Cabin Overnights: A Night in the Woods

Each session at Falling Creek, every cabin heads out for an overnight camping trip together. These take place in open-air wooden shelters tucked into beautiful spots around camp — by a stream, in a grove of trees, or along the ridge. It’s a chance to cook over a fire, share s’mores and stories, and fall asleep to the sounds of the forest.

“I was nervous about snakes,” said Tripp, a Betula camper from Charleston who surprised himself by enjoying the overnight. “But we didn’t see any!”

“You see connections on overnights that don’t happen in the cabin. You build trust in the woods and around a campfire. It is my favorite part of the summer.” — AJ Johnson, Betula Line, Cabin 36 counselor on cabin bonding

Before heading out, boys pack their sleeping bags, raincoats, water bottles, and a flashlight. Dinner supplies are picked up from the Dining Hall — often fajitas, quesadillas, or mac & cheese — then shared among their backpacks before hiking out.

“Not everyone has had the experience of spending a night outside,” remarked Will Wilson, Outdoor Adventure Director. “It allows groups of boys to focus on each other. Being outside their comfort zone promotes growth—it stretches their limits and expands their definition of what ‘comfortable’ can be.”

The shelters are wooden platforms with roofs, so boys are protected from the elements while still surrounded by nature. There’s no need for tents or tarps — just fresh air, quiet trails, and time to unplug.

“For some boys, their biggest fear is running into animals—or just the great unknown. But when they face it with courage and push through, those same skittish boys come back to camp more engaged. They start participating in more activities and showing interest in things they were laid-back about before.” — Counselor AJ Johnson, reflecting on growth during overnights

After dinner and s’mores, each cabin shares reflections during Evening Embers, a nightly tradition at camp. Then it’s lights out — or rather, stars above and headlamps off inside the shelter.

“Talking around a campfire is different than sitting in the Dining Hall,” said Webby, a returning Betula counselor. “When we’re outside, we’re more open to thinking about things on the inside—like God, ourselves, and how we see the world.”

At Falling Creek, the cabin overnight isn’t just about camping. It’s about courage, connection, and discovering what’s possible when you lean into a new experience — together.

A note to parents: If you receive a letter around this time that sounds homesick, please know that’s totally normal — especially after trying something new like the overnight.

Now that the boys have been here for a couple of days and camp is still new to them, this can be a time when homesickness could begin to show in some of them. Homesickness is completely normal and we’re prepared to work with each boy, as no situation is the same.

If you do get a homesick letter in the mail over these next few days, don’t panic. These feelings are common for all campers at some point throughout the session.

Please be assured that if your son shows any continuing signs of homesickness, we will be in touch with you. A good rule of thumb typically is that no news from us is good news, and the homesickness usually passes quickly.

The boys are learning to be independent and resilient, and you are giving them a great opportunity to do that by allowing them to be at camp.