A Day in the Life at Camp BlueSky

If you’ve ever been to Camp BlueSky, you know it’s hard to describe it without smiling. It’s an experience and a community that feels like a whole different world. And as someone who works here, I get a front-row seat to the magic that happens every single day.

So I thought I’d share what a day at camp looks like. Every day is different, with a variety of activities. It’s full, fun, and deeply meaningful.

Rise and Shine + Gold Rocks

The day kicks off early. Campers begin to stir in their cabins. 

We then gather for gold rocks, which is an exercise where every cabin goes around and finds gold rocks. The cabin that gets the most rocks wins a prize. 

Breakfast & Assembly

Breakfast at camp is never just a meal. We kick things off with a high-energy assembly, including singing, dancing, silly skits, and announcements. Then we head to the dining hall where campers eat with their cabins. We talk, laugh, and prepare for the adventurous day ahead.

Cheetah Clue

After breakfast, we have a camp-wide mystery tradition that the kids absolutely love: the Cheetah clue. Ethan, our Activities Coordinator, announces a clue on where a carved cheetah is hidden. The kids then set out in cabins to find the cheetah. It brings out the best sides of teamwork. I love watching how competitive and clever they get as they interpret the clue and go on their search. Each day, the cheetah is hidden in a different place, and the kids get to embark on a daily quest to find it.

Empower & Impact Time

This is the heart of the morning. In Empower, the camp speaker takes the kids through a session in line with Camp BlueSky’s theme. After this, we then go in smaller cabin groups for Impact Time. Here, the kids get to go deeper with their counselors and share what they learned or how they were impacted by Empower. I’ve watched kids who started out shy eventually start opening up and sharing things that matter. I’ve seen friendships form and faith take root during these quiet sessions. It’s honestly one of my favorite parts of the day.

Skills

This is when campers get to try new things. Kids can sign up for anything from painting, drama, archery, crafts, and more. I rotate between stations and help out, encourage, and cheer people on. There’s something really powerful about watching a camper face a fear, discover they’re good at something new, or create and learn exciting new things. 

Lunch & Rest Time

Lunch is loud and full of life, but after that, everyone gets a chance to rest! Campers write letters, read books, chat softly, or just nap. For staff, it’s a good time to catch our breath and soak it all in. The breeze through the trees, the stillness, the quiet miracle of a camp in gentle pause before the next burst of joy.

Mac & Swag + Insane Game

Mac & Swag is one of those things you kind of have to experience to understand. Here, the campers are grouped into their respective genders and go in for a session. This is usually an interactive time for them to learn and be equipped in various ways with the help of the Camp speaker and the counselors. 

After this, we go straight into Insane Game and, yes, it’s as wild and fun as it sounds! Running, colors, team challenges, screaming, laughing. It’s complete mayhem in the best way. I’m always right in there with them, covered in paint or foam or whatever the day calls for. The kids love it because it's an opportunity to connect with one another, create friendships and win, of course!

Tea & Free Time

This is when campers get to do what they love: play sports, make crafts, chat in hammocks, or learn a new board game. It’s a sweet time. I float around, sometimes joining in, sometimes just being available. Some of the most meaningful conversations happen here, unplanned and unhurried.

Dinner

We refuel with another shared meal. Campers talk about their day, staff swap stories, and the sun starts to sink lower behind the hills. It’s a warm kind of tired, the best kind.

Tsavo @7

The evening program kicks off in the Tsavo room with singing, dancing, and team spirit. Campers are split into Chumvi and Nuru groups, the camp tribes. It gets loud, it gets joyful, and it sets the stage for something deeper. During this time, the Camp speaker has a session with the campers in line with the Camp BlueSky Theme. 

Theme Night / Cross Talk / Summit Fire

Each night is special. Sometimes we have a theme night (think costumes, wild games, full-on camp adventures). Other nights, we pause for Cross Talk, where campers hear the gospel clearly and personally. And then there’s Summit Fire on the last night of camp, which is my absolute favorite. We gather under the stars, around a big crackling fire, and campers share what they’ve learned. We roast s’mores and dance together afterward. It’s beautiful. 

Rewind & Lights Out

As the day winds down, campers shower, put on cozy clothes, and gather in their cabins for rewind, where they get to talk about their highs and lows of the day, what made them laugh, what made them think. Some share deep things. 

During this time, friendships begin to take root, vulnerability turns into connection, and laughter shared becomes the foundation for bonds that often last long beyond camp.

And then, for a little while, all is still.

More Than Just Camp

This year marks our 25th session of Camp BlueSky, and we couldn’t be more grateful or excited. The joy, the freedom, the truth, it’s all here, woven into each day. I can’t wait to see how this summer unfolds.

Here’s to another beautiful chapter at Camp BlueSky.

 – Emily