5 Ways to Spend Free Time: West Coast Honor Camp Thursday through Friday

West Coast Honor Camp offers a variety of activities for the three hours campers have after Cabin Rest. There's stuff for the beach-goers, the swimmers, the wildlife hunters, the speedsters, the crafters, and even the wanderers and sleepers. Here are a few old-time favorites and at least one brand new to this 2012 camp year.

Campers race around the Lassen Pines Speedway at Free Time
Photo provided by Laura Carpenter

Lassen Pines Speedway

At the Lassen Pines Speedway, you can race against four other campers or staff members in one of the all-new go karts (much faster than the old ones). Steer your way around the winding track, dodge the side barriers, squeal tires on curves, and collide with the other races other as you battle for first. Tickets can be purchased at the Snack Shack on the beach.

Gutterball

Opposite the speedway, on the other side of camp, is the most popular hangout during the Free Time hours — the beach. Here, you'll find campers spending their entire Free Time competing at one of the four Gutterball tables. The tables are long, narrow alleys with a "gutter," or deep square pocket, at each end. In front of each pocket are seven circular indents, arranged in a 2-3-2 pattern. Seven pool balls are placed in these indents, resulting in 14 balls on the table. You bowl a 15th ball down the length of the table in an attempt to knock your opponent's balls into the gutter. Then they bowl down the table to hit yours. The winner is the first to clear all seven of his opponent's balls. This game has multiple optional special rules, which are determined each game by the table's current champion.

Fishing

Maybe you like water, but not the noise, crowds, or flying sand associated with the beach. Then you may be interested in checking out a fishing pole, bucket, and bait from Philip Bairrington  at the Nature Center. You can choose from a wide selection of bait, including salmon eggs, Power Bait, and plastic eggs in a variety of colors — all at no cost to the you. Once equipped, you could catch bluegill, green sunfish, golden shiner, mosquito fish, or trout (planted right before camp from Darrah Springs Hatchery). If you have a successful day, then perhaps you can enter into one of Bairrington's contests — daily contests for the number of fish caught or the size of the fish (longest or shortest).

Campers create duct tape flowers. There are also patterns for
wallets, handbags,and notebook covers.
Photo provided by Laura Carpenter

Duct Tape

But maybe you're the more artistic type. In which case, you may make your Free Time home at the Rec. Hall among others working on crafts. This year, you could try a new craft was added to the repertoire: duct tape art. You have the option to craft flowers, notebook covers, handbags and wallets from a rainbow of colored and patterned duct tape.

Blob

The floating red-and-blue striped pillow only made a guest appearance this year, but this camp classic expected to return to West Coast Honor Camp 2013. Just off the beach, you slowly climb the ladder to the top platform as your neon orange life jacket brushes against the wood. When you reach the edge of the platform, you look down at the floating pillow that appears to be nearly two stories below. You brace yourself by placing your hands on the side rails, and then you silently count to three before thrusting yourself forward into the air. In seconds, you feel the pillow give way under you. When the bouncing stops, you crawl your way to the other end, then sit with your knees bent and arms braced at your side. Your heart and mind race as you wait for the next person to jump. In moments, as the person behind you makes contact with the pillow, you find yourself several feet in the air, hands and legs flailing as you plunge into the water.

These are just a small selection of the Free Time options at Camp. There is something for everyone, whatever your interests are.

Thursday Night's Chapel Lesson: Standing Up When You Feel Down
WCHC 2012 Final Verse Card Count: 174
Junior High Armor: Sword of the Spirit
Special night of reflection tonight, then preparing for home. Prayers for safe travels.

For more information about Awana Clubs International, visit the Awana Homepage
To find a club in your area visit the Club Locator.