Special news for this coming summer's Comanche Girls
As the older of our Middle Camp tribes, the Comanche Girls (typically entering 2nd grade) are involved in many of the activities they enjoyed as Cheyennes last summer, as well as an introduction to some of the activities enjoyed by our senior campers.
While groups remain small and personal, Comanche Girls participate in more advanced swimming and sports instruction, sports leagues, expanded creative and performing arts programs, and new specialty activities and special events.
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.
SWIMMING AT CAMP HILLARD
Comanche Girls swim twice a day in our 2 Olympic-size south campus pools
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.
Our certified swim staff provides Comanches with an opportunity to develop individual skills in a challenging, safe, and supportive environment.
Comanche girls swim twice a day in our 2 Olympic-size pools at South Campus. Pool #6 is a 25-meter long pool that is 3 1/2 feet in the shallow end and 9 feet in the deep end and includes a 3/4-meter diving board. Pool #7 is a 25-yard pool which is 3 feet to 5 feet deep. This state of the art swim facility allows our older campers to continue to improve and be challenged at all swimming levels.
The pool complex also is highlighted by a ¾ meter diving board and our 135 foot long Water Park Slide!
Our swim program also features:
• 40-minute swim lessons each morning.
• Small Camp Hillard Aquatics Groups organized by ability. All groups are taught by certified instructors.
• Instruction in all major strokes, elementary diving, and water safety.
• More formal instruction for advanced swimmers in deep water.
Campers can also earn Camp Hillard Length Swim Buttons and American Red Cross cards.
Afternoon Free swim is a highlight of the day!
• 40-minute long periods.
• Free swim is full of fun, including the water park slide, diving board, boat races, swim races, water polo, water basketball, and our special swim events such as our crazy dives contest and annual swim races.
• Proper safety and supervision at all times.
• Towels are provided by Camp for all swim periods.
CAMP HILLARD SPORTS
As a Comanche, you will get a chance to further develop all of your sports skills and participate in new activities.
Our emphasis is always on developing athletic skills, learning, and having fun.
There is a great VARIETY OF SPORTS for Comanche Girls including:
• Softball • Basketball • Group Choice • Boxball • Archery •
• Field Hockey • Lacrosse • Soccer • Gymnastics • Tennis •
• Flag Football • Walled Soccer • GaGa • Volleyball/Newcomb •
In addition to game play in all sports, instruction is provided by some of the finest coaches in the area:
• All equipment is specially designed to enhance proper technique and success.
• Basketball instruction includes all the fundamentals and full-court games.
• Softball sessions for girls emphasize proper throwing, catching, fielding, and hitting techniques.
• Soccer clinics to learn the basics of dribbling, passing, shooting, and positioning.
SPORTS LEAGUES
Comanche Girls take part in weekly sports leagues. Games are closely supervised, with an emphasis on strengthening skills, rules of the game, good sportsmanship, and teamwork. Campers participate in basketball, field hockey, softball and soccer.
SPECIALTY ACTIVITIES
• Individual Activity Choice
This popular camp program provides campers with an opportunity to choose an activity they would like to concentrate on. The program offers many choices so that campers can take part in different activities. The more popular choices include:
• ARCHERY • BATTING CAGES • MINI GOLF • LACROSSE •
• GOLF SKILLS CENTER • SCATCH • AEROBIC BOXING •
• GYMNASTICS • ZUMBA • CHEERLEADING • CLIMBING WALL •
• ZIP LINE • TENNIS • GA-GA • FLYING SQUIRREL •
• Tennis
Comanches take part in weekly small group instruction and special clinics, and play on our bigger courts at South Campus. Campers use properly sized racquets, ball machines, and other stations to develop more advanced skills. Comanches also can choose to play more tennis during Individual Activity Choice.
• Bigger Zip Line, Flying Squirrel and Climbing Wall
Comanches graduate to our thrilling Upper Zip Line, a safe and controlled activity in which they walk up stairs to a platform 15' high, and then experience the thrill of zipping down a 200' long cable. Comanches also get to experience two other outdoor adventure activities - the "giant swing" called the Flying Squirrel, and our 30ft climbing wall.
• Ga-Ga
Comanches will be scheduled throughout the summer to play this popular activity which combines the elements of dodgeball and boxball.
• Miniature Golf
Our one-of-a-kind 9-hole course challenges campers with exciting holes and obstacles such as a hole in which campers must climb to the top of a 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.
• Golf Skills Center
The Golf Skills Center provides campers with the opportunity to learn golf skills in a fun and successful way. The golf skills center utilizes a program called SNAG Golf (Starting New At Golf), a program that introduces golfers to the fundamentals of driving, pitching and chipping skills. SNAG Golf utilizes special equipment to correctly teach the game of golf in a way that's easier for 7 year olds. The driving range allows campers to hit real golf balls with real clubs designed for kids.
• Gymnastics
Gymnastics for Comanches includes such camp favorites as tumble track, the high and low balance beams, vaulting, ropes, trapize swing, swinging ladder, cargo net and Ninja Warrior Obstacle Course. Comanche girls can also choose extra gymnastics during Individual Activity Choice.
• 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.
• Optional off-site Horseback Riding Program
This very popular program allows campers to participate in formal riding instruction at Twin Lake Farms in Bronxville. The program is for riders of all levels. An extra fee is required for this program.
CREATIVE AND PERFORMING ARTS
Comanches participate in an expanded Creative and Performing Arts Program.
The THEATER Program features special performances combining lines, music, and choreography. These shows are truly a memorable experience for our Comanche Girls!
MUSIC is a Camp Hillard favorite. Campers sing popular songs and learn about song movement rhythm orchestra, composing games and traditional Camp Hillard songs. Campers also practice their songs in preparation for the annual Tribal Song & Cheer contest. Go Comanches!
Campers make weekly projects during ARTS & CRAFTS. Campers are involved in Jewelry and Bead Making as well as other Traditional Arts & Crafts including projects such as Memory Wire Bracelets, Max Heart Flags, Pearl Accent with Seed Bead Necklaces, Weekend Bags, Magic Wands with Lanyard, and more.
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.
COMANCHES 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
• Marshmallow and SMores Roasts
• Special Camp Show
• Themed Dress-up Day
• Green & White Spirit Week
• Ice Cream Party
• Talent Show
• Festival of Fun
• 97th Year Celebration
• Carnival Extravaganza
