The Valley Nation Winter Campout at Camp Duncan experienced an unexpected twist of warm weather. Despite the absence of snow, our adventure was filled with unique experiences and unforgettable memories. Instead of traditional winter activities like sledding or building cardboard sleds, dads and princesses had the opportunity to enjoy the warm weather and explore the Camp Duncan campground. Dads and princesses constructed elaborate princess palaces out of cardboard boxes, from towering fortresses to intricate designs complete with drawbridges. Some of the other highlights from the Winter Campout included slingshot paintball and archery. Princesses also worked on hammering stencils and transforming simple pieces of leather into personalized keychains and bracelets. Saturday night was capped off with a princess talent show, from heartwarming singing performances to impressive dance and gymnastics routines. The dads were not to be outdone as they embarked on a culinary adventure of their own. Armed with secret ingredients and time-honored recipes, they set up their cooking stations for the chili cook-off. As the evening progressed, participants and spectators alike savored spoonful's of chili goodness, casting their votes for the coveted title of Chili Champion. Despite the absence of snow, we embraced the warmth of the season and created lasting memories against the backdrop of nature's beauty. From exploring the trails to bonding around the campfire, every moment was a reminder of the magic of the great outdoors. The Snow Owls met up at the AHML Makerplace for a fun afternoon of decorating holiday ornaments for the second year in a row. Thanks to Mr. Garb for making this event happen. The two wooden halves for the ornaments were previously laser-cut and engraved using the equipment at the Makerplace by Mr. Garb. The girls decorated their pieces with markers, paint, and other materials, and then assembled the ornament with a printed photo of themselves. We think they came out great! This past weekend the Valley Nation had our annual Fall campout. This time around we headed up to Burlington, Wisconsin for Camp MacLean. Despite heavy rains Friday night into early Saturday morning, our spirits were not dampened. The rain let up by midday and we were able to enjoy a variety of activities, including the high-ropes course, fishing, archery, hiking, and crafts. In an unusual twist, the golden arrow stayed very well hidden and was not finally located until late in the night and deep in the woods by the Fire Ferrets. Sunday ended up being a beautiful, sunny day - a stark contrast from Friday night! The Fire Ferrets did an excellent job on hosting for our spooky themed campout. The Valley Nation visited the Stillman Nation Center in South Barrington for a guided pond study. The princesses and their siblings were able to join in the fun and get it a bit "dirty" by scooping up some muck out of the pond and looking for life forms. We found all kinds of amazing tiny creatures in the examination bin that you would have never realized would be there. Afterwards we were able to view some amazing birds in their habitats... some of the birds of prey were quite large! Another Spring campout in the books! This time we were at Camp Tecumseh in Indiana. Although the weather forecast was looking a bit sketchy with the threat of rain, eventually the forecast improved and we saw virtually no rain. The princesses and their dads got plenty of walking in! There was so much to do... Kayaking, canoeing, riflery, archery, the bullet slide, the blackhole slide, the petting zoo, the horseback trail rides, the tether balls, rock climbing wall, obstacle course, the giant tree house, the many miles of hiking trails, candle making, the nature center, and more! This place pretty much has it all! We had a fantastic 2023 winter campout at Camp Minikani in Hubertus, Wisconsin. With snow on the ground, the girls got in some sledding. We had epic tug-of-war games with both the princesses and the dads. The girls also put together various acts to perform at the winter talent show back in the mess hall after the fire ceremony. And of course, what winter campout would conclude without the annual chili cook-off! The Valley Nation hosted a Rain gutter Regatta at Westgate Elementary School on Saturday, November 12. The kids (with help from the dads) each got 1 hour to build and decorate their boats. The girls then got to race them using a straw to blow wind into their sails. Trophies were awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place for each of the groups (Kindergarten-2nd Grace, 3rd-4th grade, and 5th-8th grade). The girls also got vote for best decorated boat for each of the 3 groups, and trophies were awarded for these as well. The Valley Nation had perfect weather at the Fall 2022 campout at Camp Crosley in Indiana. The giant swing, zipline, and wall climbing tower were available for those girls brave enough to challenge their fears of height. The archery, riflery, and the giant pillow were popular activities. The girls and dads enjoyed "Human Foosball". The Gaga ball tournament resulted in another showdown with the Winnebago's taking their second win in a row! The final campout for the 2021-2022 season was held April 29-May 1 at Camp Anokijig in Plymouth, Wisconsin. Although we had bouts of rain, the Valley Nation persevered! We enjoyed water activities that included canoes, paddle boats, row boats, and kayaks. We also enjoyed horse back riding, mini-golf, archery, riflery, arts & crafts, and many other activities! The Winnebago pulled off an epic Gaga Ball tournament win! The Valley Nation held an overnight sleepover at the Chicago Field Museum on April 8th. Known as the "Dozin with the Dinos", the girls had fun exploring the museum and enjoyed the special activities that the Field had for them. The Valley Nation held their 2022 winter campout out at YMCA Camp Sherman Lake, in Augusta Michigan this past weekend. We were fortunate to have ample snow available to us as seen in the pictures below. Activities included swimming in Sherman Lake's indoor pool, archery, rock throwing, sledding, tie dye making, and more. The Illini came away with the award for Best Tribe for their impromptu talent show that included lighting and sound effects, and the Winnebago won the Nuttiest Tribe award for their sharing of fire so that the Snow Owls could stay warm! The Snow Owls found the Golden Arrow, and the Illini went home with the Tatanka. The Snow Owl tribe hosted a pumpkin carving/decorating party on Chief Loose Arrow's driveway. The princesses enjoyed showing off their creations! The Fall campout at YMCA Camp Benson in Mt. Carroll was a great success! Here are a few picture from the event: The Fall Campout for the Valley Nation will be at YMCA Camp Benson in Mt Carroll, Illinois and will be September 10-12. Registration for the Fall Campout is now open! Don't forget to register for this event!
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