Winter Activities

  • Campers learn basic cross-country skills from our instructors as they ski through meadows and pine groves.

  • While learning about human history, students travel back in time to become millers and bakers. By grinding their own wheat berries, throwing ingredients into the flour, and kneading the dough, students make delicious homemade bread. While the bread is baking, students make butter the old-fashioned way and enjoy spreading it on warm bread right out of the oven!

  • Depending on snow conditions, we may build block shelters or pile the snow and carve out quinsies. This is a great team building exercise as well. Time permitting, we take a guided tour of each shelter on the final morning of your visit.

  • We go sledding during every free moment and always have a roaring fire and hot chocolate waiting in the Great House.

  • This activity begins indoors with a lesson on identifying animal tracks. Then we strap on snowshoes and become winter detectives, looking for signs of animal activity around LOC property. Along the way, we learn more about the nivean environment and discuss wintertime habitat and adaptations of local wildlife.

  • Students re-live Jack London’s nail-biting tale of survival. Staff provides instruction in winter fire building and survival. Each group has a single match. Will they succeed?

Evening Programs

*Evening programming is an extra $5/student per night up to 2 nights. If your group comes for more than 2 nights, there is no additional evening program charge after the initial charge.

  • LOC would not be the same without songs, stories, and games around a roaring fire. We do bonfires year-round in our pine forest.

  • This is a staff favorite! Boys and girls go on separate, guided journeys into the woods and fields at night. Each hike is unique and may include storytelling, stargazing, or an unusual encounter with nocturnal wildlife.

  • Local talent Pat Niemisto and Norm Wheeler provide an interactive experience filled with songs, stories, and poetry.

  • Enjoy local storyteller Jenifer Strauss of “Story Be Told” as she leads students in storytelling and improvisational games. Read more about Jen here.

  • Learn more about birds of prey from a local raptor rehabilitation center! Live birds are brought in by knowledgeable educators so participants can better understand these amazing creatures in our own backyard. Learn more about this organization here. Best for groups smaller than 60.