First Day At Camp Foley

The first day of summer camp is exciting, busy and maybe even a little scary for everyone – new campers, returning campers and even counselors! We strive to make the first day at camp memorable and purposeful. We introduce campers to their counselors and cabinmates, go over safety precautions and guidelines, visit the camp nurse and jump in Whitefish Lake – all before dinner!

Arriving at Camp Foley

Campers arriving by car typically arrive to camp first. They meet their counselors who assist them in settling in their cabins. Check out the Travel and Arrival page for what to expect when driving in to camp. When campers get off the bus, they meet their counselors, grab their luggage, go to their cabin, find the bunk with their nametag posted on it and begin getting settled.

Arrival Day Celebration

Camp Foley refers to all the craziness that is the first day of camp as our “Arrival Day Celebration” where campers complete the following:

Note: Fox campers (aged 10 and under) will wait to take their swim check until the 2nd day of camp, giving them more time to settle in, get to know the camp routine and watch the older kids do the swim check so they know what to expect.

• Check lifejackets, tread water for five minutes and go over boat safety (Part of Foley’s Safety and Endurance Swim Check) – All campers 11 and older.
• Swim 50 yards and hear waterfront rules (Part of Foley’s Safety and Endurance Swim Check) – all campers 11 and older.
• Learn about the Foley Activities.
• Sign up for your first set of activities with your cabin.
• Find cabin benches.
• Go over camp rules.
• Meet with the camp nurse.
• Have lots of snacks because we know everyone will be on strange eating schedules due to travelling.

Cabin Time, Dinner, And Campfire

After the Arrival Day Celebration, campers head back to their cabins to play get to know you games to further develop those initial connections. Cabins then establish a “Cabin Agreement”, which is a camper created set of rules and guidelines to ensure everyone is taken care of and has a good time. Dinner is at 6 pm, and it’s SPAGHETTI! After dinner, campers have time to change and get ready for Opening Campfire. This year this opening campfire will be done in small groups of a couple of cabins with common themes among them all. There will be aspects that we do as a large group, spread out outside as well! Younger cabins have lights-out at 9:30 and older campers are in bed by 10:15.