Indian Brook Aquatics Program - Farm & Wilderness

What does the Aquatics Program look like?

Campers will improve their confidence and comfort in the water with swim clinics, distance swims, boating, key log rolling, and risk management.

How do we do it?

• Swim clinics are for campers ages 9-12. These clinics occur 2-3 times in a three-week session.
• The 13-14-year-old campers are encouraged to sign up for a waterfront apprenticeship which uses each morning to focus on boating skills.  They also can attend the 4:15 pm general free swim time.
• One General Swim Choice time occurs each day give opportunity before dinner. Lifeguards and staff oversee this play time to build confidence and comfort in the water. Staff often motivates campers to use this time to improve swimming and build on a skill they are learning in one of the activity areas (spoon carving, rock climbing, etc.)
• We offer a shallow water activity (at the Waterfront) and an activity focused around boating every day. Afternoon activities might involve; key log rolling, canoeing and kayaking trips to the nearby island, fun creative activities using a noodle, goggles, and cooling off at the peak of a day.
• Distance swims are also offered to all ages several times each week working up to a 3-mile swim in Woodward Reservoir. Each summer, campers work to complete their Grand Circuit (swimming around the Reservoir circumference) throughout an entire session/summer.
• One canoe trip is offered to “waders” and “swimmers” each session. Most 9-10-year-olds (First Lodgers) experience a canoe overnight or a visit to the local swimming hole off-site.

What if I want my camper to have more than two Swim Clinics?

Families and campers who are interested in receiving instruction during morning activity project time notify the Director/Lodge Director. The choice to swim means the swimming instruction will occur instead of other skills being learned in other morning project areas (ie: Work Projects, Fair Fire, Outdoor Wilderness Living program).

What staff will be at the Waterfront?

A qualified Lifeguard is always present when swimmers are on or in the water. Although the swim clinics are not designed to move through “swim levels”, at least one instructor is present who holds a Water Safety Instructor certification through American Red Cross.  All instructors are trained to provide instruction and implement the Indian Brook waterfront program goals.

What’s a buddy system?

We use a tag board that is color-coded by age that is used to signify where they are located.  We use the buddy system for checking and reminders to use the tags.  All campers tests results and swim abilities can be referred to on a clipboard that is carried by the Head Guard and posted at the waterfront.

What kind of camper support do you give at the waterfront?

Much of the waterfront time is choice. However, when at the waterfront, we strive to have a focus on being pushed to expand campers comfort level balanced with an understanding that the waterfront is a very scary place for some campers.  Staff are trained to provide a comforting space to those that need some extra support.  We have an area for wading and exploration in between secured docks.  We also provide silicone swim caps to those that don’t want to get their hair wet.

What’s on the Waterfront? Indian Brook waterfront consists of a view almost the entire Woodward Reservoir and the island.  We have 2 wooden docks and 2 floating wooden rafts.  Small rocks line the shore dividing the grassy covered beach and the refreshing lake water.

What does the Evaluation Process look like?

Red Cross trained Waterfront staff will evaluate the swimming levels during the first 2 days of camp. This includes, for a swimmer, an attempt at swimming around the raft are, a distance of approximately 25 yards and familiarity with the water for non-swimmers or beginners. This is so we know who can comfortably swim from the docks to the rafts. To allow non-swimmers to wade in the shallow area, they will take a “line test” that encourages them to walk out to waist height water and return to shore without a PFD. Re-checks are an option.

Tippy Tests (capsizing a canoe) are given to swimmers who are interested in getting into a boat at any time they are at camp and for ANYONE going on a canoe trip.

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