The Great Reveal!

Summer 2017 Themes! 

We have will now reveal the most top secret information- the weekly themes for summer 2017. We use these themes to plan our Big Events and the Village Activities! We are so excited for some new action packed games and fun this year! Which theme are you most excited about?  

Session 1 - Cats vs Dogs

Cats are trying to take over Mystic Lake it is up to the Dogs to stop them. Cats are taking all that belongs to the dogs, including the toys. Are you willing to help the dogs keep control of camp or are you going to help the cats take over?

Session 2 - Treasure Hunters

A long time ago, when Pirates roamed the shores of Mystic Lake they hid their gold all over the 600 acres we now call camp. Come hunt for the treasure with maps and other clues that will led us to the treasure chests.

Session 3 - Space Travels

Come travel through space where we will visit Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. Maybe a new planet will be discovered through our travels or even an alien!

Session 4 - Monster Madness

Monster have escaped from their world and landed on Earth. They are roaming the shores of Mystic Lake and causing lots of destruction. Come help us save camp from the Monsters before camp is no longer ours!

Session 5 - Into The Past 

Jump into the time machine and travel back through time. Travel to when dinosaurs roamed the earth, to when we thought the world was flat and back to when the fur trade was how people made a living. Be sure not to change anything though or it could change the whole future.

Session 6 - Superheroes vs Villains

Villains are taking over Mystic Lake! Superheroes are being held hostage and they need your help to get out and defeat the Villains. Help defeat the Villains by finding where the Superheroes are at and rescuing them with your superpowers.

Session 7 - Around the World

Ever wanted to travel all around the world? Come travel with us! Grab your passport we are going to travel to 6 different countries. See the native animals, try the local cuisine and visit the most famous landmarks from each stop.

Session 8 - Mystical Magic

Come cast spells and defeat dragons with us! Witches and wizards are at camp looking to see who has the magic to join them at the castle. Do you have the magic that it takes to join them and to defeat the dragons and giants that are trying to take over?

Whats Going on at Camp in the Winter?

Hello Mystic Family! You are probably wondering what in the world goes on here at Mystic Lake in the winter. Well actually, lots of stuff! Though we are not as busy as our summer camp months we are still rocking and rolling. We have so much to prep for summer along with all these other great activities! 

We wrapped up a fantastic fall Outdoor Education season- we worked with schools new and old to engage their students with the natural world. Students spent time doing team building, animal survival games, hiking to the bog, canoeing in the lake and creating bonds with their classmates. We had some of the funniest skits we have ever seen performed by students. The staff favorite skits were when the campers pretended to be the staff and had spot on impressions! The impressions included our obsessions with nature, with our clipboards and with our camp spirit. 

We had a spooky Halloween Camp- complete with spooky trick or treating, spooky pumpkin carving and spooky over use of the work spooky. We even had spooky pancakes for breakfast! We are getting ready for our Winter in the Woods Camp and are hoping for snow here on the shores so we can do all of our winter activities! Even without snow there will be new friends to be made and new skills learned here December 27- 30, spots are still open for registration! 

It also is the most wonderful time of the year! Not Christmas- hiring season! We are so looking forward to all of the applicants we will meet this summer and cannot wait to be reunited with our favorite staff from last year. The summer staff are looking forward to seeing their 2016 campers and are excited to share their new games, skits, songs and activities with the 2017 summer campers! Registration is open now! 

We also are prepping for our alumni event! Mark your calendars for the event of the year! March 31st, 5:30-8:30 pm at Woldumar Nature Center in Lansing. We will be gathering to share memories and reunite with friends new and old. Woldumar Nature Center has long roots with Mystic, their Executive Director, Kevin Wernet was on staff at camp and our Program Director, Amiee Woodrow was on staff at Woldumar prior to working at Mystic Lake! Small world!

Stay connected with us throughout the year. If you have any questions about camp's happenings or need help with registration for Winter in the Woods or summer 2017 please call camp and we would be happy to help you! 517- 827- 9650. 

Happy camping. 

Meet more of the 2016 Mystic Lake Staff! We are coming close to summer this year! 

Hey Hi Hello! My name is Ty! Long time camper, first time counselor! The local Y was my childhood home and adolescent occupation, but Mystic is my first true blue bonafide summer sleepaway! I'm just as excited as your kiddo, no doubt. As is typically the case! I'm a Sophomore at Grand Valley State University, pursuing an emphasis in Animation! In my spare time, I've got a tick for public speaking and storytelling, dabbling in theater and radio drama in my Freshman year. Tall tales and theatrics are what draw us together; nonsense is the only way to make the world make sense! I'm most excited to share that with campers - through music, performance, and even some friendly Fencing!

Hey! My name is Julian and I'm from Okemos, Michigan. This is my first year as a counselor, and sixth total at Mystic. Outside of camp I play guitar and percussion, and spend a lot of time hiking outside, but mostly I just spend time with friends. I'm super excited to be a counselor this summer, and I can't wait to spend as much time outside as possible, singing songs and living the life.

Hello! My name is Jacob and I am from Mt.Pleasant, Michigan. This will be my first year as a counselor and I was never a camper at Mystic Lake, unfortunately. Outside of camp I really enjoy listening to music and hanging with friends. This summer I most excited to meet new people.

Hi everyone! My name is Sarah and I am from Mt. Pleasant, MI. This will be my third summer as a counselor. Outside of camp I enjoy reading, going to the park, hammocking, and being with amazing humans. This summer I am most excited to get to know all of the wonderful people this summer!

Hi to all Mystic Lake campers and parents. My name is Dario, and this is my first year at Mystic Lake. I was born in Madison, Wisconsin, but spent the past fifteen years calling Ann Arbor, Michigan my home. Go Blue! In high school I rowed crew and played basketball recreationally. I’m a loyal fan of Detroit sports, which sometimes creates conflicting interests with my native Wisconsin's inner cheesehead. This summer I am really looking forward to spending substantial time in the outdoors and detaching from society for a while.

Greetings! My name is Patrick and I am from Lansing, MI. I was a camper for a total of 11 summers and this will be my second year as a counselor. When I am not playing in the snow at camp I enjoy wrestling, running with my dogs and stargazing. This summer I am most excited to see new and old faces and the best summer ever!!

Arggg everyone!! My name is Claudia and I'm from Waterford, Michigan. This is my 3rd summer on staff but sadly I was never a camper. Outside of camp I like to geocache, read, and hammock in my spare time. I'm most excited for STEM and s'macos (s'more tacos!).

Hi everyone! My name is Kyla and I'm from Okemos, Michigan. I never did get the chance to attend Mystic Lake as a camper but this will be my 2nd year as a counselor, woohoo!! Some hobbies that I enjoy are swimming, yoga and of course, relaxing whenever I get the chance. I am so excited to be back here for another summer of fun! I cannot wait to meet new campers and create memories that I will remember forever. I hope this summer is the best summer ever and I am so grateful to be a part of it! See you all soon.

Time for Round two of meet the summer 2016 staff!

 My name is Claire and I am from Gaylord, MI. I've been coming to Mystic Lake since 4th grade and this will be my second year as counselor!! I love going to baseball games, playing volleyball, and going to the beach. I'm most excited to meet new campers, build relationships with them, and show them how fun camp can be.

Hi, I'm Casey and this is my first year as a camp counselor. I'm from Holt, Michigan but attend college at Central Michigan University. Some of my hobbies include kayaking, hiking, and watching the sunset. I'm so excited to meet all the kids and other staff members and to have a ton of fun this summer!

Hello! My name is Jacob and I am from Okemos, MI. This will be my 8th year at Mystic and my first year as a counselor. In my free time I enjoy skiing, snowboarding, rip-sticking, biking, video games and anything that involves being outside.  I am super excited for camp to begin and to create new memories with my campers that we will share forever.

Hi, I'm Carlee and this is my second year as a counselor at Mystic. My hobbies include reading, singing, and being kind to others. I am most excited to watch the sunsets on Mystic Lake and share my love of the outdoors with campers.

Hello! My name is Cassie and I am from Springfield, Ohio. This will be my second year as a counselor. In my free time I enjoy reading and cooking. What I am most excited for are weekly campfires where everyone gets to be goofy and laugh a lot.

Hey everyone, I am Marcus and I'm originally from Southern California, but now live in Midland, MI. I've been going to camp for 6 years, 4 as a camper and this will be my second year as a counselor. Outside of camp I love music (I'm in two bands), tennis, golf, video games, and geocaching with friends. I'm really excited to meet new campers, and to see how old campers have grown.

Hey! I am Maddy and I'm from Midland, MI. I was a camper for 2 years and I've been a counselor for 4 years this upcoming summer. Outside of camp I play soccer at Albion college, guitar, piano, reading and writing. I'm most excited for another summer at camp where I can be outdoors having fun, making memories and having adventures with my campers! Also, I can't wait to be able to wake up and see that beautiful lake everyday again.

I am Cate and I am from Lansing, MI. I have been coming to camp for 7 years, but this will be my first year as a camp counselor. Outside of camp I like to take pictures, play lacrosse and travel. This year I am the most excited for all of the awesome people I’m going to meet and memories we are going to make!!!

It's time to begin meeting the Mystic Lake staff for this summer! Each week we will be introducing staff! These people are full of positive energy, fun, passionate and ready to give campers memories that will last a lifetime. They are the Mystic Lake counselors of summer 2016!

Hello, I am Matthew. I have been going to camp my whole life and have been working at Mystic for the past 4 years. I am always outdoors whether it is backpacking the North Country Trail and the Manistee River Trail or rock climbing in Colorado. I would rather be outside in the rain then inside on the prettiest days. Camp has helped me grow so much and has helped shaped myself in so many ways, and I cannot wait to help others have the same experiences and help them grow to love this place as much as I do. Can't wait to be a part of your summer.

Hi! My name is Sam. I am from West Bloomfield, Michigan. I was a camper at Mystic Lake for seven years. This is my first year as a counselor. I practice theatre, art and music. I'm studying Communication Studies and Hospitality/ Tourism Management at Grand Valley State University. I love being outside and playing games! I am super excited to explore the beautiful nature of Mystic Lake with my campers, and share with them the excitement of theatre.

Hi my name is Ben! This will be my first year at Mystic Lake as the Adventure Trips Counselor and actually my first year ever! I'm from Fraser, Michigan which is located in the Metro Detroit area. My hobbies outside of camp include music (I love singing and playing piano and other instruments), I really love to hike/backpack, and I enjoy reading especially poetry. I'm really excited to be leading campers on hiking trips and showing others how wonderful nature is!

Hi, I am Taylor. I was a camper for 9 year and this will be my 2nd year as a camp counselor. I am from Lansing, MI and outside of camp I do competitive cheerleading, Color Guard, and I am party of a Dance Company including pointe ballet and tap dance. I also assistant coach cheerleading at my cheer gym. I am very excited this summer to reconnect with old friend, and create new ones. Also, lots and lots of tie-dye.

I'm Michael, I've been a part of Mystic for 10 summers, 9 of them as a camper and last year was my first summer as a counselor. I come from Holt, Michigan, just south of Lansing. I love to ski in the winter and water ski in the summer, as well as archery year round. I'm most excited to meet all the new campers and make this summer as amazing as my summers were as a camper.

My name is Haley S, and this is my first year working at Mystic Lake as a counselor! I spent time as a camper at Mystic Lake during a class trip in 6th grade. I was born and raised in Clare, and now attend Central Michigan University where I study Recreation and Event Management. When I have free time I always find myself with my family and friends, and love to be on or near the water in the summer. This summer I'm looking forward to getting to know the campers and the rest of the Mystic staff, and seeing what fun new experiences camp has to offer!

My name is Maggie and I'm from Okemos, Michigan! Last summer as a CIT was my first time at Mystic Lake and this summer will be my first as a counselor. In my free time I enjoy spelunking, eating guacamole, and playing soccer with my friends. This summer I'm excited to go on lots of night hikes (and eat lots of smacos)!

Hi everyone! My name is Alyssa and I am from Okemos, MI.  I was a camper for 5 years and have been a counselor for 3 years. In my free time I play lacrosse and like to camp. I am most excited to teach kids new things and have them teach me things as well. I also am super excited to experience nature with my campers and teach them all the things I know about the outdoor world.

Ending Summer Learning Loss 

Through The Power of Camp

Mystic Lake is a place for fun and friendships, but did you also know its a place to keep camper's school skills sharp during the summer months? 

What is summer learning loss?

Summer Learning Loss is a decrease in academic level over the course of summer. The National Summer Learning Association (NSLA) survey indicated 66% of teachers spend 3-4 weeks at the beginning of the school year re-teaching previous year, 24% spend at least 5 weeks.

Regardless of income, most children lose 2 months of grade level equivalency in math skills every summer. More than half of the achievement gap between lower- and higher-income youth can be explained by unequal access to summer learning opportunities. As a result, low-income youth are less likely to graduate from high school or enter college (Alexander et al, 2007). Here at mystic all campers have access to programs to keep their skills sharp. 

What we do at Mystic to stop summer learning loss

Camp Readers - This program provides children with opportunities to read for a minimum of 30 minutes each day. Reading can be done during Open Choice, cabin time, rest hour and/or in a structured skill clinic. Staff read to kids, kids read on their own, kids read to other kids, etc. Research shows that a child reading for 30 minutes each day over the course of the summer can halt summer learning loss and help close the achievement gap.

STEM (Science Technology, Engineering and Math) programs can include plotting the scientific method, measuring data points and creating hypothesis all while creating working volcanoes in the sand at the waterfront. 

Creative Writing- Everything from comic book creations, short story writing, story performances and group challenges, campers can create imaginative tales to share with their cabin mates and counselors. You may even be able to get your hands on an issue of the Mystic Morning newspaper. 

Drama- Campers create a play in which they are the directors and performers in charge of developing characters, plot and the synopsis of their play. The campers perform their skits at the end of the week for all of camp.

We offer many other programs that keep campers learning, everything from calculating the trajectory of their archery shot to sitting the trot on horseback, campers learn new skills everyday at Mystic Lake. All of these choices help our campers stay sharp in school and gain success over the course of their academic careers. A week at summer camp helps campers to build their social skills, grow in their creativity, make friends and leave with a sense of accomplishment in their skill based classes. We can't wait to have the opportunity to offer these choices to your camper during summer 2016. 

Register now for summer 2016!

Early bird discount until March 31, 2016!