Camp Toccoa (summer camp)
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Camp Toccoa is a traditional summer camp in located in Toccoa, Georgia approximately 90 miles northeast of Atlanta. Camp Toccoa was founded in 1927 and is run by the Georgia Council[1] of the non-profit group Camp Fire USA.
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[edit] Programs
Camp Toccoa has a strong focus on the outdoors and personal development. Its programs typically reflect this focus.
[edit] Classic Camp
Classic camp offers campers a choice of several activities.
- Swimming - Both swimming lessons and daily free time at the pool are offered.
- Archery - Campers learn how to safely and accurately use a bow and arrow.
- Canoeing - Campers learn how to maneuver a canoe and engage in canoe-based games.
- Arts and Crafts - Pottery, painting, candle-making, lanyards, etc.
- Drama - Acting and improvisation with costumes and props.
- Nature - Campers are continually immersed in the natural world while at camp, and the Nature program uses activities such as short hikes to nearby ecological niche communities such as a waterfall, granite outcrop, small cave, etc. to illustrate the intricate interactions and roles played by different organisms both in specialized environments and in the world as a whole.
- Wilderness Skills - First aid, shelter construction, fire building, food acquisition, etc.
- Sports and Games - Basketball, volleyball, capture the flag, soccer, and more.
- Low Ropes Course - Sometimes known as a Challenge Course, this involves a series of activities designed to build confidence and interpersonal trust while pursuing solutions to novel problems as a team. This type of course is sometimes also used by business groups as a team-building exercise.
- High Ropes Course - Older campers can take part in the high elements of the ropes course. Most high elements are approximately 30 feet from the ground, and participants are protected by harnesses, ropes, and helmets.
[edit] Adventure Camp
Several different types of Adventure Camp are offered during the summer. Activities include indoor and outdoor rock climbing, backpacking, whitewater rafting, geocaching, and wilderness survival.
[edit] Horseback Camp
Horseback riding combined with instruction concerning the proper care and handling of horses. The instruction is tailored to match the skill level of the camper.
[edit] Leadership Training
There is a two-week leadership training program for 10th graders and a four-week Counselor In Training (CIT) program for 11th and 12th graders. The focus is on group leadership, including group organization, motivation, task planning and execution, team work, and handling of unforeseen situations.
[edit] Founding
Camp Toccoa was founded in 1927 by Mrs. Tom Brooke of the Camp Fire Girls Georgia Council [2]. The property is located near Toccoa Falls in Toccoa, Georgia. Camp Fire groups had previously camped at various sites, including the Toccoa Falls Institute (now Toccoa Falls College). With the purchase of these 186 acres, Camp Toccoa was born. The first buildings were begun on May 1, 1928 and by the time the first campers arrived on June 18, 1928, there were seven cabins that each housed seven girls and a counselor, a first aid cabin, the Director's Cabin, and the Lodge.
Girls arrived at camp those first years via the Camp Toccoa car of the Southern Railway.
The camp has since grown to include five units and serve girls and boys age 7 to 17.
[edit] Unit names
Omikse means "seekers of happiness."
Eluta means "friends" or "happy gathering place." Eluta was originally known as Pooh Corners and each cabin was named after an A.A. Milne character.
Yoki means "good fortune."
Talahi means "strong and willing hearts."
Keona means "high aspirations."
