Activities
Camp activities are structured to give each camper the opportunity to have fun while learning more about themselves, their peers, and the world around them. Most outdoor activities take place in the cooler hours of the morning, surrounded by the Santa Catalina Mountains and Sabino Creek. After lunch in our air-conditioned cafeteria, most activities take place in air-conditioned activity rooms or in the swimming pool.
Swimming
What would summertime be without swimming?
The swimming pool is the center of activity at Fenster Ranch Summer Camp, and all campers are given one hour of free swim time in the afternoon. Our pool is enormous, and is carefully monitored by a certified Lifeguard at all times. We have two low diving boards at the deep end of the pool which provide endless fun for the “flying fish” at camp. We provide lots of pool toys, including diving rings, inflatable animals and oodles of noodles for floating. Our pool also offers an area for the 5-6 year olds who don’t have much experience or comfort in deeper water. In addition to our awesome Lifeguard, counselors are strategically positioned around the swimming pool to make sure campers are safe and having fun at all times.
Swimming Lessons & Water Games
No matter what your child’s swimming ability may be, our Lifeguard will improve their skills in the water. For the second summer, Victoria returns to camp as our awesome Lifeguard! Many of her swim lessons focus on swimming pool safety, getting comfortable in the water, swimming above and below the surface, treading water, conserving energy while swimming, efficient strokes, shallow and deep water diving, and ways to always stay safe when in the water. Victoria also has lots of fun and exciting water games that keep the campers paddling.
Climbing & Ropes Course Activities
The Ropes Course at Fenster Ranch Summer Camp is one of the things that makes our camp the ultimate outdoor adventure experience for kids. Campers climb high on a variety of challenging and rewarding elements, such as the Tarzan Vines, Cargo Net, Climbing Wall, Flying Squirrel, Burma Bridge, Mission Impossible, Zip Line, and everybody’s favorite…The Screamer!
All campers wear harnesses and helmets specifically designed for rock climbing. Campers are always attached to a rope that is connected to a trained counselor. The Ropes Course is professionally built, regularly inspected, and is the safest and most effective way for youth to elevate their self-confidence. Campers can climb within their limits of comfort up to a maximum vertical height of 55 feet. Counselors encourage campers to push their limits while remaining sensitive to their limitations.
Topics such as calming breaths, focusing on goals, conquering fears, taking safe risks and celebrating success at all levels are a daily part of the ropes course experience. The Ropes Course is the definition of FUN!
Bicycling
Riding bicycles is an essential part of childhood (some say it’s a close to flying as you’ll ever get) which is why we’re offering a bicycling program again this summer. Kids of all ages and abilities will have the opportunity to pedal along the private roads and trails throughout camp. Kids bikes with training wheels, BMX and front-suspension geared mountain bikes are available.
Even if your child does not know how to ride a bicycle, we’ll work with them to learn the basics. For intermediate riders we cruise through a variety of terrain, including paved roads, smooth dirt roads and the easier trails located throughout our 150-acre property. Riding through the sprinklers on the soccer field is a cool treat on hot summer days. For the more experienced rider we’ll develop more advanced skills, including cornering, descending and riding more challenging terrain.
All campers are equipped with helmets, gloves and bicycles.
If your child prefers to ride their own bike, just bring it to camp in the morning.
Horseback Riding
Since 1944 Fenster Ranch Summer Camp has offered horseback riding to Tucson’s youth. We continue the tradition with the help of wranglers from Spanish Trail Outfitters, one of Southern Arizona’s most respected riding stables. The have their stables right on our property and have handpicked the safest and most trustworthy horses to use for our summer camp program.
Campers will get to ride horses once a week on the private trails winding through the desert and Sabino Creek. Professional horseback riding helmets are provided, and campers must wear closed-toe shoes while on horseback. Long pants are also recommended.
Horseback riding is offered to campers 7 – 11 years of age. Anyone under the age of 7 has to wait until next summer to ride, but will get to spend time with the horses and will participate in a horse-oriented activity once a week. In order for your child to participate in horseback riding, the liability waiver must be signed and returned to the camp director on or before your child’s first day of camp.
We feel that the human-horse connection is very valuable, and many lessons can be learned about oneself while in the presence of horses. Riding through Sabino Creek on the back of a horse is an essential part of Fenster Ranch Summer Camp, and we’re confident that your child will love the experience.
Sports & Games
Every day campers have one hour of sports and games time, and because there are so many fun sports and games to play, and we try to do them all! Fenster Ranch Summer Camp has basketball and tennis courts, soccer and volleyball fields, as well as a huge grassy area that is the perfect place to play just about any game. We focus on cooperation, not competition. Flying kites, playing hackey sack, pitchin’ horseshoes and taking nature walks are just a few of our planned sports. We also rely on our creative counselors to facilitate fun and exciting games.
Arts & Crafts
At Fenster Ranch Summer Camp we try to balance outdoor adventure with well-planned creativity in our air-conditioned classrooms. Melissa “Fig” returns for her second summer to bring out the creative side of all our campers. Her activities are always fun, and you’ll be amazed at what your child can create. We offer an outstanding program that uses recycled materials to create works of art. This reinforces the benefits of recycling, and helps young people to “think before you toss.” What was once trash is transformed into beautiful, original, artistic expression.
Archery
For campers in the 10-11 year-old age group we offer an archery program. This ancient art encourages focus, breathing, setting an intention, determination and believing in oneself. And the results are immediately obvious. Our archery program is safe, rewarding and helps develop critical skills within youth.
Special Activity
Every day we offer an exciting hour called Special Activity. This activity can be something that our individual counselors have planned, and other times we bring in special guests to lead the activity. Many campers say that Special Activity time is their favorite. It’s what keeps camp exciting, diverse and unpredictable.
Some of the Special Activities we’ve offered in the past include:
African drumming, making and breaking piñatas, hiking and outdoor exploration, flying kites, Brazilian capoeira dancing, harvesting desert foods, GPS treasure hunts, tie-dyeing, solar oven cooking, karaoke, wild animals of the Sonoran Desert, throwing boomerangs, playing the African thumb piano, rock art, throwing frisbees, karate for kids, pottery, batik, pitching horseshoes, painting a community mural, yoga for kids, music of the Australian outback, singing silly songs, group games, and much more!
Special Activity is like a box of chocolates…you never know what you’re going to get, but every one is a treat!
