Recreation

DAILY ACTIVITIES

American Diabetes Association Camp Carefree offers a dynamic camping experience filled with fun activities such as hiking, arts & crafts, counselor treats, camp-wide games, overnights in the Tipi, and the Ropes Course. The waterfront program is centered around the scenic beach and cove on Merrymeeting Lake, and includes swimming, water games, and canoe trips.

The typical day includes two activity periods in the morning (separated by mid-morning snack), two activity periods in the afternoon (separated by rest-hour and mid-afternoon snack), counselors treat/shower period before dinner, and evening program following dinner. To view the typical daily schedule, click here.

In addition to the regularly scheduled activities described above, each camper will participate in three optional activities that selected prior to arriving at camp. These optional activity choices are described below.

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES

Each camper has the chance to select some activities he/she would like to experience while attending ADA Camp Carefree. The Program Director makes every attempt to include each campers top three choices in his/her individual schedule. A brief explanation of the available optional activities is provided here.

WEEKEND ACTIVITIES

	Circle of Sharing...Sunday morning, the entire camp gathers together at the fire circle to share thoughts with each other and reflect on the events of the previous week. Each cabin group is also given the opportunity to share a collective creative idea with the rest of the camp.
	Green & White Games...A long standing tradition, Green and White Games are the friendly competition of one half of the camp with the other in a series of games and challenges that often include the bucket brigade, greased watermelon race, water balloon toss, soccer, and volleyball.

SPECIAL EVENTS

	Hiking Trips...Several special trips are available to choose from: hike the stream called Singing Waters, hike to the Beaver Pond to see how beavers build dams, hike to the Fishery for a tour, hike to Devil's Den or the Caverly Trail.
	Canoe Trips...Canoe across the lake to Jeanne's house where you have lunch.
	The Big Swim...Advanced swimmers can train for this special event; a swim to the other side of the lake. Breakfast is served early so the swim can take place prior to the start of daily activity on the lake. In the early dawn of morning, the mist rises from the still glassine surface of the the lake.
	Bass Fishing Day...Volunteer bass fisherman visit ADA Camp Carefree to take the campers out on Merrymeeting Lake in their bass fishing boats to experience the thrill of catching a large fish. This event is one of the favorite special events at camp.
	Sign of the Tribe...This is a special event for the Mighty Oaks held at the end of the session for them to come together as a group and reflect on their last two weeks at camp.
	Circle of Light...This is a special event for the Steel Magnolias held at the end of the session for them to come together as a group and reflect on their last two weeks at camp.
	The Wish Fire...This special fire is the closing ceremony for the session. Held in near perfect silence, each camper joins his/her wish for the next year with the wishes of the rest of the camp, and the wishes of all the previous camps in the form of the sacred ashes from the previous Wish Fires.