NORTHFIELD — As events continue to be canceled in response to lasting limitations on public gatherings, Camp Northfield has launched a virtual camp, “Camp Quaran-Teen,” with five days’ worth of free family activities.
The activities and accompanying videos premiered last week, and will remain accessible to families during the lasting public health crisis. They can be accessed on the Camp Northfield Facebook page and website, CampNorthfield.com/virtual-camp.
“With all the cancellations around us, we as a camp wanted to offer our community something in the midst of the pandemic,” explained Camp Northfield Executive Director Jeremy Losier. The camp’s website states it provides spiritual instruction and wholesome activity.
For each day of the week, campers will participate in challenges that can be shared using the hashtag #CNCampQuaranteen, or by tagging @campnorthfield on Instagram or Facebook when uploading a video or photo. An upload feature is also available on the Camp Northfield website.
Handouts for activities are available to print or download. The website has a 25- to 40-minute video for each day, featuring a guest speaker from the religious community and ending with a message from the camp’s outdoor expert Panda Mills, a Bear Grylls-inspired character played by staff member Colton Lee. The handouts contain each speaker’s message as well as the challenge information for the activities.
“As a youth camp we’re always trying to figure out new ideas,” Losier said. “It was a lot of fun developing this.”
While designed with teenagers in mind, Losier said the virtual camp can also be fun for adults and younger children.
“Many of the parents thoroughly appreciated it and were thankful for the break that it gave them,” he said of the initial response.
The “Let’s Make it” Monday activity will see virtual campers make a lean-to in their own backyard. “Take a Hike Tuesday” encourages families to get outside and participate in a scavenger hunt. The list for the scavenger hunt is available in the downloaded handout.
“Workshop Wednesday” asks campers to remember what camp life was like at the Camp Northfield property and recreate their experience using Popsicle sticks, toothpicks, sticks from the woods or other items. They can build their cabin, bunks, lodge or camp chapel. For “Trickshot Thursday,” campers are tasked with setting up and filming a creative trick-shot using anything from ping pong balls or Nerf guns to basketballs.
The initial Friday activity was a planned Family Feud-style event held over Zoom, but Losier said the camp will likely develop a new family game that can be done at home independently.
Participants will receive a sticker, which Losier said features the Camp Northfield compass logo surrounded by toilet paper rolls, and reads “I survived Camp Quaran-Teen, est. 2020.”
While Camp Quaran-Teen is free, Camp Northfield is seeking donations to account for loss of income due to the limited 2020 summer season. Donations can be made to Camp Northfield’s PayPal account at bit.ly/2WNP63E.
Zack DeLuca can be reached at zdeluca@recorder.com or 413-930-4579.