior Naturalist (8th - 11th). They are around high school age and camp weeks have been designed to encourage campers to experience new things. Each week is
filled with exciting adventures and challenges. The experiences they have and the skills they learn will prepare them for the future. The weeks will include Wednesdays at Camp Akenac, various overnights throughout the summer, and amazing trips at the end of each camp week.