Activities

During the days at Camp Shaw, there are many activities going on around camp. During "Camptivity" times, Campers choose which activity to which they would like to go. There are also other "All-Camp" activities in which the whole camp does something together.

Camptivities

Throughout the day, there are certain times that are scheduled as Camptivities.

Example: After breakfast there is usually two camptivites:

9:00 to 10:00: Camptivity 1
10:00 to 11:00: Camptivity 2

During Camptivity 1, each of the program areas will have an activity:

Crafts: Beads, Sun catchers
High Adventure: Zip Line
Nature: Creek Walk
Rec: Kickball
Pool: Morning Workout

Campers then choose which activity they would like to go to for Camptivity 1, and go there (and stay there) for that hour.

Then at the next camptivity time, each program area will have something different happening, and campers can choose which area to go to again for Camptivity 2.

All-Camp Activities

There are certain times scheduled for activities that the whole camp participates in at one time. Some of the activities are competitive and some are non-competitive.

Examples of All-Camp Activities:

- CAMP FIRE with skits and Camp Songs
- CAMP CARNIVAL - Campers earn tickets by playing games, and can use tickets to play other games
- MOVIE NIGHT - Usually during Extreme Camps, one night is set aside to watch a movie in the Rec shelter
- TEAM COMPETITION- Cabins compete in short activities, earning points for their team.
- STORY NIGHT HIKE- Campers take a guided hike through the trails, stopping at stations where short skits illustrate a piece of Native American History or other local stories.

These are just a few examples of all-camp activities. Every year the staff comes up with something new to try during these scheduled times.

Optional Activities

Now offering horseback riding. 

Camp Shaw is very excited to now offer a complete FARM experience inluding horseback riding.  We have 3 riding arenas from a small round pen to a large arena where kids can learn basic riding skills and even progress to a fantastic trail ride.  Cost is $25 per hour and is facilitated by trained staff members. Sign up on registration form. Not available to CIT campers. Campers may ride up to 3 times during Youth Camps and up to 4 times during Extreme Camps.
Horseback Riders must have a release form filled out. The form is available HERE
We also have expanded our small animals to include bunnies, ducks, 2 tumbling pigeons, 2 quail, 2 roosters, many chickens, 2 great pyrnees puppies generously donated by local breeders, and a goat that thinks he's a dog! We have recently acquired two sheep, and are looking for some lambs to take in once Spring. With these new animals, we will be able to add Spinning to our programming!

Canoe Trip

Campers during Youth Camps and Extreme Camps can take a half-day trip on the mighty Kankakee River. The trip is supervised by camp staff, incuding a lifeguard. Cost is $35. Sign up on Registration Form. Canoe trip is not available to CIT campers.