Camp Hayward
Camp Hayward is a girls camp located in Sandwich, Massachusetts, run by the South Shore YMCA. It is situated between three ponds, Spectacle, Triangle, and Lawrence. Its brother camp, Camp Burgess, is located across Spectacle Pond. The camp primarily functions as a summer camp, but offers an offseason outdoor education program to schools and business groups.
Summer
The summer camp runs for 4 two-week sessions, with another one week "specialty camp" after session four. Campers range from ages 7 - 15. Cabins are assigned primarily by age. At age 16 kids can apply to become C.I.T's, who stay at the camp for four weeks. At 17 one can apply to be a Junior Counselor, and anyone 18 and up can apply to be a counselor. There is always at least one Counselor per cabin, normally with a J.C. or co-conselor who they are paired with. The vast majority of the counselors are from outside the United States, with most coming from the United Kingdom and Ireland but also including Scotland, Spain, Canada and Colombia. 23 different countries were represented on the Summer 2005 staff.
There are Junior and Senior cabins, divided by age. The four age groups; Paddlers, Outriggers, Pathfinders, and Trailblazers, all have unique songs. Some cabins, such as Oaks or Edwama, have their own songs as well. Throughout the day, campers sing countless songs including the Hayward song, Cabin songs, and songs for the Senior Staff.
A day at camp starts with flagpole, and then a delicious and nutricious breakfast. Campers then go to their first interest group. Interest groups are chosen at the beginning of each week. Some choices include but are not limited to Landsports, OP, Dance, Arts&Crafts, Drama, Sailing, Canoeing, and Projects. After this, campers attend their second interest group. Then there is Lunch, Rest Period, and Popstop. Afternoons tend to vary depending on camp schedules. There are often Coed beach days, Olympic Days, or Co-ed/girls-only Dances. If it is a "normal" day at camp, each cabin has two CAPs (Cabin Activity Periods) before beach party, flagpole and dinner. Following this, cabins normally have another CAP and then Junior girls have lights out. Senior girls have a "Cabin chat time" before sleeping as well.