The Camp Kiniya Program

Program Pillars & Activities

Below you’ll find an in-depth guide to the Camp Kiniya Program. Each day at Kiniya is packed with time to try new things, improve skills, build friendships, and learn from those around us. Activities are built around our program pillars: Athletics, Arts, Outdoors, and Spiritual.

Arts

Arts have always been integral part of the Kiniya experience and continues to be a wonderful opportunity to encourage campers to step outside of their comfort zone. Campers are primarily exposed to the Arts through Wednesday and Saturday Night Shows, Treiber Center and majors. More recently, music and camp craft have become a strong part of our program.

For both the Wednesday and Saturday Night Shows, the entire community gathers together in the Lodge. Any person from the community is welcome to participate.

Arts Majors

Art Majors are another key component to our program at Kiniya. Each camper has the opportunity to select one major to focus on throughout their time at Camp. They will meet approximately twice a week focusing on skill development and an increased level of competency.

In Mimi’s Lodge

• Drama: instruction in acting for stage, camera, and radio

• Stage Tech: learn about set-design, lighting, sound, and stage management

• Music: instruction in singing or for whatever instrument you bring to camp.

In Treiber Arts & Crafts & the Craft Shop

• Pottery: instruction in both slab clay and pottery wheels

• Woodworking: project based and skill building use tools

• Drawing & Painting: capture the beauty of the Adirondacks and Lake Champlain through different drawing and painting media

Despite what major you participate in, each camper will still be exposed to each of the activities above. Many campers leave Camp as true artists and are able to take home with them all of their creations.

Saturday Night Shows

Saturday Night Shows provide an evening of dramatic productions, which are typically plays or musicals, and auditions are held at the beginning of each week. Rehearsals are held throughout the week and and a stage crew work together to prepare the set and costumes. Leaders and staff alike take to the stage to perform in front of the entire Camp community each Saturday Night.

Wednesday Night Shows

A long time Dudley tradition, Wednesday Night Shows take the shape of a talent show, where campers are able to sign up to perform each week. We have seen all types of performances including, but not limited to, instrumental and voice performances, cabin skit, song or dance, juggling acts and more!

Athletics

Team Competition

Kiniya has four age level divisions…Cubs, Cats, Juniors, and Seniors. Campers are placed on teams within their division. Most days, teams will be scheduled to compete in team sports. Coaches focus on skill development and sportsmanship. All campers have the opportunity to play and improve each and every day. Team sports at Kiniya include…

- - Soccer
  - Lacrosse
  - Basketball
  - Softball
  - Track Meets

Athletic Majors

Majors are another key component to the athletics program at Kiniya. Each camper has the opportunity to select one Athletic Major to focus on throughout their time at Camp. They will meet approximately twice a week focusing on skill development and an increased level of competency. Athletic majors may include…

- - Archery
  - Golf
  - Tennis
  - Fitness
  - Volleyball
  - Invasion Games

Outdoors

Wilderness experiences have been a crucial part of Kiniya’s program development. Over the course of the summer each camper will have the opportunity to experience an outdoor adventure. We are very lucky to be located so close to the Green Mountains and have wonderful access to the Long Trail. The Outdoors Program offers a variety of progressive experiences for each age group that allows for truly impactful character and leadership development.

Outdoor Majors

Outdoor Majors are another key component to our program at Kiniya. Each camper has the opportunity to select one major to focus on throughout their time at Camp. They will meet approximately twice a week focusing on skill development and an increased level of competency.

Kiniya Outdoor Barn (KOB)

- - - Climbing
    - Camp Craft
    - Farm to Plate

Waterfront

- - Sailing
  - Paddling
  - Waterskiing
  - Aquatics

Hiking and Canoe Trips

All campers will participate in an off-campus hiking, rock climbing or canoe experience. The trips increase in challenge level as campers progress through each year at Camp.

Cubs participate in a day hike or rock climbing trip in the Green Mountains and surrounding foothills. In addition, each cabin will do an overnight at the remote Moscow Property near Stowe, VT.

Cats participate in a 2-day hiking or rock climbing adventure in the Green Mountains.

Juniors participate in a 2-day hiking, canoeing, or rock climbing adventure in the Green Mountains (more challenging routes than Cats).

Seniors participate in a 3 day hiking, canoeing, rock climbing, adventure, in the Green Mountains, ADK Keene Valley (climbing) or St. Regis Wilderness (ADK’s, paddling).

All campers, no matter their age, gain additional outdoor experience during the summer through…

- Cabin Suppers on site opportunity to cook a meal with your cabin over a campfire
- Low- and High- Challenge Course – each cabin will spend significant time at the Challenge Course early on in the session.

Spirituality

Spirituality plays an important role in every day at Kiniya. This program pillar rounds out our entire program by encouraging our campers to take time to think about important questions that confront them each day of Camp and beyond. Kiniya is non-denominational and we welcome and encourage all faiths and philosophies.

Chapel Talks

Each day starts with a Chapel Talk by a Leader or Staff member before breakfast. This is an opportunity to address the entire Camp and give a short talk about a topic important to that person. Chapel Talks touch on values important to character and leadership development of the campers.

Vespers

The day ends with a Vesper – a cabin group discussion on various topics. The entire cabin will form a circle on the floor of the cabin and reflect on topics that range from cabin guidelines, “The Other Fellow First”, or role models, to name a few.

Sunday Chapel Service

On Sunday we have a chapel service in our outdoor chapel. Chapel speakers come from various faith backgrounds and experiences. The Chapel Services happen at 11:30 every Sunday throughout the summer. Our entire community attends Chapel and we all wear the same Chapel attire: blue shorts, pants or skirt with a white button down top.

Hymn Sing

Perhaps the highlight of every week, Hymn Sing happens on Sunday night when all of Camp gathers in the Lodge. Our alumni make it a particular point of emphasis to visit Camp for a Hymn Sing during the summer.

Hymn Sings happen at 8:00 PM every Sunday.