Special news for this coming summer's Chickasaws
As members of our Junior Camp, our 4 year old boys and girls receive very special care. Small groups and very personalized attention are fundamental to our approach.
The Chickasaw program is a true, full day camp experience. It is not simply an extension of a nursery school program. The program consists of a careful balance of outstanding swimming and sports programs, creative and performing arts, specialty activities and an array of special events. The day includes rest period after lunch and is properly paced to ensure that the full day experience is successful.
We are currently busy planning this program, including many new and exciting activities for you. Here is a preview. Also, for a typical weekly schedule, click here.
LEARNING TO SWIM AT CAMP HILLARD
Our beautiful 7 heated swimming pools are the place to be! Campers are able to move up from our Junior camp pools to our mid-sized pools to our Olympic-size pools as their ability increases.
Chickasaws swim primarily in pools #1, #4, and #5. These pools are designed for young children, providing an excellent learning and teaching environment.
Our swim program features:
• 40-minute swim lessons each morning (not including time for swim change).
• Small Camp Hillard Aquatics Groups organized by ability. All groups are taught by certified instructors.
• Water adjustment activities for hesitant swimmers.
• More formal instruction for advanced swimmers. Deep-water instruction is always on a one-to-one basis.
• Towels are provided by Camp for all swim periods.
Afternoon Free swim is a highlight of the day!
• 40-minute long periods.
• Free swim is full of fun, including our slides, boat races, rafts and our special swim events.
• Proper safety and supervision at all times.
CAMP HILLARD SPORTS
We pride ourselves on the quality of instruction provided to our younger campers.
Our emphasis is on building campers confidence and self-esteem, as well as developing gross and fine motor skills.
Each activity involves a combination of skill instruction, game play and plenty of fun!
There is a great VARIETY OF SPORTS for younger campers including:
• Basketball • Mini Golf • Hockey • Soccer •
• Flag Football • Gymnastics • Tennis • Group Games • Softball •
Younger campers use equipment designed especially for them such as:
• Quality Instruction provided by our sports staff
• Smaller basketball hoops and basketballs
• Different size bats and batting tees as well as counselor pitching for campers who are ready
• Lite flight foam balls provide success in fielding and hitting
• Pitch backs to learn to throw and catch
• Junior-size soccer balls designed to allow younger campers to learn proper skills
AN ACTIVE PROGRAM WHERE FUN AND LEARNING GO HAND-IN-HAND
SPECIALTY ACTIVITIES
Chickasaws also participate in weekly specialty activities including:
• Miniature Golf
Chickasaws play on our one-of-a-kind course that challenges campers with Creative Play at Hillardexciting holes such as the one in which campers climb the tower, hit the ball into a hole, and watch the ball travel down the zig-zap flume as it makes its way to the flagstick below.
• Creative Play
Our unique state-of-the art facility features numerous slides, climbing equipment, and creative play areas which provide campers with a safe and fun experience that they will love.
• Zip Line
The Chickasaw program also features the Zip-Line, a safe and controlled activity in which they experience the thrill of zipping down a cable.
• Tennis
Chickasaws are scheduled weekly for tennis and play on our Mini-Tennis courts. Campers are introduced to the basics using smaller racquets and specially designed tennis balls.
• Non-Motorized Go Karts
This activity combines physical fitness and fun. Campers pedal ride themselves around our new race track in our 4-wheel non-motorized racecars.
• Gymnastics/Ninja Warrior
Our gymnastics/ninja warrior program for Chickasaws includes such camp favorites as variety of balance beams, inflatable tumble track, cargo net climb, trapezie swing, obstacle course challenges.
CREATIVE AND PERFORMING ARTS
Chickasaws participate in our Creative and Performing Arts program.
The PERFORMING ARTS programs for Chickasaw girls features music and theater. Weekly Theater classes consist of combining lines, music, and singing.
MUSIC is a Camp Hillard favorite. Campers learn popular songs as well as the traditional Camp Hillard songs. Campers also practice for the annual Tribal Song & Cheer contest. Chickasaws also perform on stage as part of the performing arts programs.
Campers make weekly projects during HILLART. Projects have included Handprint Trees, Clay Doughnuts, painting, and Line Dot Collages. New projects are being planned for this summer.
The Camp Hillard NATURE Center is an exciting spot at camp. Our animals and other fun activities are a hit with all campers. This summer will feature new projects as well as some of the campers favorites.
JR. CAMP SPECIAL EVENTS PREVIEW 2025
Each summer Camp Hillard features both annual and new special events. These events are scheduled throughout the summer and complement the regular program.
Here are some of this year's highlights:
• Annual Lollipop Hunt
• Carnival at Hillard
• Marshmallow and SMores Roasts
• Tribal Song and Cheer Contest
• 97th Year Celebration
• Special Camp Show
• Talent Show
• Themed Dress-up Day
• Festival of Fun
• Carnival Extravaganza
