Daily Schedule
While most Baysiders participate in some group activities throughout the week, participation is never mandatory. You decide what works for you and your family. At any given time, you will find Baysiders enjoying a moment of solitude, chatting with other campers, or organizing an impromptu activity. All of these are welcome. (We do highly encourage attendance at Intergen each night though! See below.)This year, our morning programming will allow adults and children to go their separate ways. Afternoon programming will be for all ages, but parents are still welcome to send their kids with our counselors to afternoon activities if desired.
All Bayside activities and workshops are included in your registration fee.
Pre-Breakfast
FishingBefore Breakfast Mon - Sat
All ages
Many kids enjoy our Bayside tradition of early morning fishing. Some adults also slowly get out of bed and mosey on down to the dock with a hot cup of coffee to enjoy our kids' smiling faces as we find out how many fish they have caught. For decades there has been a group of "Bayside Fisher Dads" who really don't mind if you sleep in and send your kids out to the dock with them.
Early Morning Bird Walks
With Virginia Harrison
6:30 - 7:15 a.m. Wed, Thu, Fri
All Ages
Get up with the birds and join Virginia on an early morning bird walk around camp, catching the morning chorus at its peak. Everyone is welcome - from seasoned birders to the bird-curious. If you have binoculars, please bring them to share.
Morning Yoga
With Virginia Harrison
7:25 - 7:55 a.m. Mon - Fri
All Ages
Outdoors weather permitting, indoors as needed. Join Virginia and other Baysiders for early morning yoga! Whether you practice yoga regularly or have yet to try a downward-facing dog pose, you are welcome to come stretch and breathe for 30 minutes to start your day well. Unlike a formal yoga class, we will each do our own yoga poses at our own pace. Virginia will have a couple of extra mats to borrow and some quiet music to set the mood. (If you own a mat, please bring it.)
Mornings
After Breakfast, children ages 5+ are welcome to join the counselors through lunch time. We may have organized childcare for our under 4 year olds as well, but there are often campers willing to play with a little one for a couples hours while parents attend adult activities. See Kids for more details.
Above: Morning Celebration at Bayside 2022.
Morning Celebration
9 - 10 a.m. Mon - Fri
Each morning we gather for a period of contemplation and celebration. Campers coordinate these reflective moments and bring together poetry, music, meditation, rhythm, song and discussion. Morning Celebration is generally focused on Unitarian Universalist themes, and all are welcome.
Adult and High-school Youth Workshops
10 a.m. - noon Mon - Fri
Several workshops are offered each year by fellow campers. Some are one-time sessions and some meet each morning. Youth ages 14 and up are welcome to attend. Depending on registration numbers and interest, a separate space may be made available in the mornings for youth to participate in discussion and activities. Workshop details are listed under Workshops and Activities.
Saturday Morning Departure
After breakfast, we pack up our rooms and then come together for the last time around 10:00 a.m. for our closing circle. We sing a couple favorite songs and then have a special way to say goodbye! Check out is at 11:00 a.m.
Afternoons
Activities for AllAfternoon activities are set up to allow all ages to participate together, but some adults choose to do an activity separate from their children in the afternoon as well. You are welcome to send your kids to afternoon activities, and camp counselors will provide supervision for kids participating without their adults. See Workshops and Activities for more details on organized activities offered each afternoon.
Bayside Planning Meeting
With Alyssa Ryanjoy
Friday from 4pm - 5:15pm
The Bayside planning meeting is a time to get an update on Bayside business, and to start setting plans in motion for Bayside 2024! Bayside is completely organized by volunteers and we rely on input, support, and enthusiasm from a larger group. Attendance is optional, but all are welcome!
Evenings
Evenings at Bayside offer a special time for the full group to come back together and be in community with each other.Intergen
7 - 8 p.m. Sun, Mon, Tues, Thurs
This beloved tradition at Bayside offers a full-group, intergenerational activity. Your fellow campers plan these activities for all ages, so the activity is different each night. We have done improv games, vegetable car races, folk dancing, garbage fashion shows, and many more! Intergen is fun and wonderful time to build community and we always find a way to help all ages feel welcome.
After a story, Joys and Sorrows, and songs, we bid the children "good night" with yet another song.
Vespers
Directly after Intergen - 8:00 - 8:45 Sun, Mon, Tues, Thurs
We go straight from Intergen into our evening vespers. We sing together, share joys and sorrows from the day, and read a bedtime story to the children. We usually have two of our campers playing guitar and we welcome your help if you play an instrument! Again, this is an all-ages activity. Though we always have a couple who need drop off for bedtime, we welcome toddlers dancing around wildly, babies crying, and repeated requests to have the whole group sing Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.
Camp Fire
Wednesday after dinner until everyone leaves we enjoy s’mores and camp fire songs.
Talent Show and Dance Party
On our last night together (Friday), we have share our talents with each other. Don't forget to bring any instruments, props, or other items you might need for your act! Following the talent show, we have a fun, all-ages dance party!