Should you have any questions, please contact us at 817-768-3854 or email us at fun@camphuawni.com.

Camp is less than 30 days away! Are you ready?!

Sincerely,
Ashley Hamilton, Camp Assistant

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We can’t wait to see you all pulling up on that ol’ Camp road! Only 1 month away from your Second Home.

Sincerely,

 Ashley, Camp Assistant 

Campers should pack enough clothes for their length of stay. We will wash clothes over the weekends for campers coming multiple sessions. Parents, PLEASE, write your child(ren)’s name/initials on all clothing items, especially socks and underwear.

Necessary Items
- Footlocker Trunk/Luggage
- 4 Twin Sheets & 1 Twin Mattress Pad
- 1 Pillow and Pillow Case
- 1 Blanket
- Towels, washcloths, & shower caddy
- Sweater or light jacket
- 2 Pairs of Tennis shoes
- Shorts, shirts, & socks
- 2 Pairs of Jeans (minimum)
- 2 Swimsuits and pool footwear
- Church attire (for 2-week sessions)
- Toiletry articles
- Sunscreen
- Insect Repellent
- Water bottle
- Laundry bag (white mesh)
- Cap or hat
- Stamps and writing materials with addresses
**Boys age 6 – 11: bring a sleeping bag

Optional Items
- Camera
- Flashlight
- Musical instrument
- Battery-operated clock and/or radio
- Fishing rod, reel, & tackle

Items to Leave at Home
- TVs, laptop computers, and cell phones – don’t worry, you will NOT miss them!
- Money – snacks and meals are covered by the Camp tuition. Camp wear purchased during the session, stamps, and emergency items can be charged and paid for by parents on closing day.
- Valuables such as expensive luggage, cameras, jewelry, etc.
- Other plug-in appliances – electric hair dryers and hot curlers can be brought to Camp, but their use will be limited.
- Glass containers – shampoo, lotion, etc. should be in plastic containers only.

Start packing your bags…we’ll see you before you know it!

 Ashley Hamilton, Camp Assistant 

1. Going to summer camp allows your child to unplug from technology (benefits of being outdoors).  Quite possibly the biggest benefit to an outdoor summer camp is shutting off your cell phone, closing your laptop, and getting away from technology.  At Camp, Facebook turns into real faces and authentic human interaction -something we all desperately need.  A recent study by Neilson Media Research showed that teenage girls send and receive an average of 4,000 texts per month.  Also, according to Nielsen, kids ages 2-5 average more than 32 hours a week in front of a TV.  This is a bit scary considering the U.S. Department of Education found academic achievement drops sharply for children who watch more than 10 hours a week of TV.  Camp is an instant remedy to this ever growing “technology epidemic.”  At Camp Huawni, things like cane pole fishing are an integral part of what makes Huawni special and non-techy.

2. Going to summer camp allows your child to be around positive role models who have a substantial impact on your child’s decision making throughout the year.  How many times do you wish your oldest child had an older sibling to encourage, guide, and mentor them?  Better yet, how many times do you wish your older children would actually invest emotionally into their little brother and sisters as opposed to being “too cool?”  One of the biggest benefits to summer camp is having positive high school and college-aged counselors who play a vital role into pouring their time and love into the kids.  Even though summer camp usual only lasts from one to six weeks, those few weeks of getting to hang out with a positive role model can have a huge impact throughout the year.  In fact, the U.S. Department of Justice found that when youth have role models, such as in their Big Brother/Big Sister program, their chances of initiating drug use dropped by 45.8% and their tendency to lie to their parents dropped by 36.6%.  At Camp Huawni, we make it a point to keep our camper to counselor ratio low (3 campers to every 1 counselor) so that our counselors can invest more time and make this difference.  In fact, a good number of our counselors keep in touch with campers throughout the year, continuing to pour into the kid’s encouragement and guidance.

3. Going to summer camp allows your kids to enjoy the simple things in life. One of Camp Huawni’s core values is “Simple fun is the most fun.”  You would be amazed at how much fun kids can have mud sliding, eating and being submerged in watermelon, and diving head first into a plate of whip cream and pickles.  Big, new, and state-of-the-art activities are great, but over the years I’ve come to observe that simple things with people you love end up being the most fun.  

4. Going to summer camp allows your child to spread their independent wings. Last summer we had a seven-year-old boy who was away from home for the very first time.  In fact, he still slept in the same room with his mother. The first few days of Camp were tough for him – he was super homesick. Thankfully we’ve had nearly 50 years of alleviating homesickness, so after four days we helped the little guy kick his homesickness.  Over the next several days, we literally saw the boy transformed; he engaged new kids in conversation, he became willing and excited about contributing to his Tribal Competition team, and you could see his spirit take on a big dose of independence.  When his mom showed up on closing day, he exclaimed, “Mom, I want to come back for two weeks next year.   And can I stay in my own room?”  This was a huge first step in growing his independent wings.

5. Going to summer camp allows children to experience nature in a whole new way. How many days do you spend each year watching a sunrise or sunset?  How many times do you just sit on a hill and feel the breeze cross your face?  How many weekends do you take out of the year just to be alone in nature?  For those who do this or have done this, you know how special this is.  At Camp Huawni, one of our core beliefs is true personal growth begins and ends with our Creator.  At Camp, just being in nature allows us to see and hear God so much clearer.

6. Going to summer camp allows your children to grow closer to their siblings. At Camp Huawni, we have a traditional ceremony at the end of Camp where kids get to speak their heart.  Tears are shed, smiles are had, and you leave that afternoon feeling lighter and full of joy.  Without a doubt, every year a brother or sister will honestly and openly share their affection for their siblings.  Many times it is the first time they’ve openly told their sibling that they love them.  This is such a special moment for the kids, and as siblings return to Camp you see them growing closer and closer.

7. Going to summer camp allows your children to develop life-long friendships and memories second to none.  In one study, for example, researchers found that people who had no friends increased their risk of death over a 6-month period. In another study, those who had the most friends over a 9-year period cut their risk of death by more than 60%.  I still remember my very first year at Camp Huawni. Charlie King and Andrew Clendenen were in my cabin, and over the next several years we shared life together, eventually becoming senior counselors together.  It doesn’t matter how much time has passed – when I get to spend time with both Chuck and Andrew, we have an immediate connection.  I also know that if I ever need anything, those guys will be there to help in an instant.  Camp is the fertilizer for true friendship.

Would you like to hear more reasons why to send your child to summer camp?  I would be happy to answer any questions.  Feel free to email me at Travis@camphuawni.com.

Happy camping!
 Travis Adams, Camp Huawni Director 

CONGRATULATIONS to our 2012 Huawni Film Festival winner: Amber Martin!!

The Henderson Crew’s Rappin’ Styles of Camp Huawni came in a close second, followed by Addison, Addy, and Allie’s Believe, Logan’s Unforgettable Huawni Summer, Where the Fun Never Sets by Hannah, Allie & Hayner’s Wagon Wheel, an Everlasting Tradition, and Zoe and Camp Huawni, Her 2nd Home.

We loved having each of you be a part of the Huawni Film Festival. Thank you to all of our contestants and to those who voted for your favorite video. We can’t wait to see you this summer!!

much love,
 Ashley

Have you ever realized that some of the best ways to express how you feel is through music? The Henderson Crew (Alyssa, Addison, Grace, Ava, Addison, Addie, Milee, Kenlee,& Carlie) can relate to this. Not only did they come up with a rap song of their love for their favorite East Texas summer camp, Camp Huawni, they also recorded it to share with their Huawni family and friends. Check out their video below, and who knows, maybe one day you’ll seem them on the big stage! And don’t forget – only 3 days left before the big winner is announced! Tell your friends and family to vote for your favorite Huawni video on Facebook (click here) or YouTube (click here).

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If you could make a rap video about Huawni, what would you say?

 Ashley, Camp Administrative Assistant

Camp is filling up fast, and some of our sessions are almost full. Be sure and sign up today so that you can get your Camp James Avery Jewelry (must sign up by 3/30 to get it this summer) and so that we get to experience another magical summer together. Plus – some sessions are almost full!

Please contact us at 817-768-3854, by email at fun@camphuawni.com to sign up today, or enroll below.

ENROLL HERE! 

The Rappin’ Styles of Camp Huawni by the Henderson Crew – 15
Camp Huawni: the Adventure by Amber – 12
Believe by Addie, Addison, & Milee - 3
An Unforgettable Huawni Summer by Logan – 2
Where the Fun Never Sets by Hannah – 2
Wagon Wheel, an Everlasting Tradition by Ali and Hayner – 1
Zoe & Camp Huawni, Her Second Home – 1

Zoe from Marshall, Texas is one our many campers who embraces her summer days and nights with fun-filled activities. But for many of us, we don’t give ourselves this opportunity. Have you ever thought to yourself, “man, where has the time gone?” I have for sure. And the older I get, the more this thought occurs to me. Somewhere in the last few years our culture developed the concept that we must pack in the hours and days with as much as possible. It can be exhausting, and honestly, it can deprive us of finding who we really are. But when summer hits, Huawni campers rejoice in returning to their Second Home and living out their summer in a carefree manner where they can just be themselves. Zoe shares her story of how this East Texas summer camp holds a special place in her heart.

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The countdown has begun! Only 4 more days to cast your vote on your favorite Huawni Film. Be sure to like which video you want to see win – and remember – your vote can count twice – once on Facebook (www.facebook.com/camphuawni) and once on YouTube (www.youtube.com/HuawniFilmFestival).

 Ashley, Camp Administrative Assistant 

An Unforgettable Huawni Summer by Logan – 2
Believe by Addie, Addison, & Milee - 3
Camp Huawni: the Adventure by Amber – 12
The Rappin’ Styles of Camp Huawni by the Henderson Crew – 15
Wagon Wheel, an Everlasting Tradition by Ali and Hayner – 1
Where the Fun Never Sets by Hannah – 2
Zoe & Camp Huawni, Her Second Home – 1

Have you ever been on an adventure that has changed your life? For Amber and her fellow Huawni Family, this is happens every year. When you experience Camp Huawni, you experience more than just a summer camp. Huawni is a magical place for our campers and families (and for our Alumni as well!), and Amber weaves a story for us on why it’s so special to her. Catch a peek at her video below, and don’t forget to vote! Deadline for the Huawni Film Festival is March 31. Visit www.facebook.com/camphuawni and/or www.youtube.com/HuawniFilmFestival to cast your vote by liking your favorite video. But don’t wait – you only have a couple of days to get your vote in.

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We can’t wait to see who wins the Film Festival!

 Ashley Hamilton, Camp Administrative Assistant