Each year, we strive to offer fun, exciting programs for our campers, and we are excited to announce that with 2023 personal class selection is back!  Activities are 1 period and offered all 6 weeks, unless otherwise noted. Campers will now form their own schedule for their day, choosing 4-5 classes. Campers must choose at least one swim class. Every camper takes Red Cross Swim lessons, taught by certified lifeguards.

Campers who sign up for Cloverbud, Cloverleaf, CIT 3, or one of our MAAP’s program (Alpine Adventures or Mountaineers) do NOT choose classes, as their program is specially tailored to their needs! MAAPS is being offered weeks 1, 3 & 5. 

M.A.A.P.s Classes

Pathfinder Offered weeks 2, 4, & 6.
Learn essential skills for backpacking and hiking in the wilderness! Campers will participate in activities such as pitching a tent, practicing Leave No Trace principles, orienteering, and an introduction into outdoor cooking. Later in the week Pathfinder campers will take an afternoon hike up nearby Owls Head Mountain to put their new learned skills to the test, and even have dinner on top of the peak! This activity is offered to campers of all ages and fills in one class period per day. Pathfinder is part of our wilderness leadership series, for more information on our backpacking program, visit the M.A.A.P.s page on our website!

 

Environmental Classes

Advanced Fishing (2 Class Periods)
Want to spend a bit more time at camp on the channel fishing? Head out in our row boats and experience fishing from past the docks. Learn more species and additional fishing safety. Poles and equipement are provided. Prior fishing experience requested.

Fishing 
Whether you take fishing seriously or do it as a leisure activity, there’s nothing like feeling a tug on the end of your line!  Campers will learn about fishing techniques, fish habitat and safety, while relaxing on our beautiful fishing dock.  Poles and equipment provided.

Beyond the Stars
Outer space is such large place with so much to explore… stars, planets, asteroids, and aliens! Beyond the Stars will explore our gardens so that you can design your own planets life. Set off rockets and see how far they can travel after scaling out our solar system. Our Rec Field is perfect for stargazing, which the campers will have a special opportunity to star gaze and find constellations and shooting stars.

BIRDS!
Do you wonder about all the birds we see day to day in Northern New York? Camp this summer will be raising chickens and pheasants. We have an eagle family down the channel. A very common sound at night is owls in the distance. Each day of the week will focus on a different bird and how we can care for birds to better our environment. End the week with a project to take home!

Absolutely Batty!
Bats are a crucial species to the health of the Adirondacks. Learn more about how bats live and thrive in our region and how it helps humans have healthier lives as well. Absolutely Batty! will put a bat house up somewhere at camp each week to help camp have a healthier bat population as well. Batty goes beyond content and incorporates experiential learning that campers will keep forever.

 

Adventure Course Classes

AFIT (Adventure Facilitator in Training) Age limit 14 years and up.
Curious how facilitators prepare to teach Adventure classes? What about the type of knots used while belaying? Ever wondered how belaying works to keep our participants safe in the high ropes course? What about all of the small things about the low ropes course? This new course is an introduction to these things for campers who just cannot get enough of adventure in a style similar to our CIT program.

Adventure 1 
Campers in the Level 1  participate in a variety of games and fun group initiatives designed to develop trust and teamwork.

Adventure Class 2 (2 Class Periods) Age limit 12 and up.  
Participants focus on team-building and communication skills through the use of group initiatives and low ropes elements. Campers also learn spotting and safety techniques as they move through our ropes course. Age limit 12 and up or 11 and up with Level 1 experience. 

Adventure Course 3 (2 Class Periods) Age limit 13 and up with at least 2 years of Adventure Course experience.  
Campers will spend the majority of their time on a possible 9 different low elements and 9 different high elements between 7 different structures, including our Zip Line! Throughout the class groups will learn advance problem solving and leadership skills to accomplish each element.

Shooting Sports Classes

Archery Novice Minimum age 8.
No previous archery experience necessary! Campers learn the parts of the bow and arrow, archery safety, and practice to develop shooting skills.

Archery Intermediate Minimum age 10 and 1 year of archery experience.
In this level campers will improve upon their aim and shooting skills, while working on more advance targets and games.

Archery Advanced Minimum age 12 and 2 years of archery experience.
Campers learn the parts of a compound bow and develop advanced shooting skills. Designed for those who have archery experience, or have taken our previous archery classes.  Curriculum includes challenging games and archery challenges!

Air Gun  Ages 10 and up.
Child must be able to hold and support the weight of the gun. Feel the sense of accomplishment as you improve your target score with every shot! Campers will use air-powered pellet guns to learn gun safety, range procedures and basic marksmanship, while under the careful supervision of 4-H Shooting Sports staff. 

Advanced Air Gun  Ages 11 and up with 1 year camp air gun experience.
Advanced Air Gun is for campers 11 and up who have already taken Air Gun and want to further their skills. These campers will learn new shooting positions and have new advanced challenges, as well as more shooting time on the range. This class fills quickly!

Arts & Crafts Classes

Camp Arts & Crafts 
This perennial camp favorite incorporates a wide variety of art forms including textiles, painting, sculpture, miniatures, crafts from recycled materials and much more! This activity allows campers to take home several hand made camp memories. Many crafts are tailored to the camp theme for the week. Since the curriculum changes year to year, there is always something new to create.

Natural Arts
We are bringing in natural items for our main medium in our projects in this class. Campers may make mandalas of items they have found on the ground around camp or make these natural items into something completely new. All while learning different things about how art and nature coexist.

Drama This year we will have a group each week!
Join our camp staff in fun improvisational games guaranteed to make you laugh and get you out of your comfort zone. Your group will also create a skit to be preformed at our talent show on Wednesday night!

Dance This year we will have a group each week! 
Are you new to dance? Or an accomplished dancer? Either way, join this activity for fun filled movement and body exploration for campers of all abilities. Your group will also create a performance for our Wednesday night talent show!

Magic the Gathering
Looking for something that you can do rain or shine? Magic The Gathering is a fun filled fantasy card game where players get to test their wit and imagination against each other in 1 on 1 or group games. Bring your own cards from home, or use the camp’s collection! We’ve spent the past year working with local game stores to build a variety of playstyles for your campers to choose from. For new and experienced players.

Waterfront Classes

Sailing 
Campers will be able to identify the main parts of a sailboat, learn rigging and shoring procedures and understand how to right an overturned or tipped sailboat. Campers must wear life jackets and are under the supervision of Red Cross Certified Lifeguards.

Canoeing and Kayaking 
J-Stroke, C-Stroke or Draw? Learn the difference between these types of canoe strokes and glide effortlessly across the water! This continued favorite activity builds skill during the week, and if the weather cooperates includes a trip to a nearby island for a picnic lunch!

In addition to these classes, all campers are automatically enrolled in:

Swimming 
All campers at 4-H Camp are automatically assigned a swim class for their week at camp.  Each camper is assigned a swim class based on their ability.  Campers who have attended previous summers will be automatically placed into the correct level. Swimmers whose skills have advanced during the school year may chose to re-test to move levels.  You will get a chance to advance your swim skills, spend time on our beautiful beach, and have FUN! Swimming is a lifelong skill that many generations in the North Country can say they first learned at Camp Overlook!

Other Great Class Choices!

Ultimate Overlook Sports (AKA CAMP RAP)
In this activity, you’ll be playing some of Camp Overlook’s oldest and most cherished group games and sports, along with a new skill or two.  Campers learn the benefits and positive health effects that being physically active has on the mind and the body. The goal of this activity is to be active, have fun, and become a “Rec Field Hero”.

 

Spoon Carving – Introduction to Woodworking  Ages 9-12: Class size limited to 15.
Spoon carving is an introductory level carving class. Campers will learn safe tool handling and storage, basic carving techniques and how to read wood grain. They will learn the basic techniques for using chisels, spoke shaves, drawknives, carving knives and utility knives. They will also learn some basic tool sharpening skills. Campers will work to complete a wooden spoon that they can take home and use in the kitchen. Offered week 5 only.

Build a Bench (Two activity periods)  Limited to 8 campers ages 12 and up.
Campers will learn the fundamentals of pioneer woodworking using primitive tools. Campers will then fashion their own half-log wooden bench. Learn a life skill, and bring home a beautiful piece of Adirondack furniture! – Offered week 5 only. ~additional $25 fee~

Paddle making (Two class periods) Class size limited to 10 campers ages 12 and up.
Have you ever dreamed of carving your very own canoe paddle? Create a work of art that is also functional from Adirondack Cherry wood to bring home! Students will learn the basics of woodworking in this activity. – Offered week 5 only ~additional $20 fee~

Counselor in Training Classes (CIT)

CIT 1 – Must be age 14 by June 20th.
If you are interested in becoming a camp counselor this course is for you! The CIT I program introduces campers to the philosophy of Camp Overlook, including camp traditions, songs, and safety rules.  Available Weeks 3, 4, & 5. 

CIT 2 – Must be age 15 by June 20th.
The CIT II program focuses on leadership styles, the importance of communication, developing teamwork, and techniques for working with children.  Available weeks 3, 4, & 5. 

CIT 3 – (ALL Class periods) Must be age 16 by June 20.  
Leadership in the Making. This is a program for campers, 16 years of age, who are looking for a completely unique camp experience! Participants will be involved with all aspects of camp, but be on a separate and specialized learning tract that prepares them for future leadership roles. CIT III’s will spend the morning two class periods with the Camp Director/Assistant Director further developing their skills as emerging camp counselors. The afternoon classes (all three periods) will be spend conducting in-depth team building and leadership activities that are directly applicable to pursuits in school, college and careers. This exciting experience will allow participants to work closely with their peer group, while developing valuable skills and lifelong friendships. 16 year olds interested in this class would register as a  traditional camper and choose only this class.  Available Weeks 1 and 2 only.