Shaping the Summer Behind the Scenes
This week at Cibolo was filled with new challenges, behind-the-scenes planning, and a few unexpected surprises—including thunderstorms that shook up our schedule!
Monday was a remote workday, giving me time to focus on my project from home.
On Tuesday, I arrived with the assignment of creating a summer camp schedule from scratch. I was tasked with planning a full week—specifically, STEM Week—while balancing the logistics of six different camp groups. Certain activities had to be included, such as low ropes, tomahawk throwing, and archery, while also ensuring that the theme tied into STEM-focused experiences. I incorporated activities like a rat maze, nature boats (where kids build floating structures from natural materials), and animal shelters (where they design a home for an animal of their choice). Additionally, I had to account for Wednesday as Farm Day, when campers visit the other side of the property to learn about the history of Herff Farm and its role in conservation. It was a puzzle of timing, age groups, and space, but I enjoyed the challenge of making sure everything fit together smoothly.
Camp runs from 9:00 AM to 1:30 PM, and while the specific activities vary, certain traditions remain constant. Every morning kicks off with camp songs, a staple of the experience, followed by campers choosing their “nature names”—nicknames they’ll go by for the rest of the week. Lunch is also a set part of the schedule, and each activity typically lasts around 30 minutes.
Wednesday brought another visit from our homeschool group, which rotates every other week. This time, the same curious boy from Week 1 returned, now proudly calling himself the sheriff. I had the chance to meet his mom, who told me how detail-oriented and purposeful he is with everything he does. When I told her about his alligator drawing from the first week, she just laughed and said, “Yep, that’s him!” Our activity for the day was a nature walk along the creek, focusing on community science—teaching kids how everyday people can contribute to scientific discoveries by observing and documenting wildlife. We were lucky to spot turtles, different types of birds, and even a Texas spiny lizard, among many other creatures. The kids had their own notebooks to log their findings, noting the animal’s name (like cardinal or hawk), its type (bird, insect, etc.), and where it was found (e.g., creek or prairie). One of the standout moments was when the “sheriff” kid meticulously drew the animals he saw, even adding the specific features like male or female and numbering them in his notebook. His attention to detail was impressive and showed just how much value community science holds. Every time the kids shared their observations, it was clear they were learning not just about nature but about how their own efforts help contribute to a larger understanding of the world around them.
Unfortunately, thunderstorms rolled in on Thursday and continued into Friday, leading to the cancellation of scheduled field trips. Since Cibolo is all about hands-on, outdoor learning, it made more sense to reschedule rather than have the kids sit inside the auditorium all day.
Thursday was packed with a mix of responsibilities. I spent part of the day learning about the permitting process required to run a nature camp, including the guidelines that ensure everything operates smoothly and safely. I also took inventory of our camp supplies, organizing and assessing what we had so materials could be used to their fullest potential. One of the coolest parts of the day was getting to feed Bluebonnet, our resident boa constrictor. I fed her warmed-up frozen mice, and even though I expected it, I was still caught off guard by how quickly she struck! Interestingly, even though the mice were already dead, she still instinctively constricted them before eating.
On Friday, I met with Noah, my on-site advisor, to review the STEM Week schedule I had created. We compared it to his version, and he pointed out how he adjusted certain details to improve efficiency. For example, he staggered lunch breaks so not all groups were eating at the same time and rearranged activities so that younger campers, like the 5-6-year-olds in the Red Group, wouldn’t have to walk long distances between stations. I was also assigned a new task—to design my own camp activity. He showed me an example called “Magnifying Nature,” which included clear objectives aligned with Cibolo’s mission, key educational standards (TEKS, the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills guidelines), a materials list, a worksheet to go along with it depending on the group, and a step-by-step process that any instructor could follow. My challenge is to develop a new activity following this structure, and if it meets expectations, Noah will work to implement it at camp this summer! Which is very exciting. We go over it Tuesday so stay tuned for next week’s post!
Additionally, we discussed funding and grants. Cibolo uses the funds it receives to provide scholarships, particularly for first responders and families in need. Right now, the process for applying for scholarships is on a first-come, first-serve basis, and the challenge lies in deciding how to allocate the funds—whether to give it to different kids each week or to support the same kids over the course of the summer. There’s value in both approaches: rotating kids get a chance to experience camp, while returning campers benefit from seeing their growth and continued engagement with nature. We try to strike a balance depending on the needs and circumstances of the applicants.
The week wrapped up with me sitting in on counselor interviews, where I got to learn what Cibolo looks for in summer staff. It was interesting to see the qualities they prioritize—strong leadership, safety, knowledge about kids, and respecting boundaries of campers. Most importantly they are very supportive of their counselors equipping them with a strong support system and training.
From scheduling challenges to stormy setbacks to getting an up-close experience with a snake’s feeding habits, this week had plenty of unexpected moments. I’m excited to keep working on my camp activity and see how everything comes together as summer approaches! Thanks for tuning in and see you next week!
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