Welcome to Summer 2025!
- Camp Wingate
- Jun 30
- 5 min read
Updated: Jun 30
Camp is officially in full swing, and it already feels like something magical is unfolding. The bunks are buzzing, the fields are full, the Ice Palace is the place to be for our hockey players, and the waterfront is a busy place with swimming, canoeing, kayaking, sailing, and the blob—there’s truly nothing like camp once the campers arrive. We’ve had a fantastic start to the season: everyone has settled in, completed swim tests, and jumped right into activities. Our first Sing Song filled the Wingate Hall with voices and spirit, and the Big Brother/Big Sister program brought together our oldest and youngest campers in classic Wingate style. We wrapped up the week with a beautiful Friday night program—and we’re only just getting started!
This weekly blog will be sent home every Monday. It’s our way of giving you a little window into life at camp, complete with a recap of the week’s highlights and our weekly video, so you can share in the moments and memories as they happen.
We have an amazing week ahead, and so much more to come. Stay tuned—Summer 2025 is just getting started!
Inside This Issue
Weekly Video
The First Sing Song of the Summer!
Our first Sing Song of the summer filled the Wingate Hall with pure camp magic. The energy was electric as voices soared through “Sweet Caroline,” “Breakin’ Up is Hard to Do,” “Piano Man,” and “House at Pooh Corner” to name just a few. What made the night unforgettable was seeing our newest campers singing along like they’d been here forever. From the first chorus to the final verse, it felt like Wingate was already in full swing.
Juniors this Week
Hi everyone!
I hope you’ve all had a peaceful few days! If we haven’t had the pleasure of meeting yet, my name is Laura Lines, and I’m the Junior Section Head this summer. I live in Australia, and this is my third summer at Wingate—my home away from home.
The first day of summer was off to a bang as campers met their amazing counsellors and settled into their bunks. We kicked things off with our First Night of Camp Show, where all the staff put on a performance, and of course, we ended the night with the best tradition: Milk and Cookies!
On Saturday, we had our first Sing Song of the summer, which filled the Wingate Hall with energy and excitement. Even the rainy day didn’t slow down the fun—the Junior campers spent the day practicing rock climbing (a hidden talent for many!), and crafting all kinds of creations in pottery. We were also so excited to see that every single camper passed their swim test! We can’t wait to see everyone splashing around during many future general swims.
The Arts & Crafts room has been busy this week, with heaps of campers starting their first (of many!) friendship bracelets of the summer. Over on the Lower Field, the basketball court and tetherball poles have had nonstop action.
We are absolutely thrilled to have your incredible children with us this summer. We can’t wait to keep making unforgettable memories together!
Warmly,
Laura
Inters this Week
Hi! My name is Daniela, and I’m so excited to be the Inter Section Head this summer. The first few days have been off to a great start!
Thursday began with the kids settling into their bunks and meeting their bunkmates. The campers got in the lake and took their swim tests. That night, the staff put on a talent show, highlighting the different sections of staff at camp. The night concluded with the section heads participating in a gross food eating competition—and the Inter section won!
On Friday, we introduced the Friday Night Program evening activity. This has been a tradition for three years now and is an integral part of camp. We tell stories, give out Wingate’s Core Value Awards, and sing our camp song.
Despite Saturday being a rainy day, it was a great one. We followed a rainy day schedule, and the campers enjoyed indoor activities. The day concluded with one of our camp’s oldest traditions—Sing Song. The whole camp gathered in the Wingate Hall and sang classic camp songs.
The rain was gone by Sunday, and the campers enjoyed a sunny day and a lunchtime Dining Hall dance party! For evening activity, the Inter boys played Capture the Flag, and the Inter girls played Finish the Lyric/Finish the Dance—both of which were lots of fun!
I’m so happy to be getting to know all the campers and making amazing memories this summer!
Daniella
Seniors this Week
Hi everyone!
We’re Lainey and Jared, the Senior Section Heads, and we’re so excited to share a quick update from our first few amazing days at camp. The girls in Bunk 1 have jumped into life at camp and have been having a blast at all their activities! Dance has been a highlight for them, where their energy and creativity really shine. The boys in Bunk 5 have had a great start to the summer as well! Seniors can be seen all over camp playing tennis, whiffle ball, gaga ball, soccer baseball—all the sports they love. Bunks 17 and 8 are so excited to be at camp and have had a great start to their High Senior summer. As the oldest campers, they spent Sunday evening with the Junior boys and girls at our Big Brother/Big Sister activity. It was such a special night to watch our oldest campers introduce our youngest ones to life at Wingate. The entire Senior Section was buzzing with excitement as we kicked off a soccer baseball tournament this morning. We have so many great things planned for the Seniors. We’ve loved meeting them all and look forward to a great summer together!
Jared & Lainey
Core Value Awards
Each week, this section of our blog will shine a spotlight on the campers and staff who receive Core Value Awards, celebrating their positive spirit, kindness, and contributions to camp life. New this year is the “Illuminator” Award, given to the person whose energy and warmth literally light up the room—someone who encourages others, radiates positivity, and helps our community shine brighter. Whether it’s campers helping fellow friends or staff going above and beyond, these recognitions show how much our Camp Wingate family values caring for one another. These awards are given out at our Friday night program, and it is campers who nominate their fellow campers for awards. Awards will start this Friday night.
