This summer at RisingOaks | Oak Creek was filled with discovery, creativity, adventure, and new friendships. With campers joining us each week, our summer stayed lively, welcoming, and full of opportunities for children to explore, imagine, and grow together.
From the beginning of camp, the campers were encouraged to learn through hands-on experiences, creative activities, and engage in outdoor adventures! Each week brought something new, giving campers the chance to try new things, build confidence, and create lasting memories with their friends.
Campers jumped into a variety of hands-on learning experiences throughout the summer. They investigated fascinating creatures like Tomato Hornworms, explored exciting STEM activities, mixed colorful “potions” during water play, and expressed themselves through creative art projects. These experiences encouraged curiosity, problem-solving, patience, teamwork, and confidence.
Water Play Potions
Campers experimented with chalk and water to create colorful and imaginative potions. Using cups, containers, and test tubes, they explored sensory play, early science concepts, colour mixing, and independent decision-making.
Paper Mache Creations
Using balloons, shredded paper, and glue, campers created their own paper mâché projects. This activity strengthened fine motor skills, patience, and creativity while giving children an opportunity to express themselves through hands-on art.
Balloon Rocket STEAM Activity
Campers built balloon rockets using balloons, string, and straws. They discovered how trapped air creates force and tested different setups to see how their rockets moved. Some traveled quickly and straight, while others spun or swayed depending on how they were positioned. This activity encouraged cause-and-effect thinking, teamwork, determination, and confidence—especially for campers who were blowing up balloons on their own for the first time!
Caterpillar Discovery
Campers observed four Tomato Hornworms throughout the day, checking for movement and signs of pupation. Watching these creatures change and grow encouraged patience, scientific thinking, and a deeper appreciation for nature and the world around them.
Every week, our camp was brought on new adventures, including walks, field trips, and special guests. Campers enjoyed getting outside, exploring new gross motor activities at the park, getting creative with new toys, engaging in different art activities, going for outdoor walks as a group, and engaging in new forms of open-ended play!
Our walks gave children opportunities to enjoy fresh air, observe nature, engage in gross motor activities, and discover things in their own community. Field trips added even more excitement to the summer, allowing campers to learn through real-world experiences and create memories outside of their usual routines.
We were also fortunate to welcome special guests throughout the summer, who brought new experiences, knowledge, and excitement to our campers! These visits gave children the opportunity to ask questions, learn from others, and experience something different each week.
With new campers arriving each week, children had many opportunities to practice cooperation, sharing, turn-taking, communication, and teamwork. They welcomed new friends, learned how to work together, and built relationships through shared experiences.
Outdoor play was an important part of every week. Whether running through games, exploring nature, enjoying our walks, and even playing in the rain, campers stayed active while developing physical skills, creativity, confidence, and curiosity.
Most importantly, all of our campers shared many emotions with one another! There was laughter, imagination, adventure, messy hands, curious questions, new friendships, and plenty of moments to celebrate.
This summer gave our campers countless opportunities to belong, discover, create, explore, and grow. Every activity, walk, field trip, special guest, and shared moment hopefully added something special to some new fun summer memories!!
We are so proud of everything our campers explored and accomplished this summer. From trying something new to making new friends, solving a problem, creating something they were proud of, or simply sharing a laugh, each experience helped make this summer one to remember.
Overall, summer camp at RisingOaks | Oak Creek was a summer full of creativity, curiosity, friendship, adventure, and growth. We are grateful for all the wonderful memories we made together and can’t wait to see what our campers discover next!
