Pioneers
Grades rising K - 1stOur Pioneer Campers participate in a wide variety of activities and programs that encourage personal growth as well as social and physical development.
Physical Development
Our Pioneers are on the move! We stay active all day long. With a full schedule, wide variety of activities, and energetic counselors these campers are developing physical skills in running, throwing, catching, dancing and so much more!
Social & Emotional Development
Campers are beginning to think about how they look in the eyes of others, we help them find their “comfort zone”. We support and teach good sportsmanship, offer love and support that our youngest campers crave, and help develop friendships!
Intellectual development
Pioneer campers love to ask questions, we help them find the answers! Through hands on experiences, positive interactions with staff and the confidence to problem solve our Pioneers take advantage of countless learning opportunities.
Group Participation
Recognizing our own strengths and how to help others is a big part of the Pioneer program. How our own choices affect our friends is an awakening for these campers. We take the opportunity to practice empathy, and positive communication with everyone at camp.
Fundamental Skills
Campers work on skills such as learning to tie shoes, swim underwater and greet a new friend. Building independence away from home helps campers feel safe and confident at camp. It is all part of what our Pioneers do on a daily basis.
Routines
Following a daily schedule helps our Pioneer campers feel safe. Our intentional programming and well-trained counselors always have a plan to keep our youngest campers on the move, happy, and engaged.
Our Pioneer Counselors
Warm, dedicated and enthusiastic staff include college students, educators, and coaches who come from across the United States and around the World. Chosen for their expertise and maturity, our staff are committed to helping every camper enjoy their days and grow as individuals during their experiences at Triple C Camp.
Pioneer Counselors understand the moment to moment needs of our youngest campers.
All About Pioneers
Through weekly themes these campers get hands-on opportunities to experience arts & crafts, nature projects, taking responsibility for camp animal care, sports & games, lead line horseback rides, and swimming. This program is designed to meet the unique social, emotional, intellectual and physical needs of a young camper.
Groups are separated by gender and have about 16 campers with 2-3 counselors. Gender specific groups allows the campers to discover their differences and their similarities in a socially and physically safe, fun environment.
Pioneer campers have swim lessons taught by American Red Cross Lifeguards. There is recreational swim time following lessons.
Activities for Pioneers
Pioneer activities below have more detail under the name
- Rock Range
- Archery
- Leadline rides allow Pioneers to get a feel for horse riding in a safe and fun environment
- Playing in the creek
- Learning about nature
- Interacting with animals
- Getting dirty
- Adventuring in the woods
- Exploring the Nature Playscape
- Drawing
- Painting
- Learning new mediums
- Clay work
- Weekly craft projects
- Process Art
- Lessons
- Recreational swim time
- Pool noodles and inflatables
- Learning pool safety from certified lifeguards
- Diving board
- Basketball
- Soccer
- Floor hockey
- GaGa
- 9 Square
- and more...
- Interacting with instruments at the Music Circle
- Singing camp songs
- Experiencing rhythm & beats
- Creating/performing songs & skits
Target Sports
- Rock Range
- Archery
Pony Rides
- Leadline rides allow Pioneers to get a feel for horse riding in a safe and fun environment
Nature & Animals
- Playing in the creek
- Learning about nature
- Interacting with animals
- Getting dirty
- Adventuring in the woods
- Exploring the Nature Playscape
Arts & Crafts
- Drawing
- Painting
- Learning new mediums
- Clay work
- Weekly craft projects
- Process Art
Swimming
- Lessons
- Recreational swim time
- Pool noodles and inflatables
- Learning pool safety from certified lifeguards
- Diving board
Sports & Games
- Basketball
- Soccer
- Floor hockey
- GaGa
- 9 Square
- and more...
Music & Drama
- Interacting with instruments at the Music Circle
- Singing camp songs
- Experiencing rhythm & beats
- Creating/performing songs & skits
Information for parents
Flexibility is the key to camping. We know that families have busy lives, so we try to be accommodating to all families needs.
Lunch
Campers will need to pack their lunch and at least two snacks each day. Lunch will be eaten with their group daily.
Transportation
Transportation is provided in Triple C vehicles, camp buses or multi passenger vehicles. All drivers are licensed, trained and experienced. Pick up points are available at The Park at UVA, Crozet (Western Albemarle High School), Fashion Square Mall, Pantops and 5th St. Station.
End of the day swim lessons
Pioneer campers will have lessons during their group swim time. ADDITIONAL LESSONS are offered MON-THURS from 4:00pm to 4:30pm. Camper groups may mix during this activity. PM transportation continues as registered. These are semi private lessons available at an additional fee.
Frequently Asked Questions for our Pioneers.
What is GaGa?
GaGa is a favorite game amongst our campers and staff. At Triple C Camp we play with kids our own age and use a playground type ball in an enclosed court. The goal is to keep the ball on the ground while hitting it with an open hand. Every player is on their own. If the ball makes contact with ANY player at ANY time below the knees, they are OUT.
While playing GaGa campers are building confidence, sharing ideas, developing physical skills, and practicing sportsmanship.
See our blog post on GaGa and why campers think it is the greatest camp game ever!
How much swimming do the Pioneers do?
Swim lessons and recreational swim take place multiple times per week at Triple C Camp. Group counselors are in the water with their campers, while American Red Cross Lifeguards teach lessons. Triple C Camp will be adhering to COVID-19 guidelines put forth in regards to swimming pools and space between campers while in the pool. In the event COVID-19 guidelines restrict swimming, alternative/approved water activities will be added into daily fun.
How do you handle discipline?
We call it positive discipline. Our staff make a HUGE deal out of all the positive things our campers do which means we have very little negative behavior. If something comes up, we work on it together with the campers, staff and also involve the parents. Please call 434.293.2529 to discuss more, we are always happy to partner with parents.
Why are K-3rd grade campers separated by gender?
It is helpful for girls and boys at younger ages to be in a peer group that is similar to their own. This helps them learn about themselves before they can learn about each other. This is facilitated with similar gender staff where the girls and boys can be themselves to learn how to be a better friend and make new friends. Plus, we have daily swims, change clothes and similar genders move us through this experience more efficiently.
General Camp FAQs
For more general camp questions visit our FAQs Page in the Parent Hub.
2023 summer camp schedule and rates.
